Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
She looked over to Dalton and smiled when she saw him running after one of the balls. “Yeah, I think we’ll be just fine.”
“Good.” I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll be back when I can.”
“Okay. Take your time.”
I hated to leave them, especially under the circumstances, but I needed to find out who had tried to run them off the road and why. I hesitated for a moment longer, then turned and headed out to find the others. I’d barely started down the hall when I heard my father ask, “How long have you known?”
I didn’t want to have this conversation now, especially with Londyn and Dalton so close, but I could tell by the look in his eye that he wasn’t going to be put off again. Damn. I inhaled a deep breath before saying, “Let me explain...”
CHAPTER 22
Londyn
There was a time when I loved being at the Fury clubhouse.
The guys were great. I loved hanging out with them, listening to the teasing and the crazy stories. They always made me feel like I was a part of their rowdy clan, and I adored them for it. I felt safe there like it was a second home, but a lot had happened since those days.
Now, I felt like an intruder who had no business being in their clubhouse, much less their family room. I thought my imagination was screwing with me until I heard Cotton shouting in the hallway, “Answer the damn question, Malcomb!”
Out of pure curiosity, I stepped over to the doorway and listened as he answered, “A few days. Maybe a week.”
“And you didn’t think to mention anything to me or your mother?”
“Of course, I thought about it! I was going to tell you, but I just found out about him. I wanted a chance for him to get to know me before I unloaded the whole family on him.”
“It’s always been about you and what you want.”
“It’s what Londyn wanted, too.”
“So, this is Londyn’s kid?”
“He’s our kid.”
Dalton glanced over at me when Cotton shouted, “And she’s kept him from us for five years!”
“It’s not like that.”
“The hell it isn’t! She could’ve come to you and told you what was going on. Hell, she could’ve come to me! But she chose to keep him a secret!” Cotton roared. “Who does that? Who keeps a child from his family for five goddamn years?”
Before I realized what I was doing, I’d stepped out into the hall. My stomach was in knots as I muttered, “I tried to tell him. I tried so many times.”
Cotton whipped around, and I was a little startled when I saw the fierce expression on his face. I knew he had a reputation for being tough as nails, but Cotton had always been so sweet and kind to me. Today, he looked anything but sweet and kind. I could literally feel the rage and hurt radiating off him.
My heart was racing as I tried to explain, “I called, but I never got an answer. I came by here, but I was always turned away. I even tried writing letters.”
Cotton turned his attention to Malcomb as he barked, “Is this true?”
“Yeah, it’s all true,” Malcomb answered. “I would’ve told you that if you’d given me a chance to explain.”
“Damnit.” Cotton shook his head, still clearly angered. “I told you. I told you time and time again, but you were too damn stubborn to listen. You were always so fucking stubborn.”
“Yeah, I wonder where I got that.”
“Don’t you try turning this on me,” Cotton snapped back.
I knew he was hurt. I also knew I played a part in causing that hurt, so I was compelled to try and fix it. There was only one way I knew how to do that, so I asked, “Would you like to meet him?”
Cotton nodded, and then he and Malcomb followed me into the family room. I could tell that Cotton was a little uneasy as we made our way over to the pool table, but it was Cotton. He had a way about him that could set people at ease. I had a feeling Dalton would love him.
Cotton watched silently as I crouched down next to Dalton and said, “Hey, sweetie. I have someone who I’d like you to meet.”
Dalton’s eyes widened as he looked up at Cotton, and I could only imagine what he was thinking. Cotton didn’t look like any man he’d ever been around before. He was about the same age as my father and had the same salt and pepper hair, but he was covered in tattoos and he was much, much bigger than my father. And in his Satan’s Fury cut, he looked quite intimidating.
Hoping to ease his mind, I told him, “This is Cotton. He’s Malcomb’s father, and your grandfather.”
“Oh, hey,” Dalton replied in barely a whisper.