“No, fuck you, Jett! You think I want to see my sister married to a man I know is no good for her?”
“Don't even pretend like you give a fuck about her, Hammer. You've done nothing but push her away and treat her like shit since the day you met her!”
We're both out of our seats so fast I don't know who got to their feet first. We stare each other down, nostrils flaring, anger rising. The last thing I want is to fight with this man in his own home, but I won't be lied to! He doesn't care about Maria. He's probably bending Draven's ear to make sure he follows through with this fuckin' wedding!
“What the hell is going on in here? Noah's in the house!”
My sister is right; there's a baby in the house. I would never do anything to scare him, but I'm angry, I feel backed into a corner. There's nothing I can do to stop this wedding, and it's killing me.
I don't know what to do with myself anymore. I can feel my heart crushing inside my chest, and I don't like the feeling one little bit.
“I'm sorry, you're right.” I smile at Willow. “I shouldn't have come. I'll go now.”
“Wait,” She takes my arm. “I know you're hurting, but don't think for one-second Hammer isn't on your side. We all are.”
Whatever she says.
“Stay away from Maria, Jett. Don't go sneaking over there to see her again,” Is there anyone that doesn't know what I've been doing? “It'll only be a matter of time before Draven finds out. When he does, nothing anyone does will save you.”
I kiss my sister's cheek and leave. I can't deal with anymore tonight. That's why I ignore Hammer and whatever it is he's saying right now. I need to go get fuckin' drunk. So drunk I forget Maria Vidal and the fact she'll never be mine, or that I'll never so much as kiss my own child's head.
Then when I wake up tomorrow, I'll try again to make someone listen to me, to help me put a stop to this madness. If that doesn't work, then... I have no fuckin' idea where I'll go from there.
Don't give up, Jett. Remember what Apollo taught you. Never give up. Only losers and pussy’s give up. You're a Snakes Henchmen, and a Snake never gives up!
Giving up is not in my blood, and not seeing Maria is not an option. I have to be near her. I'll do whatever it takes to make that happen. I crave her like a junkie craving smack.
God help me.
Chapter Ten
Draven
I've heard it all before, Hammer.”
“You may have heard it, but I don't think you heard it, brother.”
“Are we really doing this again, Sam?”
This is the second time my brother has interfered in the decisions I have made concerning the women in my life, first Avery, now Maria. Yes, he was right when it came to Avery, but the girl was in love with a filthy biker and tried to take her own life. I would have done anything to make sure that never happened again. Maria isn't in love with Jett. She made a mistake... One I can't bear to even think about. She's pregnant and needs a husband. I found her one. Just not the one she says she thinks she wants.
I know what's best for Maria. No one would dare tell me I'm wrong, no one but this man in front of me. He barged into my home office yet again to give me a piece of his mind. For some odd reason, he seems to think he can tell me what to do where Maria is concerned.
He may be her brother, but I raised that girl, no one knows what's best for her but me!
“Yes, we're doing this again, Draven! Don't do this to her. I know what she means to you. The whole damn state knows, and I know you only want the best for her. However, do you honestly, in your heart of hearts, believe this is what's best for her?”
I roll my neck and shift in my leather seat behind my desk. I don't usually allow people in my home office; this is my private room. The place I throw around ideas, reasons for why I need to dispose of certain wastes of space. This is the room I come to get away from the stress of being the Don, even if it's just for half an hour.
“She's miserable, Draven. Any idiot can see that. They're in love, and no matter what you say or do it will never change that fact.”
“Love.” I scoff. They don't love each other; they don't even know each other. One night together does not constitute love.
“Don't do that, Draven. You know full well that he's been sneaking into your house to be with her, and you did nothing to stop it.” I grit my teeth. I do know this. I know everything. “You think that was wise? You didn't think it would just have her falling deeper in love with him?”
I don't know what the fuck I was thinking, I've been too busy covering up her pregnancy, sorting this wedding, and making sure my men keep their goddamn mouths shut. Just one let's slip even half a word, and I'll kill the cunt!
“When was the last time you saw her smile, Draven?”
I haven't seen Maria smile in weeks. Not even a slight smile. It hasn't escaped my notice how much weight she's losing either, and even I know that's not right in her condition. I mentioned it to her doctor at her last appointment. She merely told me that stress can cause weight loss, that it's not healthy and could cause Maria to miscarry. Then she told me to keep an eye on Maria and to take her back if she losses any more weight, or even feels sick.
I should have taken her before now, but with everything we've had to sort out for this wedding, I haven't had the time to scratch my head. That was so fucking wrong. Never in my life, have I put anything before Maria's health.
When you do the job, I do it's more than just a job it's a way of life. Many people depend on me. I can take your life from you in less than a second. I can allow you to keep it just as quickly. I think nothing of killing those who get in my way. I don't care who you are, if you cross me, you die.
So why the fuck is that filthy biker scum still alive?
Something in the way Maria begged me not to hurt him, the way she looked at me, those tears falling from her eyes. I'll never forget that look for as long as I live.
I told myself there's no way she could be in love with that jumped up motherfucker. He's cocky, arrogant, thinks he's God's fucking gift, and probably fucks more women than I do. How the hell could a man like that be good for my sister? He'd end up cheating on her left and right. She'd come to me in tears, and I'd end up ripping his fucking throat out with my bare hands!
Yet I've been allowing him to sneak into my house to see her, and I've done nothing to stop him. I must be losing my mind!
“He's got rights, Dray. That baby is of is blood. I know how you feel about people like me, and I know what you've threatened, but do you honestly think, unless you actually kill him and risk losing Maria for good, that he'll just go about his life and not kick up a fuss?”
“Don't preach to me, Sam. I've made up my mind.”
“Then I'll do what I can to make sure Jett stays away from Maria.”
“Good.”
“You listened to me when it came to Ghost. When I told you that deep down he was a good man, you listened for Avery's sake
. Jett is a good man, Draven. He's as cocky as you think he is, but I know deep in here,” He thumps his chest over his heart. “That no one could love that girl as much as Jett does. It's fuckin' odd for me to say that. I never thought Jett would ever fall in love, but he's fuckin' miserable without Maria.”
“More like he's pissed that he won't be coming near her or that kid after tomorrow.”
“You're a fuckin' asshole, Dray!” I run my tongue over my teeth to stop the smirk trying to break my lips. I've been called worse, people have died for less. However, it always makes me smile when my brother talks to me like this. He challenges me, he isn’t afraid of me at all, which is how it should be, I am his brother, after all. “You are not God! Don't fuckin' do this to Maria. I'm not asking you to give a shit about Jett, he's a big guy and doesn't give a shit what you or anyone else thinks of him, but he loves Maria and their baby. I've seen how sad she looks. It ain't right.”
“Why do you even care, Hammer? You've never had anything to do with her! You think I don't know how you treat her?” His eyes widen with anger. This can't come as a shock to him. Nothing happens around here without me knowing about it. “You think I don't know how you won't even let her hold your son? The son you have no problem with me holding?”
“I have my reasons for keeping her at arm's length, Draven. Women tend to get killed around me, or haven't you noticed? However, this isn't about me, this is about Maria and her happiness. If you really care about her the way you say you do, then give her what she wants. Don't force her into something we'll all regret in the not too distant future.”
I don't need this right now. I've got a speech to perfect. My little sister is getting married tomorrow. I'm walking her down the aisle, and I'll be damn proud to do so. No matter the reason she has to do this.
My brother gets out of his set, ready to leave. “Whatever you decide to do, no matter what I say, you'll do it anyway. I just hope you make the right choice for Maria and her baby's sake.”
No one would ever get away with speaking to me like this usually. I would have killed this man without even thinking twice about it before he got the second word out of his mouth. Trust me; I want to blow my brothers head off right now! However, I know he's only thinking of Maria and her future. The life she will have to lead after tomorrow.