Her brother was a much better man than Ox. He needed to remain that way. For their family. For his own.
Especially now that he was in a serious relationship with Cassie and was helping raise her little girl, Daisy.
And Ry, of all people, had shown up in Manning Grove to get to know his father. To build their relationship.
Jemma didn’t want her nephew following the same deadly path as his grandfather. He had a bright future ahead of him with college scholarships. He needed to remain on that path and not let any of what happened on this farm make him take a wrong turn. He did not need to wear the Fury’s colors like his grandfather had and now, unfortunately, his father.
“So, where’s my nephew? I’d like to meet him.”
“Workin’. You can meet him later at dinner. Lottie wants us all sittin’ at her table tonight. Got a big dinner planned.”
“Okay. I’m heading there next. I just wasn’t expecting to walk into what I did here. What have you gotten me into?”
“You can say no, Jem.”
Could she? “Don’t tempt me.” Her brother asked for her help. Even if this favor wasn’t for him, she owed him a lot. “Brother, just a warning... Like I said on the phone, I’m not staying long and you know why.”
Judge nodded. “Yeah. Just ‘til he gets a handle on this shit and finds a long-term house mouse.”
“Or another job comes up. A real job,” she added. “Can’t pay for that beautiful, badass Volvo behind you without one.”
Her brother didn’t seem to find that funny. But then the whole situation—at least what she knew of it—wasn’t funny at all.
That was driven home with what Judge said next. “Jem, that baby didn’t ask for any of this shit. Just like we didn’t. I’m the sergeant at arms of this club. My job’s to protect them all. Even that baby. No matter what.”
“I hear you, brother,” she said on a sigh.
“I also hear you. Just askin’ you to stay ‘til somethin’ better comes along for him or you. Jem, he can be a fuckin’ asshole, sometimes more than the rest of us, but this kid didn’t ask to be born, so she deserves better. You get what I’m sayin’?”
“Yes, I get you. We don’t get to choose our parents, but we have to survive them. Good or bad.”
“We survived.”
“Have we?” With a tilt of her head, she stared up at him. “Look what you’re wearing on your back. Look what you did today. Are you proud of that? Are you okay with picking up where Ox left off?”
“Truth?”
Jemma lifted a palm. “You don’t have to say it. I already know.” She shook her head. “See you at dinner. Think about bringing the asshole and his offspring.”
“Not enough room at the table, sis. Besides meetin’ my son, you get to finally meet my girls. Saylor, too.”
“Saylor?”
He smirked. “Daisy’s wrangler.”
“Uh oh. She needs a wrangler?”
“Believe me, uh oh don’t fuckin’ cut it when it comes to Crazy Daze.”
Jemma couldn’t wait to meet Cassie, the woman who put a smile on her brother’s face. She wanted to thank her brother’s ol’ lady. And her spirited daughter.
“Well, I can’t wait.” She brushed her hands off on her jeans. “I’d like to say I’m glad to be home, but I’m not going to lie. I miss you and Deke and Lottie, but I don’t miss the memories that being home brings.”
“I hear you, sis.”
Jemma stepped up to Judge, and when he pushed off her car, she wrapped her arms around his thick waist. She squeezed harder when he enveloped her tightly in his arms. His lips pressed against the top of her head. She was tall, but he was much taller.
And so fucking solid, he felt good. Calming.
Like home.
She wasn’t lying when she said she’d missed him. It was the hardest thing about staying away. An unfamiliar sting in her nose and eyes had her sniffle, then pull back. “Is Ry as tall as you?”
“Almost.”
“Gangly and awkward?”
“Fuck no. He’s beatin’ the women off with a stick. He’s fuckin’ smart, too. Will miss him when he leaves for college in August. Haven’t had enough time with him.”
“You’ll get it. Just be glad you reconnected. What’s he think about his old man doing shit like today?”
“He don’t know. Sent him to Crazy Pete’s to get him outta here. He don’t know much about club life yet. He’s only been here a week. Shit’s all new to him.”
Jemma wished Ry would stay ignorant of an MC’s ways. “Is he staying with you?”
“No.” He jerked his chin toward the barn structure behind them. “In the bunkhouse.”
“With your club brothers?”
“Yeah.”
“Well then, he’s going to learn real fast, won’t he?”
Judge actually chuckled. Chuckled. It was music to her ears. Yes, she was going to give Cassie a huge hug. Maybe even buy her a dozen daisies.