Taking the stairs two at a time with my overnight bag in hand, I intend on switching out my clothes, throwing in some clean, sexy underwear and rescuing Theo as fast as I can.
It almost works, but I get intercepted on the way out of my room by my dad.
“I was just going to save Theo from Cruz’s how-to-treat-my-niece right speech,” I say lightly when he stops me from slipping past him.
“Theo’s a big boy, I’m sure he can cope.”
Oh, hell yeah he is.
I lock those thoughts down the second they pop up. Not appropriate to be thinking about while looking at my father.
“Emmie, I really don’t want to tell you what to do. You’re your own person and I trust you, but—”
I groan in amusement at him but he narrows his eyes at me.
“But,” he continues, “I’m open-minded and I have no issue with you staying with Theo. He can even crash here, if he wants,” he says through gritted teeth. “But school needs to remain your focus. We have no idea what the future might hold. You two might still be together when you’re old and grey, or you might not. Nothing in life is certain, but don’t throw away opportunities for something you’ve not even realised exists yet.”
“Dad,” I say, a smile playing on my lips. “I’m going to fully embrace Knight’s Ridge, and I’m going to leave that place with grades that will make you so fucking proud, I promise. Husband or no husband, I will not let you down.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about you letting down, Em. It’s yourself. You’ve got so much potential, I want you to embrace it.”
“I will. I am,” I assure him.
“Everything is going to be okay. Your pops will be dealt with, and the Wolves and the Reapers will be under new leadership. And you, and your mum, can restart your lives however you see fit.”
I nod, hoping that this Pops thing is over sooner rather than later.
I understand, I think, why they’ve done what they have. But while he’s still out there, even if he is in hiding, then he’s still a risk.
“And what about you? What are you going to do next?”
“Same as always, kiddo. My calling is the studio, you know that.”
“I do, I wouldn’t expect anything else. But with Pops gone, Cruz taking over and the two of you sorting your shit out, I wondered if you might—
“He’s offered me a seat at the table,” he blurts, his eyes widening as if he wasn’t intending to confess that to me.
“Oh? And are you going to take it?” I ask, aware of how much of a big deal that is. Dad’s not been a part of the club for a long time. To be offered a place again, it’s huge.
“I don’t know. We’ll see. He’s got bigger issues with taking over than what I’m going to do with my life.”
I can’t say I’m surprised. I’m sure Pops had plenty of guys on his side in all of this. Cruz has got a lot of work to do to clear out any deadwood that had loyalties to the old man.
“Well, if you want my opinion,” I can’t help but laugh when his brows lift as if to say, ‘You’re going to give it to me anyway,’ “I think it’s time we all just embraced who we are and the families we belong to.”
“You gonna try and patch in too, kiddo?”
“Meh, who knows. I’ll accept being the first female member. There’s way too much testosterone in that place.” He shakes his head at me in amusement. “We’ll figure it out, old man.”
“I love you, kiddo. I’m so fucking proud of you.”
“You too, Dad,” I say, forcing the words past the lump in my throat.
We hold each other until there’s a loud bang from downstairs, and then we both break apart and rush for the door.
“What the hell was that?” Dad barks the second we’re both in the living room doorway, staring at Theo and Cruz, who are both sitting there innocently.
“What was what?” Cruz says, with a knowing mischievous look in his eyes.