“Oh my God. I can’t believe this.” She shook her head, and I felt her judgment loud and clear. “Just open the door and get her. I have nothing more to say to you.”
I nodded sharply.
When I entered the bathroom, my heart seized when I saw Brynne curled into a small package near the toilet. She didn’t move or acknowledge me.
“Oh, my Bonita. I’m so fucking sorry.” I kissed her forehead and lifted her into my arms. She wilted against me and whimpered. “Let’s get you into bed. It’s cold on the tile.”
I carefully laid her down and covered her.
“Go away.” She turned away from me.
“Yes, my love. But I won’t be far if you need me.” I didn’t dare kiss her again for fear it would upset her.
“I won’t,” she whispered. Her words were a dagger to the heart.
I stalked to the doorway. “Keep watch at the door,” I told Copper. At this moment, he was the only one I trusted to not stand between Brynne and me. Of course, I trusted Espada and Cash too. But I needed them to come with me. “You two.” I waved them to follow me downstairs.
My old man’s angry voice pinged off the walls in the kitchen, already bitching to Storm, no doubt. He could be a loud son of a bitch when pissed. I knew he was raising hell for Tina. He’d do anything for her just as I would for Brynne, but he needed to keep a level head, or he might sever our father-son ties.
“Oh, here’s the man himself now.” He glared. “Sit.”
“Don’t speak to me like I’m a fucking dog. Show me respect.” I leaned against the island and crossed my arms.
My old man appeared taken aback.
“Both of you, quiet,” Storm barked. “Let’s be rational and calm.”
“You mean to tell me you’d be calm if your son betrayed you and slept with your old lady’s daughter. His step-sister.” My dad eyed me like he could rip my head off.
“Christ, Raul. They didn’t grow up together. Yes. Track should’ve told you before you arrived, but he didn’t betray you.”
“The fuck he didn’t!”
“Think logically. The bigger issue here is Tina and Brynne. How is Brynne doing after getting the shock of her life?” Storm did his best to redirect my dad, but I could tell my old man wasn’t buying into it.
“She’s not taking it well,” I replied honestly.
“Can’t say I blame her. We knew all along Brynne would freak out. I mean, she believed her mom died in a car accident. At least we didn’t have to kidnap her. A small win.”
“Right. But it goes beyond finding out her mom is alive. She’s been through so much crap the past several weeks. This confrontation is too much for her. I was her safe place, and I’ve blown it all to hell.”
“Stop talking like you know anything about her.”
I turned toward my dad. “Are you kidding me? You’re just spewing your anger and making no sense. All the time we spent together, we both know each other about as well as we know ourselves.”
Dad snorted. “Oh, right. You’re in love with her.”
“Yes. I am.” I ran my fingers through my hair. I wasn’t about to elaborate. My feelings for Brynne were private and for her ears only. “What’s next, Prez?”
“I want you and my crew back in Minnesota where we can protect you better. I’m expecting retaliation from Dorian Adrienne.” The certainty in Storm’s voice made the hairs on my skin stick up.
“Any idea of what he might do?” I asked.
“No. I wish I had a crystal ball, but I don’t. We’ll just go on lockdown.” He sighed. “The women will love that, but tough shit. We gotta protect our families.”
“Agreed.” Brynne was my family and not the way my dad thought of her. She was mine and I would protect her. I’d give my life for hers.
My dad sat there quietly, with his hands clasped and a scowl.