Seething with anger, I shoved Grim away. “I don’t care.” Losing my shit, I felt the Reaper pressing in, ready to break free. “I don’t care what any message says.”
“May you forgive me someday, Diablo.” My pres, looking almost ill, called out beyond the tent walls. “I need help in here.”
Men rushed in while Grim wrapped his thick arms around me, preventing me from moving mine. “I’m so sorry, brother.”
Thunder stared at me. “Thank you so much for not giving up on me.”
I ignored the men helping to restrain me. My jaw locked. “If you, for one fucking minute, think your ass ain’t coming with me—”
“I figured you’d given up and moved on with your life.”
I could feel the rage, the heat warming my skin. “Never. Including now—”
“Knowing you’re in this world, waiting for me, fills the void right here.” Thunder patted his heaving chest. “Do you understand?”
Fuck no! “You are to stay with me!”
“I need you to let me go,” he replied calmly.
I don’t think the words that left my mouth next made sense as I was tackled to the ground, fighting them all.
Thunder lowered to his hands and knees, his face at ground level with my own. “There are innocents out there, Dio. I have to stand in the fire with them. You’ll pull me free again—”
No! I wouldn’t allow it. I went ballistic, forcing more men to climb on top of the pile.
Thunder reached for my balled fist, grabbing it. “Dio . . .”
Noooooooo.
“Dad.”
The pile went still.
Thunder squeezed my fist. “I am so proud to have you in my life.”
My fist opened, snatching his hand. My heart thumped painfully in my chest.
He called me Dad. Could I contain the happiness that followed? It threatened to break free or consume me on the spot.
“You may doubt who you are at times, but don’t. You are the gift that brings balance.” His stare held so much emotion. “Don’t ask me to not be whoyoutaught me to be.”
Gutted. Chastised. So grateful. What a conflicting swirl of feelings building inside me. “Thunder.”
“Let me honor who you are to me.”
Defeat. How could I argue with his truth?
Tears trickling down his cheeks, he spoke one more devastating truth. “I’m strong . . . because of you and my Ani.”
My chest heaved, followed by a sob. “My boy.”
“Your boy. I swear it, Dio.”
The tent flap opened, ushering in another wave of pain I had yet to overcome. Diesel had arrived.
THUNDER ROSE FROM THEfloor, pointing at me. “I’m his.”
Pride and love filled my chest as I slowly stood.