Page 85 of Bear

“Yes, Bear the giant.” She giggled against my neck and that was the only signal I needed to toss her over my shoulder. A light and airy yelp escaped her once she was practically upside down as I strode toward the steps.

“You two stop playing in there!” Luanne shouted after us. It felt like old times as I paused on the bottom step. Only this time I wasn’t chasing Cecily through the house. I was carrying her with the intent to stuff her full of dick.

“Yes ma’am,” I called back down the hall. I slapped Cecily’s ass and she stifled a wild giggle that made my heart knock against my chest. It was one of the most beautiful sounds I’d ever heard. More beautiful than any horn in any jazz song.

When I hit the fourth step, a chill raced through my body, making me pause in my stride. Not even a second later, the doorbell rang. I sat Cecily upright and locked eyes with her.

“Go upstairs,” I said.

“Bear, you okay?”

“I’m fine. Go upstairs and put on some clothes, please.” She stood there defiantly for a moment but by the time the doorbell rang again, she nodded and hurried up the steps.

“You expecting company?” I heard Luanne ask from the study.

“No,” I frowned, walking toward the double doors. I didn’t bother checking the cameras. There was no need for that. My gut told me to open the door.

So I did.

“Son! Surprise!” My father stood on the porch with his arms wide open and a smile that nearly knocked the wind out of me. I didn’t miss a fucking beat though. Fuck that. He wasn’t going to know he threw me off my game, not even by a goddamn centimeter.

I smiled at him and pulled him in for a tight hug. I slapped his back and kissed his cheek. I pulled away before he could feel the rage stomping through my veins making my heart thump harder and heavier.

“Dad, what the fuck? Why didn’t you tell me you were getting out today? I would have made sure you got picked up in style.” I looked past him at the taxi sitting in the circular driveway.

“Nah, it wouldn’t have been a surprise then. You can pay the cab fare for me though.” He chuckled and stepped into the foyer.

“Sure thing, Dad. Let me grab my wallet.” I took his bag and walked into the study where I saw Luanne and Lane laughing and talking. “Dad’s home,” I said loud enough for him to hear. He couldn’t hear the expression on my face though.

“Now?” Luanne blinked in disbelief then looked at Lane.

“Now.” I pulled her in for a hug and whispered in her ear. “Luanne, I need you to keep your fucking wits, okay? If you feel fuzzy at all, pretend you have a cold. You work for me. Remember?” When I pulled away from her she nodded.

“I know how to handle him, I’m fine,” Lane said before I could whisper anything to her.

“Luanne! Where’s my food, woman?” Dad laughed and strode toward the two ladies. When he looked at Lane, his entire disposition changed.

“Griffon, long time no see,” she smiled. It was fake though.

“Now, I expected a lot of things when I came home early but seeing your face wasn’t one of them. Lu, you just have all your little friends up and through my house when I’m gone, huh?” He narrowed his eyes at Lane but something lurked behind that stare. Something he wanted to keep hidden.

“She came by to help me with the plans for tomorrow.”

“Uh huh. Don’t have her here all night.”

“Nice to see you too, Griff,” Lane scoffed. I left the room before I said something to him about the icy way he spoke to her after all the shit he put her through. I thought it would be easier to keep my cool around my mother and father simultaneously but it was proving to be tougher than I thought.

I went to the desk and grabbed my wallet and phone then headed outside to pay the driver. When I offered him a generous tip, he shook his head and said, “I’m good, Bear. Anything for Griff.”

I smiled politely at him and stood up straight, patting the top of the yellow cab. As he pulled off, I snapped a picture of the back of his cab then pressed my phone to my ear and called Ace.

“What’s up, Bear?”

“We’re moving things up a little. Dad’s home.”

“Fuck,” he groaned.

“Exactly.”