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I was in a foul mood and knew I wasn’t very successful at hiding it from Blythe.

She’d repeatedly asked me if I was upset with her or if anything was wrong.

I told her no, but it was a lie. For one thing, I was still pissed that Deon had guessed she was working for Alfred and invaded the store on Monday.

It had taken everything in me not to race over there and make her come home and stay there.

I was thankful for Leon, and he assured me they were being extra cautious.

That evening, she’d asked if she had to quit.

I wanted to shout yes, but I didn’t. Instead, I let Agony know we’d need a prospect after all.

The following day, Dimitri went to the store.

This morning, it was Soren. The Deon situation was enough to make me less than happy, but the last thing I expected happened this afternoon while I was at Souls’ Soak.

It left me in a worse mood, so I was locked in my home office, pretending to work while Blythe was in the living room.

I hated leaving her alone, but I was still trying to wrap my head around it. I kept remembering what had happened.

I was reviewing the expenses for the month so far.

Everything looked to be on track. That was good.

I was about to close it down and go onto something else when I was startled by my cell phone ringing.

I grabbed it off my desk. I had it there for quick access in case Blythe called.

She had orders that if Deon showed up, she should contact me immediately.

It wasn’t her number. I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered anyway.

I hoped it wasn’t a telemarketer trying to sell me something or waste my time.

“Hello, this is Bones,” I said briskly. My tone wasn’t friendly or mean. It was neutral with an edge.

There was a pause before a voice I could’ve gone the rest of my life without hearing came through the phone. “Bones? I hate that stupid name. What self-respecting doctor would allow himself to be called that?” My brother muttered.

“I can think of a few. What do you want, Junior?” I asked.

“Don’t call me that! My name is Jameson,” he snapped. He hated anyone calling him Junior, and I knew it. The only one he tolerated saying it was Dad. It was my way of getting back at him for his crack about my name.

“I’ll call you Jameson when you call me Bones,” I informed him.

“Christ, you’re such an immature asshole. Listen, I didn’t call to get into a debate about our names. I need to discuss something important with you. Do you think you can handle that?” he asked acidly.

“Keep using that tone, and I’m hanging up,” I warned him. My fist was clenched. To this day, the sound of his voice infuriates me.

“No! Wait, stop. Don’t hang up. It’s important. Hear me out. I called because Mom begged me to. She wants you to come home. It’s been over ten years, Jag… I mean, Bones. It’s been more than long enough for you to get over your anger.”

“It doesn’t matter if it has been fifty years. I have no reason to return. I have a life here, and I love it. There’s nothing back there for me. All of you made sure of that. Why ask me again to come back? You know my answer.”

“Because Dad isn’t getting any younger. He’s seventy-two and wants to retire,” Jameson said.

“So let him retire. What does it have to do with me?”

“He’s always wanted his sons to carry on the practice. He wants you to come home and take over your half. Surely, you’ve gotten over being upset about me and Petra. And I hope you don’t still carry a torch for my wife,” he said snidely.

I laughed long and hard. When I was done, I told him the truth.

“I don’t forgive betrayal, and that’s what all four of you did.

However, I don’t have any feelings for Petra.

I realized a long time ago that I never loved her.

It was all lust. She used me until someone she thought was better came along. It was a good lesson learned.”

“We fell in love. We didn’t want to hurt you.

There was a solution, but you were too proud to take it.

Instead, you waste your life as a biker and play at living.

You were a good doctor, and you’re wasting your talents by living with a bunch of outlaw degenerates.

I told Dad that you probably don’t even have a medical license anymore. ”

“You’re one to talk about degenerates, Jameson.

Your solution was for us to share my wife and hide it from the world.

You sneer at my club, but you have no room to talk.

I know all about you and Petra’s open marriage and how you’re swingers.

How does that make you better than any of my club brothers?

At least I won’t wonder if my children belong to me.

Do you know if your son and daughter are Phoenixes?

What would Dad say to the possible foreign blood getting into his precious bloodline?

” I taunted. I was sure my parents didn’t know about their lifestyle.

“Shut up! At least I have a family. I bet you’re still alone and fucking whoever comes along. Isn’t that what bikers do?”

“We do until we find the one we’re meant to be with.

And yes, I’d had my fair share of women.

I’m not the unskilled lover you used to tease me about.

And you’d be wrong. I have a beautiful and amazing woman.

Her name is Blythe. And we’re having twins in January.

We both have successful jobs and are established here.

I have zero desire to move back there and even less to work with you and Petra.

You can tell Mom and Dad that. I’d like to say it’s been nice talking to you, but it would be a lie. Don’t bother calling me again, Junior.”

I was about to disconnect when he yelled more. “Dad has been sick. His doctor worries that it might not be enough to keep him going even if he retires. His heart is bad. This is his last wish.”

“I’m sorry he’s facing that, but I won’t return to being miserable and doing work I hate. Still using the practice as an assembly line, no doubt. Churning patients through like inanimate objects that only need three minutes of your time, and then on to the next. That’s not the kind of doctor I am.”

My brother snorted. “Are you even still a doctor?”

“As a matter of fact, I am. I work in the ER and am considering opening a practice. The bad taste you guys left in my mouth is gone. But if I do, I won’t treat them as numbers.

Tell Dad to retire and relax. You and Petra can carry on the practice.

It’ll be the legacy you can leave to your children.

Undoubtedly, you’ll push them to be doctors whether they want to or not. ”

“While you’ll let yours grow up wild and undisciplined,” he snapped.

“Mine will be whatever they want to be, and I’ll support and guide them. I plan to ensure my kids know they’ll be loved no matter what. Goodbye, Junior.” I didn’t wait this time. I hit disconnect.

That call was over twenty-four hours ago, and it still bothers me.

I hadn’t told Blythe about it because she didn’t need more stress.

She’d worry about how it affected me and if I wanted to return.

I knew without a single doubt I didn’t. I was happy here.

Jameson tried calling me again, but I let it go to voicemail and then deleted his message without listening to it.

Even though I didn’t want to return, if Mom or Dad wanted something, they could call me directly, rather than using my brother as a messenger.

I wasn’t sure why I was allowing that call to upset me. Everything I said to him was true.

A soft knock on the door brought my head up. “Yes,” I called out.

“Can I come in?” Blythe asked softly yet hesitantly.

“Yeah, you can come in.”

The door opened slowly. Blythe appeared forlorn as she entered. She didn’t come to me as I expected. Instead, she stopped about halfway in the room. “Jagger, what did I do?”

“Do?”

“Yes, what did I do that has you so upset with me? You’re locking yourself away in here, and you’ve hardly spoken to me since Monday. Have you changed your mind?”

“Changed my mind about what?” I came to my feet.

“About wanting me and the babies. If you have, just tell me.”

Guilt hit me as I realized what I’d done. I rushed around my desk and over to her. She was watching me with tears in her eyes and a trembling bottom lip. I brought her against my chest and wrapped her in my arms. My lips kissed the top of her head.

“Firefly, God no, I haven’t changed my mind about you and the babies. That could never happen. Why would you think that?” As I asked, I led her to the small loveseat. I eased down, bringing her down on my lap.

“Because of all the trouble I’m causing.

You have Deon making threats, so you have to use your prospects to keep an eye on me at work.

You were embarrassed in public by him and then had to lie about us having an affair to try to throw him off.

People heard that. I hate that they’ll judge you for something you didn’t do.

And Deon isn’t stopping. He’ll keep causing trouble. Who would blame you if you wanted out?”

Her head was bent, and I heard her sniff.

I raised her head with a finger under her chin.

She was crying. I kissed her eyes, sipping away the tears.

I then followed the path they took until I reached her mouth.

My first kiss was gentle, but with the second, I let her feel the love and passion I felt.

I ravished her, nipping and sucking until she was moaning.

When I raised my head, she appeared bemused.