Page 3 of Georgie (Sons of Hell MC #10)

Josie

Of all the damn days for my dad to throw a fucking fit. I already had enough going on with the uptake in reservations for the Ski Resort and now Ms. LeeAnn’s wedding, I didn’t need to stop what I was doing to babysit a grown ass man-child.

And that’s exactly what my father was.

A child.

I already had two of those myself. I didn’t need another.

To make matters worse, every time my dad dismissed a nurse, George showed up all flustered, huffing and puffing, which in turn pissed off my dad and the two of them would go at it for hours.

I just couldn’t with either of them today.

When the elevator door opened, I marched inside, George right behind, neither of us saying a word.

God, I really didn’t want to be alone with him and praise be the Lord because right before the doors shut, Laurel snuck in and reached for my hand.

“Thought you could use a friend.”

If she only knew how right she was.

I really could use one. In more ways than one.

For a short, hot minute, I had George, but he turned out to be a dud.

I should have known a leopard wouldn’t change his spots.

There was so much I wanted to say, so much I wanted to get off my chest. Just to be able to talk to a real, honest-to-God friend, someone who would sympathize, understand, commiserate with me. Instead, I had no one, and I kept everything all bottled up inside me.

Did I know that staying silent wasn’t healthy? I sure did, but with no one around that I could trust, I kept my mouth shut.

About everything!

Of course, it didn’t help that I really didn’t know anyone here in Rosewood. While I was born in Rosewood, I didn’t grow up here, because the second I was old enough, my dad sent me away to the most expensive and prestigious boarding school he could find.

Yes, those things still existed, and my dad took full advantage of one when my mom died shortly after my fifth birthday.

In a way, I kind of understood. Dad just lost the love of his life, was getting ready to break ground on the Ski Resort and well, he really didn’t have time for a growing little girl.

So, while Dad devoted his time to ensuring I had every advantage, I spent my formative years away from the only family I had.

On the plus side, I traveled around a lot. Saw some beautiful sights, met some wonderful people along the way, and even got a top-notch education.

Lot of good that did me because the first chance I had to spread my wings, I found myself pregnant with twins, and that’s when shit went sideways and downhill fast.

Because that’s when I met Freddie ‘The Con Man’ Hennessy.

It wasn’t my finest moment.

I would gladly admit that now, but in my defense, I was a scared girl who just found out she was pregnant. How was I supposed to know that the idiot I married was a two-timing gigolo who possibly had more than one wife out in the world?

What’s that saying... Never try to con a con man?

Yeah, well, I got played and if my dad’s attorney was right, that asshole was about to play me again, right out of my trust fund. ’Cause that’s what the bastard was demanding, or he was refusing to sign the divorce papers.

Looking up at Laurel, I whispered, “Thank you. Dad is private. He didn’t want to be in a hospital. He won’t listen to me.”

“That’s why I’m here, Josephine. Stubborn fool will listen to me.” George sighed angrily as the elevator doors opened into the spacious family-living quarters and George marched forward.

“Jack! Where the hell are you?”

“Go away!”

“Listen up, old man!” George shouted, storming off to pick a fight with my dad. “I don’t have time for your damn games.”

“Then go away!”

Standing near the elevators, I shook my head. “Dad has been a little combative lately. He only listens to George. I don’t know why, because George aggravates him the most, and he scares the home nurses I’ve hired. The only time Dad is remotely reasonable is when the kids are around.”

“Josie, can I ask what is wrong with your dad?”

“That’s just it. George can’t find anything wrong with him.

Last year, Dad started having dizzy spells and was forgetting things.

But so far, every test has come back negative.

I thought if the kids and I moved back home, I could help take some stress off him.

But he’s only gotten worse. Now, he refuses to leave and walks around in a robe all day muttering about stuff that doesn’t make sense. ”

“God damn it, Jack! Where the hell are you?” George bellowed.

“Don’t you curse me, boy! I can still whip your ass!”

“Try me, old man,” George sneered, walking back toward us.

“Didn’t know we had company?” I heard my dad say sweetly from behind me. Turning, I stared wide-eyed at the man I called dad and groaned, quickly covering my eyes.

If there was a hole, I would jump in it.

Of course, my father wouldn’t be dressed. Why would he be? It’s only three in the damn afternoon on a freaking Wednesday.

But did that fact enter into his head?

Hell no!

Because the man was standing buck naked wearing only his black silk bathrobe!

Peeking through my fingers, I watched as he tightened the belt on his robe, and my dad gave Laurel his best signature panty-melting smile. Extending his hand, she took it and damn near swooned right there in a puddle of goo when he kissed the back of her hand.

“Jack Orlean, and you are?”

Yeah. I forgot to mention my dad was a ladies’ man.

A Casanova.

A true Southern gentleman in every possible way.

The ladies loved him, and he adored them.

All of them.

Laurel stuttered, “Laurel. Laurel Shay McDonald.”

“It’s Dubrovsky now,” George groaned. “Or have you already forgotten you married Banks?”

“Oh yeah, him.”

My dad winked, releasing her hand before looking over at George and growled, “Go away. I’m entertaining.”

“You are being a pain in the ass, Jack, and you know it. Where is Donna?”

“She left.” My dad frowned, walking over to a small bar, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. “Woman couldn’t do her job, so I fired her.”

I groaned. “Dad.”

George marched over and snagged the glass from him.

“No alcohol.”

My dad huffed. “Party pooper.”

I vaguely heard the elevator doors open before I heard someone say. “Laurel Shay, how dare you leave me with your sisters!” LeeAnn McDonald snipped. “You know I can’t handle them by myself.”

“Mom, now is not a good time,” Laurel whispered.

My dad blinked, then smiled broadly before he shoved George aside as he walked back over to us.

And just like he did with every other woman he met, he reached for LeeAnn’s hand, kissed the top, and laid his charm on thick.

“Well, aren’t you a breath of sunshine on a cloudy day.

Like sparkling dew on a spring morning. I’m Jack Orlean and I’m at your service, my lady. ”

Yeah. That was the other thing.

My dad was a smooth talker too.

All he had to do was lay on his thick Southern Louisiana charm and he could easily talk any woman out of her panties before the mimosas were served.

Well, that’s what I’d been told.

“Well, aren’t you a fresh glass of sparkling water?” LeeAnn preened, batting her eyelashes as she fanned her flushed face. “You, sir, are the most gallant man around these parts, and it’s my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m LeeAnn McDonald, and this is my daughter Laurel.”

“Oh, now that’s impossible,” my dad scoffed. “She can’t be your daughter. Older sister maybe, but not your daughter.”

LeeAnn blushed as she slipped her hand in the crook of his arm as they walked off together.

“Mom!” Laurel hissed as her mother waved her hand in the air, dismissing her.

“Go away, Laurel. The adults are talking.”

“Shit. Josie, please tell me your dad is married?”

“Widowed. He never remarried after Mom died.”

“Double shit,” Laurel cursed as she began pacing the floor.

“Josephine, I need to get back to the clinic.”

“What about my dad?”

George frowned as my dad and LeeAnn disappeared into another room. “I will come back after the clinic closes. Maybe he will be more reasonable.”

“Fat chance,” I scoffed.

“Look, I’m going to schedule some more tests. Maybe we’ll get some answers then.”

Shaking my head, I groaned. “Or I can just have him committed.”

“He’s legally sane. We already had him tested. Plus, he was seen having lunch with Judge Tomlinson and my granny two days ago at the Rosewood Country Club. Fucker even played a round of chess.”

“Was he wearing clothes?” I snarked, and George chuckled.

“If you call a pair of faded blue jeans and a Metallica hoodie clothes, then yes.”

“Fine,” I groaned, rubbing the back of my neck. “Make the appointments. I’ll make sure he’s there.”

With that George left, leaving me with Laurel who was still pacing the room, muttering under her breath when her mother and my dad returned, arm in arm.

“I would love that, Jack.” LeeAnn beamed up at him.

“I’ll make all the arrangements,” my dad said, reaching for her hand, carefully turning it over as he bent down and kissed her wrist, which caused LeeAnn to gasp.

“Okay!” Laurel snapped, marching over to them, yanking her mother’s hand away. “She’s engaged and we have to go plan a wedding. Nice meeting you, Mr. Orlean. Josie, catch you later.”

And like George, they too quickly left.

Turning to my dad, I sighed. “Did you have to do that?”

“Do what?”

“Hit her with your full power.”

My dad beamed. “Of course.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m gonna to marry that woman.”

Later that evening, I was sitting in the resort bar drinking a martini when George’s grandmother, Martha Steiner, took a seat next to me and ordered a beer.

“You look downright pitiful, my dear. What did my grandson do now?”

“Nothing. It’s my dad.”

Martha smirked. “And what has that devilish Jack done now?”

“He charmed LeeAnn McDonald.”

“Ah yes. The former blushing bride.”

I looked at Martha and whispered, “What do you mean by former?”

“You haven’t heard? Poor Mr. Munson died of a heart attack earlier today. LeeAnn’s big wedding is a thing of the past.”

Groaning, I lightly banged my head on the bar.

“No. No. No.”

“Oh yes, yes, yes. The funeral is tomorrow at one p.m., sharp.”

“No.”