Page 41 of Shine: Sins of the Father (Evil Dead MC: Second Generation #8)

Shine—

Cole’s behind his desk, and I’m in a chair across from him. Crash leans against the credenza. We’re the only three in the room.

Daytona’s on speakerphone.

“I hate losing Shine, but he’s a good man, Cole. None better. You’d be lucky to have him.”

“I would. Still gonna need to put it to a vote, though.”

“Of course. You know, Cole, if this passes the vote, it makes two good men I’m gonna be down. At this rate, we’re not fucking visiting anymore. Keep your women away from my men.”

Cole chuckles. “Keep your men away from our women.”

“Touche.”

“But I see your point. How about I make you a trade?”

“A trade? We talkin’ money?”

Cole huffs a laugh. “You wish. I’m talkin’ prospects.”

“Prospects? I’ve already got some prospects.”

“Got one about to be patched. He’s proved his loyalty for over a year. He’s ready. I could go ahead and patch him in here, but if he’s goin’ to Nevada, might as well do it there.”

“If he’s ready, yeah, that might interest me.”

I take in this conversation. They’re like damn horse traders. I’d be pissed, but as long I get what I want, I really don’t care. The only prospect I know of who’s been here that long is Skeeter.

“All right. Let me know how the vote goes, and we’ll make plans to get this guy here.”

“I’ll talk to you soon.”

They hang up, and I look at Crash. “Can he do that? Make a prospect move states?”

“He just did. And if Skeeter ever wants that fucking patch, he’ll go with a smile on his face.”

Cole pins Crash with a look. “Call Church. Let’s get this vote taken.”

“Don’t you want to talk to Wolf first? Make sure we’ve got his vote?”

Cole drags a hand down his face. “You’re right. He might just be that fucking stubborn. Call him in here.”

Crash leaves the room, and I look at Cole. “You want me to go?”

“No. This is all about you, right?”

“Right.”

A minute later, Crash returns with Wolf. The man gives me a glare, then shifts his gaze to Cole.

“You wanted to see me, prez.”

“Yeah. Sit down.”

“I’ll stand.”

“Sit the fuck down, Wolf,” Cole growls, and Wolf drops in the damn chair.

“What’s this asshole doin’ here?” he snaps, jerking his head toward me.

“He’s transferring in. We’re takin’ a vote as soon as I call Church. You gonna have a problem with that?”

“Hell, yeah, I do. I don’t want this asshole as my brother. Not in my own damn chapter.”

“So, you’d rather he and Fiona move to Vegas, that what you’re sayin’?”

Wolf drags a hand down his chin, fingers threading through his beard, then says confidently. “She’ll never do it. She’ll never take that little grandbaby from me and her mother.”

“You sure about that?” Cole asks. “You really want to bet everything on the belief that a woman would never choose her man over her parents? Like that’s never happened before, huh?”

I watch the truth dawn in his eyes, but Cole is right; he’s stubborn.

“Nah. Fiona has her business here—one she’s worked damn hard on.” He pins me with a death glare. “You really gonna rip that away from her?”

Shit. He’s right, and he knows it. He can tell from my face I’d never do that.

Cole saves me. “What’s the matter, Wolf? You think they don’t like cupcakes in Vegas? You think she can’t do the very same thing there? Take a look at Shine’s face. You really doubt that he wouldn’t move heaven and earth to give her the exact same thing in Nevada?”

Wolf blows out a breath. He’s pissed, but he’s just been enlightened.

“This is happening, Wolf. Fiona wants Shine, and he’s willing to come here so that she doesn’t have to leave her home and family. Don’t be the reason that doesn’t happen for her.”

Wolf glares at me. “Fine. I’ll give you my vote, but I want you to stay the hell away from me.”

Cole grins and lifts his chin to Crash. “Call Church, VP.”

***

Ten minutes later, I’m sitting out by the bar, and every patched member is in church taking a vote on my future. I want to believe I’ve got this in the bag, but there are a bunch of members, and it has to be unanimous. There’s always a chance someone just doesn’t like me.

Fiona walks in with the baby on her hip, her mother with her.

My girl comes straight to me and kisses me. She cups the back of my neck and stares into my eyes. Her touch is all I need to calm my nerves.

“Did it happen yet?” she asks.

“They’re all in there right now.”

“How long has it been?” Crystal asks.

“Longer than I want it to be. Longer than I would have thought it would take to do a simple vote.”

“So, how were your mother and sister?” Crystal asks. “Tell me all about your trip.”

I love her for the fact that she’s trying to get my mind off it.

“It was great. My sister really took to Dylan. It was sweet to see her come out of her shell.”

Crystal reaches her hand out and covers mine. “Fiona told me what happened. I hope you don’t mind. But I’m glad Dylan seemed to have such a good effect on her.”

“Yeah. It surprised both my mother and me. Especially since nothing else seemed to work.” I fold my arms and lean on my barstool, my back against the edge of the bar. “Fiona, I ever tell you my mother used to work in the bakery department of a grocery store? I bet she’d love to see your shop.”

“Oh, how exciting,” Crystal says. “I’m sure she could give you some tips with all her experience.” She turns to me. “I’d love to meet her.”

“Well, this vote goes the way I need it to, and I’ll be bringing her and my sister to live here in San Jose.”

“Oh, that’s fantastic.”

“Only thing that might be standing in the way is your husband.”

Crystal pats my arm. “He won’t do that.”

“He may be the holdup, Mother.” Fiona raises a brow. “Why else wouldn’t they be done? I swear, if he ruins this for us, I’ll never forgive him.”

Crystal really looks concerned for the first time.

Skeeter slides me a shot of whiskey. “Here, Shine. Take the edge off.”

I lean to him. “You ever been to Vegas, Skeeter?”

“No, man. But I always wanted to go.”

“You may get your chance sooner than you think.”

He frowns. “You know something?”

“Let’s just say I think your days of tending bar are going to be over soon.”

“They kicking me out?”

“Think positive, Skeeter. You may be sewing some leather in your immediate future.”

It dawns on him I’m hinting he’ll be sewing his patches on his cut at long last. His face lights up brighter than I’ve ever seen. I just hope he likes arid desert climate, because his days of California coastlines and ocean views are over.

Green pokes his head around the corner and whistles. “Shine. Come on.”

“This is it, ladies. Wish me luck.” I stand, and Fiona gives me a kiss on the cheek, then I follow Green.

When we enter the room, men are gathered all around the long table, some standing against the wall.

Outlaw, Crash, Wolf, Green, Red Dog, Jake, Shane, Marcus, TJ, Reckless, Billy, Rafe, Kyle, and Cody. Fourteen men about to decide my future and whether I wear a patch at all.