Page 33

Sypher

December 2, 2024, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

“You must understand, Mr. Franks, that while your daughter wasn’t sexually abused, she was emotionally and mentally neglected. For a child as young as Danika is, that is life-altering. Instead of being loved and cared for by loving parents, who should have shown her affection, happiness, boundaries, and tools she mentally needed to help her grow, she received nothing, hindering her mental growth. While children Danika’s age are generally talking, secure in playing by themselves and with others, have the basic knowledge of right and wrong, know that Mom and Dad are safe and strangers are bad, your daughter knows none of that. She missed all of her benchmark milestones. To make matters worse, from what you’ve told me, Danika received nothing but basic functional care and food. Tell me, Mr. Franks, how did Danika react when she was rescued?”

Dante reached for my hand as I spoke up, “We got to her at the same time. She was in the arms of one of the men who rescued her. She clung to him. She was shaking, but she was allowing him to hold her. Dante got to hold her first. She went right to him.”

Sighing, Dr. Melissa Jefferson leaned back in her chair. “My guess is, the man who rescued her was the first person who ever held her, and she was unsure how to act or respond. Who does she gravitate to the most?”

“Me,” I admitted as I held Danika in my arms. She hadn’t left my lap since we’d been here. Curled against my chest, she didn’t move. “She’s always by my side or in my arms. She allows Dante to hold her, but I have to be in the room.”

“That’s because you are the alpha in the relationship. She’s corelated that as long as you are around, she is safe. It’s called attachment theory. A typical childhood attachment is an emotional bond between mother and child, or in some cases fathers, which starts at birth and impacts the child’s behavior from cradle to grave.”

“Like when a newborn is born?” Dante added, sitting up. “I think I read about this in one of the books I bought. You’re talking about when a baby is born and doctors place the baby on the mother’s chest, skin to skin.”

“Yes.” Dr. Jefferson nodded. “The mom cradles her baby lovingly, giving the baby the first stimulation of safety and security. Danika never received that. She never felt safe and tends to be distant. Her guard is up all the time, which is preventing her from accepting the love and support she needs to thrive. Right now, she knows that Mr. Franks will protect her.”

“I’m her security blanket?”

“Yes. That’s exactly what you are, Mr. Franks, and until Danika realizes that she is safe with your partner as well, she will continue to cling to you. Danika needs to know that no matter what, both of you will be there for her.”

“How do we do that if she only wants Danny?” Dante asked.

“By doing what you are doing now. Availability is a big component for a child like Danika. She needs to know that no matter what, the both of you will be there. Also, routine is big in attachment therapy. A constant, familiar schedule or routine will give Danika the comfort and security she needs.”

“What about the other stuff like school and shit?” I asked.

Dr. Jefferson smiled. “Right now, Danika is nowhere near ready for all the other stuff. For all intents and purposes, she is a newborn. You two are starting from scratch with her. Your priority must be making Danika feel safe. She needs to accept and rely on the fact that neither one of you is going anywhere. What do you do for a living, Mr. Franks?”

“I’m a security consultant. I own my own company in a way.”

“How often do you travel for work?”

“Only when I need to. Generally, I can do what I need to do from home.”

Nodding, Dr. Jefferson made a few notes in her book. “That’s good. And what about you, Mr. Sharp?”

“I too own my own tech company, but I work out of the house.”

“And neither of you are from this area, correct?”

“No,” Dante spoke before I could. “We live in New York City, but we will do anything for Danika. That’s why we are here seeing you. When we started looking for the best child therapist, your name was highly recommended.”

“I’m good, but not the best. That would be Dr. Gideon Scott, who happens to live in New York City.”

“He was unavailable,” I stated flatly.

Dante quickly added, “Dr. Jefferson, we will do anything for our little girl. If that means moving to Oklahoma City, so she gets the services she needs, then we will do it.”

Closing her book, Dr. Jefferson stated, “I would like to see Danika every day. The faster we get her on a set schedule, the easier it will be for her to adjust. Right now, she needs to be your primary concern. Nothing else. I know that’s going to be hard, considering both of you run your own companies, but I can’t stress this enough. Danika’s mental well-being is fragile. She knows nothing of limits or boundaries. Right now, predictability will make the world less scary for her.”

“We understand. Anything she needs,” Dante assured.

Leaving the office, I carried Danika as we walked to the truck I bought. There was a lot of information to process, and with all the reading material Dr. Jefferson handed Dante, I knew he was itching to get started. I, however, just wanted to get Dani home. My baby girl was worn out and hungry. After securing her in her car seat, I climbed behind the wheel and started my truck.

“There are all kinds of things we can do, Danny.” Dante started talking the second I pulled out of the parking lot. “Melissa gave us a good list to start with, but I want to do some more digging. I think there are more programs and therapies that might help Danika.”

“Doctor said to take things day by day. Not over-stimulate her.”

“I know, but if we want Danika better, we need to get on this fast.”

“There is nothing wrong with Danika. All she needs is our love and attention. Everything will work itself out in time.”

“I know that, Danny,” Dante absently said, his eyes skimming the material Dr. Jefferson gave him. “All I’m saying is that there might be more we can do for her.”

“No. For right now, we will do what Dr. Jefferson advised,” I firmly said, then sighed when I saw Dante’s face. Reaching over, I took his hand in mine and kissed the back of his hand. “I know your heart is in the right place, babe, but you need to look at this from our little girl’s perspective. Her world has been turned upside down. She’s scared and unsure of everything. We need to give her all the love we can, because no matter how much we try to protect her, the real world is still out there banging on the damn door, demanding entrance. I can only hold them off for so long.”

“How long do you think we have before they realize we’re out?”

“I’m figuring a week, two at the most.”

Dante gasped. “That’s not nearly enough time!”

“That’s why before shit kicks off, I need to know that you and Danika will be okay.”

“What are you talking about?”

I shook my head. “It’s nothing, babe. I’m just overthinking everything as usual. Let’s get our girl home. I’m starving.”

For the next few days, my little girl’s needs superseded all other concerns and priorities in my life, demanding my complete attention and care. It felt good to let everything fade into the background and simply be present with her, her presence a calming balm. I thought I knew love, but the feelings I had for Danika were unlike anything I’d ever experienced; they defied description.

She was so small, so beautiful, so fucking perfect.

The mere sight of her was enough to bring tears to my eyes, a testament to the depth of my emotion.

To be honest, the prospect of fatherhood was something I never envisioned for myself. Considering the life that I had lived, that simply wasn’t possible. In my heart, I longed for it, dreamed of a future where it might be attainable, but I actively suppressed any burgeoning hope that it could ever truly be mine.

As the rain quietly fell outside, I stood at the window of our modest two-bedroom apartment, gazing down upon the city lights, and in that pensive moment, after a long period of time, I finally let myself think about my dad. An ache pulsed in my chest, a constant reminder of how much I missed him. I knew, with a certainty that settled deep in my bones, that he would know exactly what needed to be done. The urge to call him and hear his voice one last time was overwhelming. I longed to have a conversation with him about everything and nothing at all.

He would have the answers.

He always did. For the longest time, I thought he was invincible, the strongest man I ever knew. He always had the perfect answer, a flawlessly articulated response, to every question I posed. Though he wasn’t a man of many words, when he spoke, his words were heartfelt and deeply personal, expressing everything he felt. Even as I grew older and didn’t want to listen anymore, he was still there, right down the hall, waiting for me.

Then one day he wasn’t.

My world was never the same after that day. A cold darkness wrapped around my heart as I tried to process a life without him. I hated myself, him, everyone involved, all because I didn’t know how to handle the emotions raging deep within me. For the longest time, I held onto those feelings, using them as a cloak to protect me from ever feeling that pain again. Then I saw Danika, and that cloak evaporated as the truth hit me like a freight train.

My dad never wanted to change me. He just wanted to be a part of my life. Everything he did, everything he sacrificed, was to give me a good life. He loved me the only way he could, and because of that, I thought he hated me.

But he never did. My dad loved me.

Loved all of me, even the parts he didn’t understand.

He always did.

Standing there as the truth seeped into my soul, I let my tears stream down my face, knowing I would never get the chance to tell him how sorry I was, when I heard something move behind me. Turning, a slow smile appeared on my face as she hesitantly walked over to me. Saying nothing, I bent down and picked her up and felt my heart shatter as I heard her sigh when she laid her head down on my shoulder.

Together, we stood there with her in my arms as we watched the rain fall. Closing my eyes, I tried to stem the tears as I wrapped my arms around her tighter.

“Let me tell you about the greatest man I ever knew.”

I don’t know how long I stood there and voiced those precious memories, but I left nothing out, because I never wanted this moment to end.

Sitting in the small diner across the street from where I left Dante and Danika, I waited patiently for them to arrive.

The choice was out of my hands now.

The only way to protect Dante and Danika was to ensure that they couldn’t be touched. Ever. And to do that, I needed their help. I just prayed that when I told them the truth, they were willing to help me. It wasn’t like I had much of a choice. It was the only way.

If they refused to help me, then I wouldn’t have a choice. I would disappear with them and erase our identities as if we never existed.

War be damned.

It really sucked knowing everything and not knowing who to trust.

After I put Danika back to bed the night we watched the rain and I told her about my dad, I received a coded file from Oracle. The information she sent was the last remaining piece of information I needed to put everything together. I now knew the truth behind everything my dad, James, and Popeye were fighting for. This fucked-up war wasn’t just about protecting Jackson anymore, but also three others.

All innocents.

One I already knew about, the other two were a shock.

The second everything fell into place, I called the one woman everyone was eager to find but had no idea where to find her because I did my job well. I knew I didn’t need to call Jackson. I had already warned him before I was arrested.

I could only pray he heeded my warning.

Her voice resonated shock as I gripped my phone tightly.

“When did you get out?”

“We need to talk,” I sneered.

She gasped. “What happened? Is she okay?”

“I need you to tell me what you remember from her birth.”

“What are you talking about? I told you everything I knew.”

“She’s a twin.”

“No,” she whispered. “That’s impossible. I would have known.”

“You were sedated and given a C-section. That fucking bitch lied to you. I verified everything. She is a twin.”

“No,” she cried. “Oh God…NO!”

“Listen to me. He’s safe, or will be before this day is over, but I need your help.”

“I have a son.”

“Yes, and like I said he’s safe. I—”

“Who?”

“He was with you when you left the Trick Pony.”

“Oh GOD!” she shouted. “Danny, he can’t know!”

“Already working on it. That’s why I’m calling you. How fast can you get to Diamond Creek?”

“Why?”

“Because I have a plan, and I need your help.”

“Will I be coming back here?”

“Probably not.”

“Then I need a few days to make arrangements for everyone here.”

“One week. No more,” I firmly stated. “Text me when you are on your way. Oh, and just so you know. Sinclair knew he was your son.”

“I’ll fucking kill him!”

After hanging up the phone, I quickly sent off a text.

Me: You’ve got a week.

Phantom: That’s not enough time.

Me: The plan’s changed. I’m blowing this shit wide open.

Phantom: What the fuck happened?

Me: Dante’s life is in danger.

Phantom: So is everyone else’s. You can’t change the plan just because he’s now part of this fucked-up mess.

Me: I can do whatever the fuck I want. I know where all the skeletons are buried. Not gonna risk his life or my daughter’s. I’ve had enough of this shit. It ends now.

Phantom: Danny, think before you do something stupid.

Me: Just get her somewhere safe before the shit hits the fan.

Phantom: FUCK!

Turning off my phone, I placed it on the table and looked around the diner as Kansas, the president of the Diamondback MC, Shadow, a former brother in the Golden Skulls, and Monk, the Diamondback SAA, walked into the diner, heading straight for me.

“Well, Sypher. We’re here,” Kansas said, sliding into the booth. “This better be fucking good.”

I wasted no time telling them everything I knew, and when I was finished, all three men looked at me as if I’d grown another fucking head. Maybe I had, but I didn’t give a fuck anymore. I was tired of everything. I just wanted it all to end. I refused to lose one more person I cared about, and if that meant giving myself up, then so be it.

I would do anything to protect my family.

“Jesus fuck,” Kansas cursed as Shadow stared in shock. “Does he know?”

“No.” I shook my head. “And I’d prefer it stay that way until the threat to him is gone.”

“Damn,” Monk sighed, shaking his head. “And I thought my family was fucked up. Gotta say, Kansas, yours takes the cake.”

“Does Montana know?” Shadow asked.

Shrugging my shoulders, I admitted, “Don’t know, but he will soon enough. Information is spilling out fast. I can’t contain this. Oracle sent me everything she had, and it’s damning. Once the table learns the truth, they won’t think twice before intervening.”

“Which will piss off Montana and the entire Biker Federation,” Kansas groaned. “Jesus, Montana is going to kill Dakota just for breathing the same air as him.”

“Yeah, but he’s gotta find the fucker first,” Monk added. “And with all that military training, I don’t see him surrendering anytime soon.”

“What do you need us to do?” Shadow tentatively asked.

“I need Dante protected, even from Montana.”

Kansas groaned, sitting back in the booth. “You want me to brand him.”

“Yes.”

“It’s not that easy, Sypher. First off, Montana won’t care,” Kansas began. “I know my brother. He can’t stand betrayal. My old man got off easy when someone else killed him. When Montana gets his hands on Dakota, big brother is going to make him pay for everything he’s done. As for my nephew, Montana isn’t gonna give a shit. He will kill him. Blood be damned. Second, I can’t brand him. I’m not his sponsor.”

“Already took care of that,” I said, looking at my watch. “His sponsor will be here shortly.”

“So why are Monk and I here, then?” Shadow asked.

“Because I’m going to tattoo the Golden Skull on him,” I added as Shadow stiffened.

“You can’t,” Shadow whispered, shaking his head. “You need two brothers to administer the blood oath.”

Looking at Shadow, then at Monk, I quirked my eyebrow and smiled. “That’s why you and Monk are here. Both of you are Golden by blood.”

“Oh fuck,” Monk groaned.

“You can’t,” Dante gasped, taking a step back, his face pale as he shook his head. “I’m only an intern. According to the bylaws, Storm has to be the one to do it. Montana will rip the brand off my back with his bare hands before he cuts out my heart. No. I won’t agree to this.”

“He’s right,” Kansas groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “Without his sponsor, I can’t administer the brand.”

A knock at the door had me smiling. “It’s a good thing I thought of everything then.”

Walking over to it, I threw it open to find Storm standing on the other side, looking a bit put out.

Shaking the man’s hand, I smiled. “Took you long enough to get here.”

“Yeah, well, I’d like to see how well you fare walking away from a heavily pregnant wife and precocious daughter. It isn’t easy. Well, I’m here. What was so damn impor—” Storm started to ask, walking past me, only to stop dead in his tracks seeing everyone gathered in the living room. Turning slowly toward me, he asked, “This isn’t a social visit, is it?”

Shutting the door, I walked past the Soulless Sinner brother, slapping him on his back, before throwing my arm around Dante’s shoulders and saying, “Hope you brought your branding iron, ‘cause you’re gonna need it.”

Dante gulped. “I want it on record that I am against this. Why can’t I just take Danika and hide? Wouldn’t that be easier than pissing Montana off?”

Kansas groaned and took a seat. Leaning forward, Kansas rubbed his hands down his face and added, “I don’t think you understand the gravity of the situation, Sypher. Branding Dante does nothing but put him on everyone’s radar, especially Montana’s. Wouldn’t it be better to sneak him and the kid out of the country somewhere so he could lie low until this whole fucked-up mess is over with?”

“I agree with Kansas,” Shadow spoke up. “Got love for you, but this is only endangering him more. Bad enough the table will be after him, but if Montana finds out what you’ve done, he could come for you. Then where would you be?”

“I can handle Montana.”

Kansas chuckled. “Yeah, you keep thinking that, kid, if it makes you feel better. The fact of the matter is, branding Dante serves no purpose.”

“Yes, it does,” Storm interjected. “It forces Reaper and Montana to work together.”

“Bullshit,” Monk grumbled. “Hell will freeze over before that shit happens and you know it, Storm.”

“We can all agree that no matter what we do, Dante is in danger. We brand him, or we don’t. That changes nothing. But if we could force Montana and Reaper’s hand, then they wouldn’t have a choice in the matter.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Storm?” Kansas snarked.

“I’m talking about connecting two major clubs by blood.”

“They are already connected by blood,” Shadow muttered. “Your wife is Golden, and if the rumors are true, Fury is as well.”

“They don’t count. The Biker Federation will only recognize a direct blood link to a sitting president,” Monk stated. “And last I knew, there was no such blood link between Montana and Reaper.”

I smiled.

“What if there was?”

“Was what?” Kansas looked up at me.

“What if I could prove there was a blood link?”

Kansas slowly got to his feet and sneered, “What the fuck are you talking about, Sypher? There is no blood link.”

“That’s not entirely true.”

“What?” Shadow asked, looking around the room. “Which part?”

“Don’t,” Dante whispered, getting my attention. “You promised to give him time to tell him himself.”

Shaking my head, I looked at Dante and said, “I won’t risk you or Danika. This shit has gone on long enough. I’m tired of being the keeper of secrets. It serves no purpose, and if I can prevent a bloody fucking war, I will. Montana and Reaper are just going to have to learn to get along. It’s time for them to grow the fuck up.”

“You do this and there is no going back.”

“I know.”

“Want to let us in on the secret?” Storm clipped.

Turning to face the four men, I clearly said, “Reaper’s daughter, Emma is…”