Page 17

It was Friday, and I was glad. It meant at the end of the day, I’d have two full days with my witch. I couldn’t seem to get enough of her. No matter how many times I took her, what we did, even if it didn’t involve sex, I wanted more. She said she felt the same way when I mentioned it after Crusher watched us the other night.

The following day, she’d been reluctant to go to the clubhouse, but I wasn’t about to allow her to avoid it out of embarrassment. I knew he’d never shame her or make her feel bad. When she first saw him, she’d turned beet-red. I signaled him to come over. When he did, she wouldn’t meet his eyes. However, she’d relaxed when he talked normally and gave no indication he even recalled the night before. We ended up talking for a good half hour. When he went to walk off, he whispered to us, “Thank you, and I’ll take it to my grave.” She blushed but said thank you back.

Today, she was spending the day at her building. We’d finished the office area, and she was busy setting it up how she wanted. Out in the main show floor area, I was busy restoring the molding and wainscoting while Lash worked on the built-in shelving she requested to display her fabric swatches and design books. It was coming along. The other guys were at the other worksite, so it was just the three of us. She’d gushed over how good it looked and told the two of us we were amazing.

I was whistling as I worked when I was interrupted by a hard knock at the front door. It was open, and anyone who knew us knew to walk in. Wondering who it could be, I went to open it. When I saw who it was, I wished I’d kept it shut and pretended not to be there. I guess when one asshole enters your life, more follow. As if it wasn’t enough having to put up with Haven’s family, I now had mine.

Standing there looking expectant was none other than my dad. It had been over a year since the last time I saw him. He usually came to the compound asking to see me. He was never allowed freely inside, so he’d gone to the office at Rehab the last time he was here. I wondered how he knew where to find me this time. Llora knew not to give out my location to anyone without calling or texting to ask first.

I folded my arms over my chest and stared at him. I noted that his age was finally catching up to him. He looked older than he was, which was undoubtedly the life he led. He was seventy-three, exactly thirty years older than me. I got my size and height off him, though he had shrunk over the years.

“Son, aren’t you going to invite me in? It’s too hot to stand out here in the heat,” were the first words out of his mouth.

“Dad, what’re you doing here? I’m working. And how did you know where to find me?” I asked.

“I came to see my son. It’s been forever since we talked or saw each other. As for knowing where you were, I stopped at that compound you live in, and a guy at the gate told me where to find you. As for working, you’re the boss. You can cut out for the day. We should go have some drinks and hang out. Does your club still own that strip club? What is it called?”

I’d made a mistake once of telling him about Punisher’s Eden, our strip club. He’d gone there without me. Every time he’d drop in, he wanted us to go together. I had nothing against the club, but it wasn’t ever a place I wanted to go with my dad, and I sure had no need to do it now. The only woman I wanted to see naked was mine.

“I am the boss, but that doesn’t mean I can drop everything and go. I’m working at this site. I can’t leave. And I don’t want to go to Eden.”

He frowned and then smiled. “Well, that’s alright. Why not show me what you’re doing? I’d like to see.”

I knew he’d hang around and keep bugging me until I talked to him a little and let him see, so I pushed the door open wider so he could come inside. I hoped to get this over with quickly and send him on his way.

When we fully entered the cool air inside, I saw the look Lash gave me. He widened his eyes and mouthed What the fuck? He knew my dad and how strained our relationship was. All of my brothers did, except maybe the latest couple. I’d have to educate the newest prospects. It had to have been one of them who sent him my way. No matter what he did, I’d never forgive him for how he treated my mom.

“Wow, will you look at this place? What is it you’re doing?” Dad asked as he scanned the area. Lash slipped out of the room before Dad saw him. I wish I could go with him.

“I’m restoring the original wainscoting and molding.” I pointed to where I was working. Half the wall was finished, and the other was in the process of being fixed. He walked over and studied it.

“Why go to all that work? Just buy new ones. It takes a long time to do it this way. And I see you doing some of it by hand. Carving like that takes forever.”

I didn’t expect him to understand. My skills with wood didn’t come from him. My mom taught me, and she learned them from her dad. “Because buildings like this are becoming fewer. I love restoring them to their former glory, and the owner wants the same thing.”

“Well, I guess your mother is the one who made you think that way. If you ask me, the past is best forgotten most of the time.”

I gritted my teeth. Any mention of my mom from his mouth always made me that way. I wanted to punch him, but I didn’t. You weren’t supposed to do that to your parents. I didn’t answer him.

“So, what’s this place supposed to be when you’re done? If the owner is making you do this the hard way, I hope you’re charging him out the ass for it.” He was walking around the room, checking everything out.

“It’s going to be an interior design studio. And no, I’m not charging her out the ass, as you put it.”

“Oh, it’s a her. Is she hot? Are you banging her?” he asked with a smirk.

My dad was a bastard, without a doubt, and he had no respect for women, period. Even before he divorced Mom, she knew he was cheating on her. I didn’t realize it until after the divorce. She’d sat me down to explain why they were no longer together. I knew they didn’t have a good marriage, but I thought my low opinion of him couldn’t get worse. Over the intervening years, I had no idea whether he had ever gotten serious with any woman. I knew he hadn’t remarried. At least he saved some poor woman from that fate.

“She’s—” I was about to tell him she wasn’t to be spoken of that way, but I was interrupted by Haven entering the room. She wasn’t looking up but rather at her phone. She was dressed for comfort, which meant she was in jeans and a T-shirt.

“Tinker, what time do you think we’ll be done here today? Annie wants to know if we can come to dinner at their place,” she asked. When her head lifted, she saw him. She stopped walking.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were with anyone. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll let you get back to it.”

She turned to go back to her office, but I knew I couldn’t avoid it as much as I wanted to. Dad was checking her out, and I hated the way he looked at her—like an old lecher.

“Babe, you don’t have to leave. I’m not working. It seems we have an unexpected visitor. One of the prospects told him where to find me.” As I explained, I walked over to curl my arm around her. She gave me a puzzled look. Before I was able to introduce him, he let the cat out of the bag.

“Son, aren’t you going to introduce your dad to this beautiful lady?” he asked.

I heard the slight gasp she made. She met my gaze with her wide eyes. She knew how I felt about him. I’d told her about him and my mom.

“I was about to if you’d have a bit of patience. Haven, this is my dad, Vernon. Dad, this is Haven, my old lady.”

“Old lady? What the hell does that mean? She’s hardly old. I’ve got to say, I wouldn’t kick her out of my bed. You’re a lucky devil,” he said as he smiled at her and winked. I wanted to puke.

A growl slipped out of me. “It means she’s mine, as in she’s like a wife. In a club, an old lady is your ride-or-die woman. The one you’ll be with for the rest of your life. Show her some respect. And I’m beyond lucky that she chose me.”

He waved his hand nonchalantly. “I didn’t mean anything bad by it. She’s a gorgeous and sexy woman. You should be proud of her. Although, I don’t think you should count on forever. It’s a nice idea, but rarely does it happen. Enjoy your time together, and when the time comes to end it, do it without a lot of mess and fuss. I hope you’re not actually planning to get married. If you are, don’t. It’s a nightmare to disentangle your lives when you split. There’s plenty of fish in the sea. Why stick to one?”

That was it. I’d heard enough. “Shut the hell up! I don’t want to hear your nonsense about marriage or anything else. I know how you see it, but I happen to believe in it. And Haven is my old lady, and I plan to marry her. We’re building a life together, and this is a part of it. Having her own design studio has been a dream of hers. When the time comes, we’ll start a family. I’m not afraid of those things, unlike you.”

“Kids! Are you nuts? At your age? You should be having the time of your life. If you insist on sticking to one woman, go ahead, but don’t bring kids into it. If you get her pregnant, you’re on the hook for eighteen years. Even if you divorce her, you’ll still be stuck.”

“Jesus Christ! Do you even hear yourself? Not every man is a misogynistic prick. Some of us actually can love a woman and our kids. We want them. I’ve wanted a wife and kids for years. It took me until now to find Haven, and there’s no way in hell I’m letting her go. Why don’t you tell me what brings you here? Is it your usual?”

“I don’t know what you mean by my usual. And I’m just giving you fatherly advice. It’s not meant to insult you, sweet cheeks. Why don’t you run along and let me and my son talk in private?”

Roaring out my anger, I let go of Haven and charged over to stand before my dad. I gave him credit. He didn’t flinch or back away, but it was likely because he was too stupid to be afraid. If he were anyone other than my dad, he’d be eating my fist already.

“She’s not going anywhere. I can’t think of a thing you and I have to talk about, let alone it being private. She’s my woman. Anything you have to say, you can say it in front of her. But I’m warning you to keep a civil tongue in your head. No more sweet cheeks or other shitty remarks.”

He stood there saying nothing for several moments before he held up his hands. “Alright, I won’t say anything else that might offend anyone. If you want me to speak in front of her, I will. I came in the hopes that you were finally old enough to let your resentment go. It’s been twenty-five years since I divorced your mother. Our marriage wasn’t working. I moved on. I know you resent me for that, but it was for the best. If I’d known she’d turn you against me, I would’ve taken you with me. No one should come between a man and his son.”

My fury increased hearing him blame my mom for our failed relationship, not himself. It was typical for him. Haven knew I was holding onto my temper. She came up behind me and rubbed my back soothingly. I took a couple of deep breaths.

“Mom didn’t turn me against you. Your behavior before the divorce and afterward did that. Even until the day she died, she refused to call you the bastard you were to her. She loved you when she married you, but I don’t think you ever loved her or me. You like being able to say you have a son, but that’s it. I don’t get why you keep coming around trying to have a relationship with me. It’s not happening.”

“Your mom never understood me. She wanted to change me. She was always wanting to know when I was going to be home. Where was I? Who was I with? It was suffocating. When we first got together, she was fun. We had a good time. I married her, thinking we’d continue to do it, but she grew too serious. It was always about work and staying at home.”

“Let me guess. It changed when she got pregnant,” Haven said.

“Exactly. You might be having fun with her right now, but let her get knocked up, and there goes all the enjoyment in your life. I asked you to go to that strip club your club owns. You said no. Admit it. It’s because she won’t like it, not because you don’t want to go. If you’d spend time with me and relax, we could have a good relationship. But you won’t do it.”

“Mr. Halliwell, I’m sorry you feel that way, but I don’t have an issue with Tinker going to the strip club if he wants. I don’t expect him to tell me where he is every second of the day. He’s allowed to have time with his brothers and friends. Yes, if we have children, I expect him not to be gone all the time and to help provide for his family. I don’t think that’s wrong,” Haven said to him.

“You say that, but mark my words, son, she’ll change. They all do. Then they nag and complain until you can’t stand it anymore.”

“That’s enough! I don’t want to hear one more word. This is ridiculous. We are never having a father-son relationship. Do you hear me? I hate to tell you, but you’re going to die alone, and it’s your fault. You pushed away Mom and me until it was convenient for you to care. You stayed out of my life until she died. For Christ's sake, I was twenty-nine. Eleven years without you in it, and you’re surprised I want nothing to do with you?

“I want you to leave. I have work to do and dinner plans with my woman and her family. It’s what normal couples do. Maybe you’ll get lucky and find someone who thinks like you, and you can keep each other company, but it’s not me. Please, don’t come back here seeking me. Forget you ever had a son. You did it for eleven years. Do it again.”

He stared at me in shock, as if what I was saying surprised him. After a tense couple of minutes of silence, he turned and walked out. When the door closed behind him, I slumped forward. Haven took my hand, and I let her guide me to her office. She shut and locked the door and then faced me.

“Vance let it out.”

“What?”

“The pain. I can see it. You need to let it go.”

“How?”

“Have you ever cried since you were a kid?”

“I did when my mom died.”

“And that was it?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’re long overdue. Sometimes, a good cry washes stuff away. I know it did with my dad and even my mom. If you cry, it doesn’t make you weak or less of a man. It shows you can release the pain and anger, dust yourself off, and get back up.”

As I stood staring at her, I thought about what she said. Other than the rant I had just made against Dad, I did hold it inside. The thought of how angry he made me and the feelings of worthlessness he made me remember from when I was young rose. Suddenly, tears were pricking my eyes. Then, they were running down my face. She wrapped her arms around me and let me cry.

“It’s alright. Let it all out,” she murmured.

I had no idea how long she held me, and I cried. A lot of my tears were for my mom. She’d loved my dad despite him being such an asshole toward her and me. I swear, there was a part of her that still loved him up until the day she died. When I was done crying, I felt worn out and parched. My nose was clogged. Jesus, I was a mess. She eased away, took my hand, and led me to a chair. I sat down.

“I’ll be right back,” she said before she left the room. I sat there, lost in thought, until she returned. A glass of water and a wet bundle of paper towels were in her hand. She handed me the glass. While I gulped the water down, she wiped my face.

“How do you feel?” she asked tenderly.

“I’m exhausted. I want to go home and sleep. My chest hurts. I need peace and quiet.”

“Then peace and quiet it is. I’ll tell Lash we’re leaving for the day. We’ll go home, and you can rest or do whatever you want. I’ll make us dinner later. If you feel like going and spending time with your brothers alone, do it. I’ll be fine at the house. If you want to take a ride on your bike and let the wind blow away your troubles, then do. Tonight is all about doing what brings you peace.”

“That sounds terrific, but I can tell Lash. Give me a couple of minutes,” I told her. She gave me a sweet smile and nodded.

I didn’t have to do much searching to find him. He was back in the central area working. When he saw me, he shook his head. “Does he never give up? How did he know where to find you?”

“I think one of the prospects told him. He stopped at the compound first. They don’t know my history with him. As for whether he’ll ever give up, hopefully, he will this time. I told his ass off and made it clear we’ll never have a relationship. You should’ve heard the shit he was spewing about women, marriage, and kids. It made me want to punch his face in. He called Haven sweet cheeks.”

He snorted in disgust. He’d met and knew my dad, so he had no trouble imagining. “I hope it does the trick. Why don’t you get out of here for the rest of the day? It’s only a few hours until quitting time.”

“Thanks. I think I will. We’re going home to have a night alone. If you need anything, let me know.”

“I won’t. It’s only me here, and the guys will call if they run into issues at the other job site. I’ll send them a text to make sure they call me if they do. See you later.”

After a brief man hug with slaps on the back, I went to get Haven. We’d ridden my bike to work, so we enjoyed the short ride home. No one was at the gate, so I’d talk to Dravin and Devlin tomorrow. I doubted Dad would come looking for me again, but in case he did, they’d know not to tell him anything or let him in. He’d have to lick his wounds first if he was stupid enough to try again. Pulling into the garage, we didn’t waste time closing the garage door and going inside.

Fifteen minutes later, we were dressed in comfy clothes, sitting on the bed, cuddled together, and starting a movie. I convinced Haven that we’d order something later rather than her cooking. She deserved to de-stress as much or more than I did. As the movie progressed, I felt the tension and angst leeching away. We’d picked a comedy. When it was over, we chose another. We spread out a sheet to keep the bed clean when we got dinner and ate our takeout there. Having a picnic indoors was fun. I’d never had one before. As it got later, I knew there was something I wanted to talk to Haven about.

“Baby, we need to talk about something,” I told her. We’d turned off the television for the night.

“Sure, whatever you want. What is it?”

“I need to talk about some things my dad said.”

“Are you sure? You just decompressed. If you talk about him, won’t that wind you up again?”

“Not really, because it’s more about us than him.”

“Okay, sure, go ahead.”

“I want to talk about what he said regarding women, marriage, and kids. I want you to know I meant what I said to him. His outlook isn’t mine. He found married life and family a prison, it sounds like, but I don’t.”

“I don’t think you’re anything like your dad, Vance.”

“Good, but it’s more than that. Hearing him today made me aware that I need to tell you things now rather than later. I’ve been holding off. I don’t want my waiting to make you wonder or worry.

“You’re absolutely the woman I want to spend my life with. I’ve always wanted to have an old lady and kids. Sure, until I met you, I’d given up on it happening. Your expectation that I’d spend time with you and the kids as your man and father of your children is more than realistic. You’ve seen how Reaper and the other guys with families are. Don’t ever doubt I’ll be the same.”

“I won’t.”

“And the part about an old lady being a wife in our world is true, but I want more than that. I want you to be my wife, too. Dad’s ignorant rant about it making it harder to disentangle when you break up is him, not me. I want to marry you, Haven. I’m all in. I should’ve told you that, but I’ve been holding back because there’s something else I think has to come before marriage, and I wanted to give you time to start feeling the same.”

“Feel the same about what?” I could tell I was confusing her, so I quit dancing around it and told her.

“I love you, and I hope you love me one day. Before saying I love you, I couldn’t tell you I want us to get married.”

I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t for her eyes to fill with tears and for her to sob as she hugged me with her face buried in my chest. I patted her back, not knowing what to say other than, “Baby, please, don’t cry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Her head came up, and she gave me an astonished look. “I’m not crying because you upset me, Vance. I’m crying because I’m relieved. I’ve been waiting to tell you I love you, thinking it was too fast. To find out you feel the same makes me so happy.”

Relief and joy flooded my body. I lifted her on top of me so I could capture her lips. I kissed her with all the love and desire I felt. I wanted her to have no doubts. The way she kissed me back told me the truth of her feelings. No surprise, jolts of fire raced to my cock, causing it to stiffen. Growling, I rolled, placing her under me on the mattress.

I kissed her again, and then, growing impatient, I shoved her nightie up out of the way. She didn’t have panties on, which allowed me to slip my fingers into her folds easily. The sticky cream of her excitement coated my fingers. Vowing to make it up to her, I spread her thighs and then thrust inside of her. She moaned and arched her back.

Our lovemaking was carnal and fast. We couldn’t slow down or take our time. As I pounded her pussy, she scoured her nails down my back, causing me to hiss and push closer to my release. I was frantic to make us both come. I needed to feel her pussy strangling my cock.

I slid my arms under her torso, and as I sat up and back on my heels, I lifted her body with me so she was straddling my thighs. We stared into each other’s eyes as I thrust over and over into her. She helped by lifting herself using her arms around my neck. Each time she came down, I rubbed across her clit, making her moan. The flutters I was feeling told me she was close to coming. I sped up my strokes, not wanting her to come without me.

Reaching from behind, I covered my finger in her honey, then moved my finger to tease her asshole. She gasped, then flung back her head and screamed my name as she released. The tight clench of her pussy sent me hurtling into my orgasm. I shouted her name as I pumped jet after jet of cum into her tightness.

When we finished, I eased her onto her back. She gave me a dreamy smile. I kissed her passionately. “Let me bathe you. Then we can come back to bed, and I’ll make up for my hasty performance. Although, it’s your fault for making me so goddamn happy, Witch.”

“I think we’re both at fault, and I’d never say no to a bath with you or another round, my love.”

Growling, I pulled out and got to my feet. “Stay here, I’ll be back,” I told her before going to the bathroom to run the water.