Chapter Fifteen
Hudson came back out for me, he didn’t say anything but he was tense. King had stared at the van for a good few minutes before turning and going back inside without so much as a nod in my direction. It set the tone for this gathering. Warren drove the van into the garage and the door went down. My hands were shaking as I went up the steps. I wished like fucking crazy Rosa was here.
Then I got ahold of myself. I didn’t need Rosa backing me up. I had my own back for the last five years. I’d walked back into this MC with my head held high. I’d faced all of my demons, and then some and got through it. I wasn’t about to let my dad, or anyone else shake me enough to turn me into some weak ass bitch.
Hudson gave me a smirk as he watched me, as if he had seen the rollercoaster of emotions rushing through me, and my back straightening up with the resolve to take my dad on. I stopped him before we went through the door.
“What is he going to do about Mace?”
“All he said was bring him inside,” Hudson sighed. “King doesn’t give anything away.”
“If I need to get between them, I will.”
“Don’t doubt it,” Hudson said. “But,” he stopped me this time before I could enter the house. “He’s the enemy in this house Waverley. We’ve explained what he did for you, told him a lot about what went down yesterday and about Danica but no matter what happens in there, you will be expected to abide by King’s decisions. He will kick you out if you don’t.”
I gave him a withering look. For a second he contemplated pushing it but wisely decided not to. There was no point. I stalked into the house. It hadn’t changed, not one little bit and I could smell Rosa’s perfume.
There were photographs of Cassie and Ransom on the walls, at varying different ages. One of Ballistic and her on their wedding day. I’d always rolled my eyes at that photo because even on his wedding day, Ballistic wore his cut. Like hell I’d let Hudson do that.
Fuck, who said anything about marrying Hudson.Jesus.
There were two large living rooms in their house, one was where Rosa did her work as a self-employed accountant, the other was a more traditional living area. Hudson led me past both rooms to the dining room. There was a massive table in here that seated ten people.
Rosa had always been the social type and if she invited people over, she wanted them to be comfortable. Ballistic was not in the room but I could hear him talking to Warren. Hudson touched my elbow briefly then walked out, leaving me alone with King. He was sitting in one of the chairs, not at the head of the table, in the middle.
I cursed Hudson for abandoning me, but guessed King told him he wanted to speak to me alone. And, Ballistic wouldn’t want to bring Mace into his house. I was concerned for a moment about what they might do to him while I was in here, but I trusted my brother and Hudson.
If King told them to hurt him while he kept me busy, I’d never forgive any of them.
I didn’t wait to be told what to do, I pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down. His eyes moved over my face and body in a quick sweep, making sure I was okay? Maybe.
Before I could open my mouth, Warren came into the room. “He’s secured.”
King nodded and Warren sat down. It was clear this had been agreed before I came inside. He’d left a seat between us, I wasn’t sure what that was about, but wouldn’t voice my concerns either.
“I’m gonna guess he hasn’t said he’s thrilled you’re safe and told you he moved heaven and earth to get you back?”
King and I looked at Warren, my brows were raised, dad just looked like he was used to this. I was sure no one expected an answer. But I gave one anyway.
“Nope.”
“Well, he is,” Warren went on with a cheery smile on his face. It was forced as all hell but he was trying and I appreciated that.
“The two of you give me heartburn.”
Warren laughed in surprise. That was the last thing either of us expected him to say. His lip twitched as he scanned both of our faces. But then he sobered and ran a hand over his beard.
“This is difficult for me to say, but it needs to happen.”
All joviality went out of Warren. We both waited because that was the best thing to do where our dad was concerned. Hudson’s warning ran through my head. I couldn’t give him shit in front of Mace, but Mace wasn’t here. So it was no holds barred.
“Given what she told you while you were there, there are some things you need to be made aware of,” he continued.
“Like an Aunt?” I asked, putting both hands on the table.
“Yes,” he said. “You have an aunt.”
“Had,” I corrected.
