“Would it kill you to show a little gratitude? You’ve pulled some major shit, and you’re basically getting away with a slap on the wrist.”
“Oh, please. The only reason it worked out that way is so you could be the hero. I bet you can’t wait to tell Grammy what happened,” she spat. “How you swooped in to save the day, and now you and your girlfriend will be raising my son.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I have no desire to speak to my mother. Now or anytime in the future. I don’t need or want her validation. I’m dropping you off at the curb and going on my merry way. Whatever you tell her is your business.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “So, you’re not even going to attempt to explain what happened?”
“How many times do I have to say this to you? Your bullshit is not mine. I don’t have to explain anything to you or her. And I’m not going to. I don’t want to be involved with either one of you, and I’ve done everything in my power to distance myself from the two of you. Yet somehow, you keep popping up. But this was the last straw. Your selfishness put people I love in danger. I mean it, Dani. I’m done. You and your grandmother need to stay the hell out of my life. You won’t like the consequences if you don’t.”
“Are you threatening me?” she asked haughtily.
Even though I knew she was trying to get a rise out of me, I had to bite back my response. Instead of yelling at her in frustration, I managed to answer calmly. “Yes, very much so, and I have the means to back it up.”
“In case you forgot, you’re the one who came looking for me,” she said.
I honestly didn’t know if she really didn’t get it or if she was trying to push my buttons. Regardless, I couldn’t take much more without losing my composure, and I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me come unglued. Thankfully, my time with Dani was over when I pulled up in front of my mother’s house moments later.
Or so I thought.
Dani started to reach for the door handle to get out but suddenly jerked her hand back and slid down to the floor in front of the seat.
“What in the hell are you doing?” I demanded.
“What kind of car is in the driveway?” she asked.
“Looks like an old Toyota. Why?” I asked impatiently.
Instead of answering me, she peeked over the dash before dropping back to the floor. “Shit,” she breathed. “Shit. Shit. Shit.”
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. I had no idea what she was doing, and I didn’t want to know. She needed to get the hell out of my truck so I could be done with her once and for all. “Get out and go inside. I need to get back to the clubhouse.”
Then, she said the one thing that I couldn’t ignore. “I can’t. That’s Ben’s car.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes!” she insisted.
“We’ve been looking everywhere for that motherfucker. Let’s go inside and have a chat,” I said and headed for the front door.
“Wait!” Dani hissed from behind me.
But I didn’t wait. I was happy that we found him and would finally be able to put an end to the problems he had caused Blakely. I didn’t once stop to question why Ben was at my mother’s house. Nor did I consider the fact that he might be dangerous.
Instead, I pushed open the unlocked front door and walked into a situation I was not even remotely prepared for.
Ben was pacing the length of the living room and mumbling something to himself when I entered the house. I didn’t notice the gun in his hand until he raised his arm and pointed it at me.
“Who the fuck are you?” he demanded.
I raised my hands in front of me. “I’m Grant. My mother lives here.”
He used his gun to gesture to the door. “Close it and go sit over th—” He stopped abruptly as his eyes widened and his face contorted with rage. “You fucking bitch!” he screamed and pulled the trigger.
I heard Dani scream as I moved to the side and pulled my gun from the holster at my back. Ben shot at Dani again and turned his aim to me. We fired at the same time. He stumbled backward and fell to the floor as white-hot pain ripped through my arm.
Clutching my arm, I turned to check on Dani and tripped over something on the floor. I lost my balance and fell, hitting my head on the marble coffee table on the way down. My vision swam and my stomach churned with nausea.
My head was throbbing, and it was hard to keep my eyes open, but I was able to get my phone out of my pocket and call Copper.
