“Shh.” Orla tapped a finger to my lips. Then hugged my girl. “It was nice to meet you, Willow. Call me next time you want to do something super fun. I’m game, even if your old dad’s not.”
She walked away to join Folk and Cam.
Nash and Embry stayed with me, giving my kid more protection than their queen, and for the second time that day, I wondered how this life could be real, but for different reasons.
These men would die for Willow. I knew it without question. The Crows I’d left behind would’ve killed her without conscience.
They’d have killed me.
They almost did.
Folk pressed the horn on Decoy’s car. A while ago, Rubi had swapped out the standard factory install for one that played a tune. Neither he or Folk used it much—they were quiet dudes. But the ridiculous noise did its job and snapped me out of a bad daze.
Love you, brother.
I led Willow back to Orla’s car.
“Can I sit in the front?”
“No.”
“Why not? I’m seventeen. Not seven.”
I had no answer that didn’t involve blacked-out windows and possible assassins, but Embry saved me and slid into the passenger seat without comment.
“What about your bike?”
“Later, man.”
I accepted that and we hit the road, Embry kicked back in the front while Willow prattled on behind him. He didn’t seem to mind that she had no off switch.
“What’s your husband’s name?”
“Mateo.”
“What does he look like?”
Embry didn’t live the kind of life where he carried pics of his one and only on his phone, and it took him a second to find the words to describe Mateo. “Mean and sweet.”
“Is he hot?”
“I think so.”
“What do you think, Dad?”
“About Mateo’s hotness?” I hung a left. “Not a lot. Don’t reckon I’m on his mind much either.”
“You’re no fun. What’s the point of you liking boys if we can’t talk about it?”
“We can talk about it as much as you like. Doesn’t mean I have to think Mateo’s hot.” I glanced at Embry. “No offence.”
A few months back, Embry had been at death’s door. Pale. Tired. Dismantled by unimaginable pain. Now his whole face lit up as he laughed. “Brother, you’ll have to try harder than that to offend me.”
I had no plans to do that. I refocused on the road, letting Embry field Willow’s questions about his love life. At any point, I could’ve rescued him, but I let my mind wander instead, the steady rumble of Nash’s bike behind us keeping me company like a fuckin’ hug all the way to Kara’s terraced house on the respectable side of town.
He drew alongside the car as I pulled up, knocking on Willow’s window.
She opened it and he raised his visor, pointing at her guitar case. “Leave it there. I’ll fix the crack in the headstock and give it back to your dad tomorrow.”
