“Honestly, Dad, I don’t give a flying fuck.”His father flinched at the language but didn’t say anything.He’d learned years before that to protest only made Smokey use it more.It occurred to him that Tania hadn’t said anything about it either.He hoped it didn’t bother her, because otherwise he wouldn’t know what to do.He’d have to ask her about it, later.Smokey could clean up his mouth, but the rest of the Angels?That was going to be a challenge.
“You can tell him that he failed her and I stepped up, or anything you want as long as it doesn’t make things worse.Tania loves her parents and I don’t want to ruin that relationship any more than I have to, but I will not have her put in danger.”He went back to pacing.
“I know you haven’t seen them, but I brought three of my brothers with me today.Because of the shit going on with that fuckwad, none of the Angels are going anywhere alone.And the women are traveling with even more, when they leave.We try to keep them close to the clubhouse when we can but some things have to be done away from there.Like this.I wanted to make sure you and Mom got to meet Carter.”Smokey stopped and watched his father, wanting to see his body language, not just hear his words.
Dad stared at him for several seconds.He looked down at his lap for a moment and then back up.“You’re right.”He took a breath, still meeting Smokey’s gaze.“What’s important now is your safety.Not just Tania and Carter’s, but everyone’s.”He licked his lips and Smokey wasn’t sure if he was embarrassed over being more concerned with what people would think of him than other people’s safety or if he was trying to find the words for whatever he was going to say next.“I appreciate you bringing them for us to see.I hope it’s not too long before you can bring them back and not have to worry about their being safe here.I understand why you don’t want to leave them here.”
Dad looked away.“I’ll figure out how to deal with Minton.I don’t think he had any clue that Rod would hurt her.I can’t believe he would choose a man for her who would do that.”Then he met Smokey’s gaze once more.“I may be wrong, and I’ll deal with that once I know more but you’re right.What her father thinks or says isn’t what’s important here.Your son and his mother are.”
Smokey nodded once, glad that Dad had come around.It would have hurt something in him to have to work around when his father was home and when he wasn’t so Mom could see Carter, but he would have done it so Mom could have a relationship with his son.
His son.He still wasn’t used to that.Even the thought made him smile.
“Anyway.They can’t stay here, because as good as you are, you can’t be here all the time and you can’t cover the entire house.We’re better set up for something like that and I have no doubt that this fucker is capable of hurting, hell, maybe even killing, both of them.”
“All right.I agree.”Dad nodded a couple of times, then fell silent.After a few seconds he looked up at Smokey and met his gaze.“What do you need?Normally a couple has six to eight months to gather all the things for a baby, you’ve had a few hours.What can your mom and I help with?”
“Honestly?All of it.”Smokey shook his head.“We weren’t able to get anything but a few clothes for either of them out of the house before the elder Mr.Werner showed up.Raven did have one of the prospects unearth an old high chair out of storage, so we’ve got that, but right now Carter’s sleeping in the middle of my bed with pillows as walls to keep him there.I don’t know what we’ll do when bed time rolls around.I guess we’ll have some shopping to do.”
“Let us,” Dad offered.“We can go out and get what you need without the risk.Do you want me to bring it all by the clubhouse?”
“That would be great.”Smokey reached for his wallet inside his cut.He pulled out a stack of cash and handed it over.“Here.Get whatever you think we’ll need.You have more experience at this than I do.Pay for what you think is appropriate, then use this to pay for the rest.”He knew there would be no talking his parents out of getting gifts for them, so he didn’t try.Instead, he gave his father the choice of how much they spent and they could use his money for the rest.“Will that be enough or should I give you a card too?I would give you more, but that’s all I have on me.”
Dad thumbed through the stack.
“This should be good.If it goes over, I’ll let you know.”
Smokey knew that Dad would never tell him, so he pulled out a card and handed it over.
“Just in case.”He wasn’t worried about Dad going hog wild and maxing out the card, if anything, he’d be lucky if he used all the cash.“Now, what do you say we go see how Mom and Tania are doing?It’s likely going to take me a while to get her out of here.She’s always loved you and Mom.”
“We love her too.”Dad pushed himself to his feet.“It just never occurred to me that the two of you would end up together.”
“It’s not over yet, but I’m gonna do my damnedest,” Smokey said.And he meant it.
Chapter Sixteen
