Clearing my throat, I rest my elbows on the table. “I need to take off for a while. Head to Texas and deal withmy family shit. I know it’s not ideal timing with the Feds circling, but it can’t wait any longer.”
“Did something happen?” Steel asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
“You know the final court date was set. The clock is ticking, and I’m no closer to a solution than I was six months ago, even with the list Willa gave me.”
“Ghost is working on that.”
“I know, and I appreciate it,” I say to Ghost, dragging my hair back. “But it’s not just business. There’s crap that needs to be dealt with in person.”
“Kincaid?”
“And Willa’s father.”
Steel nods, his eyes narrowing. “You sure this wasn’t their plan all along. Send her here just so they could lure you back?”
I shake my head. “It’s not her idea. It’s mine. Willa wants me nowhere near them. If it were up to her, we’d stay in Vegas.”
“She afraid of what they’ll do to you?”
“Afraid what I’ll do to them,” I correct.
Soul smirks, knowing me too well.
“How long are you planning to be gone?” Steel asks.
“Don’t know yet. At least a couple of weeks. Kansas has Sapphire Rise under control, and the prospects can take shifts checking in. Don’t worry, I’m not leaving you with the strippers.”
Steel laughs, shaking his head. He’s the club’s president, and still, he’s never really had a thing for stripclubs. He’s too uptight all the time. And now that he has Tempe, he only has eyes for her.
“I’m not worried about the strip club.” Steel leans forward.
“I know it’s bad timing, but there are things back home I need to sort out. Long overdue, if I’m being honest.”
I’ve avoided Texas since the day I left, but deep down, I always knew it would come to this eventually. I walked away, but I hadn’t fully left. The only way to be free is to cut these last strings tying me to the past.
Besides, I owe this to my grandfather. His land was home. He was a good man with strong morals. Keeping Tate off my case as much as he could. By my side at my mother’s grave. He was the pillar of our family, and he deserves someone to fight for his legacy before my brother and Tate destroy it.
“Chaos, you know we’ve got your back,” Steel says. “You’ve been through hell for this club. Given up everything for your brothers. If you need time, you’ve got it. No questions asked. I don’t care if the Feds are raiding the damn property. We can handle it.”
“Appreciate that.”
Steel nods. “Not many of us had lives outside the club, even before we patched in. But I know you did. That family is just as important as this one, no matter how strained it is. Settle what you need to, and we’re here for you if you need us. If shit goes bad in Texas, you call me, and we’ll be there. Club business or not, we support each other.”
“I wouldn’t ask that of you.”
“You’re not asking, I’m telling you. I know you prefer self-sacrifice and being the hero for the club, but you’re our brother. If you need us, we’ll be there. However that looks.”
My brothers nod in agreement, and even Soul’s expression has turned solemn.
“You’ve done more than most for your patch. I won’t forget that.” Steel nods his head once.
The respect of my president.
Of my brothers.
The men at this table don’t share my blood, but that’s never mattered. The Twisted Kings is a family built through loyalty and respect. When I left Texas and found them, they didn’t care that they’d all grown up together, and I was an outsider. They made me a part of them.
They brought me into their family.
