“Much better, Papa, I feel like a weight’s been lifted from me,” I replied.
“Not surprised. Dad and I wanted you to know. Inglorious offered us a house here. We’re accepting it, and Mari’s coming too,” Papa said.
“What?” I asked, sitting up, taken aback.
“Mari’s moving in, too. We’re all the family Mari has left, and she’s like a sister.”
“Not that bit. Seriously, you’re leaving Sioux Falls?”
“It’s too far. You’re making a life here, and we have two grandchildren. This is what we want,” Papa said.
“That’s wonderful news,” I exclaimed. “What about Natasha, though? Papa, we can’t leave Natasha there alone.”
“We’re not. Inglorious offered to have Natasha moved to the Unwanted Bastard graveyard. Mari agreed.”
I was slightly shocked but didn’t say a word. That was really generous, because I knew how rabidly they guarded the cemetery.
The doors opened, and a hush fell over the room. A young woman walked in with an older lady beside her. The younger one held Inglorious’s eyes. She was absolutely stunning, and I felt insipid compared to her.
“Hey.”
“Isabelle, Carole, are you okay?” Inglorious demanded, getting off the barstool and heading towards them.
“We’re good. You know why we’re here,” Carole said, turning to stare at me as Daisy-Duke let out a squeal.
“Is that you!” she cried, rushing over to the older woman.
“Daisy-Duke, you never change,” Carole declared as they hugged.
“Lady, you look fine, although you resemble one of those fuckin’ country club women!” Daisy-Duke exclaimed.
Vortex walked in and ignored them as he headed for me. He stopped, and his jaw dropped open.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he demanded. Tingles ran down my back as I realised Vortex wasn’t happy.
“We’re moving here. We have a right to. I’m the old lady of Buck, the mother of a former VP, and Isabelle is a princess. Her grandfather and father rode for the Unwanted Bastards. Grinder and Ginny died for the club,” Carole replied.
“You’re here to interfere, to cause trouble,” Vortex accused.
“Is that true, Carole?” Inglorious asked.
Carole turned a beautiful smile on Inglorious before staring at me. “No.”
“Bullshit,” Vortex exclaimed. Warily, I edged down the sofa closer to him. I’d no idea what was happening, but I wasn’t going to leave Vortex to stand alone.
“Don’t speak to your mother like that!” Carole chided, and Vortex growled.
“What the hell?” I gasped.
Vortex turned and winced. “Brave girl, meet my mom and niece,” he muttered and glared.
“Uh, hi,” I said lamely.
???
“Start talking, asshole, do you know how blindsided I was by that shitshow!” I snapped as Vortex laid me on our bed.
“Yeah. There are some issues in my family.”
