“The saddle bunnies are supposed to help with the cooking when it comes to this stuff, but they always just go to the store instead. Minx tries to do what she can, but with it being just her, it’s a lot to do,” he explains, and again, I love him for being open with me about everything.
“Well, next time, just let me know a few days ahead so I can get everything, and I’ll get with Minx. She and I, if she’s okay with it, will get everything put together for sides.” I tell him and look at the table holding all the store-bought containers. “I mean, they didn’t even get baked beans, which is totally a cookout must-have. That and jalapeño-poppers. They didn’t even slice up any tomatoes or put out lettuce for the burgers.” I stop my ranting when Shadow starts laughing. “It’s not funny.”
“Baby, it’s hilarious as shit, and I’m telling you now, you want the job, you got it. I’ve had your pasta salad, it’s the shit. You make whatever the hell you want for my brothers, and they’ll eat it.”
Well, okay then.
Next time, I’ll make sure the guys have more than store-bought shit.
Cookouts are meant to be about family being together. Food brings those around you closer together, and it should come from the heart when being made. Not gone out and bought at the store out of laziness.
Shadow puts what I like on my plate, fills his up, and together we move to one of the picnic tables. Soon, others join us, and the day is spent filled with so much laughter. I don’t remember a time I’ve laughed as much as I do surrounded by so many badass bikers. I love the ranch, and it’s home to me, but I’m finding being here at the clubhouse in Shadow’s environment, I’m also home.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Shadow
The motherfucker never fucking learns, and I can’t kill him. Yesterday, Russell fucked up, and he’s about to get yet another lesson. Only this time, I don’t have Amelia stopping me from doing something.
Last night I spent too much time looking for Russell Cain, only he wasn’t at any of his usual places. I wanted to get home to Della, and I did after putting a prospect on Amelia’s ex’s place, telling Stretch to call me the moment the bastard returns to his place.
Stretch called me thirty minutes ago to let me know Russell was home after stumbling out of his car, seeming to be shit-faced. He spent somewhere hiding out, getting smashed, only to drive home. It would have been my luck if he’d gotten into an accident and gotten his ass killed. I wouldn’t be able to beat the hell out of him like I’m looking forward to.
I left Della at my place, telling her I’d be back soon. We had plans today, and I wasn’t missing them. She asked me to take her for a ride on the back of my bike, just the two of us, and spend the day together. I told her we’d do it, but I had one thing I had to handle first. She knew what had happened yesterday and that I’d gone to look for Russell, unable to track him down. Della knew it pissed me off. She hadn’t tried to get my mind off of it or talk me out of what I have planned. My woman simply knew I needed to do this.
Parking my bike in front of Russell’s. I spot Stretch and jerk my chin, letting him know he could head out. I appreciate the prospect watching all night.
I swing my leg over my bike and straighten, ready to get this done.
Rolling my shoulders, I head up the walkway to Russell’s front door. There’s something satisfying about knowing the piece of shit is about to get what’s coming to him. I don’t bother knocking, the asshole doesn’t deserve courtesy.
I test the door handle, finding it unlocked. Of course. The asshat thinks he’s safe. That or he’s just plain stupid. I step inside, letting the door slam against the wall. I scan the room, finding Russell scrambling to get off the worn-out couch.
“What the fuck!” Russell slurs, obviously still shit-faced. There’s no missing his bloodshot eyes as he stumbles to his feet.
I stalk deeper inside and kick the door shut. The place reeks of booze and unwashed clothes.
“Morning, sunshine,” I say, sneering at the man in front of me. A man I never thought was good enough for Amelia. “Rise and shine, fuckhead.”
“Get the fuck out of my house,” Russell shouts, wobbling as he points for me to go.
I laugh at his feeble attempt to intimidate me. The man can barely stand, let alone throw me out. He knows he’s not a match for me. I’d have him on his ass in seconds flat, which I intend to do when I get down to making my point that he’s to stay away from my cousin and her son.
“I’m not going anywhere until we have a little chat about yesterday,” I say, crossing the room, stepping into his space. The stench of whiskey rolls off him in waves. “You know, the part where you went and got Dylan out of school without consulting with Amelia first. You seem to think you can keep doing as you please and leaving her to clean it up.”
“Fuck you, Shadow. What I do with my son is none of your business.” He tries to puff his chest out but only manages to sway dangerously.
“See, that’s where you’re wrong.” I crack my knuckles, enjoying the way his eyes widen. “Amelia and Dylan are my family. You know better than to fuck with my family.”
Russell attempts to back up but trips over a toolbox, landing hard on his ass. Under different circumstances, it might be funny. Today, it just pisses me off. The asshole is stupid as fuck and thinks he can get away with doing as he pleases to my family and I won’t do anything.
Fuck that.
I reach down and grab Russell by the collar of his stained T-shirt, yanking him to his feet. He’s like a rag doll in my hands, pathetic and unsteady.
“You think I don’t know what you’re doing?” I growl, pushing him back against the wall, my hand at his throat. “You think you can play mind games with Dylan? Come in and out of that boy’s life? Fuck with my cousin’s head? Always asking for shit and not even offering a dime to help her? That shit stops now.”
“He’s my son. I can do whatever the fuck I want,” he slurs, trying to push my hands away. His attempts are weak and uncoordinated.
