“Jakey-Poo, stop the flirtin’ and get to work at the club!” I shout, causing him to startle and almost fall off the barstool. I hold my laugh until I get outside and then I let it rip.
I walk to the garage, smiling when I hear the guys’ laughter echoing out of the bay. All but two of the men who work there are members of the MC.
“Hey there Gramps,” Colin calls as he steps out of the bay with Jacey in his arms.
“I like that you’re teachin’ our boy early about cars, but ain’t he a little young to be hangin’ out here?”
“My boy’s gonna know how to take a car apart and put it back together by the time he’s three. No, fuck that, right after he takes his first steps. Ash and Mack are on their way here to get him. What are you doin’ here?” He steps closer and I already have my arms open for my grandson.
“I’m meeting the fry cook to talk about his actions last night.” I take Jacey from him, cradling him in my arms as I kiss his forehead. “Speakin’ of action, when’s the next grandbaby comin’? You are the next in line, aren’t ya?”
“We’re workin’ on it, Dad,” he replies and I head inside to the office. As much as I want a new grandbaby, I don’t want to talk about my daughter's sex life.
Colin doesn’t follow me, knowing I want the time alone with my boy. I take a seat at my desk, turn on the computer, and look at the schedule and what parts we need to order. Might as well do a little work. While I don’t have to do it, I like to stick my feet into everything so I know what’s going on. It’s when you don’t keep tabs on that shady shit it has an opportunity to happen right under your nose.
“One day Jacey, this MC will be yours. Unlike your Grumps, you’ll follow in the footsteps of your Chief, and run this club with an iron, but forgiving fist. With each new prospect, the Hellions will grow stronger, a force for anyone to reckon with.” I kiss his forehead before putting him over my shoulder and rubbing his back. He lets out a toot and I can’t help but laugh. Yep, just like his Grandpa Sam.
My mind starts wondering about what it would’ve been like to hold Ashlynn in my arms like this. What it would feel like to watch the belly of the woman I love grow round as our daughter grew inside of her. To witness her birth and cut the cord. All things I lost out on because of betrayal within my own club.
I begin singing softly, a song Kate used to sing to Ryker after they first got him. It stuck in my head and I never knew why until now.
“I sing it to him too.” Ryker’s voice jars me out of my thoughts.
“As you should to all your children, and when you do, make sure to tell them about their grandma. Both of them should be here to see him.” I can feel the slight tremble of my lips and fight to hold back the tears welling in my eyes. I’m the prez. I can’t break down and cry. Pulling the emotion back in, I ask, “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come for my boy.”
I raise my eyebrows, puzzled since Colin said Mack and Ashlynn were on their way to get him.
“Where’s my daughter?” Not that it matters who came to get my grandson, but I was hoping to see her this morning. Knowing I’m about to meet with the grease head shortly, seeing her would help soothe my anger. I guess my time with Jacey will have to keep my temper contained.
“She was on her way, but Vee called.” I just nod, knowing she’s checking on her friend. My daughter truly has a heart of gold, just like her mother.
“Say no more.” Something’s been going on with that girl for months and it’s affecting my men, well, three of them anyway.
Ryker makes his way over and I reluctantly give Jacey another kiss before handing him over to his father. “Y’all need to take my daughter away for the weekend and work on that next grandbaby. I got Jacey. Just make sure she pumps and leaves enough milk for him.”
Ryker chuckles and smirks as he takes the bundle from my arms. If he thinks I’m joking, the fucker has another thing coming. This weekend Jacey’s mine. He opens his mouth, but I cut him off before he can say anything.
“You heard me. I’m tellin’ you as your father-in-law and your Prez. I’ll be at your house to watch him on Friday night.”
He knows better than to argue. Whether he likes it or not, my word is the law.
“I’ll be sure to let the others know,” he tells me as he steps out of the office, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again.
Sighing, I pick up my phone and call Bash.
“What’s up? Ain’t you supposed to be meetin’ someone? Are we needin’ to do a clean-up?”
“It’s not time, so nothing to clean, but that’s not to say there won’t be, so keep the prospects on call.”
I can hear his laughter through the phone, and I let out my own snort.
“Look, I need you to go back and look into Mel’s past.”
“You mean the shit we handled? Why? We took care of that.”
“I know we did. But someone called her that got her really upset. Don’t know who it was and she ain’t been generous with the information.”
