“You might not want to talk, Cas, but don’t treat me like a fool.” She stands and goes to leave. I grab her wrist and pull her down onto my lap. “I’m sorry.”
She kisses the top of my head. “Talk to me, babe.”
As hard as I fight to keep them at bay, tears stream down my cheeks. My chest feels like it is going to crack open and shatter. I bury my face in Alannah’s chest, hiding myself away. The sobs come hard, and Lana holds onto me tightly. Fuck knows how long it goes on for, but I pull my shit together and tell her, “I’m fine.”
Running her fingers through my hair, she says, “You’re not fine and it’s okay, Cas.”
“I’m angry! I’m fuckin’ pissed.”
“Slade was…”
Though the tears were for him, I spit out, “Not Slade. Leo.”
Leaning back to look at me, she asks, “Our son. Why?”
“He was warned of the consequences, he…”
She cuts me off, and says, “Hemade decisions as the president.”
“And he made the wrong moves. I should never have passed down the gavel.”
Lana jumps off my lap like she has a rocket up her ass, and I brace myself. As pissed as I am, Alannah is the perfect match when she feels she needs to defend her family.
“You don’t mean that.”
“I fuckin’ do. I never would’ve made the call he did, and Slade, Dex, Shane, and the prospect would still be here!”
Shaking her head, she argues, “This is bullshit. You’ve had no concerns with Leo, until now. You made decisions as president that cost a life at some point.”
Oak. She’s throwing the first Lost Soul I ever met at me.
“Fuckin’ low, babe.”
“It’s nothing against you, but it is the truth. Don’t judge Leo for something he didn’t ask for. If it had gone to plan, you would be nothing but proud of him, and don’t you fucking deny it.”
Rising out of my chair, I grab my smokes and lighter. She steps in front of me and blocks my way.
“Don’t go against our son, Cas. You raised him to take the gavel, you don’t get to disapprove when he does something you don’t like.”
I snort. “Something I don’t like.”
She has no idea. Slamming the door after me, I walk through the house, put my boots on and grab my cut and keys. By the time I reach my bike, I’m good to get out of here.
Mounting my bike, I bring the engine to life and rev hard. It wheel spins as I take off and come to a hard stop at the gate.
“Open it,” I order the prospect.
“No can do, Cas. Leo’s orders.”
Passing down the gavel has never tasted so bitter before this day.
“Open the fuckin’ gate.”
“I can’t.” At least he has the curtesy to look hesitant.
Climbing off my bike, I kick the stand out and draw my gun. He sees me coming but doesn’t move. Grabbing him by his cut, I press the barrel to his temple.
“You either open the gate, or I open up your head with a single bullet.”
