There was just silence.
“Think of it as a trial run,” Hillbilly continued. “It won’t be for long—maybe two weeks at the most. So, technically, you’re not replacing me. And if you run into any issues, or have any questions, you can talk to me about it.”
Lila pursed her lips with disapproval.
“You’re supposed to keep stress to a minimum, Dad.”
“Sweetie, don’t hover,” he said, gentle, but with steel in his voice. “Your mother used to do that all the time, and you know how I hated it.”
Lila’s eyes flashed at the mention of her mom. I never met Marina, but I knew there was no love lost between them. And I knew Lila didn't appreciate any mention of resemblance to her mother.
“All right,” Lila said in a tight voice, pushing off the bed. “I’ll get out of your hair and leave you boys to discuss club business. I wouldn’t want toannoyyou with myhovering.”
Lifting her chin, she stalked out of the room. I glanced at Hillbilly.
“You’re going to pay for that comment.”
He brushed me off.
“I learned a long time ago that letting Lila hold a grudge makes her feel better. Gets it out of her system. Eventually, she comes around and forgives me in the end.”
“She might forgive you,” I said. “But she never forgives me. For anything. I would appreciate it if I did not get caught in the crossfire here.”
“I’m putting you in the trenches, so you’re likely going to take a few hits,” Hillbilly gestured to the room at large. “This was one hell of a wake-up call, Pretty Boy. When I’m gone, Lila doesn’t have anyone else. No husband, no boyfriend—not a steady one at any rate. No siblings, no cousins. She’s not exactly on good terms with her mother. They’re too much alike, and they fight like cats and dogs.”
“But the doctor said you’re going to be fine, Prez.”
“For now,” Hillbilly said. “One day, I won’t be. That’s why I need you to start looking after my little girl now.”
I blew out a breath and grimaced, scrubbing the back of my neck.
“No offense, boss, but Lila would hate that.”
Hillbilly sighed and adjusted his position against the pillows.
“Look, I gave everything I had to this club. I dedicated my life to it. And as a result, the club became Lila’s world as well. But when I’m…out of the picture…she won’t be the President’s daughter anymore. Things will change, and I won’t be around to help her through it. I know you can handle her. You keep each other sharp.”
“Yeah, well, that’s because I make it a habit to avoid being in the same room with Lila when there are kitchen knives present,” I pointed out. “She can get stabby.”
Hillbilly chuckled, folding his hands across his stomach.
“Bless your heart, kid. I’ve seen you square off with men twice Lila's size without batting an eye. Are youafraidof my daughter?”
I shook my head and took Lila’s empty seat, bracing my forearms on my knees.
“Come on, Prez. We both know Ironside would be a better option here. He’s twenty years older than me. He’s been VP for almost as long as I’ve been a member of the club. No one would question his leadership. And Lila looks up to him.”
Hillbilly said nothing for several long seconds. His silence forced the weight of my words to linger in the air, making me realize that it sounded like I was attempting to shirk the responsibility my President was placing on my shoulders.
I should have considered it an honor to be entrusted with the well-being of his daughter and his club, especially when I didn’t deserve it.
If he really knew the thoughts I had about Lila, he would gut me like a fish.
It was just a trial run, I reasoned. A week or two as acting President wouldn’t kill me. But I wondered how my club brothers would take it. This wasn’t usually how we did things. We took a vote. We made an agreement. Or we followed the chain of command, which fell to Ironside.Not me.
As the Treasurer, my name would usually be nowhere near the nomination for President. The only exception to that rule would be if I had proven myself to be worthy of the leadership role, gaining the faith of my brothers to rally behind me and follow my command.
Instead, I was hotheaded, impulsive, and a sarcastic little shit.
