Page 25 of Blaze

“Fuck’s sake, Linc, she’ll turn on you, you can’t fucking save her from a life she wants. Don’t turn around and tell me you are in love with her because if you do, I swear to fuck I will have Trick sedate you and give you a head CT!” he snaps, and I furrow my brows.

Huh, maybe I do need that because clearly my head is fucked up.

Shaking my head, I look at Killer and state, “I’m not having this conversation with you, Killer. I have a run to get ready for,” and his jaw ticks as he shakes his head with frustration.

“You can’t claim her, Linc, she’s a patch chaser, don’t make a fucking mistake, please!” he snaps before he storms out, and I lock my jaw as I stare at the computer.

I spent years fucking El, years thinking I could save her. Only to find out right around the time I was going to claim her that she was going to turn traitor anyway for more money. Then when I least expected it in walked Blair, turning my fucking world around.

I drop my head before my throat clears, and I look up, but tense as I make eye contact with Alice, her blue eyes looking hesitant.

“Can I come in?” she asks, and I lock my jaw, but I nod, knowing it isn’t her fault her husband is a prick.

She takes a seat before taking a breath, then asks, “Do you love this girl?” and I raise a brow at her. She gives me a timid smile before saying, “I understand I’m not your mom. I understand that my husband is a jackass who I stupidly decided to stay with because, as my son stated, I could have left if I wanted to. But I can give good advice, so please, humor me, and maybe I can help you.”

I look at her for a beat, allowing her words to sink in.

She’s partial. She isn’t my blood, she knows I’m closed off, but maybe she could help me.

“I don’t love El,” I admit, and she relaxes and asks, “Did you claim her because you knew you could never hurt her?”

And apparently, she’s very perspective…

I nod and admit, “I've known her most of my life, and she became someone I took comfort in, I guess. There is no love there, she sleeps with others and so did I.”

Bambi at the strip club comes to mind when she tried to shove a butt plug up my ass, and I try to hide my shiver of disgust.

“But you feel like you need to save her?” Alice questions, and I nod again.

“I couldn’t save my mom, but I thought I could save the girl I care about. When I asked if she wanted to be my old lady, I regretted it instantly,” I admit, “My stomach tightened, and I felt sick, but then I met someone and going along with El being my old lady seemed like the better option.”

“This woman you've met, is she the one?” she asks softly, and I nod once, and she hums. She summarizes, “You have your mom and dad's blood running through your veins, and you are scared you’re going to destroy her.”

I lean forward and, for the first time, other than to my girl, I admit, “My mom is dead, Alice,” and her eyes widen as she gasps, “I found her, she overdosed last year, she’s dead, and I am petrified that I’m going to ruin Blair like my mom ruined me.”

“Blair Newton?” she asks with a choke, and I nod and return, “You know her?”

She shakes her head before admitting, “I knew her parents, a little older than me, but nice people. That girl, they sang her praises, said she was smart and would rule the world one day. She was their prize possession, a miracle baby after they had her sister, then four miscarriages. Her dad decided to get a vasectomy because he hated his wife being hurt every time she lost a baby then in comes Blair when they’re nearly in their fifties. His procedure clearly failing,” she smiles, “For what it is worth, I know you don’t need it or want it, but I approve.”

I chuckle, “Good to know…” Just as we hear, “Mom?” as Crusher walks in, looking between us.

“I’m trying to help your brother, even though he never asked for it when your father decided to come in heavy-handed, wanna giving your two cents?” Alice says, and I groan, making her laugh, and Crusher smirks.

“Let me guess, El?” he confirms, but Alice shakes her head, then raises a brow at me, and I sigh, “Blair Newton.”

His mouth parts before he quickly shuts my door, causing me to raise a brow at him.

He points at me and states, “I approve,” and his mom laughs at him, repeating her words while I shake my head, my lips twitching.

“Okay, I’m going to let you speak to your brother, but Linc, don’t let your parents stop you from claiming the actual woman you want. I’m always here if you need to talk,” Alice says as she stands.

“Alice,” I say as she gets to the door, and she looks my way. I murmur, “thank you,” and she smiles widely before leaving, and Crusher mumbles, “You just made her fucking day,” and I nod, realizing it.

I’m her husband's love child, yet she wants to claim me as her son. How the fuck can I be mad about that? It’s no different than what Ms. Hallows did with Blair.

“Okay, Blair?” Crusher says as he takes a seat, and I swallow hard.

“I slept with her last night, and by slept, I mean made love.. I have never done that before. I took her virginity and fuck, I put my shirt on her and left it,” I admit, and my little brother slumps back in the chair with shock. I groan, “When Cage asked me if I wanted a nickname on the property patch, I told him Shortcake, after Blair. I fuck, I want her, so fucking badly, but I don’t want to be our dad, I don’t want to hurt her, fuck, I don’t want to end up like my mom,” I look at my brother, “Dead, buried in the ground after an overdose.”