nothing on earth would keep him from being there for her.
She felt that familiar fear rear up to choke her, but she fought it back. She deserved this. She deserved to be happy again and nothing said that wouldn’t happen with Gator. There was a real possibility of it if she could just let him in.
She had never really been good at doing what she knew she should, but who knew, maybe this time it would stick.
4
Gator paced as Jack watched him like a hawk. There was no reason for him to be here right now, anyone could watch a fucking door, but Preach had insisted he and Jack be there. Something was off and Gator didn’t like it one little bit. He could hear murmured voices from the inside of the room where the officers were having church, but he didn’t try to make any of it out, he just wanted to leave.
“Would you just stop?” Jack grumbled. “Viki is with her man and she’s in the hospital. She’s fine. Lambhead is even standing guard at her fucking door because you wouldn’t leave. Preach made sure she had a guard so that’s something. Nothing will happen while you are here doing your job. So just stop.”
Gator turned on his brother. “She’s pregnant. How long have you known? How long did you keep dat from me?”
Jack looked away.
“Dat’s what I thought. Why would you keep dat from me? My kid. Mine. Don’t give me shit right now. Don’ tell me how to react to finding out my brother kept dat shit from me.”
“Look Gator, I didn’t know for sure that it was yours, not until last night. There have been rumors about her lately, nothing I’d believe, but I didn’t want to get in the middle of it. It’s not my business.”
“Fucked up. Dat’s what I call it.”
“Yeah, it is. I’m sorry man, I am. I’d rather be figuring this shit out too, but until we are told what to do we stand right here, this is the last step and I want to be at that table. Maybe it’s a test or something.”
Gator knew that Jack wanted to make officer so bad he could taste it. Gator didn’t care if he ever made it to the table, being in there meant things had changed and they had lost good men, but Jack didn’t see that, he wanted that seat.
Gator heard the gavel bang and stood beside the door. He watched Fox, Moose, Lawless, Ink, Spec, and Shadow file out. Preach still sat at the table. Those were the men he trusted to run the club, he didn’t want to see anyone else in those chairs, not even himself. There was one that still sat empty, Ace had lost his battle with cancer and no one had filled his shoes, but no one ever could.
Gator cut his eyes to Jack. He knew how much it meant to the man to have a place in the world, but sometimes it was best just to be settled in the place you were in.
No, Gator didn’t want a place at the table like so many others, he was just happy to have a place in the club.
“Gator, Jack, come in here and close the door.” Preach said from his seat.
Gator walked into the room and eyed the man who ran one of the most powerful MCs in the world. His hair was going grey, but still had enough of the original black to tell what it had once been, his eyes were dark and as hard as stone. He wasn’t a young man, his son was old enough to sit by his side now, but he was still as strong as any who ranked under him. Gator had never seen him be truly ruthless or bloodthirsty, but he’d heard the stories and he believed them. The men who followed Preach were without souls and they followed him without question, that kind of respect was earned.
“We have an interest in Tease. ” He said without preamble. “Seems someone is making some side money and trying to launder it through the club.”
Gator’s blood ran cold. He knew that it looked like Naughty was making some side money, but she’d really just saved her money. She’d also had some savings with her late fiancé that