AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Don’t get used to it, Hot Shot,” she sassed. “I’m in a vulnerable state, therefore nothing I say can be held against me.”
Placing a hand on either side of the cushions, I leaned forward, kissing her tenderly on her lips.
“I’d never hold anything against you, Firefly.”
“Leave us girls to chat for a bit, Alec.” Ma situated herself next to my girl. “Your father would like a word.”
“Oh yeah?” I turned my head to find him standing in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest.
He nodded.
Shit.
_______________
“LOCK HER DOWN, HijoSon.”
“He’s already knocked her up, Pop,” Rico snickered.
We were standing out back in his shed; a place which had become our go-to for serious discussions. My brothers joined us, but I was seriously considering kicking their asses out.
Ignoring his youngest, Pop continued, “Do you have feelings for her?”
“Of course I do. We wouldn’t be in our current predicament if I didn’t.”
“Then lock her down.”
“What the hell do you think I’m trying to do?” Rubbing my hand through the short hair on top of my head, I began to pace the floor. “She agreed to give us a shot but it’s only been a couple of days. I don’t want to push her.”
“Wrong answer. If you want to watch her walk off into the sunset with some other schmuck, then by all means, keep playing it safe.”
“I’m not playing it safe, Pop. I’m taking my time.”
“Bullshit. You’ve been stuck on autopilot, living life but not truly living. I’ve seen a bit of that fire return to your eyes since Quin’s been around. It’s been missing for the past five years, but something’s stopping you. What is it?”
“It’s time, Alec,” Gabe voiced.
“You need to tell him,” Luc added.
They were right. I’d held myself back from my family for far too long; kept them at arm’s length after my captivity instead of letting them in. I built up a wall of protection, masked as control, so I never had to face my demons. But I’d let those monsters rule my life for far too long.
Sitting in that room, I told him every last detail. The darkness. The sounds and smells. Even the guilt which ate away at me every time I looked at myself in the mirror. I gave it all to him. When I finished, I watched as a lone tear tracked down my father’s—my hero’s—face.
Then I watched him lose his shit.
He roared, flipping over the table we’d been sitting around, then stomped to the other side of the shed where he proceeded to pound his fists against the heavy bag we’d installed for him.
“Fuck.” I hung my head.
Gabe squeezed my shoulder. “Let him get it out. We each took our turn on the bag at Quattro after you left that day.”
It took several minutes before he finally stopped. Spinning on his heel, he walked with purpose until we were standing toe to toe. He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck and dropped his forehead against mine.
“You’ve spent the last five years thinking you escaped without injury because you couldn’t see the physical wounds,” he started. “I should’ve made you talk to me, and for that I apologize.”
“It’s not your fault, Pop.”
“Not yours either, Hijo. You did your job. What do you think would have happened to your men if you’d talked?”
