“This is new.”
Kinsley is about to ask another question when Oscar is swept up and Nero settles him on his forearm. Oscar instantly clutches the collar of his cut and grins at his dad.
“What are they doing here?” I ask.
He eyes Kinsley before answering. “Jesse needed a break, and this is the next best place.”
What he really means is, he wants them where he is. He can watch them here. It’s taken a toll on him being away from them. He might not show it outwardly, but I’ve known him too long not to see he needs them close.
There is nothing less imposing about him, just because he is holding a toddler. Taylor will tell anyone that it’s how she first met him, with his rage face, as she calls it, and his son in his arms.
The only thing that prevented her being scared was her protectiveness over Jesse and the fact Oscar hit Nero in the face. She loves recounting that part.
Kinsley isn’t deterred, regardless of the President holding a child. Or me holding a puppy. I set the little shit down, it sniffs my feet and I take a long step backward till it runs away. Oscar makes grabby hands in its direction, and understanding baby sign language, Nero sets his son on the ground.
We watch Oscar run after the dog, and he settles on a rug beneath the cinema sized TV, playing and giggling with the pup.
“Kinsley,” Nero puts Oscar out of his mind. “How is Father Eastwood?”
“He’ll make it, barring any complications.”
Nero doesn’t hide his feelings on that. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“Marisol isn’t okay.”
Pain crosses his face. I watch Kinsley closely to see her reaction. Her brows furrow expecting something different.
“She was always welcoming to us, she’ll be missed by everyone.”
Even Kinsley hears the sincerity in his words. I expect that will not be the end of her questions, Colton might be safe in the hospital, but she wants to know this won’t happen again. There is no harm in her asking for reassurance.
What I’m not expecting are the words that come out of her mouth, or the way she stands in front of Nero like she’s about to rip him a new one if he doesn’t tell her what she wants to hear.
“We need to talk about the men who shot my cousin and what you’re going to do about it.”
The people closest to us stop talking and look around. Beast shifts in his seat, and Taylor turns to look over when she realizes the atmosphere change. Nero doesn’t take his eyes off Kinsley.
I should have known she’d do this. Kinsley isn’t someone who sits back and lets shit happen around her. Not after what happened with Eloise.
She doesn’t want to be weak like that ever again.
She should have fucking told me what she was going to say. Or asked me instead. I could have talked her out of it, or told her how to handle it. You don’t just walk up to the president and demand he tells her how he will deal with killers.
It’s on me. For bringing her here, for telling her we’ve caught them. I should drag her out of here and spank her ass.
“What makes you think I’m able to do anything about it?” Nero asks.
“You won’t let something like this lie. If I’ve learned anything about this MC, it’s that you give a shit. I’ve been around another MC who took whatever they wanted, when they wanted and didn’t care who got in their way, or who they hurt.”
Great, something else I need Blaze to look into. That guy Kane has got something coming to him at the very least. Nero will want to know who she is referring to.
“Hey, why don’t we get a drink, let everyone get their bearings, and then you guys can talk. I’m Taylor.” She holds out her hand.
Kinsley stares between the three of us then turns to Nero. “If you let Taylor out of her ivory tower, then you feel comfortable enough-”
“Kinsley,” I snap. My tone has her twisting her whole body toward me, and she is not happy.
“Rebel, it’s fine,” Taylor puts a hand on my arm. “Cut her some slack, she’s been through a lot, and I’m not offended. You two go talk, and Kinsley and I will chat.”
