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I stayed with her for a good couple of hours, watching television together and talking a little about her sessions with her psychologist. It was the first time she’d ever confided any of that type of stuff with me, and I felt like it was a whole new start for us and for our family. If we could find a way to move out of the darkness that had always consumed us, it really would be a new beginning.
* * *
King met me in the corridor outside Tatum’s room when I arrived back there after visiting Marilyn. We hadn’t spoken a great deal since the night before. He’d driven me to the hospital in almost complete silence and dropped me off, telling me he’d be back when he could. I’d gotten the impression he was overwhelmed by the whole situation, which was odd for King.
His eyes held an apology as he looked at me. Stepping closer, he jerked his chin towards Tatum. “She seems to be doing better.”
“Yeah. She told me you’ve been checking in on her. I appreciate that.”
He scrubbed his face. “Fuck, it’s the least I can fucking do, Nitro. This shit is on me. He used our delivery time as his opportunity to kidnap Tatum. She’d be okay if I hadn’t agreed to that deal.”
“No, this shit is on Joseph. It wouldn’t have changed the course of any of this if Storm hadn’t taken that deal. He’s been coming for me for years. I just didn’t realise it.” I recalled Tatum telling me that we can’t hold people responsible for our choices in life. I wouldn’t hold King responsible for Joseph’s actions.
“Thank fuck for Eric Bones. He was the one who helped me find you. Said something about a deal he was supposed to make with Joseph and that he’d changed his mind about getting into bed with him.”
I frowned. “How did Eric know where the warehouse was?”
“Turns out he’s more switched on than we ever gave him credit for. He had some of his guys follow Joseph after he met with him a few days ago. Told me you were leaving Storm and thought it was strange, which was another trigger for him to think twice about the deal. He came to check that with me, thank fuck.”
Monroe stepped out of the room, taking in King before looking at me. “Tatum’s asleep so I’m going to head home. Are you staying?”
“Yeah. I’m not leaving this hospital until she does, except for when you’re here.”
“I’ve decided that even though you pissed me off with the Milo thing, I like you. You’re exactly what Tatum needs in her life.”
King interrupted. “The Milo thing?”
She turned to him. “Oh, you have no idea, dude.” Pointing her thumb at me, she said, “This guy’s trying to go all hero and shit on my girl, which is fine and all, but I draw the line at him taking over my responsibilities. Maybe you could help a girl out and have a quiet word with him. Tell him to back the fuck off with the Milo.”
With that, she slung her handbag over her shoulder, gave me one last pointed look and left us.
King watched her go until he couldn’t see her anymore. “Fuck, she’s enough to get a man’s dick to stand up and beg for more.”
“You got a thing for redheads, brother?”
His eyes lit up. “That, and a mouth that tells it like it is.” He whistled. “And those curves are something fucking else.”
“You got a pierced dick, King? From what I’ve heard, that’s what she’s looking for.”
His mouth stretched across his face in a smile that told me more about King than I ever needed to know. Lifting his chin at me, he said, “You get back to your woman. I’m heading to the clubhouse for a bit. I’ll swing by again in the morning.”
“Where are we at with Gambarro?”
“We’re working with Dragon keeping tabs on what Gambarro’s up to. I’m not sure about shit where Silver Hell’s concerned. We might be working with them, but no way in hell do I trust those motherfuckers. We’ll see what happens, but I’ve told the boys to stay alert and be ready for anything. Who knows when they could turn on us?”
“I agree.”
He was quiet for a moment. “I should have listened to you, Nitro. Should have trusted you when you warned me about Joseph. I won’t make that mistake again,” he said solemnly.
I nodded and watched him leave. Joseph took a lot from me, but we all learned some lessons in the process. I’d always respected King and been loyal to him, but his loyalty to me was more than I’d ever had from anyone outside of my family. And it only strengthened mine in return.
* * *
Tatum eyed my house as I pulled the ute into the driveway. “Does this mean you’re not taking me home?”
I smiled at her while she watched me with eyes that twinkled her happiness. The doctor had allowed her to finally leave the hospital that morning, and I’d told her I would take her home. “You got a problem with staying here, Vegas?”
She shrugged casually. “No problem, except you’ve got no furniture and no room for any of my clothes.”
