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He was thanking me when I was the reason they were in danger in the first place? Maybe Moon wasn’t the one who hit her head after all, maybe it was me?
“Of course. I wouldn’t let anything happen to them.”
He shook his head. “Your men did a damn fine job of bringing down Pacheco, son. It’s too bad about those explosives, though.” My heart sank at his words. If he knew, then Moon already knew, too.
“Yeah, that’s what I came to talk to you about, Moon.”
“About what?” She looked from her father to me with confusion in her eyes. “Someone better tell me something before I get upset.”
I looked at her father for a brief second before turning to Moon. “I came here to talk to you and Beau. To see you guys one last time before they take me to jail.”
“What? Jail, no!” Her hands reached out to me, grabbing handfuls of my shirt and pulling me close. “No, why?”
My heart ached at her pain, caused again by me. “Because our diversionary tactics were unappreciated by law enforcement and when you factor in that Haynes met his demise on club property, well I’m up a creek without a big enough paddle.”
“So you’re really going to jail?”
I nodded. “Tanya has been working her ass off but nothing has worked, that’s why I haven’t been by in a few days. I knew it would hurt too much but I had to come today to tell you that you were right. I do still love my wife and I always will, but I’m ready to move on, and I’m crazy in love with you.”
She sniffled and looked up. “You are?”
A loud laugh burst out of me. “Yeah, I am. I’ve been too busy feeling sorry for myself and checking out of everything but the club until you came along with your deep breathing and yoga. Pilates and chickpea burgers and that fuckin’—oops sorry, sir—blueberry wine. I love every weird thing about you, every quirk and every one of those damn jangling bracelets.” I kissed one cheek and then the other. “And your never ending supply of colorful dresses, everything about you sucked me in and made me want to live again.”
“I did all that?”
“You did. You and Beau. And I screwed it up. Put you guys in danger and then I wasn’t there for you when you needed me.”
She growled and shook her head. “It’s not your responsibility to save the whole world, Cross. Why am I doomed to love men with a huge savior complex?”
“You still love me?”
“Of course I do, you big lug. And you’re leaving me.” Tears pooled in her eyes and I felt terrible. But when she held strong, refusing to let the tears fall, she ripped my heart right out of my chest.
“Tanya is hopeful that we can make a deal, especially considering the whole dirty cops and politicians thing.” I didn’t tell her that a good deal still meant a few years behind bars.
Moon’s father cleared his throat to get our attention. “Actually, that’s the other reason I’m here.”
“It is?” Moon seemed as surprised as I was.
Les nodded, smiling down at Beau who’d grabbed his hand and held it tight. I knew that feeling well, the old man was a goner already. “I’m so proud of you honey, you handled Hanes beautifully.”
“Daddy,” she cried and went to him, hugging him tight. “I’ve always wanted to hear you say you’re proud of me.”
“I am proud of you, honey. It was the right thing to do and also why I’m here today.” It was clear we were both confused but Les was a man who moved in his own time and we just had to wait. “Anytime explosives are involved, we worry about national security. But when I arrived in town and got the lay of the land, I knew I had to intervene.”
“Daddy, you’re putting him in prison?”
Hurt flashed in his eyes but his smile was bittersweet, making me wonder what had torn this father-daughter relationship apart. “No, Carolina—I mean Moon—I’m not. I did however stop by to see the prosecutor in this case before I came over here, and I made her see the dangers of prosecuting the man who uncovered this scandal and saved hundreds of victims of human trafficking.”
Shit. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Damn right I did. What you did was commendable and should not be punished and if I have a say in this—which I do—it won’t be.” He shook his head in disgust. “A politician involved in trafficking? I’ll make sure Pacheco gets locked up tight, don’t worry about that.”
Moon’s dad was a straight up gangster in a three-piece suit. I knew he’d make good on his promise. “I don’t know how to thank you for this, Mr. Collinswood.” I held my hand out, shocked as shit that he hadn’t thrown my dirty biker ass out of the house, but he took it and gave a strong shake just as I expected from a man of his significance.
“None necessary, just take care of my baby girl and her son. I’ll handle Pacheco and if you need any help, don’t be afraid to reach out.”
“Not a problem, sir.”
