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Was I in theTwilight Zone?
“Thank you, Mr. Knight.” Madeline fisted my shirt. I could read her like a book. She was just as confused and overwhelmed by my dad.
“David, call me David.” He tightened his embrace and shook us. Excitement radiated off him. I swear, I’d never seen him this way before.
“When is the baby due?” Jane pulled David away and hugged us. All this acting like we were close was irritating me. But I held it together for my woman. She was having a good day despite her sadness over AJ. Talking about the baby always made her happy. I would endure anything to keep a smile on her pretty face.
“The end of May. I’m hoping our little peanut stays in until school is out.” Madeline patted her belly and flicked her baby blues up to mine. Her returning to work was a sore subject. After everything she’d been through, she still wanted to start work the day after Labor Day. The only reason I agreed was that she promised to not leave the building. I’d drop her off and pick her up, and a prospect would sit in the parking lot all day.
“How wonderful! Are your parents excited? I bet they are. I’m hoping you’ll bring the baby to Garrison often. Oh, it would be so wonderful to spend holidays together…” Jane ran away at the mouth. It wasn’t fair to her, but I could hardly stomach being around the woman. I wasn’t quite sure why. She seemed to make my dad happy and wasn’t the reason my mom left. I’d just never met anyone, so… sugary sweet.
Movement out of the corner of my eye drew my attention. Hero stumbled in, a bottle of tequila in his hand. Dammit. I’d wondered where he went after the service.
“Excuse me.” I interrupted Jane. She hadn’t stopped talking. Not that I was listening to anything she said. I’d tuned her out. My dad had wandered off to Raul’s table.
“I’ll be back, baby.” I kissed Madeline.
She peered around me toward Hero. “Sure. I hope he’s okay. I’ll be at my parents’ table.”
I went over to Hero and Track. “Hey, brother. Have you eaten?” I gripped Hero’s bicep.
“Don’t need food. I just wanted another bottle to take up to my room.” Cheap tequila wasn’t what he needed. The guy would be hugging the porcelain before the night was over.
I cut my gaze to Track’s, then told Hero, “Let’s get you some food first.” My brother had been a mess, drinking himself into the gutter all week. He felt responsible for the Hunters getting the jump on him. He’d been in the silo when Dawg had hit Madeline and forced her to strip. Yeah, Hero was fucked up. Fighting demons of the past and what he viewed as another failure for not protecting AJ and the women.
I knew this kind of pain and was sure AJ’s memorial didn’t help. Hero wasn’t handling the loss at all, hunkered down in his bedroom. I had to pull rank as his president and order him to stay in the clubhouse when he tried to leave. Patch wanted him watched, worried Hero was a danger to himself. Mentally, my brother was unstable. Survivor’s guilt had him on edge. I wasn’t sure what he might do. We were set to leave on the run Monday. I wanted him clear-headed.
“We need to get him sober,” Track muttered, helping to hold up Hero.
Wobbling against us, Hero was hellbent on drowning himself in booze. I didn’t want to put him in the quiet room, but if he didn’t get his head straight in the next twenty-four hours, I’d have no other choice. His well-being was my priority.
Tara appeared beside us. “Storm, can I help? Please, I need to help him.” The redhead’s eyes were glossy.
Track and I stared at each other. She’d been begging to see Hero since the day they were rescued, but Hero had refused. He didn’t want her anywhere near him. I didn’t understand it.
Who was I to decide for him?
“You can ask,” I told her, jerking my chin to Hero. Maybe Tara was what Hero needed like I had needed my Angel. My girl quieted my demons and healed me in ways I could never repay.
Tara went in front of him. “Hey, big guy. Let’s blow this joint and find a quiet place.”
Hero raised his head. “Rooojjjaaa.” He swayed on his feet. “Fuuuck.” His head bobbled as he checked her out. The dude was so wasted he didn’t even finish talking and closed his eyes.
She reached up and took his face in her hands. “Look at me.” He peeled his eyes open. “Let’s get out of here, okay?”
“Not off the compound,” I whispered, even though I was sure she knew better, but I wouldn’t take any chances with my SAA. Not after what just happened.
“Wa… meee?”
God almighty, what was he trying to say? The tequila bottle in his hand dropped to the floor, shattering as he reached for her. He hooked his arm around the back of her neck and smashed his lips to hers.
“Shit,” Track hissed as we tried to pull Hero off Tara.
Tara brushed us away. “No. No, it’s okay. I got him.” She was a little taller than Madeline, but Hero was twice her size. No chance she could get him up to his bedroom on her own.
“Help her get him upstairs,” I told Track. “If he gives you any trouble, Tara, get someone. My bedroom’s at the end of the hall. Don’t hesitate. He’s not in his right mind. I’m not sure what he’s capable of.”
“We’ll be fine, Storm. I can handle him.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Come on, big guy.”
