AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know. It was a jerk move to propose like that. I’m sorry.” The disappointment in his voice hurt me.
“I’m not saying no to you.”
His eyes met mine. “If you’re not saying no, then what are you saying?”
I gave him a chaste kiss. “Daniel Montez, if you’re asking for real, yes is my answer.” My only concern was my dad’s well-being. When we found him alive, he better not dream of taking me away from Danny. I would fight him to the death if he tried to separate us again.
Where could he be?
12
Justin
Rat struck me again in the face. My head whipped back, lolling to the side. Two of his goons held me for their boss to take out his frustrations on me. This beating had only started minutes ago, and already, my lack of endurance was showing. Being forty-six sucked.
How in the fuck could I get myself into this mess?
Desperation bred all kinds of idiocy.
“I want my money, Justin. Six hundred grand.” He punched me in the gut. “When you needed the cash, you knew I didn’t do payment plans. There are no deferments, no debt forgiveness. I’m not a fucking bank!” His knuckles clipped my jaw.
“I don’t have it,” I muttered, blood dripping from my mouth. Going legit with a real job hadn’t been easy. I’d tried to keep things as normal for Emilee as possible. I didn’t want her worrying about money or quitting college. Nor did I want my brothers to see what a big fat failure I’d been.
I saw how I’d been hasty when I quit the club and took Emilee away, but it was a little too late to change anything or say I was sorry.
“I know you don’t, you lousy, worthless piece of shit! That’s why I was taking the kid… as payment.” Rat paced with his hands on top of his head. “Now you have my ass in a bind. He’s promised to a rich-ass celebrity couple in Montana. They’re paying one million dollars for the baby.”
I growled, hearing this for the first time. After spending twenty-six years in the club, I knew better than to mess with a gang like the Rat Brotherhood. These were the kinds of people the Knight’s Legion MC dismantled. I had just been so fucking desperate. No money to provide for Emilee and me. No skills to get a job that would pay for a mortgage and her college. I had no savings or retirement. No medical insurance.
A desperate man I’d been when I approached Rat.
My brothers would be disgusted and ashamed.
“I gave you six months to pay up. It’s been ten. The only reason I let it go this long was for the kid. The new parents didn’t want a newborn. They’re playing it like a legal adoption so it wouldn’t get questioned. They wanted a three-month-old boy. Time’s up; they want their kid.”
“He’s not theirs,” I roared. “He’smygrandson, goddammit.” I held back a whimper, my heart bleeding over for putting him in danger.
My grandson I’d yet to hold because his mother hated me. I loved Dante with all my heart, as I did Emilee. I’d been a prideful, controlling, wounded asshole to my daughter. I had held on to her betrayal with an iron grip, unable to handle her being with a biker after promising Laura our little girl would have a normal life. My wife was probably turning in her grave over my royal fuckup.
“Not my problem, motherfucker. You know how this shit works. Either you get me the kid, or you die.”
“Then kill me.” I jetted my chin out, knowing full well Rat didn’t want me dead yet.
He grabbed me by the throat. “You underestimate me. You think I don’t have insurance in place for pathetic, washed-up bikers such as yourself?”
I choked and gagged, my heart racing faster. What insurance?
“If you don’t help me get the kid, I’ll do it my way, and you’ll not only lose him but your daughter too.”
I shook my head. “Please…”
“Please what?” He relaxed his hold.
“I’ll get the money.” Fuck, I didn’t know how I would, but I needed to try.
“It’s too late for the six hundred grand. Interest is a bitch.” He dug his nails into my skin.
“One million. I’ll get it.” Why beat around the bush? If the couple was paying a million for Dante, Rat would want the same. At least I hoped he didn’t want more.
