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The urge inside me to heave my fist through Nash’s skull is high.
I breathe in and out a few times, sounding like a bull, before I subtly put my dick back inside my jeans, then slide out of the booth to stand in front of Ingrid’s son. He looks me up and down as I walk up to him, shoving both his shoulders so hard he has to take a couple of steps back. “The fuck do you think you’re doing? You have no right treating Ingrid like that.”
He charges toward me. “What the hell doyouwant frommymother? She’s old enough to beyourfucking mother. It’s disgusting, Romeo!” Nash grunts.
Shaking my head, I point my finger in his face. “Fuck.You!Who are you to say what is and isn’t right?”
Nash violently slaps my finger away from his face. “Youstay the hell away frommymother,” he demands, stepping closer.
Puffing out my chest, my nostrils flare, and my eyes stare him down. “You think your threats are gonna scare me, Nash? I’m the biker here, remember? You’re nothin’ but a fancy suit. What the fuck are you gonna do to me?” I question, raising an eyebrow.
Nash suddenly raises his arm like he’s going to punch me. I smirk as his little brown-haired friend rushes in to pull him back. “Nash! Nash, stop!” he warns.
“I’m going to fucking kill him!” Nash growls, struggling to reach for me as I shake my head.
“You’re being an idiot, Nash. You think Ingrid would want this, huh? She fucking adores the ground you walk on and would give up her happiness for yours. Every. Damn. Time. So, do you want to be the reason she continues her life unhappy? Or do you want to give her areal shotat having a happy relationship like you have with Brianna?” I snap.
Nash pulls himself free of his friend’s hold and grunts as he begins pacing around the room. “Of course I want Mom to be happy. What kind of a fucking question is that?”
I let out a long breath, relaxing my tense shoulders. “Well, you sure as shit didn’t act like it moments ago,” I scold, taking a step forward. “If you want your mom happy, you fucking apologize, then let us be. If you take the age out of it, it’s no different from any other relationship. We click on the same level. And something I don’t expectyouto understand… I like her, Nash, and by some miracle, she likes me. We can’t explain it. And honestly,what the fuckdoes any of it matter if when she’s with me, she’s happy. Your mom hasn’t been truly happy, truly free for a long time, Nash, and I think deep down you know that. Who areyouto make her feel like shit and take this away from her?”
Nash glances at the two men beside him, and the blond one shrugs. “What’s so bad that your mom likes this guy, Nash? Does it matter who she finds happiness with? Out of everyone in your life, she’s always been the most supportive. Maybe you need to reverse the roles?”
Nash looks at him as the other guy chuckles. “Yeah, man, I mean… you know I hate to agree with Lucas at the best of times, but on this occasion, he’s right. Sure, it’s not conventional, but hey, cougars are in right now, right?”
Lucas laughs while Nash groans, running his fingers through his hair. “Do not call my mom a cougar, Blake. I swear to God…”
I turn to Nash, reaching out and gripping his shoulder. “If it is any consolation, I can assure you I only want what’s best for Ingrid. If that turns out not to be me in the end, then Iwillstep away. I’ll hate it, but Iwillbecause I care about her, Nash. We have some kind of bond that I can’t explain. When I joined NOLA Defiance, and we spent more time together, that’s when the attraction grew…” I run a hand through my hair in frustration.
“Not that it’s any of your damn business, but since you are her son, I will tell you this. I haveneverdated an older woman. This is all new territory for me too. Whatever Ingrid wants, that’s my priority. If age doesn’t bother me, or more importantly, her, then it has no business bothering you. Andyoucertainly haveno rightto make Ingrid feel bad about it, either.”
“I hear you…” Nash tilts his head, some of what I am saying finally sinking in, “… but do you have any idea what this looks like? She fucking met you when you were a damn kid. You might have every good intention, but that doesn’t change a thing. She’smymother. Iwillprotect her. Even if she doesn’t think she needs protection… especially from the likes ofyou.And let me tell you, it’s a damn shock to see your mother in a compromising position,especiallyin a public place. Never mind, it was with a fucking biker.”
Nodding, I exhale.Nash is going to be the least of my worries.“I can respect that and expect no less from you or her children. We should have been more discreet. But Nash, you must let Ingrid talk to the rest of the family about this. It can’t come from you. It must come from Ingrid and only whenshe’sready.”
He rubs the back of his neck, exhales, then nods. “All right, agreed. But Mom can’t keep secrets from the family for too long. Secrets have a way of coming out like this has today. And she shouldn’t keep it to herself. Besides, if this, between the two of you,isso great, she shouldn’t want to keep it a damn secret.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Ingrid is keeping multiple secrets from her family, and they’re all going to come out one way or another. All I can hope for is they all come out in the right way—for her. “I’ll tell her even though I know she’s already well aware. She was concerned about this exact reaction. I apologize, and with circumspect, we should have refrained.”
Nash puts his hand out for me to shake.
I shake his hand, dip my chin, and smile.
“If you truly make Mom happy, then thank you, Romeo,” he offers, squeezing my hand in an unspoken warning I respect.
“I do my best. All I want is for Ingrid to know I care about her. That I want to protect her in the best way I can.”
Nash purses his lips in what I can assume is some sort of approval. “All right… I’m not saying I’m fucking happy about this because I’m far from it. But I can see you care for her, even if it’s for right now.” He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before opening them again. “Just don’t break her fucking heart because I won’t be the one you have to worry about. You have your president and his twin, who will be far worse than I am if you do my mom wrong. And don’t forget the way they deal with people who betray the club.” His warning is clear, and I’d be lying if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind.
I shrug. “I’m not going anywhere unless Ingrid wants me to. She is the only one who can make that decision. I’m in this, Nash. I’ve got her back. Now, if you’re done with all your intimidation tactics, I will go find her because I do not want Ingrid walking home alone. And neither should you.”
Nash’s face lights up, but a flash of guilt passes over him, knowing his mom should have been the priority. “A blind man can see you want to take care of her, but… if I hear you are doing anything but—”
“Watch it! I let you do your macho-son thing once already. Now you’re pushin’ it. Don’t forget who you’re fucking talking to,” I warn, then grip his shoulder and nod before turning and walking for the exit.
I give a curt wave to Marcel as I head out of Revel Rose and exit onto the street.
