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“He didn’t,” Gage said and propped his feet up on the chair beside him, staring out over his yard. “I’m gonna tell you what most people won’t, Vada. Hades, me, the brothers, old ladies.” He paused, then snorted. “Hell, even fucking Kase is tired of your fucking family.”
Oh God! She closed her eyes, fighting against the heat racing to her cheeks.
“I know I talk about it too much and…”
“Hey,” he said, and Vada opened her eyes, looking over at him.
“I’m sorry…”
Gage lifted his hand, cutting her off. “That’s not what I mean. I’m saying the way they treat you, the shit they put you through and still continue to do, pisses us off. It ain’t just Hades and Tris, it’s fucking everybody. And you know why?” Gage paused, his gaze softening. “Because you’re one of ours. A member of the Riders’ family, and we protect our own. It’s frustrating watching how they treat you. It makes us all mad.”
“And now I’ve let that trickle down to Allie.”
“Did you? Did you agree with your mom?”
Vada jerked her head. “Of course not.”
“What did you do?”
“I hung up on her.”
The corner of his mouth curled. “Is that the first time you’ve ever hung up on her?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Right. And you did that not for yourself but for Allie. That, to me, looks like you protecting your daughter. You weren’t gonna listen to any more of your mom’s bullshit because you know that’s what it is. Bullshit.” Gage took a sip of his beer and stretched out his arm. “You’re a good mom, Vada. That kid loves you. And we all see it, especially Hades. If I had to guess, he’s fucking pissed off with himself right now. ’Cause I know Hades, and you and Allie are his fucking world. More important than anything, including the brothers and the club. But he ain’t perfect, and he fucked up.”
Everyone made mistakes. Not a human on the planet that wasn’t flawed.
“I know I need to let my family go. I just…” She clamped her lips.
“No one’s saying to let them go, sweetheart. Just want you to realize that family isn’t always blood. It’s the people who love you, the ones who’d do anything for you and always have your back. You got a huge family here with us, Vada. Hell, you won over Kase Reilly. Not many women can say that.”
Vada knitted her brows. “I don’t know if I’ve won him over.”
Gage spit out his beer and started to cough. His eyes welled, but his smile spoke volumes. “Are you shitting me, Vada? Kase is allowing you to have your wedding at the clubhouse. Sweetheart, if that isn’t the definition of winning Kase over, I don’t know what the fuck is.”
For the first time today, she laughed. Gage had that effect on people.
“I guess I should get going.” She grabbed the arms of the chair and started to stand.
“Sit your ass down, Vada.”
She blinked and jerked her head to Gage, who had a small smile playing on his lips.
“You want me to stay?”
Gage grinned with a nod and gestured for her to take her seat. And she did.
“I got a twelve-pack of beer.” Gage cocked his brow. “You get one more, hang out, and we’ll trash talk someone else. Be doing me a favor.”
“What favor?”
“Keeping me away from the porn.”
“Oh God, Gage.” She twisted her lips. “Please stop mentioning porn.”
Gage burst out laughing. Like a true brother, he knew how to tease her. When he stood, she reached for her phone. There was no reason to make Hades worry.
