Raging Heart On (Lucas Brothers #2)(127)

“Probably, not. Too much has been done, now. If I’m going to have any time with Tess. It’s not f*cking going to be with me behind bars, wishing I could touch her. I’d rather they kill me now.”

“She told Cherry she thought you’d get out pretty easily.”

“Tess is smart, she also believes in fairy tales and wishes coming true. You and I both know the world don’t work that way.”

“If wishes were horses…,” he starts.

“We’d all f*cking ride…” I end, and he laughs, snuffing out his cigarette on the cement.

“So you’re taking her with you? Going to become what? Some beach bum?” he asks.

“Why not, I got the money. Might as well make sure I enjoy what time I have.”

“And Tess? What happens if you’re discovered?”

“You’ll make sure she’s good,” I tell him, and that’s not a question.

“Yeah, I will. First flitter you’ve messed with I can stomach. I tried to warn you to stay away from that damned Renee.”

“Yeah, that you did, old man, but then again if you listened to your own advice your dick wouldn’t have had more * than the local animal shelter, and I wouldn’t have ten brothers and sisters floating around Florida.”

“Eight, damn it. Can I help it if your old man’s soldiers come out shooting bullseyes? Just remember you got that same makeup. I want grandkids, no f*cking lie, but that woman deserves better than to be knocked up alone.”

“I’m taking care of it,” I tell him, but I can’t help the involuntary gut check, remembering that day on the beach. My dick hardens at the memory of emptying inside of Tess. Fuck me, I hope I am not like my old man.

“Good enough. How about you go and meet your baby sisters? I can’t help but notice you’ve been avoiding being around them since you got out.”

“No one knows, right?”

“I told you ages ago; I wouldn’t say. I don’t see what the f*ck you want to keep a secret for. I’m a f*cking great father. God knows I’ve had enough experience. I sure as hell can’t be any worse than that bitch’s brother was.”

I shake my head as he mentions my mother. It’s an old argument, and he’s not exactly wrong. “Lay off Raymond, he was good in his way.”

“Old coot was crazier than Bessie bugs.”

“He did his best,” I argue, getting up.

Marcum stands up beside me shaking his head, “Just like I said boy, always were a headstrong, stubborn, son of a bitch,” he says slapping me on the back.

“Are you really running off with that rack of bones over there, Dawg?” My shoulders sag as I hear the voice, and I look over my shoulder as Jenna comes out of the garage. I had been feeling pretty good.

Marcum gives Jenna a look that would bring the paint off the side of a barn, but the woman foolishly ignores it. “Remember what I said about that damned whore you messed with before, boy?” Marcum asks.

“Yeah?”

“It goes double for this one.”

Jenna again seems oblivious as Marcum leaves to walk over to the tables and join the crowd.

“What that old coot going on about?”

“You’d be wise to show some respect, Jen.”

“Whatever. You’re taking her with you to Aruba? What the f*ck? She’s like some anorexic f*cking whore who tries to pretend she don’t get on her knees and beg for cock…”

I grab her hard by the shoulders, pushing her against the building.

“This will be the only warning you get from me, Jen. The only one. And I’m only f*cking giving it now because for some damned reason I used to stick my dick in you. So listen up. You stay away from Tess. You don’t even breathe the same air as Tess. I hear from her or any f*cking person here that you have been bothering her, I will make you sorry you were born. You get me?”

“Dawg!”

“I said, do you get me?”

“Is there a problem?” Tess’s voice rings out softly from behind me. Her hand touches my back as if to calm me. It works. Hell, I suddenly don’t want even my hands touching Jenna. I pull back, barely resisting the urge to shove the stupid cunt.

“No, Kitten. No problem here. Right Jen?”

Jen looks at Tess and then back at me, and you can see the resentment coming off of her in waves, but she wisely keeps her tongue in her head. “Yeah, not a problem to be had here. Not a f*cking thing to be had here,” she says turning away and going back into the garage.

“Should I even ask?” Tess asks a heartbeat later.

“Just….”

“Cleaning out the trash?” Tess, interrupts and I can’t help but smile.

“Something like that, Kitten. Let’s go eat,” I tell her putting my arm around her and leading us back the way she came.

“You know, Max, I’ve got to pray your taste has done a one-eighty while you were in prison.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well from your ex; to Jenna. Hell; if it hasn’t improved, I don’t even want to know what that says about me.”

I stop walking as her words register, and Tess walks on. Then I take one large step and slap her hard on the ass.

She laughs, rubs her butt, smiles at me and gives me a wink.