Tirone (The Night Skulls MC #2)(25)

Furore told me to take care of Jo. I almost snorted. He was telling me to take care of the love of my life. Did he not know I was doing all this to protect her, from the malice that awaited her, and most importantly from him?

I assured him she was safe with me. Then he left. We entered the mall in silence, Jo and I, but the second I was sure he was a mile away from us, I held her hand.

She flinched, trying to snatch her hand out of my grip. “What are you doing?”

“Holding my girl’s hand.”

“Ty, you can’t—”

“Let’s go.” I dragged her to the building exit.

“Where?”

I gave her a helmet. “A place I know you’ll love.”

“We shouldn’t…”

“Shouldn’t what?” Be alone where you can let your feelings for me roam free? “Ride together because you’re not allowed on another man’s bike?” Knowing Jo, there was no way in hell she’d conform to that stupid rule.

“I admit, that was a bit…”

“Misogynistic? Ridiculous? Mansplaining shit?”

She laughed under her breath. “All of the above.”

“Then hop on.”

She spied the bike seat and the helmet, but then she shook her head. “I really need to go shopping.”

“I’ll bring you back here after we’re done. I promise it won’t be long, Jo. Get on my bike for old time’s sake. I know you miss it.” And me. Like I miss you.

“You promise we won’t be long, and you won’t…try to kidnap me or…” She pointed at the concealed gun in the back of my jeans.

“You can’t hold me to that moment, Jo. You had another man’s cum inside you when I…” My eyes squeezed shut. “When all I’d been trying to do was protect you, when I’d thought our love was strong enough to stand the distance.”

I couldn’t see her eyes, but the slight tremble in her chin and lips didn’t go unnoticed. Did she finally believe me? Did she finally understand I didn’t abandon her? Did she finally realize the mistake she made when she hooked up with Furore?

Her jaws tightened. “It’s still not an excuse for that day.”

“I know. I’m sorry I hurt you. It’ll never happen again.” Can she say the same to me? Because she hurt me too. Shattered me.

She didn’t speak, but she put on the helmet and straddled the bike. That was enough for now.





CHAPTER 15


Tirone



“Where are we?” Jo held my hand as I led her into the forest by the lake.

“Lake Conroe.” Cherishing every second her hand was in mine, I filled my lungs with the calm breeze, leafing through memories. “I used to come here when I was a kid. The only thing I missed about Texas. That and Sammy.”

“Your aunt?”

“Yeah. She used to come here with us, too. Have you met her yet?”

“Haven’t had the chance. Laius told me they made her stay at the hospital the last time she was there and hasn’t been out yet. I asked to go visit, but he said she preferred to meet me for the first time outside hospital walls.”

“Sounds a lot like her.”

Jo smiled as she glanced at the late afternoon sun, taking in the picturesque view of this side of the lake next to the forest. “It’s beautiful.”

“The MC used to have barbeques and bonfires here all the time. All the kids gathered and played together. Sammy played with me all the time. She’s just a few years older. Furore taught us how to fish. There was music and dancing…and lots of beer.” I chuckled.

“Good times.”

“The only ones I can remember about my childhood with Furore.”

“You should hold on to them then.”

“No amount of fun can erase the sight of my mom battered and bleeding or the sight of him cursing at her, threatening to kill her at the courthouse when they convicted him.”

Her head lowered with a sigh as she rubbed my arm. “Ty, have you ever considered that your father might be innocent?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I saw how badly she was beaten up with my own eyes. She said he did it, and the court ruled in her favor. How could he be innocent?”

“She said he beat you, too. Do you remember that?”

“I was too young.”

“But you vividly remember coming here with your parents at the same age. If you can remember something that nice for a man you hate, do you not think it’ll make more sense if you remember the terrible things that made you hate him in the first place?”

My gaze narrowed at her. “My mom isn’t a liar, Jo. He is. What fucking lies has that monster been telling you?”

“He never gave me any details, but he mentioned Delilah always wanted to marry someone richer. She tried to run away with you, but he wouldn’t let her. That was why she put him in prison so she could leave and be with someone else.”

“That’s bullshit. If that’s true, who beat the shit out of her that day?”

“I don’t know, but why don’t you ask him? Perhaps if you listen to his side of the story, you’ll—”