“We may have a problem,” she whispers, thinking I can’t hear her.
I walk past her, into the bar, where I see a few customers looking out the window, so I walk over to them and see Hailey outside, pointing and giving someone hell as snow falls on her, creating the sexiest off-white gown I have ever seen.
I run out the door and am shocked when I see my old man standing there with a cigarette in one hand and an envelope in the other.
“He doesn’t owe you shit. Not a word, not a moment, and certainly not what you’re asking. You made a bet—”
“What the hell is going on?”
“Your woman is trying to protect you,” he says with a menacing grin.
“I don’t need protecting. What the hell are you doing here? Haven’t seen you in almost a year,” I say as I tuck Hailey under my arm.
“Need some help. Used your name to get in on a fight and placed a bet.”
“You what!” Hendrix barks as he walks out with Jagger behind him.
“Ran into a man in Vegas at a fight, told him my son’s name is Aces.”
“How the hell do you know what they call me?” I snap.
“I know everything.” He takes a drag from his cigarette, throws it down, and stomps it out. “Man’s name is Blade, and I owe him ten grand. He adds a grand a day.”
“Go fuck yourself,” Hendrix hisses at him. “Get the fuck away from my place.”
Hailey stiffens under me, and I watch my father stare at her.
“Tell him about Blade, Hailey,” my father taunts.
“Blade is holding half of Monte’s books. Marshall is holding the other half. That way, if one fucks him over, he has the other. It was always the plan, should he get caught in an underground game. Marshall was responsible for me and Marisa, along with all of Monte’s personal assets, while Blade handles his small businesses. Together, they manage the ‘side business.’ In the end, Monte never loses a dime or a wink of sleep.”
My blood is boiling. “Which means what to us, exactly?” I question even though I know the answer.
“Your father owes Monte. When he gets out, he’ll come looking for him.”
“Let him look. Now get the fuck out of here.”
He looks up at Jagger. “Need to make some money, son. Come to Vegas.”
“Get the fuck out of here before I drag you out back and fucking slit—”
“Morrison”—Hailey touches my cheek—“not worth it. Monte gave his word.”
“I gave him life!” our old man snaps at her.
“You dumped a load. His mother gave him life,” Hailey snaps back as she stands in front of me. She looks up at me. “Marry me now—forget him. We’re fine. He’ll get what he deserves. No one but you, me, Marisa, and your family matters.”
“Our family,” I correct her.
“Not yet. Take me in there and make it happen. I don’t want him to ruin this day. Not our day. It’s ours, right?”
“You bet your sweet ass it’s ours,” I huff.
She smiles and leans up to kiss me, and then suddenly she’s pulled back.
“Jared, you better get your hands off my woman.”
“You kiss her when I say you can,” he grumbles, making Hailey laugh. “We’ll see you inside.”
With Hailey inside and away, I walk up to the old man. “You better figure out how to fix this.”
“You’re good with cards; I taught you that. You owe me.” He points his finger at me. “You all owe me.”
“We don’t owe you dick,” Hendrix says as he steps to my side. “Now, like I said, get the fuck away from my place.”
“You ungrateful—”
I grab him by the collar and push his sorry ass against the brick wall. “I hope you get what you deserve, and much more. We don’t owe you one damn thing.” I let go of his collar and turn. “Let’s go.”
Once inside, I take a deep breath.
“Fuck him,” Hendrix says as he stands in front of me. “Shake that off, man. Today is the biggest day of your life. Today’s the day you become the man Momma raised you to be.”
“That’s right, man.” Jagger slaps my back. “Let’s do this.”
“Fuck him,” I say.
“Fuck him,” they repeat.
I head to my position on the dance floor, to our temporary altar of sorts, and look around. The place is wall-to-wall with all the regulars, all the women Momma was friends with, and Hailey’s girl Jamie.
“Tell Her You Love Her” by Echosmith starts, and then I see Marisa walking down the stairs, holding Livi’s hand. She has her hair all done up and topped with a crown. Little chick is in all her dressed-up, princess glory. As soon as her little feet hit the floor, she runs to me and jumps into my arms.
“Look at all these people here to see us officially become a family. They’re your loyal subjects, little princess. Give ’em that wave you’ve been working on.”