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“Ignore him,” Aunt Fred tells me. “You know how he gets.”
Caveman chuckles at his big sister’s quiet taunting while Zoot crosses his arms.
“Is this thing happening?”
“Yes,” I bark at him. “She’s mine. I’m keeping her. She basically agreed today.”
“Basically, eh?” Caveman mutters and cracks his knuckles. “Got that lass wrapped around your fucking finger, don’t you?”
Aunt Fred doesn’t physically roll her eyes, but I feel her mentally doing so. Her gaze remains on me.
“I spoke to Katja today, not long after you left Thibeaux Mansion.”
“How do you know when I left?”
“We had a drone watching.”
“Does the Syndicate know you spy on Thibeaux Mansion?”
“Of course. I’m sure they have a drone over the farm right now.”
Glancing up at the sunroom’s ceiling, I shake my head. “Are they our allies or not?”
“Yes, but the club comes first,” Aunt Fred explains. “That’s why I called Katja and asked if Natasha was set on the marriage. I didn’t want you to go through another runaway-bride situation. I’ve received assurances.” Aunt Fred glances at Zoot and adds, “So, yes, this is happening. We’ve set a wedding date for a month from now.”
Smiling at that past part, I share, “Natasha’s bringing her kids to my house in two days.”
Aunt Fred offers me a warm smile while Zoot rolls his eyes. “Now, Bear’s got to take care of another man’s kids?”
“Hey, pickle dick, there’s honor in raising up other people’s kids,” Caveman announces, having taken in several kids despite him having no wife. “Meanwhile, a weasel like you can’t even raise up a dog. Shameful.”
Zoot glares down at Caveman and snarls, “I’m going to punch you in the fucking head.”
“Take it outside,” Aunt Fred tells them, and they instantly head for the door.
While the men shove each other and Noble enjoys the show, I look at Aunt Fred and explain, “I like her kids.”
She rewards me with a great smile. “You always took care of your younger brothers. That’s why you’re a great road captain, and why you’ll be a great father. You deserve this, Bear.”
I sink into the hug she offers. Being here with her soothes the wired state I’ve been in since I woke up. I kept thinking someone was about to jump me and steal what I need.
“I don’t know if I can get through a month without fucking up again,” I admit to her in a quiet voice while the sounds of battling men fill the air.
Aunt Fred nods at my concern. “You need to be sharp now, Bear. Not only because you want to win Natasha’s heart. We’re about to make enemies of the Brennan family and their cop minions.”
“Will you need to meet them to turn down their offer?”
“That won’t be necessary. As soon as word goes out about your upcoming wedding, the cops will have their answer. We certainly wouldn’t agree to this marriage if we intended to overthrow the Kovak Syndicate.”
“Is me wanting Natasha putting the club in a bad spot?”
Aunt Fred rests her hands on my cheeks like she did when I was young and spewing bullshit. “We were never siding with those disloyal fucks,” she says tenderly. “Unless one of Viktor’s boys runs this alliance into the ground, the Kovak Syndicate is the club’s future. There’s more to life than money and power. That’s what the Brennan family can’t understand. Loyalty is what matters most. If you find someone willing to suffer for you, don’t neglect that relationship. The Kovak Syndicate will bleed for the club like the Brennan family never would. That’s why no amount of money or promises will change our course.”
Nodding, I glance outside to see Caveman with Zoot in a headlock. My president stomps down on the other man’s ankle hard enough to send Caveman reeling. Fixing his hair, Zoot smiles at the snarling president of the other chapter.
“You’re getting old,” Zoot taunts before Caveman lunges at him.
Aunt Fred shakes her head and sighs. “They’ll be out there for a while. Why don’t we go find Carys and Siobhan. They can help you pick an engagement ring worthy of your mafia princess.”
