Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

JOEY

The first thing that registers is Echo. How could it not? The man is beautiful.

The second is that he's here. At the club. How in the fuck?

"Did you follow me here?" I blurt out, knowing immediately that I had made a mistake. My dad pulls out his gun and aims it at Echo.

Naturally, everything proceeds to go to shit.

The other Lost Knights in the room pull their guns out, and everyone shouts. Everyone except Echo. I don't think he has even noticed what my dad is doing. He hasn't taken his eyes off me.

"What do you want with my kid?" my dad roars above the others. It kicks me into gear and I move in front of Echo to protect him from my dad's weapon.

"Dad, this is Echo. He's the guy I was telling you about. The one who saved me." I say staring my dad down. He lowers the gun, but I'm pretty sure that is only because I'm standing in front of him.

Echo steps into me, placing his hands on my hips. I feel his heat as his chest covers my back, making me relax infinitesimally.

He scowls at me. "You told me about a classmate. He ain't a college student. And you didn't say anything about a fucking biker."

An older guy steps forward. "Echo has been attending a community college for a while now. He's working on getting his construction licence and he's taking a lit class."

"Did you know about this Kenny?" My dad growls.

Kenny shakes his head. "I knew Echo saved a kid named Joey from the Red Devils, but that is it. I had my son Nicky look into him, but he found practically nothing."

That makes me pause. "Practically? So you found something?" I ask him.

Another guy, who I am guessing is Nicky, starts talking. "All I could find out was that your mother has passed, and that she was originally from Australia."

Dragon looks at Nicky. "It's impressive you found even that out. I don't suppose you want to move clubs?"

"Thanks, but I'm happy where I am," he grins.

"Yeah, you are, nipples," someone else mutters.

"This is getting off track," I say to my dad.

"This is getting off track," I say to my dad.

He huffs. "How sure are you he wasn't in on the kidnapping? Maybe it was a set up to get us to go against the Red Devils? Why else would they only send one person to kidnap you?"

"Prez, we looked into this," Spike pipes up before I have the chance to go nuclear on my other.. "We think they really are that stupid. They probably thought because Joey is a gay college kid, he would be easy pickings."

"I kill every single one of those homophobic fuckers." If it was scientifically possible for steam to come out of a man's ears, it would be happening to my dad right now.

"We're all allies here," Spike says, to the bemused looking Fallen Gargoyles.

This has all been a fucking lot.

Echo is a biker.

I don't think that has fully sunk in. All of my plans include moving away from this life. Before, when I thought Echo was just a construction guy, I hoped I could get him to come with me. I know it's crazy to want to move away with a guy you're crushing on but barely know, but I have never claimed to be sane.

I just know what I want. Echo and not having to worry about being impacted by my dad's lifestyle.

I rub at my chest, hating the itchy feeling of realisation that I won't be able to have both.

Echo is a Fallen Gargoyle. They have to be hiding some kind of dark secrets. They can't really be just about helping domestic violence survivors.

What if what they do is worse and I get shit from both sides?

I guess I have a year to figure out what I want.

"I think we need to get this meeting back on track." I say, stepping out of Echo's hold and immediately missing his touch. "The Red Devils are bad. How are we going to stop them?"

My dad and Kenny sit down, but everyone else stays standing. I feel eyes on me and I look up to see a twinkish Fallen Gargoyle glaring at me.

Well, this is an interesting development.

I smirk and wink at him, making a muscle in his jaw tick. Stew on that, you little shit.

"What problems have the Red Devils given you?" Dad asks.

"We assumed the attempted kidnapping might have been targeted at us, but I'm guessing that's not the case. Other than that, they have done nothing except make their presence know. A few of them were riding up and down the street in front of our club a few days ago. Since then, it's been quiet. We also have a woman under our protection whose abusive ex has joined them. We assumed to get to her."

"A fair assumption, but I think we can agree that the kidnapping attempt was about my club rather than yours," my dad says thoughtfully. "Do you want my opinion?"

Kenny nods. "Of course. You know I respect you, Dragon."

"I think you should continue to protect the woman, but otherwise, leave it to me and my club. These men are scum and they aren't coming for you. Keep it that way." Dad looks at Nicky before turning back to Kenny. "Your kids is good. I could alway use some technological help. In a freelance capacity. He won't need to come out here."

"Nicky?" Kenny says.

"Yeah, I'll help out."

"This won't be a favor. Email me your fees," Dad says sternly. When Nicky nods he turns back to Kenny. "I think we're done here. Before you go, I want a private word with Echo and Joey and then you can be on your way."

"If that's okay with Echo," Kenny says, looking nervous.

"It's fine." Echo's voice sends shivers down my spine.

Dad stands up. "Spike, can you show our visitors out? Everyone else, make yourself scarce for ten minutes."

I look up at Echo, but he doesn't make eye contact. What is that about for shitsake?

It takes a few minutes for everyone to clear out and dad spends the whole time staring at Echo.

Super fun.

"What are your intentions with my son?" dad says once it's just the three of us.

He hates me. He has to. Why else would he ask that question?

"I should discuss that with him before we discuss it with you."

I think I swoon a little. Maybe a lot. Okay, a lot.

"That's all well and good, but I'm not letting my son leave here with you unless I know he's in good hands."

Fuck my life.

Echo looks at my dad and folds his arms. Fuck, he looks gorgeous all mean and scowly.

"I understand that he's your son and you need to protect him, but I don't appreciate the way you're talking about him. Joey is his own person. If he wants to leave here with me, he will and no one will be stopping him."

I gasp. I can't fucking help it. No one has ever spoken to my dad like that. Especially not an outsider.

To my utter shock, my dad laughs. "I like him," he tells me. "I'm sure you both need to talk. Why don't you go back to his clubhouse and I'll see you tomorrow after classes?"

"Um, yeah, sure," I look between the two of them. They both look totally at ease. This is a mind fuck. "I'm going to grab a few things from my room."

Echo raises an eyebrow. Shit, should probably explain I live here and not with Dolly. Fuck my lies.