Chapter Thirty-Six

Storm

Three months later...

Sitting in my office, I leaned back in my chair, grinning as Harlow chased her mother around the backyard with a frog in her hand.

Since the night of the fire, everything seemed to move at warp speed. Bane kept his word and sold me his house, and as a thank you, I sold him my penthouse at Davenport Tower for a case of expensive whiskey. With Stone House in utter shambles, Montana didn't waste time buying the large house next to mine and installed his wife and son there, while Stone House was being reconstructed. With the women's help and my black Amex, they helped Delany buy everything she could possibly need to make this large house a home. While she didn't splurge or go wild, she did pay close attention to Harlow's room and my office. I told her I didn't need much, but she refused to listen to me.

I didn't care either way.

As long as she was happy, then I was too.

The second I had my wife and daughter secured, I wasted no time releasing all the information Sypher collected regarding David Campbell, Gale Stevens, and the fires that killed five of the 9/11 families. The media gobbled it up and had a field day with the information as it rocked the fire community to the core.

In the end, the press exonerated David and crucified Gale Stevens. It wasn't much, and it wouldn't bring Delany's parents back, but at least everyone knew her father was a hero.

Overall, Delany seemed to take everything in her stride. She still insisted on knowing nothing, and I had to admit, I was good with that. Just the thought of her knowing what I did sent a shiver of dread down my spine. As it was, I wasn't sure how I was going to explain everything to Reaper.

That man was a wild card no one was sure about.

Still, with the threat of him looming over my shoulder, I refused to back down. Delany was my wife, and no one, not even Reaper, was going to take her from me.

As for the other half of her family, the club voted to keep a tight lid on her ties to the St. James family. All agreeing, one problem at a time.

A knock at the door had me turning.

Smiling, I said, "Hey, Mom. What's up?"

The second my mom could, she moved in with me and Delany. Harlow was overjoyed at having her Nana around and Delany loved the company. Me, not so much. Loved my mom, but I didn't need her to tell me to clean up after myself.

Had to deal with that shit for eighteen years.

That was enough for me.

"Just wanted to let you know I'm heading into the city. Brendon is losing his mind and that club brother of yours doesn't know how to listen. He's reorganized my entire stock room. Brendon can't find anything."

I chuckled, leaning forward onto my desk. "You need someone to go with you?"

"Nope. I'm good. Just wanted to let you know in case I'm not back for dinner."

"Alright, Mom. Have fun and don't hurt Snoopy too much. He's an old codger, but a good brother."

"He's a pain in my ass," my mom huffed, storming away. Yeah, it seemed Snoopy had an unhealthy obsession when it came to aggravating my mom. He wasn't happy unless she was yelling at him.

After the Retirement Rejects fled the mailroom, Payne was right. Snoopy didn't stray far from Tessa, and on the night of the fire, none of us were shocked to see Snoopy hovering close to his daughter and grandson as paramedics looked them over. As for Popeye, he still hadn't turned up, but Montana wasn't worried. Well, at least not yet. He was giving the reject a few more weeks to do the right thing before he ordered all the clubs to be on the lookout for him. Montana had gotten word that Happy was in Oklahoma with Virginia, much to his annoyance, but brushed it off, leaving his baby brother to deal with the lovebirds.

My phone rang just as I was about to pick it up.

Groaning, I answered, "What do you want, Mercy?"

"Vicious just got word that Reaper has returned and took the Golden Chair back."

"How long do I have?"

"No clue. Just keep your eyes peeled, brother."

"Thanks," I said, hanging up as I leaned back in my chair to look out the window again. Delany waved at me before rubbing her growing stomach.

Yeah, that was another development.

I was going to be a father again.

Montana was thrilled.

Me? I was scared shitless.

To be continued...