Page 44 of Property of Gray

If this deal wasn’t tied up in Kaylene, I’d find a way to make it work.

Kaylene wanted me, and now she has me by the balls.

She’s going to regret it.

I’ll keep her happy.

For now.

My cell buzzes with a new text from her. “You took off in a hurry. Was hoping we could talk a little more about our situation.”

Woods goes off to check on Jessika and I drive over to Kaylene’s even though it’s the last fucking thing I want to do.

“I was just as shocked as you are. But when I heard Johnny Mack talking to Dirty, I just knew it was a sign that we’re meant to be.”

She can’t be serious.

I stare at the ultrasound pictures. She’s three months. I can’t deny that I wasn’t fucking her.

“You sure the kid is even mine? I can’t be the only guy you were fucking.”

“How can you ask me that? You know I’m crazy about you, Gray. We’ve been on and off for years. I mean, I know you’ve had other women, but there’s not been anyone else. Not for me. And this baby…our baby changes things. It’s time we grow up. We’re in our thirties. Don’t you want to have more than living at the clubhouse and eating TV dinners with Bill?”

“Leave my old man out of this.”

“When the baby comes, I just worry about him being in the picture. He’s not safe. Everyone knows he’s as crazy as they come.”

“Watch it,” I snap at her.

“I mean, of course he’ll be invited to the wedding, but I don’t want him living with us.”

This stupid fucking bitch. There’s no way in hell I’m marrying her.

“We can find a good home for him. You’ll be earning enough to afford it. Johnny Mack said he might even be able to get you on at the prison to make you look legit.”

“There’s not going to be no goddamn wedding and if you don’t stop talking about my father, I’m there’s not going to be a baby because I’m going to choke the shit out of you.”

“You did not just threaten me. I’ll call my brother right now, and all it would take is one call and he can give this deal to someone else. You think the brotherhood wouldn’t kill for what he’s offering your club? This deal is only happening because I put in a good word for your club.”

“This deal is happening because we’re the devil he fucking knows. Don’t get it twisted. I’ll fucking help raise this kid. I’ll let you traipse around calling yourself my ol’ lady even, but I’ll never love you. Never fucking put a ring on your finger.”

“It’s cute that you think you’re the one calling the shots. I could have Dirty put back in prison. And don’t think your precious little Willow is out of my reach. One call and I can make her disappear.”

I grab her by the throat and lift her off the couch. Her nails dig into my hand. “Don’t fucking say her name.” I drop her back on the couch. “What I don’t get is why you want to raise a kid with a man who can’t fucking stand to look at you. Much less, fuck you.”

“Careful how you talk to me. You forget I know things about you and the club.”

She’s right. She does know things. Which makes her a liability. I’d never hurt a pregnant woman or any woman, really, but if she keeps making threats, the club might think differently. It’s better to let her think she’s in control, that she holds all the cards.There are other ways of getting rid of a problem that don’t resort to the use of violence or death. I’ll bide my time.

For now.

“I don’t want to fight with you, Kaylene. It’s not good for the baby.” I play it up. “I don’t want my kid to grow up like I did. Broken home. Asshole father. Absent mother. Can we just…fuck…I don’t know. Start over?”

“You really mean that?”

“Of course.” I brush her hair away from her face. “I’m sorry I was being a dick. I didn’t like walking into the meeting and being blindsided.”

“I get that. My brother wanted to act fast. The second I told him I was having a baby with a king, his eyes lit up like Christmas lights. Our baby will bring our families together. We’re going to make so much money. Your drugs and his connections with the gangs on the inside will make us unstoppable. Untouchable.”