Page 19 of Colt

10

Colt

Ipulled up to the large wrought iron gate and pushed the button on the intercom alerting Jenna to my arrival. Sitting on my bike, wearing my cut, made me stick out like a sore thumb in this neighborhood full of gated homes and mini-mansions. I was positive the neighbors could hear me anytime I pulled up, and I found it surprising the cops had yet to be called.

The gate swung open without anyone asking who was there first. Jenna took it for granted that I would show up the minute she texted me, and being here now proved her right. I inched forward and then followed the driveway up to the large brick home. The moment I stepped off my bike, the front door was flung open and two of the cutest things in the entire world came barreling toward me.

“Daddy!” Jasmine yelled as soon as she saw me.

“Are you taking us to our swim lessons?” Jett asked, latching onto my leg.

I may not have done a lot of things right in my life, but these two kids were my greatest accomplishments.

Who would have thought two little ones would hold so much power over a biker. At four years old, Jett was the spitting image of me and shared my personality as well.Poor kid. Jasmine was three and also acquired my dark hair and eyes, but she reminded me of the carefree girl her mother once was, but Jenna had long since disappeared into something and someone else entirely.

“Grandma’s taking you to swim, so go grab your bags,” Jenna said from where she was standing in the doorway.

“I want you to take us,” Jasmine whimpered to me, refusing to let go of my neck.

It broke my heart each time she said something like that. “It’s okay, baby girl. You’re spending all day Saturday with me.”

I hated the fact I didn’t have my kids around all the time. Jenna and I split a little over a year ago, but our divorce still wasn’t final, and we didn’t have a formal custody arrangement. I knew it was going to be an uphill battle. Being a member of the Desert Sinners and not having my own place yet while she played house with her rich boyfriend who didn’t mind letting her stay home and pretend to be a good mom was not going to work in my favor.

The truth was, Jenna’s mother spent more time with Jasmine and Jett than she did. She was too busy enjoying the benefits of fucking one of the more well-known plastic surgeons in the area.

I followed behind as my kids walked back toward the house to gather their things. I glanced over at my ex. She looked like a million bucks drenched in designer clothes and jewels, bought and paid for by her boyfriend. Hell, I was probably looking at his handiwork.

“Hello, Colt,” Melanie greeted when I walked through the door. Despite the bad feelings between her daughter and me, Melanie always treated me with kindness I probably didn’t deserve. And I was beyond grateful for all she did for my children. Knowing she was with them most of the time allowed me not to worry about whether or not they were being taken care of.

“Hi, Melanie,” I returned with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“Okay, kids,” Melanie said, “it’s time to go if we’re going to make it on time to your class.”

“Bye, Daddy,” Jasmine and Jett said in unison.

I knelt down on one knee to hug and kiss both of them again. “I’ll see you guys in a couple of days. You may even get to see Uncle Viking.”

Jasmine and Jett jumped up and down with excitement while Jenna rolled her eyes behind them, just as she did any time I mentioned the club. She liked to act like she was too good for the Desert Sinners now, but it wasn’t that long ago she was just a local girl begging to be let into one of our parties.

I looked at her and wondered when the fun, sweet girl I met all those years ago disappeared. All I saw now was a calculating bitch who chose a lifestyle and money over her husband and kids. For a long time, she’d been my whole world. I’d loved her and had two kids with her, thinking we’d grow old together. I’d never figured out where things had gone so wrong, or when she’d decided I wasn’t enough. Now, I couldn’t stand the sight of her. Even her voice grated on my nerves.

It’s not like I couldn’t admit my faults as a husband, but I’d always treated her like a queen and did everything I could to provide a comfortable life for her. But none of it was ever enough for her. She didn’t hesitate to rip apart our family for a shot with a man who showered her with all the material things I never realized were important to her. Or rather didn’t realize until I caught her fucking him.

It seemed like I was cursed to be surrounded by selfish women who cheated on their husbands and thought nothing of it. These were the kind of women who had no concept of the aftermath of their actions. Or chose not to think about it, felt they weren’t in the wrong, and left a wake of hurt that never truly lifted.

Thinking about that now wouldn’t do me any good. Instead, I followed Jenna to the dining room and took a seat across from her.

“So, what did you call me over for?”

When I got her text, I’d assumed it was about the kids. But she rushed them out the door after I showed up so now I was curious about why I was here.

The situation wasn’t anything new. Jenna often called me over for random things. I played her game because she was vindictive enough to use my kids against me if I upset her in any way.

It was why I wouldn’t ever allow myself to be in this position again. All I needed in my life were my kids and my club. They were the only ones that deserved my loyalty. I would never let someone have so much power over my life again like I allowed Jenna to have.

“Jason asked me to marry him,” she said as she twirled the rock on her finger around, and I wondered how I’d missed the gaudy thing when I first arrived.

“Congratulations. Looks like breaking up your family worked out well for you.” Yeah, I was still pretty fucking bitter.