Page 122 of Property of Yak

“I know, but it still hurts me to see you in pain,” he admits.

“I would be even more of a mess without you.”

It’s the same conversation we always have.

“Come here.”

I drop the washcloth and rinse my hands before going to him. He pulls me down into his lap.

“I didn’t tell you this before because you were hurting too bad, but I think you’re ready to hear it now,” he says, brushing the hair from my face. “Your father told me he went with me that night because he knew you loved me and he didn’t want to see what you looked like with a broken heart. He wanted to keep me safe, not because he gave a damn about me, but because he loved you. Before he died, he told me to protect you and make you happy. I have to say, he had the right idea. Watching your heart break has been tearing mine to pieces.”

I lean in, kissing him softly. “I know. It hurts like hell, but it will get better. If I had lost you, though? My whole future would be gone in an instant. I love my dad and never wanted him to die, but he sent you back to me. He knew I needed you. I will forever be grateful for that.”

He cups my cheek. “Have you heard from her?”

I don’t have to ask who. Liz ghosted me after Dad died. She showed up to the funeral but wasn’t even able to look me in the face. My best friend since childhood, the woman I called my sister, left me.

I would be angry about it, but I know the truth. Dad was as much her father as he was mine. Maybe not by blood, but by choice. When I called to tell her, she lost it on me. Called me every name in the book. Yak was ready to tell her where to go, but I stopped him. I deserved the abuse. Dad is dead because I chose Yak. Because I chose this life, and that’s my cross to bear.

It doesn’t mean I wouldn’t choose him again and again, but it’s the truth. He was only there that night because I chose to come to his house for safety. I mean, looking back, there were so many choices I made that lead us here. There’s no point in dwelling on the past, though. I can’t play “what if” forever.

The fact of the matter is that he is dead. Nothing is going to bring him back.

“No. I saw on social media she was hanging with Steve. Seems they are a bit more serious now,” I murmur.

“Serious how?”

I grimace. I have been keeping this from him because I know what it means. How it changes things between Liz and me.

“He made her his old lady.”

“Fuck,” he groans.

I hold out my hand as he fishes for his wallet. He slaps a twenty on my hand as I shove it in my bra.

“It was worth it,” he mutters. “You know what this means then, right?”

I nod. “She’s my sister.”

“She’s also sleeping with the enemy. Hell, she is the enemy now. He claimed her.”

I sigh, tears filling my eyes. “I know. I wish I could talk to her, but I can’t. She won’t answer my calls. I think she’s blocked me. She’s grieving, and I think this is a cry for help.”

He shakes his head. “We can’t help her, not if she doesn’t want it.”

“But if she does want it?”

He frowns. “Then we go to war for her. If the club won’t help, I’ll do it by myself. I won’t let you lose any more of your family.”

I smile up at him, cupping his cheek. “You are my family now.”

He leans down, kissing me softly. “You’re my everything.”

For now, that’s enough.

“Are you ready for bed?” he asks.

I nod. “You aren’t leaving tonight?”