Page 97 of Lick

“I thought I recognized it,” Sophie remarks. “I forgot how shitty it looked off the hanger, though.”

I shake my head at Lick, who is grinning wildly, enjoying the show.

“These are your children?” Tash snarls.

“Yep. Pretty awesome, right?”

“Just how old are you?”

“Old enough to have found some self-respect. Don’t worry, you’ll find some too one day. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to spend some time with my family.”

“You—”

“One word, Tash. I dare you to say one word about my daughter-in-law.”

“But Knuckles,” she whines, making me cringe.

“Collect your shit and get gone. I’m sick to fucking death of your drama.”

“But Knuckles, you love the way I suck⁠—”

I pull back my fist and punch her square in the face. “Not in front of my children,” I hiss, shaking out my hand because, ouch, that fucking hurt.

“Go, Mum.” Sophie throws her hands up in the air and cheers. Danny shakes his head, but I don’t miss the mirth on his face.

“And just saying, everyone knows how to give good head. You ain’t special,” Sophie tells Tash before she kicks her in the shin.

“I do not need to hear this shit,” Danny curses as I pray for patience.

“What? She was mean to Mum.”

Before anyone else can say anything, crying sounds come from the monitor clipped to Lick’s belt.

“I’ll grab him and let you three get to know each other,” I say, rushing inside.

“Chicken,” Knuckles says from the phone.

“Do not make me hang up on you, old man.”

“Come on, I’ll help you take the trash out,” I hear Danny say to Lick.

“Thanks, man.”

“Ooh, I’ll help,” Sophie offers as I lose sight of them.

“Sounds like they’re bonding well.”

“What’s a little blood between family?”

“Quite right.”

I lean over the crib and run my finger down the slope of Kendrick’s nose.

“How’s my grandkid doing?”

“He’s good, Knuckles.”

“How about you all head over here to the clubhouse so your new family can get to know your old one, and I can steal him away for a little while?”