Chapter 29

“Dragon! Someone’s here for you!” Ghost hollers from the lobby. I was already on my way down the hall with Jeremy in my arms. I knew Everleigh wasn’t ready for this, but I still want her to meet my son. Coming around the corner, I see the smile spread across my mom’s face. It’s a smile I haven’t seen in a very long time.

“Is that him? Oh my God, Dragon!” Her squeal is perfect. I move closer as she looks into the face of her grandson. Tears spring to her eyes.

“He looks just like you when you were a baby. Can I?” I know she wants to get her hands on him. I nod before passing him off to her. She loses herself in Jeremy just like I knew she would. The guys filter out into the lobby as they take her in.

“Damn—mom’s hot!” Trick slaps a hand on my shoulder.

“Are you kiddin’ me?”  I ask looking at him. Shaking his head, he grins wider. I elbow him in the side before he grunts.

“Fine, I’ll go check out someone’s girl.” I watch the idiot walk away when Devil walks over.

“So, that’s her, huh?”  Devil asks. Nodding, he doesn’t say anything. Knowing Devil, he’s thinking of what kind of bitch she is and plotting her demise in his head.

“I don’t like her,” he says. Glancing over, I knew it.

“You haven’t even talked to her.” He shrugs his shoulders making me laugh.

“Don’t matter.” 

The girls came out and met my mom before taking off to the kitchen. They are cooking lunch for everyone while she’s here. She hasn’t stopped smiling since she stepped in the door. It’s a beautiful sight to see. Seeing her happy once again. I took Jeremy back to his mom when he started getting fussy and wanted to eat.

“You did your dad proud, Dragon. This is amazing,” she says. Hearing her say those words does something to me.

I’ve never been one that needed praise but hearing those words leave her mouth; it makes me feel like a real son.

“I do what I can. This club, these guys, are everything to me. I’m lookin’ at more legitimate ways to make some money, though. I don’t like that everything runnin’ through here is blood money. I want these kids to have a set future.” She nods, with the same smile plastered across her face.

“That’s great, Dragon. The girls are all so sweet. Not like when I was in. They were nasty as a snake back then. I like the guys, too. They all seem really good for this.” She would know. This was her life for so many years.

“They are. They all grew up with shit, but they came out pretty damn good from it. I like to think I picked some good ones.” My mom turns to me, a serious look on her face.

“How bad are things now?” Shrugging, I really don’t want to answer that.

“You know what I mean, Dragon. Are things still as rough as they were back then?” She asks me, interested. I blow out a breath before I answer her.

“Things changed. The game is ruthless now. Back then, I remember dad and the guys were always so laid back about shit. Now it’s a fight to live. We have to fight to survive in this life.”