Crystal

“Sweetheart, care to explain what’s going on?” my dad asks as he holds my mother close. I took them to a room down the hall where they can sleep and we can have a private family moment. They were shot at today. That’s not something they’re used to. “When we got the message you needed us to come down we didn’t know you had a man and that he’s a thug.”

“Garrett’s not a thug. He’s a hardworking man who doesn’t take shit from anyone,” I argue. He’s mine and he’s good to me.

“I like him,” Sophia pipes in. “And I’m so glad you’re okay,” she adds, squeezing me in a big hug. I grunt and flinch with my side freaking still hurting.

“What’s wrong with you?” she questions, looking down at my side. She tries to lift my shirt, but I stop her.

“I’ll kill him if he hurt you,” my dad rages, letting go of his hold on my mom. He’s clenching his fists, ready to rip Garrett’s head off.

I give my dad a hug, then pull away as I stare into his eyes and tell him the truth. “No, he didn’t at all. This mess is because of Corey. I should have just gotten an apartment by myself.”

“What happened?” My dad grills me for the next ten minutes. When he learns about what Corey did, and I even show them the remnants of my bruised ribs, he threatens to kill him with his own hands.

“That’s why your guy said he should have killed him when he had the chance,” he growls out. I’ve never seen my dad mad like this. The last time was when some jackass started teasing me about being short with big tits. I punched the kid in his face. We had a big parent-teacher meeting at the school about it. At the end of the day, my dad reminded me that there were always lousy people out there and to stay strong. That’s what I did this time. Only the punch wasn’t enough. They want my blood and that of my family’s.

“What about my brothers?” I had forgotten about them and they could be in danger, too.

Dad informs me, “They’re training in Vegas for the Pay-Per-View fight this weekend.”

“Oh no, I totally forgot about it.” I scrunch my brows because I won’t be able to go.

“Don’t worry, Tigress. We’ll go and get married while we’re there,” Garrett remarks, entering the room and coming to stand by my side.

“I have to work.” I ignore the whole marriage thing. It’s not that I don’t want to be tied to this beastly teddy bear, but I’m not going to get my hopes up.

“Yes, you do, but not on the weekends. I don’t mean to sound like a dick, but you’re working with kindergarteners. They’re either going to play or you’ll read to them.”

“Oh, my goodness. I forgot about your new job.”

“They gave me that age because I’m new and don’t have to plan as much. So, yes, I can go as long as I get back in time.”

“I’ll get you there. I can’t miss work either.”

“What do you do for a living?” Dad challenges.

“I, along with my brother, own most of this town. Welcome to Steeleville.”

“Wait, are you telling me you own the whole town?”

“Not anymore. As the need for more businesses in the area come about I rent out the property. If they want to buy it they can.”

“Wow,” my mom mouths.

“That’s why I don’t want any trouble in my town.”

“And the guys with the biker jackets? They’re your friends?”

“I’m the President of the Steele Riders. Every one of these men are close friends who have been to war with me or friends and family of them.”

“Do you normally have high-speed gun chases?”

“Actually, I can say this was my first. I get that you’re concerned about your daughter, but I won’t let anything happen to her. In fact, tomorrow, at least several of my men will be at the school. I doubt they’ll be looking for a fight. They may realize one lousy fucking beating isn’t worth losing their men. If Santos comes for us, I’ll finish him, too. I’m still waiting for that little pussy to make his location known. If I’d killed his ass the first time, we wouldn’t have this because they wouldn’t know which of his enemies got him.”

“I want them dead as well. They came after my family.” My dad stands strong and hard in front of Garrett, emphasizing his anger.

Garrett nods, but I can see he doesn’t want my father involved. “I understand, but sir, I don’t want a war with anyone and I’d hate to get you involved.”

“If Sophia hadn’t texted Crystal, they would have gotten us,” Dad tells Garrett. “They involved me the moment they attacked us.”

There’s a knock at the door. Garrett opens it to see Blade.

“What’s up?”

“Hey, Pres. I’m going to pick up some food at the store. No offense, but there’s not enough in your house for all of us,” Blade says.

“I ordered from the diner for the club. We’ll have to pick it up in twenty minutes.” Garrett tells him.

“That’s cool. We’ll head there now.” It’s obvious he’s ready to eat now. These guys are huge. I’m sure they want to fire up the grills and barbeque some fat ass steaks.

“Take several guys with you,” Garrett orders. “The danger isn’t over yet.”

“Sure thing, Pres.” He turns around and jets out.

About three hours later, Garrett has them all gone from the house. My parents, Sophia, and Morgan are staying until things clear up. Cyber, who seems pretty cool, arranges more security. Many of the men added additional security to the gates as well, making the fencing bulletproof. They’re headed to the club to do the same thing. Garrett’s leaving right now to see how it’s going.

“I’ll only be gone for a little while. When I come back, I plan to hold you until we both have to get up.”

“I’ll be waiting,” I reply, waving him off as he hustles down the stairs and onto his bike.

“Now that he’s gone, let’s talk wedding. We only have a few days to get things together.”

“He was only joking,” I tell my mom.

“Baby girl, that man wasn’t joking.”