“I’m so sorry, Skylar. Forgive me, please.”
He stood there, looking truly hurt and devastated and yes…sorry. But her anger went deep. Suddenly she found herself flying at him, her arms swinging back to hit him. He grabbed her forearms and held tight while she wailed and ranted and let out twenty-five years of hurt and anger and resentment.
He just held on tight, until finally, she collapsed against him, and he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tight, and they both sobbed, their heads bent together. They cried out all the years of pain and loss.
His hand rubbed her back and stroked her hair. “Forgive me, my baby. I’m so sorry.”
****
Shades leaned against the wall outside the door. He’d heard Skylar’s raised voice and some of the things she’d said to Undertaker, and his heart broke for her. He wanted to burst inside, take her in his arms and comfort her. But deep down, he knew they had to work this out between them, a father and a daughter.
But swear to God, if she was broken by this, he’d tear Undertaker apart, even if it meant his crew would jump him for it. And then he’d spend the entire night holding Skylar, and getting her through this, preferably somewhere far from here.
They were in there a long time. Shades didn’t move from his place by the door. He’d promised her he’d be waiting right there, and that’s what he would do. He’d be right there when she needed him. And she would need him; that much he was certain of.
He watched as whatever meeting had been going on in the room down the hall broke up, and a couple dozen brothers strolled out. Some turned and gave him a curious look, their eyes taking in his cut, but they either knew what was going down, or they knew better than to stick their nose i
n.
They all turned and wandered downstairs. Shades only recognized a couple of faces. He’d been to numerous chapters around the country, but for some reason he’d never been down here before. The two he did recognize he recalled having met at a rally in Gulfport a couple of summers back. The rest were all strangers, but brothers just the same.
Finally, after almost an hour, the door opened, and Shades straightened from the wall, turning to see Undertaker standing in the door and motioning him inside. As Shades moved through the door, his eyes immediately sought out Skylar’s. Her eyes looked red from crying, but she managed to give him a tremulous smile.
“You okay?” he asked, his concern for her grabbing him by the heart as he moved toward her and took her face in his hands, turning it up to his.
“I’m okay,” she replied, her hands coming to his waist, her fists closing on his tee like she didn’t want to let go.
Shades turned to Undertaker, a man he’d yet to be introduced to and asked, “We done here?”
Undertaker nodded toward his desk. “No, we’re not done here. Sit down. Both of you.”
Shades eyes returned to Skylar’s searching hers for any indication that she wanted him to get her out of there. Because he’d do it, and to hell with what Undertaker wanted.
“It’s okay,” she murmured and pulled free to turn toward the desk. He pulled one of the chairs out for her and she sat. Then he sat next to her. Undertaker sat behind the desk.
“My daughter told me about the Devil Kings.”
That surprised Shades, and his eyes flicked to Skylar. “Did she?”
“Yeah. You got a plan on that?” Undertaker’s eyes bore into him.
Shades’ eyes locked with Skylar’s as he answered. “Keep her out of their reach. They don’t fuckin’ touch her.”
“Exactly. So I’m thinking the best place for her is right here. I can keep her safe better than you can.”
Both Shades and Skylar turned to him and exclaimed at the same time, “What?”
“You heard me, Son.” Undertaker glared at him as he picked up a two-way radio and barked, “Mooch, get in here.”
“Yeah, boss,” broke through the static and Undertaker tossed it back down on the desk.
Skylar looked at Shades with a panicked expression. Her hand reached out to clutch his. “Don’t leave me here.”
Hell, no, he wasn’t leaving her here. “I won’t, baby. I promise.”
Undertaker ran an aggravated hand over his beard and glared at Shades. “Maybe it’s time you and I have a talk.”
Shades nodded and turned to Skylar, bringing her hand to his mouth for a kiss. “Go wait downstairs with Ghost, baby. You’re father and I have some things to work out.”