Bitter Truths (Crimson Falls Duet 2)
“So, you wanted me to suffer like you did,” I say with an understanding nod. I get it. I do. Lifting my glass, I tip it toward him. “This is our fresh start.”
“You’re not going to shoot me?” This time, he arches a brow at me, and I chuckle. “I mean, I can take it if you want to.”
“Oh, I know you can. But you see, where you’re the impulsive one, I’m the level-headed one. This is why we work so well together when we’re on the same page.”
He shrugs. “I guess so.” This time, he smiles. “I won’t stay in Crimson Falls,” he informs me, but I knew this. He’s not cut out to live in a small town. My brother loves the city, and that’s where he belongs. Hell, sometimes I wonder if I should stay in New York. But then I remember Scarlett, she should be the one to choose where we end up.
Perhaps, once she’s opened her business, she’ll choose the Big Apple instead of Crimson Falls. I’ll do anything for her. And she knows it. I smile at my brother, happy to finally have some semblance of a family. It’s been a long time coming. Far too long.
“To the Shaws,” Darius says, and we clink our glasses to that. Scarlett and our children will bear the Shaw name, and maybe one day when they’re older, my wife can tell them about the Bardots. But until then, we’ll make sure it’s nothing more than a distant memory.
I never believed in fairy tales and true love. It was a myth I was happy to allow to pass me by. My life had been filled with work, with scenes at Heaven which if I even try to recall now, don’t even come close to what I’ve found — happiness.
There were days I thought about myself as a father and almost laughed it off. I couldn’t do it. I glance out the window to find the kids settled on a blanket while Scarlett pours them some juice. And I smile. At least, I thought I couldn’t be a dad.
I watch them for a long while, and when I finally rise from my desk, I realize I’m smiling. I do that a lot lately. At first, Scarlett pointed it out, telling me that something had changed in me. Granted, I am still the bastard she loves, but with Kadence and Kailee running around, I’ve softened. Not entirely, because I still put Scarlett through her paces, and she enjoys every moment of my domineering self. But there are times she’ll smile wistfully at me.
She glances up to the window where I’m now standing and gives me a wave. The kids follow suit, excitedly jumping up and down on the grass as they wave both hands in the air. I respond with one of my own, and the shrieks of giggles that filter toward me have me chuckling.
My perfect family.
We do have to get ready though because Darius is on his way, and both girls will be excited to see their uncle. I think it’s the leather cut and rumbling of the motorcycle that always has them squealing.
He’s also softened. His usually grim features will relax when he sees them, and he’ll give them a smile I haven’t seen on my brother before. At least, not for a long time. Not since we were kids. It’s good to see him change before my very eyes. The man he became is less of a violent rogue, and more like a family man. My thoughts flick to his love life, and I wonder if he’ll ever find someone who will lock him down and give him a family of his own.
He’s great with Kadence and Kailee, so I believe he’ll be a great father. He just needs to realize there is more to life than killing and revenge. I suppose, running a motorcycle club has its responsibilities, and he has to portray a certain persona. But there comes a time in everyone’s life where they have to change. Where they have to really think about what’s important.
I turn and make my way down the hall toward the back door, which leads me out into the sunshine. The garden looks magnificent with the flowers blooming, the grass is a stunning, bright green. With summer being here, we’ve spent a lot of time outdoors. Scarlett’s company is doing well and watching her grow into a businesswoman fills me with pride.