“He wasn’t too happy to hear it, but he knows his ass is needed here. I told him to hold his damn temper in check until he gets paroled,” Animal answered.
“Seems like he’d be missing pussy too much to fuck up like he’s been doing,” Klutch said.
“That’s all he talks about when we speak. Who the hell knows what goes through his head? I just tell him to get his ass home ’cause I need help with the business.” Wheelie brought the beer bottle to his mouth.
“She’s all yours,” Smokey said as he clasped his shoulder on Klutch’s. “Hey, bro. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you at the club. You good?” he asked Wheelie.
“Yeah. I’ve been busy with the carwash and … Sofia.”
“I bet,” Animal said while Klutch chuckled.
Smokey pointed his finger at Animal. “I don’t wanna hear shit from you about me coming back so fast. I gotta get over to Blue’s Belly. Freddy just called and he’s real pissed about something.Fuck.”
Animal held up his hands. “I wasn’t gonna say a damn thing, but now that you mention it…” He grinned.
“Who the hell’s that?” Klutch asked as he looked toward the door.
Smokey and Wheelie’s gaze drifted to the front, and Animal looked over his shoulder.
“Fuck,” Animal muttered.
“You know her?” Smokey asked.
“Yeah.” Animal turned around in his chair and locked eyes with Emerald. She threw him a small smile then walked toward him, tugging a little girl behind her. “Lucy?” Animal said, standing up. The girl cast her gaze downward and followed her mother until Emerald stopped abruptly in front of him.
“Long time no see,” Emerald snarled.
“How the fuck did you get in here?” Animal asked as his eyes ran quickly over her. He had to admit, she looked damn good, and the way she smirked told him that she knew it. Emerald was one of many one-night stands he’d had over the years, but the night they’d spent together had produced the small girl hiding behind her. At first he hadn’t believed Emerald when she told him she was pregnant, and then he questioned whether he was the father or not. But once paternity was established, Animal had stepped up to the plate and took responsibility for his daughter. Although Emerald had taken Lucy and left Colorado, Animal sent monthly child-support checks, cards, and presents, and called from time to time. The fact that Emerald would never put Lucy on the phone never stopped him from reaching out. Now, Emerald was standing in front of him with Lucy, and he didn’t have a damn clue as to why the hell she was there.
“The guy at the front gate let me in because he was thinking with his dick.” She darted her eyes around the room. “Just like all of you do.”
Animal made a note to tear the prospect a new asshole once he figured out what the hell Emerald wanted. “Why the fuck are you here?” he asked.
“It’s nice to see you too,” she said coolly. She glanced at the empty chair beside him. “Can I sit down? My feet are killing me.” Emerald slid onto the seat before he had a chance to answer, and Lucy scrambled on a chair at the table next to them.
Animal stared at the seven-year-old as she focused her gaze away from his. Two dark braids fell down over her shoulders, and she kept clasping and unclasping her hands while her left leg bounced up and down.
“Hey, kid,” Animal said. “How’ve you been?” Lucy’s leg moved faster and she wouldn’t even glance up at him. He sucked in air through his teeth and averted his eyes to Emerald’s. “What’s going on?”
“Stop gawking at me and get me a drink.” She crossed her legs and the light bounced off her silver stiletto boots.
“Whaddaya want?” Animal asked, his mind still trying to grasp that his daughter was only a few feet away from him. The last time he’d seen her she’d just turned one.Damn, it’s been too long.
“A gin and tonic.” A seductive smile spread across her lips. “Please.”
“Do you want something to drink, Lucy?” Animal asked. Her braids swayed as she shook her headno. He motioned the prospect over and told him he needed a gin and tonic and a double Jack.
Smokey’s mouth had been hanging open since Animal had acknowledged Emerald, and if his gut wasn’t burning as bad as it was, Animal would’ve been laughing over that as well as the expressions of Wheelie, Klutch, and most of his brothers. Suddenly all the attention was on him, and he knew their damn tongues would be wagging for days over this one. Sometimes the guys were way worse with the gossip than the club women.
“You still haven’t told me why you’re here.” Animal eased himself back into the chair.
“I was passing through and wanted to come by to say hi. Aren’t you glad to see me …us?”
“Fuckin’ shocked is more like it.” Animal scrubbed the side of his face. “Where’re you headed to?”
“I’m going to join my fiancé in Illinois.” Her gaze skimmed over him. “You’re looking real fine, baby. How do you find me?” She smiled at Rusty when he set the drinks down.
Ignoring her question, Animal picked up his glass and threw it back, enjoying the smooth burn as it spilled down his throat. “How’s Lucy?”