Page 128 of Shadow's Surrender
“She never would’ve broken up a family. She had values, principles. I know she would’ve turned him down.”
“I’m sure you’re right—you knew your mother better than anyone. It’s just that you should feel some comfort in knowing that your mother was happy and had a man who loved her very much,” she said.
“I guess,” he grumbled.
“Can you forgive him? It’s important toourrelationship that you can do that because he’s my dad, and he’s not going anywhere. He’ll always be a part of my life.”
Shadow embraced her, and she pressed close to him, loving his scent and the warmth of his body as his arms held her tight.
“I know you love your dad, but I’m gonna be honest here. I can’t forgive him right now. It’ll take time—how much? Fuck, I don’t know. That’s all I can give you right now.”
Scarlett tipped her head back. “I’ll take it.” Then they kissed, and she knew deep in her heart that everything would be just fine.
* * *
A few dayslater, Scarlett sat at one of the picnic tables under a white canopy stretched over the yard and secured on each end of the chain-link fence. Several children ran around the area squealing as they tried to catch iridescent bubbles coming from a machine that sat on the corner of one of the tables.
“Here you go, babe,” Shadow said as he handed her a bottle of water and a glass of white wine. He’d explained that on family days at the club, wine was on the bar menu, otherwise, it never graced its shelves during club parties.
“Thanks,” she said, scooting down a bit to give him some room to sit by her.
“Who do these kids belong to?” She took a sip of her drink.
“The dark-haired girl with the braids is Lucy—Animal and Olivia’s daughter. The blonde cohort is Paisley, and she’s Cheri and Jax’s daughter. Hope is the smaller girl with the yellow top, and she’s Addie and Chas’s girl, and the little one with the long wavy hair filled with bows is Isa—Cara and Hawk’s daughter.”
“That’s Cara’s little girl? She’s so cute. Where is Cara?”
“Inside helping Belle and the other old ladies with the food.”
“Should I be in there helping too? I feel rude by just sitting here doing nothing.”
Shadow wrapped his arm around her. “You’re doing something—you’re keeping me company.” He kissed her softly, his light scruff scratching again her cheek.
Then several boys ran into the yard, screaming and jumping on the picnic tables.
“Get the fuck off of those!” a deep voice boomed.
Scarlett turned her head and saw Hawk stalking toward three boys, his face glowering.
“Uh-oh, I wouldn’t want to be them,” she said, shivering slightly.
Shadow laughed. “Hawk’s bark is worse than his bite when it comes to the kids.”
The three boys immediately jumped off the tables and stood in a line, their small bodies shifting from one foot to another.
“Braxton, you know better than that! You want me to call your dad out here, Harley? What about you, James? You guys could split your damn heads open. Next time you pull that stupid shit, it’ll be the end of playing for a while. Got it?”
Each of the boys nodded, their eyes still cast downward.
“Okay. Don’t piss me off again.”
The boys raced away, and Hawk walked toward Scarlett and Shadow.
“Oh God. He’s coming over here and he’s mad as hell.”
Shadow chortled. “Relax, babe.”
“Hey,” Hawk said, lifting his chin at Shadow then at her.
