Page 89 of Shadow's Surrender
“I was in the area and thought I’d stop by for lunch. I talked to Chains last night and he said that he and a bunch of other Night Rebels are gonna be at the rally next month.”
“That’s cool. I haven’t seen Chains in quite a while. How’s he doing?” Shadow asked.
“Good.” Animal cut into his burrito. “Do you have any faucets at the warehouse?”
Shadow nodded. “Just standard ones.”
“I’ll come by later this afternoon to check them out. I’m gonna need four of them. I expect you to give me a good price.” He chuckled.
“Only the best for my brothers. I’m gonna head out now, but I’ll see you later on.” Shadow rose to his feet and took his keys out of the back pocket of his jeans.
“You want to join Bones, Helm, Hubcap, and me for a ride? We’re going to Lakeview, grab some barbecue at Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse then ride back,” Smokey said.
“Sounds tempting, but I have to catch up on some work, then I’ve gotta be somewhere. Let’s plan on a long ride next week. Later.” Shadow turned around and walked out of the club.
The birds chirping in the trees were soon drowned out by the low rumble of his motorcycle. The bike’s wheels crunched on the gravel as he rode off the lot. The road to town was quiet, and Shadow veered off to the north and took a shortcut to the warehouse. He parked his Harley, then welcomed the cool air inside the building as he headed to his office down the hall.
An hour into listing items on his online store, several raps on the door broke his concentration, and Shadow glanced over. “Come in.”
The door swung open and a man, who Scarlett bore a striking resemblance to, loomed in the doorframe. Fine lines creased his face, and his thick blond hair was short and graying at the temples. The man wore an expensive light gray suit, a crisp white shirt, and a purple paisley tie, and the gold watch on his left wrist gleamed under the recessed lighting. For an older man he was quite fit: trim, broad shoulders, and muscular. He was tall and looked like he might have played college football back in the day. Dark green eyes bore into Shadow’s with fierce intensity.
“So you’re the man who’s been fooling around with my daughter and creating all the ruckus in my household,” George Mansfield said.
Shadow didn’t say a word or move a muscle, he just sat there stony-faced, watching Scarlett’s father walk over to the desk and settle into the black vinyl chair in front of it.
“Your name’s Shadow, right?” His voice was gruff and impatient.
“You know that. Let’s cut through the bullshit.”
A deep laugh rumbled from his chest. “I like a man who gets down to business.” Mansfield leaned forward. “Stay the fuck away from my daughter. There’s no in-between here. I know your type, and Scarlett’s fool enough to think you’re serious, but I know you’re just having some fun.”
“You don’t know shit,” Shadow said, his gaze never wavering.
“I know you belong to that damn outlaw club. You think I want my daughter mixed up with a hoodlum? Don’t fucking underestimate me. This thing with Scarlett stops …Now.” His meaty fist pounded the desk, knocking over a cup of pens.
Raw anger shot through Shadow, but he held it in check, the face of his woman playing through his mind.Scarlett wouldn’t like it if I beat the shit outta her old man, but he’s itching for it in the worst way.
George sat back in the chair, his gaze piercing. Shadow drummed his fingers on the steel desk then pressed his lips together.
“You had your say, now get the hell out of my office.” Ice dripped from every word.
Scarlett’s father didn’t respond, instead, he just sat there staring at him. For a nanosecond, Shadow saw something in the old man’s eyes that startled, angered, and confused him all at the same time. He couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but it felt familiar and strangely unfamiliar at once.
Shadow cleared his throat. “I have work to do and you’ve taken up enough of my time. What Scarlett and I do isourbusiness. I respect that you’re her father, but you don’t call the shots anymore—she’s all grown up and livingherlife.”
“This isn’t just about you and her. What you’re doing is affecting a lot of people.”
“Then they need to get a fuckin’ life and stay out of ours.” Shadow stood up from his chair. “I’m gonna ask you one last time to leave.”
“Or what? You’re nothing but a goddamn thug. I can imagine what your …” Mansfield’s voice trailed away.
His blood turned cold. “Mywhat?” Shadow took a few steps toward the older man. His pulse pounded so loudly in his ears that he could barely make out the words spilling from George Mansfield’s mouth.
“Parentsis what I was going to say.” The man’s voice became clearer as Shadow pushed down his emotions.
“What?” Shadow asked.
“I can imagine what your parents would think about you being an Insurgent.” George darted his eyes away from Shadow’s.
