Page 53 of Crucified By the Dark
“Oh really? So what is it like, then? Tell me.” Her father demanded. The Colonel squared his shoulders and crossed his arms over his wide chest. Even at his age the man looked like he could bench as much as Jeremy could. Now he wondered what her brothers looked like. Fuck four older brothers and a father like this. So many questions answered.
She shook her head. “How do you know about them, anyway?”
“They’re supposed to be a myth, but we all know the organization exists. We simply turn a blind eye. Besides, they do a lot of good.”
Morry’s eyes flicked up to her father’s. “So…what does that mean?”
“It means I’m fucking pissed off that we just spent all this time barely speaking because you couldn’t be bothered to tell me the truth. Fuck, Morry. You think I don’t understand undercover ops?”
“Not illegal ones, no. How did you expect that conversation to go? Hey, Dad, just wanted to call and talk about the weather, and oh yeah, I’m part of a secret military organization that kills people. So have you gotten out golfing much? It really flows off the tongue,” Morry bit out sarcastically, and for the first time since Jeremy walked in, Colonel Waters smiled.
He sighed and sat down. “Fine, but there has been so much missed time.”
When Morry sat as well, Jeremy felt completely out of place. “I’ll just excuse myself,” he said, but Morry called his name.
Turning around, she waved him over. “Dad, I might as well get this out of the way, too. This is Jeremy, and we are…What would you call us?”
Jeremy shrugged. “Dating? I don’t really know.”
“You’re a little young for my daughter, aren’t you?”
“Did you just call me old?” Morry glared across her desk.
“No, just seasoned.”
“Pretty sure that’s the same thing.”
Jeremy wrapped his arm around Morry’s shoulder, not giving a fuck anymore if she wanted him to touch her or not. “Age doesn’t matter. Not really. My heart and soul match your daughter’s, and I’ll never hurt her and will fucking die for her. So no, I don’t care that I’m younger than her in the slightest. I’m lucky and honored that she’s giving me a chance to be in her life.”
Morry’s body relaxed against his, and he could feel her eyes on his face, but he never looked away from her father’s intense stare.
“Very good. I’m going to hold you to that. Now, Morry, you were about to ask me for a favor to do with Kyle?”
“His condition has worsened since you saw him on his birthday, and Andrew has re-opened the case for sole custody.”
“He what?” The Colonel slammed his fist on the desk. All the items jumped, including Morry. “Have I told you today how much I hate that fucker? You never should’ve married him. He was a weasel then, and he’s still a weasel who never deserved to marry my daughter.”
“I know, Dad, but that’s all in the past. I can’t change it now. Look, I wouldn’t ask this of you, and it makes me sick to my stomach to do it, but I need your help,” Morry said as Jeremy grabbed a spare chair and sat down. He gripped her hand and linked their fingers together. “This judge really doesn’t like me, and Andrew is fighting dirty. He found out information about the club and is using that against me. I can’t say what we really do, and now they’ve found out about my stay at Wellness Springs. He’s saying that I’m unstable. Dad, my lawyer thinks I’m going to lose my son.”
“Over my dead, cold body that’s happening. I’m glad you called. Who’s the judge?”
“Dad….”
“Judge’s name, now.”
“Judge Michael Patterson,” Morry said, and her father stood.
“I need to make a few calls. I’ll go out to my truck, but we’re doing dinner tonight.” He already had his phone out and was dialing someone. When he reached the door, he turned back and looked between them. “No more secrets and lies, Morry. Life is too short.”
Morry sat perfectly still and stared at the closed door. “Did that really just happen?”
“Which part?”
“Is he really okay with what I do? Would he have been okay all this time,” she asked, but she seemed to be asking the universe, not him.
“Look, I’m really fucking sorry I barged in here and blurted out your secret. That was an asshole thing to do.”
Morry squeezed his hand, her head slowly turning in his direction. “No, don’t be. I mean, yes, normally, don’t fucking do that, but in his case, don’t be sorry. I didn’t know if we would ever speak again, and I think your loose tongue may have inadvertently repaired our fractured relationship.”
