Lyon
Chapter 143

The next day, as I’ve been doing since coming back from Law’s, I was preoccupied at the shop. People were hounding me for their shit because the holidays were coming, but my heart wasn’t in it. Thank f**k I had a crew who knew what they were doing.

I sat at my desk with my mind in turmoil. This time of year is very important to my family they go all out. I do all I can to see that they have whatever they need, but this year I’m not so sure. With this shit hanging over my head, I don’t know which way to turn. That’s a lie, I want to go shed some b***d to keep my family safe, but there’s more going on here than just the threat against mine. Usually I wouldn’t give a f**k, but I keep seeing those little girls looking back at me from those pages.

There was one thing I could do while I cooled my heels, so I picked up the phone. “Mallory, you got anything new for me?” I knew if he did he would’ve called me already but it was something to do. I hate this shit; and now Kat’s on my a*s about Caitie Bear and that little punk.

This morning she’d started in on me again but a good stiff back shot had taken care of her a*s, and by the time I pulled out our son was making enough racket to wake the dead, he needed the tit. That was enough to get her mind back on track.

“Not yet, the old man is still digging. I can tell you that this shit stretches farther than we thought. I don’t know what this family is into, but the way it’s looking, we’re gonna have to watch our sixes if we get mixed up with these f***s. Me, I’m all in, that’s my Goddaughter they f****d with so as soon as I hear anything it’s a go.”

“Okay man thanks. How’re Lydia and the kids?”

“F*****g pains in the a*s as usual.” The smile in his voice was unmistakable fucker is as gone as I am. “You guys hear anything from my woman yet about their yearly madness?”

“Yeah, Lydia’s been busy wrapping gifts. How many f*****g kids you got bro?”

“Well seeing as how I started before you and you’re almost caught up I don’t think you have f**k all to say to me about that.”

We talked shit for another five minutes before hanging up and I went to help the guys. It was going to be another long f*****g day.

Because I couldn’t be away too long even with my guys on the clock watching the house, I cut out early. All the kids were tagged and I could see their every movement as well as my wife’s from the watch on my wrist, but it wasn’t the same.

When I tagged my family with the little chips in their jewelry, it was for the off chance of ‘if’ something happened. This shit with Caitie Bear in a f*****g flesh rag was a definite threat, and the players were such that I wasn’t taking any chances.

“Oh for f**k sake.” Elena and her posse were here as was evident by the line of luxury cars in my damn driveway. I’d forgotten what day it was, tomorrow was Thanksgiving, which meant I was going to be overrun by these women all damn day with their cooking and baking shit.

Just as I expected, my kitchen was a madhouse. I looked at my wife in her element; she’s the only reason I put up with this shit every year, because it makes her happy. “Ladies, hi baby.” She grinned at me because she knew how uncomfortable I was around Elena’s hen pack.

“Well Colton, it sure has been a while since we’ve seen you where’ve you been keeping yourself?” Ms. Lucille, one of mom’s oldest and dearest stared at my a*s like it was her next meal while asking me that innocent question.

“I’ve been around, Kat you good, you need anything?” She shook her head while fighting laughter and I stole a quick k**s before breaking out to the sound of laughter and wild suggestions. I could hear the kids running around laughing and having a good time, which helped to smooth the rough edges, except one.

“Hi baby what you doing out here all alone?” Was she ever going to lose that sadness from her eyes? Did she have any idea what I would do for her? There wasn’t anything that I wouldn’t give to make sure that her happiness was complete.

“I’m okay daddy. Daddy can I ask you a question?”

“Sure baby, you know you can ask me anything.” Please don’t let her ask me about that boy? Why are the women in this family trying to send my a*s to jail? Don’t they know me well enough by now? How can they not know that I would bury this f**k somewhere if he looks cross eyed at my daughter?

“Why don’t you like Todd?” Ah f**k!

“Because I’m never gonna like any boy you bring home.” What I’m supposed to lie to my kid now, what the f**k? She looked like she wanted to cry but I hardened my heart against that shit. No way was I giving the okay for my little princess to go off with some boy to have dinner. That smacked of commitment and all the other bullshit that she was not allowed to do until she was thirty f*****g years old. Shit, my gut hurt.

“But that’s not fair what did he do? Mom says he’s just like you and nana Elena said he acts the way you used to when you were little.” What the f**k? “Well that might be all well and true, but you’re my little girl and I’m not ready for all this stuff. When I told you it was okay to see him, I” Damn.

“Look baby I’m sorry that your friend is going away but I can’t lie, I don’t want you being that serious about anyone at your age. I do like the boy, he’s a nice kid, but like I said, he could be the king of Siam and I still wouldn’t want him for you, do you understand?”

“I guess, mom explained it to me, you’re being a dad and dads freak out about their little girls. But could you maybe think about it? I’m gonna marry him one day you know.” She gave me a cute little smile while she ripped my heart out.

“Aw kid what’re you trying to do to me?” She sat in my lap and rested her head on my shoulder the way she used to when she was a little mite. “I love you little girl never forget that. There will be times when I do things that will make you mad, like this dinner deal, but it’s only because I love you and I will always protect you. You believe me?”

“I do daddy, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.” So much like her mother. “Fair enough.” She went off looking a lot better than when I first walked in. I tried to make my escape when I heard footsteps behind me. I’d know that walk anywhere.

“Oh Colton may I have a word?”

“Char I’m not in the mood for any of your hoodoo crap.” She grinned at me and I got a good look at her eyes. “Aw shit, you and your partner in crime got into dad’s stash again?” F*****g women are always high and up to some shit.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She sniffed like I’d affronted her or some shit.

“I wanted to talk to you about this little situation”

I felt the hair on my arms stand up, this one creeps me the f**k out. “What situation would that be?”

“You know; that thing that you and your boys are looking into. It’s going to all work out. By the way, you have some very handsome friends, are they coming for the holidays?”

What the f**k? “Char, your husband know you cruising in my kitchen?” I beat feet outta there before she could work any more of that shit on my a*s. F*****g tealeaves.

There was only one place to hide from this horde, so after I checked in with my guys who assured me that all was clear on the home front before I sent them off, I headed downstairs. There was no use in arguing with my wife and her mother in law because they don’t listen for shit, but as soon as my house is clear I’m gonna lay down the law.