A Demon's Harmony - E.C. Land Page 0,12

the shop?” Chaz asks.

“Daddy you said a bad word you gotta put money in my jar,” Melody declares cheerfully as she jumps up off the floor where she must have been sitting.

Everyone chuckles as Chaz groans while pulling out his wallet. Swear that kid is going to have enough to pay for college before getting out of elementary school the way she seems to always be around when someone curses.

Shit Tombstone, Bethany’s dad, and his brothers always put a hundred-dollar bill in the jar ahead of time. Melody still calls them out saying, ‘That’s one-dollar mister’.

“Why don’t you go see about getting ready for bed while we talk to Tan.” Chaz suggests as he kneels in front of Melody and runs his fingers through the girl’s locks.

“Okay, Daddy,” she giggles taking the money, hugs her dad then proceeds to give everyone in the room one as she makes her way to me. “I hope your booboos get better soon, Uncle Tan–Tan. Love you.” Climbing up the bed, she lays her head gently against my chest. After a brief moment Melody lifts her head and moves away to go get ready for bed.

“Now that the curse word tyrant is out of the room, wanna fuckin’ explain,” Hunter grumbles, his arms crossed over his chest as he stands at the foot of the bed staring down at me.

Sighing, I glance at Alexis to find her sitting closer to me. Reaching out I take her hand in mine. “Seems Pops decided to tell Trevor that I’d pay his debt. I was outside making a phone call when I turned around, I was facing down the muzzle of the dickhead’s gun. I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings as I focused on not getting shot, I didn’t realize his goons were so close.” I don’t bother telling them about the entire conversation.

It’s a moot point now. I’m sure they can figure out the rest of it. Shit it’s embarrassing enough to have to admit I hadn’t been paying attention.

Makes you wonder what kinda man you are.

Chapter 7

Alexis

My heart hasn’t stopped pounding in my chest from the moment I walked into the house. I knew immediately something was wrong. No one was in the living room or kitchen. I’d headed up to the room I shared with Tanner only to stop at the sight in front of me.

Everyone including Emerson’s sister, Connors, and her men are in here surrounding our bed. Tanner laid on the bed beaten and bruised. When he’d told us what happened I could feel the anger toward not just the men who did this to him but his father.

What man would allow this to happen to their own flesh in blood?

Before my parents died, I can remember my dad being amazing. He loved taking my sister and me camping, fishing, anything really that he’d have done with a son if they’d had one. Guess you could say he turned us both into tomboys, because anytime Mom tried to get us to wear a dress we’d refuse.

It hurts knowing that Tanner’s is a piece of shit. His mom’s no better. Sure, she’s nice but she’ll always choose her husband over her boys. Kobi and Tanner were both blessed to have people who cared enough to help encourage them to never go the same route as their parents.

“Isn’t Trevor the leader of the High 7’s?” Gadget’s question pulls me out of my head.

“Yep,” Tanner responds.

“Why would he think you’d pay your pops debt?” Hunter asks.

“I’ve been avoiding Mom’s calls this past week. She’d done what she’s always done. Begged me for money because Pops spent all their money on dope.” Shrugging Tanner releases my hand to wrap his arm around my waist.

Not wanting him to hurt himself more than he already is by moving too much, I move as close as I can without climbing into his lap. I know all the guys want to know what’s going on, but I wish they’d leave it for later and give me and Tanner a little time alone together.

Connors must have read my mind because a moment later she’d told everyone they could table the conversation for later. I could’ve kissed her for that.

Soon as the room is cleared of all bodies but mine and Tanner’s, I move out of his embrace and turn to face him. “Are you really okay?” I ask again, needing to know for sure.

“Yeah babe, I’m fine,” he murmurs, meeting my gaze and grabbing hold of my hand. “About earlier