pronounced that usual. His MC brother had lived a lifetime already. He'd dealt with his parents' murders, took responsibility for his sister, and spent time in the state prison. Through it all, he'd remained loyal to the patch.
There were times he and Whip had stood beside each other against Cusclan. They'd protected each other's backs against Moroad. They'd busted heads with Lagsturns.
They'd shared the same joint, in an effort to find peace.
They'd swapped blood in more beatdowns than most.
They'd sat with each other in the middle of the night when demons knocked at their door.
They'd outraced each other in an effort to drain the bottles and forget about their past.
But Whip had crossed the line.
"The woman inside is mine." Paco stepped forward. "When I tell you to watch and protect, that means don't touch, don't look, don't let her out of your fucking sight. I don't give a damn who tells you differently. You do not let her go off alone."
Whip's cheek flinched.
Paco fisted his hand.
Whip lifted his chin and spread his arms wide. Without any hesitation, Paco hauled off and punched him in the face.
His MC brother quickly rebounded and jabbed him. Paco unleashed every bit of anger he held inside of him over Whip, letting Josie return to the reservation that fucked-up day as they both tumbled to the grass.
He spent all his energy on his punches. A reminder to Whip that Paco wouldn't let the mistake happen again.
Whip returned the hits hard enough, Paco had to work for the damage he made on the other man's body.
Throwing Whip to the side, Paco kicked out, landing a solid blunt to Whip's side. Adrenaline rushed him. Damn, that felt good.
He stood. His leg holding his weight.
Whip got to his hands and knees. The second he straightened, Paco got him with an uppercut under his jaw and knocked him out.
He shook his hand, pain radiating up his arm. Leaning over, he grabbed the hair at the top of Whip's head and shook him to consciousness, then dragged him to his feet.
Whip staggered, wagging his head, trying to gain his balance. Paco brought back his arm, threw his body weight forward, and —
"Paco!" said Josie.
He stopped, breathing heavily. Staring at Whip, ready for any move, he said, "Yeah?"
"Chrischris called. Cami's in labor. I need to go to the hospital and be with her."
Whip dipped his chin. Paco moved in, embracing him. He thumped his MC brother on the back. "Don't fuck up again."
"Understood, brother." Whip leaned back, clasped Paco's hand. "Tarkio."
"Tarkio." He turned in the yard, wiping the blood rolling out of his nose. "Give me five minutes, sweetheart."
Josie stood with her hands on her hips, shaking her head. "Are you boys done?"
He glanced at Whip and grinned. "Until next time."
Whip chuckled, holding his nose. "I'm going to look like shit tonight."
"What's tonight?" he asked.
"Nothing special." Whip shrugged. "Drinking. Partying. Women."
"Paco, hurry." Josie carried a small bag out of the house. "Clean yourself up. You don't want to have blood all over you when the baby arrives. You'll scare him."
"On it." He limped into the house.
Soon, they'd get another frantic phone call. Priest and Nicole's baby was due any day. It seemed everywhere he looked, Tarkio members were popping out babies. He wasn't sure he was ready for the responsibility, or if he deserved to have a child after the way he'd lived. Though he sure would like to give Josie a child to love.
Washing his face, he looked in the mirror. The scars were enough to scare anyone.
Josie followed him into the bathroom and turned him around to face her. She took the towel and gently wiped the areas he'd missed. He still couldn't feel a lot of sensations on the surface where the scars were bigger.
She studied him, then kissed his lips. "There. You're ready. Let's go."
He tugged her back from leaving. "Love you."
Her gaze softened. "I love you, too."
He followed her through the house. She picked up a towel filled with ice and carried it outside with her.
Delivering the ice pack to Whip. Josie climbed up on the back of the Harley. Before he put on his helmet, she put her lips to his ear and whispered, "No matter what you say or do to Whip, I'm thankful he helped me save my other half."
Paco heard.
He belonged to her.
And he wouldn't have it any other way.
Dear Readers —
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