fine once it wears off.”
Mom snorted derisively, causing Dad to flinch. “It’s what Colt is notorious for. Drugging people to get what he wants.”
I could feel the atmosphere in the room becoming more charged. I didn’t know if Dad was going to get tossed out of the MC for what he’d done, and I honestly didn’t give a fuck. It would be nothing less than he deserved.
But the murder in Uncle Spider’s eyes as he took a step toward Dad told another story. Expulsion from the MC wouldn’t be enough for him. He wanted blood.
Uncle Bash put his arm out, stopping the enforcer from taking another step. “No. River asked to deliver his punishment.” He glanced around. “All in favor of River handling this?”
There was a hesitant pause before the majority of the brothers gave their affirmation, including my uncles and Maverick’s dad.
Twenty-One
River
After I’d first found Maverick at the motel, I’d thought about what punishment I would dole out if Uncle Bash and the brothers gave me permission. But I hadn’t let myself completely believe they would actually allow it.
Now that I stood in front of them all, the power to do as I wanted to my dad at my fingertips, I realized that while he deserved to be stripped of his cut for going against the brotherhood code the MC always strived to uphold, I couldn’t do that to him. Because I knew that Angel’s Halo was too much a part of who he was. While he’d had no qualms about hurting Maverick and me—and breaking my heart—I couldn’t do the same to him.
I felt Mom, Aunt Quinn, and Aunt Raven step up behind me, the three of them offering me the support I suddenly felt desperate for as I stood there in front of Dad. For a moment, I saw a flash of real dread in his green eyes, and I knew he was wondering just how vengeful I was going to be.
“Don’t worry, Dad,” I told him as I willed my heart not to ache as I delivered his punishment. “I’m not going to make you turn over your cut. After all, Maverick and I kept our relationship from you for years. What you did tonight, do you think that cancels out his not telling you about us?”
“By MC standards? Yes.” A muscle in his jaw started clenching and unclenching. “By my standards as your father? Not even close.”
I nodded, having known that would probably be his answer. “Yeah, I get that too.” I inhaled slowly, fighting the sting of tears, but failing to keep them at bay. “Then that makes this so much easier. Because what I’m going to make you give up is me, Dad.”
He jerked as if I’d stabbed him. “What?”
“You heard me,” I choked out, as a tear spilled over my lashes. “You made your choice. Your anger, it’s too much for me. You can’t accept Maverick and me. Now, I’m making my choice—I choose Maverick. I will always pick him. Over you or Mom or anyone else. Always.”
“River, you can’t—” He broke off, his face turning to stone. “If you give me up, you’re giving up your mother too.”
“The fuck you say!” Mom exploded. “Just because you fucked up and she’s cutting you out of her life, doesn’t mean I will be put in the same category. Because I’m telling you right now, Colt. If you make me choose, you’re not going to like who I pick.”
Sweat broke out on his brow, but that didn’t stop him from calling her bluff. “You wouldn’t.”
“Is that a dare?” she asked in a deceptively soft voice. “I carried her inside my body. I felt her kicks and fell in love with her in a way that no man could ever possibly understand because he will never know that kind of miracle. You? You own my heart, but I will walk away from you with zero regrets if it means keeping my daughter in my life. Unlike my own mother, I will always pick my child over anyone. Including you.”
He seemed to be having difficulty swallowing for a moment. “Kelli, I…I wouldn’t make you choose.” He scrubbed his hands over his face in agitation. “Fuck, can we just calm down for a minute here? This is getting out of control. I…I’ll accept your relationship with Maverick, okay?” He gulped, his fear over losing Mom making his eyes wild. “I won’t pull any more shit like I did tonight.”
I gave him a sad smile as yet another