“Ashley was trying to help. It’s not your fault that she got killed,” Tiny said. “She knew the risks.”
“No, she didn’t know the risks, as otherwise she wouldn’t have been stupid enough to get herself killed. I can’t accept that she went willingly to her own death, and I didn’t even see it.” Devil took a seat, removing his jacket. “Lexie is pregnant again.”
“Congratulations.”
Should he give Eva another kid? He didn’t want to risk having twins again. Miles and Tabitha were angels, but when they were first born it had been a f**king struggle to get any sleep or rest. Eva had been exhausted, and so had he. For over three months they didn’t get two minutes to themselves to f**k or talk. Their life had been dominated by what the twins wanted or needed. He didn’t want to go back to that.
You’re being a selfish bastard.
Was he being selfish for wanting to spend as much time with his woman as possible?
“Usually I’d be celebrating. My woman is pregnant again. It’s time for a celebration, but right now, I can’t. With our other two kids I had a hold of everything. Piston County was our home. I had a deal going with Jerry, everything was working out, and now it has been taken from under me.” Devil stopped to turn his head.
Tiny watched him grit his teeth.
“That bastard has turned the town upside f**king down, Tiny. If we don’t get control of him, Elizabeth could end up like Judi. He could have my little girl working the streets or pushing drugs. I don’t want that for her. She’s my girl, my baby. All of my women need to be protected.”
“I feel you, man.”
“I need to know you’re on board with taking this f**ker out. I don’t want any arguments from you or begging for me to keep him alive,” Devil said.
“Gonzalez put my daughter in the hospital. You’re not going to get anything else from me but compliance. I want him dead. I don’t care who gets to end the f**ker as long as he’s not breathing and I’m there to see it.” Tiny stood and took the hand Devil offered him.
“Then we’ve got a deal. I love my family, Tiny. I’ll do anything for them.”
“Good. Eva wants you and Lexie to come to dinner. Bring the kids. I’m not in the mood to be on the bad side of Eva right now.”
“Why?”
“She wants more kids, and I’m too old to give her what she wants.”
“You’re insane,” Devil said. “No one is ever too old to have kids. Give your woman what she wants. She deserves it for putting up with your ugly ass.” Devil moved away. “I’ll be there around seven and bring the kids.”
“Yeah, Eva said you can stop over. She’s getting the rooms ready for you to stay.”
“You’re a lucky guy, Tiny. She’s a good woman, and you should let her have more kids. You won’t let her get a job, and it won’t be long before she starts to hate your guts.” Devil left the office.
What the f**k should he do?
****
Tucking hair behind her ear, Eva picked up Miles and took Tabitha’s hand as they made their way out of the bathroom. Dinner was cooking in the oven, slow cooked lamb with mashed potatoes and vegetables. It was a luxury meal but not challenging. If it was just her and the girls from the club then she would have tried something else. There was no point in trying to get Tiny and Devil to eat something different. They were meat and potatoes men, and they never allowed her to forget it. She didn’t mind.
“Mommy?” Tabitha said.
“What, baby?” She walked them across the hall into their bedroom where she laid out their clothing.
“Daddy’s sad all the time.”
“No, he’s not sad. He’s just busy. He got the club to look after as well as us, angel. He’s busy. Very busy.”
She placed Miles on the floor. Her two children started to dry themselves as she got together their creams.
“Bastard,” Miles said, yelling the word.
He’d spent too much time at the club.
“Enough!” Eva said, frowning. “It’s a naughty word, and we don’t say naughty words in this house.”
“Bastard. Bastard. Bastard.”
“Miles, listen to your mother,” Tiny said, snapping at their son.
Miles kept his mouth closed.
“What do you say?” Tiny asked, stepping into the room.
“I’m sorry for being naughty, Mommy.”
“Good. Swearing is naughty, and I don’t want to hear you say it.” She tweaked his nose and finished putting his night clothes on.
Picking Miles up, she watched as Tiny finished dressing their daughter. Glancing at the clock she saw it was six-thirty.
Tiny took Miles off her, holding both of their children in either arm. “Go and have a bath. I’ll take care of them. Relax. Devil said he’d be here around at seven. Knowing him I’d expect him to be late.” He kissed her cheek.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I’ve got the kids. Go, relax, and get ready for dinner.”
Stepping out of the room, she watched him go downstairs. Moving toward their bedroom, she quickly looked through the wardrobe and picked out a pair of jeans with a red button shirt. She left them on the bed then headed into the bathroom. Stripping down, she turned the tap on. Rubbing at her face, she removed her jewelry and climbed into the tub.
Resting her head back against the tub, she closed her eyes.
Seconds passed, and the door to the bathroom opened.
“Hey,” Tiny said.
Jerking up, she looked around for a towel.
“No, don’t worry, the kids are fine.”
“Why aren’t you with them?” she asked.
“There’s always a good reason to have a couple of prospects lurking around. They’re happy to take care of kids while their President comes and sits with his wife.”
She leaned back in the tub and stared at him. “There’s a prospect in my house?”
“Yeah, Baker is keeping an eye on the kids. I told him I didn’t want to be disturbed.” He moved to the side of the bathtub, kneeling as he rested his chin on his hands. “We need to talk.”
“If this has anything to do with me leaving or something like that then you can forget about it. I’m not leaving, Tiny.”
“This isn’t about you leaving or moving away from us.” He swirled the tips of his fingers in the water.
“What’s going on?” she asked.