Tiny didn’t need to be reminded. The image of the girl’s pain flashed across his mind. He knew the kind of pain Snitch could inflict, and it wasn’t good.
“Good work,” Tiny said, slapping the man on the back. He was no closer to knowing if Snitch was alive.
“I’m sorry I can’t give you any good news.”
“Don’t worry about it. Enjoy the party.” Tiny felt it was going to be the last party for a long time.
Leaving his alcove he joined in with the celebration. Angel, Sophia, and Tate were all glowing with happiness. He watched each of them preen under the attention. Murphy, Lash, and Nash didn’t leave their sides. The pride in their expressions made Tiny chuckle.
“They remind me of you,” Alex said, coming forward.
“Oh yeah, how?” Tiny asked, smiling at his brother-in-law.
Alex had become a friend Tiny never expected to have.
“When Patricia told you she was pregnant with Tate, you practically glowed. It was hard not to knock you the f**k out for knocking my sister up.”
Tiny laughed, remembering the joy at the good news. Staring at his daughter, Tiny was proud of her. She was a fighter, and he knew she wouldn’t take any shit from Murphy. Any of the sweet-butts who tried it on with her man got to feel Tate’s wrath. She’d gotten his temper, which he didn’t mind. He knew Murphy wouldn’t get the chance to hurt her.
Eva’s laughter caught her attention. Her head was thrown back, and the happiness in her eyes caught at his heart.
She’s leaving.
“I heard about Eva,” Alex said.
“What about her?”
“She’s going back to Vegas with her father.”
Tiny didn’t say anything. There was no need seeing as there was nothing he could do to keep her home. Tate had phoned him earlier giving him a stern talking to. Nothing he said or did would ever bring Eva to him. She was untouchable. There was no point in him asking.
For many years he thought she was this sweet, innocent woman who couldn’t handle the lifestyle. In many ways she reminded him a little of Patricia. Then, she’d turned the tables on him. She was probably more prepared for this lifestyle than his daughter. Tate had grown up with him being the head of The Skulls, and Eva had grown up with her father being the head of an underground fighting ring. The only difference between the two was he’d kept Tate as far from the club as he could whereas Ned welcomed his daughter with open arms.
Eva was a tough woman who was used to making hard decisions.
“You’re not going to say anything to make her stay?” Alex asked.
“I’m not going to beg a woman, Alex. She’s going, and it’s for the best. This is not the place for her.”
They were silent as both of them stared at the women in question.
“You’re probably right. I doubt she’ll be back. I heard Gavin is anxious to have her back,” Alex said.
Before Alex had moved back to Fort Wills, the other man had lived in Vegas. Tiny knew Alex and Ned were friends, or at the very least business associates.
“Who’s Gavin?”
Alex smirked, and Tiny just wanted to knock the smile off his face.
“Gavin is Eva’s ex and also one of Ned’s fighters.”
Before he could ask any more questions, Alex moved away, finally leaving him alone. He wasn’t an idiot. Alex had told him the truth about Eva on purpose. She hadn’t been a virgin, but Tiny couldn’t stop the feeling of jealousy consuming him.
Next Ned walked toward him. Staying still, Tiny waited for the other man to start a conversation. He understood any anger Ned felt as he knew the feeling when it came to Tate.
“You’re going to let my daughter go?” Ned asked.
Tiny stared at Eva. She was so beautiful inside and out. He’d lost so much time where he could have called her his own.
“Yes.”
He’d lost time and caused her heartache and pain.
“Eva won’t be back. She won’t be waiting for you. I’ll make sure she has no choice but to move on,” Ned said.
“Are you threatening me?” Tiny asked.
“No. I’m not going to kill you. What I’m going to do is make sure my daughter is not standing around waiting for you. She deserves better than what you can give her.”
“You’re not going to kick my ass?” Tiny was surprised. He figured the other man would want to hurt him and make sure he couldn’t father any more children.
“I’m on your turf, Tiny. I’m not some young person who doesn’t know how to respect their boundaries. Come to Vegas and we’ll see what happens.”
Tiny respected the man more.
“My daughter is in love with you,” Ned said. “I’ve seen her love before but never like this.”
“I hurt her. She deserves so much more than me.”
“And yet you’ve not taken your eyes off her.” Ned nodded toward everyone else. “They all respect her and treat her like your old lady.”
“Anyone who hurts or disrespects her answers to me.”
“I heard a rumor that not long ago one of your men almost killed her by being f**king high. It was an accident or so I heard,” Ned said.
Glancing at Nash, Tiny grit his teeth together. Nash had been under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The intoxicating substances didn’t excuse his behavior, but Nash had worked like hell to get back on the straight and narrow.
“What about it?” Tiny asked.
“You beat the kid to a bloody pulp. Eva didn’t even have a scratch on her, and you fought for her.”
“What are you trying to say?” Tiny faced him.
“If you’re going to hurt my daughter you would have done it. When was the last time you took another woman since your last time in Vegas?”
Tiny didn’t answer him. He glared, waiting for him to make a point. Since their time in Vegas, Tiny hadn’t been able to touch another woman. Stepping over the line with Eva had sealed his fate. No other woman would do for him. Even though Vegas hadn’t been that long ago, Tiny felt a difference in himself.
“I see you’re going to be a hard ass. Your loss. Evangeline is a tough woman. I made sure she could handle herself.”
He noticed Ned said her whole name. Tiny loved her name. It was beautiful like the woman.
“We’ll be out of your way within the hour.”
Ned moved away without a word. Tiny watched him go seeing the arrogance and confidence in his movement.