New Beginnings : A Novella (Men of Whiskey Row Book 2)
Page 15
Darby’s expression was grim as he gave them his most intimidating stare. It was the same one he’d worn as he skated full speed down the rink and body-checked some unsuspecting fool into the plexiglas.
When the woman stood up, the boy clung to her refusing to let her go. She tried to get him to release her, but he gripped her tighter. With a sigh, the young man stood up, but he was staring at Avery intently as if he was trying to warn her.
Avery watched as Odell reached for the boy who spun away at the last minute, his small chest heaving. Her body jerked like she’d been shot when he yelled, “Don’t you put your hands on me, nigger!”
Darby flew into a rage when he heard the ugly words spewing out of the kid’s mouth. He planned, for the first time in his life, to whup the mess out of someone’s child and started forward with the intent to do just that.
The woman sprang forward protectively, a pleading expression on his face. “Please, Mr. Sullivan, he doesn’t know any better, please!” With tear filled eyes, she gave Avery an apologetic look, “I’m so sorry, Ms. Avery. I really wanted to tell you, but I had to make sure he was a good person. You see, I left home right after high school and never planned on goin’ back there; but my sister died, and I had to pay my respects. She was my sister and the only family I cared about. I didn’t know she had a son though. When I reconnected with Odell, I knew I wouldn’t be back ever again, and that’s fine by me. But I couldn’t leave my nephew. You see the town we come from is hardcore Klan country, and my father is pretty high up in it, livin’ and breathin that crap.” She paused to look at Odell, and her voice softened, “I couldn’t let my nephew grow up to be like them.”
Darby was not swayed by her story, and the bad feeling inside of him was growing stronger. “Get to the point.”
“Fine I will,” Jenny snapped. She pulled her purse open and pulled out a beat up diary. “This is my late sister Susan’s diary. Inside she reveals that she slept with Darby ‘The Blade’ Sullivan. According to her, it was the greatest experience of her life.” She pointed to the little boy, “That is my nephew who was born nine months after that entry. His first name is D.J. Yes, it is his first name on his birth certificate. In the entries after his birth, she states that she is waiting for his father to retire from the great sport of hockey. That he will come and rescue them. She died from a blood infection waiting for that to happen.” She pointed at Darby who was frozen in shock. “You are Darby ‘The Blade’ Sullivan, retired from the great sport of hockey. Is that to the point enough for you?”
Avery grabbed his hand; she was talking, but Darby couldn’t hear a word she said over the blood roaring in his ears. He looked at the little, red haired, brown-eyed devil defiantly staring back at him, as Jenny’s words sank in “Holy Fucking Shiiiit.”
THE END
COMING SPRING 2016
THE FARMER & THE BELLE
(BAYMOOR BOOK ONE)
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
DARBY & AVERY
(WHISKEY ROW BOOK THREE)
COMING SUMMER 2016
PERFECTLY IMPERFECT
CASEY & SIDRA
(WHISKEY ROW BOOK FOUR)