“It was during those two months when I was powerless to get you out, I vowed to destroy him,” he says in a deathly tone. “He was intentionally blocking my efforts to get you out.”
My head is spinning. I run my hand through my hair and sit back down. I’m eight years older than the twins. What the fuck? I’m so confused on how and when this all could be possible.
“When you got out, I intended to do anything I could to help you from the inside.” He pauses, that proud smile is back in place. “But you came to your uncle’s aid. You found the loophole in my case and got my charges dropped. I’d heard about you, but then I got to see it with my own eyes as my own lawyer wanted to know who you were after you dropped the file at his office with everything in it. You were just like him.”
“Just like who?”
His face becomes so sad I have to rub at my own chest. “My little brother.” He snorts. “Ox looks more like me when he shaves. You, you look just like your father. Take away your mother’s eyes and her dimples, you could be him reincarnated.”
“The brother killed at the fountain.”
He smiles. “The best. Brilliant. You’re as brilliant as he was. When I realized how much you were like him. I couldn’t make you into me. He was snatched from us too early because of men like me.”
We fall silent. I’m getting a fucking headache. “Why not say something then? You knew the kind of monster my so-called father was to me.”
“As I said, I was protecting you all.”
“From what?” I bite out.
He tilts his head and looks me in the eyes. “You love this woman? The mayor’s daughter.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“If you had a target on your back, would you hide her away from everyone, or would you announce to the world she’s the most important thing to you?”
I work my jaw. I already know the answer to this. I’m already determined to keep my two worlds separate. “I would hide her away.”
“You all were better off without me and my world. Your father tried to be clean. He loved the law and fought for it. Some of the men he went after in the end were friends and associates of our family. Even after his death they were angry.
“I had to smooth a lot of things over. And yet, I didn’t know who I could trust anymore. You remember the indictment on Thaddeus?”
“Yeah, they should have nailed his ass,” I mutter.
“You’re right. I never found out who, but someone helped him out of it. My point in bringing it up—that indictment was a part of your father’s case, the one he was working on when he was murdered. I kept the files I found but only used the information on Thaddeus after he tried to have us killed.”
“Why do I feel a huge ton of shit coming my way?” I say and glare.
“There were way more people in that file who should have gone to jail. A lot of them are or were connected to the sponsors of Marquis’ race club. I think that was by design. Every one of those people turned their back on Thaddeus. He may have gotten off, but his name was shit after,” he says.
“I’m still not following.”
“Thaddeus, your mother, and your father have history. Thaddeus’s father had planned to buy Thaddeus’s way to the top. Claire had been a part of that plan. Things got messy. Again, not my story to tell.”
“Then who’s is it if my father is dead?”
“That… would be your mother. It’s been a long time, but I think she might be ready. It’s a lot of history.” His eyes turn hard. “I’m only learning now that your father’s death was at the hands of Thaddeus.”
“And you believe all of this now is him?”
He frowns. “Enough dots connect you, your girlfriend, Marquis, and myself. The Castro family walked away with the lion’s share of the deal that took Thaddeus down. At some point, the Castros were able to prove to me they had nothing to do with your father’s death.
“The no-fly zone I had on their family in Vander City was removed and Vander became open to them again, although Thiago Castro never returned. Marquis was nothing like his father.” He shakes his head. “In any case, Thaddeus has hated their family since.
“However, Danny Clavier nor Thaddeus Pitman have the kind of money to put a team into Marquis Castro’s race club. Two million, they couldn’t scrape that together while standing in the middle of a bank. This reeks of Thaddeus’s need for revenge and greed for power, but I’m not fully convinced it’s his revenge we are watching,” Blake says.
“You have a point. Sounds to me like someone wants to expose secrets.”
“I’ve been around too long not to see the other hand moving. Like I said. You and I have been too close to this. Our emotions are involved.”
I hold a hand up to stop him when Ox’s number lights up my phone that I tossed on the table earlier. My chest tightens because it’s not lost on me this is my brother on the other end of this call. Something in my gut tightens.
I answer quickly. “Yo, what’s—”
“They just shot up Skittles’ place. She’s fine, but Pit this is bad. They fucked this place up.”
“Come again?” I seethe. “Who shot up what?”
“Skittles’ brownstone, Bro. I was able to get her down and cover her, but this place is filled with holes.”
“Get her here now,” I roar.
I hang up and jump up to pace the room. This isn’t over, I knew it wasn’t. I’m going to gut Thaddeus Pitman myself and whoever else is behind this.
“What’s going on?”
“That was Ox. Someone just shot up my girl’s place.”
Knight growls. “I knew this was coming. He’s trying to hurt you. Leo, now this. You have always been a trigger. You’re too much like your father. Everything he wanted to be.”
He gets up, going to storm out. “Where are you going?”
“It’s time I finish this with Pitman. I wanted you to understand why I’m about to murder the man you grew up thinking was your father,” he says. “I owe you that respect.”
“First, that motherfucker has never been a father to me. Second, I have some business I need to handle with him, so you’ll be waiting for me. You’ve waited this long. You’re going to wait until I make sure my woman is okay.”
He gives a huge smile. “Should’ve known you would say that. You handle your shit tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow and this ends.
“Oh, and so you know. Your father wasn’t a rat. He was a good man, they forced him to come after them. I understand it all now.”
Chapter 41
Get your Answers
Pit
* * *
From the moment Skittles enters the back room and runs into my arms, I hold her tight. A few minutes ago, my uncle… God that shit sounds weird. Blake confirmed the attempted hit came from this web Thaddeus is weaving, or should I say whoever the master puppeteer is.
I have something for Thaddeus’ ass. For now, Rome is making sure he stays put. Mayven is what’s most important.
“You okay?” I hold her at arm’s length to look her over.
“I think I sprained my wrist in the fall, but I’m fine,” she says.
I look at the arm she’s now cradling and growl. Blake may never get a chance to kill Thaddeus. I cup the back of Skittles head and kiss her forearm.
“I’ll have someone here within the hour to take a look at that.”
I look up at Ox sitting at the bar with a scowl on his face. He has a few scrapes and cuts along his face. I wave him over.
When he gets close enough, I grab him by the back of the head and tug him down. He looks me in my eyes as I do him and I don’t really need to ask, I can see it.
“You knew the whole time?” He nods. “And here I thought you were just some crazy motherfucker who just had my back. My little brother. Fuck. This shit is so crazy.”
“Only by a few months,” he smiles.
“Wait, what?” Skittles gasps beside me.
I release Ox and
shake my head. “Turns out this is my little brother and Blake Knight is my uncle.”
“How?”
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around all of that. Thaddeus Pitman isn’t my father. Blake says I should talk to my mother for the truth,” I reply and purse my lips.
“Will you?” She looks up at me expectantly. “Listen, I know there’s a lot of tension there, but something like this. I’ll go with you. Whenever you’re ready.”
“Let me think about it,” I murmur.
She turns to Ox. “I’m not going to lie. I can see it. I can totally see you two being related. Wow. I guess I used to think you two hung out so much you had the same mannerisms because of it.”
I clap Ox on the shoulder. “I want to talk more, but you two need medical attention. And Anthony?”
Ox smiles as I call him by his real name. “Yeah?”
“You’re as important to me as Mayven is. I’m going to need you to stop getting hurt trying to save her.”
“As long as she means the world to you. I’ll always have her covered. I’ll be fine,” he says and walks off.
“Come on, let me get you some ice,” I say to Skittles.
She places a hand on my arm. “You should talk to her. I know that tone you used. You’re not going to think about it. You should. Talking to my dad and finding out what I was missing from the story filled in a ton of blanks for me, even after my aunt told me what she knew. Talk to her.”
I nod. “I can’t talk to her tonight and that wrist is swollen. Let’s go.”
I wrap an arm around her waist and move to the bar to pack her some ice. Her words do stick with me. Should I talk to my mother?
I look to Ox. I might be more curious than I’m willing to admit. I think of Leo and Scarlett. I guess we all do deserve answers and since Thaddeus wants the truth to come out so badly, I might give him one dying wish.
Skittles
* * *
I wake from my sleep and take a second to catch my bearings—I’m in the apartment over the bar. I turn and find Pit sitting up in the middle of the bed, his back to me. He’s filled with so much tension, I can see it.
I sit up and place my hand on his back, gliding it across his smooth skin. I kiss his shoulder before pressing my face to it. Some of the tension releases from his body.
“This is going to eat away at you,” I murmur.
“I know.”
I sigh. “So are you going to deal with it.”
He nods. “I’ll go see her in the morning.” He falls silent for a moment. “For years, in the back of my mind I knew he wasn’t my father.” He snorts. “I could never treat my sons like that. I almost didn’t want to be a father because of him.”
“What changed your mind? I mean, do you want to be one now?”
He turns and scoops me up to bring me to sit between his legs. I notice he’s ginger with my wrist. It’s not sprained, but it’s still sore and swollen.
“You’ve changed everything. Today I found a pack of cigarettes in my desk while placing an order. I didn’t think twice about tossing them. I’ve wanted to quit for years,” he says.
He kisses my neck and continues to talk. “I want it all. You, a new house, babies, and the wedding of your dreams.”
“In that order?” I tease.
“In whatever order it comes as long as I have it with you.”
“What if I don’t want any of that?”
“You do know I’ll put you over my knee and spank you?”
“Yes, to the spanking and all the other stuff too.”
He chuckles.
“See, I know how to be a distraction too.” I turn my head up and beam at him.
He scoots back and leans against the headboard, placing his arms behind his head. This man is so damn fine, and he knows it. The ink on his body takes nothing away from the chiseled planes. It only serves to enhance it.
It looks so good on him; I’ve thought to add to my one and only. He bites down on his lower lip. It’s so sexy, I shove my hands between my thighs and squeeze.
I’ll never get tired of ogling his body or his handsome face. The craziness going on in our lives take a back seat as I take in my man. I wonder if he knows how he calms my world and makes me feel safe.
He looks pointedly down at his growing erection. His jade eyes filling with lust. The sheet jumps as it continues to tent. He tilts his head to the side and studies me.
“I’m all for a distraction if those lips are involved.” I go to reach for him. “But you’re going to have to brush those teeth. I’ll wait.”
I burst out laughing. “You’re such an asshole.”
“For life, now hurry your ass up.”
Chapter 42
It’s What I Knew
Pit
* * *
I sat up all night thinking about this. I love Skittles for distracting me for as long as she could before I tagged that ass to sleep. The fact of the matter is I want the truth. I’ve lived a lie for thirty-three years and I have a ton of questions about it.
First, why not choose my father over Thaddeus fucking Pitman? That’s what I want to know above anything else. I take a deep breath as I stare out the windshield of my car.
“I’m here. You’re not doing this alone,” Skittles says beside me as she runs her fingers through my hair.
“I’d rather be eating ice cream and lying on your booty while watching the game.”
She stops playing in my hair and mushes my head. “Boy, bye, get your butt out of this car. Can’t even be sweet to you.”
We get out of the car and head inside. Once we’re all signed in, we head to my mother’s room. This hall feels like it has grown ten feet. I can hear my own breathing with each step I take.
Skittles puts her hand in mine and gives a gentle squeeze. I look down at her and she gives me a smile. I try to smile back, but it feels tight to me.
When we step into my mother’s room she’s sitting in her little living room. This place is set up like little apartments. That’s why I picked it. She can still feel like she has a home of her own.
Mom beams at me as soon as her eyes land on me. “Will, Blake told me to be on the look out for you. And who is this?”
“My half pint. Mayven this is my mom, Claire.”
“That’s how you introduce me?” Mayven says incredulously.
I shrug. “Mom, this is the crazy little woman I’m in love with. Better?”
Mayven opens her mouth. I’m sure she’s about to call me an asshole, but she clamps her lips back shut. “Never mind. It’s very nice to meet you, Ms. Claire.”
“None of that.” Mom laughs. “Claire is fine. Come have a seat.”
Mom pats the seat beside her. I take it and pull Mayven into my lap as an anchor I’m sure I’m going to need. I take my mother in.
The left side of her face never fully recovered after the stroke, so her smile is weak on that side. Her eyes still sparkle a bit, but not like they used to when I was little—very little. I remember now that smile changed at some point.
Mom cups Skittles’ face. “Oh, you are very pretty. Mayven, as in Mayven Jennings? The mayor’s daughter?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Ah, I remember your mother. She had a lovely spirit and was a gorgeous woman as well,” Mom says.
“Uncle Blake called you?” I say cutting through all the BS.
“Actually, he came to see me.” She moves her hand from Skittles’ cheek to mine. You’ve always looked so much like your father. You may have my eyes and dimples, but you are all him.”
“Why would you keep something like this from me? From Leo and Scarlett.”
The smile drops from her lips. “Our story is complicated. I can’t say I’m proud of all of it.
“I didn’t know who he was. Things were never supposed to go as far as they did. I met your father one summer in a jewelry store. I was getting the clasp to my necklace fixed.
“I was enamored from the moment he said hello.
Nicky was so handsome and charming. His hazel-green eyes lit up when he spoke. He asked me to dinner—”
“Wait, wait,” I cut her off. “His name was Nicky?”
She smiles and nods. “Nicky William Blake.”
Well, there goes one answer. My full name is William Nicky Pitman. I now understand why Thaddeus always called my name with such disdain and disgust.
“Whatever this story is, I just want you to know you have balls of steel,” I say to my mom.
She shakes her head. “I wish I did,” she says and frowns before she continues. “If he would have known my family ties with the Pitman family, he probably would have walked away.”
“Bullshit,” I scoff. “If he was my father, he wouldn’t have cared.”
She looks me in the eyes with her smile stretched as far as it will go and chuckles. “You’re right, but the Knight and Pitman families already had bad blood. To this day they do.
“Your brother Anthony never knew his father or his mother because of the Pitman family. Gordon Pitman was a ruthless man.” She pauses with this distant look in her eyes. “I was never right for Nicky. I was a little socialite and he… he came from a different world. He was so different from them, but he was still a part of them.
“I knew nothing of the world outside of my parents’ money and grand parties, Nicky started out as an adventure for me. I didn’t know I would fall in love.
“We were both intended to marry others. Willow was very sweet. She loved Nicky as a friend. They were close friends actually, but neither of them had intimate love for each other.
“I… I never loved Thaddeus. He was… difficult to get along with and was very entitled. I tried, truly I did.
“When my father found out I was carrying you he was furious and wanted to disown me. Gordon Pitman threatened to ruin me if I didn’t follow through with the marriage or tried to get rid of the baby.
Pit: The A**hole Club Series Page 24
