Chapter 184: Dad's Office
*I was trying to protect her. Someone needs to. – James*
James knocked lightly on his dad’s door. Toad barely looked up from his phone call and just pointed to a chair. The son sat in the chair and reached for the rubix cube and his dad shook his head.
It was another ten minutes before he hung up the phone. “Close the door.”
James started to stand only to discover Werewolf in the doorway. The large man came into the office and closed the door before making his way to the couch.
“He’s taking her out to the greenhouse to pick plants.” Werewolf said as he sat down and handed the file folder over to his president.
“What you are about to learn, stays here. You mention it, and it won’t be any of us that you have to worry about.” Toad warned. “Your mother finally has a daughter, and she is not happy with her son right now.”
James nodded and then accepted the file folder from his dad. Inside were pictures of Nessie from when Khan and Arnold snatched her in Germany. The bruises and broken arm made his stomach turn.
Then came the pictures of the scars on her back. On her legs. Her abdomen. Werewolf handed over a sick bag and James threw up in it.
“My men said that it took three months for her to sleep more than a few hours before waking up screaming.” Werewolf said coldly.
“She still has nightmares. They’re not as bad or as often. He’s good for her.” Toad added.
“Grams-”
“I know exactly what Grams wants me to know. But as she says, it’s not set until it happens.” Toad interrupted his son. “More importantly, Nessie wants to live. She wants to go out.”
“She might die.”
“We all die.” Werewolf replied. “Question is if we live. If you could have seen them last night,” he grinned at the younger man, “Lollipop.”
“I’m never going to outlive that.” James groaned.
“Nope.” Toad took out a nameplate and held it up. Lollipop. “And yes, I have one for your brother.”
“You’re going to let me prospect for you?”
“That’s up to the brothers. You better start making amends with Ness. If she’s upset with you, the whole fucking club is upset with you.”
“That’s her kitchen.” Werewolf added. “We don’t tell her what to do in her kitchen. She tells us what we’re doing in her kitchen. And we are fucking grateful. When my wife was sick last month, Nessie made sure that we all had meals. And she had no problems with the babies being up here.”
“Starting this afternoon, you will help Zee with the grab and go. She’s the cute little girl with blue hair.” Toad said putting the patch back in his desk. “Girls start lunch prep about ten thirty. There’s a break in the afternoon and then the afternoon crew comes in. Riley, short blonde hair and a zillion piercings, will tell you what to do until Nessie comes back in at five.”
“Four.” Werewolf corrected. “Church and girl’s night.”
“Right.” Toad ran a hand through hair. “Which means breakfast prep won’t get started until after the kids get picked up. She’s right. We need more full-time kitchen staff.”
“Cookie says that his crew can start on the daycare next week. Kilo says that they can hand over the keys in February. Clay should have it ready within about a week. Working with the city to have everything ready for opening by March one.” Werewolf said looking at notes on his tablet. “My guys are setting up first stage of security tomorrow.”
Toad nodded. “That will help get the kids out of here, in three months.”
“We’ve got Lollipop to help out.” Werewolf gave a slight chin lift towards James. “He doesn’t have a job yet.”
“Yeah. And health department will be out next month. Devils will be locked up in my office.” Toad rolled his eyes. “I don’t remember running guns being this much of a headache.”
Werewolf chuckled. “Different headaches. Lollipop, what did you do in the army?”
“Infantry. I thought that I might see about working for you.” He answered looking over at the large man.
Werewolf grunted. “Prove yourself in the kitchen and we’ll see. I need to talk to your dad. Zee is expecting you.” He held his hand out for the file which was handed over.
As the younger man made his way to the door, Werewolf cleared his throat and pointed at the sick bag. Grabbing it up, James nodded and then left the office. Toad got up and locked the door before turning on the white noise machine.
