I start to speak, but he pushes me. “I lost a brother, but I also gained one the day I met you. So I’m begging you not to go after Loki, because if you die I’ll be destroyed again and I don’t think I can take that.”

Fucking hell.

Jace has always been important to me—Cole, too—and I considered them my family, but I never knew he felt like I was his.

The sound of someone sniffing has us both turning to Cole.

Jace’s expression twists in horror. “Motherfucker, are you crying?”

“Nah, man,” Cole says, rolling his shoulders back. “They got some onions up in this bitch or something.”

Jace and I start howling with laughter.

“Sawyer must keep his balls in a jar on the nightstand,” Jace jokes. “Right next to her Bible.”

“Dammit. I’m telling you, it’s the onions,” Cole argues.

“It’s okay, man,” I tell him. “I love you, too.”

Cole’s demeanor turns serious. “Does that mean you won’t go through with it then?”

“Which is it, Oak?” Jace gestures to himself and Cole. “Your brothers…or Loki? Because you can’t have both.”

I want my revenge on Loki so bad I can fucking taste it.

But I want my family back even more.

“I’ll let the legal system handle it...for now,” I tell them.

But if they don’t end up getting it right…then I fucking will.

Cole gives me a pound and hugs me. “For once you made the right decision.” He sniffs. “My baby’s all grown up.”

I shove him. “Asshole.”

“Yeah, but you still missed my ass.” He jerks his head in the direction of the door. “I’m gonna check on the girls.”

Jace’s glare is scrutinizing. “Given you beat the shit out of Stone and Bianca practically dragged Cole and I here by our ears, I assume you and my sister are talking again?”

I have no reason to lie to him. “Yeah.”

I expect him to give me shit and tell me to stay away from her, but the next words out of his mouth have my stomach filling with lead.

“Only because she doesn’t know everything.”

Chapter 61

Bianca

“Are you done yet?” Wayne questions, reaching for his tray.

Please. I haven’t even started.

“Nope.” I snap, wagging my finger. “Don’t you ever tell me to stay away from your son again. I love him, and unlike the rest of the women in his life, I will never hurt him…or abandon him.” I push his food tray toward him. “Now you can finish your water.”

Eyebrows raised, Wayne brings the straw to his mouth. “If this psychology thing doesn’t work out, you should consider going into law. You’d be a shark in the courtroom.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Huffing, I cross my arms. “Does this mean you support us being together?”

I know how much Oakley loves his dad, so having his blessing is important.

Wayne chokes on his drink. “Hardly.” He rubs his forehead. “But it’s obvious you love him, or you wouldn’t be in here fighting with me…hours after I had surgery.” Leaning back against the pillow, he frowns. “The love between you two isn’t the issue, Bianca. It’s the drama and toxic events that transpire. More than anything, I want my son to be happy. Happy and sober. I’m just not convinced you two being together is the right thing for him, because the last time you two were involved he ended up getting trashed and killing a girl.”

“That’s the thing, Mr. Zelenka. Oakley and I were happy together before the accident. Yes, tragic events occurred—so I get why you think I’m no good for him—but our relationship was healthy.”

We changed each other for the better.

My hands find my hips. “And just so we’re clear, Oakley’s sobriety is important to me.”

And I’m okay with being number two, as long as his sobriety always remains number one.

Despite looking like he wants to keep quarreling, Wayne heaves a sigh of defeat. “I’m not going to win this argument, am I?”

“Nope.” I throw up my hands. “But if you’re even half as stubborn as I am, you’ll never come around.” I hold his gaze. “Just know that I can’t wait to prove you wrong.”

He eyes me skeptically. “We’ll see about that.”

“I’m being serious,” I tell him. “In fact, you should start apologizing and kissing my ass now.” My thumb hits my chest. “Because I’m gonna be your daughter-in-law one day and I’ve been known to hold one hell of a grudge. Just ask Dylan.”

He starts choking on his drink again. “Anyone ever tell you you’re insane?”

“Yeah, your son.” I flash him a feisty grin as I saunter to the door. “Right before he fell for me.”

Fluttering my fingers, I walk out.

And run straight into the woman from earlier.

The look she gives me makes me want to bash her head against the wall.

“Let me guess, you’re here to console your junkie boyfriend.”

The woman must be clinically insane or have a death wish.

“Excuse me?”

Rolling her eyes, she mutters, “Moron.”

I have no idea who the hell this bitch is or what her issue with me is, but no way in hell am I going to stand here and let her call Oakley a junkie or me a moron.

“I’m sorry.” I cup my ear. “I could have sworn you just called my boyfriend a junkie and me a moron…but I know you can’t possibly be that fucking dumb, so I’m going to give you one second to apologize before I shove your Louboutins up your ass.”

Past…

I swear on all that is holy I’m going to kick that bitch’s ass from here to kingdom come tomorrow.

So I messed around with girls? Big freaking deal.

Caitlyn was dicked down by half the football team last year.

Whatever. I refuse to let her ruin what’s going to be a good night.

Squaring my shoulders, I walk across the lawn to the guesthouse.

Oakley always knows exactly how to make me feel better.

I twist the doorknob. “Honey, I’m h—”

Talking to myself…because he’s not home.

Hmm. He’s probably still at his dad’s.

Depending on how late he’s going to stay, I might have to reschedule the dinner we have planned with my brothers tonight.

After fishing around my purse for my phone, I bring it to my ear.

Oakley answers on the fourth ring.

I’m not sure what’s happening at his dad’s house, but it sounds like there’s one hell of a party going on in the background.

“Oakley? Hello—”

“Bianca,” he slurs on the other line.

And just like that, my heart crumbles.

“Are you drunk?”

He’s been sober for a month now. Well, with the exception of weed, but I know he mainly does that because it helps with his seizures.

I’m not sure why he’d throw his sobriety out the window like this.