Chapter 163

Chapter 163
Jett

“Man, I cannot believe how big Belle is getting. Look at her already getting around, holding on to stuff. She’s gonna be running around like crazy any day soon,” Jackson says as we sit out the back of the cabin, a beer in hand each. Jackson has a goofy grin on his face as he watches Belle moving around and stumbling with his daughter, now two, trying to help her. It’s fucking adorable, is what it is.

Cecille and Kitty are inside finishing off the salads. We offered to help, but those ladies want us out of the kitchen.

“You can say that again. She’s a little misfit when she wants to be. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Belle is headstrong and stubborn, just like her mother.”  I take a pull from the neck of the bottle.

“Gonna have your hands full with her,” he tells me with a grin.

“Tell me about it. With the looks she will grow into, I am going to have to vet any boy who talks to her.”

We both chuckle. “Ain’t that the truth. I’m not letting my girl date anyone until she is forty.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “Yeah, right. Your girl is exactly like you and her mother. She is fiery and have you witnessed those terrible two’s, temper tantrums she pulls?” I say. Only last week, when we took a trip down to visit my stepmom, father, and Cecile and Jackson, his daughter had such a tantrum that it was kind of scary. Because her daddy wouldn’t stop everything and make her pancakes. She threw herself on the floor and started thrashing her arms and legs around. Man, I hope Belle is not like that when she hits two.

“You have it all coming, Bro,” he tells me, winking. I groan.

“So, how are things with the club?” I ask him as I finish the last of the bottle of beer. I don’t reach for another one, as I promised Kitty that she could enjoy some drinks with Cecille today and that I would take care of Belle. Jackson is stopping after one too; he wants his woman to enjoy her time with Kitty. They are staying over in one of the guest rooms.

“All is going well. We sold off the casinos and the club. You should see the money in your account at the end of the week. Everything is tied up. We took a vote and took heed of your suggestion. It is time to let the businesses go and focus on our own workshops and bikes and the long rides out, and being a club. Not trying to run around being billionaires.”

I throw my head back and laugh as he taps the stub of the bottle against his thick, black boots. “What the fuck are you laughing at, Man?”

I control myself. “We aren’t quite billionaires, but we all have a few mill tucked away now.”

“Huh, go figure, right?” he rolls his broad shoulders back. “Who’d have thought us skinny ass kids back then would become rich?”

“I know I certainly didn’t,” I reply. “You should hand your business over to someone, Jackson and enjoy the time with Cecille and the little one. Maybe take them on a long road trip, a tour of the States. There are some amazing places to visit. You could put another baby in that woman of yours for your little girl.”

He almost chokes. “Are you fucking kidding me? One is enough. Uh-nuh, we ain’t having another one. Besides, Cecille wants to get her beauty business off the ground. I hear that Kitty is going to invest with some of the money she received from her father.”

I nod. “Yeah, she wants to be part of it. I think they will make a good team. They’re planning on opening a few places and employing some of the women in the club. They plan on having on-site creches for the children. I reviewed their business plan and had my lawyer look over everything; the contract is tight for them. Now they just need to find the premises.”

“Cecille has scouted a few. She is narrowing it down to three. One here, one in Malibu and one in San Jose.”

I raise my eyebrows. “San Jose? Seriously? I mean, it could be difficult for them there.”

He nods in agreement. “Don’t worry, the ladies won’t be going out there. She intends to hire local girls. We have the contacts. It’ll be fine.”

“Okay. I trust the ladies. Let’s toast to them.” We clink the necks of our empty bottles together. The ladies come out of the back of the cabin laden down with trays of various types of salad, ranging from green, pasta and rice.

My stomach grumbles in appreciation.

“What are you two celebrating?” Cecille asks as she places her tray down on the long, pine table that seats twelve. It’s seen better days, but you know, we like the weathered, used look. Much fun has been had around it.

“You and Kitty going into business together. We’re proud of you both,” I say as Kitty places her tray down and scoops Belle up for a hug. Belle instantly grabs her mother’s cheeks. Kitty blows blueberries against my daughter’s face. I’m telling you, I will never get tired of seeing my girls together. It makes my heart squeeze.

We all sit at the table and chat about various topics. The sun shines warmly down on us. It’s a nice time of year. Sunny without the extreme summer heat. Life is beautiful right now. How can it get any better than this?