✓ [18+] SACRIFICE

F O R T Y - T W O : L U C K Y M A N

F O R T Y - T W O : L U C K Y  M AN

D A N T E

TWO WEEKS LATER:

I'm sitting in my office, going over the paperwork for the next security mission Jax and I have when I hear an annoying tap at the window.

I already know it's Merlin and roll my eyes as I lean back and open it up for him. He flies in and lands on my desk with a squawk. I continue looking through the paperwork when I hear the sound of someone clearing their throat. I look up at Merlin through my lashes, giving him an annoyed look.

"What do you want Merlin? It seems like anytime you come around anymore is to be my fathers messenger boy," I smirk at him and lean back in my chair.

"Boy, don't get like that with me. I'm here on an important matter on account of your father," he ruffles his feathers and shakes his head with annoyance at my attitude.

"And why couldn't my father just come and tell me himself? Seems like the only time I see him is for business. I can't even remember the last time he came to my home to see how his only son was doing. Actually the last time he came here was to bug me about taking his spot as head of the clan, not even a week after Kat's funeral. I'd just lost the love of my life and all he cared about was when I was going to take my rightful place as leader. Could that be why you're here today? To convince me to change my mind?" I growl lowly.

I'm still upset with my fathers actions the last six months. He is a man of business and always has been. To him, his clan and business always comes before his family. It's because of that, that I never wanted to get married and start a family. I figured if that's how I was meant to turn out, to completely ignore my wife and children, then I never wanted to be a part of that. I know, once I take my place as head, that will happen.

Merlin lowers his head. He knows all too well how my father is and that I'm right. Merlin more than once voiced his opinion to my father about how he was with me growing up, only to be shut down quickly.

"Well you can tell my father, I decline once again," I sit up straight and stand from my desk, needing to get out of this stuffy office.

"Dante...your father isn't a bad man. He just has a duty that's much bigger than you," Merlin tries to explain but I shake my head.

"I know that Merlin. But just for once, I wish he would've thought about his family and what was best for them first," I walk out of the office and head for the master bedroom to change into gym clothes. I need to go for a run or a workout to loosen up all this tension.

Before I make it to the front door, Skye comes running in with excitement. I smile down at her curiously as Kat walks through the door behind her. Kat smiles at me and quickly grabs my hand, leading me outside to the back of the garage where the gym is. As soon as we make it inside, she shoves me up against the closed door and presses her lips to mine. Her kiss is urgent and filled with excitement. I chuckle into her kiss, already feeling better and out of my sour mood.

"What's gotten into you beautiful?" I ask her with a smile and wrap my arms around her waist.

"Dante...I have something I want to show you," she bounces in excitement as she pulls a piece of paper out from her back pocket, handing it to me.