“I’m in love with your ex-wife,” Joker returned, no amusement in his voice, his eyes locked to Neiland’s. “I’ve loved her since high school, man. She means everything to me. You gotta drag her down, that’ll suck, but I’ll pick her back up. You gotta rip her apart, I’ll fuckin’ hate watchin’ it, but I’ll put her back together. Do what you gotta do to make you feel like you got the bigger dick. But know this, in the end, it’s gonna be her and me. So take your shot. Spend your money. Score those marks on your soul. Scar your son. Push her to the point she can’t stand the sight of you. But do it knowin’ that’s all on you. Just like everything that went before, it’s all on you.”

With that, Joker dismissed him. Turning to his bike, mounting it, switching the ignition, backing out, he didn’t even look at the man.

He rode away knowing that wouldn’t be the end. He also rode away knowing he had to have a chat with his brothers.

But he rode away hoping that whatever end that man pushed for, it didn’t scar his son.

The rest, Joker had in hand.

* * *

He wasn’t surprised Carissa was tense that Monday while waiting for Neiland to return Travis.

He just didn’t know all the reasons why she was tense.

When the man showed, like he’d been making a habit of doing, Joker stood back, making sure she knew he had her back and Neiland registered his presence.

This time, fortunately, the drop off lasted a much shorter time.

But it curled nauseatingly in his gut, watching as Neiland tried to crawl right up her ass, deciding to ignore Joker and focus solely on her, giving so much saccharine, it was a wonder the room didn’t explode with it.

But she was all about her kid, forcing the courtesy, and the two boxes that Neiland made a big show about going back to his car and getting for her.

She was only slightly pushy in closing the door on his ass.

But once he was gone, cuddling Travis to her, she moved right to the window and watched him go.

So Joker did too.

The second the Lexus pulled from the curb, Carissa was in his space.

“Say hi to Joker, sweetie pie. Mommy’s gotta do something real quickly,” she said, giving Travis a kiss, a cuddle and handing him off to Joker.

Then she dropped right down to the boxes, tearing off the tape.

Joker gave his own cuddles to the kid, glad to have him back, his weight in his arms, hearing the noises he made.

But his eyes were on Carissa.

She dug through the first box in a frenzy, and watching it, Joker felt his frame string tight.

“Carrie, what the—?”