by Amelia Shea
After their first fight yesterday, she was hoping for a fun and light weekend with Cia. While things between Saint and Bailey had been resolved, a small tension lingered. She knew it stemmed from his fear for her safety. It was coming from a good place. His heart. Still, she didn’t like it. Cia’s presence was a much-needed distraction from the Adam situation. Her energy was contagious.
Except at the moment.
“Not gonna even say bye to your mother?” Tara shouted with a smirk on her face. Cia didn’t even spare her mom a glance. She continued up to the house, her head hanging low, clearly upset by something Tara was amused by.
Cia dragged her feet on the steps. She expected her to go directly to Saint’s side. Instead she veered toward Bailey. It caught her off guard, and she quickly unclasped her hands when she realized Cia was coming in for a hug. Bailey wrapped her hands around her numb body and hugged her into her chest. “Hey sweetie, you all right?”
“No.” It was a pouty reply. Bailey tightened her lips and glanced over at Saint. He smiled but not at her. At us. He liked this, her close to his daughter. So did she.
Bailey rubbed her back. “Can it be solved with junk food, pizza, and manicures?”
She shrugged. “We can try.”
Bailey held back a giggle and leaned over, kissing her head before releasing her. Cia continued her sad walk and fell into Saint’s side. He reached out, tugging her close for a hug she didn’t return.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hi, Daddy.” Her tone was low and mumbled as she stared down at the ground with a sad frown.
“Not gonna see Mom for a couple days. Wanna say bye?”
Cia lifted her hand with a short wave, and a muttered, “Bye.”
Tara smiled, shaking her head and walked up to the porch carrying Cia’s bag. She plopped it on the ground and sighed dramatically. Bailey smiled. She liked Tara, enjoyed being around her, loved the only connection she wanted with Saint was friendship and co-parenting. Bailey was thankful Tara was kind and inviting, and most of all, she liked Bailey and what she and Saint had.
“Well,” she announced, placing her hands on her rounded pregnant belly. “It’s another boy for the Dillon clan.”
Bailey’s heart sank, and her eyes darted over to Cia. Saint’s girl was really hoping for a little sister. She spent hours talking with Bailey about what she was going to do with her little sister, even offering to share her room. Bailey drew in a breath and smiled.
“Congratulations, Tara, boys are awesome.”
Tara smiled. “Thanks, Bailey, I think so too.”
“Happy for you guys, T,” Saint said, curling Cia into his side as if some way he could take the disappointment from her. God, I love this man.
“Another boy,” Cia mumbled.
Bailey covered her mouth, and Tara rolled her eyes. “Baby, I can’t control the gender. Trust me, If I could have, I would give you a baby sister.”
“You said this one would be a girl,” Cia muttered.
Tara lifted her finger, shaking her head. “No, I said there was a chance, baby.”
“Now, you’re quitting, and I’ll never get a sister,” Cia said, curling closer into Saint’s side.
“Oh Lord, help me.” Tara jerked her head toward the sky.
“What am I missing?” Saint asked. She was glad he did because Bailey was just as confused with Cia’s statement. Quitting what?
Tara sighed, resting her hands on her hips. “Denny and I have decided baby number three is gonna be our last. Gonna get my tubes tied this time. I’m too old to be getting knocked up.”
Bailey burst out laughing. Tara had no filter, something Saint said she was like even as a kid. She wasn’t the only one amused. She heard the masculine rumble and saw Saint smiling down at Tara.
“Not fair.”
Tara threw her hands above her head. “Baby, this isn’t my fault. Let’s blame Denny, okay?” Again, Bailey found herself laughing at Tara’s eagerness to throw her husband under the bus. Motherhood was rough. Sometimes a mom had to pass the buck and spare herself some guilt. “He only makes boys, and I told you, it’s the man who determines the sex of the baby. See, it’s Denny’s fault.”
“Tara,” Saint warned.
She shrugged, then her eyes landed on Saint, then Bailey, and she smirked. Bailey suspected the conversation was about to make an abrupt turn.
Oh no, don’t you dare.
“Denny only makes boys, but your daddy makes girls, baby.”
Oh, hell she did it!
Cia’s head popped up and eagerly smiled at her dad. “Dad, you should have a baby with Bailey. It’ll definitely be a girl. Oh please, Dad.” Cia bounced on her toes. Had it been anyone else in the scenario, Bailey would have laughed. A nine-year-old girl begging her dad to knock up his girlfriend? Hilarious.
“Baby,” Saint said, and then huffed a breath scowling at Tara.
“Oh, please, Dad? You love Bailey, I hear ya tell her all the time, and I hear her say it back.” She planted her hands on Saint’s stomach. “And we have an extra room here.” She whipped her head to Bailey. “And you said you like babies, remember?”
Bailey pressed her lips and smiled with a slow nod. “I do like babies.” She flicked her eyes to Saint, and the corner of his mouth curled slightly. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from the warmth of his eyes. Until Cia continued.
“See, Daddy.”
Tara burst out laughing and Bailey followed. She couldn’t help herself, it was a hysterical conversation being led by a nine-year-old. Saint shook his head and sighed.
“No more talking about babies. Go say bye to your mom and get your stuff to your room. Club barbeque in an hour.”
“Awesome!” Cia shouted and ran down the steps embracing Tara. She grabbed her bag and raced inside. Saint waited until they no longer heard her footsteps and turned his heated glare on Tara.
“Not cool, T.”
“Oh hell, lighten up, Saint.”
“Lighten up? You just told her when Bailey has my baby it’ll be a girl. What if it’s a boy, T? Now ya gonna have my girl hating me?”
Tara scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Christ sake, Saint, no, she won’t. Hell, Cia thinks you walk on water. Loves her daddy more than anything else in the world.” She gazed over at Bailey. “And you? Non-stop talking, Bailey this, Bailey that.”
Ohhhh. “I’m sorry.”
Tara furrowed her brows. “Why the hell are ya sorry? She loves you, and I want her to love you, Bailey. Hell, I’m half in love with ya.” Tara winked. “That’s all I want, all of us, you guys, me and Denny, our boys, Cia, and hopefully your babies, all one big fucking family.”
Aw….that sounds nice.
Tara chuckled and shook her head. “I just need her not to hate me for this. She’s not a baby anymore. Now, one day she hates me, the other she loves me.” Tara sighed and her shoulders sagged. “Just take this one for me, Saint?”
Bailey smirked as Saint glared at his ex. “I’ll take it.”
“Thank you, and well, if ya have a girl, everyone wins. Besides, your eyes on Bailey’s beautiful face.” She burst out laughing. “You need to start stocking double ammo for the boys who are gonna come calling for Cia and your girls.”
Tara continued laughing across the yard, but halted and turned back. “Almost forgot. Christmas. My folks are coming and Denny’s sister and the kids. I’ll give you first dibs on the basement if ya want?”
Saint shook his head. “We’ll get a room.”
Tara winked. “Good. Start making that baby sister for Cia.”
“Tara,” he warned with a growl.
She waved her hand dismissing him which made Bailey chuckle.
“Bailey, you make anything special?”
“Cookies?”
“Girl after my own heart. Saint, you’re in charge of beer, Bailey with the cookies. Have a good weekend.”
Saint walked over hugging Bailey into his chest and she curved her back settling in as they waved to
Tara.
“I try to picture you two as a couple, but I just can’t.”
“Sweetheart, there’s a reason we only lasted a few years.”
Bailey giggled, resting her head back, onto his chest. “Can I tell you something crazy?”
His lips grazed her ear. “What?”
The heat rose from her neck to her cheeks. “I think about what our babies would look like.”
She angled her head to look up at him. His brows arched and he searched her face.
“You mean, what they will look like.” His lips skimmed hers causing a heated tingling rush to course through her body. “They’ll be beautiful, just like their mom.”
“They’re probably going to be a little bit of trouble.” She smirked brushing her nose against his jaw. His chest rumbled against her back.
“Oh, they’ll definitely be trouble.” He cupped her jaw and she angled her head, staring back into his eyes. “Strong and beautiful hellraisers.”
****
Saint walked down the stairs, veering into the kitchen. He stopped in the doorway, appreciating the view. Bailey was at the sink with her back to him. Her tight jeans hugged her ass in a way which had him adjusting his stance. It was a tease. He knew he couldn’t have her. It was her rule, not his. If Saint was the deciding factor, Bailey would be in his bed tonight.
“Staying the night?” He watched her hair slide across her back as she shook her head. He smirked. It was worth a shot, no shame in asking.
He walked through the kitchen, coming up behind Bailey and gripping her hips, pressing his growing erection against her ass. She swiveled her hips, and he dropped his mouth to her neck.
“No,” she whispered. He assumed she was trying to be firm but it came out more of a purr. He chuckled and planted a kiss on her neck before stepping away and making his way to the fridge. He grabbed the handle, but stopped to read the list on the outer door.
Bailey and Cia had made her Christmas list after dinner. It was a sight which hit him hard. They’d spent an hour writing it, mostly laughing. Nothing made him happier than knowing his daughter loved Bailey as much as he did. Almost. He didn’t think a person alive could feel more for Bailey than he did.
He opened the door, grabbing a water before turning back to Bailey. He loved the idea of her spending the holidays with them. Being a month away, he hadn’t thought to mention it until Tara did. He’d been waiting all day to bring it up but didn’t want Cia to be around when he did.
“Not going home for Christmas?”
She halted at his question then glanced over her shoulder. “Ghosttown is my home.”
“You know what I mean, to your parents’?”
She shrugged, turning back and grabbed the towel drying off her hands. She was purposely avoiding eye contact. Saint watched as she quietly worked around his kitchen. She walked to the fridge, opening the door and remained silent.
“Sweetheart.” It was obviously a touchy subject, though he wasn’t sure why. Bailey had mentioned her family with ease. She didn’t share much. From what she did, it seemed as though she had a good relationship with them.
She closed the door, keeping her hand on the handle of the fridge. He noticed the tension in her tight brows.
“I go back east every other year. I went last year.” She raised her brows. “This is my year off.”
Saint was leaning against the door frame with his arms folded. “Year off?” He chuckled. “You make it sound like a community service.”
She snorted. “It’s complicated.”
“Thought you got along with your family?”
She released the door and grasped her hands in front of her. It was obvious she was not enjoying the conversation. Why?
“I do.”
Maybe he was reading this from the wrong angle. Could Bailey be tight lipped about her family in fear they wouldn’t approve of him? Saint never gave much thought to how others perceived him. However, if it was a concern for her, then it would be an issue for him.
“You think Mom and Dad will approve?” he asked.
She whipped around and pointed. “Of you?”
He cocked a brow and nodded. The corners of her mouth curled.
“Oh yeah, my mom is going to love you. Seriously, she might even flirt with you, but don’t freak out, she’s like that with everyone.” She gave a bright smile, the first since the topic had come up. “And my dad has watched every biker documentary on tv so he’ll spend hours picking your brain and probably ask for you to divulge secrets.” She raised her hands. “Of course, I know you won’t. Just giving you a heads up.” She chuckled. “My brothers, especially Van, will seriously love you, Saint. Cia too.”
The information should have put him at ease. It didn’t. He was left wondering what she was holding back.
Her smile faltered. “Did you think you were the reason I wasn’t going for Christmas?”
He shrugged, remaining silent. He wanted her to open up without having to push her.
She rested her hand on her chest. “It’s me, Saint, not you, I promise.”
He lifted his chin. “What do you mean, it’s you?”
She drew in a breath then gulped and inhaled another breath. “I love my family.” She sighed and scrunched her nose. “This is going to sound bad.”
Saint smirked. “Tell me.”
“Promise not to hold it against me?”
He nodded.
“They drive me nuts.”
Saint chuckled. “Why?”
Bailey rolled her eyes. “I love them.”
“You said that.” He held back his amusement.
She folded her arms. “Ever since the incident with Adam, they’ve become increasingly overbearing and overprotective.” She widened her eyes which made him chuckle. “Except my youngest brother, Van, who also moved a thousand miles away from my family, so it’s not just me.” She winked then her humor faded.
“When it happened,” she jerked her chin toward her arms and didn’t elaborate on the it, “my family rallied around me, of course. My mom spent nights at the hospital, can’t remember a day when my dad wasn’t there, same with my brothers. Everyone just wanted to help me.” She paused. “And they did.” She smiled. “I really don’t think I could have gotten through it without them.”
His chest tightened. It may not have been him, but she had her people with her. “Sounds like good people, Bailey.”
“They are. They all stood by me during my recovery and the trial. I couldn’t ask for a better support system.” She dragged her hand down her face. “This is going to sound so bad.”
“Tell me.”
She dropped her hand from her face. She was struggling with her honesty.
“Tell me, sweetheart.”
She sighed. “It changed them. I could feel the anxious air when I’d walk in a room, they walked on eggshells around me. Everyone was so guarded with what they said and how they spoke to me. Even my older brothers, who had made it their life’s mission to tease and torture me throughout our childhood.” She snorted. “They were so damn polite and kind and different with me.” She stared at the floor and whispered. “I can’t believe how much I missed being mocked and ridiculed by them.” She sighed. “I just wanted everything to be normal. It took me a while to realize, this was the new normal. And unless I changed it, this would be my life.” She rolled her shoulder and lowered her voice. “And theirs, too.”
It was an eye opener seeing all the damage Adam had cost Bailey. Damage beyond the naked eye. His actions hadn’t only scarred Bailey but her family too.
“So you moved and became Mayor of Ghosttown?”
She laughed and glanced up. “Pretty much.” Her cheeks turned a dark shade of pink. “I just needed space from them and their constant coddling. And they needed it too, though they’d never admit it. It sounds worse than it is, I swear.” She glanced down, fiddling with a string on her shirt. “It was a good move for my family as a whole.”
“How’d they feel about t
he move?”
She groaned. “They hated it, but my dad reasoned with my mom, and she finally stopped giving me a guilt trip every time I spoke to her.” She pursed her lips. “Oddly enough, the distance brought back some normalcy. I still limit my visits.” She twisted her lips. “My family is wonderful, in small doses.”
“They visit often?”
She nodded. “Mom and Dad twice a year, and my youngest brother, Van, comes for a week in the summer.” She smirked. “You’ll like him, reminds me a lot of Gage.”
Just what we need, another Gage. He snickered. “I look forward to meeting them all.”
She squinted her eyes. “You don’t think it’s wrong? Me keeping distance with my family?”
Saint shook his head. “I wouldn’t tell you what to do, I don’t walk in your shoes, Bailey.” He pushed off the wall and started toward her. There was no hesitation when he got close to her. She reached out, resting her hands on his chest. “It’s your choice how you handle it.”
The corner of her lips curled. “I always have a choice. It’s what you said to me on our first date.”
“Always.” He leaned in kissing her lips. “Just like now, you have a choice to stay the night.”
She pulled back and rolled her eyes. He could see the humor glimmering in her gaze. “I’m not sleeping over with Cia here.”
“Just sleeping, sweetheart.”
She snorted and poked his chest. “You’re a bad liar, Saint.”
He chuckled and released her from his arms. If she wasn’t staying, then he didn’t want her out driving too late. She seemed to be on the same page as she grabbed her sweater and bag from his table.
“I’m going to get some groceries before I stop over in the morning.” She started out the door and he followed. He’d heard her mentioning to Cia about baking something. The two of them had planned out the next two days since Cia had off on Monday and would be spending it with them.
She turned at her car and he ambled closer, sending her back against the door. He cupped her jaw, grazing her cheeks with his thumbs.
