The Saint

by Amelia Shea

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  Bailey leaned closer for a kiss, mumbling. “Hearing those words, never gets old.” Her lips spread and her tongue slid against his lower lip. Kissing Bailey never gets old. Her hands drifted around his back. She slowed the kiss which was a good idea. Another few minutes of kissing her and he’d be taking away her choice of staying the night. His lips grazed her mouth.

  “I love you too.” She smiled and leaned in for a quick kiss. He stepped away, opening her door and allowing her the space to slide in.

  He waited until she turned out of the driveway.

  Saint was making his way up the back steps when his phone rang. He glanced down and quickly answered. He’d been waiting to hear from Decker, knowing he’d only call when he had information.

  “Yeah.”

  “Saint, how’s it going?”

  “Good. How about you?”

  Decker laughed. “All’s good here. So, I pulled up everything I could. It was a bitch getting the phone records. Had to call in a fuck ton of favors for that one.” He paused. He didn’t need to go on, Saint understood what he was insinuating with his silence. Saint would owe Decker.

  “Let me know what ya need.”

  “I will. But back to you. You already know he’s shacking up with his sister. Got a factory job, third shift. Had a guy tail him last week. Nothing out the ordinary.”

  “Where does he spend his time?”

  Decker laughed. “Where do most ex-cons spend their free time, Saint? Titty bars.”

  Saint rolled his eyes. “Phone records?”

  “Yeah.” He inhaled a deep breath which Saint could hear through the receiver. “On average, he makes four calls daily to your woman.”

  Saint gripped the phone, feeling the rush of ice stream through his veins. “Does she take them?”

  “Only a few, for about five seconds. I figure just enough time to tell him to fuck off then hang up. From what I can tell with the time stamp, he mostly hangs up before leaving a message.”

  “Son of a bitch.”

  “I take it she hasn’t shared that with you, huh?”

  She had withheld in her sharing. Bailey had mentioned his calls, but not four times a day.

  Saint tightened his lips. “Is it a registered phone?”

  “Yeah.” He chuckled. “Dumb fuck, if ya ask me. You stalk a woman, you use a burner, not something that can be traced back to ya.”

  It was reckless, which made Adam more dangerous.

  “Okay. Send me over his employment address and a copy of the phone records.”

  “I’ll send it over now. You let me know ya need anything else.”

  Saint hung up and swung open the door. The new information had him on edge. Usually, he could formulate a plan immediately. This was cutting too close. He dialed the phone and waited as it rang.

  “What’s going on?” Hades asked.

  “Need you to come up tomorrow.”

  “Tell me.”

  It was nothing which could be discussed over the phone.

  “When you get here.”

  His brother cursed. “I got Allie, man. Reach out to Meg for me?”

  Meg had always been their go-to person to watch the kids. However, she wasn’t needed this time.

  “Bailey will be here.”

  “Okay, then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Saint hung up and tossed his phone on the table. He’d wait until he got the call from Bailey that she arrived home safe. He should have insisted she stay. The new information of his incessant calls changed things. Until they knew where Adam’s mind was at, she wasn’t safe. But leaving Cia home alone wasn’t an option either. He’d had the prospects making routine drive-by’s her house since Adam had made an appearance. This new information called for more.

  “Fuck.”

  He grabbed his phone and pulled up the contacts. It was a given, any one of his brothers would step in and have his back. He searched his contacts and called the number. Two rings.

  “What’s up, man?” The noise in the background gave away his location. From the loud music at the clubhouse, he was definitely in the middle of a party.

  “Need eyes on Bailey’s place. I got Cia here, I can’t leave.”

  The small silence had Saint shifting on his feet. The background noise was muted and he heard a door slam.

  “Done. Getting my keys now, I’ll be at her place in ten minutes.”

  Saint nodded his head and sighed in relief. “Thanks, Gage.”

  “Anything for our mayor, brother.” Gage laughed. “You’re a lucky bastard, Saint. I would have called dibs on her had ya not claimed her.”

  Saint smiled. Bailey was a prize and every brother knew it. Unfortunately, for them, she was Saint’s.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It was just past ten when she pulled into Saint’s driveway. She stopped mid-way up the double drive, parking next to an unfamiliar pickup. He hadn’t mentioned having anyone over. She got out and grabbed the bags from the trunk and started toward the backyard.

  “Hi Bailey,” Cia shouted from the swings. She pointed to the swing next to her with a little girl. “This is Allie.”

  Bailey smiled and waved. “Hi Allie.”

  The little girl couldn’t have been more than four, and not as successful as Cia when it came to the swings. Her tiny legs flailed in opposite directions. She was going half the height of Cia. She kept her hands tightly wrapped on the straps, and wiggled her fingers in a wave.

  Bailey made her way up the back steps, glancing over her shoulder at Cia and little Allie. This would be another conversation later. Bailey smiled and opened the door, walking through the tiny mudroom into the kitchen. Saint turned when she cleared her throat.

  “Please tell me she’s not stealing random neighborhood kids to prove how good she would be at having a little sister.”

  Saint furrowed his brows then his lips curled and he laughed. He turned toward her and jerked his chin over her head. “I see ya met Allie.”

  Bailey smirked. “Oh good, so you know the little cutie?”

  He chuckled and nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Do her parents know she’s here?” She stepped forward, no longer caring for the joking banter. All she wanted was a kiss. She was growing addicted to Saint. She wrapped her hands around his waist, resting her chin on his chest. “Where’s my kiss?” she whispered.

  In their time together, Bailey had gotten more brazen, and Saint seemed to enjoy it, though he still seemed slightly amused. His head bent but a slow seduction was not what she wanted. She lifted on her toes and kissed him.

  His lips. Soft. She angled her neck to deepen the kiss, holding herself steady on his hips. With her body meshed against his, there was no denying the erection butting into her stomach. It was almost torturous knowing they’d have to wait. His hands grasped her neck and through her shivers she opened for him, dipping her tongue between his lips. Kissing Saint would never grow old, she guessed. She moaned softly against his mouth. His only response was to tighten his grip on her neck. The thought of stopping because it may have been getting out of hand was fleeting. She pulled him closer, grazing her teeth on his bottom lip and gliding her tongue along the outline. It was a little move, she discovered Saint liked. A lot. Her hand unraveled from his waist and drifted lower.

  A little fooling around, a mere tease in the kitchen while the kids were outside couldn’t hurt. She only got as far as the edge of his pants when he grabbed her wrist halting her. Stunned, she pulled back and found his heated stare slightly amused and corner of his mouth curled.

  “Oh, this is fucking great.” A deep voice riddled with sarcasm jolted her away from Saint. His hand on her neck kept her from getting too far. She jerked her stare over her shoulder to see Hades standing in the doorframe, arms crossed and a harsh scowl.

  Her bottom lip fell open. How long had he been standing there?

  Hades glared at Saint. “You do that shit in front of my kid, I’ll be fuckin
g pissed, Saint. Not looking forward to giving her the fucking talk, period.” He shook his head then turned on Bailey. “Not giving it to her at four, ya get me?”

  She didn’t get him, in fact, she could barely comprehend what he was saying. She was still focused on how long he’d been standing there watching them. Bailey gazed down at the floor. A little heads up from Saint about Hades being there would have been nice. She shot a look to Saint, but his eyes were drawn to Hades.

  “Allie’s fine, relax, Roman.”

  Wait a minute. She jerked her head and stared back at Hades. Allie was his?

  “You have a daughter?” Her tone was clearly shocked. A little detail Hades did not miss.

  “That hard to believe, Bailey?” Hades narrowed his gaze.

  Yes!

  “No,” she blurted.

  Hades snorted, obviously not believing her lie. His gaze lingered between Saint and Bailey, landing on her, and he smirked, shaking his head.

  “It’s always the quiet ones.”

  “Hades.” Saint’s tone was stern with an obvious warning Bailey didn’t miss, and neither did Hades.

  When she glanced back at Hades, he was smirking. Then he mouthed, “Trouble.”

  His teasing halted and he turned his head toward the door just as the girls came barreling in hand in hand. Then something amazing happened. Hades smiled, a true genuine sign of happiness, and it was set on the little girl trailing behind Cia.

  “Can we have lunch now?” Cia asked.

  The room was silent and Bailey had her sole focus on Hades. He was a dad? To a little girl? She hadn’t realized she was staring until he glanced at her and raised his brows. She shifted her gaze and realized everyone was staring at her, waiting on her.

  “So, can we Bailey?” Cia asked, clasping her hand and winding her fingers through hers.

  “Oh, uh…” She turned to Saint and smiled. Why was she asking her?

  He sighed. “Hades needs help with something at the clubhouse, asked if I’d come along.” He seemed uneasy, which was completely out of character for Saint. “Wondering if you could watch the girls tonight.”

  She widened her eyes and nodded. “Sure.”

  “Yeah?” he asked as though he was trying to gage her answer. This was odd.

  “Yeah, no problem.” She squeezed Cia’s hand gaining her attention. “Why don’t you and Allie go watch some TV while I make you sandwiches, sound good?”

  “Yeah. Can we have chips too?”

  “Uh, yeah, as long as it’s good with your dads.” She glanced over at Saint whose face had softened.

  “Whatever ya wanna give them, Bailey.”

  “C’mon,” Hades said, and she watched his hand reach for Allie’s, and she rushed over putting her tiny hand in his. They walked toward the living room, followed by Cia.

  She jerked her gaze to Saint and snickered. “Hades is a dad, huh?”

  Saint snickered, obviously understanding her surprise. “Damn good one, too.” He hooked his arm around her waist. He lowered his voice and she angled her head. “You okay with this?”

  “Yeah.”

  His brows furrowed together. “Was gonna ask, sweetheart. Cia came in before I got the chance. You don’t have to. I can call Meg or one of the girls.”

  She pulled away slightly. “Wait, why would you call someone else?”

  “Just don’t want you to feel like I’m pawning my shit on you.”

  “Don’t you trust me?”

  It was Saint’s turn to look confused. “What?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t have crazy experience with kids, but I mean, I can watch them and feed them and make sure nothing happens.” The more she spoke the more anxious she was getting. “Cia seems really comfortable around me, I mean, I’m pretty sure she likes me. I can take care of them, Saint.”

  “Sweetheart, look at me.”

  She glanced up and saw a small smile playing on his lips. “I know you can. Wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t. Cia doesn’t like ya, Bailey, she loves you. Half the reason she wants to come here is you.” His hands slid up her chest and neck landing on her jaw. He angled her head and reached down, pressing a soft kiss to her lips before straightening. “Just wanna make sure you’re okay with staying with them. Don’t want you to feel like I’m asking you to take on my responsibility.”

  “I want to though.”

  Saint smiled, kissing her again. This time she leaned closer, opening her mouth and taking his kiss deeper.

  “Christ, Saint.” The booming voice behind her jolted Bailey into Saint. His chest rumbled and she glanced up to see him holding back a grin. Caught again.

  ****

  Saint settled into his seat and glanced down at his phone. It was after midnight, he needed to head out soon if he wanted to be there by four. Starting time for that motherfucker. He shoved his phone in his pocket and noticed Hades watching him instead of the club whores.

  “Everything good?” he asked.

  Saint nodded. He had checked in with Bailey a few hours ago. She was settling into bed. Not alone. Apparently, the girls insisted on a movie in his master, and all three were snuggled up watching a movie. They were in safe hands. And so was Bailey. He had a prospect watching the house.

  Saint shifted in his seat. “Gonna head out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Where the fuck are you going?” Kase snapped.

  Saint drew in a breath. He’d mentioned the Adam situation to Hades, but decided to handle it on his own. Unbeknownst to Hades, of course. And his brothers. Or so he thought.

  Kase slammed his beer on the table and leaned forward. “Not fucking alone, brother.”

  It was one of the downfalls of knowing each other so well. Kase knew exactly where he was headed. Saint stood and adjusted his cut.

  “What the fuck, Saint?” Hades asked then glanced over at Kase, who was glaring at him.

  “I can handle him alone.”

  Kase narrowed his gaze. “Not how we do things and you fucking know it.”

  He did. Had it been for another brother, he would have insisted on going himself, along with a few more brothers. It was how the club worked. When Rourke had his issue with Macy’s attacker, they all stood together and handled it.

  Hades shifted in his seat and eyed Saint. “This is why ya gave her the story about us at the club for the night.” He shook his head. “Motherfucker. You just gonna go at it alone?”

  Kase cleared his throat. “Time we paid the motherfucker a visit, brother.”

  It was.

  “I need to get inside his head, see where he’s at.”

  Kase laughed, and Saint glared back at him. Kase and Hades were one at the same.

  “Need to take him out,” Kase said.

  “Talking with Hades, I see.”

  Kase shrugged. “Only way to guarantee her safety.”

  “Yeah, and where does murder fall into your going legit plan, Kase?”

  “There’s always an exception.” He shrugged his shoulder. “This time it’s Bailey.”

  Saint’s hands weren’t completely clean when it came to illegal activities in the past few years. With one exception. Mick.

  His blood brother stood and finished off his beer before slamming the glass on the table. “Let’s go.”

  “Not your business, Hades.” It was bullshit and even Saint knew it.

  “The fuck it isn’t. This asshole thinks he can fuck with my brother’s woman and get away with it? Yeah, it is my fucking business. You and her, my business.”

  Saint was aware of the small gathering around the table. Rourke and Trax rounded his side with Gage making a close entry from the back. Even Dobbs stepped closer to the mix. Not how he wanted to handle it.

  “What’s going on?” Trax asked.

  Kase narrowed his gaze at Saint and dipped his chin, gesturing to Saint. “Your asshole VP thinks his business ain’t ours. Thinks he needs to handle shit with Bailey without the club backing him.”

  “What the fuck, Sa
int?” Rourke snapped.

  Saint eyed Kase and shook his head.

  He smirked, leaning forward. “Your girl.” He raised his brows. “She’s one of mine, now, and if you think for a fucking second I don’t wanna piece of that motherfucker, then you don’t know me as well as ya think you do, brother.”

  Saint tensed his shoulders and straightened his back. “Just a warning, it’s all I’m doing.”

  “And you do it with your brothers at your back,” Kase said through gritted teeth.

  “Gimme ten, I gotta get Macy home,” Rourke said. Trax followed behind and he assumed he’d be doing the same with Cheyenne.

  Saint eyed his brothers. All of them. Those in brotherhood and one in blood.

  Thirty minutes later, they were on the road. They made good time, not one brother needing to stop, and they made it in a little over than three hours. They pulled into the gas station across from the factory Adam had recently been hired to. It was still dark, but from their location, Saint could see everyone who arrived at work. He kept his gaze trained on the parking lot.

  “What’s your plan?”

  “Just a warning,” he said.

  Hades scoffed. “Getting fucking soft on me, brother?”

  Saint didn’t respond. He wasn’t even close to soft. This wasn’t about him. This was for Bailey.

  “We should kill him,” Hades said without a trace of humor.

  He was probably right. For what he’d done to Bailey, he deserved to die. Saint drew in a breath as he caught sight of Adam’s car turning into the lot. His whole body tensed as he lifted off his bike. This would be a warning he’d be smart to heed. As he started across the street, the brothers flanked his back. He would take the lead and they would follow.

  He would end this for her. Tonight.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Bailey yawned, covering her free hand over her mouth. Her other was curled around Allie who had become attached to her hip since last night.

  She had a newfound respect for moms. She couldn’t remember ever being so tired. After lunch, riding their bikes, playing dress-up, seven rounds of checkers, a craft which she was still trying to figure out how to get rid of all the damn glitter, dinner, and two movies, she had tucked the girls in bed in Cia’s room. When she finally dropped onto the bed, she was seconds from sleep when Allie poked her the stomach. She had turned her head to find the wide-eyed cutie staring back at her.