"We will speak to the social worker on Monday but what I was thinking and I'm sure Mitchell will agree." I glanced in his direction and he rolled his eyes as he shrugged. Amy was on a flow and continued without even looking in Duke's direction. "We need to employee a nanny, more of an au pair than a nanny, that way she lives here and helps us take care of the ever growing family."
"We always take care of our own Amy." I nodded at Spike's response because that was a club rule.
"That is true but the problem we have here guys, is that a lot of you are in the early stages of relationships and we have babies popping out everywhere. Connor you now have four, Mitchell has one, Ethan has one and then there's Caleb and Daryl has enough children to keep mankind going for a fair few years."
Her comment made us snigger.
"Look, what I'm saying guy's is that if we find the right candidate the person could help us out a little."
Duke nodded and I started to feel a little better about the situation knowing that I had these guys to support me.
"Excellent, well I have three ladies turning up tomorrow between 10.00 - 1.00pm."
"How'd did you know I'd agree to all this."
She smiled, "Because that's why you called me when you knew Elijah was in a pickle. I'm a fixer Mitchell and that's what I've just done."
"I don't know if I like the idea of some stranger living here though." Duke folded his arms across his chest and I could tell that his mind was working overtime.
"Well I think we can have it as an option. Most child minder or nannies have their own homes but an au pair lives with the family and generally helps out." Amy seemed to have it all under control.
"Well we can only see how things turn out but if we hire someone, you'll be responsible for them."
Amy saluted mocking his authority. Besides Taylor, she was the only other person I knew that could get away with murder around Duke.
Amy turned her attention towards me, "No time like the present Elijah. Grab her bag and let's go and get her settled in."
I gulped down the rest of my beer and placed the bottle back down onto the bar. I had a feeling that this was going to be my last beer for a while.
"I've got her bag." Duke bent down to pick up her belongings.
I lifted Poppy from the stool and kept hold of her as I walked through the clubhouse. She was holding her crayons and colouring book. I looked at the bag Duke was holding and knew that she didn't have a lot of stuff with her. I would need to take her shopping but had no clue what a four year old would need.
I let out a sigh as we headed to Amy's car. I was like a fish out of water when it came to kids. Duke opened the boot and placed Poppy's bag inside as I reached for the handle of the rear door.
"Are you happy for me to place her in the car seat Amy?"
She nodded, "Yeah, I can adjust the belts if you like?"
I stepped back giving her the room to seat Poppy comfortably as I didn't know where to start.
"It's a little overwhelming Lyric but you've got Amy to help you got over the weekend." I faked a smile knowing that Duke could see straight through me. "We'll do the interviews tomorrow and hopefully you can find someone a little more permanent to help you out."
"Yeah I guess."
Amy had now settled Poppy in the back of the car and was walking around towards the driver's side.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Duke stepped back as I opened the passenger door and sat inside.
"It'll be fine Elijah. We will all chip in to help you out. You're doing the right thing by taking her in."
"So why does it feel that my whole world has been taken away from me in the blink of an eye?"
Chapter 3
Amy
"Sod off and let us deal with it." Mitchell, Ethan and Dave had taken an early break from the garage to loiter in the bar.
"Surely we need to be involved in this." Ethan took a sip from his can of fizzy drink before placing it onto the bar.
"You'll scare them as soon as they walk through the door." Taylor placed her hands upon her hips as she stood beside me.
Mitchell huffed, "I'm sorry hun but we need to be involved. This person is possibly going to be living in our world, I need to make sure that they are suitable too."
"Dave just wants to check out the eye candy." Harlow placed the question sheets onto the tables that we had set up for the interviews.
He held out his hands, "Why have I been brought into this? I just do as I'm told."
"Well you three better be quiet or I'm chucking you out." I was firm with my words. This process needed to run like clockwork in order for us to find the right person. I knew that this was a big ask of Mitchell. The club rarely opened up positions to people that weren't associates beforehand so I wanted to make sure that the person we employed was right, not only for Poppy but for the club.
I heard a faint knock on the door and quickly shooed the guys further into the corner before jogging to the door of the club.
"Hi, I hope I've got the right place."
"You must be Alice." The young girl nodded as I extended my arm encouraging her to enter.
She nervously made her way through the bar taking in her surroundings. Harlow and Taylor shook Alice's hand and introduced themselves.
"Please sit," I pointed to the chair in front of the tables.
She smiled sweetly and perched on the edge of the cushion.
"So Alice, it states on the application emailed through from the agency that you're twenty-two and have been an au pair for two years, is that correct?" Alice nodded and I inwardly groaned knowing that this was going to be hard work.
"Could you please talk us through your last job and why you decided to leave?" Harlow scanned Alice's application form as she asked the question.
"I was responsible for two children, a two year old and a four year old."
"And what were your day to day activities with these children?" I sensed that she was nervous but I was trying my best to get her to open up.
"I would take them shopping and sometimes to the park. I would cook them dinner, well not cook as such but put things in the oven and sometimes do their laundry."
I glanced in the direction of Harlow and Taylor silently asking them for help. Alice's duties were those of a maid, I wanted to know what she did with and for the children to help with their upbringing.
"Okay and what about bath time, nap time and activities such as playing with them or taking them swimming." Harlow trailed off leaving it open for Alice to continue.
"When the children took a nap or were in bed, I was allowed to go on my phone so I would go on social media. The children can't swim so I didn't take them swimming."
"And who have we got here?"
I glanced behind Alice to see Blake stroll into the bar. He wasn't wearing a top and as he moved I couldn't help but glance at his sculpted muscles.
"Blake this is Alice, we are interviewing her."
He raised his brows and stalked his prey, clasped her hand and twirled her as she stood from her chair. I watched in wonder as he pulled Alice close to his body and gyrated his hips. A small blush covered her skin and I shook my head knowing all too well what Blake's charm felt like.
Blake leaned into her and rested his arm just above her arse cheeks to dip her backwards. Alice giggled and this was the first time in fifteen minutes that I had seen any kind of personality shine through.
I cleared my throat and Blake immediately stopped in his tracks, turning his head directly towards me.
"Sorry Aims," he stated sheepishly standing upright and letting go of Alice. "I thought it would help her out with her audition."
The guys giggled like schoolchildren, I glanced in their direction giving them a knowing look. Ethan tapped Dave and Mitchell, pretending to be the more mature out of the group but they knew by my stare that I wasn't amused.
"She isn't auditioning to be a stripper at the club, Alice is interviewing to be an au pair." I stood clearly annoyed. Glancing around
the room I noticed Taylor and Harlow trying to contain their laughter.
"Why am I the only one taking this seriously?"
Blake shrugged, "How was I supposed to know?"
I tapped on my temple. "Stop thinking with your dick for once and try to use that brain cell."
"Whoa, that's uncalled for Aims, I'm sure I have more than just one!" Blake winked at the guys and again they broke out in fits of laughter.
"Erm, I'm gonna just grab my bag and go." An embarrassed Alice reached for her handbag that was on the chair in front of us.
"Yes that's the most constructive thing you've said." The harsh words had left my mouth before I had time to process them which earned me a glare from Mitchell.
"Oh yeah, sorry darling I think I just fucked up your chances." Alice briefly looked at Blake before rummaged around in her bag and pulled out a card.
"You could always give me a call sometime." Alice held out the card towards Blake and gave him a cheeky wink as he took the card.
"I may just do that."
Alice smiled and sauntered from the room.
"I can't believe you just did that." Harlow was in hysterics, holding her tummy as she tried to catch her breath.
"Just being me hun." Blake strolled towards the guys and accepted a drink from Buster who was working the bar today.
"He infuriates me." I muttered under my breath.
Taylor placed her hand on mine, "Forget him, we need to concentrate on the next candidate.
Our attention was drawn to Grimm loitering in the doorway. "A young girl drove in and drove straight out, muttered something about not working for a gang. Does that mean anything to you?"
I nodded, "Yep, thank you." I pulled my mobile from my jean pocket to quickly contact the agency to see an email regarding the third candidate pulling out.
"Well that's just great. What the hell are we going to do now?" I slung myself into the chair and rested my feet on a low stool.
"It'll be fine, it always is Aims." I shot Blake a look. I didn't want him talking to me because I was in a mood and we would just bicker all afternoon.
"Sorry I'm late, have I missed anything?"
Elijah entered the clubhouse holding Poppy. She was wriggling in his arms wanting to get down on the floor. "She is the slowest walker in the world!" Elijah bent down to place her on a chair but as he walked towards the bar she turned to lie on her tummy and wriggled from the chair.
"We had to stop at the park, she moaned because I didn't have any bread to feed the ducks and she wanted to stop at the shop to get some sweets." Blake passed Elijah a bottle of Budweiser and he happily took a quick swig.
"Ah that's much better." Elijah turned his attention to me, "So what have I missed?"
I shrugged, "One candidate would've made a better stripper than an au pair, one didn't want to work for a gang and the other is a no show. I'd say it hasn't been very productive."
I watched Poppy walk around the club collecting all of the beer mats from the tables. She didn't have any toys here yet but she was quite happy making her own entertainment.
"Right, we better get back to work." Mitchell pushed from the bar and the rest of the guys quickly finished their drinks.
"Yeah I'm gonna go as well if you don't need me hun." Harlow asked standing from her chair and stretching.
"We may as well call it a day and I'll have to give the agency another call next week. Can't say that I'm impressed with the selection they sent us." Poppy was now beside me taking the beer mats from my table.
"You having fun there?" I asked with a smile.
"Uh-huh!" she answered with a nod.
Mitchell, Ethan and Blake strolled outside leaving Elijah and Dave deep in conversation at the bar.
"Okay, I'll just finish tidying up then I'll make a move also. Thanks for your help this afternoon."
I gave Taylor and Harlow a quick hug before they gathered their things and made their way towards the door.
"Thanks for trying to sort this out today Amy." I gave Elijah a small smile as I humped one of the tables that I had moved earlier in to its correct position.
"Not a problem. How'd you both sleep last night?" I asked walking towards the other table that needed moving.
"Good, considering we were both in strange beds."
"I bet that's not the first time for you." Dave stated laughing at his own joke.
Elijah smirked, "Well that's all about to change now that I have Poppy to look after. I don't know how I'm going to cope."
"That's easy, you'll have me to help you."
The three of us turned to see a pretty brunette bouncing Poppy on her knee as she held the beer mats.
"Excuse me, you are?" Elijah asked standing from his stool and walking towards her with concern.
She smiled, "Oh sorry." She moved Poppy onto the chair beside her and stood, extending her arm.
Elijah ignored her and picked up Poppy, holding her close to his chest.
The lady smiled briefly and retracted her hand, "I'm a last minute interviewee. I just flew in this morning and got a message from the agency to come straight here, hence the suitcase."
I hadn't even noticed her luggage until she mentioned it.
I walked towards her, "Sorry, you must think we're so rude. Hi, my name's Amy, this is Dave, Elijah and you've already met little Poppy." I shook her hand politely and gestured for her to sit down.
"Can I get you a drink?" Dave asked.
"Yes please." Poppy responded.
"I wasn't talking to you Monkey's butt, I was talking to...sorry, I didn't catch your name."
"Vics which is short for Victoria but I only get called that when I'm being told off." She was very expressive with her hands and facial features when she spoke, I liked her already.
"Well hopefully I never have to call you Victoria." I glanced between Dave and Vics, what the fuck was going on, was he flirting with her?
"So Vics, would you like a drink?" Dave asked again.
She nodded, "Please, anything cold, wet and none alcoholic."
"Whoa, easy you two there's a child in the room."
Dave shook his head at Elijah's comment and set about getting the drinks from behind the bar.
"Well at least she's got a sense of humour." Elijah joined me in a booth where Vics had sat.
"So where have you just flown in from?" I asked intrigued.
"Marbella, I was there for three years but the children are all at school now so I'm not needed. I had the chance of staying out there with another family but after a lot of deliberating, I've decided that it's time to come home."
"And where is home?" I flipped open my note book and jotted down some information.
She laughed, "Well at the moment, I don't have an address. My dad has asked me to move back in but I can't be doing that, I'm twenty-eight years old."
"Did the agency tell you what we're looking for?" Elijah asked placing Poppy onto the floor because she was fidgeting.
Vics nodded, "They were brief but said you needed someone to initially look after a four year old and that there could be other children and family members that would need support."
"Can I ask you a personal question?" Dave asked placing the drinks onto the table. Poppy had now sat beside Vics opposite me.
"Yeah sure, fire away."
"You're twenty-eight, don't you want to start a family of your own?"
"Dave, that's too personal. Sorry Vics you don't have to answer that." I glared at him but he simply shrugged.
"Sorry I don't mean to offend, what I'm trying to say is, if we hire you are you gonna fuck off two minutes down the line because you and your partner are going to start a family." Dave grabbed a stool and leaned on the end of the table.
"Dave you've reworded it but it's still no better." I rolled my eyes, I was exhausted by these men.
"It's fine, let me explain my situation to put your mind at rest. I do not have a significant other so therefore there are no immediate plans to have children. If
I meet someone, there still may not be plans to have children." Vics paused to take a sip of her drink. "I actually like other people's children. I help to guide, nurture and treat them as if they were my own but then I also get to have the freedom without the responsibility. I hope I'm explaining myself clearly."
I nodded, "Thank you, you're being more than honest."
"So I take it that this is the little one that needs looking after." Vics placed her arm around Poppy and pulled her in for a cuddle.
"Yep, she's the one."
"And are you mum and dad?" she asked pointing to myself and Elijah although Poppy was clearly mixed race.
I laughed and Elijah shook his head far too quickly. "Oi don't be too repulsed at the thought." I swatted his arm which made Poppy laugh.
Vics looked confused.
"Let me explain. My sister has been a dick and got herself arrested. We don't know how long she's going down for so to prevent this little one from going into care, I have agreed to look after her." I didn't like the way Elijah ran his mouth in front of Poppy but that was something I would raise with him later.
Vics smiled, "That's very noble of you."
"There's no way I'd let her go into care but now that I've agreed I'm kinda shitting myself as I haven't got a clue when it comes to kids."
"And what's the set up here." Vics moved her hand indicating at the club.
"We are a motorcycle club. You've probably heard made up stories about us running drugs and pimping women but it couldn't be further from the truth. We are legit, 100% straight and are self-sufficient with our own businesses. We have premises here where some of the guys stay until they are settled but this is the hub of the business." I wanted to make sure that she was up to speed regarding the club. She nodded taking everything in.
"If you were to work for us though, you would need to be discreet. We are a family and run a tight ship, we don't put up with any shit and demand loyalty." Elijah told her exactly how it was because she needed to know who she would be working with. "We curse, we can be crude, we also have amazing parties and sometimes that involves having a lot of female company around if you get what I'm trying to say. We work hard so we play hard but it works, we all get on and are one big family. Yes we disagree and sometimes bicker but it always comes back to having that close family unit."
LYRIC (Aces MC Series Book 6.5) Page 3
