His hand hooked around the back of my neck and he tugged me forward. “Don’t cry, Sabrina, he’s home. He’s safe.”
I nodded into his chest. “It could have been so much worse.”
“But it wasn’t.”
“Thank you.”
“Hey! What are you doing to my aunt?” Felix growled, making a run at Stoney.
Stoney released me, picking Felix up before he could slam into his legs, and lifting him gently in his arm. “Bud, it’s me,” Stoney said, but Felix continued to fight.
“Fox,” I called. “Honey, I’m okay. Stoney was helping me.”
He stopped flailing. “Wait. Stoney?”
“Yeah, bud, it’s me.”
Felix wrapped his arms around Stoney’s neck and squeezed. “Sorry.”
Stoney patted his back. “It’s all good. Proud o’ you for protectin’ your aunt, bud, but you need to be smarter. If I’d really been a bad guy, you both coulda been in trouble. Remember what I told you?”
“To watch quietly.”
“Exactly,” Stoney said. “You’ll see your moment if you’re patient.”
“Okay, you can stop scaring my kid now,” I snapped.
“He’s not scaring me, Auntie,” Felix countered. “He’s teaching me how to be a man.”
“You seem to have had some serious conversations,” I observed.
Stoney set him on his feet and gave him a fist bump. “We’re buddies.”
“Yeah! Buddies,” Felix said excitedly.
“You doing okay, sweetie?” I asked, hunkering in front of him.
“Yeah, but I’m hungry.”
“Nonna made meatballs.”
“Yes,” he hissed, pumping his fist.
“Go wash your hands, and I’ll warm some up for you.”
“Okay,” he said, and ran out of the room.
“I thought he slept while you were there,” I said to Stoney, rising to my feet and pulling the food out of the fridge.
“He was in and out. He was a little worried you’d be upset with him, so we talked about that, then more.”
“Why would I be upset?”
“He went with the teacher’s aide instead of getting on the bus, and he said you taught him never to do that.”
“She was in on it?”
“Yeah. We’re dealin’ with it,” he said.
I frowned. “You’re not going to kill her, are you?”
“Why do you think I’m gonna kill everyone? Jesus.”
“I know about one-percenters,” I admitted. “Luca’s explained it all.”
“Luca’s an ass.”
“Hey, that’s my brother.”
“Yeah, I’m aware,” he said, crossing his arms. “And he has no fuckin’ idea what me or my club are about, so he can go fuck himself.”
“You’re gonna need to stow that kind of language around Fox, Stoney,” I said. “And you’re gonna have to figure out how to get along with my brother, because that kid loves his uncle.”
He sighed. “Why don’t you and Felix come to family night? We actually have one coming up a week from Saturday.”
“I don’t think a biker compound is appropriate—”
“All done!” Felix announced, holding his hands up for perusal.
I smiled and ruffled his hair. “Good job, bud. Sit up at your seat, please. Do you want milk?”
“Yes, please,” he said. “Are you staying for dinner, Stoney?”
“I already ate, bud, but I can stay for a bit.”
“Cool!” Felix squeaked.
I set the plate in front of him, then poured him a glass of milk, while Stoney sat beside him. I watched as Felix peppered him with questions about bikes, and riding, and his club. Questions a six-year-old shouldn’t really even think to ask.
I sighed internally. I think these two were becoming friends, and I didn’t think I could do anything about it.
“Tell me about family night,” I said.
* * *
Stoney
By the time I walked out of Sabrina’s home, I had a strong desire to bury my dick deep inside her pussy. Jesus, she was unexpected.
The opposite of her sister, she had long, thick brunette hair and big brown eyes, and she was curvy. Maria had bleached her hair to a crisp, wore blue contacts, and was rail thin. She had still been pretty, but Sabrina was knock-out beautiful.
And she fought for her family. Even against me. That was sexy as hell.
I sighed, climbing on my bike.
It was quite possible I was totally, completely, and utterly fucked.
Sabrina
MONDAY MORNING, I walked Felix into his classroom, his teacher rushing to us and pulling him in for a hug. “Hi, Fox. It’s so good to see you.”
“Why don’t you go play, buddy?” I said. “I’m going to talk to Ms. Watson for a bit.”
“Okay, Auntie,” he said, hugging me, then running to play with his friends.
I focused on his teacher and crossed my arms. “I’m sure you are aware that Felix is to be watched at all times.”
“Yes. The aide is gone. Fired and banned from school grounds.”
I nodded. “I will drop him off and pick him up. If I’m unable to do that, my brother will. No one else is allowed to take him anywhere.”
“I understand,” she said.
“Do you?” I asked, ungraciously. “Because I hold you partially responsible for this. And quite frankly, the only reason I’m letting Felix back in your class is because he adores you and I don’t want him dealing with anymore trauma. But one step in the wrong direction, and you’ll deal with me on a very unfriendly level.”
“Ms. Moretti, please be assured, this will never happen again.”
“You have my cell phone number, should you have any questions.”
“Yes,” Ms. Watson confirmed.
I nodded again and made my way over to Felix. “Fox, I’m heading out, bud.”
“Okay, Auntie,” he said, hugging me, then going back to his friends. I lingered for a minute, watching him, until he waved, and I was summarily dismissed.
Walking out of the school, I headed to my car, my phone buzzing just as I started the engine. “Sabrina Moretti.”
“Hey, Breezy.”
“Oh, hi, Stoney,” I said, putting my car into reverse.
“Got the results back.”
I put the car back into park. “Wow. And?”
“He’s my kid and I have no intention of signing away parental rights.”
I closed my eyes and nodded.
“Did I lose you?” he asked.
“Sorry, no. I’m here,” I said. “Are you okay with all of this?”
“Am I okay your sister got pregnant and didn’t tell me? No. Am I okay I’ve missed six years of my kid’s life? No. Am I okay that Felix is my kid? Fuck, yeah.”
I bit my lip. “I’m really sorry my sis—”
“Not your apology to give, sweetheart,” he said. “So. How do you want this to play out?”
“I don’t know, honestly. I just don’t want to lose him,” I rasped.
“I’m not gonna take him away from you, Sabrina.”
“Really?”
“Fuck, you seriously need to stop thinkin’ the worst of me.”
“You’re right.” I sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to this. Ria and Luca kind of sheltered me from more than I would have liked. Ria slept with a lot of men, and they were usually bikers or men who were of loose morals as Mama says. I’m freaking out, honestly, but I want Felix to know you. Does any of that make sense? I don’t mean to offend you.”
“Baby, you’re not offending me. I love that you’re unfiltered. I always want you to be honest with me. I promise I’ll always be honest with you.”
“I noticed.”
“You wanna meet for dinner and we can hash some of this shit out?”
“That might be a good idea,” I said.
“Your place, or do you wanna go out?”
“My place is fin
e. Fox is with Luca tomorrow night. Does that work?”
“Yeah. What time?”
“Six?” I suggested.
“See you then.”
“Okay,” I said, and he hung up.
I decided to swing by my parents’ place before work, needing my mother’s invaluable advice. I used my key and let myself in, calling, “Mom!” as I slid off my shoes.
“Kitchen!” she called back.
I dropped my purse on the console and headed back to the kitchen. “Hi.”
She pulled me in for a hug. “Why aren’t you at work, polpetta?”
“I needed to talk to you about Felix.”
“Coffee?”
“Yes, please,” I said, and she made me a cup just the way I like it, grabbing a fresh baked blueberry muffin, and setting it on a plate, then we sat at the dinette table.
“Is Felix having trouble?”
“No. I have found his biological father.”
“This Stoney fellow?”
My mother was not stupid. “Yep.”
“And he wants, what?” she asked.
“Just to be in Felix’s life.” I shrugged. “At least, that’s what he’s said.”
“Do you not believe him?”
“I do. I mean, I think he means it now, but what about in the future?” I blinked back tears. “I don’t know what I’d do without him, Mama.”
“Darling, Stoney seems like a good man. I know he looks a bit rough, which worries me a bit, but he put his life on the line for that boy, and I think we just have to give him a chance.”
“You’re always so trusting of people, Mama. I’m not.”
She smiled, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “I simply allow people enough rope to hang themselves with and then I spit on the grave of our friendship if they fuck up.”
I spit out my coffee as I laughed. “Oh my god, Mom, you’re incorrigible.”
She shrugged. “I have my moments.”
“So, you really think I should give Stoney a chance?”
“What other option do you have? If he’s not a good man, your brother will deal with him, if he is, Felix gets a nice father.”
I nodded. “You always make things so simple.”
“It’s my superpower.”
“Thanks, Mama.”
“You’re welcome, meatball number three.”
“Okay. I need to get to work.” I stood, carrying my dishes to the sink, but grabbing the muffin to go. “Thanks for everything.”
“Of course. Love you, baby.”
“Love you too, Mama.”
I headed out to my car and drove to work, the weight of the world suddenly lighter.
* * *
Stoney rang my doorbell at six-o-one, and I couldn’t stop myself from looking in the mirror by my door before answering it. I don’t know why I wanted to look good for him. I just did.
Okay, maybe I did know why but wasn’t ready to admit it yet.
I pulled the door open and bit the inside of my cheek to keep from sighing out loud. He wore dark jeans, black motorcycle boots, and a black long-sleeved Henley with his leather vest. In his hand, he held a full-face helmet and leather jacket. His hair was swept back haphazardly, and my fingers ached to touch it.
“Hi.”
“Hey, Breezy,” he said with a smile.
“Come in.” I stepped back and waited for him to walk in before closing and locking the door. “You can set your stuff there,” I said, pointing to the bench by the door.
“Boots?”
“You can leave them on,” I said.
He set his things down and followed me into the kitchen.
“I’m making lasagna. Hope that’s okay.”
“I’ll eat whatever you put in front of me, Breezy. I’m not picky.”
I smiled, pulling grated cheese out of the fridge. “Well, this is Mama’s recipe, so you may never be able to eat any other lasagna again.”
He smiled. Lordy he was gorgeous. “Can’t wait.”
“We’ve got about twenty minutes. Do you want to chat first or after dinner?”
“Whatever you want.”
I bit my lip. “I’m kind of a get it over and done with so I don’t puke type of gal.”
He shrugged. “Works for me.”
“Okay, cool. Do you want a beer?”
“Sure.”
I pulled a bottle out of the fridge, hoping my brother’s favorite was okay, handing it to him, then grabbing the glass of wine I’d already poured. I sat at the island and faced him.
“How do you want to play this?” he asked.
“I guess it all depends on what you plan to do.”
“I plan to get to know my kid. Outside of that, I don’t really have an agenda. I’m open to taking things slow and letting you guide the way, but I want to see him on a regular basis, so I need to know what your thoughts are.”
“I’ve never been here before,” I said. “It’s all kind of a guessing game.”
“Yeah.”
“We’ll definitely come to family night on Saturday. That way I can see your world a bit.”
“Sounds good,” he said.
I set my elbow on the island and leaned my head into my hand. “He seems to like you, which is huge in my book. On the other hand, he likes most people. He’s sweet and a rule follower, which means he can be easily manipulated.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” Stoney countered.
I raised an eyebrow. “You don’t?”
He sighed. “I’m gonna fill you in on a couple of things, but I need you not to freak out.”
“Telling me not to freak out makes me want to freak out.”
“Felix told me what happened, pretty much play-by-play.”
“What?” I whispered. “When?”
“In the hospital.”
“Why did he tell you and not me?” I demanded.
“He said he didn’t want you to be scared. He felt it was his job to protect you.”
I covered my mouth with my hand and shook my head.
“You okay?”
I nodded, clearing my throat. “I’m okay.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” he said, taking a swig of beer.
“No. It is. I’m okay.” I took a sip of wine, then another. “I’ll just keep drinking until it doesn’t hurt anymore.” I shrugged. “See? I’m totally cool.” I took two more sips of wine.
“I’m gonna tell you everything and try not to stop, yeah? Then you can process.”
I nodded, sipping more wine, and Stoney smiled gently.
“Felix said that the teacher’s aide asked him to help her find one of his friends, but the second he got around the corner, he knew he shouldn’t be there. He said he kicked her and would have gotten away, but then a man grabbed him and stuck him with a needle. He didn’t remember anything until he woke up in a dark room. He was chained to a bed, but he couldn’t get loose, so he yelled at the top of his lungs. Another man came in and told him to shut up, then he said they gave him another shot. But before the shot, he said he told the bad men that Luca would bust a cap on their butts.”
“He did not.”
“Verbatim, baby. Exactly what he said.” Stoney grinned proudly. “Then he woke up in the ambulance with Luca and he said that he knew his uncle would find him.”
“Jesus,” I hissed.
“So, my takeaway from this is that he was too drugged up to know exactly what was happening. We got to him before anyone could do anything unthinkable to him, and although he was scared, he was also brave. I think he’ll process more as time goes on, and we’ll have to deal with that, but I think he’ll tell us as things come up for him.” He gave my hand a squeeze. “He’s a remarkable kid, Sabrina. Y’all have done a great job.”
I swallowed. “Can I process now?”
“Yeah, sweetheart, do what you gotta do.”
“I’ll be right back.”
I slid off the stool and headed for the downstairs bathroom,
closing myself in and sliding to my butt. I dropped my head to my knees and lost my hold on my tears, my heart squeezing painfully at the thought of my nephew being so frightened.
I don’t know how long I’d been in there, but a quiet knock at the door pulled me from my breakdown and I forced myself up off my ass. “I’ll be right out.”
I washed my hands, dabbed at my tears, then pulled open the door. Stoney pushed off of the wall where he’d waited for me and gave me a gentle smile. “The timer went off, so I pulled out the lasagna.”
“Oh, thanks.”
“You okay?”
I shook my head, tears streaming down my face again.
Stoney slid his hand to my neck and stroked my pulse. “He’s okay, Breezy. He’ll be even more okay because he’s protected by me now. Nothing bad will ever touch him… or you, again.”
“I don’t understand why it happened at all,” I admitted.
“Your sister made some really bad choices,” he said.
“Addicts usually do.”
“Yeah,” he said.
“How do I know these people won’t try again?”
“Because it’s settled.”
“What does that mean?” I asked in frustration.
He shook his head. “Not goin’ down that rabbit hole with you. You’re just gonna have to trust me.”
As crazy as that sounded, I did trust him. I nodded, leaning into his hand. “For now.”
He grinned. “Sure.”
I took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Let’s eat.”
“Okay.”
I led him back into the kitchen and served up our meal, and we sat at my dinette table and ate in silence.
“Do you have an issue with me takin’ him once a week?” Stoney asked as we carried our plates to the sink.
“I’d like to see where you live first, if that’s okay.”
“I’m crashin’ at the club right now, so I’d probably just do something with him. Like take him to the Summit.”
“He loves the Summit. I’m totally fine with that, but do you want to do that every week?”
He shrugged. “Why not?”
“And do you have a car or a truck?” I asked. “Because I’m not okay with him on the back of a bike.”
“I’ve got access to both, so you tell me what you feel more comfortable with and we’ll take that.”
I smiled. “He’ll love that, I think. Can we see how Saturday night goes and move forward from there?”
Primal Heat (Primal Howlers MC Book 3) Page 7
