He lifted my chin and kissed me gently. “If I could, I would.”
I sighed. “I know.”
“Come on, let’s go to bed.”
“I’m not tired anymore.”
“You wanna watch a movie and make out?”
I bit my lip. “Actually, that sounds amazing.”
“Okay, baby, you find a movie and I’ll grab some popcorn. You do have popcorn, right?”
I nodded. “In the pantry.”
He left me and I pulled on a pair of sweats and my T-shirt, then met him in the living room. I picked an old Mission Impossible movie and we snuggled up on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn.
“Daddy,” Kinsey whispered from the mouth of the hallway.
“Jesus,” I hissed as Badger chuckled.
“Princess, you’re supposed to be in bed,” he admonished, standing and heading toward her.
Kinsey giggled and wrapped herself around Badger’s leg. “Moana.”
“No Moana,” he said.
“Stocks.”
He looked to me for translation and I rolled my eyes. “Storks. It’s cute, but you need to remember she’s a terrorist and not give in.”
Badger grinned. “Tomorrow we can watch Storks.”
“Now, Daddy.”
“Tomorrow,” he pressed.
She dropped her head back and cried.
“And the Oscar goes to… ,” I said in sing-song voice. “Kins—”
“I got this, baby,” Badger said, then focused back on our daughter. “Bed,” he said, his voice deeper than it had been before. “I will be here all night, so you don’t have to worry. I know you don’t fully understand what I’m saying, but you need to go to bed.”
“Stowy,” she whispered.
“No, but I’ll cuddle you and tuck you in, okay?”
“’K, Daddy.”
Badger buried his face in her neck and she giggled while I melted.
Then panicked.
Things were too good. I couldn’t get comfortable.
I suddenly felt the walls closing in on me, but there was nothing I could do about it. I had nowhere to go.
“Whoa, baby, what the fuck?”
I looked up to see Badger approaching me, his eyes crinkled in worry.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You’re curled up like you need to protect yourself.”
I didn’t even realize I was virtually in the fetal position on the sofa. I had no idea how long I’d been like that, but Kinsey wasn’t with him so he must have tucked her in. I forced myself to sit up and shook out my hands. “I’m okay.”
He knelt in front of me and slid his hands up the outside of my thighs. “What happened?”
“Nothing happened.”
He sighed. “Lying to me is the bullshit way to go here.”
“We’re too good. Things are too good,” I whispered.
“Fuckin’ glad to hear you’re acknowledging that, but not liking it makes you freaked.”
“That’s when everything goes wrong.”
“We’re not gonna borrow trouble, Welly.” He smiled gently. “Come on, let’s go to bed.”
“Is Kinsey asleep?”
“Totally out.”
I sighed. “So… no movie?”
“You’ve yawned no less than twelve times since I walked back in here. You’re going to bed.”
“Two.”
“Ten.”
I bit back another yawn and wrinkled my nose. “Fine. I’m tired. You got me.”
“I know.”
I rolled my eyes even as I let him pull me off the sofa and lead me back to the bedroom. I crawled under the covers and the second his arms were around me, I let myself succumb to sleep.
* * *
Badger
My phone buzzed on the nightstand and I gently unwove myself from Quin, grabbing the phone and glancing at the screen. Three missed calls from Doc. Shit.
I slid out of bed and headed into the living room, calling him back as I went.
“Hey, man.”
“Hey,” I said. “Sorry.”
“Nah, brother, it’s all good. It’s early.”
He was right. It was four in the morning. “What’s up?”
“Another body.”
“Fuck, seriously?”
“Yeah, man. In the park again.”
“Jesus. You want everyone locked down again?”
Doc sighed. “Not yet. Don’t wanna freak everyone out just yet. Keep Quin and Kinsey close. If you want to come here, come. Either way, we’re all-hands tonight. Five.”
“Okay. I’m definitely gonna bring them with me tonight.”
“Sounds good.”
“Thanks for the heads-up.”
We rang off and I headed back to the bedroom to find the bed empty. “Quin?”
“Bathroom,” she rasped.
I walked that way, careful not to rush due to the darkness, and slipped inside. “You want some light?”
“No, I’m okay,” she said.
“You sick again?”
“Yep,” she said, her tone resigned.
“I can’t see you,” I complained.
“My face is in the toilet, honey. You don’t need to see me.”
I pulled my phone out and turned on the flashlight, guiding my way to the sink to get a wet washcloth.
“Why weren’t you in bed?” she asked.
“Doc called,” I said, and hunkered down beside her. “Another body.”
“Jesus, seriously?”
“Yeah.” I set the washcloth on her forehead and she sighed.
“Do they know who she was?”
“Doc didn’t say. But you and Kinsey are comin’ with me to the compound tonight… actually, I want you both to come with me now. We’ve got an all-hands tonight, so I want you close.”
“I can’t miss work.”
“Meeting’s at five.”
“I work ’til five.”
“I’ll take Kinsey with me and send Stump to pick you up, then.”
“You’re that worried?”
“Yeah, baby, I’m that worried. Until we figure out who this asshole is, I’ll always be ‘that worried.’”
“Why do you need to figure it out?”
“Direct threat, baby.”
“A while ago.”
“Not resolved,” I stressed.
She sighed. “Okay, honey.”
“Shit, that easy?”
She groaned. “I’m puking into the toilet, Knox. I don’t have the will to argue.”
“Bullshit.”
“Okay, I’m too tired to argue, but I also love how much you want to protect us.” She pushed herself up and made her way to the sink, brushing her teeth and washing her hands.
I crossed my arms. “You must love me a fuck of a lot.”
“I’ve been in love with you since I was fifteen, so, duh.” Quin smiled. “But you already knew that.”
I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around her. Shit, she was cute. She wore tiny cotton panties and a barely there tank-top, and it took everything in me not to rip them from her body.
“You know we’re going down to Colorado in a couple of months.”
“Jasmine mentioned something, yes,” she said.
“We’re goin’ as a family. The Howlers’ have invited everyone.”
The Primal Howlers were a club out of Monument and had been friendly with the Dogs for years. Once a year, several of our clubs got together in a central location to drink, party, and cause a little mayhem over a weekend. Monument was the chosen spot for the next get-together and I couldn’t wait to have Quin at my back.
“If I can get the time off work,” she said. Taking time off when you only got one week of paid leave a year was difficult.
“You’re quittin’ your job if they give you shit about it.”
“Can we please focus on the issue at hand?” she asked. “I have to deal with taking the morning off on Monday, I can’t worry
about what my boss will do if I ask for a week.”
“Yeah,” I said with a sigh. “You wanna pack a bag now and go? That way, Kinsey can stay at the compound with me tomorrow?”
“It’ll be easier to go to the doctor without her.”
“Willow’ll be there. She can watch her.”
“What about Alfie?” I challenged.
Willow and Dash had a baby girl, River Alfred, whom they called Alfie and she was a little over a year old.
“She’ll love it.”
“Let’s find out if that’s okay with Willow,” she countered. “If she’s good with it, then awesome.”
“We’ll pack us up first, load the truck, then grab Kinsey, okay?”
“Yeah, honey, that’s great.”
I kissed her gently and then we went about packing up everything we’d need for the next few days.
* * *
Quinlan
I made my way into work, grateful that the baby looked perfect, but still squirming at the memory of the wand of death shoved up my hoo-hah. God, I never wanted to do that again.
Doc had given me some over the counter nausea medication that I took before heading to my appointment and I couldn’t believe the difference. I felt almost normal. My own doctor approved it, so I was flying high when I walked into the office that afternoon.
“Quinlan,” Don called from his office as I passed. “A moment.”
That didn’t sound good. Don Gaylord was a dick of the largest variety and there were moments I wanted to smack him. Lots of moments, to be honest.
“Hi, Don,” I said stepping inside. “Everything okay?”
“Have a seat.”
I sat across from him and tried not to fidget.
“I’m concerned about your absences.”
“This is the first time I’ve taken time off since I started,” I pointed out, trying not to sound defensive.
“You have been late a few times, which is concerning.”
Five minutes. Twice.
“I apologize.”
“Is there anything you wish to tell me?”
“Well, I should probably tell you I’m pregnant.” I bit my lip. “It’s why I’ve been feeling unwell. The doctor confirmed it this morning.”
He looked irritated, but then schooled his features and nodded. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“I didn’t realize you were seeing someone.”
Holy shit, asshole. That’s none of your business.
“I try to keep my private life private,” I said.
“Right. Well, I need you to be better about your time management.”
“No problem,” I said.
“You can go.”
I stood and made my way to the reception desk before Don could give me anymore grief. God, I hated the misogynistic, pompous asshole.
“Hey, Quin,” Irene said as I stepped behind the counter.
“Hi,” I said, sitting beside her. “Busy?”
“Not too bad. How did your appointment go?”
I smiled. “Good.”
“Don’s been on the warpath.”
“I figured.” I locked my purse in the drawer next to my station and sighed. “He let me know my absences were unacceptable.”
“You’ve only had one,” she said.
“I know.”
“He’s a douche.”
“Agreed,” I said, just as the phone rang.
After that, Irene and I barely got a second to breathe, let alone lament our complaints about Don. By the time things settled down, my bladder was about to burst. “I have to pee,” I whispered, and Irene nodded.
I grabbed my purse and headed to the back where the restrooms were. On the way, I passed a cubicle and heard the familiar nasal tone of Don.
“She needs to go.”
“Don,” a female voice said. Angela from HR maybe? “If she’s pregnant, you can’t fire her. You’ll open the company up to a lawsuit.”
Holy shit, they’re talking about me.
“She’s a problem, Ang.”
“Is she?” she countered. “She has nothing but rave reviews.”
“She’s late all the time.”
I frowned. Dick.
“Well, we can address that at a later time, Don, but not while she’s pregnant.”
I scurried on to the bathroom and tried not to burst into tears. God, I hated my job. I wished I could quit, but I needed the benefits even more now.
I finished out my day and headed out to the parking lot to find Stump waiting by my car. My heart raced in panic. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, babe. I’m your tail.”
I laid my hand over my chest. “You scared the shit out of me. I thought something was wrong.”
“Didn’t Badger tell you I was comin’?”
“Oh, right. Sorry, I was in the middle of an epic puking moment. I forgot about that.”
He nodded. “Badger and Kinsey are good. I’m makin’ sure you are too.”
I smiled. “Thanks, bud.”
He nodded and waited for me to slide into my car before he climbed on his bike. He followed me all the way to the compound, but once I was behind the gates, he turned around and headed back out.
I parked, then grabbed my bag and headed inside. All I really wanted to do was take a hot bath and sleep, but since I wasn’t in a place with a kick-ass tub, I would have to hope my man would let me go to bed early.
“Hey, baby,” Knox said, walking toward me with a grin.
“Hi,” I breathed out, so unbelievably glad to see him I almost cried.
He pulled me into his arms and kissed me. “How was your day?”
“It sucked.”
He frowned as I filled him in on all the bullshit, but when he nodded with a look of rage in his eyes, I regretted telling him everything.
I grabbed his cut. “Don’t kill him.”
“I’m not gonna kill him,” he assured. “It’s all good.”
I chose to believe him and relaxed. “How’s Kinsey?”
“She’s having a ball with Alamo at the pool table. Come on. We’re getting ready to grill, so I hope you’re hungry.”
“Do I have time to cuddle our kid and then change into sweats?”
“Yeah, honey. You got time.” He grinned.
“What?”
“You said ‘our’ kid.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Well, she is.”
“I know.” He leaned down and kissed me gently. “And I love it.”
I kissed him again. “Me too.”
He wrapped an arm around me and guided me into the room where my brother pulled me in for a hug. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey, honey,” Jasmine said, and hugged me.
“Mama!” Kinsey squealed, and I lifted her into my arms.
“Hi, munchkin. Did you have fun with Daddy today?”
She nodded and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“You got a minute?” I asked my brother.
He raised an eyebrow. “’Course.”
“Kins, go with Daddy for a bit, okay?”
“You okay?” Knox asked, as he took our daughter.
“Yeah. Just gonna tell him before it gets out.”
Knox nodded and took Kinsey back over to the pool table while I led Valen to one of the offices in the back. He closed the door and crossed his arms. It was his normal stance when he was ready for bad news.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurted.
“Come again?”
I bit my lip. “Knox and I are having another baby.”
He frowned. “I’m tryin’ to figure out if you think this is a good thing or a bad thing, Quin.”
“Honestly? I’m scared shitless, but I love him and he’s a great dad, so it’s good.” I sighed. “I hope.”
He finally loosened his stance and pulled me in for a hug. “I love you, little sister. If Badger’s what you want, I won’t stand in your way.”
“Well, tha
t’s big of you, Valen,” I deadpanned.
He chuckled. “Poor choice of words.”
I settled my cheek against his chest and squeezed him gently. “I won’t live if he gets hurt again.”
My brother kissed my head and rubbed my back. “We got ’im, Quin. All three of you. Promise.”
I didn’t point out that he technically had him the time he almost died as well, but it took effort not to. It wasn’t my brother’s fault that my ex was a psychopath. And it wasn’t his fault that Knox had been attacked.
It was mine.
Valen cupped my face and frowned. “Where’d you go?”
I shook my head. “Nowhere. I’m just tired and hormonal.”
He studied me for a few seconds, then kissed my forehead. “You need to rest.”
“Yeah, that’d be good.”
Valen led me from the room and I rejoined Knox and Kinsey, managing to eat a few bites of a burger before my stomach decided enough was enough.
“Did you take the stuff Doc gave you?” Knox asked when I returned to the room.
“Yep. It’s now in the sewer.”
“Why don’t you head up to bed?” he suggested. “I’ve got Kins.”
I smiled. “Thanks, honey.”
I let Kinsey know where I was going and then Knox kissed me quickly and I headed to bed, barely undressing before crashing under the covers.
Badger
“BADGE!” DOC CALLED.
I turned toward his voice and frowned. He looked pissed. I’d just put Kinsey to bed and had planned to drink a few with the guys, but that might have been wishful thinking.
“Need to talk to you.”
“Now?” I asked.
“Yeah, brother,” he said. “Now.”
I followed him back to his office and closed the door behind us. He grabbed a manila folder and handed it to me.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“You wanna know who set you up? It’s all in there.”
“Fuck, seriously?” I asked. “I didn’t realize you were still lookin’.”
“We finish what we start, Badger. I’m gonna give you some time to look this over. Let me know if you have any questions.”
I sat in the chair next to his desk and nodded. “Thanks, man.”
As I opened the file, memories flooded back.
I jumped as the gavel came down and my fate was sealed.
“Six months, Dept. of Juvenile Justice, with two years’ supervised probation,” the judge ordered. “If you complete your time, get your GED, and show yourself to be responsible, we can visit expunging your record.”
Redeeming the Biker's Past (Dogs of Fire: Savannah Chapter Book 3) Page 6
