“Daddy wants to talk to you, baby.”
Mom set her down and she took the phone from me. “Hi, Daddy. I’m okay. Unh-huh. Payton bought cwackers for nuts.” She smiled. “Okay.”
Lily handed the phone back to me. “Hi.”
“She’s fine.”
I smiled. “I know.”
Alex sighed. “Thank you, baby. If you hadn’t… well, thank you.”
“You can thank me properly later.”
“Promise.”
“I’ll let you go. I’ve got our girl, honey, so you find out who this bastard is and deal with him.”
“Yeah.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too,” he said, and hung up.
“Payton,” my mom whispered as she pulled me away from Lily, Anna, and Bailey. “What is going on?”
“I don’t know yet, Mom. Alex is going to find out.”
“Did you do that to that man?”
“Yeah, Mom, I did.”
She smiled. “Brock did a good job teaching you how to fight.”
Okay, not the response I expected. I giggled. “Yeah, he did.”
“Should we get Lily home do you think?”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t want her to get scared, and I think if we run home and hide, it’ll worry her more.”
“Whatever you think, honey.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
We walked back to the group and I noticed Bailey was on her phone. “Lily, can you stay with Nana and Anna for a bit? I want to show auntie Bailey something.”
Lily nodded.
“I mean, it Lily. You stay with Nana. If you run off again without telling an adult, you’re going on time out.”
She wrinkled her nose, but nodded again.
“Mom, we’ll be right back.”
Bailey ended her call and followed me around the corner.
“Was that Brock?” I asked.
“Yeah, he got your texts. I guess he tried to call you, but you must have been on with Alex.”
“I’ll call him back.” I nodded toward her purse. “Do you have your gun with you?”
Bailey grimaced. “Always, but please tell me I’m not going to need it.”
I smiled. “I hope we don’t. But if we do, I’ll take it from you.”
She let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I know Brock wants me to carry at all times, but I still get nervous at the shooting range. I can’t imagine pointing it at an actual human being.”
“It’ll get better. I remember being nervous as well.”
“Where’s your gun?” she whispered.
“Locked up tight at home.” I bit my lip. “I haven’t had the ‘I own a gun and know how to use it’ conversation with Alex yet. Plus, I didn’t think I’d be in a position where I’d need it, especially shopping with my family.”
“Seriously.”
“I’m going to call Brock really quick and then I’ll find you guys.”
Bailey nodded and walked away. I took a minute to fill my brother in on what happened and then rejoined my family.
ALEX WANTED NOTHING to do with the idea of me driving down to Beaverton to meet him, insisting he pick me and Lily up when he was done dealing with “club business.” The problem was he wouldn’t be back our way until past ten, so the new plan was to stay at my place.
I had kept Lily busy with helping to break down the tree and put away ornaments. We also helped my mom with boxing up all of our decorations, new and old. I put a very tired Lily to bed around seven and joined my parents in the family room to watch a movie. They went to bed as soon as the movie was over, but I chose to wait up for Alex.
Brock had already been by to take down more information about the incident at the store, but also, I suspected, to check on Bailey. He and Dallas were on duty, and I think he was glad he had a legitimate excuse to make sure she was safe. Bailey left with Brock so he could drop her at Macey’s for the night.
I heard the front door close just past ten and dropped my head onto the back of the couch to receive the most delicious upside-down kiss from Alex. Spiderman had nothin’ on him. “Hi, honey.”
“Hey,” he whispered, and joined me on the sofa, pulling me onto his lap and holding me close.
I smiled and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “We’re okay.”
He kissed my neck and nodded. “I talked to Brock.”
“What did he say?”
“They followed you.”
“Followed us?” I gasped. “From here?”
Alex nodded. “Do you remember seeing anything?”
“No.” I dropped my head to his shoulder. “Ohmigod, Alex. I saw nothing weird. I’m so sorry.”
“Baby, it’s not your fault. They knew what they were doing. Your brother’s doing some checking.”
“But I led them right to us.”
“No, you didn’t. I did.”
I sat up to meet his eyes. “What does that mean?”
“The fucker you hit? He’s Jenny’s new man.”
“Shit, really?”
He sighed with a nod. “I haven’t mentioned the issues with her since she came to the club, but she’s been fuckin’ makin’ my life hell.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I don’t want her shit to touch you.”
“But it is touching me, honey, and I’d kind of like to know what I’m up against.” He shook his head, so I cupped his cheeks and frowned. “Tell me. I can help.”
“Babe,” he whispered.
“Alex, nothing you tell me will make me stop loving you. Nothing will make me want to leave you. The only problem we’ll ever have in that regard is if you keep me out of the loop.” He closed his eyes so I kissed each one and then his lips. “I love you Alex James. Always and forever.”
He dropped his forehead to mine and kissed me gently.
“Tell me,” I said again.
“She’s trying to get Lily. I haven’t figured out exactly why yet, because I know she doesn’t actually want her, but she’s fuckin’ gettin’ dirty.” He stroked my back. “Mack’s got the legal shit sorted, she doesn’t have a legal leg to stand on, which is why I think she’s tryin’ to get to me through you.”
I scowled. “This chick’s like a venereal disease… she just keeps coming back.”
He nodded.
“What do you mean by legal stuff?”I asked. “Is there anything I should know?”
“She signed away her parental rights when she walked out on Lily, and she’s been gone too long to contest them… not that she could have back then, but I might have agreed to giving her visiting rights if she’d come back.”
I frowned. “I thought you didn’t know where she was.”
“I didn’t. Booker and Mack handled it so I’d have plausible deniability. Booker can find anyone anywhere, and Mack called in my favor so I didn’t have to. He did it under the guise of club business so Booker couldn’t refuse.”
I rolled my eyes. “You two are almost as bad as women.”
He smiled. “You might be right.”
“So what happens now?”
“For now, you and Lily don’t go anywhere without me.”
I chuckled. “You’re hilarious.”
“I’m fuckin’ serious, Payton. You are never without me.”
“Well, then you better get this solved before school starts, otherwise that’s going to be impossible.”
“No it won’t.”
“Um, yeah, it will, Hawk. How are you going to take me to and from school every day when we live over half an hour away from each other… more with traffic?”
“I’ll figure it out.”
“Or, you let me take care of me,” I argued. “I understand if you feel more comfortable being with me when Lily’s around, but I own a gun, I know how to use it, and as you could see by the video, I know how to hit someone hard enough to hurt them.”
“Let me make something clear.” His eyes darkened and his hand slid to my neck.
“The gun conversation is going to have to wait, but you are not gonna fuckin’ ‘take care of yourself,’ Payton. At least, not in this situation. Jenny’s fuckin’ crazy and I won’t have you caught in the middle.”
“You’re overreacting.”
“I don’t fuckin’ care, Payton. It’s not up for discussion.”
“Ohmigod, Hawk. ‘It’s not up for discussion’? Who are you? My dad?” I pushed off his lap. “I’m going to bed.”
“Payton.”
“Goodnight.” I left him sitting on the sofa and (admittedly) I kind of hoped he choked on his alpha male bullshit.
* * *
I had been in bed for almost an hour (not sleeping), when my door opened and Alex walked in. He wore pajama bottoms and nothing else, but I forced myself to ignore my body (mostly because it was suddenly horny), and closed my eyes. The dip of the bed had me opening them again and I found myself face-to-face with Alex. “What do you want?”
His answer was to run his lips across my neck, and then his mouth was on mine and I was being pulled on top of him as his hand slid into my hair. I turned my head, breaking the kiss, and laid my hand over his mouth. “Green.”
Alex sighed and rolled me so we were facing each other. “I just want you safe.”
“I get it, honey. I do. And I appreciate that… to a point.” I stroked his check. “I don’t really know why I’m mad, honestly. I watch Bailey and Macey and see how crazy they get with Brock and Dallas, and I think I just…”
“Overreacted?”
I slapped his chest. “Can we both admit to a little overreaction?”
He slipped his hand under my cami and stroked my back. “I’m not overreacting.”
“This is not the way to get back into my bed, Hawk.”
“In case you didn’t notice, I am back in your bed.” He moved his hand to cup my breast.
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from arching into his touch. “Can we just talk for a second?”
He moved his hand to my back again. “If you’ll give me until the end of your break to be with you every second, then I’ll pull back when you go back to work.”
“How will you get this sorted if you’re with me every second?”
“Fuck me, Payton. Just give me this.”
“Daddy?” Lily called, and Alex was out of the bed and at the door in seconds.
“Hey, baby girl.” He walked out of the room, returning with her in his arms. “You have a bad dream?”
Lily nodded, sniffling into his neck.
I held my arms out. “Want to sleep in here tonight?”
“We’ll all sleep in here,” Alex said.
Lily smiled through her tears and Alex set her on the bed before closing the door. I held the covers up and Lily climbed between them. She wrapped her arms around my waist and snuggled close, Alex sandwiched her in and kissed me, then her. “Love you, baby girl.”
“Wuv you too, Daddy.” She lifted her head and kissed my cheek. “’Night, Mama.”
“Night, baby. I love you.”
“Wuv you, too, Payton.”
I smiled at Alex and slid my arm around his waist. He did the same and we gave Lily a protective little enclosure to keep her safe.
“We’ll talk more tomorrow,” he whispered.
I nodded and he kissed me again.
My last coherent thought was how amazing it was that such a tiny little body could produce so much heat. I ended up throwing the blankets off my legs in an effort not to burn up.
* * *
I woke to an empty bed again and debated on getting up, but the pull of Alex and the fact I got him for the next week kind of won out.
I dressed quickly and made my way upstairs to find him. Lily was at the kitchen island, crayon in hand, concentrating on the coloring book in front of her. My mom was closing up the dishwasher as I walked in.
I kissed Lily’s head and smiled. “Morning, honey.”
“Hi,” she said, and smiled.
“Coffee’s in the pot, honey,” Mom said.
“Thanks.” I grabbed a cup and then leaned next to Lily. “I love your picture.”
“Fank you.”
“Where’s Daddy?”
She didn’t look up as she said, “On the woof.”
“He’s helping Dad and Brock with the lights,” my mom clarified.
Brock and Bailey must have come by early. “Where’s Bailey?”
“She went upstairs to take a nap. I think she’s coming down with a cold,” Mom said.
“Ew, no fun,” I said. “I’ll go check on Alex.”
I opened the slider and peeked outside. Alex was up on the ladder, tugging at a string of lights, his eyes narrowed in concentration. I bit my lip, our argument the night before quickly forgotten at the sight of jeans slung low on his hips, and his T-shirt sliding up revealing his flat stomach.
“Hi honey.”
“Hey, babe,” he said, continuing to focus on the job at hand.
“Hawk, I’m going to drop down a string,” my dad called.
When did Dad start calling him ‘Hawk’?
“Ready,” Alex said, and craned his head up.
Lights slid into his hand and he dropped them to the deck.
“Do you need help?” I asked.
“Not yet, babe. Lily okay?” He still didn’t look at me as he went back to the clips on the gutters.
“Yep, she’s coloring.” I bit my lip. “Gordon asked if we want to talk about houses at some point so he can pull a few listings for us to look at.”
“Today?”
“Or whenever.”
He looked at me… finally.
“Can we talk about it when we’re done here, babe?” I nodded and he smiled. “You sleep okay?”
“Yes. You?”
“Not really. Kept getting kicked by little feet.”
I tried not to giggle. “Uh-oh.”
“Hawk, lights comin’ your way.” This came from my brother.
“Ready,” he said and caught another strand as it slid down.
“I’ll leave you to it.”
“Thanks, babe,” Alex said, and I let myself back inside.
Lily was still coloring and I slid her hair behind her ear and lifted her chin. “Are you hungry?”
She shook her head. “Huh-uh.”
“Are you sure? I’m going to make some peanut butter toast.”
“Nana made me some aweddy.”
My mom turned from the sink. “Yeah, Nana’s got it all covered.”
I grinned. “Thanks, Mom.”
“I’m heading over to Kristen’s in a bit,” Mom asked. “Anything you want me to take?”
“No, I’m good.” I dropped a slice of bread into the toaster. “I guess I need to wait for Alex to get off the roof before we plan our day. Is there anything you want to do, Lily?”
She settled her chin in her hand. “Umm, can we go to the movies?”
“Maybe,” I said. “I’ll ask Daddy and we’ll see if something appropriate is playing.”
“What does appwopi-it mean?”
“Basically, it means we’ll find a movie that you are old enough to see.”
She nodded and smiled. “I’m going potty.” She climbed down off the stool and headed to the bathroom.
Alex opened the slider a few seconds later and frowned. “Where’s Lily?”
“Bathroom,” I said, and slathered peanut butter on my toast.
He said nothing and left the room, returning with Lily and lifting her back on the stool. I raised an eyebrow in annoyance at him, but he ignored me.
“Lily would like to see a movie today.”
“No,” he said, and grabbed a glass from the cabinet.
“Why not?” I challenged.
“Lily, why don’t you come help Nana for a minute,” Mom said, and led Lily out of earshot.
He slid his glass under the water maker of the fridge. “Neither of you is leaving this house, Payton.”
“Surely going to a movie
isn’t going to put us in danger.”
“You said you’d give me the week,” he reminded me.
“To be all up in my grill, but not to keep me sequestered at home!”
Alex shrugged. “Until I know exactly what I’m up against, you’re here.”
“How are we going to look at houses?”
“We’re not.”
“What about the New Year’s party at Macey’s?”
He shook his head.
“Are you kidding me?” I snapped. “I’m not missing my best friend’s annual party, Hawk.”
“I’m not arguing with you on this subject, babe. Accept it and move on.”
“Bite me.” I stormed out of the room and downstairs.
* * *
Hawk stood in the kitchen and watched her leave. He wanted to fuckin’ kill Jenny… more so than before. He had no idea how he and Payton would move past this, but he had to keep them safe or he’d never forgive himself.
His phone buzzed and he reached into his pocket, pulling it out. “Hey, Kay.”
“Are you sitting down?” she asked.
“Not currently, no. Why?”
“Mike called last night—”
“Why the hell are you taking his calls?”
Mike was Kayla’s ex and, not only did he step out on her, he was a major douchebag in general.
“Just listen,” she stressed. “I didn’t take his call. He left me a voicemail and I called him back because of what he told me.”
Hawk sighed. “Yeah, and what did the fucker say?”
“He was at The Pink Fox, you know the strip club in Gresham?”
“Can’t say I do, but go on.”
“Anyway, it’s run by some Russian mob guys, and they offer services that go further than lap dances. Anyway, Mike was there, shocker, but guess who one of the prostitutes was?”
“I’m on the edge of my seat, Kay,” Hawk droned sarcastically.
“Jenny.”
“Come again?”
“Jenny. She was totally strung out, topless, and up for anything. Mike videotaped her screwing one of his work buddies and sent it to me. Gross, but he thought you’d want it.”
Hawk leaned against the counter. “And why would he think I’d want it?”
“Because she talked about you on the video. Just watch it. You’ll see. I emailed it to you.”
“Okay, babe. Thanks.”
“Sure.”
Road to Redemption Page 16
