by Alex Grayson
“Really?” she asks eagerly.
Unable to help myself, I reach out and push away a strand of hair that’s fallen in her face. “If that’s what you want.” Belatedly, I add. “As long as your mom says it’s okay.”
She immediately turns to Ellie. “Can I, Mom?”
She smiles indulgently down at her. “Let’s get you better first. Then we’ll see about satisfying your sweet tooth.” At her dejected look, she adds, “You’ll get brain freeze if you eat that much ice cream.” When that still doesn’t work, she concedes. “Okay. But I won’t hear any complaints about a tummy ache later.”
“I won’t complain. I promise.” Her eyes shine with happiness.
Ellie laughs and smooths her hand over the back of Maisy’s hair. “We’ll see.”
Sweets aren’t high up on my food list, but like I told Maisy a moment ago, I prefer ice cream over sherbet. Even so, I order it instead of the ice cream. I notice that Ellie and Declan do as well. It would be shitty to order something Maisy misses so much and dangle it in front of her face.
Once we receive our order, we take a seat in a booth by the window. Ellie sits and Declan slides in beside her, leaving me to sit beside Maisy. When I notice Eleanor and Barb staring at the backs of Ellie and Declan’s heads unwelcomingly, I shoot them a glare. I’ve got no right to be pissed, but I am. Not too long ago I was bitching at both Trouble and JW for allowing unknown women into our midst. One thing that carried over from Sweet Haven when we had the name changed to Malus was our need for privacy.
This is different though. Maisy is my flesh and blood. Ellie might not be on board with the way we give justice, but she’ll have no choice if she wants to be part of Maisy’s life, because I’m damn sure not giving her up. She’ll eventually see reason.
On the other hand, Declan might be trouble. I have no idea what his plans are once Ellie and Maisy move here. It’s something I need to look into.
“You’ve got a nice town here, Judge, despite the odd looks we keep getting,” Declan says, pulling me from my thoughts.
I glance around and notice more people looking our way. As soon as they catch my heated scowl, they quickly avert their eyes.
“Just ignore them. We don’t get many out-of-towners here, so you’re a rare commodity.” I look down at Maisy’s paper bowl and ask, “Can I see your bowl for a minute?”
She slides it toward me. I ignore Ellie’s questioning look as I scoop half of my mango sherbet into Maisy’s bowl and half of her strawberry into mine. I push it back in front of her.
“Since they didn’t have strawberry mango, we made our own.”
“Thanks!” Her pleased grin has my stomach dipping, and I smile back at her.
When I lift my head, I lock eyes with Ellie. She’s biting her lip and her brows are drawn down into a frown.
I pick up my spoon, scoop up some of the strawberry sherbet, and put it in my mouth. I barely hold back my grimace. I hate anything strawberry. I’ve always heard that parents make many sacrifices for their children. I remember times when my parents would make sacrifices for me, but their participation in Hell Night negated those sacrifices. They meant nothing. I never thought I would be faced with making them for my own child.
“Ellie says Judge isn’t your real name. Mind telling me what it is?”
I glance at Declan. I actually do mind telling him my real name. Frankly, it’s none of his business. Only people I trust get my real name, and even then, only one person is allowed to use it. He’s not someone I trust yet. I fucking hate my given name. It’s attached to a past that I’d like to forget about.
Before I can politely—because Maisy is here—set him down, Maisy surprises me by answering.
“Momma said it’s Kayn,” she says innocently as she scoops another spoonful of sherbet into her mouth.
I glance at Ellie and raise a brow. Why would she tell Maisy my real name, and what else has she told her?
“Why the name Judge?”
I pull my eyes back to him. “As the oldest, when we were younger, I was always the one looking out for my brothers and settling any disputes between them. Trouble made a joking comment one day that I would make a good judge. The name stuck.”
“Interesting,” he comments. He pushes his bowl away. “You said brothers, meaning more than one.”
What the fuck is this? An interrogation? Is he just a nosy fucker, or are all the questions because he’s worried about Ellie and Maisy?
“I have three brothers. Trouble is one of them. And before you ask,” I add quickly when he opens his mouth, “no, they aren’t my real brothers, but we couldn’t be any closer if we were blood related.”
He snaps his mouth shut after that. It might be because of the glare I shoot him, warning him I’m done with his questioning.
The bell over the door rings, and I cast my eyes in that direction. Susan walks in. She tries to pretend like she wasn’t just looking at us, but I saw her jerk her eyes away. Declan spots her as well and turns to Maisy.
“Hey, kiddo, how about I get you some sherbet to take home for tomorrow? I’ll make sure to get both strawberry and mango.”
I grunt at the obvious excuse to go to the counter where Susan is now standing.
“Declan, we’re leaving tomorrow. She won’t have time—”
He cuts her off. “If she doesn’t eat it, I’m sure Judge will,” he says with a smirk. I must not have hidden my grimace as well as I thought.
The fucker.
Ellie sighs. “Fine.”
“Thanks, Uncle Declan.”
“Sure thing. Anything for you, Maisy,” he says, his eyes going to me as he stands.
I catch his subtle hint of warning. The difference between him and me is I’ll literally do anything for my child.
I’m capable of anything. There are no limits.
I WALK QUIETLY UP THE STAIRS, not wanting to disturb Maisy and Ellie if they’re asleep. They came up an hour ago to shower and get ready for bed. Declan went up thirty minutes before them, claiming he had a few work emails he needed to respond to.
As I pass by their bedroom door, I notice a low light on and stop. The door’s cracked open a couple of feet, so I can easily see inside. The light in the bathroom is on with the door partially open, illuminating the bed and the two occupants underneath the covers.
Before I can stop myself, I slowly push the door open and step inside the room, my feet carrying me silently across the carpet until I’m standing on the side Maisy’s sleeping on. The cover is drawn up to her chin, some of her hair curling softly over her cheek. All children are beautiful and precious, no matter what they look like, and I know I’m biased because she’s my daughter, but looking down at Maisy, I’ve never seen a more beautiful little girl. A swell of pride fills my chest. I’ve barely begun to know this child, and already she’s became one of the most important people in my life.
My eyes move past her, and resentment replaces the pride when my gaze lands on Ellie. How could she so easily keep something so precious from me? She had to have known I wouldn’t have turned away my own daughter. Once upon a time, she knew me better than that. What happened back then that made her hate me so much? It was more than the way I broke things off. Whatever the excuse is, it wouldn’t be enough. There’s nothing that could justify her actions.
Even so, I can’t help but notice she’s more beautiful than I remembered, which pisses me the fuck off. Someone capable of such deception shouldn’t be so attractive.
She has her body pressed against Maisy’s with one arm draped around her. She looks like a mother protecting her daughter.
I frown and lean over Maisy slightly when I notice a light scar on the underside of Ellie’s chin. I can’t see it very well because of the low lighting, but enough to realize it wasn’t there when we were together. It’s a couple of inches long and runs from the outside edge of her chin along the line of her jaw. It’s so faint that most people wouldn’t notice i
t. The only reason I did is because the light from the bathroom is shining directly on her face.
I briefly wonder where it came from but push the thought away. It doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is making sure my daughter gets well and getting to know her.
With a weary sigh, I look back at Maisy one more time before turning on my heel and exiting the room, leaving the door cracked open a couple of inches behind me. Yanking off my clothes once I get to my room, I go into the bathroom and start the shower.
These next few weeks are going to be stressful. I don’t talk to God often, but I send up a silent prayer as I step into the shower that he sends a couple of angels to watch over Maisy.
I may have only known of her existence for thirty-six hours, but I already know, if something were to happen to her, it would leave a gaping hole in my chest. One I’m not entirely sure I’d be able to recover from.
Chapter Five
JUDGE
I WALK FROM THE KITCHEN into the living room and take the only chair that’s available. Three sets of curious but worried eyes stare back at me from the couch.
“What’s going on, Judge?” Jamie asks, her head tilted to the side inquisitively. “Who’re the new people everyone’s talking about?”
I lean back and get comfortable.
“I’m going to be gone for at least a couple of weeks, maybe longer,” I inform them, moving my gaze from one to the other.
“Okay….” Layla trails off, waiting for more.
“Almost twelve years ago, I met a woman in Kentucky. We dated for a while before things ended. She showed up a couple of days ago with her uncle… and her child.” I tap my fingers on the arm of the chair. “My child.”
Their eyes widen and Layla sucks in a sharp breath. “Are you sure she’s yours?”
“I’m quite positive she is.”
“People are saying she looks a lot like you,” Gillian remarks.
I nod. “She does.”
“Did you know about her?” Jamie’s quiet question has my eyes switching to her. “I mean, back then. Did you know about her?”
“What do you think?” I ask, unable to hold back the displeasure at her lack of faith in my morals and sense of responsibility.
Her hair bounces as she slowly shakes her head. “No, you didn’t.”
“There’s more. Due to an illness she had months ago, Maisy’s gone into kidney failure. I’m going to Kentucky to give her one of mine.”
“That poor child,” Layla says, her hand going to her chest.
“How awful.” Tears glisten in Gillian’s eyes.
“What happens if it doesn’t take?” Jamie inquires somberly.
“I don’t know. I’m meeting with her doctors once I get there on Wednesday. Although Maisy and I have the same blood type, they still need to run tests to make sure I’m a viable donor candidate.”
“What happens when you come back?”
I know what Jamie’s getting at and have thought long and hard about the answer.
“Ellie and Maisy will be coming here once Maisy is well enough to travel,” I tell her. “I want to get to know my daughter. As far as our situation, there will be some changes. I want to get Ellie and Maisy settled in before I tell Ellie about you three.” I look each woman in the eye. “I’m not ending things between us, but my first priority will be Maisy from now on. They’ll be staying in my house until Ellie finds her own place. Even then, when Maisy is with me, she and I will obviously be staying in my house.”
All three women nod in understanding. I knew they wouldn’t take issue. It’s one of the many things I enjoy about them. We all care about the other and want the best for each of us. Even if that means sacrificing our time together. I don’t have to tell them how important Maisy is to me. They already know.
“I can’t believe you have a child,” Layla comments softly. “Jenny would have been ecstatic.”
My jaw tightens and a shot of pain hits my chest at the mention of Jenny. She and I had a relationship just as I have with the others. That is, until Eden’s—JW’s fiancée—ex-boyfriend literally gutted her in our own bed. Diego had a fetish for extracting the entrails of his victims while raping them. While he didn’t rape Jenny in the traditional sense, he did rape her with the sharp end of his knife, before he sliced her insides open.
I’ve seen a lot of shit in my life, have even dealt some pretty gruesome punishments myself, but walking in that room and seeing Jenny the way she was damn near did me in. I care deeply for all of my women, but Jenny was special. She was special to all of us. She was the sweetest, most caring person I knew. Knowing the pain she endured at the hands of that sick fuck is something I’ll live with the rest of my life.
Diego’s now dead, his head sawed nearly completely off his body by my brother Emo. He’s in an unmarked grave out in the woods.
Jamie and Gillian, who’re sitting on either side of Layla, each grab one of her hands in comfort. I wasn’t the only one deeply affected by Jenny’s death. She was Layla, Jamie, and Gillian’s best friend. Hell, she was everyone’s best friend.
“She would have,” I grunt gruffly.
I get up from my chair when my phone on the counter rings. Walking over, I snatch it up.
“Judge.”
“We’ve got a problem,” JW says angrily.
“What is it?”
“I just ran into Sierra. She had a busted lip. When I questioned her on how she got it, she blamed it on her clumsiness, but I could tell she was lying. It’s took some cajoling, but she finally admitted it was Caleb.”
“Son of a bitch,” I bite out and rake my fingers through my hair. “You have him?”
“Yes. The bastard’s scared shitless.”
“Good,” I grunt. He damn well should be. What in the fuck does he think he’s doing?
“I’m taking him out to Emo’s dad’s hunting lodge. I’ve got Trouble with me. You want to grab Emo on the way?”
“Yeah. Give me twenty and we’ll be there.”
I hang up and pocket my phone. Angry vibes course through me, making the vein in my temple pulse. The last fucking thing I need to deal with right now is a nineteen-year-old hothead who thinks he can get away with beating up on his girlfriend. He’s old enough to know what the consequences will be.
I feel a hand on my lower back and look sideways to find Layla’s worried eyes on me.
“Everything okay?”
I clear my throat. “Yeah. Just got some shit to take care of.”
I look over to Jamie and Gillian, both watching me with the same expression as Layla. As uncouth as our situation may be to most people, I got lucky when I found these three women. Four, if you count Jenny. Some would say I’m selfish, and I’m stringing them along, giving them false hope. Some would call our situation disgusting. I never really gave a damn what others think.
Leaning down, I place a soft kiss against her lips.
“I’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning. I’ll call you all and keep you updated on when I’ll be coming home.”
Letting go of Layla, I walk over to Jamie and Gillian and give them the same kiss I just gave Layla. Normally, when I’m spending my time with one of them, my focus is primarily on them. I don’t initiate intimacy with the others during that time. That’s why I keep the kisses simple and impersonal.
“If you need us, call us,” Jaime says.
I nod and grab my keys from the counter. They follow me out the door, the three of them walking one way while I go to my car. I’m sure they’ll end up at one of their houses to discuss what I told them today. Me having a child is a big shock for anyone, especially after my vehemence about never wanting any.
Jerking my car door open, I get behind the wheel and peel out of my driveway.
TWENTY MINUTES LATER, I’m pulling to a stop in front of an old run-down hunting lodge. The place should have been torn down years ago, but for some reason, Emo refuses to do it.
&nb
sp; We get out of my car and make our way over the brush and up the steps. Emo’s been quiet since I picked him up, which is no surprise really. He’s always quiet. My eyes flicker to his closed fist. By the time we leave here, his hand will be dripping blood from the key he’s clutching. The same key he’s never without and the same one he uses to mark his body.
Since the lodge has no electricity, it’s dark inside, except for the three gas lamps that are lit. JW’s sitting on the counter and Trouble’s propped up against a wall beside an old TV stand. Both have their eyes pinned on the man sitting in an old chair. I don’t see how the chair is holding his weight with all the shaking he’s doing. He hasn’t pissed his pants yet, so points for him. Emo’s ominous presence only adds to the guy’s fear. Emo wouldn’t hurt a fly if it didn’t deserve it, but his looks and demeanor suggest otherwise.
“J-Judge, please. I didn’t mean to hurt her,” he begins when I stand in front of him. “I-It was an accident. I swear.”
“Lying will only make it worse, Caleb,” I tell him calmly. “Not to mention, only piss us off even more.”
“I’m not lying.” His voice rises in desperation.
I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. “Tell me. How in the fuck do you accidentally hit a girl?”
His eyes flit around the room to the others before looking back at me. He grips the arm of the chair so hard, his knuckles turn white.
“I-I saw her kissing Austin, and I just sort of lost it. I regretted it as soon as I did it.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll make sure you’ll regret it even more,” Emo growls from behind me.
Caleb’s eyes dart to Emo and he begins to shake even more. Sweat slides down his temples.
“Doesn’t sound like an accident to me, Caleb. In fact, it sounds like you hit her very deliberately out of anger. Tell me, is there ever a reason to hit a woman?”
“N-no,” he stammers.
“You fucking knew what would happen, but you let your anger and jealousy get the best of you when you should have just broken up with her.”
