by Harley Wylde
“Thanks for coming by after hours,” I said, shaking his hand. “Usual fee?”
He waved me off. “Not for tonight. Bring her by in the next day or two for that bloodwork, but don’t wait too long. I don’t like how weak she seems. I’m hoping it’s just from the long trip and recent stress in her life.”
“You and me both,” I muttered.
“You’ve got a good one, Hawk.”
Yeah, I did.
“By the way, did you know there’s a raccoon running around your living room?” he asked.
I laughed and explained it was Hayley’s pet. I thanked him again, locked up behind him, then checked on Freya. She still slept soundly, but I didn’t know for how long. When I got to the bedroom, Hayley had already fallen asleep. The move had clearly worn her out. I stripped off my boots and clothes, then crawled in next to her, tugging her into my arms. For the first time in my life, I felt completely at peace, and I knew it was because my woman and daughter were where they belonged -- in our home.
* * *
Hayley
I hated going to the doctor, and I hated being stuck twice as much. I wasn’t a pincushion! I’d dragged my feet for three days, but Hawk had threatened to handcuff me and toss me into the back of my car if I didn’t go to the doctor willingly. Watching him try to squeeze his tall frame into my small car was almost worth it. I hadn’t been able to hold back my laughter, earning me a glare.
I glanced around the room, trying to look anywhere but at Hawk. For some reason, I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes off him today. Might have had something to do with the peek I’d gotten this morning. He’d been in the shower and I hadn’t been awake enough to realize the water was running. Until I’d gotten an eyeful of a very naked Hawk in the shower.
I’d been tempted to strip naked and join him, but instead, I’d backed out of the room. I’d admittedly leaned against the wall, listening to him wash, and reached into my panties. My cheeks had burned as I rubbed my clit and gotten myself off. It hadn’t been anywhere near as satisfying as sex with Hawk would be, but it had taken the edge off. Being near him, sleeping in his arms every night, was making me constantly ache.
Hawk squeezed my hand, on the side not having the life sucked out of me. It snapped me out of my daydreaming. “Nearly done, baby. You can help me pick out a truck or SUV when we’re done.”
I blinked up at him in surprise. “You’re buying a new car?”
“Need something bigger than your clown car. I can’t exactly put Freya’s baby seat on the back of my bike.”
I bit down on the inside of my cheek. His gaze narrowed, not missing the move. Yeah, I still wanted to laugh when I recalled how his knees had practically been scrunched up to this chest when he’d gotten into the car.
The nurse pulled the needle from my arm and put a bandage over it. “All done. The lab is closed today, but we should have results in the next day or two. Someone will call with the results.”
She stepped out and I changed back into my clothes. The doctor had already done a second exam, taken a urine sample, and asked his nurse to take several vials of blood. I didn’t know what exactly he was looking for. I hoped he found it without me needing to open up another vein.
“Are you really buying a car today?” I asked.
“Yep, and you’re going to help me pick it out. I get final say on how it looks and drives, but I need you to make sure it has all the safety requirements for Freya.”
He tugged on my hand and led me up front. After he settled the account, we went back out to my car. He eyed me balefully before scanning the street.
“What’s wrong? Scared someone will see you get into it?” I asked.
“Yes. That’s it exactly.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I had planned to check out the dealership in the next town. You hungry?”
“Uh. I think that just gave me whiplash. How did we go from a car lot to food?”
He grinned. “Because there’s a great diner down the block where we can eat while I wait for a Prospect to bring one of the club vehicles. He can drive your tin can back. Better yet. How attached are you to that thing?”
“My dad gave it to me when I turned sixteen and got my license, and it was used back then. It’s about fifteen years old now.”
“Then we’ll shop for two vehicles while we’re out.”
“Don’t I need mine to use as a trade?” I asked. “And are you sure you want two car payments?”
“You’re cute.” He smiled. “I’m not making payments, baby. We’re going to make a cash offer. Besides, the place I want to go will cut me a deal. The owner owes the club.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to know why he owed the Reckless Kings anything. As a cop’s daughter, and sister, the less I knew the better. Even if this wasn’t my family’s jurisdiction, I’d rather pretend complete ignorance of any illegal dealings. I’d noticed the fancy clubhouse when we’d arrived that first night. There was no way in hell the club ran one hundred percent legit businesses.
“You can pay cash for two new cars?” I asked.
“Come on, baby. We can discuss finances later. Let me feed you.”
“I’m not a man-eating plant,” I muttered.
His brow furrowed and he looked adorably confused by my remark. He’d clearly never watched Little Shop of Horrors. It seemed my guy was in need of a movie-cation. My. Guy. Holy crap! He’d said he was just as much mine as I was his. I still hadn’t really wrapped my brain around it.
He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text before we entered the diner.
A harried-looking waitress motioned to the half-full dining room. “Sit anywhere you want.”
“Lyssa says Freya is doing just fine,” he said as he slid into a booth. I took the spot across from him, fighting back a smile. “And she sent someone by the house to check on Cuddles. He’s apparently chewed the corner of his cat tree, but nothing else seems to be disturbed. He may need some toys for when we aren’t home.”
“You checked on both of them?” I asked.
“Well, yeah. Freya doesn’t really know Lyssa and Beast. Plus, they have their own baby. I don’t want them to get overwhelmed if Freya starts crying and won’t stop. And I knew you’d worry about Cuddles being alone for too long in a strange place. Although he seems to be settling in pretty well.”
His phone chimed and his eyes went comically wide before he turned it to face me. A guy in a Reckless Kings cut cradled our daughter against his chest, where she slept peacefully. It certainly wasn’t Beast.
“Who is that?” I asked.
“Copper. It seems he has the magic touch,” Hawk said. “Now I think I’m jealous. She likes him more than me.”
I studied the image again. “I think she likes him more than both of us. But if he can keep her calm and quiet, I might let him move in.”
Hawk snorted. “Sorry, baby. We aren’t inviting another man to live with us. You’ll just have to suck it up.”
“Or send her to his house a few hours a day. I love her. I can’t begin to tell you how much. And yet…”
He reached for my hand, giving it a squeeze. “Baby, it doesn’t make you a bad mother. Freya needs a lot of attention, and with her non-stop crying and screaming, it would rattle anyone. You’ve only been in my house a few days, and my nerves are a bit frayed. I can only imagine how you feel after months of listening to her and not knowing how to make her stop.”
“I felt so horrible. I kept thinking she was hurting, and I was just too stupid to figure out what she needed. The doctor at the free clinic wasn’t very helpful. It wasn’t until Venom arranged for her to see a doctor the Dixie Reapers use that I finally found out there was a reason why she cried so much.”
The waitress who’d told us to sit anywhere came over and took our order before rushing off to the kitchen. She returned a moment later with our drinks and a promise our food would be at the table soon.
A shiny black truck pulled up out front. Hawk grinned when he saw it. “Looks like our r
ide is here.”
The Prospect brought Hawk the keys and took mine. He eyed them and looked pained at the thought of driving my car. I couldn’t blame him. He wasn’t quite as big as Hawk, but it would still be a tight squeeze.
“Want me to park it at your place?” he asked.
“No. Empty everything into the carport then see what Beast wants to do with it. He may want to donate it for a tax write-off for the club.”
The Prospect nodded and headed out.
I liked the idea of donating the car. It still ran fine, even if it was a bit cramped. It didn’t have all the fancy gadgets the newer cars had, but it would be a dependable ride for someone. Maybe give them a chance for a fresh start.
“Hawk, is there a women’s shelter in the area?”
He tensed and eyed me. “Why? You thinking of running?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I’m going to run from the best thing that ever happened to me. Don’t be an idiot. I was just thinking someone there might really need a car. Your club could still get a tax-deductible donation from it, but I’d prefer to think of it giving a woman or single mom a chance at finding a better job or getting away from a bad situation.”
His gaze softened. “You’re something else. I’ll message Beast and let him know your wishes where the car is concerned.”
Speaking of jobs, I had to figure out what I would do with my time. Hawk made it seem like I didn’t need to work. Either way, I didn’t think I’d like sitting home all day every day. I needed a way to contribute, if not financially, then in other ways. Maybe not right now, since Freya was still young, but in the next few months. I wondered if I could get someone to watch Freya a few hours a week if I could volunteer someplace.
The waitress came back with our food, sliding both plates onto the table. “Can I get you anything else? Need a refill?”
“I wouldn’t mind a little more sweet tea,” I said.
She went to the counter and picked up a pitcher, coming back to top off my drink. Then she was gone again, helping other customers. I didn’t envy her. She looked about ready to fall over and didn’t seem to have any help today.
“I can see the wheels turning,” Hawk said, tapping my forehead.
I knew what he meant. I’d been deep in thought when our food had arrived at the table. “I think I want to volunteer somewhere. I won’t like being stuck at home all the time, and you make it seem like I don’t need to work.”
He leaned back in the booth and stretched his legs out. I felt the brush of his denim against my feet. He tossed an arm over the back of the booth and looked out the window. Did he not want me to volunteer? I hadn’t realized it would be an issue. If he wanted me to stay home, I’d find a way to not go stir-crazy.
“The club likes to do different charitable things throughout the year. A way to show the community we aren’t evil bastards out to rape their daughters or murder their husbands.”
I flinched because I knew there’d been a time my dad had felt that way about the Dixie Reapers. Until he’d gotten a chance to know Torch and Venom better. They weren’t friends by any means, but he respected them. To an extent. He still didn’t want them as family. Shit. I hadn’t contacted my family. Did they even know I wasn’t in Alabama anymore?
I tried to eat while I stressed over whether or not my family had even noticed I was missing. Not missing but no longer in town. Even though my brother had seen me driving to the Dixie Reapers the day I’d moved in, temporarily, with Viking, I hadn’t heard anything from him or my parents. Either he hadn’t said anything to them, or maybe they’d washed their hands of me. Was I really so much trouble? All because I’d wanted to keep Freya and hadn’t wanted to tell anyone who her father was?
“We have a club Treasurer who usually sets up most of those events. The Secretary would help, but we don’t have one right now. Prospero and Forge take turns keeping notes for us.”
“Do all clubs have a Secretary?” I asked.
“Usually. We had one, years ago. He died and Beast never replaced him. I think he has trouble with it because the guy was his friend long before they were part of the club.”
“What does all this have to do with me volunteering?” I asked.
“I thought maybe you could get with Prospero and see if he has anything in the works, or an idea for a future event. Maybe you could help him get it set up. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind an extra set of hands. With only two old ladies in the club, and now two daughters who aren’t even a year old, we’re at a slight disadvantage to a lot of clubs. Like the Dixie Reapers for instance. Their women handle a lot of charity work for the club.”
“I wouldn’t know how to run anything like that,” I said. “But I’d love to help.”
“Then I’ll introduce you to Prospero tomorrow. In fact, you need to meet the entire club. I know a few have stopped by out of curiosity. I’d rather make it official though. Your property cut should be ready soon.”
I touched the cuff on my wrist, and he smiled. I didn’t know if I’d like wearing a property cut, but I loved the bracelet. It looked like it would be heavy. Instead, it felt light and delicate. Since he’d placed it on my wrist, I hadn’t taken it off. Hawk had said it was pure silver, so it was fine to wear it in the shower. As for meeting his club, I knew he’d held off so I’d have more time to adjust to my new home. I appreciated all he’d done for us. And he was so great with Freya.
“Do you make things like this often?” I asked.
His cheeks darkened a little. Too adorable. I’d embarrassed him. He shoved the last bite of food in his mouth then washed it down with his soda.
“Sometimes,” he said. “Only you and Forge know about my… hobby.”
“This isn’t a hobby. Hawk, the bracelet is gorgeous. I’d love to see the other things you’ve made.”
“Soon. I’ll take you by the shop Forge runs. The club owns it, but he sells his custom work in there, and some of my pieces are on display too. No one knows they’re mine. Not even anyone in the club, except Forge. And now you.”
I nodded, understanding. Well, sort of. I didn’t know why he didn’t want to show the world what he could do. Did he think it made him somehow less manly? I only wished I had the kind of talent he did. I’d love to be able to make beautiful things. If I had any sort of gifts like painting or something, I hadn’t discovered it yet. I could sing a little. Not enough to make a living at it, but I didn’t make people cringe when I sang along to the radio or music in stores while I shopped.
“I’ve been wondering… how exactly did you end up with a raccoon for a pet?” he asked.
I’d wondered how long it would take him to ask. Everyone did.
“Cuddles came to me when he was a baby. His mom had been hit by a car, along with his siblings. The driver was drunk, ran over the raccoon family, and crashed into a utility pole. My brother answered the call about the accident. When he saw the baby raccoon all alone, he sent me a picture in a text message. I got in the car and went right to the scene. Cuddles came home with me, and I nursed him with a bottle. He was too tame to set free, so he’s been with me ever since.”
“Maybe that could be your volunteer work. We could get you a wildlife rehab license, or whatever is needed to nurse orphaned wildlife.”
I smiled, liking the idea. I quickly finished my meal and drink. Hawk dropped some money on the table, even though we hadn’t received the check yet. I eyed the bills and knew there was no way we’d come anywhere near the fifty dollars he’d left. Which meant he’d also noticed how run down the waitress seemed. It warmed my heart that he wanted to help her by giving her a generous tip.
Even if Hawk was rough around the edges, he was a good man.
“Time to shop for cars,” he said, taking my hand. “And we aren’t heading home until you’ve found something you love.”
I sighed, looking up at him. I was pretty sure I’d already found something I loved. It just wasn’t a car.
Chapter Eight
Hawk
&n
bsp; My phone rang for the fifth time and I stepped away from the salesman and Hayley. She’d test driven three different cars and hadn’t loved any of them. I had a feeling she needed to look at the SUVs, but she kept saying they were too big.
She’d also gotten a bit red in the face when she’d excused herself to the bathroom, muttering something about leakage. I hadn’t known what to make of it until it occurred to me we’d been away from Freya for a while, which meant Hayley’s breasts were probably leaking. If she needed anything from me, she hadn’t said.
“Pres, what do you need?” I asked as I answered the call.
“It’s about fucking time. What the hell is so important you’ve been ignoring my calls?”
“Shopping for a new truck for me and something for Hayley.”
“That’s why I’m calling. It’s about Hayley’s car.”
Shit. She’d had her heart set on donating it. Was there something wrong with it? She’d seemed to think it was a sound vehicle, if a bit on the old side.
“What’s wrong with it?” I asked.
“Nothing, as long as she knew about the tracking device and drugs.”
My body tensed and I scanned the parking area, making sure no one could overhear my conversation. “What the fuck, Beast?”
“That’s what I want to know. I gave the tracker to Shield. He’s trying to figure out who’s been monitoring her. It could very well be her family, but the drugs… that’s another matter. There something you need to tell me about your girl?”
“Fuck no! She’d never touch drugs, much less carry them in the car with our daughter. Someone had to have planted them. Where were they?”
“Inside the back bumper, hidden in the wheel wells, and there was more under the spare tire which was hidden under the carpet in the trunk. I figured she didn’t know they were there. The question is how did they get there? Is the car new to her?” Beast asked.
“She said her dad gave it to her when she was sixteen, so she’s had it two years.”
“Then it’s been added because I seriously don’t see the chief of police giving his kid a car he didn’t thoroughly examine. Besides, the bags in the wheel well wouldn’t have stayed there that long. They had to have been put there in the last week or two.”
