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Page 20 of Defended by Bama (Royal Bastards MC: Mobile, Alabama #1)

Bama

It had been a few days since I first kissed Brooklyn, and I hadn’t stopped since.

I was hungry for her, and when we were apart, I couldn't stop thinking of her. Even the sweetest of women I’d spent time with hadn’t consumed me the way she did.

The only time we were apart again was when I went with Butterbean the night before to make the first drop with furniture boys.

It was quick and easy. Hopefully any future drops would be the same.

Outside of that, I’d been home with her, not able to get close enough to her even though she was right by my side, and I stole kisses every chance I got, still not sure how to act around Sadie.

But I had my suspicions about what she’d been through.

She joked that I was too gentle with her, but I couldn’t help it.

She still had bruises healing and I didn’t want to hurt her.

She mentioned wanting a checkup, so I arranged an appointment at our local clinic.

We funneled a lot of cash to the clinic and the head doctor was related to Hammer.

It helped tremendously to avoid hospitals in our line of work.

Crowne, Rogers’ cousin in Canada that led R.O.Y.A.L, also told him she’d like to speak to Brooklyn before finalizing the new identities for her and Sadie. Things were moving quickly, but once I told her how I felt, we fell in line with each other.

Sadie insisted on sitting between us as we rode to the clinic.

When I told Brooklyn I made her an appointment, she didn’t want to drop her at the clubhouse and Glenda couldn’t come by.

They became fast friends and while I worried at first, they proved there was no issue.

Glenda was a cool lady, and I hoped she’d find someone that could really appreciate her.

You can’t force a connection, though, and we just never had that.

But she may not have that again for a while.

“Bama?” Sadie asked in her sweet little voice.

“What’s up?”

“Can we get ice cream when Mommy’s done?”

“Sadie!”

Chuckling, I said, “That’s up to your mom. But maybe we can talk her into it if you’re really good while we wait for her.”

“I’m sorry you have to watch her. We could’ve rescheduled for a time Glenda could help out,” Brooklyn said.

“I’m not watching her. We’re hanging out. Ain’t that right?” I asked as I put my fist out.

Sadie bumped her tiny fist to mine. “That’s right.”

Brooklyn fidgeted so much that I had to look over. “You nervous?”

“Ugh. I don’t know. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a grown-up doctor. But I feel…I dunno. You know the running joke when a woman is going through something she wants to get bangs or color her hair? That’s where I’m at.”

“I can schedule a cut and color. I’m sure the bunnies can tell me where to send you.”

“Well, typically, it’s not a good idea to follow the urge. It’s a kneejerk response. I’m fine.”

“It’s just hair. If you don’t like it, it’ll grow back. If not, they sell extensions.”

She giggled and the sweet sound was like music to my ears. “How do you know about extensions?”

“Allie loves them. And she loves to color her hair a lot. Plus, you have such a pretty face. I think you’d look cute with it shorter.”

“I always joked about getting a bob and dyeing it green. But…well, nevermind.”

“I dig it. I’ll check with the ladies later. But nevermind what?”

She rolled her eyes. “He didn’t like that idea. Said it was tacky. He didn’t think women should have tattoos either, but he had them and so did most of his friends.”

“So, I need to schedule a hair cut and run you by the shop to look at designs.” We had a tattoo shop where a few members were artists. And just to help her break free from him, I’d get her covered in tats and have a rainbow pixie cut if she wanted it.

“What? That’s insane.”

“Mommy, you could have permanent stickers!” Sadie squealed.

“You both need to calm down. Let’s do one thing at a time. Check up for Mommy, then maybe ice cream. Big maybe!”

Grinning, I pulled into the clinic. Once we got her checked in and they took her back, I sat with Sadie and let her play some candy game on my personal phone. Since she had no current socials or name, I made sure all of that was bypassed when we arrived as discreetly as possible.

“Bama,” Sadie said without looking up from her game.

“Yeah, sweetie?”

“Is Mommy getting shots, like I have to when I have a checkup?”

Sighing, I answered honestly, “Not sure. Grown-ups are different but sometimes we need shots. I bet it’ll be easier to talk her into ice cream if she does.”

She giggled, still swiping little pieces of candy on the phone. “Bama?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Are you going to be my daddy now?”

Well shit. “Why do you ask?”

“You seem more like a daddy. And mommy said we may be staying with you for a while and asked me if that was okay.”

A small sense of relief hit me. I had hoped she’d planned to stay, but knowing she spoke to Sadie about it was more confirmation. “And are you okay with staying with me?”

“ I’m asking the questions here,” she said, finally looking up at me with wide, serious eyes. “But I told her I wanted to stay if you must know. Now your turn.”

Adjusting in my seat and clearing my throat, I said, “For now, let’s keep it simple. I’m Bama, and you’re Sadie. What do you think?”

She stopped her game, tapping her chin. “I guess that’s okay if that means things stay how they’ve been since we came.”

I offered my hand, and she gave me a hearty shake. “Good deal.”

She went back to her game, but then said, “Mommy seems really happy now. And I’m not scared with you.”

This poor kid. How bad must it have been for her to say such a thing? My arm went over her shoulders, and I pulled her closer. “You’re both safe with me. Promise.”

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