Page 14

S itting in the school pickup line, I stare at my phone. On the screen is a patio set that’s exactly what I want. It has four chairs and a table with the option to put an umbrella in the middle if we choose to. You can even add on a matching couch. I want it, and it can be delivered as early as tomorrow if I order now. The thirty percent off sticker makes it even more tempting, but despite the fact it’s on sale, it’s still expensive.

I know I could find something cheaper, but it wouldn’t be as nice.

The car in front of me creeps forward, so I do the same as I contemplate the purchase. Midnight told me to buy what we need and not to question it. While he never gave me a budget, I feel like I shouldn’t go too crazy. Especially considering I’m taking the girls shopping after this.

Just buy it.

“Fuck it,” I mutter to myself as I grab his card from my bag.

Quickly, while keeping an eye on the line, I enter his card info and address. A wave of excitement washes over me when I hit submit and see that my order has been approved.

I hope the girls love it. I can just imagine them sitting at the table when the weather is nice and doing their homework outside.

Finally, I’m called forward, and I drop my phone and the card into my bag.

“Hey guys!” I say as they jump in.

“Hey!” they say in unison as they buckle up.

“How was school?” I ask as I pull out onto the road.

“Good,” Sienna says.

“Do you agree, Selena?”

“It was.”

“Cool. So I have a question.”

“What’s up?” Selena asks.

“How would you guys feel if we went shopping and got you guys some new clothes and stuff?”

“Can we really?” Sienna asks.

“Yep. Your dad gave me his card and gave us his blessing.”

“We can get whatever we want?” Selena asks.

“I mean, I don’t see why not as long as it’s within reason and age appropriate.” I should probably check with Midnight, but if he wanted a say, he would come with us. I just have to trust that he trusts my judgment on this.

Before I know it, we pull up to the mall. The girls’ excitement is contagious as we get out of the car and head inside.

“What store do you guys want to start at?” I ask.

The twins share a look, but it’s Sienna who responds. “Would you mind if we walked around first to see what stores are here, and then we can go from there?”

“Hey, I got nothing but time. Just let me text your dad so he knows we made it here,” I tell them.

I pull out my phone and shoot off a text to him.

Me: Hey, the girls and I are at the mall. I’ll try to keep them in check and not buy too much.

He messages back instantly.

Midnight: Get whatever they want, and you too. I better see some bags in my closet tonight.

I feel my cheeks heat as I put my phone away.

“All right, let’s go,” I tell them.

As we walk together and they chat to each other, my mind keeps replaying his message about seeing my things in his closet. When I agreed to move in, I assumed that I would be sleeping on the couch, but then he flipped the script and said I would be staying in his room. At first, I thought he meant we would be sharing his bed, but when he never came to bed last night, I realized that’s not what he meant.

No, Midnight has no interest in sleeping with me, or at least I think he doesn’t. He’s a gentleman who doesn’t want a woman sleeping on the couch. I found myself lying in a bed that smelled like him while he was down the hall on the couch. I was tempted to ask him to share, but I had some self-control.

“Oh, can we go in there?” Sienna asks.

I follow her finger and see she’s pointing at a makeup and beauty store, and I hesitate. They are young and don’t need makeup at all, but I also know that if I say no or if Midnight tells them that they can’t wear any until a certain age, they will find a way to get their hands on some behind his back and wear it anyway.

“That depends. What are you wanting from there?”

“Nail polish. Maybe some skincare and makeup?” Sienna says.

“I want some mascara and maybe some fake nails.”

“Okay, follow me,” I say as I spot a table off to the side.

We walk over and sit down.

“Look, I have no problem buying you nail polish or mascara, or even some lipgloss. As far as I’m concerned, that’s a rite of passage. The fake nails I might be willing to do if they are the kind that stay on with stickers instead of nail glue, but makeup and skincare…I don’t think you are quite old enough.”

“What do you mean? I see videos online of girls doing skincare all the time.” Sienna frowns.

“I’m sure they do, but it’s not that simple. See, skincare is typically targeted to older teenagers or adults. My skin is way different than your skin. Most skincare products are too harsh for your skin right now but would work on me. We don’t want to damage your skin, right?”

“No,” they say in unison.

“I have no problem getting you face wash and maybe some moisturizer, but that’s it. I’d even be willing to look into the beauty industry to see if there are any that are targeted for girls your age and safe, but until then, I just can’t let you do it.”

“What about contour?” Sienna presses.

“Yeah, no. I’m sorry, but you guys don’t need anything heavy like contour or foundation. You need the basics, that’s it. Now if you agree not to push it, I’ll take you in there, but if you do, we will leave,” I warn them.

The girls share a look before turning toward me and nod.

“Okay then. Let’s do it.”

We get up and head into the store. To the girls credit, they never pushed it. They might have stopped and looked, but they never turned and begged. After we grabbed them what they wanted from the beauty store, we moved on to the clothing store next door. As much as I hate swiping his card, I refuse to feel guilty with how happy the girls are with all their new things.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. “Wait, hold up.”

The girls stop next to me and give me a minute.

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling when I see his message.

Midnight: What have you bought yourself?

Pushy bastard.

Me: We’ve been going into the stores the girls want.

Midnight: That’s not an excuse. If you don’t send me a photo in the next twenty minutes, I’ll be forced to take matters into my own hands.

I won’t lie, it’s kind of tempting to test fate and see what he would do if I didn’t do what he wanted. For some odd reason, though, I want to please him.

Me: Yes, sir.

Midnight: Good girl.

The way my body reacts to those two words should be criminal. I want to be a good girl, but not for anyone. I only want to be Midnight’s good girl.

I shove my phone back into my pocket.

I guess it’s time to do some shopping for myself.

D one.

Grunting, I push my hair back from my face as I stare at my bike. My legs burn from squatting for so long, but at least the oil is changed.

“I could have done that for you,” Wrath says from behind me.

My knees pop as I stand. Nothing is more humbling than waking up one day and realizing you aren’t as limber as you used to be.

“You know I like to do it myself when I can,” I tell him.

Wrath nods. “Pres wants us,” he says, changing the subject.

Leaving the shop we have on the grounds, we head into the clubhouse and go straight to Reaper’s office.

“Shut the door,” he says without looking up.

The door clicks shut behind me, and I take a seat while Wrath falls into the one next to me.

“What’s up?” I ask when Reaper drops the pen onto his desk that he was holding.

“I got word that there is a smear article coming out about our clubs. Fucking Dansworth sat down with a reporter and did an exclusive interview about how he was part of an MC when he was younger and how he turned his life around.”

Wrath scoffs. “Are you serious?”

“Unfortunately,” Reaper mutters.

“Is there any way to smash it before it sees the light of day?” I ask, hands flexing on my legs.

Reaper shakes his head. “I tried and didn’t succeed. I’m at a fucking loss.”

“Did the article only mention us?” I ask.

Reaper shakes his head. “From what I was told, no.”

“Thank God for small favors then,” Wrath mumbles.

I shake my head. I don’t understand how people don’t see him for what he really is.

“Are people really falling for his bullshit? Do they not see that he’s a snake?” I ask.

Wrath raises a brow. “He’s a politician. All of those fuckers are dirty. People just look the other way and hope that they made the right choice between two shit choices.”

“You’re not wrong, brother.” Reaper sighs. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you before you took off.”

“Thanks.”

“How’s the shop doing?” Reaper asks.

I rub my jaw. “Business is good.”

Wrath chuckles. “That’s it? Business is good?”

“We’re booked solid.” My phone buzzes in my pocket. “Shit, I gotta go,” I say when I see what time it is.

“Everything okay?” Reaper asks.

“Yeah, I just want to stop by the house tonight and see the girls before I have to go to the shop,” I say as I stand.

“You’ll let us know if you need any help, right?” Reaper asks as he leans back in his chair.

“I know you would, but with the Dansworth shit going on right now, I’m not willing to risk it. Besides, you know I’ve tried like hell to keep the club and the girls separate,” I tell them.

“That doesn’t mean the offer doesn’t stand if you need help,” Wrath says.

“I know. Call me if you need me?”

“Later,” the guys say in unison as I head out.

I ignore the sweetbutts and brothers as I pass by.

The drive across town isn’t bad this time of day. At the final stoplight before I turn into my neighborhood, I look over at a rolling billboard and see Dansworth’s smiling face staring down at me.

I plan to clean up our city one raid at a time.

Mother…

My jaw clenches, and I shake my head. The light turns green, and I take off a little faster than I mean to. Annoyance is still rolling through me when I pull into the driveway. Dansworth needs to die. Point-blank, period.

As soon as I step inside, I’m greeted with laughter. Stopped in my tracks, I close my eyes and smile.

Fuck I love that sound.

I’ve dreamed of coming home to the girls for years. To hear their laughter bouncing off the walls. It’s exactly what I need at the end of the day.

“Daddy!” Sienna yells when she sees me.

The door falls shut as I let the handle go and crouch down, catching both of my girls just in time.

“I’ve missed you,” Selena mumbles into my neck.

My heart feels like it doubles in size. This is everything I’ve ever wanted.

“I’ve missed you girls too,” I say as I kiss their temples.

Lainey comes around the corner and leans against the wall.

“Hey, Flower.”

“Hey, I wasn’t expecting you tonight. Is everything okay?” she asks softly.

I made peace with the fact years ago that I’m going to hell. In fact, it’s something I look forward to, but I never thought having a crush on the goddamn nanny would be one of my crimes.

She’s just so fucking perfect I can’t stand it.

“Midnight?” she says, frowning.

I shake my head. Jesus, pull it together.

“Everything is good. I just had some time before my client tonight that I thought I would swing by here and hang out with you three if that’s okay.”

The twins pull back and look at me. “Really?” they ask in unison.

I nod. “Really.”

“Can we play a game before you go?” Selena asks.

“As long as it’s okay with Lainey and all your homework is done.”

The girls look over at Lainey, who rolls her eyes.

“Hey, he’s your dad. If he says it’s okay, then who am I to say no?” She shrugs.

“Sweet. Let’s go pick something out,” Selena says.

The twins latch onto each other’s hands and run down the hall. I can’t help but watch them go until they disappear.

“Are you sure everything is okay, Midnight?”

I stand, my knees creaking once again. I walk over to her and kiss the side of her head like I did the girls. “Everything is fine as long as you tell me you bought some things for yourself.”

A pretty little blush forms on the apples of her cheeks. The shady shit I would do just to see how far that blush goes.

“Yes, I bought some things for myself,” she says quietly.

“Good girl.”

Her breath catches as she stares up at me.

I open my mouth to say something, but the sound of a timer going off breaks the moment.

“Excuse me,” Lainey mutters before running into the kitchen.

I shake my head and chuckle under my breath.

Lainey and I are going to happen. It’s not a matter of if, but when.