Page 7

I ’m dozing off in the same chair in Midnight’s office that I sat in for my interview. The girls are fast asleep on the couch.

They really are some sweet kids. I get the feeling their mom isn’t always present. Whenever I brought her up, they seemed to shut down.

None of us expected Midnight to be out so late, but whatever he was doing must have been important. I know a man like him would never shirk on his responsibilities.

I hear a noise in the shop. Suddenly I’m wide awake. Logically I know it’s probably Midnight, but just in case, I grab the painted rock from his desk. It’s obviously from his girls with the way it’s painted, but I kinda of love that he has it. I didn’t notice it before, but having spent so much time in here with the girls, I did some snooping.

Easing out of the office, I shut the door. “Midnight?” I hiss out into the dark.

A figure moves forward, making me squeak as I bring the rock down on his head.

“Fuck, that hurt,” he mutters, pinning me to the wall next to his office door. “Flower, what are you doing?”

“You didn’t call out. I was making sure you were well, you,” I hiss back at him.”You scared me.”

“Glad to know you’d face an intruder for my girls. Can you give me the weapon now?”

Reluctantly, I loosen my hold so he can take the rock. He smirks when he sees what it is.

“The girls might like you now, but break this, and they would never forgive you.”

He steps back, giving me a moment to breathe as he rubs his head.

“I’m sorry. It was my natural reaction.”

“Don’t ever apologize for defending yourself. I’m glad you fight, but maybe next time lock the door and call. Let me do the fighting for you.”

I know he means because his children are with me, but he takes my breath away at his words. The idea that he would want to fight my battles for me.

Before I can respond, he’s walking around me and into the office. I follow behind him, watching as he puts the rock back where it belongs. Then he goes and kneels next to the girls.

“Come on, girls. Let’s get you home and into bed,” he whispers, picking one of them up in his arms.

“Why do you always carry Selena?” Sienna mumbles, pulling herself to stand. She stumbles a little, so I move to her side, wrapping my arm around her.

“Thanks, Lainey,” she whispers as we follow Midnight out.

“You know I don’t play favorites. You can lay there and wait for me to come back,” Midnight calls over his shoulder.

“Too late, Dad,” she huffs, wrapping her arm around my waist.

It doesn’t take us long to get outside. I see the large four-door cab truck and wonder where it came from. I’ve never seen Midnight on anything but his bike. Then again, I didn’t know he had two kids either.

He stops at the back driver’s side door, pressing the button to unlock it before opening the door. I move to the other side and help Sienna into the truck. I wait until she’s buckled in before shutting the door.

“I’ll go grab their bags. Can you wait here with them?” Midnight asks as he comes around to my side.

“Of course.”

He opens the passenger door, making me frown.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Taking you home. Get in.”

“I can call a cab. You have the girls.”

He moves in closer to me, leaning to whisper in my ear, “Get your ass in the truck, Flower. I’ve had a shitty evening, and I want to get home. Don’t argue.”

Yes, sir.

My body is moving before I realize I’m obeying him again. I let out a huff when he shuts the door, locking it as he runs back inside.

“Are you coming home with us, Lainey?” Sienna asks, her voice sleepy.

Selena never woke up even as her dad carried her.

“No, honey. I have to go home. Your dad is giving me a ride, though.”

“Oh. Can we see you tomorrow?” she whispers.

“Maybe. We will see.”

She nods, her breathing evening out as she falls asleep against the window. They are such sweet girls. Midnight is doing a good job with them. Their mother too, I suppose. Even if I don’t agree with her leaving them with a stranger.

Midnight comes back, putting their bags in the back before getting in and handing me my own bag.

“Thank you.”

He grunts, starting the truck and getting it on the road. After a few moments of silence, he clears his throat.

“Thank you for taking care of them and staying late. I had no idea they would be here. I hope you know I wouldn’t have left if I had known.”

Reaching over, I touch his arm. “I know. You’re a good person. From what the girls say, you’re an amazing father. I have no doubts about that.”

I go to pull my hand back, but his other hand comes off the steering wheel to grab it. He squeezes it once before letting go.

My skin tingles as I set my hand in my lap. “I didn’t realize you had children,” I start.

“Miranda got pregnant when we were nineteen. We tried to make it work for a while, but it didn’t work out. She does this sometimes. Drops the girls and leaves.”

“Why don’t you have custody then?” I whisper, aware of the little ears.

“That’s a long, complicated story. Just know that it’s not my decision. I would have them full time if I could.” His voice is just as quiet.

My heart hurts for him. I can see this is a weak spot for him. One that hurts him deep.

“They are amazing. Smart too. A little bit of sass, but that’s a good thing. They are almost teenagers, so they need some sass,” I joke with him.

He groans. “Don’t remind me. They are growing up so fast. I have no idea what I will do when I have to deal with boys.”

“Better get the shotgun ready,” I snort.

“Trust me, it has been since I found out I was having kids. Didn’t matter if they were girls or boys. I will always protect them.”

“As it should be. I’m glad they have you.”

“What about you? Do you not have parents to protect you?” He asks the question softly, as if he speaks too loud it will ruin this moment.

“Not everyone gets their fairy-tale life.” I look out the window. “My mom was a crack whore. Like literally sold her body for the crack that killed her. No father was listed on my birth certificate, so I went into a group home for two years until I turned eighteen.”

I feel his hand on my knee, making my heart leap into my throat.

“That’s shitty. I’m sorry you didn’t have a safe home.”

Shaking my head, I look at him. “No need to apologize. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, really. Life is kind to some and cruel to others. You make sure they don’t have to face that cruel world.”

He withdraws his hand, nodding. “I’m trying my best.”

When he pulls up in front of my apartment, I turn to him. “If you need anything, let me know. If not, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Maybe. I might need you to cancel my appointments. I need to figure out where Miranda ran off to this time. I’ll text you and let you know for sure.”

“Sounds good. Good night, Midnight.”

“Night, Flower.”

The nickname annoyed me at first, but seeing Midnight stay put until I walk into my building has me wondering if the nickname could mean something more.

Something I’m not sure what to do with.

Getting the girls tucked into bed isn’t as easy as it once was. For one, they aren’t tiny little beings anymore. Sure, they are still small, but they are growing into adults.

It breaks my heart. I hate that I miss so much of their lives.

Miranda is always doing this shit. Giving them to me when it is convenient for her, but the moment it’s not working for her, she will snatch them away again.

I don’t even care what it’s doing to me. It’s shitty, but I’m a grown man who can handle disappointment.

I see the way it affects the girls, though. They almost never want to go home to their mom. They never come out and say it, but I can see it in their body language. They would rather be with me.

I’m not too macho to admit that I often drop them off, leaving with tears in my eyes. I hate leaving them. They are my heart and soul.

Kissing each of them on the head, I walk out of their shared room and head toward the back porch.

Thank God for Lainey. If she hadn’t been there, Elle or Jerico would have brought them to the clubhouse, but for some reason, I think Lainey being there was a blessing. I don’t let the girls go to the clubhouse. Not because I’m embarrassed by it, but because if they are seen there or they talk about it, it’s another black mark against me in Miranda’s little journal. She keeps track of every single thing I do wrong so she has ammo against me.

It’s so fucked up. I wish I could kill her and get it over with, but she is their mother. They love her even if they would rather be with me. They deserve better than that.

Sitting on the chair out back, I pull my phone out and dial Miranda. She doesn’t answer of course. I leave her a message before calling Trigger.

“What do you want, asshole? It’s like four in the morning,” he grumbles through the line.

“I need a location on Miranda.” I sigh.

“Again? What the fuck has the cunt done now?” he barks into the phone.

“Dropped the girls at the shop, only I wasn’t there this time. She didn’t even wait for me. Lainey said she just left. Lainey is a stranger to them. What if she hurt them?” I spit into the phone.

“Is that a real concern? Or hypothetical? I have no qualms about killing a bitch if she hurts my nieces.”

My stomach tightens at the idea of Lainey being hurt. I don’t like that thought at all.

I shake my head even though he can’t see me. “Lainey would never hurt them. She’s a sweet girl. Way too innocent for the situation she’s found herself in. The point is that Miranda didn’t know her. She could have been a random chick pretending to work for me. Remember that one crazy chick?”

“Ruby. Yeah. She was a special one.”

“You’re telling me. I hate that she does this, though. It’s becoming more frequent as the girls get older. They need stability. Not whatever the hell this shit is,” I grumble to him.

“I get it, man.” I hear him typing on his keyboard. “Her phone isn’t on. It last pinged near Dynasty. Seems she doesn’t want to be found. Don’t worry. I have my ways. It will take some time, but I will find her.”

“Thanks, man. I just need to know if she’s dead in a ditch. I don’t need my girls worrying about her if she went out and did something stupid,” I tell him.

He huffs out a breath. “It’s okay to admit that you don’t want her dead either. I know you don’t love her, but when you have a kid with someone, you have some level of care for them.”

“Of course I do, but most of that has faded with each time I see the hurt on my daughters’ faces when they realize they have to go back and live with her. They swear she doesn’t abuse them, and I’ve never seen a mark, but they don’t like being there.”

“We can wage war against her, man. We can go to battle for your girls.”

“I want to. I really do, but I don’t want to lose them either. It’s not worth the risk of never seeing them again. You know she is a petty bitch. She would disappear with them.”

He doesn’t say anything because he knows I’m right. The fun, party girl I slept with at nineteen is long gone. In her place is a bitter woman who blames me for ruining her life.

“Go get some rest. I’ll have something for you in a few hours,” Trigger finally says.

“Thanks, man.”

“Anything for my brother. Tell the girls Uncle Trig loves them.”

He hangs up the phone, bringing a smile to my face. Trigger is one of those weird guys. He is all into his computers and shit, but when he met the girls for the first time by accident, he fell in love. He’s really the only one from the club I let around them, and it’s because I know he knows how to erase any evidence that he was there.

He’s a good friend and an even better brother.

Laying my head back against the chair, I look up at the sky. What am I going to do with Miranda? The girls can’t keep living like this. I’ve tried paying off judges before, but none of the family court ones are willing to be bought. Based on the notebook I know Miranda has, there is no way I would get the girls full time. Maybe it’s time to start considering taking off with them myself.

I dismiss the idea as quickly as it enters my head. I’m not like Miranda. She views the girls as pawns. I’m sure she loves them too, but when I’m involved, they are the chess piece she can move to get me to do what she wants. She would leave with them if she had to.

Not me. I know they need their mother. They need that female figure in their life who they can trust and go to with girl stuff like periods and boys.

I would be both parents if I had to be, but I would be doing them a disservice if I did so with them having another parent available. Even if she is shitty to me.

No, I have to stay and keep the status quo.

Until something changes, I’m stuck.