Page 9 of Property of Stone (Kings of Anarchy MC: Pennsylvania #1)

Chapter Four

“Sorry. I find your questions odd.”

“Got a reason for ‘em.”

When Taryn turned her face up towards him, he became distracted for a second by the shade of her blue eyes. They almost matched the color of her jacket.

He slowly took her in from head to toe, noticing that she had to be a good half foot shorter than his six foot.

That day last year in the parking lot, she looked damn good from a distance. At least before her ex fucked her up and rearranged her face. Luckily, the motherfucker didn’t do any permanent damage. At least that he could see.

The coat she wore didn’t show any cleavage and didn’t do shit for her curves but it couldn’t hide the fact she had plenty to spare. Just how he liked his women.

Don’t give him twigs for arms and legs and two buttons for tits.

He needed something solid to grab onto. Thick thighs to smother him when a woman rode his face or to cushion his hips while he was banging the shit out of her.

Tits big enough to grab a handful. An ass that could take a pounding.

Wide hips that naturally rocked and rolled when a woman walked.

Unlike Loosey’s washed-out blonde, Taryn’s hair was more on the golden side. It had been down that day in the parking lot. Today, the length was gathered on the top of her head with some loose strands framing her face.

He had no opinion either way on what he liked better, but if anyone asked, he preferred it to be spread over his pillow.

Taryn tipped her head to the side. “What’s the reason?”

She didn’t belong here and that could work to Sunny’s advantage. His brothers gave him shit for letting the sweet butts watch his daughter when he couldn’t, but he agreed. It wasn’t a good long-term plan.

Last thing he wanted was for his nut nugget to end up like Juicy, taking dick from anyone wearing a cut. Fuck that shit. He wanted much better for her. Between his past, as well as her mother’s, the girl needed some kind of steady.

The fuck if that would come from him or Sheena.

“Can’t cook. Someone needs to feed my baby girl.” He quickly slipped in, “And me.”

She frowned. “You can’t cook…at all?”

“Toast.”

“Okay, well…”

“Boxed spaghetti with sauce in a jar and frozen meatballs.” That meal was simple enough.

Her eyebrows popped up her forehead. “I’m impressed.”

Yeah, she was a fucking smart ass. Good thing he didn’t mind a challenge. But his first challenge would be to convince her to go along with the plan that popped into his melon only minutes ago.

“Can also make a mean pot of coffee,” he added. Not that he usually had to. If he stayed in his room at church, one of the sweet butts made more whenever a pot was empty.

“I don’t think your daughter should be drinking coffee.”

“Better than beer.”

“Debatable. Who’s been feeding her up until now?”

“Her mother, mostly.”

“What changed?”

“The bitch did more stupid shit and ended up back inside.”

Suddenly, he recalled the conversation he had with one of the screws that first day back in his “home away from home.” It just so happened to be about the woman now standing before him.

“What happened to that motherfucker who fucked up that chick?” Stone asked the guard as the wannabe pig escorted him to his cell.

“He’s not dead, if that’s what you’re worried about. It was close though. Would’ve upped your charge from ag assault to murder.”

Like he gave a fuck. “Ain’t why I’m askin’.”

“You fucked him up enough that he’s still in the hospital. But they charged him with domestic violence and ag assault, if you really want to know. But don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be our guest as soon as he’s capable of breathing, talking, and walking again on his own.”

“Deserved more than a fuckin’ beatdown.”

The screw shrugged. “Can’t say I disagree with you, Conrad. You aren’t a man if you have to beat up women. But some random on the street can’t take justice into his own hands. Or fists.”

That “random” glanced down at his split knuckles still covered in dried blood .

Her next words pulled him free from the memory. “By inside, I assume you mean jail.”

He sucked on his teeth. “More like prison.”

“Speaking of…why didn’t you have a trial?”

Was that guilt still eating at her? “Faster and cheaper to just plead guilty and take a deal. Go in, do my time, get out. Think I wanna pay our lawyer more than I gotta and have twelve jurors who think their asses are too good to be my peers judgin’ me when we all know I did it?”

“You were protecting me, though.”

“Comes a point where the protection ends and the fuck around and find out stage begins.”

“Just so you know, I pleaded with the cops to let you go. I explained that you were only protecting me.”

He already knew that. The club attorney had let him read her statement she provided to the pigs.

She also told the assistant district attorney that same thing.

But it didn’t do jack since the ADA had a hard-on over him.

In Stone’s opinion, twelve months was a shit deal, but the club attorney strongly suggested he take it.

With his record, a jury trial, or even a bench trial, might’ve given him more time than that.

Of course, that twelve months turned into thirteen when he had to teach his dickhead cellie a lesson.

“Think they gave a fuckin’ shit why I did it?”

“Apparently not.”

“They see my cut. See my tats. To them, don’t matter why I beat the fuck outta that asshole.” He glanced at his now-healed knuckles. He would love to have another round with him. “Your ex did some time ‘cause of that, too, right?”

Her head twitched. “He did.”

“He out now?”

“Not yet. But soon. I got a PFA against him in preparation, just like you suggested. ”

Stone snorted. “A PFA’s useless. Just a fuckin’ piece of paper. All that’s gonna do is give him a fuckin’ paper cut. It ain’t gonna protect you.”

She sighed softly. “I’m aware, but I had to do something.”

“He still gets your boy?”

Her lips pressed together and her expression hardened. “Once he gets out I’m sure he’ll fight to get supervised visitation.”

What the fuck. “Think he’ll get it?”

“Not if it’s up to me.”

“Good. Anyway…” He needed to get back on track before she decided to leave. “Ain’t lookin’ for a mother for my kid.”

Her face quickly went from determined to confused. “Well, that’s good since I wasn’t applying.”

“Only need someone to help me out. Can’t find a house mouse.”

She blinked up at him. “Come again?”

A grin spread across his face. “Would like to. You volunteerin’?”

“No…not…” She shook her head. “What’s a house mouse?”

“Like a housewife without the naggin’ wife part.”

Her mouth twitched, drawing his attention. “So, like a housekeeper? Or a nanny?”

“Kinda,” he murmured, distracted when her tongue darted across her lips.

She glanced around. “Does your daughter stay here when you have her?” She tipped her head toward the spot where Juicy and Grim had been only a minute ago. Grim must’ve shot his load and left in thirty seconds flat.

He probably got head to take the edge off. It helped him last longer when it came to fucking his ol’ lady.

“Nah. Got a room here but also got my own place. ”

“Like a house?”

“Got a roof and some walls.”

“So does a tent.”

He pressed his lips together, dropped his head and shook it. When he lifted it, he continued. “Maybe we can make a deal.”

Her brow furrowed. “What kind of deal?”

“I protect you. You take care of my girl.”

Her mouth dropped open and hung there. He tucked a thumb under her chin and closed it for her.

“I’m sorry, but what?” she whispered.

“Makin’ you a deal. One that’ll benefit us both.”

“You want me to take care of your daughter?”

Why did she look so damn shocked? “Yeah. I mean, she goes to school and shit so it wouldn’t be full time.”

“I’m—”

“You too fuckin’ good for that?”

She plucked at her chef’s coat. “Maybe you missed it, but I already have a job.”

“Don’t mean you still can’t do it.”

“Maybe you didn’t notice him that day, but I also have a son.” The sarcasm in her voice was thick.

“Of course I fuckin’ noticed. He was bawlin’ and blowin’ snot bubbles. But you havin’ a kid means you already know what the fuck you’re doin’. Don’t gotta train you.”

“Don’t have to train me?” she repeated slowly.

“Yeah. Already take care of one kid, what’s another?”

She grimaced. “ Umm . Well…thank you for thinking of me, but I’ll have to pass.”

“Can protect you better than that useless protection order.”

“Maybe I don’t need personal protection.”

He grabbed her chin and tilted her head this way and that, making it obvious he was inspecting her face. “How long were you in the hospital?”

Her mouth gaped open for a few seconds before she answered, “Two days.”

“Two fuckin’ days too many.”

“I agree.”

“Never should’ve been alone with him.”

“I agree with that statement, too.”

“Will make sure that never happens again.”

Her blue eyes went wide. “Are you saying you’ll be my bodyguard twenty-four-seven?”

He could practically taste her disbelief. “No.”

She threw up a hand. “Then…”

“Got a whole fuckin’ club behind me. If you’re under my protection, you’re under the protection of twenty-three of my brothers and eight prospects.” And a Presa Canario that probably weighed as much as she did and had much bigger teeth.

“What’s a prospect?”

This woman didn’t know shit about MCs. Time would tell if that would work for him or against him. “Dog shit.”

“How would dog shit protect me?”

He shook his head. “Woman. Stop takin’ shit literally. They gotta prove they’re worthy of wearin’ our colors.”

“How do they do that?”

“By doin’ whatever we tell them to do.”

“Murder?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“ Yeah, sure ?” she echoed, then shook her head. “While I appreciate it, as of now, I’ll need to process this generous offer.”

Bullshit. “You ain’t gonna think about it.”

“I have to consider Wren, too.”

“Wren?”

“My son.”

“His name is Wren?” He fought to keep his expression locked down. He didn’t want to piss her off before he could convince her to move in with some random biker. That random biker being him. “Like the fuckin’ bird?”

“Yes, like the bird.”

“Ain’t short for nothin’?”

“No.”

Don’t react, asshole. No snort, no laugh, not even a fuckin’ grin. “Then, gonna protect your baby bird, too.”

She sighed. “Like I said, I’ll give it some thought.”

“Don’t got time for that. Need someone to help with Sunny now.”

“Then the answer is no,” she said with a shrug.

“Don’t like that answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting.”

“You got a place?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Like a house?”

“Yeah, you know...the place where you fuckin’ live.”

“Yes, for now.”

“What does that mean?”

“I got the house in the divorce but, unfortunately, the mortgage is more than I can handle right now. That’s why I don’t have time to be a nanny for your daughter. I can barely take care of my own child.”

“Ain’t gonna be a nanny.”

“Sure sounds like that’s what you’re looking for.”

“Can’t make the payments?” If not, this could help him convince her.

“It’s a struggle.”

“Why?”

“Vic had stopped paying child support even before he was arrested. He won’t help keep a roof over his own son’s head.”

“Why not?” Besides the fact her ex was a complete asshole.

“He wants me to lose the house. If I’m homeless, he figures he can fight for custody by claiming I’m an unfit mother. He wants to say I can’t give Wren a stable home. That I’m irresponsible and can’t care for him properly.”

“That true?”

Her blonde head twitched. “That I’m a bad mother?”

“No, that he can pull that shit when he’s the motherfucker not payin’ child support.”

She shrugged. “He has the money to pay a good lawyer while I’m financially struggling and can’t.”

“How? He’s doin’ time for beatin’ the fuck outta you.”

“His brother has a very successful chain of car dealerships and has powerful connections. Vic began working for him after we split.”

“Get the courts to garnish his fuckin’ wages.”

“He lied and told the courts he was unemployed and now, due to his prison sentence, he’s unemployable. But I know he was getting cash under the table while working for his brother. By getting paid in cash?—”

“They can’t garnish his fuckin’ wages.” Un-fuckin’-believable.

“Yes. He claims I destroyed his life by divorcing him, fighting for sole custody of Wren, asking for child support, and for getting him arrested, like that was my fault. His list of grievances against me is long. He wanted to destroy me financially in retaliation and I’m sure that won’t change when he gets out. ”

“Petty motherfucker. ”

“That’s putting it mildly. The divorce brought out a mean streak I never knew he had.”

“Babe, everyone’s got a mean streak. The only difference is what it takes for it to come out.”

“Well, I feel like a fool for not recognizing the signs. If I would’ve seen the red flags before I got pregnant…”

“Then you wouldn’t have your boy. If I would’ve pulled the fuck out, I wouldn’t have my girl. Sometimes mistakes are worth it.”

She stared at him like she was finally seeing him. Was she actually considering his offer? If so, he needed to close the deal. As fast as fucking possible.

“So, got an easy solution for your house. Let it go.”

She bugged out her blue eyes at him. “Let it go? Then where will we live?”

Did he fuck up what little strides he already made with her? “Offered you a place. All free. Free house, free food, free utilities. Your Honda needs work, got it covered. Got everythin’ fuckin’ covered.”

“Hold on. You want me to live with you?”

“How else you gonna take care of Sunny? How else am I gonna protect you?”

If she shook her head any harder, she might get whiplash. “I’m not. You’re not.”

“Yeah, you are.”