Page 40 of Seduction

“Is that Ellen?” Gage asks in the background. There’s a shuffle, and then he comes on the line. “Hey, shorty.”

“Big brother. Ready to come home?”

“Nah, but you know… responsibilities and all that shit. You good?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“We’ll hang out when I get back.”

“Aww… you wanna do some brother-sister bonding?”

I know what he’s up to. I wasn’t in the best of moods the last time he saw me. The fact that he thinks I need cheering up means Einstein hasn’t talked to him yet. Maybe he’s waiting to do it face-to-face.

“Something like that. Here’s Raven.” There’s a pause, and I think he’s handing over the phone, but it’s his voice I hear again. “Love you, sis.”

“I love you, too,” I reply, taken aback. I can’t remember the last time he told me that. I know he does, but he’s just not a very vocal man when it comes to his feelings. Looks like Raven has had quite an effect on him.

“Ellen?” Raven comes back on.

“I’m here.”

“We’re going to lunch, so I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Okay. Bye.”

I collect Mikey, then make my way to the clubhouse.

“You’ll be staying with Grandpa tonight, baby,” I inform him.

“Okay.”

I put on his favorite album of kids songs, and we sing along until I drive through the gates of the clubhouse. The bikes parked in the yard instantly divert his attention.

Daddy comes over, removing Mikey from his car seat before I can.

“Hey, baby boy.”

“Hi, Grandpa. Can we ride your bike?”

Daddy chuckles. “Maybe later. Let me talk to your Momma first, okay?”

He wriggles out of Daddy’s arms, and I watch him run to where Venom and Razor are standing.

“So… Einstein, huh?”

“Yeah, about that….”

“Don’t overthink it, Ellen. He’s a good man, and you deserve to be happy. If he’s the one to make that happen, then I’m all for it. If not, at least you’re putting yourself out there. We all loved Watchdog, baby girl. One thing we both know about that man is that your happiness always came first. How you’ve been… it’s not what he’d want.”

He’s right. I know he is—well, my brain knows he is. I just wish my heart did, too.

Daddy pulls me into his arms, and I lay my head on his chest. I breathe him in, the scent of leather and his favorite cologne calming me like it always does.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome, baby girl. Now get going and have a good time.”

“I will.”