Page 47 of Seduction

“I’d stand here fucking off with you all day, but I have plans… with awoman.”

“Hey.” Venom shrugs. “You may not make use of them, but there are women all over this place.”

“Yeah? And how’s that working out for you?” I nod to Razor, then raise a questioning brow at Tek. “And you? You?” I turn to Allah. “You?”

I bypass Crow because he’s been with his old lady, Marlowe, for a while now. For the first time since I walked up, they go quiet.

“The Hounds can only do so much, boys. Eventually, you’ll have to grow up and get yourselves something real.”

“That real?” Venom asks as he focuses on something behind me.

I turn to find Ellen by the car watching and waiting. Mikey is running circles around Chopper. For the first time, that family I want seems within my reach.

“Yeah… that’s real.”

I leave them, my eyes locked on Ellen as I approach her. The men chuckle when “Tell Me It’s Real” begins playing from somewhere. I look back to find Allah waving his phone at me, a grin in place. I swear sometimes the man uses music to talk more than actual words.

“You need me?” Razor hollers after me.

“I’m good. I’ll see you later.”

“Ready?” Ellen asks.

“I’ve been ready, beautiful.”

She smiles so innocently, having no clue of the true meaning behind my words. Mikey chatters away as Chopper straps him into his car seat. Once he’s set, Chopper moves to Ellen’s window, motioning for her to roll it down.

“Have fun, baby girl. I’ll watch the little one tonight if you need me to.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

Chopper gives me a reassuring nod, then taps the car before moving away.

“Okay!” I drum on the steering wheel. “Who’s ready to have some fun?”

“Me, me, me!” Mikey shouts, giggling.

Reaching back, I ruffle his hair, then get our little excursion underway. Ellen puts on music for Mikey, singing the educational songs along with him. I join in on the ones I know. The ones I don’t, I catch a few lines here and there and jump in on those parts. Occasionally, Ellen reaches into the bag she brought for Mikey, pulling out a snack or a drink, or wet wipes to clean him up. When I stop for gas, she takes him to the bathroom. He’s out like a light by the time we’re on the road again.

“Where are you taking us?” Ellen asks.

“You’ll see. I believe Mikey will like it.”

“What are you up to, Jon Marcus Emerson?” She turns to me, a skeptical brow raised.

“Whoa!” I chuckle. “The whole government? It’s not that serious, EllenVictoriaHunter.”

“Ha-ha. Very funny.”

She switches the music, then proceeds to ignore me, softly singing along and bopping her head. I leave her to it, concentrating on the road the rest of the way.

“We’re here,” I announce.

She looks up, smiling brightly at the huge “Zoo” sign before us. Turning to me, that smile becomes grateful.

“Thank you.”

Twisting in her seat, she touches Mikey’s leg, trying to wake him up.