“I think this one will do,” Phoebe said.
“If you say so. It looks good on you even if it is a little big. I like that color blue, it brings out your eyes.” Peanut was watching her with his head tilted and his eyes searching. “Anyway, I came in to tell you that Jazzy’s appointment for her hair is in twenty minutes, so we need to get whatever you have and go. We can come back after if you’re not finished. I just don’t want to miss the appointment and have to wait for another one.”
“Okay, this was the last thing I needed to try on anyway. I will be out in a second,” Phoebe replied as she headed back into the room to change into her clothes. Once she was dressed she grabbed the three pairs of cargo pants and the sundress and headed out to where Jazzy and Peanut were waiting near the register. Peanut smiled at her as he took the clothes, laying them on the counter. He frowned and picked up one of the larger pairs of cargo pants.
“You grabbed the wrong size in these. I’ll go get the rig—” he began.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go and grab the right size,” Phoebe said, grabbing them from him before he could finish, hoping he wouldn’t notice that there was another pair in that size. She was shocked he’d noticed at all. He was much more observant than Johnny had ever been. She rushed over to where the cargo pants were and made a show of looking for the correct size while switching them for the larger size ten again. She grabbed another sundress on the way back to the register, this one red and in the same size as the blue one to hide the pants under as she smiled and handed them directly to the cashier, who rang them up without looking. She was too busy watching Peanut like he was going to jump out and grab her by the throat at any second. The fear in the store clerk’s eyes had seemed to follow them throughout the mall. People moved out of his way and eyed him warily when he entered stores. It was strange. Even though she’d only met him yesterday and she had trust issues, she was comfortable with him. She didn’t dare admit that she felt safe with him.
“One hundred and seventy-five fifty,” the woman said, and Phoebe frowned.
Peanut was digging out his wallet and was about to hand his card over without questioning the total, but Phoebe knew it should be less. Even with the dress she’d added at the last minute, she had done a mental tally and it should only be one thirty-five. She stopped him from handing the woman his card by placing hers on top of his scarred and rough hand.
“It shouldn’t be that much. Did you use the coupon?” she asked.
The woman glared at her before grumbling and pulling it out from beside the register to scan it. The clerk told him the new total, which was around what she’d guessed. She let Peanut go and took her purchases from the irritated woman with a sweet smile. She had watched the woman give that discount to everyone she’d rung up since they’d entered the store. She had no sympathy for her lost commissions or whatever. She was being a bitch because Peanut was in a biker gang. It was uncalled for and she didn’t like rudeness. He was still a person despite his choice to be a Devils Arms member.
They walked out into the mall’s long corridor, heading back to the salon where they’d made an appointment for Jasmine’s haircut. Apparently she was getting bangs. Phoebe smiled as she thought of the excitement the little girl had over that endeavor. Jasmine was holding her hand as they walked, and Peanut had already taken her bag from her and was carrying it along with the two for her and Jasmine from the other store.
She had protested his taking them at first, but he’d insisted that it would be easier if he carried everything because then she could shop. She was beginning to realize that Peanut was a true gentleman like her father had been. She felt a tiny pang in her chest when she thought of the father she’d lost when she was ten. He’d died in a car accident when he was hit head-on by a drunk driver in their hometown. She could still remember the way he’d treated her mother. To her dad, her mother had always been made out of spun glass even though she’d proven more than once she was made of pure steel. They’d been such a happy family back then. It bothered Phoebe that she hadn’t seen through Johnny like she should have. She’d forgotten what having a gentleman around was like after being with Johnny for so long.
Phoebe turned to check where he was and noted that he was a few steps behind them watching her and Jasmine. He smiled gently at her and she jerked her gaze back around as she continued to walk. He was confusing to her. It was strange how she felt connected to him and his daughter even though she’d only known them a day. She shouldn’t feel so sheltered with him after such a short time. He was a biker for shit’s sake. She should be running in the other direction like any other sane person would.
As they entered the salon for the second time that day, a woman with bright orange hair and a nose ring who hadn’t been there earlier smiled at them. She looked at Jasmine and winked.
“You ready for some bangs, Jazzy?” she asked.
Phoebe realized she must know Jasmine to talk to her so familiarly.
“Yes!” Jasmine exclaimed jumping up and down.
“Who’s your new friend?” she asked, smiling at Phoebe.
“Her new nanny, Phoebe,” Peanut said from behind her. “How are you, beautiful? I haven’t seen you since last month when Hammer brought you to the bonfire party.” Peanut moved past her, giving the woman a one-armed hug. She laughed and kissed his cheek. Phoebe felt the stirrings of jealousy rip through her. She didn’t have any claim on either Jasmine or Peanut, but she didn’t like this woman fawning over them.
“You missed me. I told you that you would,” she teased, her eyes sparkling.
“I always miss you, Lisa,” Peanut said, a big grin on his face.
“I missed you too!” Jasmine said jumping up and down
“Huh, yeah right. You forget me the second I’m out of sight. You know where I am anytime you want to see me, darling,” Lisa said to Peanut before turning to Jasmine. “And you saw me a week ago at the Super Walmart with your Aunt Kate. How could you miss me already, button?”
“I missed you lots and lots,” Jasmine promised, her grin bright.
Phoebe felt like she was interrupting their moment. She didn’t like the feeling and found herself edging out of the salon. She had just stepped out the door and was looking around when a hand fell on her shoulder startling her.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you but I just wanted to tell you not to go far,” Peanut said, his hand lingering on her shoulder. She stepped away and he let her go but she was still shaky from the shock. Her heart was still pounding in her ears as she nodded.
“I wasn’t planning on it. I was just going to go into the bookstore to pass the time,” she lied. Really, she hadn’t had any plan, she’d just been trying to escape the uncomfortable feelings she’d been dealing with. Peanut frowned as he looked over at the bookstore that was across from the salon. He eyed the mall’s corridor with a watchful eye like he was looking for a murderer lurking in the crowds of people. It was kind of funny how he seemed to debate on whether or not to allow it. Not in the way Johnny had, but in a protective way. She could see that from the way he glanced again at the bookstore before sweeping his eyes across the people mulling about again.
“Alright, but when you’re done come back here before going anywhere else, yeah?” Peanut finally said after what looked like a long internal debate.
“Okay,” Phoebe said, wondering why the thought that he wanted to know where she was at all times wasn’t frightening. If it had been Johnny saying that to her, she would have felt sick to her stomach and a little bit freaked out but with Peanut she just felt amused. It wasn’t like there were ninjas waiting in the shadows to take her out if she got too far away from him. Her smile at that thought was hidden as she started walking towards the bookstore, remembering that she’d lost her book on what to expect while pregnant.
“Phoebe,” Peanut called, making her glance behind her. “Put whatever you want on the card I gave you. It doesn’t matter the cost. Even if you want one of those e-reader things, just bu
y it. There isn’t a limit on the card,” Peanut said.
She nodded as she turned and headed to the store, a little surprised that he’d told her that. She couldn’t seem to wrap her head around his open and giving nature. It was a complete contradiction. Johnny was a straight-laced business man who seemed like the perfect husband, and yet she’d seen more kindness from a man who society said was garbage in twenty-four hours than she had in five years from her husband.
Entering the store, she headed over to the shelves. Finding a display of books on pregnancy, she browsed through them before picking out the one she’d already started reading. She then wandered over to the children’s section, finding a book in the series she’d noted in Jasmine’s room that had just been released. She then went to the cookbook section and found two that she wanted to buy and then headed to the register. Despite the little twinge of worry as the cashier swiped the card, she took her bag and headed back over to the salon. She decided to wait out in the main mall near the entrance to the salon where some chairs were set up. She knew that Peanut would see her sitting there and come over when they were done with Jasmine’s haircut.
She’d been sitting there reading recipes for a little over ten minutes when she noted that a man was watching her from nearby. She shifted slightly in her seat and glanced at him wondering why he was watching her like that. She didn’t like the vibe she was getting from him and found herself shifting in the soft sofa seat she was sitting in. He continued glaring at her and she pushed the book back into the bag of books she’d bought, readying herself to go back into the salon to get away from the man. She looked up at him again, frowning as she noticed he was wearing a leather vest like the one Peanut wore. She was just getting to her feet when the man stomped over, glaring at her.
“What’s your game? Are you scamming him? Is that what you’re up to because if it is I will end you, little girl,” the man snarled.
Phoebe shrank down into the seat and cried out, her arms automatically going to cover her face, unsure why the man was yelling at her. He jerked her arms away from her face, but he didn’t hurt her. He just held her arm and scowled down at her.
“I d-don’t know wh-what you’re talking ab-about,” Phoebe stuttered, her eyes filling with tears.
“What the fuck. Let her fucking go, you fucking moron!” Peanut roared, jerking the man away from her.
“You’ve been dragging her around the mall buying her all kinds of shit and you don’t think she’s playing you? Wake the fuck up, dumbass. This bitch is—” the man was yelling at Peanut when Peanut punched him in the face, knocking him back a few steps.
Peanut reached forward, grabbing him by his leather vest and jerking him close as he snarled into the other man’s face. “Shut the fuck up and listen, mother fucker. What I do or don’t allow isn’t up to your stupid ass. If you’d asked me instead of following us around like a damned idiot lurking in the fucking shadows making me nervous as hell all damned day then you’d know that she was robbed yesterday and doesn’t have anything to her damned name. She has to have clothes and shit. You had no right to stick your big nose into my business, and if I ever see you touch her again I will fucking kill you where you fucking stand. Now get the fuck out of here, Viking, before I really lose my temper.” Peanut shoved him and Phoebe watched as he stumbled back again, bumping into another man who hurriedly moved away from the two fighting men.
Her hands were shaking and she was about to jump up and run. Peanut was furious as he stepped closer to her and she felt her insides crumple. Her heart beat like a drum in her chest and she was sure his kindness was at an end. He would blame her for this and she’d have to run again, only this time she’d have no money and nothing to take with her. She was wringing her hands and trying not to look at him. She didn’t want to make it worse. Peanut knelt beside the chair she was still sitting in, his hand gentle as they stopped hers.
“You okay?” he asked softly.
Phoebe glanced up, surprised to see that instead of anger he was looking at her gently. His eyes were calm and despite his slightly clenched jaw he didn’t look angry with her.
“Y-yes,” Phoebe whispered.
“I’m sorry he scared you. He’s just trying to look out for me and Jazzy. I know that’s not an excuse but we’re his only real family. He has a hard time getting to know people and even in the club we are all he has. Not that the club wouldn’t help him if he ever needed it, but he isn’t close to anyone except me and Jazzy. I won’t let him or anyone else hurt you, you know that, don’t you, Phoebe?” Peanut looked so earnest as he asked her this that she found herself blinking at him.
He really meant what he was saying, she realized. He wasn’t mad at her, he was upset with his friend. She let out the breath that she hadn’t even realized she was holding. The fear that had consumed her was slowly starting to fade away. She nodded her head in agreement and Peanut seemed to relax.
“Dad, what’s going on? Is Phoebe okay?” Jasmine asked, drawing her attention to the little girl who was now standing next to the chair. Lisa was standing just outside the salon watching them from a few feet away.
“What the hell was Viking thinking?” she demanded. “He’s lucky no one called the police.”
“It’s fine. It was a misunderstanding,” Peanut said getting to his feet.
“What did Uncle Viking do? Was there a bad man and he had to chase him away? Phoebe says a bad man hurt her, but I told her that you and my uncles would make the bad man go away. Is that what happened?” Jasmine asked looking up at her father, who didn’t seem to know how to answer that. Taking pity on him and his dilemma, Phoebe finally found her voice.
“That’s exactly what happened, Jasmine. Your uncle went after the bad guy and your dad was assuring me that I was okay,” Phoebe said, meeting Peanut’s grateful look.
“I knew it,” Jasmine said smiling. “I told you they’d make the bad man go away.”
“You were certainly correct. I love your hair. You look great with bangs,” Phoebe said, distracting her.
“Thank you. I love it too,” Jasmine exclaimed with a bright smile on her face.
“I got you something from the bookstore. Would you like to see?” Phoebe asked as she pulled her up into the chair beside her.
“I knew it would make me look older like Kelly. It makes me look like I’m ten or even eleven, don’t you think? Lisa says I look like a grown-up lady now,” Jasmine said, her words coming out in a rush as she tried to get to the end of her speech as fast as possible.
“I think you look much older than you did when we came to the mall.”
“Yeah, you said you got me something? Can I see it now?” Jasmine asked, seeming to suddenly remember Phoebe had told her about the book she’d found. She opened the bag and dug the book out, handing it to Jasmine. She squealed and jumped up and down. Phoebe was glad that the book wasn’t one she already had. She glanced up at Peanut.
He nodded with a mouthed thank you before he went back in to pay Lisa so they could leave. A few moments later he came back out carrying their bags. He took the bag of books from Phoebe as she rose to meet him. Jasmine was holding her book to her chest as they all headed out of the mall with Peanut carrying their purchases. He was still tense and she’d bet that there would be another conversation between him and Viking before this whole matter was put behind them.
Chapter Eleven
Peanut stomped his feet on the new mat that had appeared at the door a week ago after one of Phoebe’s shopping trips. She’d been living with them for a little over three weeks and already the changes in both the house and her were evident. He had always loved being at home but with Phoebe and Jasmine at the house he never wanted to leave. She cooked like a goddess and Jasmine loved her.
He kicked his boots again, not wanting to drag any of the mud in for her to clean up. Apparently, she liked things a bit cleaner than he was used to because she kept the place spotless. It was funny to see her and Jasmine going through the house with Jasm
ine trying to help her clean and Phoebe distracting her with small tasks that were more busy work than real cleaning.
He pulled the door open hearing the giggles from the living room. Jasmine had been spending less time on her Xbox with her uncles and the boys in favor of following Phoebe around. Laughter had welcomed him home just about every night this week. He typically found them in the kitchen cooking together but today he could hear Jazzy in the living room. Wondering what they were up to, he headed in that direction bypassing the kitchen without looking.
He entered, and his eyes narrowed on the two men in the room. One was sitting on his couch with his legs crossed and the other was in the middle of the room. What the fuck were Phoenix and Viking doing here? He didn’t care that they were friends, if Viking had frightened Phoebe again then he was going to rip his balls off. He still hadn’t forgiven him for accosting her in the mall the second day she’d been here. Phoenix was twirling Jasmine around and around in the middle of the room, that was where the giggling was coming from, but he didn’t see Phoebe and his jaw clenched.
“Where is Phoebe?” he demanded, his anger evident in his harsh question.
“She’s getting something from the kitchen,” Viking said from his place on the couch. He didn’t look at Peanut for more than a second, his face covered with a frown.
“She should be back in a minute,” Phoenix said, looking over his shoulder with confusion. He looked back and forth between him and Viking, likely wondering about the coldness between them. Peanut turned on his heel and headed into the kitchen without a word. He needed to reassure himself that Phoebe was alright. The last time she’d seen Viking she’d been terrified and Viking damned well knew it. Peanut had warned him to stay away from her, but he hadn’t listened apparently.
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