by Jax Hart
The biggest cat in the litter hisses and spits as the vet tech reaches into the box.
“Put a special collar on that one. He’s going to a real good friend of mine for Christmas.”
I swear the kitten gives me side-eye as it’s lifted out. I grin like a mother fucker imagining Rog’s face when I hand him a cat carrier in bright pink covered in hideous rhinestones.
Laughing to myself, I look out the windows. Families laugh and smile, all dragging freshly cut trees from the lot on the corner. I want that, dammit.
Taking out my phone, I call Freddie.
“Dare?”
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“Ok, I guess.”
But I’m not buying it.
“Freddie?”
“The other kids know. They ain’t stupid. Everyone knows I’m getting out if here soon. That I’m going to be fostered out maybe adopted. Someone stole my new boots and coat when I was asleep last night.”
My fist curls at my side. My jaw clenches. “I’ll take care of it. How many days left until break?”
“I’m already on break. Yesterday, was a half-day.”
My heart breaks as I picture her alone with kids who hate her now. “Sit tight, baby doll. It won’t be long now. We’ll be together soon. Forever. I’ll never let anyone hurt you ever again. I swear it.”
A startled gasp from behind me has me spinning on my heels. “Shiloh!” I growl, but she’s fled. The door to the vet’s office slams shut as she dashes away.
“Fuck!”
“Dare?”
“Shit. I’m sorry.”
“What’s going on?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. It just comes out. “A woman. A beautiful, maddening, funny, sensitive woman…”
“Am I getting a new mom, too?”
“Would you like one?”
“Hells, yeah. It’s the number one thing on my Christmas list.”
“Am I that bad?”
“I don’t know yet. But it would be cool to have a mom someday… what’s this woman like?”
I pause, looking up at the sky from my side of the window. “Perfect.”
“Oh boy. What did you do to mess this up? You better not mess up my chance of having this perfect woman as my Mommy.”
I grin. “You’ve already decided? You don’t even know her name?”
“Well, I have low standards. I’ve never had one before. So…”
My throat thickens. “She’d be a perfect mom someday.”
“How will we get her to fall in love with us then?”
“I like the way you think, Freddie.”
“Good. Now Spill. Everything. Don’t leave anything out. Except the kissing stuff because that’s gross.”
“Okay, little sprite…we met at the airport last week. She hated me on sight…. and then we rescued the kittens…” I finally finishing somehow speaking past the lump in my throat.
“She needs to know you’re Santa. But don’t make her mad when she finds out. You’re her perfect soulmate, Dare. She knows it. She’s looking for you… you need to tell her on Christmas.”
“What if I show her? Knock on her door dressed up?”
“I don’t know. Maybe do something more romantic?”
“In a Santa outfit?”
“Every girl still dreams of Santa. I did and I found you. She probably still believes.”
I shut my eyes feeling the burn; the hope of love flaring to life. Two females have snagged my heart, each in different ways.
“I wish I could spend Christmas with you, Freddie. I swear I’d make up for all your shitty ones, but my paperwork just entered the system and a lot of people already took off for the holidays.”
“I know. I’ll be okay. There’s always next year.”
“We’ll celebrate after. I can’t send you more things that will make you a target. Stay strong. You won’t be there much longer.”
“Okay. Call me tomorrow? Maybe ask my future mom out on a date?”
“You got it, sprite. I’ll come up with something good. Something she won’t be able to resist.”
“I’ll brainstorm too. I’ll text.”
“Ok. Bye sweetheart.”
“Bye Dare.”
My head snaps up as the Vet comes around from the back. “They’re all healthy. I gave each vaccinations and de-wormers, flea and tick meds…”
“Great. How much do I owe you?’
“Three hundred.”
I nod, handing over five. “Merry Christmas. Use it for the next stray that comes along.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that. It’s always the strays that require the most.”
“Always is.” I grin, lifting back up the new box of mewling kittens and one pissed as fuck Mama cat. “I wish I could give you to Rog. But Sally called dibs.” I shut the top as she peers at me through the airholes.
After placing the litter back in my car, I walk through the slush-covered sidewalks to the café, ducking in to looking for Shi.
My phone buzzes with a text.
Rog: You half-wit fucktard.
Me:?
Rog: Dev just saw Shi at the General Store. The girl was swiping tears.
Me: Fuck. I know.
Rog: Don’t mess up the greatest Christmas gift you’ve always wanted and never got, son.
Me: What’s that, old man?
Rog: Love… you idiot.
Me: You’re going daft. Too many hits to the head if you think I’m in love with a woman I met a week ago.
Rog: I knew the second my eyes landed on Dev.
I don’t respond. Because I can’t.
I scan the cozy room.
“She’s not here. She left. She wouldn’t admit it, hiding her eyes behind her sunglasses but that girl was a mess.
Fuck.
I slowly turn, facing one pissed off Luce. “I thought you were in Canada.”
“We were. But we had to come back. Club business.”
My eyes harden. My body stills. “Everything okay?”
She shrugs.
I scan the small café again. “Where’s your bodyguard?”
She shrugs.
“Luce…?”
“Fine,” she huffs, “I gave him the slip.”
I shake my head. “Jesus. Smith is gonna kill the dude. Who was it?”
“Federico…”
I grin. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”
“That’s the last place I want to go.”
“You have to. You married him when you could’ve had… Roque.”
“I know. But he’s just such a blockhead sometimes. It pisses me off.”
“Who? Smith or Roque?”
“Both.”
“Amen to that. Coffee?”
“Decaf with a slice of pie.”
I wink. “Anything for you, doll.”
She rolls her eyes. “That shit doesn’t work on me, but I can tell you tried it on Shiloh. She’s nice by the way—too nice for a dufus like you.”
“Dufus? I haven’t heard that word since 1998.”
“Asshole. Whatever. I’m working on my potty-mouth it’s not good for the baby.”
She pats her swollen tummy.
“Christ. Smith is gonna tear down the town looking for you.”
“I know,” she winks. “You better text him.”
I shake my head. “Fine. But don’t run off on me. I have a litter of kittens in the car. One for Smith for Christmas.”
She claps her hands. “I love it.”
“Just wait till you meet the one I’m giving to Rog. She’s a real mean little thing. Scratched the shit out of the vet tech.”
She giggles. “I already feel better. Damn, Dare you really have a way about you.”
I frown. “Do you know where she went? Rog said Dev saw her. I know you women share everything.”
“Yeah. Devon drove her back to the Inn. I think they called ahead and booked spa treatments.”
“Perfect. We’ll need to grab our coffees to go. We�
��re going to sneak into Shiloh’s room and swipe her journal.”
“What? No. Just no. A woman’s diary is sacred you bonehead.”
“Not her diary… she’s working on a book. Children’s stories… can you…would you…read it? Maybe bring her words to life? She needs an illustrator.”
“I’m not one.”
“No? you’re a damn fine artist, Luce. Please. I’ve really fucked up with her. I need to make it right—"
“Stealing her private work won’t do it. That’s a dumb idea.”
“Maybe. But I want to at least try. Please.”
“Fine. But I’m not stealing it. That’s all you.”
I shrug. “I’m good at stealing shit. Always was.”
“I heard.”
“Oh?”
“Smith might need you while you’re in town.”
“I can’t. I’m trying to turn my life around.”
“Away from the Club?”
“I hope not. But I can’t risk getting mixed up in any more bad shit. Luce—the things Smith did for you. To protect you. I was there. I saw it all. And now I get it. I understand how far a man will go for the special people in his life. Go home.”
“How far did he go?”
I shut my eyes, trying to block out the night I helped her husband protect her life by ending practically the entire Chapter of a rival MC’s. “You don’t want to know… don’t want that picture in your head Luce. But know it was as far as you can imagine he’d go and then some.”
She rubs her swollen belly. “I’m afraid. I’m not sure I want this life for our child.”
“No one said you had to. Make it what you want Luce. But MC or not, we’re all family forever.”
“I know. I want you to find what we all have. I’ll help you with Shiloh’s book if I can. But I don’t think we should steal it.”
“Photocopy?”
She snorts. “Fine. I’ll draw some rough sketches and get them to you by Christmas Eve.”
“That’s two days away.”
“I know.”
“Luce.”
She freezes not wanting to turn and face the fury of her six-foot five beast of a husband who let his beard and hair grow out again. The man looks insane. But the woman all go for it, I guess, judging by all the sweetbutts that were after him before Luce locked him down.
I move closer to her, cupping her elbow protectively. Smith’s eyes narrow noticing my movement.
“My wife, Darren.”
“She’s helping me…with my own woman problems.”
He ignores me, crosses his arms and stares down his wife. “You broke your vow. You promised to obey me.” He drawls.
“I did no such thing.”
“I was there. I head you say them.” She turns around, poking me in the chest.
“Traitor.”
“You can’t take off like that. Federico is on my shit-list.”
She hang her head. “No. Don’t take it out on him.”
“Are you gonna take his punishment. You offering?”
“Yes.” She whispers.
I shift uncomfortably as the air between them changes. My own balls tighten, listening to the meaning behind their words. She’s gonna submit to him tonight. Do whatever he wants and he’s gonna punish her in a much sweeter way than he would Federico. But from the look in his eyes; he’s gonna make it burn first.
“I’ll see you both later. Luce—you’ll help?”
“Of course, I will.” But her eyes never leave her man’s.
Taking my coffee, I walk back out in the cold wondering how in the hell I’m gonna reveal to Shi I’m her man when she’s hurting so bad thinking the worst of me. Thinking I’m talking up two women at the same time.
20
FREDDIE
MY TUMMY GROWLS. But I don’t dare leave the safety of the small bedroom I share with two other girls. Being in the system sucks. But at least no one’s hurt me…not like my friend Chloe. She’s back here after being fostered into a family that sold naked pictures of her. They’re in jail and she’s back here. No longer filled with hope that her someday of ever leaving for good will ever come.
“I’ll ask him. I know he’ll help you.”
“No,” she sniffs. “I don’t trust him. You shouldn’t either Freddie.” I hug her tight.
“I have to believe. I just have to.”
“I’m scared for you.”
“I kind of am too. I want a chance to belong to a real family. Dare said he met a woman. I think he’s in love.”
“You’re too innocent Freddie. That’s why I’m afraid for you. No man falls in love with some woman he just met or makes plans to foster a kid he met on the street.”
“Dare’s different. You’ll see.”
“They…he…they…” She stops, unable to speak. Her body trembles. “…they did things to me, Freddie. Down there.”
My palms sweat. I’m only ten but I understand more than I should for my age. “Did you tell anyone?”
She shakes her head. “I couldn’t. I was too afraid. Too ashamed…that no one would want to adopt a thirteen-year-old girl who’s messed up now.”
“You’re not.”
“I am.”
My tummy growls again.
“I’m too afraid to go downstairs. Cooper’s back and I don’t like the way he looks at me.”
She shivers. “I’ll sneak out for you.”
“No. It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I’ll grab something quick. Lock the door and move the dresser in front.”
“Okay.”
I do what Chole says and wait. And wait. Until shouts and screams come from downstairs. Trembling, I move the dresser. I don’t want to go but my friend needs me. I take out the cell Mr. Roque gave me just in case. With my finger hovering over his name, I creep closer to the stairs, horrified at the scene below.
Cooper and a gang of boys have Chole pinned against a wall. Her panicked eyes meet mine and she shakes her head slightly, urging me not to intervene. Moving back into the shadows I hit call.
“Freddie?”
“I need help. Please. They’re boys here. Bad ones. They’re hurting my friend.”
“Go back in your room. Wait for me.”
“I can’t. They’re taking off her clothes.”
“Freddie. Trust me. Please.” His voice is deadly. Calm.
“Hurry. I’m scared. Please help us Mr. Roque.”
I scream as one of the boys looks back, “Get her!”
“Freddie!” Roque roars. I drop the phone, go back into my room and pick up the lamp. When the boy barrels in I scream, smashing it down on his head. It breaks. I keep swinging and screaming as more boys come. I can’t fight them all.
I’m dragged out of the room. Carried down the stairs and put next to Chloe.
“Freddie. I told you to stay put.”
Cooper holds his phone to his ear. “Tell Brooks I got two. One’s thirteen the other ten…tell him my debt’s been paid.”
“What’s he talking about?” I whisper to Chloe.
“We’re being sold.”
“No…” I shake my head. I was supposed to Dare’s. He promised I’d be safe. I pictured a life where I could grow up and be somebody. Now it’s all disappearing before it can even begin.
The front door smashes open. Two big men wearing suits and carrying big guns barrel through.
Everyone freezes.
Mr. Roque steps over the broken door. His dark eyes scanning the room until they rest on me. No one moves. No one breathes. He’s bigger than them all. He has presence. He’s the meanest man I’ve ever seen and yet I’m relieved. His suit is the darkest black from the longest night. Rich and deep. The kind of color that’s so dark you’d lose yourself in it. He has that thing. That “it” factor so many people pose trying to imitate but never quite pull off. And I knew he’d come. I knew this dark Christmas angel would save me, just like I know deep in my heart that Dare’s going to change my life for the bette
r.
His cuff links shine under the crappy overhead light as he steps forward. He fiercely stares down every punk teen that put their hands on us. Slowly. Very slowly he moves, reminding me of a graceful jaguar moving through the jungle; strong and sure-footed.
“Freddie. Who? Which one put that mark on your arm.”
I glance down, noticing the swelling and purple handprints on my skin. I shake my head not knowing. But I do know some things… “Cooper. He said he was giving us to someone names Brooks as payment.”
“Which one is Cooper?” He asks, walking forward as one of the teens pisses in his paints. Roque steps over the puddle on the floor and enters the circle still frozen around me and Chloe.
“You fucks know who I am?” His voice is low and calm.
I point over to Cooper. “That’s him. He’s the ringleader.” Roque switches direction and faces Cooper. He sizes him up, but Cooper is dumb, staring right back at Roque.
“How old are you?”
“Fifteen.” Cooper answers evenly.
“And you know what Brooks intended to do with these girls?”
Cooper swallows hard. Good. He finally tastes fear. Knows the sheer panic he made me feel.
“You have two choices. Kneel and pledge your life to me or… I end it.” Roque smiles like the devil as he shrugs as if he could care less what the answer will be. When Cooper doesn’t answer he turns, shrugs off his expensive suit coat and walks over to wrap it around me. It covers me like a cloak. I feel safe; protected. “Come.” He simply says, putting an arm around me.
“What about Chloe? I can’t leave without her.”
Roque turns his gaze to the only friend I have. He nods, motioning her with a flick of his wrist. But she doesn’t budge.
“It’s okay, Chloe. He’s helped me before.” I love my hand from within the safety of Roque’s jacket and take Chloe’s. Roque ushers us out of the ratty building and into the back of a warm SUV.
“Sit. Stay.” He commands, shutting the door as he goes back inside.
“I think we should run.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. But he’s the most dangerous man in the world.”
“I know. And he’s also my friend.”
“Men like him don’t have friends,” Chloe whispers.