by Shyla Colt
“What else?” she asked.
“I want a girl friendly space that will bring her comfort and allow her to remember her mother.”
“You should hire an interior designer—”
“No. I won’t trust just anyone with this. I want you, Es.”
She paused.
He swallowed. It was a lot to ask of someone who avoided children like the plague.
“O-okay. You’ve made up your mind, then?” she asked.
“You were right. I’m a father first. Jade would always put Jocelyn before anything else. I’m just reeling right now. I hoped before she was still alive. Now it’s a fact and I need to get my shit together. I have a little girl out there who needs me. Whether she knows it or not. God, she could be going through fucking anything, Es.”
“Hey, we don’t know that. Did he say anything about the arrangement?”
“Just that he sold her. I can’t see that being something any upstanding citizen would be a part of,” Snake whispered.
“You’d be surprised. Legal adoptions are lengthy, pricey, and at times near impossible to get approved.”
She’s being kind. I’ll let her think she’s easing my mind, but I expect the worse. Money can buy counseling. I can’t go back in time, but I can look to the future and prepare. Those men were hate mongers, and like attracted like. The thought of any of their kin or acquaintances rearing his child turned his stomach.
“Hmmm,” he said.
“Tonight you rest. Tomorrow you go back and make things right, yes?”
“I think that’s the best way to do things,” he said as his eyes grew heavy.
“You tell me what you need and it’s done.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re my very best friend.” He felt a feather-light brush against his lips before he let the blackness take him.
§
Estelle
How did I get myself into this?
“Sign here and here please,” the small man with grey hair, and dark eyes that didn’t seem to miss a thing said. Jim Arbuckle was one of the top lawyers in Cincinnati. She knew because she’d seen his name fly around high-profile cases. How the Wild Ones could afford him, she didn’t know.
She gave her signature and made a mental promise to throat chop Snake the next time she saw him. He’d left her early telling her he’d be contacting her to get the ball rolling. She hadn’t known that would mean signing power of attorney papers to give her the right to sign his name while he was off searching for Jocelyn. Kali sat beside her in the clubroom offices.
“Excellent. I’ll make a copy. Keep this on you when you’re doing any sort of business transactions and refer people to me if you have any problems.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Arbuckle.”
“It’s what they pay me to do.”
She watched slightly dazed as he made a copy, handed it to her, packed up, and walked out.
“What the hell did you do to Snake? Is your pussy made of gold?”
“What? No. We’ve never even done that.”
“So your mouth is magical?” Kali said.
“Jesus, Kali, no. He wants me to look for some property.”
“He gave you the power to fuck his shit up if you want to.”
“I would never do that.”
“Clearly he knows that. Look, it’s not like any of these men to do this. Why are you different?” Kali asked.
Irritation loosened her tongue. “I get that you’re the den mother here, but I’ve had enough of your shit. I can’t speak for any of these other men, but I can tell you what Xavier and I share is real and potent. I was lucky to find him and I’m not about to let him down because you want to ride my ass. You need to step back.”
Kali nodded. “Good girl.”
“Excuse me?” Estelle snapped, exasperated.
“I’ve been trying to see how far you’d let me push you for weeks. You’ll need a strong backbone to stay around here.”
“Seriously, Kali, it’s nine o’clock in the morning, I’m exhausted, and worried I might fuck this task I’ve been given up. I don’t know what the hell Snake likes, and his ‘I’ll live anywhere as long as I have a place to sleep, eat, and shit’ isn’t helpful.” She lowered her voice, mimicking Snake.
Kali laughed. “Sounds about right. Look, he’s used to living in a dorm, so when he said that he meant it. Use your own discretion. Besides, I get the feeling you’ll be spending a lot of time there.”
“Yes, because I have to decorate it, too.” She threw her hands up in the air.
“No wonder he gave you access to his money. It makes it easier on him. The lazy bastard,” Kali scoffed.
Es snickered despite her exhaustion. “Yeah, he’s getting the better end of the deal.”
“You better make sure you throw in some nice things for you, too,” Kali said with a wink.
“Now you’re encouraging me to abuse his money?” Es asked.
“Yes, because I know you don’t want to. Always make sure you’re getting a little bit back because men get so caught up in what they have going they can be neglectful.”
“I’m not even going to try to decipher Kali logic. Right now I need a real estate agent and a coffee, not in that order.”
“Well let’s get you a coffee while I call the club real estate person. They know how to get shit done fast. You need to put that beautiful brain of yours to work because they’re going to ask you what you’re looking for and where.”
“I feel a migraine coming on,” Es muttered, rubbing her throbbing temples.
“Come on, I’ll feed you. I was instructed not to let you miss any meals.”
“That man is trying to make me a giant.”
“Only your ass,” Kali said.
“What?”
“It’s your ass he wants to get fat.”
“What?”
“Your ass,” Kali replied, grinning. “You’re…umm, a little fair for his taste.”
“Fair-skinned?” Es guessed.
Kali nodded.
What is it he sees in me? I’m not even his type.
“Everyone has a type, and Snake is no exception. There’s a reason I asked you if you had the Midas touch earlier. That being said, I think you’re good for him. He’s obviously trying to get his shit together now.”
Es bit the inside of her cheek to keep her silence. If he hadn’t told Kali, it wasn’t her place to update her. She’s going to start wondering when I buy things for a little girl. I need to talk to Xavier about that.
“We’re not like that you know. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea,” Es said. She thought back to the night before. The kiss had placed butterflies in her belly and a flood between her legs. Too bad I have no clue if it meant anything. She woke to find him gone and a lengthy note in his place.
Kali shook her head. “Honey, not even you believe that.”
Es looked away.
“Come on, coffee, food, and research,” Kali said, pulling her from the chair.
§
She was on overload when the phone rang and Snake’s name flashed on the screen.
“It’s Snake, I’m going to take this outside,” Es said, stepping out onto the back patio of Kali’s home.
“Hey, how are you doing?”
“I’m feeling a bit murderous.”
“Shit. What happened?”
“You! Power of Attorney and adding me to your bank info. Talk about blindsiding me.”
“How else can you do what needs to be done? I don’t know how long it’s going to take to get the information we need or where she’ll be. I trust you with this.”
“What if I’m horrible with money?” she asked. He was so nonchalant about this thing.
“You’re not.”
S
he narrowed her gaze. “How do you know that?”
“I see how you live, and Data.”
“Hacking fucker.”
He laughed out loud. “Are you that upset?”
“No, I’m stressed. These are huge decisions you want me to make. What if I screw up?”
“Impossible. I know your taste. We’ve talked about the kind of place you’d get if you moved into a house again. I’m onboard with that. Relax. It’s not the rooms, windows, and floors that really make a home. It’s the emotions of those inside them. I know I’m asking a lot, but you get me on this level most people never will.”
His words thawed her icy disposition. Damn you. She sighed. “I hear you. How are things going there?”
“Shitty. I hate negotiating with this son of a bitch.”
“I’m sorry, Xav. Just remember the end will justify the means tenfold.”
“How do you always know what to say?” he asked.
“Pure luck,” she suggested.
“Naw, I don’t believe that.”
Are we going to talk about what happened last night? The question lingered on the tip of her tongue. Now’s not the time to ask. She held off. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You’re doing more than enough. I know I’m imposing on you—”
She could hear the men yelling for him in the background.
“Damn. I need to get back, girl. I’ll call you when I can.” He hung up.
She whispered, “Bye,” to the dial tone. The man was a life-changing event.
“Everything okay out here? You look lost,” Kali said.
“Yes. He… uh, had to go.”
Kali smiled. “Yeah, being with them is a lot of waiting at times. It takes an understanding, strong woman. Seeing as how you’re here taking on this momentous task for a man you’re not dating, I think you’d be one hell of an old lady. And that’s nothing I say lightly. Enjoy that praise.”
Es laughed.
“I was serious.”
“That’s why it’s funny because it’s true. Since it’s just us two, can I pick your brain?”
“About Snake?” Kali asked, wagging her eyebrows.
“Maybe,” Es murmured as her cheeks grew warm.
Kali smirked. “You can ask. I’ll tell you what I can.”
“Is he a playboy?”
“No, he’s actually really discrete. Sometimes the girls get it in their head that fucking them is the same as dating them and hang all over their member of choice. He’s always avoided that trap. I’m not saying his celibate, but he doesn’t bring anyone around the way he did you. It’s why we were all sort of fascinated when he started bringing you around and made it clear you were off limits. I thought maybe it was some big brother thing at first. Then I saw how he looked at you when he thought no one was watching.”
“How was that?” she asked.
“Like you hung the moon, Sprite.”
“You must be mistaken,” she said.
“I think the question is, why would you want me to be?”
Es shook her head. “It’s been a long time since I was in a place to even think about something romantic. I don’t know that I’m ready.” Here I am so excited about last night I forgot all about Everett. Her stomach ached. Is that all it takes? Someone to show me a bit of attention and kiss me?
“You’re a million miles away right now,” Kali remarked.
Her new friend brought her back to the present. “Just thinking about how I should work on this and get it out of the way.” So I can come back to Earth. Once this is over we’ll both return to our lives and occasionally see one another as we lend support. The thought pacified her. The guilt ebbed and her ability to breathe returned. She walked into the house determined to get him settled so she could take a few steps back.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Snake
“Do you have eyes on him?” Snake asked, popping his knuckles as he waited in the hotel room. Hiram insisted Snake stay behind while the others took him to the Greyhound station. The exchange was being made, Hiram’s freedom for Jocelyn’s location. Data sat at the desk with his computer at the ready.
“Everything is going as planned. He’s purchased his ticket to Nashville, Tennessee. It leaves in another hour. He’ll give the information to Sick, and we’ll look it up and walk.” He could hear the anger in Sharp’s voice over speakerphone.
“Trust me, I hate that he’s getting away, too. But this is about my daughter.”
“I get you, Veep. Here they come now.”
Snake held his breath. “And Roland and Sharon Miles of Lexington, Kentucky.”
Snake repeated the information and Data’s fingers flew over the keys.
“I got them. All three of them.”
Three!
Data turned the computer around and the image on the screen damn near stopped his heart. Jocelyn. She was a miniature version of her mother with her slender limbs, and light-brown curls that tumbled to her shoulders. Her golden eyes reminded him of a lion—fierce and intelligent beyond her years. She got that fight in her from me along with her broad forehead and strong jawline. The button nose and small lips are all Jade. “Is that her?” Data asked.
“Yeah, brother, that’s my baby girl,” he answered, grinning so hard his mouth ached.
“The information is right, Veep?” Sharp said.
“Yeah, brother, let that motherfucker go for now. We’ll meet up with him again one day. Count on that.”
“All right, brother, we’re coming back now.”
Snake turned to Data. “I want to know everything you have on them.”
“On it,” Data said.
Euphoria set in. His baby girl was alive and well. He could tell by the high-quality family pictures the Miles were wealthy. Had they given her the best of everything? Could he continue her lifestyle? How would he get her back? I need to talk to Es.
“I’m going to step out for a minute,” Snake said.
Data nodded to show he’d heard, and he slipped outside with his phone.
“Hello.”
“I found her, Es, and she’s so fucking beautiful.”
“Tell me everything.”
“She was adopted by a wealthy couple in Lexington. That’s all I know so far, but I had to call.”
“That’s excellent, Snake! I am so excited for you. I knew you’d find her.”
“Now I have to figure out how to get her.”
“Hey, one step at a time, remember?”
“Yeah.” He shook his head. Is this really happening? “If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.”
“Maybe today is a lucky day. I have a couple of houses I feel really good about seeing.”
“How many bedrooms?” Snake asked.
“Four.”
“Good, that’ll give you your own.”
“What?”
“Come on, she’ll be scared of me at first. You’re sweet, tiny, and skillful with children.”
“I’m not a live-in nanny.”
“No, you’re my best friend, which automatically makes you Godmother.”
“I don’t think that’s how it works.”
“It’s how it works for me, Sprite. You think I’d give just anyone the Power of Attorney?”
“I think I’m a convenience.”
“The fuck you say?” he asked.
“I’m here, I have the time, and I’m willing to help you. Let’s make sure we’re not turning this into something else.”
“What the hell, Es?”
“Listen, I need to go. I have to be there on time to meet the realtor.”
The dial tone felt like a slap in the face. They were working toward more. What happened over the past few days to make her close herself off? Worry for the woman who held him down spr
ung up. We need to get out of here anyway. The longer we stay, the more fingers may point our way. They’d moved to a hotel outside of town a few days back, but he wouldn’t put it past the people here to remember the face or cars of strangers. He returned to the room and rounded up his crew, giving the direction to head back home. The van and the borrowed plates would be retired. They pulled out of the hotel forty-five minutes later, and he swore to himself Es had little to do with it.
§
The rain was coming down heavily as he pulled up in front of Es’s apartment. She’d made an offer on a beautiful four-bedroom, walking distance from an established private school. He hadn’t seen it in person, but that was the last thing in his mind. Tomorrow he, Mike, and the club lawyer would get together to talk about options. Right now was all about Es. After he knocked on the door, he shoved his hands in his pockets. A chill had settled into his bones and his belly. She opened the door in an off the shoulder dark grey sleep outfit that made him drool. Her legs were exposed up to her upper thighs, and her collar bone looked good enough to eat.
“What are you doing here?”
He stepped in, forcing her to back up.
“I didn’t like the way you sounded on the phone. What the hell happened over the past few days, Es?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head, refusing to look at him.
“Bullshit.”
She looked up at him with her lips parted.
“You shocked that I’m calling you out?”
“You can’t tell me how I feel,” she said bristling. Good, he wanted a reaction from her.
“No, but I can tell when you’re lying. Whether it’s to yourself or just to me I can’t say.” He ducked down and caught her gaze. “A few days ago we were fine. What happened?”
She shrugged.
“Was it Jole?”
“No. I should close the door.” She moved to step around him, but he snaked his arm around her waist, stopping her. “Fuck the door. You know that avoidance shit doesn’t work with me, sweet girl. I give two shits about political correctness.”
She swallowed hard.
“Are you going to start talking or do I need to make you?”
Fire sparked to life in her eyes. “I’d like to see you try, big man.”