by Harley Wylde
“You want to watch cartoons?” I asked. Even though I hadn’t watched an animated show in forever, I’d seen the channels in my cable package.
Coral stood up so fast Victoria rolled across the floor, only to scamper back over to the little girl. I led Coral over to the living room and she plopped back down on the floor, with Victoria eagerly crawling into her lap once more. After I turned on the TV, I scouted for the kids’ channels, then let Coral pick something to watch. I didn’t know if she had a bedtime, or where I’d put her. The bed in the guest room was only a full, and while Rachel and Coral were small enough to both fit, I thought the little girl might like her own space.
I walked down the hall and opened the third bedroom. A few boxes were stacked against the back wall, a few holdover memories from my days in the military. They would easily fit in the garage with my bike. Lifting them two at a time, I carried them out so I could clear the room. Once it was empty, I placed a call to Matt, hoping I’d catch him before he returned to the compound.
“Did I forget something?” he asked by way of answering.
“No, but I did. You know that mattress store, the new one with all the discounts going on?” I asked.
“What about it?”
“Can you stop and get a twin mattress set and a bed frame? Then stop by a store and grab some bedding appropriate for a little girl,” I said.
Matt was quiet a moment. “You’re going to keep them, aren’t you?”
Was I? Wouldn’t be the worst idea I’d ever had. At least they’d be safe. Couldn’t deny there was something about Rachel that called to me. One look was enough to tell me she was too damn young for someone like me, but time had taught me something important. Age was only a number. Yes, people might give us weird looks, but so what? I’d dealt with worse.
“Maybe,” I finally said.
“I’ll get a few toys too.” I heard the truck door slam. “By the way, when I cleaned out their motel room, there wasn’t a lot there. Safe was empty. Only a handful of clothes between the two of them, and there wasn’t a damn toy anywhere to be seen. Found a few slices of bread and some peanut butter.”
Fuck me. I’d had a feeling things were bad. Anyone staying there was down on their luck, but I hadn’t realized how much trouble the girls were in. Rachel was obviously a fighter and had been doing her best to take care of herself and her kid, but everyone needed help now and then. She’d likely never admit it, and I’d have to play devil’s advocate to keep her here, but I’d handle the situation when it arose.
“Use the sizes on the clothes you picked up and grab a few more things for them. Just simple stuff like T-shirts and jeans are fine. Get at least three more outfits for each of them.”
“Um, no offense, Steel, but if you’re going to claim those two, there is no fucking way in hell I’m buying bras and panties for your woman. So if you want her to have more of that stuff, you’ll have to get it yourself or take her shopping. The shirts and pants I can handle.”
“Fine. I’ll order some shit online after you get back. And don’t take no for an answer at the mattress shop. Make sure let you leave with that bed tonight.”
“Steel, it’s nearly eight o’clock. I don’t even know if they’re still open.”
Dammit. He made a good point. I hadn’t realized how late it was. “Fine. If they’re closed, I’ll figure something out for tonight. But I want that damn bed no later than noon tomorrow. Hear me?”
“Yep, got it.”
I disconnected the call and checked on Coral. She’d fallen asleep watching the animated movie, but I wasn’t going to move her until I knew if she’d have a room of her own for tonight. At some point, she’d moved to the couch. I’d slept on it often enough to know it was comfortable as hell, so she’d be fine there for a little while.
What the hell was I going to do with the two of them? As I watched the little girl sleep, I couldn’t deny the thought of making her my daughter was more than just a little appealing. Hell, even the dog liked her. At some point, Coral had pulled Victoria onto the couch and the little girl had her arm around the pug. I typically didn’t let the dog on the furniture, but I didn’t see the harm in it just this once.
While I waited on Matt to return, I went about checking the kitchen to see what I’d need to restock, then did the same for the hall bathroom. I wanted to make sure they had everything they’d possibly need. And part of me hoped what they needed most was me.
Chapter Three
Rachel
I groaned and slowly opened my eyes. My body ached and my head was pounding. The lights were off, and the bed felt far more comfortable than it had in the previous days. As my eyes adjusted and I took in my surroundings, my heart started to race. Where the hell was I? This wasn’t the motel. I quickly patted my body and felt my uniform, but that didn’t mean someone hadn’t done anything vile to me.
Sitting up, I waited for the room to stop spinning, then swung my legs over the side of the bed. Someone had removed my shoes and covered me with a blanket. I padded barefoot across the room and out into the hallway. The racket coming from the room next door must have woken me, and I heard a man cursing. I tiptoed to the next doorway and peered inside, unable to stifle my gasp as I saw Steel kneeling in the floor as he put a bed frame together.
He glanced my way and a smile spread across his lips. “I see you’re awake.”
“Where am I? Where’s Coral? How did I get here?”
He held up a hand. “Slow down. First, you passed out at the diner. I brought you to my house so you could rest. The thought of leaving you at the motel didn’t sit right with me, especially with the criminal element that hangs out down there. Coral is asleep on the couch with my dog, but once I get the bed put together, I was going to move her into here.”
I opened and shut my mouth a few times, trying to process what he’d said. “You bought her a bed?”
He nodded, then went back to putting the frame together. As he tightened the last screw, he put his tools aside, then stood. I saw a mattress and box spring leaning against the wall, and he placed them onto the frame before grabbing a plastic sack near the closet. Steel withdrew a package of sheets, tore them open, and started making the bed. I knew I should say something, or at least help, but I’d never felt so confused in my life. Or so touched. He’d done all this for Coral?
I looked around the room and noticed more sacks. One looked to contain a blanket, another a pillow. But it was the bags of clothes and toys that made my eyes mist with tears. I couldn’t remember anyone ever buying my daughter something, other than myself, and now Steel had not only brought a treat to her at the diner, but he’d given her so much more. Everything in me begged for caution, to not believe he was so nice. I’d learned the hard way that people seldom did anything without wanting something in return. For the life of me, I had no idea what it was Steel wanted from us.
He finished making the bed, then pulled a stuffed bear from a sack and leaned it against the pillow. I didn’t know what other toys he’d purchased, but there looked to be a few dolls and puzzles, as well as more things I couldn’t quite see without opening the bags fully. Steel gently took my hand and led me to the living room, where Coral lay sleeping on the couch with Steel’s little dog. They looked so peaceful, as if the two of them belonged together. My heart ached, knowing I hadn’t been able to give her the one thing she wanted most. Well, two. A dad and a pet.
“I’m sure you have questions, and you’re probably hungry. Kitchen is that way,” he said with a nod over my shoulder. “Go sit down and I’ll be right there. I’m just going to tuck Coral into bed and let Victoria out once more for the night. I have a feeling the two will be sleeping together and I want to make sure she doesn’t leave puddles anywhere.”
Almost in a daze, I went to the kitchen and sat at the large table. I’d assumed he lived alone, but there were six chairs. Who needed something this size if they didn’t have a wife and kids? I hadn’t noticed a ring on his finger, but that didn’
t really mean much these days. When Steel walked into the room, he immediately went to the fridge and pulled out a pitcher of tea. He poured two glasses, then set one in front of me. I sipped at it, pleasantly surprised that it was just the right amount of sweet. I’d found sweet tea generally went one of two ways. You either had to add sugar, or there was so much already in it you had to practically chew your drink.
“I’m sure you’re hungry,” he said. “I don’t have a lot here right now. Need to make a run to the store, but I do keep stuff on hand for sandwiches. How’s a ham and turkey on wheat sound?”
It sounded amazing, and my mouth started to water. “Really good.”
He pulled out the two containers of meat, along with some lettuce, a tomato, mustard, mayo, and some cheese. Steel shut the fridge and grabbed some bread from a cabinet, then started making sandwiches. I hoped he didn’t think I could eat everything, since he was apparently making four.
“Anything you don’t want on it? Or any allergies?” he asked.
“Everything is fine. I’m not allergic to any food or drinks.”
He plated two of the biggest sandwiches I’d ever seen and placed them in front of me, then went back to finishing up the other two. I was a bit relieved when he put everything away, then sat across from me with the other plate. At least he hadn’t expected me to eat all four! I might have been hungry, but even if I’d been starving I couldn’t have handled that much food at once.
“Go ahead and ask,” he said.
“Ask?”
“I’m sure there’s a lot going through your mind right now. Ask whatever questions will put you at ease. If I’m unable to answer, I’ll at least give you a reason why.”
That seemed fair, if a bit suspicious. Why offer to answer questions, then tell me he might not be able to? It made me wonder about who Steel really was, and just who were the Devil’s Fury? It was obvious they were bikers, and the girl at the diner had said they protected kids. Did that make him one of the good guys?
“I’m assuming this is your house?” I asked.
“It is.”
I looked around a moment. “Lots of space for just you. Do you have a wife or kids?”
“Nope. Just me.” He set back a little. “Always wanted a family, but at my age I figured it wasn’t in the cards.”
At his age? His hair might have been mostly silver, but I’d known men who were thirty and had just as much. The lines bracketing his eyes didn’t give much of a clue either. The way he’d scanned his surroundings at the diner still made me think he was possibly military. Not to mention the camo pants he had on right now. I knew not only military men wore those, but it was the vibe I got off him.
“Why did you think I would be safer here than at the motel?” I asked.
“Because I won’t let anything happen to you or your daughter, and neither will my brothers. You’re safe behind the gates at the Devil’s Fury compound. Quite a few of us have military training. I can assure you, only dumbasses attack us, and none of them walk away.”
I digested that a moment. He hadn’t outright said he killed people, but it was implied. Granted, I’d imagine anyone trying to break into this place probably didn’t walk the straight and narrow. It had to be suicide to go up against a guy like Steel, and he’d said there were others like him. I couldn’t imagine there being more than one guy like him. No one had ever been so sweet to Coral before, and so far, he didn’t seem to want anything in return. I hadn’t realized there were still good people in the world.
“You bought my daughter a bed,” I said softly.
“That I did. And you may as well know, I ordered some stuff to be delivered in the morning for both of you. I asked Matt to get a few basics to get you by. Looked like neither of you had much.”
I bristled at the implication. “I do perfectly well taking care of my daughter. We don’t need handouts!”
I’d fought hard for everything we had, and while it might not be much, it was ours. My job might not be glamorous, but I’d worked for every cent I had, every toy Coral had ever owned, and the clothes on our backs. I didn’t like anyone thinking I couldn’t take care of my kid. We might not be rich, but we did okay.
Steel leaned in closer, folding his hands on top of the table. “First of all, no one said you weren’t taking care of your kid. Secondly, letting people help you isn’t a sign of weakness. Everyone needs help sometimes, Rachel. Even me.”
And now I felt like a bitch for snapping at him. I closed my eyes and hung my head, trying to sort out all the emotions tumbling through me. I couldn’t remember anyone ever trying to help us just because they were nice. The one and only time a man had offered to buy dinner for us, he’d expected compensation in the form of a blowjob after. I hadn’t given in, and had ended up with a black eye for my trouble. It was the last time I’d trusted a man. As if Coral’s father and grandparents weren’t enough reason to never believe anything someone ever said to me.
“I’m sorry. I know I have a hard time accepting help, but I honestly haven’t had too many people offer. The ones who did seemed to want something in return.”
He narrowed his eyes and his jaw tightened. “I’m not helping you and expecting payment of any sort. I only want to keep you and that little girl safe. You’re exhausted, Rachel. Anyone can see it. You nearly dropped at the diner tonight. I can tell you take excellent care of Coral, but the problem is no one seems to take care of you.”
I couldn’t exactly argue with him. He was right. As much as I loved my daughter and tried to give her everything she needed, there was no one to help me along the way, and more often than not, I was beyond exhausted. I’d known it was only a matter of time before I collapsed, but I’d hoped getting the job at the diner would lower my stress enough I’d be okay. Obviously, I’d been wrong.
“How long do you plan for us to be here?” I asked.
He stared me down and wouldn’t answer, which told me enough. Indefinitely, it seemed. There was a part of me that wanted to balk and run the other way, but deep down I wondered if being here with Steel would be the best thing for both me and Coral. For one, he seemed to want to protect us for whatever reason. Neither of us had had that in so long. For that matter, there hadn’t been someone in my life who cared since Coral was born. The moment my family had heard I was pregnant, they’d merely tolerated my presence. Now it was just me and Coral. Or had been.
“Why would you help us?” I asked. “We’re strangers.”
“My father was in the military. He was killed in action during the Vietnam War, leaving my mother alone and pregnant. She raised me on her own, and I know exactly how damn hard it was for her. I don’t want that for you, or any woman. If I can help, then I will.”
I digested that a moment. He’d said his father was killed during the Vietnam War. I wasn’t the greatest at remembering historical facts, but I thought it had occurred in the nineteen-sixties. Which meant Steel was likely in his fifties, and that put him at roughly thirty years older than me. The only men I’d been attracted to were close to my age, but those hadn’t exactly turned out so great. I wasn’t sure what to think of Steel yet, but I couldn’t deny there was something about him that made me want to know more.
“If you’re really worried about single moms, why not start a shelter for them? Or some other assistance program?” I asked. “This town doesn’t have a homeless shelter, which means those who can’t afford a motel room, apartment, or house are just left on the streets to fend for themselves. I’d imagine a lot of those people are women and children.”
He nodded. “You’d be right. Starting up something like that isn’t easy as snapping my fingers. Even if I had the funding for it, there’s a shit ton of paperwork and red tape with the government. It would need to be a non-profit so we could accept donations, which means lots of legal work.”
I leaned back in my chair. It seemed he’d thought about it, more than just a little. Was he really as nice as he seemed? I glanced at the leather vest over his shoul
ders and the various patches. I didn’t know what any of them meant. What if he was luring me in, making me feel safe, and then he planned to hurt me or Coral? If my family didn’t want us, and Coral’s father had walked away, why would this stranger do so much for us?
I couldn’t remember ever feeling so conflicted in my life. I wanted to believe he really was as amazing as he seemed, but my past experiences taught me not to take things at face value. If we stayed, would he change over time? Was all this an act? I wanted to trust Steel was the real deal, a true knight in shining armor, but I’d been wrong before.
“I don’t know what your life has been like up to this point,” he said, “but I can guess it hasn’t been easy. It’s clear Coral’s father isn’t in the picture. She told me he didn’t want her. I also think you’re running from something. I don’t expect you to trust me overnight, Rachel. It’s good you’re cautious, especially with your little girl counting on you. I only ask that you let me help at least a little. Stay here for a bit. Get your strength back, rest as much as you can, and save up some money so you don’t have to return to the motel.”
“And you don’t want anything in return?” I asked.
“Not a thing.”
It seemed too good to be true, and over the last six years, I’d discovered it meant I needed to run as far and as fast as I could in the opposite direction. What kind of person bought all this stuff for strangers, let them into his home, and then expected nothing in return? Maybe fifty years ago someone would have been as helpful, but today? Not a chance.
“When I left the diner earlier, did you ask about me? Or my club at the least?” he asked.
“The waitress said your club protected children.”
He nodded. “And we do. I don’t expect you to take my word for it. If you want to share a room with Coral tonight, and lock yourselves in, it won’t hurt my feelings. I’d imagine you’ve run across a lot of assholes wanting to take advantage of your situation. I’m not one of them, but you’ll learn that for yourself in time.”