Protector Daddy

by Roberts, Laylah

  She wouldn’t be comfortable with just showing it to anyone, but Sunny was so warm and genuine it would be difficult not to relax around her. “Do you have a playroom?”

  “Uh-huh. It’s awesome. It’s got this scene from Alice in Wonderland on the walls because that’s my favorite story. When you come over for one of our barbeques, I’ll show it to you.”

  She scooted forward and went to push herself off the sofa with her good hand.

  “What are you doing?” Spike appeared at her side, grabbing hold of her good arm to support her.

  “I’m going to show Sunny my playroom.”

  “If you wanted to get off the sofa, what should you have done?” he asked sternly.

  She bit her lip. “Asked you for help?”

  “That’s right.” He slid her good hand through his arm and lead them all towards the playroom.

  Sunny clapped her hands as she entered in behind them. “This is so cool! Ooh, look at your stage.” Sunny skipped over to the stage, checking out the microphone. “Can you sing, Millie?”

  “I’m okay.”

  “You’re better than okay, baby doll,” Spike told her.

  She smiled up at him.

  “Daddy, can I have a stage in my playroom?” Sunny asked Duke.

  “Course you can, little one,” he replied warmly.

  “Millie, you know what you need for this stage?”

  “No, what?”

  “Dress-ups!”

  “Ooh, yes.” Millie looked up at Spike, taken by Sunny’s enthusiasm. “Could we get some, Daddy? I could make some but . . .” She looked at her arm with a sigh. She couldn’t even get down on the floor to play like Sunny was currently doing, let alone sew anything.

  “You can sew?” Sunny asked.

  Millie nodded.

  “Millie makes a lot of her own clothing,” Spike said proudly. “Including her onesies.”

  “Ooh.” Sunny clapped her hands. “Can I see? Will you make me some?”

  “Of course.”

  “Come on, little rebel. We can arrange a play date for when Millie’s arm is better, okay?” Duke said to Sunny, holding out a hand to her.

  “That would be so much fun. Betsy could come too. You can all come to my house. I have so much crafting stuff. I’ve got heaps of rhinestones and glitter and a glue gun. Although I’m only allowed to use that under supervision.” Sunny sighed.

  “You could burn yourself. And I can’t have that,” Duke said sweetly, kissing the top of her head as he led her out of the playroom.

  “Head into my office,” Spike told him. “We’ll make the call in there.”

  She tensed as they made their way into his office. He led her to the sofa, helping her sit. Then he crouched in front of her, taking hold of her good hand. “You sure about this, baby doll? We don’t have to do it.”

  She bit her lip. “I don’t know. I’m nervous for some reason.”

  Sunny took a seat in one of the chairs that Duke pulled over. “I’ll go get your phone,” Duke said to Sunny who nodded with a smile.

  “Millie, there’s no pressure. If you decide not to call the Fox, that’s fine.”

  What if the money had come from the senator? What would she do with it? She already knew she didn’t want to keep it.

  “In all likelihood, the Fox will turn up for Christmas dinner and you’ll be able to ask him yourself,” Sunny joked as Duke walked back in.

  “Jesus. Why would you say that, little rebel?”

  “Don’t worry.” Sunny waved a hand dismissively. “It will never happen.”

  “Okay, let’s do it,” she said, letting out a breath. “I want to know for sure whether the money came from him. And if it did, why he sent it to me.”

  Sunny nodded and tapped on her phone, setting it down on her lap on speaker.

  “Hello, you’ve reached the Fox. If you are anyone other than my sweet girl, you need to hang up now before I hunt you down, skin you alive and roast your entrail on my firepit. If you are my sweet girl, then leave a message and I’ll get back to you.”

  Millie felt her eyes widen as she looked over at Spike. He grabbed her good hand, giving it a slight squeeze. Sunny just shook her head. When there was a beep, Sunny spoke.

  “Fox, it’s me. Can you call me back? Thanks.”

  Duke reached over and ended the call.

  “I didn’t want to say too much,” Sunny told her.

  “He, umm, is definitely different,” Millie said, squeezing hold of Spike. “You know what? I think I’ve changed my mind.”

  “Don’t be afraid,” Sunny reassured her. “Fox is really a big softie.”

  Duke made a snorting noise. “Maybe for you. For everyone else, he’s a dangerous assassin.”

  “I’ve definitely changed my mind,” Millie said in a high-pitched voice.

  “I would never let him hurt you,” Spike growled.

  The phone rang and she sucked in a breath. Now or never, she guessed.

  “It’s him,” Sunny said, answering the phone. “Fox.”

  “Sunny, my sweet girl. I don’t have a lot of time. I’m playing with fire and I don’t want to get burned. Are you all right? Duke better be keeping you safe.”

  Sunny patted Duke’s leg as he scowled. “He is taking care of me just fine, Fox.”

  “Good. What’s going on? Don’t tell me someone else has been kidnapped?”

  “No. Nobody has been kidnapped. You’re on speaker. Duke and Spike are here. So is Millie.”

  “Millie?”

  “Yeah, her sister, Daria was murdered by the senator.”

  “Ahh, yes. Hate to rush you, sweet girl. But I really do have a fire to attend to.”

  “Fox did you send money to Millie?”

  “Now why would I do that?”

  “I’m not sure. But she won some money that came from a company called For Fox Sake. Seems a bit of a coincidence.”

  “Does it?” the Fox said slyly. “Sorry, sweet girl. Can’t stay and chat. Things to do, people to kill.”

  “Fox!”

  “Bye, sweet girl. See you soon. Likely, very soon.”

  With that the call ended.

  “Wait. So he didn’t send me that money?”

  Sunny looked at Duke then Spike. “My gut tells me he did. He didn’t out and out say he didn’t. But he likely wants to keep his reasons to himself.”

  “What I want to know is what the hell did he mean by I’ll see you soon,” Duke demanded.

  Sunny shrugged. “It’s the Fox. Who knows?”

  40

  Spike tapped out a message to Hack before walking back into the living room. Millie looked up from the sofa, giving him a worried look. He tried to smile for her, not wanting her to stress too much.

  Just minutes ago he’d had his baby on his lap as they watched some movie about trolls who sang. Then Steele had rang. And now he had to head out to help deal with the trap Steele had set using the rat in his ranks.

  “It’s happening now?” Millie asked Spike.

  “Yep, apparently, Ink’s surveillance caught sight of a group of Devil’s Sinners breaking into the warehouse that Steele leaked to the rat. They’re gonna detain them until Steele arrives.”

  Already his mind was going through what he needed to do.

  “And you’re going as well?” she asked fearfully.

  A response came from Hack quickly. He was on his way. He lived closest to Spike so he was the obvious choice to come sit with Millie while Spike was gone.

  He leaned over her where she sat on the couch. They’d been watching Sing again. He had to admit the movie was growing on him. It was dark outside now and she’d been allowed to stay up later due to good behavior this week. Although it had been close. There had only been one tick in it.

  Gently, he kissed her lips. “I promise I’ll be careful. Steele will also have men with him. Hack is on his way.”

  Millie licked her lips, looking nervous. “Okay, you better go. You don’t want to miss anything.”r />
  He frowned, not wanting to leave her alone. “Hack will be about another five or ten minutes.”

  “And I’ll be fine until he gets here. Promise. No gymnastics, acrobatics or stairs until he gets here.”

  He grasped hold of her chin. “Promise.”

  “Pinky promise.” She held out her little finger and he wrapped his around hers. “Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  He grabbed his gun and made sure the alarms were all set before racing out of there. This was it. They finally had the Devil’s Sinners where they wanted them. He just hoped that fucker who shot her was there.

  * * *

  Fifteen minutes later, he pulled his truck up a block away from the warehouse. Steele had waited until the rat was in hearing distance to let the location of his supply warehouse slip out. Its location was a closely guarded secret.

  Of course this wasn’t the location of the actual warehouse. Brody, Ink’s tech guy, had set up cameras around the perimeter. Alarms had been triggered by the Devil’s Sinners when they’d snuck in and Ink’s men, who had been waiting close by, had been alerted, swarming in to surround the intruders.

  It was an expensive exercise, but Steele wanted nothing leaking to the Devil’s Sinners.

  Steele was already there. He climbed out of his car, followed by Grady. Mitchell, and a handful of other guys who were close to Steel were there too. Steele nodded at Spike as he adjusted his suit jacket. Spike knew the other man would be armed, along with all of his guys.

  “Let’s go have a chat, shall we?” Steele murmured.

  Spike and Grady flanked him as he walked confidently towards the door. The other men fanned out behind them, watching their backs.

  The warehouse was filled with containers. All smoke and mirrors since they were all empty. In the middle of the warehouse, four of Ink’s men stood over a group of around seven members of the Devil’s Sinners who were kneeling with their arms up behind their heads. And yep . . . there was Corey. Excellent. Spike cracked his knuckles then pressed his neck from side to side.

  Asshole was in for a world of pain.

  Regan, the rat in Steele’s rank, was there too, looking ill. He should feel sick. Steele wasn’t taking his betrayal well.

  Spike stepped forward but Steele motioned him back. Damn it. Fine. He’d let Steele run the show.

  But Corey was his. The bastard had shot his woman. And now he was going to pay.

  “Who is in charge here?” Steele demanded.

  A thin, bald guy with tattoos covering his neck and face stood up with a grin. Another guy with a similar build stood too.

  “Name’s Falcon. This is my brother, Jackal. We’re in charge.”

  “Your mother didn’t like you very much, did she?” Grady mocked.

  Jackal snarled at him. “My mother was a cheating, lying slut. Just like all bitches are.” He turned a sly look on Spike. “How’s that cunt of yours doing after my bro, Corey shot her?”

  Spike growled. Fucker was going to die. Murderous rage flooded him. He stepped forward, his hands clenching into fists.

  “Spike, wait,” Steele told him.

  “Yes, Spike, wait,” Falcon mocked.

  “You chose the wrong town to come to,” Steele told him. “This is my town. You’re not bringing your business here. You should have just kept the fuck away. Would’ve been safer for you.”

  “Oh, I beg to differ.” Falcon grinned.

  There was the sound of a gun chamber filling. Spike half-turned to see Mitchell standing with his gun pressed against the back of Steele’s head.

  “Aww, you didn’t think there was only one rat in your ranks, did you?” Falcon asked.

  Corey laughed. Rage flooded Spike again. All that was holding him back was the gun being at Steele’s head. All of the Devil’s Sinners guys rose to their feet, cocky looks filling their faces.

  “Thought you were so shit hot, huh? My town. Guess you got that wrong,” Falcon gloated

  “Mitchell, I’m disappointed in you,” Grady drawled, as cool under fire as ever. “Were the benefits not good enough for you? We treated you like family.”

  “That was your fucking mistake, wasn’t it?” Mitchell sneered. “Too fucking trusting. All of you put your fucking guns down.”

  They all set their guns on the ground. Regan started collecting them up.

  “I take it you were the one who let that asswipe into Pinkies?” Steele asked, pointing over at Corey, who snarled furiously. Steele just gave him a calm look back. “I’m also guessing you’re the one who freed him?”

  “Took you long enough to work it out,” Mitchell replied calmly.

  “You all thought you were so smart setting this up,” Jackal snarled. “But we always knew this was a set-up. We were one step ahead of you all along. Want to know how?”

  “I’m sure you’ll tell us,” Steele said.

  “It was the fucking puppy,” Mitchell grumbled.

  What?

  “A puppy?” Grady said slowly. “Do tell.”

  “The fucking puppy that cunt of his found.” Mitchell nodded to Spike.

  “Shut your fucking mouth,” Spike spat back. What did this have to do with Millie? And Mr. Fluffy?

  “Luther was transporting a bunch of puppies for us and he lost one. All the idiot had to do was pick the up from the breeder and bring them to headquarters. They all look alike. When I saw that damn puppy with your bitch the other night at Pinkies, I knew it was the missing one,” Mitchell snapped. “Needed to figure out how she got hold of it. I sent off a text to Corey to tell him the bitch was there. Then after work, I went to talk to Luther. Found out that he’d pulled Regan out of his cover to talk with him.”

  Fuck. Shit.

  “Was suspicious as fuck, but I didn’t know if she’d overheard them. Until the location of your secret warehouse was leaked in front of Regan,” Mitchell added. “That’s how I knew that you’d all figured out he was the fucking rat. It was too much of a coincidence. That location was always locked down tight.”

  “And now you’ve been caught in our trap,” Falcon informed them.

  “Actually, I’ll have to disagree with you,” Steele said before letting out a piercing whistle.

  They came from everywhere. They’d slipped into the warehouse unnoticed and hidden behind crates. Reyes, Ink, Duke and Razor as well as the rest of Ink’s guys. All of them armed, their guns pointed at the Devil’s Sinners guys.

  Falcon had a nice red dot on his forehead. Courtesy of Jason with his sniper rifle. Spike saw Falcon swallow heavily.

  “Fucking hell,” Jackal swore. “You fucking cunts are dead! You’re all dead!”

  “I don’t think so,” Steele replied. “Put the gun down, Mitchell.”

  “Fuck you,” Mitchell spat at him.

  “Be a shame if Falcon got his head blown off,” Steele said calmly. “Or you.”

  The beam of light landed on Mitchell’s forehead. “Fuck! Fuck!”

  Mitchell stepped back and Grady reached over and grabbed the gun then he shoved Mitchell towards the other Devil’s Sinners. Mitchell turned back with a snarl. “Fucking assholes. You’ll pay for this.”

  “I doubt it,” Steele replied. “See, you’re not as smart as you think you are. All those shipments that were intercepted, the information that was leaked, it couldn’t have come from Regan. He wasn’t close enough to us. But you were.”

  Mitchell just glared at him.

  “So you see, we didn’t know there was another rat,” Grady drawled. “We were just waiting for him to show his true colors. Your downfall was pairing up with an idiot like Luther Franklin.”

  “Where is Luther?” Spike asked.

  “Running,” Falcon replied. “Fucking bastard messed everything up for us. He knows we’re coming for him.”

  “You five are staying here.” Steele pointed to Falcon, Jackal, Corey, Mitchell and Regan. “Raul, call in some more guys and take the rest of them with you. All of you head over to their headqua
rters. Let them know they’re no longer welcome in my city. Not that any of you ever were.”

  * * *

  A buzzer sounded and she walked to the front door to unlock it, checking the camera first the way Spike had taught her. Seeing Hack standing there, she opened the door with a smile.

  He smiled at her. “Hello, princess.” He held up one hand. “I bring with me treasures from the fairy kingdom. Magical candy.” He shook a huge bag of M&Ms. “And magic wands.” The other hand held a bag of Twizzlers.

  How did he know they were her favorites?

  What did it matter? The man needed to get in here with his treasure.

  She opened the door further. “Come in.”

  “Just hold this bag while I text Spike.” He handed over the Twizzlers as he grabbed out his phone and sent off a text. “There, that will keep him off our backs. Now, my princess, shall we go eat our weight in junk food?”

  “Are you sure you’re a doctor?”

  “That’s what it says on my diploma back home.”

  Something black moved up behind him and before she even had time to warn him there was a sickening crunching noise. Then Hack slowly fell to the ground, his phone smashing to the floor. She screamed and tried to reach for him. Panic flooded her. She wasn’t thinking properly or she might have run. Maybe. But she didn’t run, and someone grabbed her, shoving her back. She landed on the ground and agony engulfed her side.

  Her head slammed against the floor, dazing her. She heard a grunting noise. Someone muttering something.

  “God damn bitch. Fucking stupid cunt. All your fucking fault.”

  Someone kicked her side and she screamed. Hands landed around her neck, constricting her air. She tried to fight with her good hand, she used her nails to scratch at her attacker, beat at him with her fist. He screeched but it just made him angrier. Finally, the lack of air started to slow her movements. Darkness encroached.

  Then nothing.

  41

  Spike’s knuckles were broken and bruised. His body had taken a few hits. But the enemy was in a far worse state. Falcon, Jackal, Regan, Mitchell and Corey likely thought they’d have the advantage against him, Steele and Grady.