“I mean someone serious. Someone who loves you.”
Hammer shook his head. “No, Ma.”
“No one? You don’t know a single girl you care about?”
“There’s one girl, but—”
“But what?”
“She doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“Why not?”
Hammer shrugged. “I can think of about a dozen reasons.”
“Well, maybe you should do something about that, then.”
“Like what?”
“Like fix those reasons.”
“Ma…”
“Is she worth it or not?”
“Yeah, she’s worth it. She’s worth everything.”
“Then there’s your answer. You want something, go after it, son. Life is too short. I’ve found that out.”
“Your life’s not over yet.”
“No, but you wait too long, you get sick or something and then seems you just don’t have the time you thought you had or the stamina to do the things you wanted to do.”
Hammer looked at the child playing on the floor. There were things in life he wanted that he didn’t have. A woman who loved him, like Ma said, and maybe one day a family, a boy of his own. Yeah, he thought about those things, but they just didn’t seem to be in the cards for him. At least not right now. He turned to his mother and stood. “Thanks for the banana pudding. I’ll let you know if I get a hold of Josie.”
“What?” She jumped to her feet. “You can’t leave him here with me. I’ve had him for days, and I’m plain wore out. Please, son, you have to take him until Josie comes back.”
“What am I gonna do with him?”
“Find someone to help you with him. One of all those women you have.”
“Ma, I was joking.”
“I bet you weren’t.” She nodded to his vest, her breath sawing in and out with her struggle to breathe. “You draw ‘em like honey, you and that motorcycle of yours. Bet you turn heads wherever you go. Got to be one good girl among ‘em to help you out.”
Hammer shook his head. “You’re really doing this? You’re really putting this boy on me?”
“If I weren’t so sick with the emphysema, I’d keep him. He’s a good boy, son. He won’t give you no trouble.”
“Famous last words.”
She smiled then and patted his cheek. “No more’n what you gave me.”
“Oh, so this is some kind of payback?”
“Let’s call it a life lesson.”
Hammer stared down at the boy. What his mother said was true; she was not well and taking care of little Ethan probably was too much for her. Goddamn you, Josie. Where the fuck are you? Getting stoned off her ass somewhere, probably.
“You gonna take him?”
Hammer grasped for the last straw. “What about the boy’s father?”
“What about him? I ain’t never met him. Only thing I know is she met him at a bar. Josie didn’t even put him on the birth certificate, and they weren’t together long. I don’t have any idea if he’s a good man or not.”
“Christ.”
“So, you gonna take the boy?”
Hammer ran a hand down his jaw. “I guess I have no damn choice. At least until I track down Josie.”
“I’ll pack his things. You can take my car. Got a car seat in it for the boy.”
“Your old Cadillac? What about you?”
“I can walk to church, and the grocery store delivers. I’ll be okay.”
“All right. Pack him up.” Hammer looked down at the baby. He had no clue what he was going to do with him.
CHAPTER FOUR
Hammer glanced in the review mirror at baby in the car seat. This is nuts. He knew nothing about babies. Nothing. But one thing he did know—he needed help, and he knew just where to get it.
As he drove across town, he couldn’t help but think about Tink. This was going to be a major roadblock in his plan to pursue her. He huffed out a laugh. All the time he’d wasted before finally getting serious about Tink, and now this. How ironic.
“Karma, you suck.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation with his sister, or the responsibility of caring for her child. He did. He knew exactly what he’d just signed up for, and it scared the shit out of him.
Damn you, Josie, when I get my hands on you… Hammer blew out a breath. He’d never hurt her, not in a million years, but damned if she wouldn’t hear a piece of his mind.
He glanced in the mirror again. “I’ll find your mama, peanut. She’ll be back home real soon.” His hands tightened on the wheel. After all, this was only temporary. He’d find Josie, and everything would go back to normal. How long could it possibly take, a day or two at most? Surely he could manage to care for the boy that long. He was a cute little fella, and Ma had said he was a good baby.
As if on cue, Ethan began to cry, and Hammer felt butterflies form in his stomach with the sinking feeling that this was not going to be as easy as he tried to kid himself.
Another cry rent the air. Was the boy hungry? When had Ma fed him last? Did she say? Hell, he couldn’t remember. The wailing continued, and Hammer’s eyes flicked to the rearview again. Did the kid need his diaper changed? Was he wet, or…worse? Oh, God, was he going to have to pull over and change him?
“We’re almost there, kid. Hang on.”
Five minutes later Hammer pulled through the back gates of the clubhouse and parked. He jogged around the car, unbuckled Ethan, and scooped him up.
Ethan’s crying slowed, but tears ran down his red cheeks. Hammer wiped them away. “Its okay, peanut. We’ll get you fed and changed.”
Hammer slid the strap of the diaper bag over his shoulder and carried the baby into the clubhouse. Ethan clutched his shirt as he stared wide-eyed around the place. Hammer stopped inside the door, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by it all. What the fuck was he doing, bringing the baby here?
“Hey, you okay, Hammer? You look a little lost,” Shades asked, looking over from the bar.
Ghost straightened from his place next to Shades and pulled a stir straw from his mouth. “What’s with the kid?”
Hammer ignored him, his eyes going over them to the girl standing behind the bar. Strawberry Shortcake. He wished it had been Tink. “Honey, you think I could get you to change his diaper for me and maybe fix him a sippy cup? He’s got some apple juice in the bag.”
“Sure, Hammer.” She tossed a bar towel down and came around to him, her arms extended. “Isn’t he a cutie? What’s his name?”
“Ethan.” The boy went to her with no trouble. She bounced him on her hip and took the diaper bag. They walked off to the back.
Hammer strode over to Shades and Ghost.
“Who’s the kid?” Shades asked.
Hammer grabbed the bottle of whiskey and downed a slug of it. “My sister’s kid.” He set the bottle down and met Shades’ eyes. “I need to talk to you.”
Shades nodded and stood. “Sure.”
Hammer followed him down the hall to a small office. Shades sat behind the desk, and Hammer sat across from him.
“What’s up?”
Hammer leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and rubbed his palms together slowly. “My sister dumped Ethan on my mother and took off. Been gone for days. Can’t get a hold of her.” He blew out a breath. “Ma’s not well. She can’t handle the kid, so she called me.”
Shades brows rose, and he chuckled. “Sorry. The situation’s not funny, but you with a kid—that’s hilarious.”
Hammer slumped back in the chair and ran a hand down his face. “No shit. I don’t have a clue what to do with him.”
“Times like this, havin’ an ol’ lady would come in handy, huh?” Shades teased.
Hammer huffed out a laugh. “Yeah. It sure would.”
“How long are you keepin’ him?”
Hammer shrugged. “Just until I track down my sister and haul her ass back here.”
“So, what do you
need from me?”
“Help me figure this out. What do I do? Hire a nanny?”
“You got that kind of money? A full-time nanny is gonna cost ya.”
“Not really. You think Skylar—”
Shades shook his head. “Na, na, na… don’t even go there, bro. Skylar’s got Rebel to take care of, and she works.”
Hammer nodded. “Right, the real estate stuff.”
Shades chuckled. “Don’t let her hear you call it stuff. She’s worked her ass off to get her real estate license.”
“Sorry. I’m sure she has.” Hammer got up and started pacing. “I don’t know the first thing about kids. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. The boy started crying on the way over here and—”
“Okay, okay. I get it.”
“Do you?”
“I’ve got a rug-rat myself, Hammer.”
“Right.” Hammer continued to pace, the knot in his stomach getting bigger.
“Brother, we’ve got a clubhouse full of ol’ ladies and women. I’m sure we can work this out. Calm down.”
Hammer cut his eyes to him. “You think one of ‘em would watch him?”
“I think it’s gonna take more than one. You’re gonna need to run shifts. The girls all got lives of their own.” He ran his hand along his jaw, thinking. “We split it up among ‘em, so they each only have to watch him for a few hours, it could work.”
Hammer nodded. “Yeah.”
Shades leaned forward, the chair squeaking. “Let me talk to ‘em. They’re more likely to do it if I ask.”
“Why’s that?”
“’Cause you don’t know how to ask.”
“What do you mean I don’t know how to ask? I know how to ask.”
“Dude, you wanted my help, and I’m givin’ it to you. Now shut up, go out there, and tell them I want to see ‘em in here.”
Hammer nodded. He’d let his VP handle the arrangements. He had no doubt those girls would do whatever Shades asked. The man might have an ol’ lady, but he still turned all their heads. Not that he fucked around on Skylar. He didn’t, but he could still melt those chicks with just a smile.
CHAPTER FIVE
Tink strode back into the clubhouse, pushing her sunglasses on her head. She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the dark interior, wondering if her eyes were playing tricks on her. What was a baby doing in the MC clubhouse?
Sherry held the baby while several other girls crowded around her, cooing at the child.
Tink approached, smiling down at the cute baby herself. “Whose kid?”
Sherry bounced him on her hip. “His name is Ethan. Hammer brought him in.”
“Hammer?” She pulled her chin back, frowning and scanned the room but didn’t see him.
“Umm hmm. He’s talking to Shades.”
“What about?”
Sherry shrugged. “No clue.” She looked up. “How’d your interview go?”
“Good. I’ll get a few hours three afternoons a week.”
“Doing what?” Desiree asked. Desiree was tall and thin with some store-bought tits that had all the men drooling. Her shoulder-length hair was colored a vibrant magenta.
“Working with an artist in his studio.”
“Yeah… Doing what?”
Tink really didn’t want to say, so she hemmed. “Cleaning up, washing brushes, running errands, just whatever odd jobs he has.”
“Huh. Doesn’t seem like that’d pay very much,” Desiree said, curling her lip. “You could make more stripping. I could get you a job at The Velvet Room with me.”
“No thanks,” Tink snapped. She had no intention of being a stripper, no matter how much they made.
Sherry pinned Tink with a look. “Is that going to be enough hours for you? I thought you needed money.”
“What does she need money for? I thought her parents were rich or something. Why does she even need to work?” Desiree put in.
“Shut up, Desiree. You don’t know shit about shit,” Sherry snapped.
“You don’t have to get all huffy. Like I even care.” She stalked off to the bar.
Sherry rolled her eyes. “She gets on my nerves.”
“No shit.” Tink grinned, and they both laughed.
Hammer walked into the room. “Tink, Shortcake, Desiree. Shades wants to talk to you. He’s in the office.”
Tink and Sherry exchanged a puzzled look.
“You know what this is about?” Tink whispered.
Sherry shook her head, and they moved down the hall.
Shades sat at the desk as they filed in. He leaned back in the chair. “Ladies.”
“You wanted to see us?” Sherry asked.
He lifted his chin to the chairs. “Have a seat.”
Sherry sat in one, settling Ethan on her lap. Tink sat in the other, and Desiree stayed standing.
“I need your help with something.”
“Sure, anything,” Desiree said with a seductive smile.
Shades gave her half a grin. “Hammer needs some help watching the little guy.” His eyes drifted to the baby. “Just for a few days.”
“What kind of help exactly?”
“Babysitting him. Hammer’s a little out of his depth.”
Tink frowned. “Why does Hammer have a baby?”
“The boy’s his nephew. It’s just until his sister comes back.”
“Comes back from where?” Tink asked.
“That doesn’t concern you.” He stared until she swallowed and looked away. “I was thinking we could work out some shifts with each of you taking a few hours. Maybe one mornings, one afternoons—”
Desiree jumped in to offer. “I’ll take nights!”
Shades pinned her with his eyes. “I’ll let the three of you and Hammer work out the details. Okay?”
“Sure thing.” Sherry nodded.
Desiree gave him a flirty smile and leaned forward, showing her cleavage. “No problem, Shades. I’ll be glad to help in any way I can.”
The corner of his mouth tugged up, but he ignored her obvious attempt at seduction. When Tink didn’t reply, his gaze locked with hers. “Tink?”
“Um, well…”
Shades glanced at the other two. “That’s all, girls. Go find Hammer.”
Sherry stood with the baby, giving Tink a sympathetic look as she passed her. Sherry knew how Tink felt about Hammer and why. Thankfully, she kept her mouth shut. No one else in the clubhouse knew, and that’s how Tink wanted it.
When they’d left and closed the door behind them, Tink looked at Shades.
He leaned forward, his elbows on the desk, his arms folded. “What’s the problem, babe?”
Tink rubbed her hands back and forth on her jean-clad thighs. “It’s just that, um…” She scrambled to come up with an excuse why she couldn’t be a part of this. Being around Hammer all the time, maybe even being in his house—there was no way she wanted to put herself in that position. Not with the way she felt about him. Not when she’d already put him in the ‘off-limits’ column, where she put all the men who’d slept with her sister. Of course, she couldn’t say any of that to Shades.
“It’s just what?”
“I have school! Classes I’m taking, and… and a part-time job I just started. I don’t see when I’d have the time.”
Shades nodded, but the look on his face said he was on to her. “Classes, huh? Which days?”
She swallowed. She hadn’t expected him to question her about it. Damn. “Well, all day Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
“Okay, so what about the rest of the week?”
“Um, well, like I said I have a part-time job.”
“When do you work?”
“Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons.”
“Okay, so how about you take mornings or evenings those days?”
“Um…”
“It shouldn’t be for long, Tink. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t kind of an emergency. I know Skylar would pitch in, but between work and Rebel she’s already exhausted most
days.”
Tink nodded. “I’m sure she is.”
“Is there some reason you don’t want to help Hammer out?”
Tink looked down and shook her head.
“I’d consider it a favor to me.”
That brought her eyes up. Shades had done her a big favor once, and she hadn’t forgotten it.
Four years ago—
Coyote Bill’s Bar & Grill was not where she’d wanted to spend New Year’s Eve. Not when there was a great party happening across town at her friend’s house, but Mike wanted to come here, so to make him happy, she went along.
Now she sat alone at the bar, watching good old Mike walk out the door with the sexy brunette on his arm. Why did she keep setting herself up for this pain? She sat there twirling the straw in her drink with her chin in her palm until she felt a presence at her side. Her eyes got big when she saw the black leather vest with all those faded, worn patches on it that proclaimed the man a member of the Evil Dead MC. She swallowed and shrank back.
“You got nothin’ to be afraid of, darlin’. I don’t mean you any harm.”
He had the bluest eyes and the longest lashes. And when he smiled at her like that, she couldn’t look away.
He jerked his chin up. “Saw what just happened. That guy was a dick. Any man can see you’re worth ten of her.”
“She’s my sister.”
His brows shot up. “Shit. That makes it even worse. And on New Year’s Eve, too. Was he your date?”
Her eyes glazed, and she looked away, blinking repeatedly, her throat tightening. Oh, God. She couldn’t cry in front of this hot-as-hell biker. Wouldn’t that be the cherry on top of the humiliation she’d already experienced?
He brushed the back of a finger down her short hair and along her ear. “You okay?”
She nodded, still not looking at him.
“Anybody ever tell you that you look like a cute little pixie?”
She gave a derisive snort. “That’s me. Tinker Bell.”
He chuckled. “Right. Tinker Bell. That’s what I’m going to call you.”
“Not if you want me to answer.”
He grinned. “You’ve got spunk. I knew it had to be buried under there somewhere. You should use that spunk to tell your sister to fuck off next time.”
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