by K. J. Dahlen
But Sam had come through for her and her family had increased from only Charlie in her life to Deke, Cassie, their babies, a new sister Ariana. Along with Sam’s wife, Melora and their new baby, her new little brother, T-Bone.
It had been through Deke she’d met the Sin’s Bastards and Chance Morgan. The moment she met Chance was the moment she finally understood her mother’s love for Sam. She had fallen for the man the moment her eyes met his.
But the feeling hadn’t been mutual in that instant for him. So Quinn struggled with her feelings about being rejected all over again. She’d tried not to let it hurt her but when she saw him with another girl, it broke her heart.
What happened later hadn’t been pretty and Chance stepped up to save her when she’d acted rashly.
The guy who bought her a drink had thought that allowed him more than it did. He thought it allowed his assault but before it could get out of hand Charlie and Chance put him right. Then Chance noticed the guy had torn her blouse when they struggled and he decked him.
Then Chance kissed her and they’d been together ever since. Sam hadn’t been happy about it but as Chance pointed out to him on more than one occasion, she was a woman grown and could make up her own mind as to who she wanted to see. And see him was all she did too. With his declaration that they would date and not have sex, she had to adjust her thinking. Sometimes when he kissed her and held her, she’d wanted to yell at him and tell him to just fuck her already. She laughed at herself. Slutty, yes but just look at the man! God, he was so yummy.
Quinn got out of her car and walked inside the shop. Looking around, she didn’t see Chance but she did see their mechanic, Wesley Wylde. She walked over to him.
He finished up the job he was working on and stood up to face her. He was bent over the front fender of a 1931 Jaguar. It was a work in progress at the moment but Chance had plans to race it one day. Wes was trying to get the engine work done, so they could paint it candy apple red sometime next week.
Wes was wiping the grease from his hands as he straightened his body up. “What ya need pretty girl?”
Quinn smiled. She liked the older man, even with his long hair and beard there was something about him that told her he was a good man. “I needed to tell Chance something came up and I won’t be able to see him tonight.”
“Oh, why is that?” Wes asked with a twinkle in his eyes. “Not that it’s any of my business you understand but I’m an old man and I know it’s all in the details.”
Quinn chuckled. “We had a little girl come into Redemption House today along with her mother. I took the girl with me to the classroom and the mother disappeared on her. I need to stay with her tonight, as Cassie doesn’t want to turn her over to DSS. Destiny doesn’t need that right now.”
Wesley started at the name Destiny. His eyes narrowed as he glared slightly at Quinn. “That wouldn’t be Mona Pearlman’s daughter Destiny would it?”
Quinn slowly nodded. “It would. What do you know that I don’t about this?”
Wes tightened his lips and looked away for a moment. Then he exhaled and turned back to her. “Mona is married to a sad excuse of a man Lester Pearlman. Lester likes to drink a lot and when he’s loaded, he can get pretty damn mean. What she sees in him is beyond my thinking but she won’t leave him.” He shook his head. “I’ve heard disturbing things about some of the stuff that goes on in their neighborhood.”
“What kind of things and where does Destiny fit into all this?” Quinn almost was afraid to ask.
Wes looked disgusted. “She don’t, not really. Her daddy is a bastard and never has a nice thing to say about her. He pretty much ignores her unless she’s fussing but I don’t think she does that too much. Mona barely acknowledges her on a good day and never when Lester is home.”
Quinn shook her head. “Well, someone has noticed her. She’s got some bruises and she walks like she’s hurting although she has hardly said a word to anyone nor has she eaten much.”
Wes shook his head. “Poor little darling. Let me check with someone I know and I’ll see if I can find out what’s been going on over there. This buddy I know watches over Mona and Destiny sometimes. Especially, when old Lester is on a bender.”
Quinn nodded. “I would appreciate any information you can find out. I’m not sure what we can do legally but the more we know the better it might be for Destiny. If she’s in danger we need to get her out of that house and away from her parents.”
She turned when she heard footsteps coming toward her and then smiled when Chance joined them.
God, she still marveled over how hot he was every time she saw him. Yes, his brothers were similar in looks but chance was the only one hamada her heart thunder in her chest.
Besides looking alike, the Morgan brothers all shared a unique love of hot rod cars and trucks. Quinn and the others in the MC didn’t understand this passion but then she didn’t understand the passion the MC had for their motorcycles either. So they were all crazy for machines as far as she was concerned. Both sides were nuts. She had to laugh at some of the arguments she’d heard them have over the past year or so.
She also could never get enough of looking into his unusual eyes. They made her feel like she was floating on air. The man had so much power to move her without lifting a finger.
Now it looked like the violet eyes would be passed along to Mountain’s son, Danny. Then to Melora and Sam’s son, T-Bone as well.
Chance smiled and leaned over to kiss her. When he drew away he asked, “What’s up? I thought we were meeting later?”
Quinn smiled. “We were but something came up. We got a little girl at the House today along with her mother. She was apparently abandoned and Cassie doesn’t want to call DSS, yet.” She glanced over at Wes. “From what I’ve been told, this girl needs some help. She’s caught in a situation she can’t get out of. She’s only four and there’s only so much a kid can take and I have a feeling she’s been pushed beyond that point. I have to help her.”
Chance smiled. “I don’t mind, really. As long as it’s a kid and not another man taking you away from our date I can live with that. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Quinn smiled and shook her head. “Not at the moment. Cassie wants someone to stay with the girl until her mom comes back that’s all. The mom just took off leaving the girl behind. Wes…” She nodded in his direction, “…tells me the whole family is messed up, so we just have to watch over the girl for now. If mom doesn’t come back by morning, we may have to think of something else. But for now she really doesn’t want to have to bring DSS in.”
“Ok.” Chance nodded. “Maybe I’ll come by the House a little later and bring you guys some dinner. That way, we can still spend some time together.”
Quinn grinned. “That sounds so good. I’d better get back. If things change between now and then I’ll call you, okay?”
Chance nodded then kissed her again.
Quin felt her body melt into his. She wished she could just stay in his arms all day. She sighed and stepped back.
CHAPTER FOUR
Both men watched as she went back to her car. It was only after she left the parking lot that Chance turned to his mechanic Wes to ask, “What do you know about the family of this girl?”
Wes scratched his hairy chin and stared at the other man as he shrugged. “Not that much actually but if you like, I can ask around town. I do know her father is a mean drunk and that’s his usual state. I know he never has time for his kid and the mother doesn’t pay her no mind, three quarters of the time. I have a friend watching over the house because of Destiny but there’s only so much you can see from the street. Little Destiny is only four and seen way too much of that shit already.”
“Would her father or her mother ever beat on her?” Chance wanted to know just what they might be up against.
Wes shrugged then nodded. Turning his head to the parking lot where Quinn had just disappeared from he said, “Quinn says she’s got bruises now and I’m
sure they aren’t the first or the last she’ll even have.”
“But you don’t know if the father or the mother gave her those?”
Wes shook his head.
Chance thought for a moment then asked, “How close is this friend to their house?”
Wes grinned. “He lives right next door. Like I said before the neighborhood is all right but what neighborhood is totally safe anymore? He’s been watching over Destiny for a while now. She’s just so little and helpless you know and I don’t think the poor girl can talk yet or if she does, he’s never heard her. But believe me when I tell you he’s heard plenty of fights coming from the house next door.”
Chance sighed. “That doesn’t sound good. Do you think he might come after his daughter after hours? Could Quinn and Destiny be in danger from this idiot?”
Wes shrugged. “I have no idea. But there are always men at the House isn’t there? Amos and his bunch are staying there. Surely, they would protect the women.”
Chance nodded. “Yeah, but no one who doesn’t work there knows about them. Lester doesn’t know they are there and if he comes looking for trouble tonight, he may find more than he’s bargaining for. I just don’t think Cassie wants that kind of trouble at her House.”
Wes grinned. “Well, maybe you ought to think about staying with the girls tonight then huh?”
Chance laughed. “That was gonna happen anyway. But now that I have your permission, it’s settled.”
“I’ll call my buddy Wyatt and see if he can watch over the house tonight. I might even join him, so I know for myself what’s going on. I am definitely asking around town to find out more about the man too.”
Chance nodded. “Might not be a bad idea but let’s keep it on the down low for now. We don’t want to start any trouble, just keep an eye out for any trouble coming along.” He stared at the man and quirked his brow. “If you see anything, give me a call so I can get the girls out of harm’s way. Cassie doesn’t need the cops called to her place. The cops raid that place and a whole lot of people seeking help won’t come there. She has so much to offer people because she’s been in their shoes. That House is doing more good for the people than she realizes.”
“How do you know all this?” Wes didn’t personally know Cassie Tory.
Chance smiled softly. “She’s the wife of the President of the MC I belong to, everyone knows her story. It’s harsh in some places and brutal in others. She hasn’t had a good life until the day she met Deke and the others in the MC. Deke grabbed hold of her and hasn’t let go yet, and I don’t think he ever will. He loves her more than life itself.”
Wes nodded. “If a man has all that then he’s got everything he needs. I had that once upon a time. Then she died and I have yet to find anyone to step into her shoes.”
Chance smiled and looked out at the parking lot again. “I think I’ve found my forever girl, I just have to hold onto her.”
“And how does her daddy feel about that?” Wes frowned. He knew full well just who her father was. The whole damn town knew about Sam ‘Bones’ Tory.
Chance shook his head. “He’s not happy about it but she’s an adult so there isn’t anything he can say. Although he keeps reminding me that he’s watching me.”
“Oh, that can’t be good,” Wes commiserated.
“Yeah, it isn’t but my niece is his wife, so I have an in if I need one,” Chance stated with a grin.
Wes straightened his stance. “Yeah but Quinn has some pretty good friends too, with her teaching and all and her charity work, so it’s not only Sam watching you, it’s the whole damn town. You hurt that girl and you’re gonna be in big trouble. Could end up being run out of town even. Nothing would surprise me about that bunch.”
Chance nodded. “It’s a good thing I don’t plan on hurting her then huh?” He laughed. “No. Not in my plans at all.
It was after six before Chance arrived at the Redemption House. Most of the people staying there were already in their rooms for the night. His footsteps echoed as he walked down the hall looking for the room Destiny and Quinn were in.
When he arrived, he’d run into Amos and Amos filled him in as to what had happened that afternoon. Destiny had hung with Quinn all afternoon. Now they were waiting in the room her mother had been given. Before he could get away from Amos, the older man gave him a bag. It was from a local shopping mall and Chance frowned as he opened it. Inside were little girl clothes and pajamas.
Chance grinned. “Thanks man. I’m not sure Quinn had anything for her yet.”
Amos shook his head. “No, I don’t think she did. She’s been busy with the other kids and school classes and such. I wasn’t sure her mama would be back tonight, so I went out and picked her up a few things.”
“I don’t think Quinn will mind.” Chance shrugged. “At least I hope she doesn’t I bought her something too.” He nodded at the bag around his wrist.
Amos smiled and nodded at him then turned to walk down the hall toward his own room.
Chance carried the pizza box down the hall and when he got to room number seven, he knocked on the door.
Quinn opened the door and grinned as she sniffed the air. “Oh, pepperoni and mushroom, come on in.” She backed away from the door.
Chance stepped into the room. “Well, it’s good to know I rate somewhere on the list of things you might want.”
Quinn chuckled and stood on her tiptoes. “Could you bend down, so I can kiss your cheek?”
He grinned and did so.
With a quick smacking to his lips, she then took the pizza from him like she was stealing it from him.
Chuckling at her cute antics, he then noted the size of the room was nice and big despite the twin beds and sofa. There was a TV against the back wall and another door. The door was open and he could see it opened into a small bathroom. “These rooms are nice,” he commented as he watched Quinn set the pizza boxes down on the small kitchen table. Then he noticed the little girl curled up in the corner of the room clutching a worn out purple rabbit to her tiny chest.
She was watching him carefully while dressed in what he would consider rags with messy hair, dirt and fading bruises on her cheeks.
But it was the look of mistrust in her eyes that made his heart hurt. Mistrust and fear. He turned to Quinn and saw her shake her head.
Quinn went over to where the girl was sitting and spoke to her quietly for a moment. Then she got to her feet and held out her hand.
Destiny looked panicked for a moment then slowly reached up and took Quinn’s hand. Quinn led the way back to the table and sat down pulling another chair close to her own, she helped Destiny up to the table.
Chance quietly pulled up the last chair to the table and opened the boxes of food. He made sure he was on the other side of the table and didn’t appear threatening to either of the women.
“Destiny, this is my friend Chance. He brought us dinner tonight,” Quinn spoke low and slow as she glanced at Destiny with a sparkle in her eyes. “He brought my favorite kind of pizza, pepperoni and mushroom but I also see he brought a plain cheese. Maybe he brought that one for you because he didn’t know your favorite kind? Do you think that might be possible?”
Quinn unfolded a napkin and put a slice on it without waiting for an answer she knew might not be coming.
Destiny stared at it for a moment then looked up at Quinn. At Quinn’s nod, Destiny reached out for the pizza. Her tiny little hand was trembling and she almost pulled back once. Finally, she took the pizza and began nibbling on it. She didn’t say a word but kept looking for any movement from either of them. She looked like she might run at any time.
Chance met Quinn’s eyes and he could tell she was almost crying. It was painful to know the child was afraid to reach for some food. He had to wonder what kind of life she had at home. He cleared his throat and asked Quinn about her day, “So what did you girls do all day?”
Quinn smiled while reaching for another slice. “Well we had classes this morning and aga
in this afternoon, otherwise we just hung out in the library.”
Chance nodded. “And how is the new library coming along?” He knew Cricket had donated a bunch of money to Redemption House for the school set up and new library for the kids. As a teacher, Quinn would be excited for the changes in progress.
“Oh everything is wonderful. They aren’t quite done yet, but it’s coming along. I should be able to order the new books soon.” Quinn reached over and added a second slice to the napkin she’d given Destiny earlier.
Chance opened a bag he’d set down when he came into the room. He brought out two cans of soda and a kids juice bottle. He passed the soda to Quinn and opened the juice then set it in front of Destiny. He didn’t look at her but kept his eyes on Quinn.
Quinn smiled slightly at the gesture.
A few minutes later he saw Destiny reach out and take the juice.
A while later, the pizza and the drink were gone and Quinn stood to tidy up the mess.
Destiny got down from the chair and practically ran over to her corner and sat back down.
Chance just sat there and stared at Quinn.
Quinn shook her head slightly and continued with what she was doing.
He tried not to look at the little girl. He had a feeling his being here frightened her for some reason and that was the last thing he wanted to do.
Finally, he got to his feet. “Maybe I should go. I’m sure you girls have girly things to do and I don’t need to be here for that.”
Quinn laughed out loud. “Girly things?”
Chance shrugged. “Oh you know, baths and stuff like that.” He lifted the bag Amos had given him earlier and gave it to Quinn. “Amos went out and got Destiny some clothes and the stuff every little girl needs.” He smiled, “Those are his words not mine, although what an old man knows about little girls needs is anybody’s guess but that’s what he said.”
Quinn grinned and took the bag from him. She hadn’t had time to grab anything from storage for Destiny yet and was thankful when she opened the bag to find pajamas and fresh clothes for tomorrow. Then she saw the other bag Chance had brought with him. “What’s that?”