I’m happy they explained to me what a Poppy was because I was clueless. Looks like I need to do some research into what is ‘in’ these days so I can help make these girls happy.
Once Claree is dried and dressed and her hair is brushed out, I check the bandages and decide they need changing since they managed to get a little wet. I get the supplies out that the hospital gave me and get everything gathered up. Cara and DJ walk out of the bathroom, so I take the time to ask her, “What do you think of the girls?”
“I like them. They said they have kids and that I’ll get to meet them, and someone called Nan in the next few days most likely.”
Oh, Nan. She loves all the men at the club like they’re her own and with each of the kids, somehow, she makes every single one feel as if they are her favorite. “You’ll love Nan, she’s Lily and Luca’s grandma, and now she’s added Ralynn, Maysen, Talon and Jasper. Plus there’s Tig.”
“Who’s Tig?” she asks me as she slowly makes her way to the kitchen, so I can redo her bandages. I know her one eye being closed has to hurt like hell and I decide to grab a frozen bag of peas.
“He’s Twisted and Paisley’s son,” I respond, bringing the bag over to the table. I then grab a towel and wrap it around the peas. “Here, put this on your eye, sweetie. It’ll help with the swelling.”
“Thank you,” she tells me, while taking the bag from my hand.
The girls are rummaging around the kitchen, making sandwiches and pouring milk into a glass for Claree, I presume. I need a rum and coke. Or a bottle of whiskey. Not really sure at this point. “Okay, let’s get these changed.” Quickly and efficiently, I change her bandages, making sure that the area is dry and that I’ve reapplied more antibiotic ointment. I saw all the scars on her back and the small burns where it looks like someone put a cigarette out. They’re not new and I wonder if it’s been going on since her mother died.
“So, what does your little sister like?” DJ asks, setting the milk and a sandwich in front of Claree. That’s one thing I like about her, she doesn’t beat around the bush and gets right to the point.
“She likes Frozen and Trolls, so that nightgown will be perfect. What about school, Miss Trinity?” she asks me.
“Well, let’s see how you feel on Monday. You may need a few days off but I’ll call the school and get that sorted out. If I need to, I’ll get your work for you, okay?”
I see her sigh and her shoulders relax. “Don’t worry, sweetie, you won’t get behind. I’ll make sure of it.”
“But you have to work,” she states, as she slowly eats her sandwich. I get the impression from how thin she is that food isn’t something she got a lot of and vow that she’s going to find a different life with me.
“Hmmm, my boss put me on leave so that I could take care of you and your sister,” I tell her. “We’ve got a lot to do to make sure you two have everything you need.”
“Shopping?” DJ asks.
“I’m in,” Cara replies.
“Yes, shopping. And Claree? These two ladies can shop so when we go, we’re taking the wheelchair.”
Chapter Two
Trinity
It’s been a week since Claree came into my home. She’s settling in as well as can be expected, and I’m more thankful than ever for my boss as well as my friends. Chief, on the other hand? That man has come by Every. Single. Day, since we’ve been home. It started the first day, when he came by with several bags from the local department store. Granted, Cara and DJ were with him and apparently did the bulk of the shopping, but he still showed up. Then? He came with two prospects, Chet and Maxum I think, and they delivered two gorgeous canopy beds for the girls’ room. When I protested, he merely said, “From the RGMC.” The shopping trip with DJ and Cara was an absolute hoot and now, two little girls have a well-appointed bedroom that includes a desk for Claree to do homework and a laptop. Hearing a knock on my door, I check on Claree who is coming into the living room before heading that way.
“Hey, Trinity,” Chief says when I open up the door. “I figured with it being Friday, you ladies might like to go with me and grab some pizza or something.”
I turn and look at Claree to see her face lighting up. Guess going out for pizza was something that didn’t happen very often any more. “That sounds good to us,” I say, “please come in while I grab my purse.”
He stops me, saying, “When you’re with me, you don’t pay.” Hello, we’re in the twenty-first century, caveman!
“Um, okay, but I need to take Claree’s pain meds with us and would prefer not to stick them in my pocket,” I reply, pointing to my jeans. “As well as needing my identification, you know, the law states not to leave home without it when you’re over the age of seventeen.” Then I notice his eyes heat up, and I realize that I’m wearing an old pair that’s molded to my skin, with light patches and holes in various spots. Nothing inappropriate is showing, but right now he’s making me feel like I’m standing here naked. “Do I need to change?”
“Not as far as I’m concerned,” he says. He helps us out to his truck and part of me wishes we could take his bike. I’d love to wrap my arms around him. Shaking my head to banish that thought, because what would he want with someone like me, I get in to the passenger side when he opens the door.
Once we’re all settled and buckled in, he heads into town to the local pizza parlor. Walking in, I see my friends and their husbands, along with all the children. I give him a look and he smiles at me, his eyes lighting up at my frown. “Chief, don’t you think it’s too much for her?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper so Claree doesn’t hear.
“Not at all. This way, she can meet everyone in a safe, fun environment.”
Chief
I didn’t tell Trinity when I came to get her that everyone else would be here and now I’m wondering if it was the right thing to do. Leaning down over Claree, who’s in her wheelchair, I ask, “Is this too much for you?”
She looks over at the tables that have been pushed together and gives me a small smile. “No, I want to meet the kids that Miss DJ and Miss Cara have mentioned.”
“How about after this, we go and check on Shelby?” I ask her.
“Yes, please. I didn’t get to see her today and I want her to know that I’m still here for her.”
“Well, we’ll be here for about an hour or so, so that will only give us about thirty-minutes to visit, but I’d like to check up on her myself,” I say giving her a smile, I look over at Trinity and see one plastered on her face as well.
“We were busy today and didn’t get a chance to go up and visit, thank you for being willing to take us up there once we’re done,” Trinity says to me. For some odd reason, I’d do anything to see these two women smile. I nod my head and hold my hand out, allowing her to walk ahead of us. It might have been a bad idea, because watching her ass sway in those jeans has my dick excruciatingly hard. Using the wheelchair as cover, I rearrange and adjust myself and push Claree to join the others. I’m not sure she realizes that I’m interested in her yet. Apparently, I need to make myself clear to Miss Trinity Adams. She will be mine. Not sure when, but it’s gonna happen.
Shelby has finally woken up and Trinity and I sit there listening to her talk to Claree. The nightgowns that the women bought swallow the little girl, but she’s tickled with them and I swear, she hasn’t taken that pink doll they brought out of her arms. “I think she had fun tonight,” Trinity whispers, overhearing what Claree is saying.
Listening in, I hear her tell Shelby about the other kids and how they played games and ate pizza. I also happened to notice Talon take a special interest in Claree. If anyone understands what she’s going through it is him. My hope is that he’ll help her get through some of the hard times she has ahead of her. Then again, the thought of any boy being interested in this little pixie of a girl has my heart racing. Something to think about later when Trinity’s unique floral scent isn’t sucking me in. Claree also tells her about their new bedroom at Trinity’s house and I notic
e Shelby’s eyes widen. Trinity doesn’t know it, but both of the girls were sleeping on mattresses on the floor, no sheets in sight. I don’t know what the hell happened after their mother died, but it obviously wasn’t good. While I hate that the little girl is apparently going to have to deal with the after-effects of being shaken, she’s in a good home now and I’ll do whatever it takes for Trinity to be able to keep them. An overprotectiveness, where these two little girls are concerned, takes root deep in my gut. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced or felt before, something else to add to the list of things to think about. “I think she did as well. I know I did,” I confess.
Her eyes widen, and I decide that now’s as good a time as any to state my intentions. “Trinity, woman, don’t you realize that I’m interested in you?”
“Really? I mean...I know you’ve been over every day since she got to my house, but I thought it was about the case.”
Dammit, now’s not the time or place to kiss her like I want to. Fuck my life. Looking at her, I say, “There’s a detective handling the case, sweetness. I’m there for you and these two girls.”
If she licks her bottom lip one more time, I’m going to come completely unglued. Right now, my dick probably has the ridges of my zipper imprinted against it. I wonder how she’ll like my piercings? Fuck, once again, my thoughts have gone down a road best not traveled, at least not in this hospital room.
“Claree, we need to leave, sweetie,” Trinity says after looking at her watch. I like that she is in the now and not always using her phone. That shit drives me nuts. Instead, she usually leaves it in her purse or on a table. I’ve seen her have to hunt it down when I’ve been there.
Claree’s eyes tear up and I just want to...hell, I want to pull her close and hug her and tell her everything’s gonna be alright, I’ve got her. But again, not the time or place. Fuck. My. Life. Again.
“Don’t worry sweetheart, Shelby will be home soon,” I tell Claree trying to make our leave as smooth as I possibly can. I hope I’m right, and the little girl will be coming home...soon.
Once I have them back at Trinity’s, she looks at Claree and says, “Time to get ready for bed, sweetie.” Claree’s sweet little voice agrees and she heads down the hall to her room. Looking around, I admire Trinity’s house and not for the first time. It’s a very comfortable ranch-style with large rooms that she has decorated in light, almost airy colors. It has a homey feel, one that makes you want to kick off your boots, sit down on the couch and put your feet on the coffee table and settle in for a long evening. I can picture myself here, ingrained in this home with Trinity and the girls.
“Do you want something to drink?” Trinity asks me. Looking at my watch, I nod my head yes and then make a decision.
“Can we watch a movie with her? Maybe one of her favorites?”
I see the look in Trinity’s eyes before she agrees. “I think that’s the perfect end to tonight. Let me go tell her.” As she heads toward Claree’s room, once again I’m watching that ass sway and cursing the fact that my dick is in overdrive. Hell, I haven’t had this happen in my life, not even with her. Just thinking about my ex has my dick shriveling up and going into hiding. That’s apparently the secret I’ve been searching for when it comes to keeping him in check around my girl. She walks back into the room carrying two bottles of water and a beer for me and says to me, “Okay, she’s good with watching a movie with us. She wants us to watch some movie called Pitch Perfect, whatever that is. Can you look on Netflix and see if it’s there?”
I find the movie and get it set up to play whenever Claree gets in here. Sitting on the couch, I pat the seat next to me. “Sit here, sweetness,” I command. I want Trinity close, there’s something about her that I want to analyze because no woman ever has made me feel like this and I’m not sure how to feel about it. Fuck, is my man card in jeopardy? Hatch and his damn man card theories are rubbing off on me now.
“Do you want popcorn?” Trinity asks Claree once she gets in the living room and plops down on the recliner.
“Yes, please.”
“Okay, then I’ll grab us sodas as well. That’ll go better with popcorn than water, don’t you think?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Trinity heads into her kitchen, leaving me with Claree. “Are you excited about going to a new school?”
“I think so. At least people won’t pick on me there.”
“Why were you picked on?” I think I have an idea, the clothes that were at that house were stained and in horrible condition. Now, though, thanks to the ladies, she has a brand-new wardrobe.
“Because I was skinny, and my clothes didn’t fit well,” she mutters. “Mommy would be horrified at how I looked.”
“Your mom sounds like a special lady,” I say.
“I miss her so much,” Claree states and I see tears welling up in her eyes. Going over to her, I pull her up and into a hug. There’s something about tears and women that do something to me.
“I’m sorry, baby girl. Sorry that your mom died and sorry that you and Shelby went through hell.”
“I tried to protect her,” Claree says, sobbing into my chest.
“Honey, no one has the right to hurt anyone, especially a child. You did a good job keeping Shelby safe, you know that, right?”
“I didn’t get home in time that day, though. But he was upset because she had been sick and running a fever, so she couldn’t go to daycare.”
“Is Shelby your stepfather’s biological daughter?” I’m sure it was in the reports, but I can’t seem to remember that detail right now.
“Yes. We have different dads. Mine died overseas when I was five. Mom married Cliff, my step-dad, when I was eight and Shelby was born a year later.” Hmm, sounds like I may need to call Law and find out what we can do to get that piece of shit’s rights terminated. I’m sure Trinity’s office will try to do that as well, but Law has contacts that can push the case through faster than social services can. Claree, of course, is an orphan, so she would be able to be put up for adoption.
“Let’s get you cleaned up so we can watch this movie. What’s it about?” I ask, helping her sit back down and grabbing the box of kleenex.
“A bunch of girls who sing.” Great, a fucking musical. Guess I’ll put my game face on and watch it because I want to have my arm around Trinity. I mentally add burning my man card to my list of things I need to do when I’m home. Damnit, there go my thoughts again on that motherfucking man card...mental note, don’t let Hatch know he’s rubbing off on me. He’ll throw that shit in my face as often as he can.
Trinity comes back in with the popcorn and sodas and gives me a look. I shake my head to let her know that now’s not the time and she hands one bowl to Claree along with a soda before sitting down next to me. I take the bowl and put it on my lap. Apparently, the ex’s thoughts only worked so long because as soon as that woman sat down, my dick woke up. A-fuckin-gain.
The movie ends up being pretty good, much better than I anticipated if I’m being honest. I think I’m partial to the Fat Amy character, but Claree likes the girl whose voice is so light you can’t hear her, and Trinity loves the chick named Chloe. Whatever. “What if we watch part two tomorrow?” I ask. “I’ll bring dinner over or we can go ahead and watch it earlier if you’d like.”
“You liked it, didn’t you?” Claree asks me, “Admit it, you just want an excuse to see the next one.”
“No comment,” I say, turning my attention back to Trinity.
“Don’t you have to work?” Trinity asks me with a smirk on her face, thank goodness for her jumping in to save me and changing the subject.
“Not tomorrow.” I tell her.
“Well, we’re going to see Shelby early and then I was taking Claree to get her hair cut. She’ll go back to school next Monday. I got permission to wait until her eye was opened and the doctor thinks it’ll be good by then.”
“So what about an early lunch?”
Claree, who grabbed the remo
te, says, “Oh goody! The third part is out right now too! Can we...can we do a movie marathon?”
I look at her face and see the smile and nod. “Absolutely.” Right now, I’d do anything to help her heal and if watching these crazy movies helps, so be it. I’m sure my brothers would be the same way if they were in this situation. Just in case, I decide that I’ll keep this to myself. There’s no reason to overshare information...right?
“Okay, young lady, now it’s really time for bed if we’re doing this tomorrow,” Trinity tells Claree.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Be sure to brush your teeth and you can set the timer on your phone to read for thirty minutes, okay?” That’s something else I did for her, got her an e-reader so she could escape into stories. She had mentioned one day missing being able to go to the library. I told Trinity it was from the RGMC when she questioned me, but really, it was from me.
Once Claree left the room, I look over at Trinity and say, “You know, I’ve been thinking. It’s a good thing that sorry piece of shit had gotten her a phone. Can you imagine how long it would’ve been until they’d gotten help if she hadn’t had one?”
“Yeah, I know, I’ve been thinking that I need to put her on my plan so that we don’t have to worry about hers being shut off,” Trinity tells me.
“Might be a good idea, she’ll need one in case she ever needs help again,” I tell her.
“True, I worry about her being at school and him possibly trying to get to her.”
“We’ll make sure there’s someone there when she goes in and gets out. We’ll be taking no chances when it comes to her safety. And once Shelby is back in daycare, we’ll do the same, okay?”
“Thank you, I can only do so much and be in so many places at once.” I nod in agreement.
“We’ve got your back,” I tell her. It’s taking everything I have in me not to lean down and plant a kiss on her luscious lips. Fuck it! I lean down and plant one on her. I was half-way expecting her to push me away, but when she pulls me close and responds to my kiss, I realize I now know what heaven feels like. My hands cup her face and one goes around and tangles in her hair. I want to take this slow with her, she gives off the vibe that she’s inexperienced. I swipe my tongue across her lower lip, the one that’s been driving me crazy and hear a moan come from her. Emboldened, I deepen the kiss and soon find our tongues dueling. Pulling her against me, I lean back into the couch, so she’s nearly sprawled on top of me. I know this isn’t going to end the way I’d like it to, so right now, feeling her weight against me will have to do. When I’m nearly breathless, I pull back and see her beautiful eyes, now shining more gold than hazel and I grin. “Been wanting to do that for awhile,” I admit as my hand strokes her face.
Chief: Rebel Guardians MC Page 3