“You don’t think...that is...I mean, is this a conflict of interest?” she asks. I like how breathy her voice sounds knowing that I was the cause.
“Nope. And I bet if you called your friend, what’s her name again? Deanna? She’d tell you the same thing. I want this with you. Fast, slow, in-between, I don’t give a shit. You’re gonna be mine, Trinity.”
Trinity
His growly voice does something to my insides that my ex never managed. I’m so turned on I don’t know what to do about it but I know now’s not the time to pursue this further. “Are you sure you want me?” I finally ask him. I mean, I know I’m out of his league by a long shot.
“Sweetness, you’re killing me here. Don’t you realize what you do to me?” he asks. Before I can answer, he takes my hand and pulls it down to his crotch where I feel something very hard pressed against the outside of his jeans.
“I... I had no idea.”
“I know we have to talk and that’s fine. I know this is new, for both of us actually, so I’ll take my cues from you, okay?”
I nod at him before saying, “I’ve had one boyfriend. Nothing major happened, but he was a jerk, always putting me down, so I broke up with him. Since then, I’ve focused on the kids in my case load. I don’t know how to do a relationship, Chief, and I’ll probably screw it up six ways from Sunday.”
He leans in and kisses my nose before replying, “I love your crazy sayings, Trinity. I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve laid eyes on and it’s no secret that my dick feels the same way. I do want to tell you something though, especially since this seems like it’s going to go in a direction where it’ll be important.”
“What?” I ask. I can’t think of anything he could tell me that would make me not want to get into a relationship with him. Nothing at all.
“I can’t have kids.”
“You can’t have them, or you don’t want them?”
“Oh, I’d love to have them, but I had the mumps when I was a teenager and was told my sperm count was too low to father a child. It’s one of the reasons why my ex and I split up. She went in with eyes wide open until she caught baby fever.”
I take a deep breath because I want this beautiful man to hear what I’m saying. “Chief, while I would love kids of my own, there are so many that need homes, if that’s what we do, then that’s what we do. I’m sorry your ex changed like that but that’s not who I am.” To prove my point, I kiss him, pouring everything that I’m feeling that I can’t express yet into my actions.
Long minutes pass as we kiss, and he caresses me, making my body sing with desire. When he finally pulls back, I say, “We can’t do this tonight.”
“No, we can’t. Not the time or place, but Trinity, let the record show that I want you,” he states, once again pulling my hand toward the impressive hardness that’s currently trying to break through his jeans. He sits up, taking me with him and then he stands. “I know y’all have an early day and things to do first. Text me when you’re on your way back and I’ll grab us some subs or something. How’s that?”
“That sounds good, Chief.”
“Turk. When it’s just us, please call me Turk.” I smile up at him and walk him to the door.
“Turk? You going to kiss me goodnight?” I ask. He pulls me into his arms and leans down and I find myself being kissed breathless.
“That should hold us both until tomorrow,” he states. “Like my name on your lips. Can’t wait to see my dick there.” And with that, he leaves, ordering me to lock up. My body still humming with desire, I lock up before cleaning up our movie mess then I head in to check on Claree. I find her asleep and I lean down and smooth her hair back before kissing her forehead.
Satisfied that she’ll sleep through the night, I head into my room and straight to the shower. Time to take care of that itch that Chief...no, Turk...caused with his kisses.
Chief
Lying in bed trying to catch my breath after coming so hard to thoughts of Trinity, I lean over and grab my shirt and wipe up the mess. Tossing it to the side, I think about the woman who has captured my thoughts and heart. After Willow left me, I vowed never again to put myself in a position where I would love someone. Her parting words, “You’re not a real man” still ring in my ears sometimes. And yet Trinity, with her hazel eyes and generous heart, has cracked that rusty safe around my heart wide open. I can see us as a family, her and me and those two girls, plus maybe a dog or two if her crazy cat allows it. I’ve never heard a cat purr like Mr. Grumbles does, that’s for damn sure. And he’s taken with Claree, following her around almost like a dog would.
As I lay here lost in thought of what the future may hold for me...for us, I can’t help but imagine what it will feel like to be a father to those young girls. It’s always been a dream of mine, to be a father, something I find that I’m looking forward to. I couldn’t imagine it being with any other kids now that those two have stolen my heart. And Trinity, God Trinity. The feel of her in my arms makes my heart skip a beat. I grew up on the reservation in Oklahoma, we had ‘medicine men’ and my father didn’t believe in doctors. My father was a full-blooded Indian whereas my mother was a ‘white woman’ as they called her, to me she was just a beautiful snow-white headed woman who meant the world to me. Her being different than the rest of the tribe didn’t bother me in the least. I loved her spunk and fire. When I got sick with the mumps, she and my father got into the only fight I can remember them having. She wanted to take me into town to see a ‘real’ doctor’ and my father being set in his ways would only allow the tribe’s medicine man treat me. My father worshipped the ground my mother walked on, would do just about anything for her, even go against his family when he married her. But on this, he just wouldn’t budge. I love him, but sometimes I’m so angry at him for not putting my health first.
I was considered the outcast because my mother wasn’t of Indian heritage, it caused me to get into multiple fights when I was a teenager. As soon as I turned eighteen, I left the reservation, no longer wanting to be associated with those who would dare judge my mother...I just couldn't take it anymore.
I call her from time to time and let her know how I am, but I won’t go back. Deciding I need to talk to Axe, I pick up my phone and shoot him a text.
Me: You awake?
Axe: Yeah. What’s up?
Me: When are we having church? I need Law on something.
Axe: He’s already working on seeing what can be done for those girls.
Me: Well, fuck. How do you do that?
Axe: Magic
Fucker. His woman probably let it slip that I’ve been going by Trinity’s house every day since Claree came home from the hospital and that I’ve been going up to the hospital to see Shelby every day as well.
Me: When though?
Axe: Is tomorrow soon enough?
I think about my plans with Trinity and Claree for tomorrow once they’re home.
Me: As long as it’s in the morning.
Axe: Why? Got a hot date?
Me: Got plans with them around lunch.
Axe: Fine. Be there at nine, I’ll send out a group text to let everyone know.
Me: Thanks.
I put my phone away and decide to call it a night. Sleep claims me fast with thoughts of Trinity dancing around in my mind.
I arrive at the clubhouse early the next morning and find everyone else already there. “Alright, y’all, let’s go,” Axe calls out seeing me walk in the door.
Once we’re all inside, we go over the current financials and find out that the trucking company is exceeding expectations, which has all of us cheering. “How is it going with the specs on that truck stop?” Axe asks Law and Smokey.
“Should have the information by the weekend,” Law states. “Next time we have church, I’ll make sure I have it all together, but honestly? It looks like it’d be a good investment.”
“Good, good. With all the renovations around here,” he starts only to have to stop when
we all break out laughing. His mom, Nan, went a little bit crazy earlier in the year and almost the whole clubhouse got a makeover. Then again, it seems as though it was right on time seeing as kids are popping up left and right. “As I said, with all the renovations around here, any time we can increase our income stream, it’s a good thing. Now, next up is the piece of shit that Chief and his officers are hunting down. We’ve had no sightings of Cliff Connell, but if you do happen to spot him, make sure you call Chief and if possible, try not to hurt him too badly.”
Yeah, right. I know these guys. We may be legitimate and law-abiding, but every man in here, as well as our prospects, would love to give that fucker an ass-whooping he wouldn’t soon forget for what he did to Claree and Shelby. “How is all that paperwork coming, Law?”
I see Law sigh and realize he looks exhausted. That’s not a normal look for him and it raises some concern. I make a mental note to talk to him later.
“Waiting on the judge to sign off on the parental termination for Shelby. Claree, being a ward of the state, has no paperwork like that, so she’s good to be adopted. Does Trinity plan on doing that?” he asks, looking at me.
“I’m thinking so, yes. The only problem is her job. She loves what she’s doing, but Shelby is going to require a lot of care for the next few years at least and she’s not keen on putting her back into daycare. Can’t say as I blame her, just don’t know what she can do.”
Axe looks at Hatch and then at me before saying, “Let me think on it because I may have an idea. I think it’s a good thing that she wants to be there for the girls. How will it affect her financially?”
“She doesn’t fully understand it yet, but she’s mine, so I’ll make sure she’s taken care of,” I state. Between my salary with the police department and my share of the RGMC businesses, I’m actually set for the rest of my life, so if she has to stay home forever, I can handle it.
“Get her on board, man, the sooner the better. My woman thinks she’s the shit,” Hatch says.
“Working on it,” I reply.
Chapter Three
Trinity
Shelby is coming home today and I’m a nervous wreck. She’s been in the hospital for the past three weeks while the doctors monitored her to get her on the right dose of medication for the seizures she now has. I’m just grateful her injuries weren’t worse. I had to take a class on what to do in case of a seizure to protect her. I think I have everything she’ll need here at the house for her, but what if I don’t? Claree has been floating around on cloud nine in anticipation of bringing her home. Despite everything, she seems to be adjusting well according to the counselor I’ve been taking her to, and she loves her new school. Her nightmares are easing up, a fact that I’m grateful for because her cries were heart wrenching for me to hear night after night. Once again, I say a silent prayer of thanks that Deanna gave me this time off.
“Are you ready?” I ask Claree as I text Chief to tell him we’re fixing to leave and pick her up.
“I am! Thank you, Miss Trinity, for taking us both. I know she’s at the age where she can be a handful, but I’ll take care of her. She’s used to me doing everything for her anyways.”
“You’re not alone anymore,” I remind her. “And besides, you need to be a little girl, not a caretaker, sweetie.”
“I know, but she may take some time to actually let you do things for her, it’s only been me doing them for so long that that’s what she’ll expect and want.”
“Let’s let things play out and see,” I say not wanting to cause any type of conflict with my charge. “But I would love it if you would let me try and help.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Miss Trinity, it’s that it’s the way it has always been, neither of us are used to anyone else helping out.”
“I can understand that, but it really would mean a lot to me if you’d let me try.”
“Okay,” she replies. I think it’s so I’ll shut up, but I’ll take it as a win. We gather our things and walk out the door. I double-check the toddler seat and make sure it’s strapped in safely and securely. When I’m satisfied that it is, I get in and start the car.
“I’m so excited!” she squeals out. Her excitement is contagious, and I begin to dance in my seat. She laughs at me, but in the end, she joins in. We sing, laugh and dance in our seats the entire way to the hospital. It’s nice to see her acting like a kid instead of a child parent. We pull up to the hospital and park in the parking garage. I don’t want to take any chances of either of the girls being spotted by that man, who is still at large. Chief and the guys have been tirelessly searching for him. The RGMC has even gotten involved, Law has pushed the paperwork through and a judge has signed off on terminating his rights to Shelby. I won’t have to get his written permission or anything where it comes to her care. Which is a load off my back, I was worried he might fight me tooth and nail with all the doctors Shelby may end up requiring. Believe it or not, until all parental rights are severed, they have a say-so in medical procedures and treatments. It’s a law that has never quite set right with me, but there isn’t anything I can do other than what I am. Once we’re upstairs in her room, I’m not surprised that Chief is waiting. Since making his intentions clear, his touches have become bolder and he never leaves without kissing me breathless. Of course, the girls have noticed his attentions as they’ve been over frequently helping me with Claree and getting everything ‘just right’ for when Shelby comes home. I’m a ball of nerves about going further, even though everything he has done so far has caused me to turn into a pile of goo. Maybe I should chat with my girls and get the down-low on what to expect with an alpha man like Chief. Naw, I’ll suck it up and talk to him when the time is right.
“Good morning, Shell-bell,” Claree says, going over to the chair where Shelby is sitting, all dressed and ready to go.
“Are y’all ready to take this little angel home?” Shelby’s nurse comes over and asks us.
“Yes, ma’am. A little nervous about the possibility of her having a seizure but the class y’all had has at least given me the basics.”
“Oh, honey, if she has one, the first and most important thing is to keep calm and make sure she’s nowhere near anything that can hurt her. The first one you witness will be scary as hell, just remember to breathe and if you need to, call for help,” the nurse replies. “Since she’s so young, I’ll need you to hold her while I wheel y’all out.” I look helplessly at Chief and he holds out his hand.
“What?” I ask.
“Give me your keys, sweetness, and I’ll pull your car around.”
I reach into my purse, affectionately known as the abyss since I have everything in it and pull out my keys. “Claree, do you want to go with him and show him where we parked, or do you want to stay with us?”
Claree’s eyes shine at the thought of being able to help and she immediately bounces before saying, “I want to help him and get the car for Shelby.”
Chief’s chuckle as he holds out his hand to her sends tingles down my spine. Since he’s been around, I’ve seen him smile and laugh more. Something else my girls told me is new for him. Usually, he’s the strong and silent type.
Claree turns and looks at Shelby before leaving with Chief. “Be good for Miss Trinity and I’ll see you in a minute, okay?” She reaches down and puts her hand on her sister’s head before grabbing Chief’s hand. “I’m ready,” she tells him, and they leave me here to get Shelby.
“She’s been mothering her a long time,” the nurse observes.
“Yes she has. Their mom died, and it seems before that, she was sick a lot so Claree took on the responsibility of her little sister. I’m hoping to change that, so she can just be a little girl from now on.”
“I wish you luck. And don’t forget, any questions about Shelby’s care you have, you can call the doctor or if you’d like, I’ll give you my number.”
“If you’re sure it wouldn’t be an inconvenience, I’d appreciate it greatly.”
Chief: Rebel Guardians MC Page 4