by Harley Wylde
You’re just repaying his kindness, Glory. I nearly snorted. Yeah, I didn’t believe it even when I just said it in my head. No, Wolf was a temptation, and no matter how badly I’d get burned, I wanted to move even closer to him.
This wouldn’t end well.
Chapter Two
Wolf
Three Months Later
Glory worked too fucking hard. I leaned against the wall, my ankles and arms crossed, as I kept an eye on her. Technically, I was here to make sure no one busted into the clinic while the latest patient was here. At least, those were the orders I’d been given by the VP. Worked out well, since I liked making sure Glory was doing okay.
The day she’d arrived, I’d kept my mouth shut. I’d noticed the way she stood in Tank’s shadow, a slight tremor making her hands shake. Then he’d dragged her forward and she’d found her courage, or faked it really well. The way she’d mouthed off to Demon still made me smile. Fucker needed to be put in his place every now and then.
Since then, I’d been her silent shadow, never letting her know I was keeping watch. I’d stayed close as she applied for jobs in town. It had broken my damn heart each time she’d come out looking dejected. The first time she’d come in late from doing a ride-along on an ambulance, I’d been the only one anxious. The others had just shrugged and said she’d be back when she’d finished. They might have been right, but I hadn’t been able to shake the what if something happened feeling. Knowing her past, I’d decided to err on the side of caution, and I’d ridden over to the hospital. I’d arrived just as the ambulance returned and Glory had stepped out. Then I’d hung around and followed her home.
If she’d known I was there, she never let on. Hell, I’d followed her multiple times since then. It wasn’t that Blackwood Falls was dangerous, but any town had a bad element. Too much shit had gone wrong over the years for me not to worry when she didn’t come home on time. Now I made sure she got where she was going, and back to her place without any issues.
And if I remembered her gentle touch the night she’d helped with my leg, I kept that shit to myself. No one had ever wanted to take care of me before. Most women saw my leg and either pitied me or were revolted by my stump. Not Glory. I should have known she’d be different. If she were like all the others, I’d have been able to keep away. Instead, I tended to lie in bed at night and imagine she was lying beside me.
Griz had noticed my preoccupation with Glory and gave me shit about it. Of course, he’d been smiling at the time so I knew he wasn’t worried. I hadn’t turned into a stalker. Except when it came to Glory. I didn’t like letting her out of my sight. Grizzly had asked if I was compensating for Franny deciding to up and move, and maybe at first, I had been. Glory had shown up the day Franny had given me the news. She’d known I wouldn’t leave my club, so moving to another state had meant us saying goodbye. I’d toyed with the idea of making her my old lady, but something had always held me back. Now I knew what it was… she wasn’t the right one. That and she’d never been able to look at my leg. The times we’d been intimate, I’d either kept my pants on or she’d looked everywhere but at the stump below my knee.
Sienna fussed from the playpen in the corner. The club had set it up so Glory could bring her along when she needed to work in the clinic. The little girl’s cheeks flushed a deep pink and crocodile tears slipped down her face. Yeah, she was gearing up for a doozy of a fuss. I pushed off the wall and approached, kneeling down beside the playpen.
“Hey there, beautiful,” I murmured in a low voice. “You tired of being locked up?”
She snuffled and hiccupped as she reached for me. Glory might have my head all kinds of fucked-up, but this little cutie? She had me wrapped around her finger. Or possibly her entire hand. I smiled and reached into the playpen, picking her up.
“Come on, gorgeous. Your mom isn’t finished working yet.” I cradled her to my chest, my hand splayed across her small back. At fourteen months, she wasn’t quite as far along as other kids her age. Sienna had only started crawling shortly after they’d come to live here. I didn’t know when she’d walk, or talk for that matter. Glory didn’t seem worried, and anyone could see Sienna was a happy baby.
Glory walked past on her way into the exam room, letting her fingers trail along her daughter’s arm. She winked at me. “I see she has her favorite guy.”
I smiled and nodded. “The little princess here will be just fine. You do whatever you’ve got to do.”
“Thanks, Wolf,” she said softly, pausing to give me a smile before she hurried into the room.
Yeah, it wasn’t just Sienna who had me whipped. I’d wanted a family for a while now, and some might say Glory and Sienna were convenient, but it was more than that. I’d been drawn to the two of them. I’d taken more notice of Glory than I should have. Franny and I had technically still been together when Glory had arrived at the Devil’s Fury. It didn’t matter she’d broken things off later that day, after she’d decided she would definitely be leaving town. I’d never been a cheater, and I never would be. There were times I felt guilty for taking notice of Glory when she’d burst into Church with Tank, even if Franny did seem to be happy where she’d moved. Last we’d spoken, she’d started dating someone. A nice, decent, law-abiding sort. Sounded boring as hell to me, but it was probably better for Franny.
Sienna babbled at me as she grabbed for the patches on my cut. I pried her fingers loose, then twirled our joined hands through the air, making her giggle. I’d learned the hard way she was stronger than she seemed, when she’d torn one of my patches off last month. Glory had been horrified, but I’d rolled with it. Yeah, I’d had to ask someone to stitch it back on, seeing as how I couldn’t sew for shit. It had been worth it though to see the triumphant look on Sienna’s face as she’d waved her prize around. The guys gave me shit about it, and I’d flipped them off.
I danced around the waiting room with Sienna, smiling as she giggled. God, but I loved this little girl. She’d had my heart almost from the start. The poofy pink tutu she had on hung over my arm, and the sparkles on her top caught the light. She really did look like a princess. Acted like one too. Sweet one minute and demanding the next.
She grinned at me, showing off her new teeth, and a bit of drool slid down her chin. I walked over to her bag and grabbed a cloth, wiping the spit from her face. She babbled, reaching for the bag and I wondered when she’d last eaten. I knew Glory kept some baby food in the bag and I dug through it until I found the small jar of squash and a spoon. I set them on the reception counter and pulled a bib from the bag.
“All right, little princess. Ready to eat something?”
She reached for the jar of food, yammering nonsense and kicking her feet. Yep, my girl was hungry. And yeah, I thought of her as mine. Even if Glory and Sienna didn’t seem to want a man in their lives -- or at least Glory didn’t -- I still wanted these two to be mine. I sat in Glory’s chair, put the bib on Sienna, then opened the jar of food. I anchored Sienna with one arm while I used my other hand to feed her. Between bites, I set the spoon aside and cleaned her face of any excess food. Pretty as a princess, but messy like a boy. I smiled and kissed her temple before giving her another bite.
The door opened and a woman darted inside. She looked around the room before focusing on me and coming toward the counter. Shadows bruised the skin under her eyes, and she shifted from foot to foot. The way she twitched and jumped at every sound told me one of two things. She was going into withdrawal, or she’d been assaulted and needed our help. She blinked at Sienna and some of the tension eased from her body.
“Your daughter is cute,” she said.
Warmth spread through me. “Thanks.”
I felt a presence next to me and saw Glory with a soft smile on her face. Oh. Right. Maybe the woman had been speaking to Glory and not me. Although, the thought of this little one being mine felt all kinds of right.
Glory placed a hand on my shoulder and moved in closer. Her scent teased my nose, and my cock
went semi-hard. It wasn’t the first time it had happened, and I doubted it would be the last. I hadn’t seen her in anything sexier than a T-shirt and jeans, or the scrubs she had on right now. Not knowing what was hiding under those clothes was more of a turn-on than all the skin the club whores showed off.
Since I’d been with Franny until three months ago, I hadn’t touched a club whore in a while. And after… Well, I’d been too fascinated by Glory to even look at the easy women at the clubhouse. Other than stopping by to socialize with my brothers and get a cold beer, I avoided the parties. No reason to be there if I didn’t want the easy pussy. I’d grown tired of it long ago, to be honest, but I’d kept up appearances. Until Franny.
“Do you have an appointment?” Glory asked.
“No. I heard about this place from a friend. She said…” The woman looked around again and lowered her voice. “She said if I needed help and needed to avoid the hospital I could come here.”
I felt Glory tense and reached up to place my hand over hers. It seemed to work, and I felt her ease up again.
“It depends on the sort of help you need,” Glory said. “Were you assaulted?”
The woman nodded only to hesitate a moment. “Not exactly.”
“Which is it?” Glory asked.
“I had unprotected sex. The guy got rough, and I think he may have torn something. I’m bleeding and it’s not that time of the month.”
Something seemed off about the woman’s story, and her behavior. She stated everything like she’d memorized it, with no emotion. The way she jumped at every little thing made me question her motives, but I knew Glory would help if she could. She couldn’t stand for anyone to be in pain. I wasn’t convinced there was anything wrong with this woman. Other than being a liar. An exam would let us know if she was telling the truth.
“We only have one doctor on staff tonight and she’s helping someone right now. Are you able to wait?” Glory asked.
The woman seemed twitchy as she backed up. “No. It’s okay. Maybe I was mistaken and it’s not so bad.”
Before either of us could say anything, she bolted from the room and out into the alley. Someone had told her about this place, but who? And why? Had she given the sob story to another woman, one who’d believed her? I didn’t like the thought of this place being talked about all over town. If the cops raided us, Glory would be in a world of trouble. She wouldn’t only face prison time, but she’d lose Sienna. I couldn’t let that happen.
I handed the baby to her mom. “Hold her for me, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.”
She clutched Sienna to her chest and stared at the door. “You felt it too?”
I nodded. “Yeah, something’s off with that woman. Lock the door behind me, and don’t let anyone leave until I return.”
I left the clinic and waited until I heard the lock click into place. Then I went down the alley in search of the woman. I heard her voice, low and not too far away. I crept closer, sticking near the building. The way her voice echoed, it sounded like she was on the side of the dumpster facing the brick wall across from me.
“I told you I couldn’t get in,” the woman said. “Look, S. If you want your whore back, you’ll have to go in there and get her yourself. The woman at the desk is nice, and they have security around. I’m not risking that innocent lady, or myself.”
I wished I could hear the other end of the call. Who the hell was S? Was he trying to get to the woman currently being treated?
“Fine. Whatever, S. You better pay up like you say you will.”
She ended the call and I watched as she walked toward the street. I didn’t know what was going on, but I had a feeling the woman at the clinic would need someone to see her home safely. I pulled out my phone and shot off a text to Steel. If anyone could keep the woman at ease, it would be him. Not only was he happily married, but he had a way with the ladies. Even terrified ones.
Need you at the clinic. Trouble came knocking.
It only took him a moment to respond. Be there in ten.
I went back toward the clinic and knocked on the door. “It’s me, Glory.”
The lock twisted and she pulled the door open, her face paler than usual. I hated that I’d scared her. If I hadn’t said anything, or gone after the woman, Glory may have brushed it off and gone about her night. Just the same, I was glad I’d followed her. My instincts had been right. Whyever she’d come here, it hadn’t been for medical help.
I stepped inside and shut the door behind me. “How much longer until the woman in the exam room can leave?”
“Maybe fifteen minutes? Could be a little longer. They were still treating her injuries when I was in there last. She needed stitches in multiple places. What did that lady want?”
“Nothing good. Sounds like she’s working for someone, and I have a feeling she’s after our patient. I called Steel to make sure she gets home okay. He can walk her to her car and follow her home. Best we can do. Anything happens after that, she’ll need to call the cops.”
“After she leaves, we can head home. She’s the last appointment for today,” Glory said.
Home. If only Glory and Sienna were coming to my house instead of the duplex. She’d made it clear she didn’t plan to date anyone, so I’d tried to keep things as a friends-only relationship. I wanted more from her. So much more. With anyone else, I’d have gone after what I wanted. Glory was different. I didn’t want to push her, make her feel cornered. She’d been through enough and had earned the right to have some space if that was what she wanted. There was also the age difference between us. I was sixteen years older than she was.
Of course, Glory was more mature for her age than most women I’d met. She’d graduated high school and finished a four-year degree in the time most women her age were still figuring shit out. I had a hard time picturing her with someone her age. For one, I didn’t know too many nineteen-year-old men who wanted to be fathers, especially to a kid who wasn’t from their own DNA. Most of us tended to be selfish assholes when we’re younger. And some remain selfish assholes until they die.
Glory looked from Sienna to me. “Would you want to come over for a late dinner? I put chicken and dumplings in the crockpot earlier today. It will still be hot when we get back.”
My stomach grumbled at the thought of food, especially food I didn’t have to get from a drive-thru or cook myself. “You sure you have enough?”
She rolled her eyes. “Wolf, do you honestly think I can eat an entire crockpot of food by myself? If there’s anything left, I’ll set it aside for lunch tomorrow and the day after. If not, no worries.”
“All right. Then I’d love to stop by for dinner.” I smiled and reached out to run my finger over Sienna’s cheek. “Any excuse to spend more time with my favorite girl.”
“If you lived with her, you might feel differently. Her last ear infection about killed me. She was up at all hours because she was hurting, and only walking with her would keep her calm.”
I moved a little closer, wishing I could take them both into my arms. “No. I wouldn’t. I’d consider it an honor and a privilege to help her through the pain. Same for her mom.”
Glory’s cheeks went pink. Shit. I hadn’t meant to say that last part. Before I could backpedal, she leaned closer and pressed her lips to my cheek.
“Thank you, Wolf. For everything, but mostly for showing me not all men are assholes. I’ve witnessed that same kindness with the Dixie Reapers, but it was Tank’s wife who brought me into the fold, so to speak. But a single guy? There aren’t too many of those like you. Some part of me knew that, even after what happened to me. Knowing it and experiencing it are two different things, and you continue to amaze me.”
Now my cheeks were burning. I wasn’t some saint or knight in shining armor. I was just a guy. One who was insanely attracted to the woman in front of me.
“I’m not anything special, Glory.”
“I’d have to disagree,” she said softly.
When the doc yel
led out for her, she handed Sienna to me and went back into the exam room. By the time the woman left, with Steel following in her wake, I felt like I’d been tied in knots. I wanted Glory more than my next breath. Not just in my bed, either, but in my life, day in and day out. I wanted the entire package and not a one-night stand. What I wanted didn’t matter, though. Glory had to want it too. Want me.
I followed them to Glory’s duplex and parked my bike in the driveway. I knew my brothers would notice. They’d already given me hell the few times they’d seen me parked over here or Glory over at my place. Nothing had happened between us. She’d helped with my leg twice now when it had been overly irritated, and we’d shared a few meals. I’d even watched Sienna once while Glory ran some errands because the precious girl had been asleep. The rest of the time, the old ladies pitched in to watch the baby when Glory couldn’t take her with her.
The smell hit me when I walked through the door and my stomach cramped from hunger. Damn. My mouth started to water as I made my way into the small kitchen. Sienna sat in her highchair, smacking her hands on the tray.
“Want me to feed her?” I asked.
Glory handed me a jar of bananas. “I’m going to make her a little rice cereal. It will fill her up more, so she’ll hopefully sleep all night.”
I cracked open the jar and started spooning the bananas into Sienna’s mouth. She hmmm’d between bites, opening her mouth like a baby bird wanting more. God but I loved this kid! I used the rubber tip on the spoon to swipe some of the food from under her mouth and she latched onto it, eating that little bit too. She finished off the jar right as Glory put the bowl of baby cereal on the table. I reached for it and started feeding it to Sienna.
“You mentioned she’s developmentally delayed. I know she doesn’t walk or talk yet. And she’s not feeding herself,” I said.