Cash

by O'Brien, Megan

  Throughout my life, I’d been honing my skills at reading people. Years in the system as a kid, my years in the military, and now with the Knights had only sharpened my skills. And from everything I could tell, the man was solid.

  “Appreciate it.” I nodded with respect.

  He cocked his head to the side. “You don’t say much, do you?”

  “Not unless there’s something to say.” I didn’t add how that rule didn’t apply around Riley and Layla. Around them I was different. I was a version of me I hadn’t known until them.

  “I can respect that.” He nodded. “I’m much the same.”

  There couldn’t have been a better opening if I was asking for it. And I wasn’t asking. But here it was, and I debated whether to take it.

  “Something else on your mind?” he asked after the silence had hung between us for a time.

  “Word is you knew Kelly Walker.”

  His blue eyes lit with surprise at my comment. “Haven’t heard that name in decades. But yeah, I knew her. Why?”

  I was formulating my next words when a loud shout sounded from the outer room, and the telltale sounds of a brawl wrenched the air.

  “Fuck,” I grunted, determined to get to Layla.

  Thorn was hot on my heels as I burst out of Cole’s office and into the main room of the club.

  It only took a second to determine the source of the scuffle. Max and an unfamiliar Black Rider were throwing punches near the pool table. I scanned the room for Layla, finding her in the same spot near the couch, hunkered with Ginnie.

  Max had the upper hand until another Rider joined in, throwing a punch to Max’s side.

  “Stop. Now.” Cole’s shout of authority was like a whip lashing across the room. He didn’t want this to escalate, and with the number of Riders and Knights in the room it could very well do that and fucking quickly. As it was, despite my training, I had to fight my own instincts not to clock the asshole who had sucker punched Max. But my mind was likely where Cole’s was. Protect the women. Control the room.

  I pushed through the crowd, reaching the brawl just as Max sent the second Rider flying, right over the couch and into Layla and Ginnie.

  I was too damn far away to do anything about it when his large body slammed into both of them, knocking Ginnie off the couch, his boot landing a blow to Layla’s face.

  A red haze took over my vision, reason deserting me as my only thought became to kill the man who was now stumbling to his feet, looking around in confusion.

  Just as I was about to move into action, hands gripped me on both sides, holding me in place. “She’s okay.” Gunner’s voice rumbled in my right ear. “Need you to think, brother. You do this, shit blows wide open. We can’t have that.”

  “You can’t take care of her if you’re getting yourself all fucked-up in a fight,” Axel added from my left.

  My eyes swept to Xander, held in a similar position by Wes and Sal. Clearly he’d had the same urge hit him at the sight of Ginnie being pushed off the couch.

  I watched a few of Thorn’s men pulled the brawling Riders from the room.

  I took a deep breath before wrenching my arms free. “Let me see to Layla,” I grunted irritably.

  They set me loose, and in a few strides, I was at her side, collapsing to my knees next to the couch where she clutched at her eye.

  “Let me see, baby,” I coaxed gently, all my earlier aggression deserting me in favor of soothing her.

  “I’m fine,” she sputtered. “Just surprised me.”

  “Let me see,” I pressed.

  Reluctantly, she pulled her hand from her face, revealing a giant welt on her cheekbone.

  “Shit,” Gunner muttered behind me.

  “Get some fucking ice,” I ordered to the room at large, knowing someone would hop to.

  Layla’s gorgeous eyes grew round. “Is it bad?”

  The noise around us dimmed as a majority of the people in the room disbanded.

  “A biker just kicked you in the face, babe. But it looks kind of badass,” Ginnie commented from underneath X’s arm, which I doubted she’d be getting out from under anytime soon.

  Layla looked up at her with a scrunched-eye grin.

  “Glad you’re so fuckin’ amused,” I muttered in frustration.

  Then she turned that smile to me. And despite her fucked-up eye, she was as beautiful as ever and oddly enough, she looked as happy as ever.

  “Not thrilled I got a black eye out of it, but I’m having fun. Is that weird?” she asked with adorable sincerity.

  Just as I was about to reply, Wren snorted. “No, Layla, that just means you’re one of us. Crazy? Maybe. But one of us.” She winked from her spot next to Max. No doubt he’d gotten in the fight over her in the first place.

  “Maybe the two clubs should do trust falls or something. Kill all this tension,” Emmie put in.

  The girls laughed, while Gunner eyed her carefully. “Are you drunk?”

  She looked at him like he was crazy for asking. “Hell yes, I’m drunk. Aren’t you?”

  “My girl.” Gracie grinned.

  “To bed with you.” Gun grunted, hauling a now shrieking Em over his shoulder and carrying her out.

  “Does he mean with him?” Layla asked in confusion.

  “He wishes,” Gracie replied.

  “And doesn’t she?” Ginnie put in dryly just as Wes threw an ice pack my way. I placed it gently on Layla’s temple and had her sit back on the arm of the couch.

  “Put that on for a few minutes, then we’re leaving,” I told her firmly, still pissed as hell this had happened to her under what I considered my roof.

  “She all right?” Thorn’s voice sounded from behind me.

  “She got kicked in the face,” I said by way of answer.

  “I’m okay,” Layla answered with far more generosity than I was feeling at the moment.

  “Sorry, darlin’,” he apologized. “These men are still getting used to each other. But that’s no excuse. Boon would like to apologize to you, if you’ll let him,” he added, referring to the man who’d kicked her.

  “Not necessary,” I grunted, not wanting anyone unfamiliar near her. “But thanks,” I added somewhat begrudgingly. I’d seen the whole thing happen, and while I was pissed as hell, I had to admit the guy hadn’t done it on purpose. Hell, Max had launched him over the sofa in the first place.

  Thorn clapped me on the back. “All right. We’ll be in touch. Take care of that eye,” he added toward Layla.

  “Thank you.” She offered him a wave.

  Cole strode back into the room after having likely talked to some of the Riders. He was a natural leader, and though they weren’t his men, I wasn’t surprised he’d want to have a word. Much like Thorn had done with us. “Appreciate you not adding fuel to the fire.” He offered me a chin lift in gratitude. “What did Thorn want?”

  “Sounds like he knows where my mark is, offered to help.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “You gonna take him up on that?”

  “Probably,” I replied, as he’d likely expected.

  “Make sure you have someone to watch your back,” he instructed before he turned eyes to my girl. “Sorry as hell about your eye, Layla. I hope we haven’t scared you off.”

  “Not at all,” she assured him.

  He smiled. “Good. ’Cause we all know Walker’s a hell of a lot less of an asshole with you around.”

  Her cheeks flushed as she smiled with a nod of thanks.

  “All right, baby. You ready to go?” I pressed.

  She nodded, accepting my hand as I helped her up.

  “Let’s hang out tomorrow if you’re around. I’ll text you,” Grace called as I slung my arm over Layla’s shoulder. “Maybe manicures with Riley or something.”

  Layla nodded in parting as I guided her out to my bike.

  When she reached for her helmet, I stopped her, cupping her face in my palms. “You really okay?” I demanded, looking with concern at the welt o
n her face. It had to hurt like hell.

  She put her hands over mine. “I’m fine, babe. Really,” she assured me. “It hurts but it was an accident.”

  She was protecting me, which meant I needed to take matters in my own hands and take care of her. “Let’s get you home,” I replied, helping her with her helmet and up onto the bike. She looked so natural and goddamn gorgeous sitting there, waiting for me to wrap her arms around.

  As we rode home, my conversation with Thorn and what I’d almost told him rattled around in my mind. The inclination to tell him everything had been strong, surprising me.

  I wondered what I’d do if the opportunity arose again.

  Time, I figured, would tell.

  ****

  “Pancakes?” Riley murmured hopefully the next morning as she lay in between Layla and me after having climbed into bed with us in the night as she often did. Oscar lay at the foot of the bed; at some point he’d decided he’d put up with me. I still wasn’t sure the feeling was mutual.

  Layla raised a brow at me, and despite the bruise at her temple, looked as gorgeous as ever. I preferred her this way—free of makeup, with her gorgeous mane of hair in disarray and sleep marks still imprinted on her smooth skin. I relished the fact that I was one of the few who got to see her this way.

  “Sure, baby.” I smiled at Riley, my voice hoarse with sleep. “And some coffee for your mama.” I winked at Layla before hoisting myself out of bed.

  I looked down at my girls, Riley now snuggling into her mama’s arms where she’d remain until I called them down for breakfast.

  It had become a weekend routine, so different from the chaotic weekdays trying to get Riley off to school. I loved these lazy mornings making breakfast for my girls. I’d never thought of myself as much of a cook, but then again, I’d never had anyone to cook for.

  I’d just finished plating the pancakes, Riley already digging in and Layla on her second cup of coffee, when the doorbell chimed.

  Layla cocked her head to the side, looking at me questioningly. I shook my head, indicating I hadn’t expected anyone, before striding to the door.

  When I found Thorn Archer standing on the other side looking like he hadn’t slept a wink, my pulse quickened. “Can we talk?” he asked gruffly.

  “Yeah,” I agreed, gesturing for him to come inside. “Coffee?”

  “That’d be good.” He nodded a greeting toward Layla and Riley, who were both looking at him curiously.

  “We can talk out back.” I nodded toward the back patio once Layla had filled his cup. She shot me a discreet look of support before I led him out the patio doors to the outdoor table already bathed in warm sunlight.

  We sat across from each other, my eyes on him, his on the yard. “You putting in a pool?” he asked, looking at the work already started in the back yard.

  “Yeah,” I grunted, not interested in small talk.

  He nodded as though trying to collect his thoughts. I sat back and let him have that.

  “Took me longer than I’d care to admit to piece it together,” he began. “You asking if I knew Kelly was so out of left field. Haven’t thought about her in years. Hell, didn’t know her long to begin with. But then I sat with it. And I thought about how old you are. What you look like—who you look like,” he amended quietly, his eyes swinging to me. “Were you about to tell me what I think you were?”

  The momentary silence that followed was so thick I could practically taste it. “Yeah,” I responded before forcing myself to press on. To give him more. “If I told you. Wasn’t sure I was going to,” I admitted.

  His blue eyes narrowed. “How in the hell could you not tell me something like that? I have a son I never fucking knew about,” he barked in agitation.

  “Because for all I know, you didn’t want a kid to begin with. She certainly didn’t,” I muttered.

  “I didn’t know about you,” he replied vehemently. “She and I, what we had was volatile. Only way with a woman like that. We were young, but eventually, I got tired of her shit. She left town. I never saw her again. I had no idea she was pregnant. Fuck,” he murmured in clear agitation. “I knew she was fucked-up, but I never imagined she’d do something so twisted as to have my kid and keep that from me. Where is she now?” he demanded.

  “Dead,” I muttered. “Long time ago.”

  He put his elbows to his knees, his hands steepled. “Did she do right by you?”

  I snorted. “If putting me in the system for most of my life is doing right by me, then yeah. She did just fine.”

  He sat back in his chair, seeming unable to keep still. “She gave you up?”

  “Yep,” I replied.

  “And she still didn’t fucking tell me?” His demand was tortured as he looked at me as though I’d have some sort of answer.

  There were so many emotions swirling in my gut, some expected, some still maturing into something I could label. But what I hadn’t expected to feel was sympathy. And in that moment, this was no longer just about me, what I’d lost. It was what he’d lost too. It was exactly as Layla had first pointed out, the possibility I hadn’t given much credence to. That maybe he would have wanted me. That maybe that opportunity had been robbed from him.

  “Were you… okay?” It was as though he could barely get the question past his lips.

  “I did all right,” I assured him. “Learned how to handle myself. When I aged out, I went into the military for a couple of terms. Then I found the Knights. I found my family. Just not in the traditional sense.”

  Understanding glittered in his gaze through the pain that lingered. “I get that. Still can’t believe it happened that way. You deserved better.”

  “We both did,” I put in.

  “You have a little girl?” he asked, his eyes to the house.

  “Not by blood, but she’s mine,” I replied.

  “So I have a son and a granddaughter?” he marveled, more to himself than me. He was grappling with his new reality, and after having had more time to come to terms with it and still disbelieving it myself, I understood what he was dealing with.

  “Do you have other kids?” I wanted to know.

  He shook his head. “Wanted to. Roxy, my wife, she couldn’t. We explored adoption for years but with her past and my position in the club, we were never approved. After a while we worked past the sense that somethin’ was missing and moved on.”

  Well, shit. Now I felt positively sick for the man.

  “I’m sorry,” I muttered sincerely.

  “I’m sorry as hell too,” he rasped.

  For a time we sat in weighted silence, as though unsure where to go from here. It was a hell of a thing to navigate. “Your mark, won’t be easy getting to him,” he said finally. “And not something you should do alone. I’ll ride out with you. Tomorrow, if you’re ready,” he added.

  I looked at him in surprise but nodded.

  He stood up, clapping a hand against my shoulder. “No better way to forge ahead than with the road beneath us, yeah?”

  I looked up at him, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I s’pose you’re right.”

  And with that, me and my old man took our first step toward a common goal. And maybe, some kind of future.

  Chapter 20

  LAYLA

  “Who was that man?” I overheard Riley ask Cash later that night as he sat on the edge of her bed, tucking her in. I paused, a load of laundry tucked under my arm, unable to stop myself from eavesdropping.

  Cash sighed, and I knew he must be deliberating how to answer her. “His name is Thorn,” he said in that tender tone he only used with her.

  “Is he your friend?”

  Riley wasn’t going to cut him any slack, and he likely knew it. “He’s actually my dad. But we just found that out. So we’re going to get to know each other.”

  “Does he like motorcycles? Because you really like motorcycles.”

  Cash chuckled. “Yeah, baby. He does.”

  “That’s good. I didn’t kno
w what it was like but now I have you, and having a daddy is great.” Her emphasized sigh of bliss was so simple but it said so much.

  It was a moment before Cash spoke again, and I knew it must be so he could collect himself. “Well, I never had a daughter before you, and I also think it’s pretty great,” he murmured.

  She giggled. “Yeah.”

  “I’m gonna be gone for a few days. Be good for your mama.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Just have something I need to take care of. But I’ll be back before you know it. I’ll make sure to make you special pancakes when I get back.”

  “How about a puppy?”

  He chuckled. “Don’t push your luck, baby. And I don’t think Oscar would like having a dog,” he pointed out.

  “Well, I’d teach them how to be friends. I made a new friend today too. His name is Brandon.”

  “What’s with being friends with all these boys?” Cash grumbled, and I had to smile.

  “Boys are fun,” Riley replied, as though that fact was obvious.

  “Get some sleep, Ri. Love you,” he said, having caught on weeks ago to the fact that she’d draw out being tucked in for as long as she could.

  “Love you too,” she murmured as I scurried down the hall to our room.

  I struggled with my emotions as I busied myself putting away the contents of the hamper.

  “You’re a terrible eavesdropper.” Cash chuckled, not immediately catching on to my mood as he stepped into the room and shut the door behind him.

  “I know.” I tried to sound nonchalant despite the wobble in my voice.

  Of course he didn’t miss it. Not that I’d expected him to. “What’s wrong?” he asked, coming up behind me and bracing his hands on my shoulders.

  My head dropped as I clutched the clean T-shirt I’d intended to put away. “I don’t want you to go.” My voice broke. “I’m so afraid of something happening to you,” I choked out.

  He turned me, wrapping me in his arms and pulling me close to his chest. “Nothing’s gonna happen to me,” he swore. “I’d never risk not living the rest of my life with you and Riley. You’re everything, baby.”