Cash

by O'Brien, Megan

  “Thanks.” He laughed without humor.

  “Seriously, what’s going on?” I pressed.

  He hung his head low, flicking his wrist, sending one of the balls flying across the table. “She left.”

  “Who?” I asked, confused, and then it hit me. “Emmie?”

  He nodded, ripping a hand over his hair. “Went to Colorado.”

  “And she already left?” I asked, not only thinking of Gunner but of Layla. The two were tight. “Did anyone know she was leaving?”

  He shook his head. “If they did, they didn’t tell me. I didn’t even get a chance to…. I was going to…. Fuck!” he exploded, tossing his cue across the room.

  I got in his face, shoving at his chest. “Whatever you were going to say, whatever you were going to do, you still can. You two have let way too much time go by without sorting out whatever the hell is between you. I say get your ass on a plane and go get your girl.”

  He looked at me, his expression tormented before he nodded.

  Fucking finally.

  “Call me when you land.” I smirked, giving him a playful shove and striding back to my bike. Now that Gunner was sorted, it was time to go home to my girls.

  I arrived home to the sound of water splashing and squeals of delight. I grinned, walking out back to find my girls in our newly finished pool.

  “Daddy! Come swim with me,” Riley called as Layla towed her around the shallow end wearing a black bikini I’d be peeling off of her at the next available opportunity.

  “Hi honey, everything okay?” Layla asked, looking up at me curiously.

  I crouched down at the edge of the pool, grinning at both my girls. Nothing from the past few days mattered in that moment. It was only this, only us.

  “That depends, did you find a dress so you can marry me?” I quirked a brow.

  She grinned back, her gorgeous green eyes sparkling. “I did.”

  “Mama’s dress is so pretty!” Riley squealed. “And mine is too. I want to wear it every day.”

  I smiled at my daughter before turning hungry eyes to my soon-to-be wife. “Well then, baby, everything is perfect.”

  And it was.

  Before I met Layla, I’d thought I’d been living but it had been more like surviving. Now I had a family, including parents who actually gave a damn. I had the love of a woman I knew was perfect for me. There was nothing but future ahead, and I couldn’t wait to walk the rest of my life with her and our children at my side.

  And it would be one hell of a ride.

  Epilogue

  TWO YEARS LATER

  “Baby, you have to be quiet,” Cash growled low as he took me roughly on top of his desk in his office at the gym.

  How he thought I’d be able to pull that off as he yanked my ass closer to the edge of his desk, taking him impossibly deeper, was beyond me. His finger tweaked my nipple, making me suck in a ragged breath before he reached down, doing the same in between my legs.

  I dropped down to my back, unable to hold myself up and live through the orgasm he was about to give me.

  His powerful frame towered over me as he took me roughly. “You gonna walk through the gym in only leggings and a sports bra again?” he demanded, leaning down to nip at my neck. “This body is mine,” he growled.

  If this was my punishment, he wasn’t going to like my response. Besides, after having a baby nine months ago, I’d worked damn hard to get back in shape. And if I was being honest, I liked to get Cash worked up. This wasn’t the first time we’d ended up in his office.

  His movements intensified a second before he groaned, the delicious sound enough to pull me right along with him.

  He kissed my neck, licking at the sweat there before he guided me to sit up and slide off his desk. He crouched down, pulling my leggings from where they were bunched around my ankles back up my legs.

  Then he went to his desk, pulled open a drawer, and held out a tank toward me.

  I quirked a brow in question.

  “After the last time you walked through the gym like that with men’s eyes on your bare stomach that weren’t mine, I started keeping some extras in here,” he said with an unapologetic shrug.

  My gorgeous, bossy man.

  I took the shirt from him, sliding it over my head. “I’m gonna go get Margo and head home,” I shared. “It’s almost time for her nap, and I have some photos to process.”

  Cash had started a childcare program at the gym a year ago that allowed me to drop the baby off while I worked out. When Riley wasn’t in school, I could bring them both. It was amazing and had attracted a lot of new clients. I’d asked him about expanding into new locations, but he’d said he was content with the way things were. He didn’t want anything to take him away from our family.

  “I’m gonna finish things here and I’ll be right behind you.” He slapped my ass as I walked out of his office, and he followed me toward the childcare center.

  Margo bounced higher in her jumper when she saw us, flashing a toothy grin. Cash scooped her up, blowing a raspberry on her belly, making her squeal in delight. With her bright blue eyes and blond hair, our daughter was the spitting image of her father.

  Cash shifted her to one arm, reaching for the diaper bag with the other. “I’ll walk you guys out,” he said as I waved thanks to the girls who ran the childcare.

  From the moment Margo was born, Cash had been hands on. From midnight feedings to diaper blow outs, there wasn’t a thing he couldn’t do as well as me. Hell, sometimes he was even better.

  Like when Riley had fallen three months ago and knocked a tooth out. He’d been the definition of calm, putting the tooth in milk in case we needed to save it and whisking her off to the dentist without a trace of worry on his face.

  He put Margo in her car seat, making sure she was secure before he pressed me against the side of the car, kissing me deeply. “Round two tonight, chief,” he murmured with delicious intent.

  My core liquified in response as I nodded, all too happy to comply. Impossibly, I wanted him more than I ever had. Lucky for me, the feeling was mutual.

  “Drive carefully,” he instructed as he opened my car door for me.

  When I arrived home, I moved through the routine of feeding Margo lunch and putting her down for nap. As I often did, I admired the house, reflecting on all the changes we’d made to it through the years.

  We spent many summer nights in the pool and grilling on the back patio, hosting members of both the Riders and Knights fairly often.

  But it was inside that was arguably the biggest change. Cash, his pop, and nearly every member of the club had worked for months to fully gut the kitchen, tearing down walls and replacing old cabinetry, appliances, and flooring. It had completely changed the house for the better.

  Nan’s old sofas had long since been replaced, though Cash had saved a square of floral fabric and framed it. It now hung prominently in the living room, and I smiled every time I walked past it.

  Every surface had been repainted, windows replaced, and furniture updated. But the feel of the house remained the same. It was love that had welcomed us and love that kept us.

  My nan would have been proud of her home and of me.

  I made a quick lunch for myself, settling in my office to complete my latest project. I’d gained a reputation in the area and had steady work with local businesses in Hawthorne. Bigger jobs took me to Reno and even Vegas, but I didn’t want to travel farther than that. When the girls were older perhaps, but for now I was fulfilled with my work, and my priority was to spend time with my family.

  When the doorbell rang, I looked up in confusion. I’d been lost in my work and was surprised that it was almost time for Margo to get up from her nap and to get Riley from school. I hadn’t been expecting anyone, and though the kidnapping had happened years ago, unexpected guests still put me on edge.

  A look at the security camera Cash had installed didn’t make me feel any better. An unfamiliar man stood on the stoop, a ball cap pull
ed low over his face. My heart rate quickened in response, and I reached for the phone just as I saw Cash’s black truck pull to the curb.

  I sighed in relief, moving to the front door, curious now. When I opened the door, I was shocked by who stood on the other side.

  Charlie.

  When my brother turned to face me, his face aged well beyond his years, for a moment I was stunned speechless.

  “Go back inside, Layla,” Cash growled, his eyes narrowed on Charlie as he moved to stand in front of me, guarding me and the house.

  “I want to see her,” Charlie demanded, his eyes bloodshot, nose red. “I’m her father.”

  “I’m her father, asshole,” Cash snarled, stepping in to his space. “This is my family, and I will not allow you to come here and disrupt any part of that. Now, I’ll give you two choices. Either you leave here now and never come back, or you figure out what kind of justice I’ll dole out if you ever step foot on my doorstep again.”

  In all my time with him, I’d never seen him as fierce as he was right now.

  Charlie took an unsteady step back, holding up his hands. “I just wanted to see her,” he repeated.

  Though I’d dreaded the thought of this moment, of Charlie reemerging into our lives, I hadn’t realized that on some level I needed it. I stepped out from behind Cash, earning a growl of warning from my man. I shot him a look that I knew he’d understand. This wasn’t an opportunity for Charlie; this was closure for me.

  “Years ago, you left me and Riley,” I began quietly, looking him square in the eye. Though of course I recognized him, it was as though I was looking into a stranger’s eyes as I continued. “And that little girl became mine. I’m her mama. And this man,” I gestured to Cash, “from minute one he accepted us, took care of us, and protected us. He’s her father, my husband, and the man that will kill you if you ever so much as threaten the beautiful life we have. You don’t get to make the choices you did and decide on a whim to change them. I’d never put Riley through it. And besides, you don’t deserve it. So, before my man does something I know he wants to and may only potentially regret later, I’d advise you to get gone and forget our address.”

  Charlie stared at me as though shocked I’d responded so harshly.

  Cash grabbed him by the collar. “You don’t get to see my daughter. Hell, you don’t get to breathe the same air. And you don’t get to utter another word to my wife. You gave up that right. Now, get your ass off my property.” He shoved him back roughly with one hand, his other arm curled toward me protectively.

  I put my hands to his shoulders, feeling the tension there as we both watched Charlie stumble over to his car. After a few false starts, he eventually drove away and out of sight.

  For a moment I stared after him, feeling an odd peace come over me. To some extent, I’d always known he’d show up. It hadn’t felt over, not really. After all these years, I’d finally been able to say my piece. It had lifted a weight I didn’t know I carried. And somehow I knew he was really gone this time.

  “I need to check on Margo,” I murmured.

  He nodded, watching me go, still standing sentry on our front porch as I went back inside.

  ****

  Grandpa! Grandma!” Riley hollered, racing for Thorn and Roxy as they walked through our door that evening.

  “Baby, slow down.” I chuckled as I balanced Margo on my hip.

  “Give me that sweet baby.” Roxy beamed, reaching out to take her granddaughter. Roxy was the definition of a doting grandmother and came up often to visit and to help with the girls.

  The girls and I made the drive to Vegas when we could to visit them, though Cash traveled there much more frequently, helping Thorn with club business when he needed it.

  I handed her over, smiling as she deftly balanced Margo while listening to Riley fire off details about her day. “Thank you for coming,” I murmured. Getting out for a date night was something we tried to do when we could.

  “Are you kidding?” Thorn snorted affectionately. “This one’s been looking forward to it all month.” He hooked a finger toward his wife.

  “And you weren’t up at five wanting to get on the road?” Roxy fired back with a grin.

  “Only five?” Cash lifted a brow as he walked in to the room, looking delicious in black Levi’s and a white tee.

  Roxy smacked him on the arm as he wrapped an arm around her, kissing the side of her head.

  His eyes turned to mine, taking in the leather jacket and tight pants I wore with obvious appreciation. “You ready?”

  I nodded, momentarily at loss for words at the hungry rasp of his voice as he wrapped his hand around mine and towed me out to the bike.

  “Where’s your head at?” he asked quietly. It was hours later, after a delicious meal in town, and we’d ridden to one of the beautiful overlooks on the outskirts of town.

  I turned to him as we sat side by side next to his bike. “About my brother? I’m good.” At his skeptical look, I continued. “I didn’t realize I needed that closure until today. I needed to say those things to him. And on some level, regardless of if he cares or not, I needed him to see that we’re good. That Riley has the family she deserves. She has the father she deserves,” I finished as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer. “And I’m not worried about him coming back. Somehow I know that won’t happen.” I shrugged.

  “He’s not coming back.” Cash’s reply was final. At my questioning look, he sighed and continued. “I have strings, you know this. I just hadn’t pulled them until he overstepped. Soon as he left, he had the Highway Patrol on his ass within a mile of our house. Between the DUI and what they found in his car, he’s locked up and he’ll likely stay that way. If he doesn’t, I’ll take other measures. Either way, it’s dealt with.”

  “Good,” I replied without regret.

  He looked out at the skyline, looking lost in thought.

  “You know, when Riley was left with me, I honestly wasn’t sure what the future held. I knew I would take care of her. That I loved her and I’d do the best I could. But I honestly wasn’t sure what happiness beyond her would ever look like. Then came you.”

  He looked over at me, his eyes shining with the love I’d never tire of having envelop me. Any distraction over my brother was gone in that moment, and it was again as it should be, only us.

  “You’ve given us more than I could have ever imagined. Having someone to share the beauty that is Riley, of growing our family with Margo. I could have never imagined I’d be so lucky,” I rasped. “When my nan left me the house, I can only think she’d hoped as much. Hell, maybe she planned it.” I laughed. I wouldn’t put it past her to matchmake beyond the grave. “But I figured I’d give you something more.” I smiled.

  He nuzzled my ear. “Baby, there’s nothing you could give me that would make me any happier, except….” He pulled back as realization sunk in. “Wait.”

  I laughed, nodding at his unspoken question.

  “Holy shit, you’re pregnant?” he demanded, cupping my face in his hands.

  “Just found out this morning,” I confirmed.

  He took my mouth in a passionate kiss, only pausing to demand, “Do you feel okay? When is the first appointment?”

  I placed my hands on his wrists, squeezing gently. “I just found out, honey. But I feel fine.”

  He pressed his forehead to mine. “Another baby,” he breathed. “I need to get to work on that guest room.”

  “Good thing we have room.” I grinned.

  “Good thing,” he agreed, his hand moving to my flat belly. “Christ, you’ve given me a life I didn’t even know I’d dreamed about. I love you, baby.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Was gonna try to convince you tonight to let me knock you up again.” He grinned.

  “Guess I’m a bit ahead of schedule,” I teased.

  “No, chief. As always, you’re exactly on time,” he replied seriously. “Let’s go home.”

  I nod
ded, eager to celebrate our growing family under a roof where my nan had raised her family and I was expanding mine. A home full of laughter and stories and families grown from blood and friendship.

  A home where I’d learned the power of the love of a good man.

  My man.

  ~The End~

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