by Harley Wylde
We left the bathroom shit and I led her over to the clothes. From the stubborn set of her jaw, I knew this was going to be fun. If she didn’t tell me her sizes, I’d have to get creative. I held up a shirt that seemed feminine yet thick enough no one would be looking through it. “You either tell me a size, or we’ll head into the fitting room while I pull this over your head to see if it fits.”
“You wouldn’t.”
I arched an eyebrow. Oh yeah, I certainly would. And I’d gladly pull that dress off her first. Except I’d be tempted to shred the fucking thing so she’d never wear it again. She must have seen all that in my expression because she answered quickly enough. I was a little disappointed. Part of me had hoped for a bit more of a fight, and maybe getting to take a peek under her dress. It hadn’t been a lie about taking her to the fitting room. I’d have done it whether the staff in the store liked it or not. What were they going to do? Ask me to leave? Right, because that was terrifying.
“I wear an extra-large in shirts, but I need an eighteen or 2X in pants. Sometimes a little bigger if they’re cut slim.”
I eyed her up and down, wondering how the hell she needed something that big with as little as she looked. Yeah, she was curvy as shit, but the height of a pixie. Personally, I liked the extra padding, but I knew some men wouldn’t. Never did understand men who liked skinny women. Then again, I was a big guy and didn’t want to worry I might break the woman I was fucking. To each their own. I could admire the beauty of a woman regardless of her size, skin color, or even her damn hair. Didn’t mean I wanted them in my bed.
I found her size in the shirt and grabbed a pair of shorts hanging on the same rack. Figured it meant they went together like a matching set or something. Getting her to pick out anything was a damn nightmare. I hoped she liked the shit going into the cart because I planned to get rid of all the rags she’d been wearing. Starting with the one on her body right now. I made sure she had at least ten different outfits, and tossed in a few nightgowns. I stood staring at a rack of bras.
“Don’t even think of asking me what size I wear,” she muttered.
“I suggest you pick some things out before I do it for you. Unless you just like my taste in women’s fashion.”
She huffed at me. “If I let you pick my underwear, you’ll end up getting the ones that go up your butt. I’ll pass.”
I snickered as she went through the racks, selecting two bras and a package of cotton panties. Nope. No. There was no fucking way I was letting her put that boring shit on her hot body. Even if I wouldn’t be the one looking at it, she deserved something better. I took note of the sizes of the items she’d added, then found her four more bras and a half dozen pair of sexy panties.
“Dagger, you can’t pick out my underthings,” she said in a loud whisper. “What are people going to think?”
“That I’m making sure my woman has everything she needs?”
She opened and shut her mouth, then nodded. She might not be my woman, but no one here would know that. I started to lead her back to the shoes, but as we passed the baby department, I hesitated. I was bringing her son here, and I had a feeling he’d need things too. Although… my chest hurt at the thought that the people she’d trusted might not have him anymore.
I checked my phone and saw a message from a number I didn’t have programmed into my phone. Alabama area code. I opened it and saw a picture of a dark-haired boy with blue eyes. My throat grew tight when I realized it was Zoe’s son, and he was alive. I scanned the message that came with it and wanted to beat the hell out of someone.
Boy is alive but in trouble. Bitch who had him sold him to the cartel.
I tried to take a calming breath, then returned the text. I’m getting him back.
My phone rang a second later with the same number popping up. I answered, having no doubt it was Wire. He was the only man I knew in Alabama who could get this shit to me, especially as fast as he had. “What did you find?”
“It’s bad, man. So far, they haven’t hurt him, but there’s no good reason for those fuckers to buy a kid. You know he’s on borrowed time. Luis Lopez is three years old, and too fucking cute, if you ask me. Outlaw says you might be claiming his mom.”
“Yeah, well… Ball’s in her court on that one. It was Outlaw’s suggestion.”
Wire growled and I heard something slam. “Are you fucking shitting me? He backed you into a corner, didn’t he? Refused to help if you didn’t keep the mom?”
“Something like that.”
“Why the hell would he do that?”
“I think it’s so she’ll have someone in her corner.” I eyed Zoe, but she was too busy looking at the baby clothes with longing to pay any attention to my conversation. Some of the stuff she was checking out would be way too small for a toddler, though. It made me realize she hadn’t seen her son in so long, she probably had no idea what he wore or how big he’d gotten. “Said he wouldn’t make them citizens unless I married her.”
I heard the keys clicking on his keyboard and Wire muttered to himself for a few minutes. While he was busy, I caught Zoe’s attention. “Princesa, get a few things for Luis. Whatever he’ll need when we bring him home. Just remember he’s grown some and is not the bebé you left behind.”
She gave me a nod and moved over to some bigger clothes, things that looked like they would fit her son. I hated to remind her it had been so long since she’d seen him, not that I thought a moment went by she didn’t worry about him. It was clear she’d done what she had out of love for the boy.
“You like her,” Wire said softly.
So? It wasn’t like she was ugly or mean. Zoe was a sweet woman, but she deserved to be loved, and I wasn’t sure I knew a damn thing about that emotion. It had been a long time since someone had loved me. I’d seen the way my mother and father were together, and my grandparents. I’d always wanted what they had, but I didn’t know how to get it.
“Is she nearby?” Wire asked.
“Yeah, she’s right here.”
“Let me talk to her,” he said.
I handed the phone to Zoe, who looked at it like it might bite her. I explained who was on the phone and she took it from me, but I could tell she was nervous about speaking to a strange man, even if I did vouch for him. She spoke softly and I took a few steps away. I didn’t know what Wire needed to ask her, but I thought she might want some privacy. As much as she could get in the middle of a large store.
When she handed the phone back to me, her cheeks were flushed and she wouldn’t hold my gaze. Curious, I put the phone back to my ear. “What the hell was that about?”
“Congratulations, Daddy. You’re now a husband and father, or you will be in a few hours. By morning at the latest. International shit takes a little longer, even with Lavender helping me. She chose you, Dagger. Don’t know if that’s what you wanted, but I’m betting she’ll bend over backward to make you happy.”
Shit. Shit. Shit. I glanced at Zoe, but she still wouldn’t look at me. I’d left it up to her, and it seemed she’d made her choice. Now I had to man up and deal with it. I wasn’t sure if she only wanted me, or if she was open to having another man in the relationship. Now wasn’t the time to ask, but we’d be talking about it soon. Really fucking soon.
“I told her I’d get what you needed to bring him home,” Wire said. “Without her having to be your wife. If that tells you anything. So don’t be pissed at her. For whatever reason, she wants you by her side.”
I gave a grunt of acknowledgment and hung up the call. It seemed I had a wife and kid. Zoe was holding a pair of small shorts, but she hadn’t put them in the cart. Just kept staring at them. I moved closer to her. Reaching out, I took the shorts, and grabbed her hand to pull her against me.
“Zoe, look at me.”
She shook her head. “Lo siento. I’m so, so sorry.”
“Princesa, eyes up here.” Her gaze lifted to mine and I saw she was close to tears. “I’m not mad. I told you the choice was yours and
you made it.”
“But I ruined your life. I’m not who you wanted,” she said. “He said I didn’t have to marry you, but I…”
“Corazoncito, I walked away because I didn’t want to scare you. I was hard as fuck, and it wasn’t because of Jared. Did I hope for something different? Sí. But that doesn’t mean I won’t treat you with the respect you deserve. Now, let’s get what our boy needs, then I’m going to do whatever it takes to bring him home.”
A tear trickled down her cheek and I wiped it away. I brought her against me, holding her tight. I didn’t know what to do with a crying woman, or a kid for that matter, but it looked like I’d be figuring that shit out real soon. Oh, fuck. Grizzly. He was going to have my ass. The second Outlaw had given me that damn ultimatum, I should have called the Pres. I didn’t know why I hadn’t, except I wasn’t too keen on him finding out Zoe was in my house.
Griz was going to be pissed.
“Come on. Let’s finish shopping and go get some food. You have to be hungry.”
She took a step back, but the dejected look on her face nearly ripped my heart out. I made a decision I hoped I wouldn’t regret. Reaching out, I cupped the back of her neck with my hand and held her still as I lowered my mouth to hers. The kiss was soft, brief, but I hoped it was enough to make a point. She touched her lips as I backed away, an awestruck look on her face, and I had to wonder if that was her first kiss. If it was, then I’d just fucked up even more because it was hardly a kiss.
I took her hand and we picked out a few more things for Luis. I also made sure she had two pairs of shoes. I was hoping Adalia or one of the other ladies might want to go shopping with her, so she could pick out something else. Maybe even go to a real shoe store or hit the mall. If Zoe was going to be a part of my life from this point forward, then I wanted her to feel like part of the family. I might not have blood relatives still alive, but I did have my brothers at the club and their women. I hoped it would be enough for her.
Chapter Four
Zoe
I’d expected Dagger to be angry, even though he’d said the decision was mine. Then he’d kissed me. I knew it wasn’t the same kind of kiss he’d shared with other women, or even other men. The ones I’d seen him give Jared were hotter, but it was my first kiss. To me, it would always be special. After Dagger paid for my purchases, he pulled out one of the new outfits and handed it to me.
“Go change, then we’ll get a bite to eat,” he said.
“I made this,” I murmured, feeling like he thought my dress wasn’t good enough.
He tipped my chin up. “And you did an amazing job, but I told you I can see through your dress, corazoncito. I don’t like the idea of other men checking out what’s under it. You’re mine, Zoe. That means only I get to see those beautiful curves. Now, go change.”
My heart gave a thump. I knew he didn’t care about me, didn’t even really know me, but I liked that he didn’t want other men looking at me. I’d never mattered to someone before. My son had been too small when I left to even miss me, but I was no less determined to bring him home. I carried the items into the bathroom and stepped into a stall. I closed and locked the door, then changed into the new clothes. I’d have preferred to wash them first, but it seemed Dagger wasn’t ready to go home yet.
Home. Was I supposed to move into his house? What would the club think? They’d been nice to me, except for the one who’d grabbed me. My chest got tight and hurt. I rubbed at the spot. What if that man said something? Or got angry? I picked up the dress and fingered the fabric. Dagger had been right. It was threadbare, and even though I’d made it with my own hands, I didn’t really want to keep it. Besides, I had others. I could always put one aside just to remember how I’d gotten to this point. Forgetting your past was never the answer.
I let myself out of the stall and tossed the dress into the trash. Keeping Dagger’s shirt in my hand, I stared at my reflection, marveling at how different I appeared in the new clothes. My hair was long and tangled, but Dagger hadn’t seemed to mind. Taking a breath, I straightened my spine and went back out to my… fiancé? It seemed a little surreal. He wasn’t where I’d left him and for a moment I panicked, thinking he’d left me. I scanned the area, my heart pounding. Starting for the door, I paused when I heard my name. I looked around again and saw Dagger heading toward me, pushing the cart, but I didn’t understand why he’d gone back into the main part of the store.
“I thought you’d left,” I said.
“Sorry. There was something I forgot.”
He didn’t say anything else, just headed for the exit. I tried to keep up, but his legs were so much longer than mine. I tripped over my own feet, and he slowed a little, making sure I didn’t fall. When we reached the SUV, he put my new things into the cargo area. I climbed into the front seat and waited, putting his shirt in the back seat. I’d expected him to get in and leave, but he sat there a moment, almost as if he were gathering his thoughts. He reached into his pocket and pulled something out, but I didn’t get a good look.
“I wanted you to know I was serious when I made that offer, and I’m going to stand by you, princesa.” He reached for my hand, then slid a ring onto my finger. I couldn’t help but gasp as I stared down at it. Not only was it gorgeous, but he’d somehow gotten the fit just right. “My beautiful wife deserves a beautiful ring. I didn’t know if it would fit, but they said we could have it sized if necessary. All the rings in the display case seem to be the same size.”
He thought I was beautiful? I stared at the sparkling diamonds on my finger. It was a silver band, or maybe white gold, with four diamonds embedded across the top. They were small, but I didn’t care. It was too much! I’d never had anything so gorgeous or expensive before. It felt wrong accepting it when this marriage wasn’t real. Although, he’d said that it was. I knew he didn’t really want me as his wife. He might have gotten turned on when he saw me in his yard, but men wanted to sleep with women all the time. It didn’t mean they wanted to keep them forever.
“Dagger, I…” He reached over and placed his fingers over my lips.
“Call me Santiago when it’s just us. Once the hacker gets done marrying us, you’ll be Zoe Afoa, and Luis will be mine as well.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out something else, then slid a sliver band onto his own finger. “Want to make sure everyone knows I’m not available. I don’t cheat, corazoncito.”
He didn’t cheat, and I’d backed him into a corner. By telling that man I wanted to be Dagger’s wife, it meant he couldn’t be with Jared anymore. Unless I was open to being with both of them. I didn’t know how I felt about that. The only experience I had was with the man who raped me, and as Dagger had said, that wasn’t sex. Going from nothing to two men at once was a bit much for me to handle at the moment. I didn’t want to just outright say no because it wasn’t fair to Dagger, and Jared really did seem like a sweet man. So maybe not no, but not right now?
“Do you have a preference for dinner?” he asked.
“Anything is fine. As long as it doesn’t have mushrooms. I’m allergic.”
He gave a nod. “All right. I’ll make sure I never order you anything, or bring anything home, that has mushrooms. Any other allergies for you or Luis?”
“No. Just the mushrooms.” My brow furrowed. The last time I’d seen my son, he was still on a bottle. “I don’t know about Luis. How can I not know if my son has food allergies?”
It made me feel like a horrible mother. Yes, everything I’d done was for him, but it had been so long since I’d last seen him. Would I even recognize my own kid? There was no way he’d know who I was. What if he didn’t want to come with me? It hadn’t occurred to me until now that he might prefer to stay with the people who had him. The woman had kids. Had he made friends with them? Did he think she was his mother?
Dagger pulled up in front of a place called Betty’s Diner and parked near the door. He got out, and I remembered this time to wait for him. When he opened my door, I held his han
d as I slipped out of the truck. It felt a little like the ground was rushing up at me, but oddly, I trusted him to not let me fall. We may not have exchanged vows, but he’d offered his protection just the same.
He kept his hand at my waist as he led me inside. There were a few women in uniforms, but only one looked our way. The moment she saw Dagger, she sneered and walked the other direction. I didn’t understand. He looked a little scary, but no one had ever treated me better, even if he had handcuffed me to his bed earlier. I still didn’t quite understand why he’d done that. So what if I’d seen him kissing Jared? Anyone walking past could have.
“I think you’re scaring them,” I murmured as another waitress looked our way, then dismissed us. “Maybe it’s the leather vest with all the patches?”
He shook a little and I realized he was silently laughing. At me? What had I said?
“It’s called a cut, princesa, and as my woman, you need to know that. Technically, you’ll be not only my wife but my ol’ lady, and you’ll get a property cut. It will look similar to mine but say Property of Dagger.”
I remembered seeing a few women wearing those. The club didn’t seem to have a lot of women who were there all the time. Mostly the ones who were there to party. What if the other ol’ ladies didn’t like me? I’d never really had friends, not since coming to this country. The people I worked with always looked out for themselves. You learned to do that or risk losing your spot, or even your life. With Dagger by my side, I no longer had to worry about such things. As long as he planned to keep me, I knew I’d be safe. I just wasn’t sure about my place within his club. What if they didn’t accept me?
“I don’t think they’re going to seat us, Dagger.” My stomach rumbled and I felt my cheeks warm. His gaze met mine, and I saw a flash of irritation before he glowered at the room in general.
“There are at least a dozen empty tables and booths. Is there a reason my wife is standing here hungry and we can’t get a table?” His voice boomed throughout the space and I noticed a few people jumped.