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Hades shot up from his seat and made it to the end of the table. Bailey leaned across, grabbing the sleeve of his shirt. “She’s fine. I took care of her, and now she’s snuggled up on the couch with a giant piece of strawberry shortcake, watching a movie.”
Hades didn’t pull away, but he was tempted. He wanted to see for himself that Allie was okay.
“I’m not trying to step on your toes, Hades. I just think that if you go in and start questioning her, she’ll get upset again. Right now, she’s in a good place.” Bailey glanced over at the house and then turned to Hades. “In my opinion, I think it would be best if you and Vada sat down together with Allie.”
Deep down he knew the comment wasn’t meant as an insult, but Hades was fired up.
He hardened his stare. “You think I need help talking to my kid?”
Bailey shook her head. “No, that’s not at all what I’m saying. But for this particular situation, I think it’s really important that Vada is there. That way, you two can figure out the best way to approach Allie about it.”
About what? He was completely in the dark with this whole conversation.
“I don’t even know what the fuck this is about, Bailey.”
Bailey nodded and peeked over at his empty chair. It didn’t take a genius to know she wanted him to sit. He walked back to the chair, pulled it out roughly, and sat, scowling at Saint’s wife.
“It’s about Allie overhearing a conversation between Vada and—” Bailey cleared her throat. She was stalling.
“Who?” Hades ground his teeth, sensing he knew who the other party would be.
“Her mother.”
Hades cupped his jaw, dragging his hand down his beard. Her family was his Achilles heel. The mere reference to them had him physically heated and sent him into an internal rage.
“What the fuck did she say?”
“Roman,” Saint warned.
Bailey held up her hand. “According to Allie, Vada’s mother said that Allie wasn’t Vada’s real daughter, and she’d been manipulated by you into raising your child.” Bailey paused. “And that Vada was making a big mistake by marrying you.”
Hades slammed his fist on the table, shaking all the bottles and knocking over his own.
“That family knows nothing about me, Allie, or even their own fucking daughter!”
Judgmental fucking assholes.
“No, they don’t, Roman,” Saint said. “They don’t know the life she’s built here for herself with you and Allie. And they don’t know about the family she has with all of us in Ghosttown.”
Hades drew in a breath and gave a curt nod. Losing his temper wouldn’t solve anything.
Bailey reached out, placing her hand on Hades' forearm. “I told Allie that what Vada’s mother said was not only mean but also not true. I used myself and Cia as an example, and I think that made her feel better. But it will mean more coming from Vada.”
“And remember, those were her mother’s words. Not Vada’s,” Saint said.
“Yeah.” He dragged his hand over his mouth and glanced back at the house.
He might’ve been able to ignore what her mother said had it not touched Allie. But it had, and it cut deep. Worst of all, Allie was second-guessing everything she knew about her relationship with Vada. It was a doubt that would linger, possibly forever.
*
They’d stayed a little longer than expected at Saint and Bailey’s. Allie wanted to finish the movie. Saint insisted Hades allow it. Allie needed the comfort and escape of not thinking about earlier events. Plus, it would give Hades a little more time to mellow his own anger. It may have worked with the distraction of being away, but as he rode home, his stomach curled, his chest tightened, and his heated blood seared his veins.
Hades pulled into the driveway, parked beside Vada’s minivan, and hooked his foot through the kickstand before shutting off the engine. He got off the bike and lifted Allie from the seat, planting her feet on the ground. Allie was looking across the yard to the back porch. She broke out into a huge smile and pulled from his hold, racing through the backyard. She was like a completely different kid from hours ago.
Thanks, Bailey.
Vada stood at the top of the stairs. “Did you have fun?”
