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“Uh,” Steel reaches up to scratch the back of his head. It makes his hair stand out in an even messier way.
“Yeah, I didn’t think so.” I chuckle and walk towards them. “Steel go use the shower in the masters to get cleaned up. And you,” I grabbed Alexis tickling her sides. “You, little munchkin, go get upstairs and I’ll get you a shower started. After everyone is cleaned up we can clean up this mess and maybe,” I look at Steel, “maybe we can go into town for dinner?”
I didn’t really like suggesting the idea but I know Alexis needs out of this house and so do I truthfully. If I had suggested it to Trevor he would have said hell to the no. I’m not even sure Steel would agree to the idea but I wanted to try. He’s a lot more laid back and may not think it as much of a risk, especially since my father and brother would be busy with the fights tonight that I doubt they would be looking for us this evening. It may be our only chance to get out and stretch our legs.
“Emma,” Steel sighs.
“I know, but we need out. We’re both going stir crazy, especially this little one.” I pat Alexis on the head. “Both of them,” I emphasize,” should be busy tonight. If you say no, I won’t push it.”
I know better than to fight this one too much, but it was worth a shot. Just because Steel is laid back and fun doesn’t mean he takes this security lightly. I’ve watched him check the windows while chasing after Alexis today. If he hears something outside he will pause and tilt his head to listen. What I’m asking is a risk, I know that.
“Trevor is going to kill me,” he pinches the bridge of his nose. “Okay, everyone go get cleaned up and ready for dinner. It has to be a quick trip though, just take out. Got out?”
Alexis squeals and takes off running out of the kitchen, we both laugh as we hear her little footsteps padding up the stairs. “Thank you,” I smile, feeling a small weight lift off my shoulders at the gesture. Even if it’s just takeout, it’s still a trip out of the house.
“Emma, don’t let your other half hear a word about this. He will literally murder me for doing this. We have friends in the town nearby. I’m going to tell them we’re coming for extra security.”
“Friends?” I question. That’s the first I’ve heard about them. Maybe Trevor had mentioned a backup plan but I don’t remember hearing about friends. It would make sense though, to have someone nearby just in case.
“The Chaos Brotherhood. Their compound is just outside of town. It’s part of why we chose this cabin. You’re far enough away and secluded from everyone, but if push came to shove. We have them nearby in an emergency.” His explanation makes sense but also makes the wheels in my mind turn.
“Chaos Brotherhood?” My eyebrow raises and my face scrunches in disgust. They sound like some kind of gang. I would never have expected Trevor to have ties to someone like that.
“They're a motorcycle club,” Steel explains in my confusion. I can tell he’s trying to hold back his laugh at my expense but it only irritates me more.
“Criminals? Trevor’s backup plan was criminals?” My voice nearly squeaks as I try to keep it down so Alexis doesn’t hear the panic. I haven’t heard the shower turn on yet which means she’s waiting for me to help her.
“Not criminals exactly. Sure they do some things against the law but they really are a great group of people. Don’t judge them until you meet them. If anything your father has deeper and darker ties than anyone in the club. Hell, Knox’s sister Rachel is married to the Prez thanks to Trevor's help years ago. Trust me, they can be trusted to protect you and Alexis.” His tone is defensive as he explains.
I slightly feel bad for my reaction. He’s right I shouldn’t judge the brothers before I’ve even met them. At this point, if they would risk themselves to protect my daughter and me from my father and his friends, then I should trust them. I don’t exactly feel better knowing a motorcycle club is our next line of defense but maybe that’s exactly what we need. Clearly, it will take more than just the law on our side to defeat my father. He has too many allies in the government.
“Okay, I trust you,” I nod. “I’ll go get Alexis ready and we will meet you down here in say, thirty?”
“Perfect,” he smiles and turns to walk away. “Oh, leave the mess I’ll clean it up.” With his last words, he leaves me standing in the kitchen, in the middle of the mess he and my daughter made, leaving me to question just what the hell I was thinking asking to go out to eat.
With a shake of my head at the mess, I turn to follow my daughter up the stairs. The amount of flour in her hair, I already knew was going to be a pain in the ass to get out and I wasn’t looking forward to it one bit. I’m almost tempted to draw her a bath instead of a shower but then we would take even longer to get ready and I still need a quick shower after she’s done.
* * *
An hour later,the three of us are sitting at a small dinner at the counter waiting for our take-out order to be ready. Steel had the menu pulled up on his phone so Alexis could decide what she wanted to eat while we drove into town. I already knew she was going to choose chicken tenders and fries. The second she gave him her order I laughed because it was exactly what she chose. My daughter is everything if predictable. Steel being the big kid he has been all day ordered the same thing and got them both chocolate milkshakes. I chose to just get a turkey club and fries.
“Can we stay here to eat?” Alexis turns to Steel and asks mid-coloring project.
“Sorry, Kiddo, no can do.” Steel shakes his head. “We gotta get back, this is just a short trip to stretch our legs.”
“Fine,” she whines.
I keep turning around to look at the front door while we wait. Ever since we made it into town I couldn’t help but feel like someone was watching us. Maybe it was just my paranoia or maybe it was the truth. Either way, we never should have left the cabin even if I was the one to suggest it. No, we should have stayed where we were safe. I don’t know if Steel feels the same or not but I’ve caught him watching the door as well. I just keep telling myself that he’s doing it for security not because there really is someone watching us but that hasn’t helped my nerves. I really wish Trevor was here tonight now.
“Have you heard anything yet?” I turn to look at our guard trying to distract myself. The fights should have started by now.
“He hasn’t gone up yet. I’ll let you know when he does and the outcome, don’t worry.” Steel smiles, trying to calm me.
“Foods up lovelies,” the sweet old lady who had taken our order when we first arrived calls out as she brings a bag of to-go boxes over. Next to them is not two but three to-go shakes. “Enjoy, you all are such a cute family, I hope to see y’all around here some more.”
“He’s not my daddy,” Alexis pouts, then makes a funny face at Steel. “That’s my uncle.”
“My apologies, young lady,” the waitress smiles at her, a blush taking over her cheeks as she realizes her mistake.
