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“Shh, munchkin, it’s okay. I promise you’re safe here and I’m going to get your mom. Uncle Steel won’t let anything happen to either of you.” I run my hand through her hair and down her back trying to soothe her while I wait for Shadow to reach us.
“Brother,” he nods, his face tight as he looks between me and the crying kid in my arms. “I’m going to guess whatever happened isn’t good and you need me to watch her?”
“Yes.” I grimace. “I need to get her mom. He…,” I trail off. “I just need to get her mom. Also, tell that asshole you had at the gate to never slam his hand against my car again. The fucker terrified Alexis even more.”
“Shit!” He curses heading towards the front door. “Bring her in. I’ll set her up in a room and call Rachel. She’s just up the hill at the house with the kids. She will be down here and take Alexis back up the house. You’ll have my men go with you while you wait for you guys to show up. I’ve never met Emma and this isn’t how I wanted to meet Alexis but they are family and we protect our own no matter what.”
Shadow escorts us through the main living/bar area, down a long hallway, and into a bedroom at the very end. Thankfully, it was still early night so the place wasn’t all that packed yet. Shadow must have cleared the club whores out since it was only a few of the brothers sitting on the couches and playing pool. Thank fuck he did too because I don’t think Trevor or Emma would forgive me for allowing Alexis to see that.
“In here,” he motions to an open door. “This used to be my old quarters. No one will bother her.”
“Alexis, sweetie,” I whisper softly, pushing her hair out of her face. “I need to put you down so I can talk to my friend.”
Her little head shakes no against my shoulder and neck as her body clings more tightly to me. I should have known it wasn’t going to be that easy. At the same time I’m trying to peel her off me I can feel my phone vibrating in my pocket with a phone call but I can’t get it out to answer. Hopefully, it isn’t someone important.
“Alexis,” I try again to pull her off me.
“It’s fine. She’s scared and right now her safe place is you. When Rachel gets here she’ll help. Give me the rundown.” Shadow instructs, leaning against a desk on the far side of the room near a window.
I take a seat on the bed, giving up my battle to untangle myself from the little one and just let her cling to me instead. “We were getting into the SUV after picking up food. Emma had rounded the back of the car to get in her side and, well I don’t know what happened. I was helping Alexis into the back seat. When I looked in the mirror I saw Emma laying on the ground and a male standing over her picking her up. I rushed out of the car as fast as I could and when I did someone hit me upside the head disorienting me. I tried to go after Emma but they were too fast. Then they tried to hit me with their car. When I dodge out of the way a male called out the window telling me to keep Alexis.”
I wasn’t going to say the whole sentence with Alexis in my arms. The poor kid didn’t need to know the truth that her grandfather thought her expendable and didn’t care what happened to her. It’s the least I can protect her from in this ugly life.
“Hell,” Shadow crosses his arms and shakes his head. “Trevor is going to kick your ass for leaving the safe house. It’s going to take time for him to actually understand that someone the girls were tracking her. I’ll get one of my best on that trying to determine how. Take Jagger, Rebel, Diesel, and Keys with you. They will be the best at helping you track down who was at the diner. I’ll send Keys there now to get the camera footage and talk to anyone who may have seen something.”
“Keys?” I question, interested in how the man would be the one to send out of everyone to talk to the diner. The man was pretty scary if I do say so myself. If I remember correctly the man was pure muscle, about six foot-five. His blonde hair was long as fuck and always pulled back in a ponytail. He also had a decent beard on him. Most people would be pretty scared of the dude. I’m not following how he would get people to talk to him, they’d all run in the other direction.
“Yeah, his mom owns the place. Their family and they protect their own. You are their own, even if it’s through Rachel. They will help, trust me,” Shadow’s voice is tight as he answers. Most people would question how the brute standing before me has a heart but truthfully the men in this club are all softies for their women and family. I’m glad Rachel ended up with the man even if Knox and I were worried at first. The two of them fit well together.
“Babe,” Rachel’s soft voice calls out as she rushes into the room. She slides to a stop in front of me when she sees me sitting on the bed with a little girl wrapped in my arms. Her eyes quickly change back and forth between anger and softness as she looks at us. Long forgotten is her attention on her own husband. No, now she’s worried about why we’re here.
“Hey Rach,” I smile tightly, trying to keep my voice low.
“Steel, whose the girl?” she questions, crossing her arms and giving me that what the fuck did you do look. “She your daughter?”
“Ha,” I chuckle. The motion of my laughing shakes Alexis who finally lifts her head and looks around the room. Her eyes stop on Rachel and look her over.
“He’s my uncle,” Alexis explains herself. “Who are you?”
“Uncle, huh?” Rachel smirks. I see the playfulness behind her eyes as she places her hand on her hip. “Well, I know my brother doesn’t have any kids. So if Steel is your uncle then,” she pauses for dramatic effect. “I’m going to guess that you belong to Trevor.”
“If you mean he’s my dad then yeah,” Alexis retorts.
Good to know that even through her fear and tears she still has some of that fire she got from her mom in her. She’s going to need to hold on to that fire while she’s here. The kids of the Brotherhood will give her a run for her money if she doesn’t. Though, I’d put money on Alexis coming out close to the top. She’s a spitfire.
“I like you,” Rachel chuckles. She turns to look at her husband and then back at me before continuing. “She coming with me?”
“Please,” I beg, knowing Rachel will take good care of her.
“Alright, Alexis,” Rachel squats down near us so she is closer to eye level with the munchkin in my arms. “I need you to come with me while the big boys talk. I have ice cream and my hooligans would absolutely love to meet you. They are just a little bit younger than you but they always want more people to play with. What do you say?”
She turns to look at me, her arms loosening slightly with the move. Her eyes ask the question she hasn’t even formed yet. Is it safe? I nod and pull her tightly against me in a hug. “Go with Aunt Rachel. I’ll be back with your mom in no time. I promise.”
“Bring her back, Uncle Steel. And daddy too. I want them both home with me,” she commands before letting go of me completely and moving to Rachel’s side.
“You heard the girl,” Rachel adds. “Bring them home.” She grabs Alexis’s hand and escorts her from the room. I can’t hear their exact words but they sound cheerful as the two of them walk down the hall. I knew they’d get along great. Plus Rachel has been dying to get to know Alexis since the day she found out about her.
“She’s in good hands. No one will get to her here, I can promise you that,” Shadow answers, breaking into my thoughts.
