I pull out my phone from my back pocket to check and am surprised that it’s four in the morning. I haven’t slept like that for as long as I can remember. “Four,” I answer, handing over Meli to her mum. “She’s due a bottle. I’ll go make one up.”
Rochelle gets up from the bed and pats me on the shoulder. “I’ll grab it. You’ve done your fair share tonight.”
Once she’s gone, Red turns to me, looking surprised. “You’ve had Meli all night?”
“She’s easy,” I answer, and she arches a doubtful brow at me.
“She’s many things, but easy is not the choice of words I would use,” she says as she looks down at her daughter in her arms.
I watch her, drinking in her beauty. Even without makeup, she has an almost angel-like appearance. She looks up and her ice-blue eyes find mine. I can’t look away. “She’s slept through since her last bottle at teatime. I’d say that’s pretty easy.”
“Thank you, Rock.” Her voice is barely audible. “You should’ve woken me.”
“You must’ve needed it. You okay?” She visibly swallows and her eyes fill with unshed tears. I lower myself to sit on the bed and reach over, stroking one of her auburn curls away from her face. The vulnerability I see on her face is there for a split second before her hard exterior falls back into place and she gives me a weak smile.
“Of course. Thanks again, Rock.” The way my name sounds rolling off her tongue makes me itch to hear her scream it in the heights of ecstasy.
“I’m in the room next door if you need anything,” I offer as I stand, making my way to the door.
“Rock . . .” I stop at the threshold and turn to face her. Her eyes are glistening in the soft glow of the bedside light. “Thank you . . . for everything.” I nod before leaving.
CHAPTER THREE
LIZZY
Imake my way downstairs with Meli balancing on my hip. I haven’t slept that well in weeks and neither has Meli. She seems so content here, and the thought of going back to living in my car fills me with dread.
I enter the kitchen and smile at the grown men surrounding the table all tucking into breakfast. I go to turn to leave, unsure whether I’m welcome. “Nuh-uh, no, you don’t, Lizzy. Take a seat and I’ll plate you some up,” Maggie shouts as she piles up more food on Drifter’s plate.
I offer her a smile and take a seat next to Rock as it’s the only space left at the table. “Thanks, but you really don’t have to.”
“Nonsense. You need some meat on you,” she says while handing me a plate off the kitchen side. Rock finishes his last mouthful of food and turns to me.
“Pass her here. I’ll watch her while you get some breakfast.” I observe the other bikers at the table who stare in bemusement at his offer.
“Are you sure?” I whisper.
“Sure thing.” He reaches over, taking her off my knee. “Come on, princess, let’s give your mum a chance to eat her breakfast,” he says as he gets up from the table. My heart swells. Not even her dad had the time of day for her, so watching Rock treat my little girl like she’s been a part of his life for a long time melts my heart.
Maggie overfills my plate, and I’m sure she thinks she’s feeding an army, but my stomach rumbles and she offers me a small smile. “This is Gears,” she says, placing her hand on his shoulder. “He’s taking care of your car for you.”
He rubs the back of his neck. “Morning,” he grunts with a mouthful.
Maggie slaps him round the back of the head. “Manners!” I grin across at her, wondering how the hell she keeps all these big, burly bikers in order.
“Sorry, Mumma Bear,” he groans after he finishes the food in his mouth. “Morning, Lizzy, lovely to meet you. I had a look at your car yesterday and it doesn’t look good. There’re some engine management lights that need sorting, but I can’t get to that ‘til I’ve ordered the parts. It looks like it could be a few days.”
I think over what he’s telling me, and although I’m relieved at another couple nights in a warm bed, I’ve learnt that I can never stay still too long else Darius will find me.
“It’s okay, though. You can stay here, right, Drifter?” Maggie questions.
“Of course, as long as it takes,” he replies.
“Erm . . . thank you.” I move the food around my plate, suddenly losing my appetite. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but any idea how long?”
“As soon as I have the parts, I’ll let you know,” Gears answers, shovelling another forkful of food into his mouth.
I eat a few mouthfuls, but anxiety begins to get the better of me. I’m worried about what Darius will do if he finds me. When I’m in my car, I move around a lot, never parking up in the same place twice so he can’t track me down. As if sensing my unease, Rochelle reaches across the table, grabs my hand, and gives it a gentle squeeze. I offer her a weak smile in an attempt to reassure her. She’s been nothing but kind to me and she really doesn’t need my drama knocking at the club’s door.
