“Mor, what did Magic really want?” Laila asked, coming to sit with me on the grass.
“I don’t know, Laila, but the key was just an excuse.”
“Is Magic going to take Dad’s place?”
“Laila, nobody can do that. Magic claimed there are facts I’m unaware of. I suppose it’s fair to hear him out. But that doesn’t mean I’m planning on jumping into a relationship with him.We’re unable to return to those people. Your dad was the world to me, and Vulcan can’t ever be replaced.”
“But you loved Magic first.”
“I was a young girl. I’m a woman now, darling, and I’ve had the love of a good, wonderful man. Your dad showed me what love really was. And it’s not what I had with Magic. That was lust.”
“Mom, I don’t need to hear that,” Laila squealed.
“Come on, kid, let’s go sort dinner before Jesper tries roasting something. Maybe you can wind your brothers and cousins up about dating. Then, when they get on your back, tell them you’ll encourage me to date.”
Laila grinned evilly and then stopped. “Mom. I don’t like the idea of someone replacing Dad. Actually, I hate it. But I also don’t want you to be alone for the rest of your life. Does that sound wrong?”
“No, honey. It’s probably what all kids think. And nobody willeverreplace Vulcan; he’s irreplaceable. The heart has the capacity for new love, Laila. What shape that takes, I can’t say. If you wish to get to know Magic, Vulcan wouldn’t feel betrayed; he’d have encouraged it. Vulcan recognised he was your father in every way that counted, and no blood relative can steal that. He was secure enough in his love for you both to let Magic into your life if that’s your choice. Vulcan would have understood that Magic couldn’t take his spot.”
Laila pursed her lips before nodding. “What am I going to do about my hair?” she asked, teenage crisis kicking in.
“Let’s see what that little shit used,” I said and headed inside with her.
Magic
I swung off my Harley and stood staring at the bar. I was trying to process everything, and frankly, I was finding that fuckin’ hard. Lars and Laila, my twins. A boy and a girl. That unsettled me. A daughter. Already, my instincts were raging; Laila was sixteen and a half. I bet Laila thought she’d be able to date; nope, that wasn’t happening. Even with green hair, Laila was beautiful. Christ, I needed to take root outside their house and ensure no randy assholes came calling.
I owned a lovely shotgun called Ballbreaker; it was time to dust it off and scare the crap out of some randy fuckers. Naturally, I had double standards where Lars was concerned. It was hypocritical, but I couldn’t help it. How had Vulcan managed to watch Laila grow up and know that teenage boys would be sniffing around?
That was another dilemma. There was no mistaking the pedestal Vulcan had been placed upon. Jody doted on the guy, the twins, and Aster’s kids. By all accounts, Vulcan was a decent man. I needed to understand more about the person who’d become a father tomykids.
“Magic?” I looked up and saw Inglorious. Shit, I’d not even heard his bike pull in.
“I’ve got a daughter,” I blurted.
Inglorious raised an eyebrow. “Is she sane?”
“That’s your first question?” I demanded, insulted.
“It’s a fuckin’ valid one!”
“True.” I gave Inglorious that. “Yes, Laila is. And beautiful.”
“Oh, you’re screwed,” Inglorious said helpfully.
Agitated, I wanted to punch his lights out. Instead, I ran a hand over my beard. “You’re right.”
Inglorious nodded. “You just found out about her? How old is she?”
“Sixteen and a half.”
Inglorious looked stunned. “Anymore deep secrets you want to spill?” he asked, amused.
“She has a twin brother. Lars and Laila.”
“Those are unusual names.”
“They were raised in Denmark.”
