Since Cash hadn’t left his side for more than to walk across the apartment, he hadn’t been able to open the flash drive. All he’d managed was to call church in the morning and command them not to go off half-cocked in retribution before they had a chance to meet. They were pissed. Ready to burn South Dallas to the ground to find those responsible for killing their beloved leader. He bet the clubhouse was one drunken, somber place tonight.
He ran a reassuring palm down Mae’s back. His mind was blipping, going every direction at any given moment as his girl stared at him, waiting for an answer. “We’ll have Christmas together here or there, probably here, or maybe there since the Christmas tree’s already up. I’m gonna have a lot to settle this week, so we’ll see how it goes.”
“Is Cash watching us while you work?” Abi asked.
“Maybe, but I’m gonna see if Millie can come over.” Dev pushed to his feet with Mae in his arms. “I’ll make sure you’re covered, but I need y’all to get along and be nice even if you get bored. Find somethin’ to do on your own. Don’t pester whoever’s watchin’ you, okay?”
He got anokayin unison. It didn’t sound very convincing, but he’d see how it went. He laid Mae back in bed, bringing the blankets up to her shoulders again. Her hand fished out, coming to land on his cheek, holding him in place. “You have to be safe, Daddy.”
How did he explain that if he were in any real danger, he’d already be dead, right along with the rest of them? How did he say that his mother had played a part in the carnage of the day? He stared down at the joy in his life, running a palm over her soft hair.
“I’m safe. I got people watchin’ out for me and both of you. Cash is here too. He’s smart and strong. We’re safe,” he reinforced and kissed her forehead.
“Did you call me?” Cash asked from the doorway. Dev glanced over his shoulder. The faint lines at the corner of Cash’s eyes spoke to the worry of the day. His heart connected deeper than before if it were even possible.
His savior.
For the first time, someone else had risked their life to protect his.
On top of it all, Cash was as attentive to the girls’ wellbeing and care as he was. And his kids liked Cash in return. Apparently candy and real sugar soda was all it took to tip the scale in favor of his guy.
Oh man, his heart ached with how in love he was with Cash. More than anything, he wanted these moments to happen for them again and again, under better circumstances.
Of course, he didn’t say any of that. His emotions were too ragged to make sense with his words. He’d lived his entire life hanging on by a thread. Today the thread unraveled to tatters, barely keeping his head above the chaos.
“I was just tellin’ them that you’ve made sure we’re all safe and they’ll be takin’ time off school until I can figure somethin’ out,” he explained, moving to Abi’s side of the room. She ducked her lower half under the blanket. He anchored a pillow behind her back, against the headboard to sit up. The grin earned had him reaching up to caress the pad of his thumb down her cheek.
“Diesel’s here,” Cash said quietly from the door.
“I’ll be out in a minute. Don’t start without me,” he said, reaching behind Abi’s head, drawing her forward to press his lips on her forehead. He tilted his head, catching her gaze. “Thanks for includin’ me in your story in class. I like the idea of you bein’ my Devilgirl. We’re a pair. Now and forever,” he said and got a simple nod in return. “You make me proud.”
“Me too,” she said and nodded again then dismissed him by pointing the remote toward the television.
That drew a smile as he stood. “Watch somethin’ Mae likes too until she falls asleep. You can stay up as late as you want, but she’s gonna wake you up early in the mornin’, so be prepared. I need to handle some business out there. Y’all stay in here and be quiet.”
“I don’t want you to take over the club,” Abi murmured, still staring at the television. Her brows knitted together.
Involuntarily, Dev chuckled a harsh, crazy-filled sound. He had to make her see that they were exactly on the same page. “I don’t want to either, but I gotta find a way out that’s good for everybody. Between you and me, I’ll be workin’ as fast as I can to leave as soon as possible. You can bet on that.”
“Uncle Keyes got out,” Abi added, showing she paid far more attention than he’d even realized. This time, she looked pointedly at him. “Can you do what he did?”
She was his sweet, smart girl. He couldn’t resist leaning in again, this time to press his forehead against hers. “Relax. We’re gonna be okay. I promise. I’ll keep you posted along the way.”
“Daddy said you’re gonna pick up Puppy in the morning,” Mae said to Cash.
“I’ll make sure she’s picked up first thing,” Cash assured. His tone was kind and warm. “I think your Aunt Shanna’s volunteered to get her.”
Dev stood to his full height, stretching the tension in his neck. He pivoted toward Cash who rested against the doorframe, watching them. His guy wore those sinful workout clothes with his brawny arms crossed over his chest. To Dev, Cash looked like an angel sent to Earth only for him.
As Dev got closer to the door, Cash rolled away. He shut the door behind him, listening as their television turned on, hopefully drowning out the conversation they were about to have.
What he appreciated more than he could say was how the entire field operation was in straight-up shit show mode, doing everything they could to find the answers to what happened today. But they’d mindfully kept all the chaos outside of his apartment, away from the girls.
Not too far though. The apartment door was open. Diesel and Shanna stood just beyond the threshold. He was certain Joe was out there somewhere too, giving his anxious heart a workout while going between his desktop and the conversation in the walkway between the two apartments.
=♥=
Cash watched as Dev tilted his head, stretching his neck this way and that. His biker was such a strong man. Life never stopped coming for him, banging him around every single day, but Dev kept his cool, held strong, and focused on the future. And somehow Dev continued to unconditionally love the ones he held dear.
