Page 26 of Torrent’s Treasure

Torrent took off his boots and hung up his cut. He sat down beside Cecilia and held his arm out. She snuggled up to him, and Calliope lay against her. Sally dropped off a few bottles of water.

“I’ll lock up as we leave. Let us know if you need anything,” Sally added softly.

“Thank you,” Torrent replied.

He appreciated the way Sally had taken care of Calliope while they waited for him to get back. His family had his back when he was gone, even if they couldn’t prevent Cecilia’s nightmares.

“Did I wake up the whole clubhouse?” she wondered.

“Yes,” Calliope said.

“Doesn’t matter. Long as you’re okay,” Torrent reassured her.

He needed to figure something out to help Cecilia because he could stay around for a little while, but at some point, he’d have to go on a run and leave her alone at night. He’d talk to her and see if she could tell him why she had a second nightmare.

But for now, he was going to hold his girls close and keep everyone safe.

Chapter Twelve

Torrent hadn’t been able to sleep last night after he got back. He’d held Cecilia and Calliope as they slept, thinking through ways to make this easier for them. He couldn’t take away the nightmares, but maybe he could make them feel safer.

“Where are we going?” Calliope wondered, reaching for another donut in the box Torrent had bought at the drive-thru. He’d lured them out with the promise of caffeine, sugar, and a present.

“Next town, fifteen more minutes,” Torrent answered.

“And?” Calliope prompted.

“Surprise,” he said.

Calliope sighed loudly from the back seat. “Has anyone told you that your one-word answers are annoying?” she teased, leaning back in her seat.

“Flappy Lips,” Torrent muttered.

Cecilia smiled at his response. “When did you start calling him that?”

“High school,” Torrent replied.

“I’ll wait to ask what started it because I don’t think I want Calliope to learn what you and Maverick were up to in high school,” she reasoned.

“Probably not,” he conceded.

He and Maverick had been little shits, pushing boundaries and thinking they could conquer the world. When they went to jail the first time, they’d had to toughen up fast.

He took the turn into town, heading toward his surprise. He hoped it was a good one. He’d texted Sally to get her opinion, and she’d agreed it was a good option. As he pulled into the shelter parking lot, Calliope gasped.

“Are we?” she asked softly.

He turned to look at her in the back seat of the club SUV he’d brought.

“Are we what? Anybody tell you incomplete questions are annoying?” he countered with a smirk.

A huge smile spread across her face. “Very funny, Torrent. Are we getting an animal?” she asked.

“Okay with you?” he checked, waiting for Cecilia’s response. She sniffed and nodded. He hoped it meant she was happy about it. Besides Sally, who’d become the mom he’d always wanted, he’d never cared about what women thought or their emotions. He’d just enjoyed the Whispers. He got out of the truck, walking around to open the doors for Cecilia and Calliope. Calliope skipped ahead of them.

“Are you sure about this?” she ventured softly.

“Want to make you feel safer,” he reassured her. He held his hand out to see if she’d hold it.