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I chewed my thumbnail as I searched for Brett’s Harley. He was too far ahead of me. I grabbed my phone, skimmed through my contacts, and called Bullet. The phone rang once before connecting. Hearing his voice brought on another wash of tears.

“What’s wrong?”

“Natalie took Lili.”

Steele

Not Natalie’s mom. Not my mom. Her only two grandmothers. Instead, Grandma referred to Henri’s mom. A woman neither Natalie nor Lili had ever met. A family I haven’t even met, and she figured I’d sit back and let her take my baby to fucking France?

My ribs were on fire. The vibration of the bike rattled my bones, but I was so pissed, I needed the pain. I needed to focus on something besides how much I hated my own stupidity. I’d trusted her. I could hear her voice in my head. Joint custody. Leave the restraining order in the past. Work together.

I’d sworn I’d left my Crawler ways behind me. I wasn’t violent, not anymore. I wasn’t looking to start or finish a fight. I wasn’t happy when she moved her lay into my house, even though for a time, I considered him to be a decent guy. I’d been pissed about the restraining order and the lies. I could’ve gotten petty and fucked her life the way she’d fucked mine, but I’d compromised.

I slapped my hand against the handlebar, then rolled the throttle. Hell, I could even take a beating from my best friend. But I’d watch the world burn before I let anyone take my little girl from me.

My chest tightened when I thought about Natalie. Fuck her and fuck karma. What was the point of getting clean and busting my ass for a better life if the universe was going to have a long memory and carry a grudge?

My mind focused on something I’d overlooked at the time. That day after court, when I’d taken Lili home, Henri had whispered to Natalie. “It won’t be for long.” Everything out of her mouth had been a lie. They’d manipulated the situation to buy time.

Ending up in the hospital had given them the perfect opportunity to fuck me over. Again. Natalie pulled her out of school on Friday, but they weren’t rushed. She’d assume she had at least another week before I’d come around. I held onto hope that I wasn’t too late.

I took the next right a little too tight. A flare of pain rippled through my ribs. I gritted my teeth, pushed the bike harder, and roared down the road.

Last night, I’d talked with Lili. We’d had a simple but sweet conversation. She mentioned the trip, but not France. If she’d known, she’d have said something. But she was more upset about the bike and said she’d ride in the hearse, even though it stunk, if she could come stay with me on Saturday. Like she’d said with that sweet, innocent voice, it was my week.

I rode up to the house that used to be mine, but this wasn’t home. Not anymore. A storage container, with the door rolled up and a house full of furniture stacked in the back, sat in the driveway. Rage coiled in my gut, tighter and tighter. I killed the engine, dropped the sidestand, and climbed off the bike.

“Dad.” Lili squealed and ran out of the house.

Ah fuck, seeing her unraveled the fear squeezing my chest. I wasn’t too late. But I couldn’t shake the violent tremors of adrenaline poisoning my blood. I could’ve lost her. What if I’d been too late?

Had it not been for Jaymi, I wouldn’t have known. If Natalie had gotten her out of the country, I wouldn’t have known where to look. I’d have needed a psychic or money I didn’t have to find her.

Heat burned behind my eyes. She was beautiful with her braided pigtails and wide, toothless smile. She giggled as she ran across the lawn.

Natalie stormed out after her. “Lili, get in the house.” Her sharp voice stopped Lili. “Now.”

She spun toward her mom. “But my dad is here.” She closed the space between us and wrapped her arms around my legs. “You got your bike fixed.”

“I did. Go get your stuff.” I rested my hand on her head, and my gaze locked on Natalie. “You’re not taking her.”

“Guess what, Dad? I’m going to France,” Lili said. “Did you know they eat frogs and snails? I don’t think I’ll eat snails, but maybe frogs. Ornery said they taste like chicken.” She tipped her face to me. “And I get to sleep on an airplane.”

“Not today, Lilibug.”

Her smile fell. “But I’ll be home tomorrow.”

“You need to leave,” Natalie said to me.

“I’m not fighting in front of her,” I said. “But no fucking way am I letting you take her to France. Lili, go in the house for a minute.” I tried to keep my voice calm.

Her lip popped, and she stomped across the ground. Before she headed up the porch steps, she turned to me. “If I can’t go to France, can I ride on the Harley and go to the MC?”

“Yes.”

She smiled and hopped up the stairs. “’Kay. Be right back.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I asked. “You can’t just take her. We have joint custody.”