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Lili’s head dropped. “Can we go later?”

“No, baby, we have to go tonight.”

Henri stooped down next to Natalie. “I love you, Lilibug.”

I bristled at his use of my pet name for Lili. Yeah, Romeo used it, but Romeo wasn’t trying to steal my kid’s affection.

Henri continued, “Your mom loves you.”

Her dad fucking loved her, too. I’d warned Henri that he was part of the problem. “Henri, cut the manipulation.”

“Lili, listen to me,” Natalie said. “You’re a big girl, and it’s okay to tell your dad you want to go.”

“But is it going to be forever?”

Natalie smiled. “Not forever.”

“How long?”

“I don’t know. But we’ll have so much fun. We already have our plane tickets. You’ll get to fly over the ocean. I want you to come with me and Henri. You can talk to your dad on the phone.”

Her lip trembled, and tears filled her eyes. “Can’t we stay home?”

Natalie wiped her cheeks. “We can’t.”

“What about Dad?” She chewed her pouty lip and turned to me.

This was fucked up. It wasn’t fair to put her through this. Fuck Natalie, but I wasn’t playing this game. This was tearing my kid up.

“Lilibug, it’s okay. If you want to go to France, I’ll come visit.”

Natalie bowed her head, and tears slipped from her eyes. “Please, Lili. Come with me and Henri.”

“I don’t want to.” Fat tears rolled down her cheeks. “I want to have weeks with you and weeks with my dad, like you said.”

“Nat,” I softly said.

“Stop,” she choked on the word. “Don’t tell me you can take care of her. I don’t trust you. And I’m not going to let your club intimidate me into letting you take her.”

“Lili, go with Jaymi,” I said. She took Jaymi’s hand again and walked back toward the guys. “Give us a minute,” I said to Henri.

Henri shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

“I’m not asking, asshole. Step off.”

He took a step back before turning and walking into the storage container and watching from a distance.

“Nat, look at me.” We had to come to a truce. Someone had to give in first.

She shook her head and wiped her eyes. I walked to the porch and sat on the stoop. Fuck, my ribs still hurt like a bitch.

Only a moment later, she sat beside me. Cops and Hellers on the street. Lili on a Harley, pretending to be a badass biker. My old lady, knocked up, and smiling at my best friend.

“This was supposed to be our life,” I said to her. “But I fucked it up. I know that.” I leaned forward and rested my forearms on my knees.

“I can’t believe I ever wanted this life.”

“We’ve both changed.” I turned my head and stared at her. “Henri is good for you. And I think he’s good for Lili, but he isn’t her father. You can’t keep pushing me away. You can’t keep punishing me for the past.” I took a breath and told her something I should’ve said a long time ago. “I’m sorry, Natalie.”