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“Kai isn’t the only one with a bull’s-eye on his back, Calvin. Maybe she thinks getting rid of you will get the system to give Kai back to her since she will be the only living parent,” Atticus carefully states.
“Motherfucker,” I roar and brace myself with one hand on the wall near the window and I remove the phone from my ear for a moment to process this shit.
A soft hand is placed between my shoulder blades and when her gaze collides with mine, I can see the warmth and worry in her eyes.
Her fingers wrap around my phone and she glances at the screen before bringing it to her ear. “What’s going on?”
She listens carefully and I’m guessing Atticus is explaining everything because she replies with, “I’ll get Ezra and my Prez up to speed. No. I’m sure Calvin will reach out if he needs backup. Besides, he has Ezra, one of his former brothers, at his back along with Ivar and Perry, both have a SEAL background.” She keeps her eyes locked with mine when she adds, “Not to mention, my whole damn MC has my old man’s back, I’m sure he can handle it for now.” The corner of her mouth twitches from something Atticus said and she replies with, “We both know I didn’t stand a chance. I’ll let you two wrap up, I have a kid to throw into a bathtub.”
She hands me the phone and I brush my mouth against hers for a quick kiss.
“Thanks,” I murmur.
“Always,” she murmurs back. “Hey, your kid doesn’t have any skin allergies or anything, right? Before I throw a bath bomb into the tub and he comes out all red and itchy.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “No. No allergies that we know of.”
“Okey dokey,” she quips and jolts out of the room while she bellows at Kai, “All clear! Bombs away, sweets!”
I take a moment to hear my son’s cheerful squeal flowing loud from the bathroom and then Cassia’s laughter mingles with it and I know those two are watching a bath bomb doing its job in the tub.
I place the phone to my ear. “Sorry, I’m still here.”
“Hey, man. Nothing to be sorry about. Sounds to me like you finally have everything falling into place for you and the kid. Let’s make sure to keep it that way.”
“Damn sure,” I grunt.
“Your old lady tells me you have everything handled for now but I haven’t told you about Fisher’s suspicions who her accomplice is.”
My ears are peaked by this little detail. “Who?”
“Elvira has been seeing a guy named Maurice. He’s ten years younger than she is. Maurice had a fat bank account thanks to his daddy but two weeks ago the fucker went bankrupt so, no one in that family has cash now. Get what I’m saying?”
“Yeah, young and stupid with his whole life going down the drain without the cash from his daddy. Sounds like Fisher is onto a good lead. Can you email me a photograph of the fucker so I can keep my eyes open?”
“Will do,” Atticus grunts. “I’ll reach out when I have more news.”
“Thanks, brother.” I end the call and tuck the phone away, following the happy chatter down the hall.
For now, I’m going to push everything to the back of my head, knowing this cabin is protected by the ranch of Cassia’s MC and all those connected living among us on this property. I lean against the doorjamb and watch how Cassia is sitting on a little stool with a book in her hand.
It’s one of Kai’s favorites about a little boy wanting to become a captain of a ship one day. There are several books in this series and Cassia is reading the first one where he builds a ship from his bike by using carboard boxes. All the other books are about the boy and his adventures as he cycles around town, daydreaming, as if he’s sailing around the world visiting places.
Cassia is making funny voices and the both of them are engrossed in the story. Kai is holding foam in his hands, sculpting it into a boat-like shape and letting it float on his hand. My chest squeezes to see those two easily getting along as if Kai has known Cassia all his damn life.
In this moment I wish he was hers by blood. My woman, my son, originated inside her body, made by the two of us. Though, it’s futile. A bond doesn’t entail a blood connection. If anything, my former motorcycle club taught me as much. It’s about loyalty, trust, friendship, mutual respect.
This right here is what family is about. Elvira didn’t get the valuable lesson her father wanted to teach her or wanted her to understand and experience. You can’t rely on money or on others to serve your needs. In this life you have to fight for what you want, work for what you need, and give in order to get love, affection, respect, and trust in return.
The sight before me didn’t cost a thing except two humans who enjoy spending time together. And to see their happy faces and hear their cheerful chatter is something I would like to come home to after a hard day at work.
Family. My family. And I’ll make damn sure no one is going to take this away from me.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Three weeks later
– CASSIA –
