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“I have work!” I interject. He scoffs and rolls his eyes.
“You’ll make your shift at that piece of shit diner where you make ends meet.” I flinch. I hate that he can look down his nose at me, not knowing what I have been through.
Chapter6
King
Bishop and I sit in his office drinking a glass of whiskey each. Amelia is upstairs having a bath with Allison. I had Luka go into town and get them both some clothes for the night and whatever other fucking shit girls need. The twins have gone off to do whatever the fuck it is they do and Kiara is studying for exams.
“We need to make a move soon. The Romello’s are preparing to rise against us and I can’t have that type of unease.” I sigh and run a hand through my hair, I wish I could just focus on getting to know my daughter, but unfortunately we are at war and if I want to make this city safe for her, then I need to help take down the other families.
“What about this shit with the Russian’s?”
“We need the manpower before we can go after them, taking down the other three families will give us that. Until that happens, we have no choice but to be vigilant and watch our fucking backs.” I nod my agreement.
“When do you want to strike?” At the sound of her laughter, I automatically turn my head toward the open door to see my little girl standing there in her fuzzy pink pajamas and unicorn slippers. She has a huge smile on her face as she rushes toward me.
“Mela, no!” I hear Allison shout as my girl runs to me and jumps onto my lap. I still for a moment and cut a glance to the doorway where a terrified Allison stands. Mela wraps her arms around my neck hugging me. As if I’ve done this a million times, my arms automatically wrap around her and everything shifts inside me. “I’m so sorry, she just took off to find you and—”
“She’s fine, she can go wherever she likes in this house.” Bishop’s words are firm but not aggressive, I look up to Allison as she stands beside me twisting her hands in front of her. My eyes take on a mind of their own as they drink in what she is wearing. I know I told Luka to buy her ugly shit but fuck me, she makes the cheap shit look sexy as hell. Her hair is wet and still dripping. She has a plain black crop top thing on that exposes her toned stomach and the sleep shorts are so fucking tiny if she bent over her ass would be out. I’m going to fucking kill Luka for this, the bastard!
“Thank you sooooo much.” Amelia pulls back and smiles so wide it must hurt her face. I stare at her confused before Allison cuts in and explains.
“I told her you got her the pajamas and slippers.” I look back at my little girl and smile. A pair of clothes and she is acting like I bought her a fucking car. I hate that the credit for her gratefulness goes to Allison and the way she has raised her. “Is there any way we could, maybe if it’s okay, please go back home?” I glare up at Allison in warning, her expression changes from timid to worried. “I need Mr. Snaggles, she won’t sleep without him and I didn’t bring him with us today. I’m sorry.” I feel like a dick when she drops her gaze to her feet and stands there awkwardly. I look to Amelia who now seems upset by my reaction to Allison.
“Hey Mela?” She turns to Bishop and smiles shyly. “What if Kiara and I take you to pick up your toy—” Amelia gasps and cuts him off. Allison rolls her eyes and stares up at the celling as if this has happened before.
“Meelz…” Allison tries to warn but she ignores her.
“He is not a toy! He is real and needs loving all the days and nights.” Bishop looks to me as if expecting me to know what the fuck that means. We both swing our gazes to Allison who looks slightly embarrassed.
“She… she…” She stops and looks to Mela. “Would you like to explain who he is?” She nods eagerly.
“He’s part of my daddy.” My eyes widen and I reel back in shock. Allison drops down into the chair beside me and keeps her gaze focused on her lap.
“How so?” Bishop asks. Thank fuck he’s recovered quicker than me.
“Daddy had to go away and make bad men better so he left me Mr. Snaggles.” I stare at her dumfounded, unsure of what the fuck I say to that. I can feel Bishop gawking at me but I still can’t form any words.
“How about you and I go find Kiara and we pick up Mr. Snaggles and get some ice cream… as long as that is okay with… Allison?”
“She needs her seat from King’s car,” Allison whispers. Bishop stands and comes around to grab Amelia from my lap. Allison climbs to her feet but Bishop’s words stop her.
“I’ll take King’s car. Don’t act surprised when I tell you we have a key to your apartment. I also have four younger siblings, I know what I’m doing, Allison and if I don’t, let’s hope to hell Kiara does.”
“Um, okay but if she needs me—?”
“I have your number and by the end of tonight you will have all of ours as well.” I peer over my shoulder and watch as Bishop leaves. Amelia is smiling in his hold waving to Allison. I look at her and I can see the worry lines dotting her features, for the first time since trailing her a couple weeks ago I feel something other than deep hatred, a sense of appreciation flows through me. She may have kept my kid from me but she still kept the notion of her father alive in her life. I stand from my chair and Allison slowly turns to face me with her hands clasped in front of her, she’s looking everywhere but at me.
“Why did you do it?” Her whole-body tenses, she slowly lifts her blue eyes to me and I can’t get a read on what she is thinking and it pisses me off.
“S-she already lost her mom and I just… I couldn’t stomach the thought of her losing her father as well and I…” She blows out a whoosh of air and drops her gaze to floor, I’m not having it. I close the space between us and grip her chin between my fingers and lift her face until we lock eyes.
“Don’t look down. I want your eyes on me every time you speak.” Her mouth opens in shock but she nods regardless. “Now, explain to me why you had her think I left a soft toy for her instead of being present.”
“I couldn’t give her… you, so I gave her something else that would ease the pain of you not being present. I know you have every right to be mad at me…” I scoff and drop my hold on her face as I step and shake my head.
“Mad? You think I’m fucking mad? You have no fucking idea how I feel. Don’t you dare stand there and act like you know how I feel.” She nibbles her bottom lip and nods.
