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“Who is that?” Malice asked, pointing to Linsey.
“Linnie!”
“That’s right. She is your Aunt Linnie. And who is that?” he asked, pointing to Fury.
“New daddy!”
“Very good Brianna. Brianna, can I ask you a very important question?”
“No!”
Linsey whispered, “It’s her favorite word. She always answers with a no.”
Malice ignored Linsey as he concentrated on Brianna, giving her his undivided attention. For the next twenty minutes, Malice talked and played with Brianna until she walked over to Linsey sleepily. Picking her up, Linsey held her close as she closed her eyes, sucking her thumb. Turning to both of us, Malice said, “She’s a perfectly adjusted little girl. Precocious and a handful, but I don’t see any indications of abuse. Now that doesn’t mean there weren’t any. So, for the next few weeks, I want you to keep a journal, Linsey. Write down everything she eats, drinks, her sleep patterns, how she plays, how she interacts with her sisters and others. I will also stop by occasionally to see how she reacts with disruptions to her schedule. Honestly, though, I don’t think the fucker did anything. I think he was just messing with our heads, but I’m still airing on the side of caution.”
“Thank you, Malice,” Fury said, shaking our brother’s hand. Doing the same, I stifled a grin when Linsey hugged the man.
The man did not like being touched.
Twenty
Vicious
In the days that followed, Linsey seemed more protective than ever. My woman lived and breathed the girls. While I was happy that her attentive and loving nature sprang forward, she still hadn’t left the penthouse, and I had had enough. Knowing she would fight me tooth and nail, I didn’t give a fuck. The smile on her face was what I wanted. I wanted to hear her laugh.
I wanted the woman I fell in love with back.
Sitting at the kitchen table drinking my coffee, I said nothing as Linsey and Elizabeth talked about what they were going to do today. It was a beautiful spring day in the city and while I was all for being lazy and staying home, I wanted to ride. More importantly, I wanted Linsey on the back of my bike with me. Saying nothing as my girls plotted and planned their day, I looked at my watch, knowing that at any minute the calvary would arrive. I was going to ensure that Linsey couldn’t refuse. She was leaving this damn penthouse even if I had to tie her up and carry her out kicking and screaming.
Enough was enough.
“What about you Vicious?”
Hearing my name, I looked up. “What?”
“What are your plans for the day?”
Schooling my face, I replied, “Got something planned.”
A knock at the door had Linsey freezing on the spot. Leaning over, I reached for her hand. “It’s okay. I’ve been expecting company.”
“Oh.” Letting out a long breath, her body relaxed as I leaned over and kissed the top of her head before answering the door. As expected, in walked Fury, along with Virginia and three other brothers. “About time,” I muttered.
“You know, traffic on Saturday in the city is horrible.” Virginia smiled, reaching up to kiss me on the cheek. “How is she?”
“Wound tight.”
“Today should help. Don’t worry. You just enjoy yourself.”
That was the plan. Now all I had to do was peel Linsey away from the girls and the safety of the penthouse.
It took a lot of finagling and a small guilt trip that I am not ashamed of, but I had my woman on the back of my bike. Riding towards downtown Manhattan, I planned to spoil my woman. I wanted to show her she could be happy and feel safe in this city. That no matter where she went, she would be safe and protected. The first stop was Van Otto Lapidary. Not really my first choice, but I could kill two birds with one stone. Pulling up to the curb, I sat idling as I looked at the company my grandfather built. In the years I’d been away, it seemed nothing had changed. Cutting the engine, Linsey got off my bike as I followed. Taking off our helmets, a young man ran out of the building followed by Happy, Linsey’s maternal grandfather.
“Baby girl!” the loud boisterous older man bellowed, bringing the attention of several passersby.
“Mr. Van Otto,” the young man said, stopping close, “My name is Jagger Hennessey. We’ve been expecting you.”
“Boy, stop your gabbing and take their helmets,” Happy ordered, thrusting Linsey’s helmet at the young man.
