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Those were her favorites growing up, I remember that. Her brother and I used to have to order the dreadful pizza and consume it whenever she was with us, and I bet she hasn’t had that since Noah died. The same goes for the ice cream.
“What about being his ol’ lady?” Bride pushes.
“Bride, if you want that pizza, then I suggest you get your things together so we can get out of here. I’ll order it, and we’ll pick it up on the way home.”
With the way Noelle looks at the moment, there’s no way we can go in and sit down without questioning looks. I don’t want to bring that attention to her. Not when she needs to heal.
“What about ice cream?” Bride turns that look of hers my way, and I shake my head at her attitude. She’s my shy and sweet little sister, but here at the clubhouse, she’s definitely come out of her shell.
“I’ll get a prospect to bring some by the house later.”
“Yay!” she squeals and runs over to the table she’d been sitting at with Lincoln and gets her stuff.
I turn my attention back to Noelle and move to her. “You ready to go?” I ask, holding my hand out.
Noelle drops her gaze down, eyes my hand wearily, and licks her bottom lip, pulling it between her teeth in that nervous manner I remember her doing back before everything fell apart.
Slowly, oh so slowly, Noelle places her hand in mine and that right there was her putting her trust in me. At least that’s what I want to put it down to. I’ve got a feeling, though, that she’s going to try something. I grip her hand and tug her slightly to me as I look to my Prez and VP. I give them a nod, silently communicating with them to get someone on us. No words are needed since we’d already talked about it just a bit ago. I’m taking Noelle to my place and we’re putting a prospect on the house. Make sure nothing happens. I should probably keep both Noelle and Bride at the clubhouse for the time being, but I don’t want to let on to something being wrong by us staying at the clubhouse. Usually, when I stay at the clubhouse, it’s when Bride is with one of the ol’ ladies on the weekend.
“I’m ready.,” Bride rejoins us, and I grin at her enthusiasm. She’s a great kid and I love seeing her so happy.
“Then let’s get going.” I nod to the door and head for it, lifting Noelle off her feet, remembering she wasn’t wearing shoes. There’s no way I’m about to let her walk across the gravel.
* * *
“Time for bed, Punk.” I turn the movie off and set the remote down.
“But . . .”
“No buts, it’s bedtime, and you need to get some rest,” I stated sternly.
After pizza and ice cream, I allowed Bride to pick out a movie, and I was surprised when she asked Noelle what her favorite movie was. Of course, it wasThe Princess Bride.Her brother and I had to watch it plenty of times to appease her. When it came to Noelle, Noah would have and did do everything he could to make sure she had the best childhood. It was as if he was more like a parent than a big brother, and I understand it. Because I’m the same way with my own little sister, but it’s different because I’m old enough to be her father. I also have custody of her now.
I push thoughts of the past and the situation at hand out of my mind and prepare for Bride to try and get her way about watching the movie again. It’s something she likes to do. But there’s no way I’m watching that movie again. I swear the movie is stupid as shit and took a few of my brain cells, but that’s what we ended up watching, and Bride loved it.
“Fine,” Bride huffs and turns to Noelle. “I love that movie.”
“It is really good, isn’t it?” Noelle smiles. She’s warmed up to Bride this evening, and the two of them ended up on the floor, pillows off the couch under them, propping them up. But now, Noelle’s picking them up and putting them back. As she bends, it gives me a damn good view of her shapely ass.
“Yes!” Bride nods enthusiastically.
“Bride, seriously, go get ready for bed. Brush your teeth and hair,” I say, coming off the couch, pushing thoughts of Noelle’s ass out of my mind. My hands itch to touch it, but there’s no way in hell I can do that right now. Maybe later.
See, Noelle’s in for a rude awakening when it comes to where she’s sleeping. After spending time watching her check out the house, I knew she was looking for the best way to leave . . . to run . . . and that wasn’t about to happen. Her ass will be in my bed, next to me. I’ll even cuff her to me if that’s what it takes to ensure she doesn’t get away from me. It might make me sound like an ass, but I don’t give a flying fuck. She’s been through hell, and I won’t allow her to keep doing so.
Noelle remains silent as she tidies up the couch while Bride goes and does as I tell her. I leave her to her thoughts for the time being, but the moment we’re in my room, I intend to find my answers one way or another without prying little ears.
Thankfully, it’s on the main floor of the house, while Bride’s room is upstairs and on the opposite side of the house instead of above my room.
I found this place by a stroke of luck, and it’s awesome. The downstairs is completely open space except for where my room and the half bath is. Upstairs are Bride’s room and a guest room that is filled with boxes that I store in there.
Time seems to seep slowly while I wait for Bride to go to sleep, but soon enough, when I check on her, she’s conked out. Now, I can focus directly on Noelle. Coming back downstairs, I lock up the house and set the alarm before heading back to where Noelle’s sitting on the couch, knees bent and her arms holding them to her chest.
“Come on,” I hold my hand out for her to take, “let’s get you a shirt to sleep in.”
“I’m fine in what I have on,” she says, not taking my hand but instead gripping the bottom of my hoodie she’s still wearing. “Am I sleeping on the couch?”
“No,” I answer bluntly, reaching over and snagging one of her hands in mine. “I’ll show you where you’re sleeping.” Tugging her along, I head to my room and close the door behind us. I have a monitor that I keep on in my room for if Bride needs me. I guess you can call it one of those nanny cams, but it doesn’t have a camera, it’s more like an intercom. I found this to be useful when Bride ended up with the flu and was upstairs puking.
