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“Not if I don’t get caught. Tonya, if you’re going to be hanging around the club, you’ll need to get used to the way we do things. Some of them aren’t exactly seen as legal by many, but it gets the job done and protects people. Being a cop doesn’t negate that for me. I’m not naïve enough not to know that our justice system fails as much as it succeeds. The Warriors are there for those times when it fails. That’s why I’m prospecting with them. They have a code I can live with.”
I thought about what he’d just said. The ring of truth was obvious. I knew enough from Soleil to know there were things the club didn’t talk about with others. Heck, there was stuff Falcon didn’t tell her since it was considered club business. I expect taking care of people like Dan fell under that category. What I wouldn’t give to fall within the protection of the club all the time. The sense of security it would bring would be incredible.
“I think that’s a wonderful reason, Law. Soleil and the other old ladies are extremely lucky to have all of you looking out for them.”
“It’s just not them we’re looking out for. You and your little ones are included in our protection. It’s not just a few days’ worth.”
“I don’t understand. I’m not part of the club. Yeah, I’m friends with Soleil and I was hoping she’d let me stay with her for a few days. I’m grateful that Terror loaned us this house for a couple of days, but I’m not expecting the club to adopt us or anything. Despite how it looks, I'm capable of taking care of my children.” I couldn’t keep the tightness out of my tone. I hated for anyone to think I wasn’t a good mom.
He reached across the table and clasped my hand in one of his large ones. The rough calluses on his hands surprised me. He rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb. “Calm down. No one thinks you can’t take care of your children, Tonya. Everyone needs a little help once in a while. You’ve got one helluva job on your shoulders.”
“Sorry, I’m touchy about that. You’re right. Okay, so do you have the report I need to sign or do I have to go down to the station?”
“I have it. I was waiting until this afternoon when I went to work to have you sign it. Technically, I jumped the gun by having some of my fellow officers looking for him before it was official. I was hoping we’d have him before I had to come talk to you.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
“That’s not the only reason I’m here. You and the kids need more than the few things you had with you last night. I came to take you to your apartment, so you can get more of your stuff. Plus, we need to fill your fridge and pantry. We can go grocery shopping or you can make out a list and I can go pick it up.”
“You want to go grocery shopping with me? Why?”
“Why not?” He gave me a quizzical look when he asked.
“You’ve obviously not been to the store with three small children. It’s like going to the circus and all the animals get loose. They get bored, or they want everything they see and get upset when I say no. People watch you and you can see them judging you for having what they consider unruly kids. If you get out of there without at least one major meltdown, you’re more than lucky. Obviously you’re single,” I teased. A shadow passed across his face. I saw pain and sadness and then it was gone. What had I said?
“I am single, but I’ve been around plenty of kids. I know how they act and I can more than handle them. Why don’t I go do a few things if you don’t need me and when your little one wakes up, we can go.”
“Dylan, his name is Dylan. My oldest boy is Daniel and my daughter is Dena. He should be awake any time. Tell me your number so I can call you when he does.”
He rattled it off while I put it in my phone, so I wouldn’t forget. He insisted I send him a message, so he’d have mine, which I did. He drained his coffee then left. With him temporarily out of the way, I hurried to my room to fix myself up a little better. I told myself it was only because I was going out in public and had nothing to do with the handsome man who was going to go with me. My fluttering heart was laughing at me. I was a fool, but for today, I’d pretend and hopefully be happy.
A little over an hour later, we were on our way. Law insisted on taking one of the club’s large SUVs to get our stuff. I didn’t argue. Having three car seats filled up the one backseat. If I wanted room for our clothes and some groceries, this was the best way to go. I was curious to see how things went and how Law reacted to being with three small children for hours. He said he was used to it. We’d see. I figured this would be the only time he’d ever do it. Once we returned, he’d run for cover and never show his face around me again. Pity. He had such a handsome face to look at.
Our first stop was the apartment. I admit, I was nervous when we pulled in. I glanced all around, trying to see if I spotted Dan. I didn’t. I noticed Law was alert as well. He helped get the kids out of their seats then carried Dylan for me. I shooed them inside and locked the door. Not wasting time, I got to packing.
I didn’t have a clue how long I might be at the Warriors’ compound, so I packed enough clothes for all of us to have a week or more worth. For the kids, I had to include some of their toys and books. Thankfully, Dylan was using a sippy cup now, so no more bottles and all that stuff. I grabbed plenty of diapers and wipes. In the kitchen, I put cold stuff that would go to waste in an ice chest Law had brought inside while I packed our clothes. I hadn’t even noticed it in the SUV. I also took some stuff from the pantry. I didn’t have enough money to go filling up the guesthouse with more food when I had some at home to use.
Law hefted all the stuff as if it didn’t weigh anything and carried it out to the SUV and got it situated. All in all, we were at the apartment for an hour. After I told him I thought we had enough, we got ready to leave and go to the dreaded grocery store.
We were walking down the short sidewalk that led to the parking lot when one of my neighbors, an older woman named Priscilla, stopped me. She made everyone call her Prissy. She was in her late fifties, maybe early sixties. She was divorced and had no kids. She liked to watch and see everything that went on in our complex. I found that out the first day when we moved in and she came over to talk. She was harmless, although sometimes a painful gossip. Knowing we couldn’t avoid her, I plastered on a fake smile to greet her.
“Hello, Prissy. How are you? You look well.”
“Tonya, hon, I’m doing great. You’re the one I’m worried about. Where are you going? And why in the world are you with a biker?”
She was watching Law with a million questions on her mind. I could tell. He was dressed in boots, jeans, and a short-sleeved shirt. He had his prospect cut on while out of the car. He’d explained to me it was disrespectful to wear it while in a cage. He took it off before getting in and put it on after getting out.
“I’m going to stay with my friends. My best friend is married to one of the Warriors. I assure you, we’re fine. We’re on a tight schedule, I’m afraid. We need to get groceries then back to the compound before Law has to go to work.” I was hoping she’d take the hint and let us pass. She didn’t.
“I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. What kind of work do you do, Law? Does your husband know about him, Tonya?”
“He’s not my boyfriend. He’s a friend of a friend. Law is a police officer. Why in the world would it matter if my ex-husband knows about Law?” I emphasized the ex part. She knew I was divorced.
She got a sly look on her face. “Well, he was here late last night looking for you. He wasn’t happy when he realized you were gone. He came to my door and asked that I let him know when you returned. That you and he were getting back together, and he was ready to move his stuff in. He didn’t want to wait until the weekend. If you’re getting back together, I hardly think it’s proper to be seen with another man.” She sniffed in disdain.
Most of the time, I could ignore her, but this time, I wanted to plant my fist in her face. Law saved me from having to say something nice to her. He stood straight, and the authority oozed out of him as he narrowed his eyes on her. I watched her fidget.
“Ma’am, if Tonya’s ex contacts you again, I need you to call me. Here’s my card. Also, I recommend you don’t tell him anything about her or the kids. I’d hate to have to run you in for abetting him in his harassment. He’s breaking the law. I’d steer clear of him. He’s a dangerous man. Come on, Tonya, we need to get going before the kids get antsy.”
