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“I don’t understand. Sounds way more serious than I’m ready for.” I gave a nervous chuckle, trying to lighten the mood when I was getting a little spooked.
“Our club skirts the law on occasion, but we have legitimate businesses as well. If Apple decides she wants to let Deacon take her on, there will be things to discuss. We fully expect mates to talk to each other and take that into account.” Sting gave his wife a squeeze and dropped a kiss on her cheek. “But that’s a couple years or more away. Deacon requested to be the one to take them to and from school, along with the other kids. I wanted you comfortable with the arrangement.”
“And if I’m not?”
“Then Clutch will continue to do it.”
I looked from Deacon to Sting, then finally settled on Iris. Maybe it was because she was a woman and close to my own age, but I trusted her more than I trusted just about anyone here. Except maybe for Wylde.
“If my sister were in Apple’s position, I’d trust Deacon with her life, Dani. He’s a man of his word. All the men here are. If they’re not, they don’t get into Iron Tzars.”
“All right.” I swallowed. “Did you know she was being bullied at school?”
“Not before today. Thinkin’ just my presence when I take her to school will help. If not, we’ll reevaluate in a week or so. She knows she’s got backup now.”
“I still don’t like it that she didn’t tell me.”
Iris moved from Sting’s lap to sit on the couch beside me. “Dani, you’re taking care of two teenage girls. You’re their guardian. Right?”
“Yeah. So I should have known.”
She shook her head. “How many jobs do you work?”
“Two. One at the coffee shop, one from home.”
“Really? How many hours a week do you pull?”
“Um…”
“More than fifty?”
“Not much more than that.” I have no idea why I thought I needed to underplay how much I worked. These people couldn’t judge me.
“How about you try again, darlin’.” Wylde spoke next to my ear, and I jumped.
“Fine. I work at least sixty hours a week. More when I can.”
“To provide for the girls and keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies?” Iris raised a questioning eyebrow at me.
“They’re my sisters.” I lifted my chin. “I love them and will do whatever it takes to provide for them.”
“As you should,” Iris continued. “But did you ever stop to think that maybe they were trying to work this out themselves? To take care of you?”
I gasped and tears threatened. “I’m the adult,” I whispered.
“And there’s nothing saying you can’t need a little help from time to time,” Sting said. “Wylde? I assume you’re looking into the bullying?”
“Yep. Started working on that the second I found out. It’s being taken care of. The parents don’t nip it in the bud, I will.”
“I’m not sure I like the sound of that.” Knowing Wylde, there was no telling what he’d do if he had to be the one taking care of it. “Why not let me talk to the parents or the school, and you don’t have to be bothered with it.”
“No bother.” He grinned. “I enjoy taking care of bullies.” Again, he popped a bubble.
“Good. You’ll let me know if you need to take further action, Wylde. They may be bullies, but we’re still talkin’ about kids here.”
“Mostly.” I caught the muttered word and snapped my head in his direction. He gave me an innocent look. Sting didn’t appear to hear, but I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. He cleared his throat. “Understood, prez.”
“I’ll keep an eye out too,” Deacon said softly. He left the room and it was just the four of us left.
