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“Hey there.” I tried to put her down, but the kid wrapped her legs around my waist to go with her arms around my neck. She wasn’t getting down any time soon. “You OK?”
“Yes. I’m OK.”
“Good. That’s good.”
“Gina made me cheeseburgers. I ate three, and she didn’t mind!” The kid sounded so excited I couldn’t help but laugh. She reminded me of a younger version of Apple in a way, though I hadn’t been around her long enough yet to really know.
“Three? Where the fuck’d you put em?” I poked at her thin belly, trying to distract her from me dropping the F bomb. If I was gonna be ‘round her much, I’d have to watch that. Maybe. Fuck it. It was a fucking word. “There ain’t room in there for three cheeseburgers.”
Effie giggled as I tickled her lightly. “Are you taking me home with you now?” She looked up at me with big, trust-filled eyes. Like she fully expected that’s what would happen.
“Well, I thought you’d want to go home. You know. Back to your mom who says you need to read.” The second I mentioned Effie going to her mom, the girl’s face fell, and I knew I’d said the wrong thing.
“Uh, why don’t you go back to Gina, Effie,” Byte said. “She’s still got half the story to go.”
“But I wanna stay with Lemon.” Effie wrapped her thin arms around me once more. Tightened her legs too.
“How about this,” Byte said, meeting my gaze warily. “I need to talk to Rocket and Lemon. I’ll bring her back to you when we’re done. OK?”
Effie wrapped her arms tighter and whimpered. “I want Lemon.”
“Hey.” I turned my back so I faced away from Gina and moved away from Byte. At this point, I didn’t trust anyone. Well, except maybe Rocket. And that was a hard maybe.
“Look at me, Euphemia.” When her attention was focused solely on me, I spoke softly, for her ears only. “Did anyone here hurt you?”
“No.” She whispered. “But I think something’s wrong with Gina. I think she’s afraid of Byte.” Effie glanced around behind me. “But I like Byte. He’s nice.”
“OK. I have to talk to Byte and Rocket, but we’ll do it here. I’ll be just outside, then I’ll come back and get you. Can you let me do that?” She nodded. “Good. Go on back to Gina and let her finish reading your story. I’ll be just outside the front door. I’ll even stand in front of the window so you can see me.”
“All right.” She gave me one more hug, then climbed down and went back to Gina. Gina looked nervous, glancing from Rocket to Byte several times before her gaze darted back to me briefly. She shuddered slightly, then ducked her head and began reading softly to Effie.
I gave Rocket a hard look and jerked my head toward the front door. No doubt he’d heard mine and Effie’s conversation. He nodded and Byte followed Rocket out the door. I shut the door behind us and positioned myself in front of the window. I waved my fingers, knowing Effie would be watching. Then I turned to face the two men.
“So. Gina had a crush on Hammer.”
Byte glanced at Rocket who nodded. He didn’t play off my concerns to Byte, only gave Byte the go ahead to speak his mind.
“She did. But she’s clean. She didn’t do anything to betray the club, and she certainly didn’t harm those girls.” Byte shook his head. “She’s got something going on, which is why I’m here. But she wouldn’t harm a kid. Lost her own when she was just thirteen. She almost died too. But that girl does everything she can for kids of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Said the ones with rich families often have the roughest time. Especially the girls. But since Hammer left with Scarlet, she’s… changed.”
“How?” Rocket growled the word, taking a threatening step toward the younger man.
“She never leaves this house, Rocket. Ever. Not to go to the grocery store. Not to shop or go to a party. She doesn’t even go to the back yard or sit on the porch. She’s holed up here and I can’t figure out why.”
“What does Crush say?”
Byte shrugged. “He can’t find anything either. She had no hidden accounts. She gets no phone calls. She has no friends come to visit. Not even the other club whores come to see her. She’s effectively a prisoner in this house and I have no idea why.”
“Have you asked her?” It was the obvious question, but I knew no one had. I also thought I knew why. Same as no one came to help Rocket, even when they knew he was in trouble.
“No.” Byte looked at his feet and shuffled around a little. “Not my business.”
There were so many things wrong with that statement, but now wasn’t the time. I needed that conversation with Rocket before I took on everything else. It was a good fucking thing I’d come along; otherwise, this club would end in disaster. Soon.
“OK. So, Effie needs to get back to her mother, but I have a feeling there’s something wrong there.”
“Yeah,” Byte said, looking relieved to change the subject. “Her mother’s dead. Just a few days. Kid saw her get hit by a car. From what I can find it was a hit and run, but I’m still digging. I haven’t found her father yet, but I think he’s…” Byte cleared his throat looking nervously at Rocket. “Military.”
“Embedded?”
