I nod. “Yeah, I will be. I’m still taking all of this in.”
Especially about Rhett. I still feel bad I didn’t answer his call. He must have felt so guilty hurting that young boy, but he should feel that way. An innocent kid shouldn’t be caught in the middle of all this bullshit, no matter who his father is.
Faye and Sin arrive, and Faye rushes over to me to pull me into her arms. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Cara. And I’m so sorry this happened to you. Everyone wanted to come and see you but hello, someone has to man the clubhouse. But they all send their love.”
Clover joins us in a big hug. “She’s going to stay here with us.”
Faye touches her daughter’s hair. “I think that’s for the best—it would be worse at home. I’m assuming you are well prepared for such events, Clover?”
Clover grins, flashing her teeth. “Let’s just say anyone who tries to come here won’t be leaving alive.”
“Wonderful. Now where is my granddaughter?” she asks, heading for Fire’s room.
“She’s asleep!” Clover calls out, following behind her. “If you break it, you bought it!”
Sin approaches and gives me a warm hug. “Fought off two grown men, huh? I’m pleased to see you are still in fine form.”
“Me too.” I grin. “Lucky we were raised to survive.”
“I’m sorry, we should have known better. Prez is pissed and wanted to be here, but I’m sure you can imagine the damage control he’s trying to pull right now.”
I nod. “It’s okay. I’m just happy to know what is going on and why I was targeted.”
I know that while technically Rhett is to blame, this is just part of being close with the Wind Dragons. There are so many positives, but there are always times like this when our lives are in danger. I sometimes wonder what it’s like for normal people who don’t have to worry about anything like this in their day-to-day lives. I suppose crime can happen to anyone, but with me I know it’s always personal.
And it always sucks.
Until this is over, I won’t have any freedom to go anywhere alone and I’m going to have to avoid going to places where I can’t be easily protected. It’s probably for the best that I haven’t gotten a summer school job, because that would make all of this much harder.
“We’ll put our house in full security mode,” Felix says as he comes over, putting his arm around me. “I have to admit that we’ve gotten a little lax with nothing happening for a long time, but we will use the security gate and I’ll set the alarms up. Everything. The cameras have always been in use, and they are connected to my and Clover’s phones. So even if we aren’t here, we can still see everything. I’m a cop and Clover is FBI; if anyone can pull this off, it’s us.”
“I’m sorry that I brought this to your home, Felix.”
He waves off my apology like it’s no big deal. “It comes with the territory. And we’ve set up our house with these kinds of situations in mind. One word and we’re becoming Fort Knox.”
“You guys are the best.”
I truly have the best friends and family in the world, and that’s what balances out the negatives of being in this lifestyle.
And Decker.
I look over to find him talking to my mom and dad. I can tell that Mom likes him, but my dad is a little unsure. And fair enough too—Rhett is a member of the MC and has known Dad since he was a kid.
Decker is a stranger.
But that doesn’t mean that he’s not better for me. Character is more important than how long you have known someone. Someone you have just met can have better intentions for you than someone you have known forever.
Faye comes out into the living room holding Fire and kissing her cheeks. “Look who woke up!”
Clover looks at me and shakes her head, and I can’t help but laugh. It sucks that this is what brought us all here together, but at the same time it’s really nice to have them here.
“I’ll get some wine,” Clover declares, and I walk with her into the kitchen. “Do you think wine will cut it? Or do you need something a little stronger?”
“Wine is fine,” I reply, amused.
“Decker fits in well with the family,” she absently comments as she reaches up to get some glasses. “Do you think your dad is telling him to not let you out of his sight?”
“I have no doubt. I feel bad that this is being put on him. I told Felix and you not to involve him.”
“As if he wouldn’t have found out. And then he would have been pissed that he didn’t know,” she says, flashing me a knowing look. “Admit it. And he wants to help, so let the man help. I don’t think you could even stop him if we tried. He obviously cares about you a lot, Cara.”
“I know.”
It’s just not the ideal situation when you like a guy. I’m a proud, independent woman, and I don’t love asking for or needing someone’s help. But Clover is right. I don’t think we could get him to walk away if we wanted him to. He’s here because he cares not just about me, but about all of us. I never once in my life thought I would find myself in a situation where Rhett wouldn’t be the one protecting me. Instead, Rhett’s the one who has gotten me into shit and Decker is the one helping me out.
It’s funny how life can change so quickly.
Clover pulls out two trays and places all the filled wineglasses on them like we’re at some fancy party. “Help me take these out. Then I’ll make a platter for everyone.”
I take one of the trays. “I love you, you know that, right?”
“Of course I do,” she replies. “No gang is going to take us out, don’t even worry about it. And guess what?”
“What?”
“Looks like I got my wish after all... You are stuck hanging out with me and Fire until this all dies down.” She laughs, evilly.
And I can’t help but laugh along with her.
Laugh or cry, right?
“Can I interest you in some wine to make light of the need for this gathering?” I ask Decker, who is now standing alone with my mom.
“No thank you, I’d like to stay alert just in case,” he replies, smirking. “But I’m sure this beautiful lady here will have one.”
“I will,” Mom replies, taking a glass and having a quick sip. “I like him.”
I roll my eyes at him buttering her up and her absolutely loving it, and then walk away to offer everyone else a drink.