At my voice, the house silences. Hollywood stares at me with red cheeks, she’s rushed and now seeming a bit embarrassed that I’m standing in her family’s living room. The old lady looks me over from top to bottom, then shakes her head. “I shoulda known you didn’t actually save your own money to come get your daughter. Now you’re taking her off with some man she doesn’t know?”
My brow quirks. None of these people have any room to talk with the environment this little lady is currently in. She breaks up my thoughts by wheeling her bag toward me and handing over the handle. “Thank you,” she says, and just like that, I’m smitten. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a little girl around, especially one who looks up at me like she does. I’ll be her champion if she needs me to. I’d say the same for Hollywood, but that woman can hold her own.
I hold my free hand out, and the little girl places her palm in mine. “What’s your name, kid?”
“It’s Trixie, but today you can call me Princess Alexis.”
With an amused chuckle, I nod. “All right then, Princess Alexis, let’s get out of here. You hungry?”
I meet Hollywood’s gaze, and she offers me a grateful smile. She ignores her mom and shouting father and finishes gathering Trixie’s belongings.
“You need help with that?” I gesture to the large garbage bag.
“I got it, thanks,” she replies, and I walk Trixie outside. I shut the door behind us, but it doesn’t completely block out the shouting. It’s coming from all three of them inside now, and I’m glad I decided to help. This is no place for a sweet kid.
“So how old are you?” I ask, opening the back door and helping her climb inside.
“Twelve.” She grins at me as I close the door.
I open the back hatch, waiting for Hollywood to bring whatever she’s gathering. “Nice try, squirt. If you were twelve, you’d be as tall as me.”
She giggles, and it’s the sweetest sound. There’s something about the innocence of a young child that makes all the bad in the world just sort of disappear. Hollywood comes storming out the front door, her mother on her heels, shouting from the porch. I grab the bag and toss it in the back, then walk Hollywood to the passenger side, standing between her and her mother until she’s inside with the door blocking out her mother’s nagging voice.
“Give it a rest, lady. She’s leaving, they both are.” I huff, having had my fill.
“She’ll be back. She always comes crawling home, never standing on her own feet.”
“Not this time,” I say with finality. It’s a promise. I don’t care if Hollywood isn’t mine at the end of all this, I’ll still help her and her kid. She won’t ever have to worry about having to come back to this shithole again.
We get to Texas after a long and educational trip. I forgot what it was like being on a road trip with a seven-year-old while unprepared. Needless to say, we stopped by a few Walmarts along the way for impromptu toys and activities to keep her busy. I didn’t mind, though. Trixie’s an amusing kid like her mom. I wanted to spoil her but held myself back in case it’d put Hollywood on guard in any way.
I drop them off, only taking off once Powerhouse’s sister assures she’ll help Hollywood with Trixie. I tried to leave the Hummer behind, but Hollywood wasn’t having it. She swore she almost has enough cash to buy a vehicle she’s been looking at. I don’t like it, but she’s not officially my woman, so there’s jack I can do about it. If anything, it’s a good reason to stop into the RBMC for a drink and leave her a few hefty tips. I don’t want her to be without some sort of transportation, but the caretaker in me screams it’s wrong.
I head home to the clubhouse and pass out after all the driving and lack of sleep.
Chapter 11
Try as I might, I can’t get them off my mind—not just Hollywood, but her daughter as well. I’m worrying if they have everything they need. Being around the club for so long, I’ve gotten an up-close glimpse at people living without their basic needs. Not so much here, but when we’ve been on runs and such. I hope it’s not the case with my stubborn woman.
“Hey,” Cherry greets, wearing her usual welcoming smile.
“Hey, sweetheart, how’s things?” I ask as I take a seat. I have a plate full of food thanks to Princess. She gets in here and cooks up a storm sometimes. They’re usually my favorite days full of lasagna or her macaroni casserole. She’s got a ton of her mom’s recipes, and they’re worth every calorie I have to sweat off for a taste.
“Busy. I got booked for another wedding cake.” She gets up, grabbing me a cup of coffee as she refills her cup.
“Appreciate it,” I thank her and take a sip. She makes some damn good strong coffee. “How many cakes is that now?”
“Too many to count.” She grins. “But it’s my hundredth wedding cake.”
I whistle low. “I’m proud of you. Seriously, Cherry, you’ve got so much talent.”
She blushes. “It never would’ve happened if Princess hadn’t shared her recipes with me and let me help her make the club’s food.”
I shake my head. “She may have pointed you in the right direction, but the decorating and stuff? That’s all you. You’d have found it eventually.”
I can tell she’s skeptical but doesn’t argue the fact. She knows how I get about her being down on herself. She never gives herself enough credit, so I’m glad Odin has been helping build her self-esteem up too. She deserves love and happiness.
“How was your trip?”
Everyone that was at RBMC saw me take off with Hollywood in a rush, so they knew something was up. I let Viking in on what was going down and told him he could let the brothers know in case I ran into trouble and unwillingly stirred up any sort of shit for the club.
“It was informative.”
“That’s an interesting word to use.”
I laugh and agree. “It is, but it’s true. I learned a lot.”
“About the woman you care about... Hollywood?”
“Yep. Turns out she’s got a kid and a shitbag of an ex. I scared him off the other day, and it backfired on her. He was threatening to take her kid from her parents’ house,” I share, confident Cherry will keep this bit between the two of us. Well, aside from Odin, but I can’t expect her not to tell her ol’ man any and everything.
Her mouth drops open. “Oh no. I take it you made it in time? Was everyone okay?” This is one reason why I have a strong friendship with Cherry—she’s a genuinely caring person. I make it a priority to have good people in my life, and she’s one of them.
“Yeah, I had someone looking out for her family until we were able to get there.”
“Has Hollywood realized what a catch you are?”
I grin and chuckle to myself. “Well, I’d like to think so, but I can’t read her mind.”
She snorts, rolling her eyes my way as Blaze’s ol’ lady comes into the kitchen, heading straight for the coffee. Her hair’s pretty wild, so I’d guess she and Blaze had some fun with tequila last night. She was super high-strung when she initially came around, but she’s loosened up a bit since then. We’ve gotten to know her when she’s not busy at the school. She’s most likely the smartest person I’ve ever met, and I have met my share of people in my career.