“What?” Her mouth falls open, and she lets out a broken, “The bar?”
I nod. “All of it. The brothers can’t even stay there. The fuckers set the place on fire. Ripper said it’s unsafe and needs a new roof.” And shockingly, it wasn’t another RBMC charter that came after them. Ripper mentioned he thinks the drugs were coming from another source, and the other RBMC club was just helping escort for a part of the profits. Viking doesn’t know what the fuck to do at this point. We all believed RBMC TX was being tormented by their own club, but that doesn’t seem to be the case, after all. It’s turning out to be a mess and something we don’t need to be wrapped up in.
“But that’s my job,” she continues. “I have Trixie to worry about, and I can’t pay my bills if I don’t have a job.” She rakes her hands through her hair, and I pull her to my chest. I kiss her forehead, wanting to take her problems away any way I can.
I blurt the first thing that comes to mind. “You can work here. I know my prez won’t mind. Viking’s fair, and he’d be a good boss.” Unless you’re male and hit on his ol’ lady, then he’d chop your head off. Thankfully, Hollywood doesn’t have to experience that side of the prez.
“I appreciate your offer, but it’s too far from the apartment. I wouldn’t be able to make the distance back and forth like I’d need to. I have to find something within walking distance, and there’s nothing by the apartment. Maybe the gas station? Ugh.” She groans.
The shithole she’s suggesting is the last place I want her, especially if she will be alone at night. The gas station located in the middle of nowhere has been a prime target for robberies in the past, everyone knows it. It’s probably why they’re always hiring because no one wants to stick around and possibly get held up at gunpoint. I can’t blame them, and I’d drive myself crazy worrying over her if she were there. I have to convince her my way is the best.
“Ripper doesn’t think the families are safe. He has everyone staying at a different location that only a few brothers know about.” I can see the shock and worry all over her as I say the words. I don’t want to be the one to make life harder for her. If anything, it’s the opposite. We’re happy when we’re together, she has to realize as much. Hopefully, she’ll take my suggestion to heart and give the Oath Keepers a chance to help her out.
“I don’t know what to do,” she says, burying her face into the crook of my throat. She kisses me sweetly, and it’s hard for me to concentrate on anything else. Her touch is all-consuming.
“You’ll work here and stay with me.”
“I can’t have my daughter living at the clubhouse. I appreciate it so much, but I have to think of her.” Hollywood’s care for her kid only makes her more attractive in my eyes. I always wanted a woman who valued family. Now there’s a beautiful one right at my fingertips, and I have to figure out a way to keep her, to make her be mine.
“Not in the clubhouse, at my place. I have a little house,” I lie through my teeth. I have several homes, but none of them are near here. For her, I’ll change that fact and set her up with something nice. Trixie will have a warm, safe home filled with everything she could ever need. I’ll have to find her a big yard to play in and fill it with a swing set and treehouse. She deserves everything she’s never had before. She’ll be a true princess in the biker sense.
“Seriously? We wouldn’t be imposing? I don’t want to put you out.” She draws back, meeting my gaze. There’s hope in her eyes, and it’s the only driving force I need to make this happen.
“Of course not. You should know by now I want you around.” I wink, squeezing her in my arms. I want her more than just around, I want her everywhere with me. “We’ll check out my place once Viking lifts the lockdown,” I say and release her, a million thoughts running through my head on what all I need to do to make this come true.
I continue with my spiel, reeling her in further. “Blaze’s ol’ lady, Teach, is the principal at the school in town, too, so we can get Trixie enrolled right away. Teach will ensure Trixie gets in the class with the best teacher for her grade. I’ll ask Cherry to make her a cake, too, so we can have a little welcome party for Trixie and invite Annabelle and Maverick. They’ll have her back, sweetheart.” She’s met all these people, so it should set her at ease a bit—at least, I hope so.
“That would be amazing! With me being gone, I’ve worried about Trixie falling behind. I won’t be able to work much at night, though. Trixie’s too young to stay alone.”
I pull my phone out of my pocket. “Relax, sweetheart, we’ll get everything figured out. You won’t have to worry over Trixie being alone. There are plenty of people here who would be more than willing to help if we needed it. You’ll have me as well, and I’m here for you both. I’ve got to handle a few things, so I’ll find you in a bit.”
As soon as I step away from her, I dial my real estate agent. He has to find me exactly what I need and immediately. He’s made a hefty chunk of money off me, so he’ll be more than happy to help. Once we’re settled into a place, I’ll have to think about introducing them to my daughter and grandbaby. I don’t want to overwhelm Hollywood with everything all at once, so I’ll take my time as I have from day one.
It’ll happen, though.
I’m setting down roots, and Hollywood and Trixie are at the center of them.
Hollywood
Chaos is too good to be true. He has to be. He has an answer for all my problems. They seem so simple to him, and I don’t understand how that can be true. Did I just so happen to meet him at the right time in his life that he’s willing to accept me for all my flaws and embrace Trixie as a part of my life?
It seems cliché, but I’ve never met a man like him before. He’s the best person I know. I’m not saying that to blow smoke up my ass either. He seriously is the kindest, sincerest person I know. If I can have someone like him in my daughter’s life for her to look up to, then I’d like to believe I’m doing something right in life.
I should be scared, and perhaps it’ll hit me when this all actually happens. Living with someone is a big step, one that’s burned me in the past. If this week at the club has been any indication of what to expect, then I’m more excited than anything. Certainly, it can’t be all rainbows and kittens. Men change, especially after the shiny newness of someone wears off.
Who knows if he’ll even stay at the house with us? Oh God, what if I’ve read this all wrong. Does he mean Trixie and I can stay at his house and pay rent? It does make sense, even if I don’t want to think about it. Who knows what kind of house he has anyway, and if I can even afford to be there?
My hand moves to the back of my neck, squeezing as stress begins to eat me up inside. I should’ve slowed down enough to think this through and process the significance before blindly agreeing to something I don’t have all the facts for. I’ve learned my lessons the hard way in the past, and I no longer have that luxury. I have my daughter to think of first and foremost.
“You okay, girl? You look on the verge of a headache or a freak-out,” Cherry asks, taking Chaos’ spot beside me on the couch.