Kid was something else, that was for sure.
Layla emerged looking rumpled but gorgeous just as I was serving up pancakes to Riley. My gaze slid to the bruising around her neck as I tried to rein in the fury swelling in my chest. The proof of the violence she’d endured would be something she’d wear on her skin for days. The man who’d inflicted it would wear his far longer once I got my hands on him.
She paused next to Riley, delivering a kiss on her head before walking over to me. She slipped under my arm, wrapping her arms around my waist and snuggling close. “Doin’ okay?” I murmured.
“Yeah.” She sighed, her voice hoarse with sleep and likely pain. My heart swelled in my chest that she gave herself over to me so easily, sinking into my side, seeking comfort without even being aware she was doing it.
“That looks good,” she commented, her eyes on Ri.
“It’s yummy,” Riley agreed, shoving a huge bite in her mouth.
“Chew, baby.” I chuckled as I poured Layla a cup of coffee with my free hand, keeping my other arm wrapped around her tight. “We can relax for most of today, but I want to get to the club later and I’m taking you both with me,” I told her, leaving no room for argument.
“You found something out,” she surmised quietly.
I nodded, my eyes on Riley, who was blissfully unaware of anything aside from maple syrup. “We’ll talk later.”
I knew she had to be curious, was scared and in pain, but she visibly straightened, putting on a brave face. “Okay,” she agreed, moving out from underneath my arm as she leaned close to Riley, appraising her nearly empty plate. “Well, if we’re going to have a lazy Saturday morning, I’m going to have some pancakes with extra syrup.” She winked at Riley, who beamed in response.
Damn, but my girl was strong.
“Sounds like a plan,” I agreed.
****
“Baby, serious as shit right now, what is this thing?” I demanded of Layla a few hours later. I’d quickly gotten twitchy sitting around the house and Layla had, in the sweetest voice possible, offered for me to either find something to do or beat it. Since the later wasn’t an option, I’d gotten to work. I’d already fixed the leaky faucet in the guest bath upstairs, changed the oil in her car, and was now in the backyard staring at what had to be the ugliest statue I’d ever seen. Which was where Layla found me, handing me a bottle of water.
“I don’t know. I think it’s a lion.” She shrugged. The backyard was big but simple, with drought resistant plants and some gravel. And what was apparently a lion but looked more to me like a mutated gargoyle. “Nan had weird taste.”
I raised a brow. “Ya think? You particularly attached to it?”
She shrugged again like she hadn’t given it any thought. “Attached? No. But it seems like a pain to get rid of.” Her gaze scanned the yard contemplatively. “I’ve been meaning to, I don’t know, do something with this space. It could be a good place for Riley to play, and we didn’t have a yard in San Francisco. It just feels like a big project. Not sure when I’ll get around to it.”
My mind was already humming with possibilities as I eyed the yard like a blank canvas. “It’s the perfect lot for a pool. Does Riley swim?”
Layla’s eyes popped wide. “A pool? That would be way expensive not only to put in but to maintain. And no, she doesn’t.” She sighed. “I know I’m behind on that too, I just—”
I kissed her gently, cutting her off. “You’re doing great, chief. I was only curious. We can talk about the yard some other time,” I added, sensing it was too much for her to handle just then. “How are you feeling?”
She touched her neck in response. “A little sore. And a little tired. But okay.”
I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her in to my chest. “Did you nap?” She’d gone upstairs to try to rest when Riley had her quiet time.
She shook her head. “But I’ll be fine.”
“I’m still waitin’ to hear when I need to get to the club. I know you’re tired but I don’t want to leave you.”
“I know.” She nodded in understanding. Her fingers went to her neck again, skating across the bruising. “I just don’t want anyone making a fuss over me in front of Riley.” Surprisingly, Riley hadn’t asked many questions, but I had no doubt they’d be coming soon.
“All right,” I agreed. “Max and X are already posted out front. I’ll have one of them come in just to be on the safe side when I take off.”
“Thanks,” she replied, the relief in her tone that she could stay put all the proof I needed that now wasn’t the time to push her.
As if on cue, my phone buzzed in my pocket with a text from Cole.
“Time to go,” she surmised, still snuggling against me.
“Yeah,” I grunted. “If it was anything other than keeping you safe….” I trailed off.
She squeezed me, pulling back and giving me the same expression she’d given Riley that very morning. The one that said she was putting on a brave face.
I cupped her face, staring into her gorgeous eyes. “Love you, baby.”
Her gaze warmed, and for the first time since her attack, a true smile lit her gorgeous face. “And I love you.”
As I pulled away from the curb, I realized that despite the shit childhood I’d had, the fact I’d never had a family of my own, all paths had pointed me here. To Layla and to Riley. And there was nowhere else I wanted to be.
****
“Walker,” Cole greeted when I strode into his office a short time later.
I nodded in greeting, stiffening at his formal tone. This was something more than a standard meet.
A moment later, I knew why when I followed him into our meeting room and found the president of the Black Riders on the other side of the table. I’d never met Thorn Archer but knew him by sight. The Black Riders and the Knights had a violent history and had had quite a rivalry some years ago when Cal was still our prez. A rivalry that ended in bloodshed on both sides and the ousting of their previous leadership. I eyed Thorn, who was flanked by his VP and sergeant at arms. Along with Thorn, the rest of the Black Riders’ leadership and most of its members were new in the last decade and as far as Cole could tell, solid. Didn’t mean I trusted them, especially not after what happened to Layla.
My gaze drifted to the Knights in the room, predominantly the first generation, those that had been part of the club since before I was born. Axel; our VP, Sal; Tag; Mack; and Wes all flanked Cole.
“Take a seat, Walker.” Cole gestured to the seat across from his. I sat, flanked by Gunner and Max, thankful they were there not only to support me but to rein me in if it came to it.
It was likely it would come to it.
“Jackson filled me in.” Thorn said, referring to Cole, his eyes on me. “The actions against your girl weren’t sanctioned by the club,” he informed me. “They were acting out of protection for the club, but we don’t hurt women. Not ever. The two men involved have been dealt with.”
I sat forward in my chair, my elbows braced on my thighs. “Whatever you did, guarantee it wasn’t enough.”
He eyed me steadily, his blue eyes eerily like my own. “You’re probably right.”