It was moments like this, when she accepted me as part of her life so naturally, that felt like the big wins.
“Go brush your teeth and we’ll head out,” I instructed a few minutes later when she’d finished breakfast.
“Okay, Daddy,” she chirped, sliding off the table and handing me her bowl.
I swallowed hard, trying not to visibly react as she skipped out of the room, oblivious to the fact that she’d just completely rocked my world.
“Morning, honey.” Layla yawned, wandering into the kitchen, hair mussed, still half asleep. “I can’t believe I almost slept through Riley leaving for school. I—” She stopped abruptly when she got a look at my shocked expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Riley, she called me Daddy,” I told her thickly. I was still wrapping my head around it.
Her whole face went soft as she stepped into me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “How do you feel about that?” she asked, looking up at me.
“That aside from having you say you love me, I just had one of the best moments of my life,” I replied honestly.
Her green eyes shone with unshed tears as she smiled.
I pulled her to my chest, wrapping my arms around her. “I’m gonna give her what I never had. I’m gonna be the man in her life that never lets her down, that loves her unconditionally. I didn’t have that. For a long time I wasn’t sure I had it in me to give. But then I met you and Riley and I didn’t even have to think about it.”
She squeezed me tight, her small body anchoring mine. “We love you, baby.”
I kissed the top of her head as Riley came bouncing back into the room. I hauled her up into my arms. “Are you sad?” she asked curiously, studying my expression. Nothing got past her.
“No, baby. Really happy,” I assured her. “Let’s get you to school.”
And with that, I kissed my woman, took Riley by the hand, and started our day not knowing my entire world was about to be rocked yet again—in another way entirely.
“Gun.” I greeted him with a chin lift when I walked into the club a short while later. I’d found his big body hunched over a laptop on one of the couches, the club otherwise quiet at this early hour.
He looked up, a mixture of concern and apprehension in his eyes that immediately put me on edge. “Hey, man, take a seat.” He gestured to the couch adjacent to him.
Whatever he had to tell me, I knew instinctively I’d rather stand for it.
“You know how I’ve been digging around on the ADA,” he began, setting aside his laptop. “Cole also had me looking into the Riders, to make sure they’re true to their word. But also to get out ahead of any other blackmail potential.”
I nodded, my arms braced.
“I found something unexpected,” he hedged. “I haven’t shared it with anyone yet and wanted to tell you face-to-face.”
“Spit it the fuck out, Gun,” I growled impatiently.
“You said your birth mother’s name was Kelly Walker, right?” he verified.
A chill went down my spine at the mere mention of the woman who’d abandoned me. “Yes,” I bit out.
“When I was looking into Thorn, she came up in his history. Seems the two of them had a thing going way back when. The timing lines up, and you have to admit, you two look a lot alike, so I did a bit more digging. I was able to access your original birth certificate. He’s your father, man.”
I didn’t comprehend what he was saying at first. My immediate reaction was to deny it. “No way. That’s fucking crazy.” I shook my head, now taking the seat across from him he’d known I would need.
He didn’t say anything, just sat quietly, letting me attempt to absorb what he’d said. It took a while before I was able to formulate a coherent thought.
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “You’re sure?” At his nod, I continued. “Does he know?”
“I don’t know, but my gut says no,” he replied. “Only way to know is to ask him.”
It had taken me years of blood, sweat, and tears to work through being abandoned as a kid. I wasn’t sure I wanted to reopen those wounds. Especially if he’d known about me and hadn’t wanted me. Or worse yet, didn’t want anything to do with me now.
The calculating survivor in me rejected the idea of sharing this information, while at the heart of me, I wanted to know where I came from. I’d always wanted that.
“What are you going to do?” he asked quietly.
“Not sure,” I admitted. “Gonna head home. Think things through.”
As close as I was to Gunner, to all my brothers, for this there was only one person I wanted to bare my soul to.
“You need anything, you know where to find me,” he murmured.
“Appreciate it. Keep this to yourself for now, yeah?” I asked.
“You got it,” he agreed, watching as I stood from the couch. “Walker.” His tone stopped me in my tracks. “Did I do right by you, sharing this?” It was only then I saw the depth of his concern, concern for me and what this would do to me.
“Yeah, man,” I assured him. “Trust you with my life, brother. Inside and out.”
He nodded, his gaze pensive as he watched me stride out into the sunlight, headed for the woman who had given me the family I’d never had until now. Who’d always welcome me home.
Chapter 18
LAYLA
The hot water cascaded over me as I stood in the shower, feeling only slightly guilty that I had only just started my day. With Cash helping out so much, I had more time to myself than I’d had in years. I was ahead with work and I could actually take some time for myself in the mornings. And I was finally learning how to take advantage.
I hummed a quiet melody, feeling utterly blissed out after the amazing night I’d spent with Cash and the sweet moments this morning.
When I saw the bathroom door open in my periphery, I let out a shriek of surprise before realizing it was Cash standing there, eyeing me with near predatory appraisal. “What are you doing home? Is everything okay?” I asked, watching with fascination as he pulled his shirt off without a reply. When his pants followed and his lithe, muscular body was revealed in all its glory, suddenly I didn’t care why he was home.
He stalked across the room, entering the shower and promptly taking my mouth in a bruising kiss. His hands spanned my hips, his fingers clutching so tightly I knew they’d leave a mark. And I didn’t give a damn. Whatever was going on with him, it was clear he needed me, and on that, I’d never let him down. My arms wrapped around his shoulders, taking our kiss deeper, pulling him closer.
“I can’t wait.” His voice was guttural as he lifted me up, my legs wrapping around his waist. He pressed me to the wall and was inside me within the next breath.
His groan of appreciation, of relief as he sank into me was one of the most satisfying sounds I’d ever heard.
His grip tightened on my ass, the muscles in his arms and chest rippling with effort as he pounded into me in a relentless pursuit of release.
My climax was swift, taking me by surprise as I cried out, the sound ricocheting off the tiled walls. His movements grew impossibly faster before a deep growl emanated from his chest, heralding his release.