Furrowing my brows together, I nod. “What do you have in mind?”
Stoney looks over to Rachel, “Babe, can you get the kit out of your purse?”
“Of course.” Rachel digs her hand in the purse that’s slung over her shoulder and pulls out a plastic bag, handing it over to Stoney. He rips the bag open and reveals one of those store-bought paternity tests.
He clears his throat before he begins speaking. “There’s no easy way to say this, but our family situation is complicated. Destiny is our daughter, the three of us, as unconventional as it may be. You and Tala have been raising her, and I’ve only recently become involved. Now . . . Tala and I have come to a custody agreement, which will stay out of the courts ‘cause I’m not lettin’ anything get in that shithole. But, I need to ask you a question, Tala, to know if my plan will work.”
“Okay, what’s up?” I ask him.
“Who did you list as Destiny’s father?”
“No one. I said I didn’t know.”
Stoney smiles brightly, “Good.” He rips open the paternity test, reads some directions and swaps his cheek, securing the swab in the plastic baggy the box came with. “Cowboy, you’re gonna fill out your info on the sheet. Obviously, that’s my DNA, but your info is gonna match up with it. So, as far as that lab is concerned, your DNA will match Destiny’s. When the report comes back, Tala, you go to the state and get her birth certificate changed. You put Cowboy’s name down there, ‘cause knowin’ Spark, he’s checkin’ that shit on the regular. If he has one of his boys, hack into shit, he might back off when he realizes I’m not the father.”
“That’s genius.” Cowboy mutters, looking to me with a glimpse of hope in his eyes.
“Maybe, but I doubt this fucker will back off. He doesn’t seem the type who gives up easily.” I say to the group.
Stoney hands me the DNA test with the swab and I might be going crazy, but I’m looking at this like the peace offering it is. “Thank you, for doing this.”
He nods, “It’s not . . . not a big deal. As long as you keep up your end of the deal.”
“I’m not going back on my word, Stoney. I mean it. And again, thank you for this.” I look down at the DNA test that’s now in my lap, having a hard time believing he’d hand everything over to Cowboy. I know he’s doing it because it’s Destiny’s best shot at getting this guy to back away from her, but . . . I appreciate it more than he probably realizes.
“It was actually Rachel’s idea. She’s always been the smarter one,” he snickers, lookin’ back to his ol’ lady.
“I guess I should thank you for knocking the occasional sense into him then?” I joke around with her, hoping it’ll kill some of the awkwardness.
“I think you mean all of the time. This man is stubborn as hell. He’s going to give me a heart attack one day.”
“I don’t doubt it,” I laugh lightly, careful not to injure myself further.
“Momma?” Destiny comes walking out of her bedroom, crossing the distance between the living room and holds her hands out to me. She wants me to pick her up and cuddle her, but god, I can’t. I can’t even get up without Cowboy helping me.
Cowboy leans over and holds his hands out to her, lifts her up, and sits her between the two of us. This way she’s able to burrow herself under my armpit and it gives her the impression of cuddling. “You feeling better, Momma?” Destiny asks sweetly.
I nod, “Better every day, baby . . . now I need to tell you a story, about the luckiest little girl.”
“Oh?” Destiny’s eyes sparkle with delight.
“Mhm. You see, this little girl was so lucky in fact that she has two sets of parents. A mommy, a daddy, a papa Stoney, and a mama Rachel.” From the corner of my eye I see Rachel wipe a stray tear from her cheek. I hope she realizes I’m never going to be the type of woman to try and steal her man. Stoney and I created Destiny together, and the four of us have the job of raising her together. We’re going to be a team, even if it may seem odd to outsiders looking in.
Our alliance has never been stronger with the Devil’s Riot MC, and nothing will ever break the bond we’re all forming together. Not now, and sure as hell not ever.