46
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I knew bringing Skyler here so she could physically see for herself that Violet was all right was the best thing for her. For them both. Even though we talked last night, Skyler isn’t one to easily shed her guilt.
“Let’s get this shit show started.” Gabe claps the gavel down and everyone shuts up.
“Mack, Declan, do you have the information I asked for on the bastard who attacked Violet?”
Declan’s face is hard as stone, he looks ready to strike at any moment. Usually, he’s the picture of calm. Not today.
Mack starts, “Violet hasn’t given us much to go on. We tried to ask her about her ex-husband but every time we broached the subject she shut us down. So, I have Hawk run a background on Violet Dupree.”
“What did you find?” Jameson asks.
“Not a fucking thing. It’s an alias.”
Grumbles and curses, comments of disbelief, are all happening around the sanctuary.
“Dec, has she said anything to you?” Gabe inquires.
“No. She won’t give me much of anything. The same story she gave when she first moved here and took the job with Ethan at the gym.” He looks at me, for corroboration. “She moved here after a shitty divorce for a new start for herself and her son.”
I nod. It’s the story she gave me when I hired her.
“We all know there’s more to it than what she’s telling us based off the way Carter is so protective of her, and all his questions about stopping bad guys from hurting her.” Declan adds.
Hawk jumps in with his laptop, typing away at something. “I can’t find anything on Violet Dupree, no birth certificate, marriage license, or divorce papers filed. So, I started looking into Carter Dupree. There’s no record of him either.”
“Someone went through a lot of trouble to keep these two identities hidden.”
“We can’t do anything to help if she won’t give us what we need. For now, just keep an eye on her and the boy. Dec, get some time with the kid and remind him about contacting us if he ever feels like his mom is in danger.” Gabe commands.
“Got it, Pres.”
“Now, where are we with the Devil’s Order? How’s the clean-up at the strip club going?”
It’s Ghost’s turn to chime in. “Jameson’s crew got most of the plumbing and drywall done. We’re waiting on the paint and carpet, cosmetic shit to get done.”
Gabe nods.
“Any other blow back since we put those two assholes in the ground last night?”
“No, Pres. We’ve been patrolling like you asked. Sending prosects out two by two. Nobody’s seen or heard anything.”
“I think maybe Spider was a nomad. He had just gotten out of jail not too long ago. He’s missed a lot with his club. Maybe he was working on his own plan without their knowledge. There are several other possibilities too, like maybe his Pres shot down his plan for revenge and cut him loose.” Hawk rattles off each point but still we have no concrete evidence of the actual truth.
“Fuck. Why can’t this shit ever be cut and dry?” Gabe slams his hand on the table. “Ethan, I want Sky to remain on the same plan. She needs a brother with her at all times. If it ain’t you, designate someone. Got me?”
“Yeah Pres, I got you.”
“Now, what about the girl Skyler rescued? What’s the plan with her?”
I jump in before anyone can say “Let’s take a vote on sending her away.” I don’t want to send her away, and I don’t believe Skyler does either.
“I’d like to adopt Lilah!” I shout. “She would have a good, loving home and tow very dedicated parents. I’ll need some records forged to keep people from sniffing at my door, but I’m sure we’ve got a few people who know how to do that.” I look pointedly at Ghost and Hawk.
“Skyler’s okay with this decision?” Gabe’s narrow eyes are drilling into me.
“She will be. After our conversation last night, I have no concerns about doing this. I know it’s what she’ll want.”
Forty-five minutes later and some long, drawn-out conversations about shit we really don’t have answers to in church, I’m finally free to find my woman and tell her the good news.
I find her sprawled out on a couch with Violet who is sprawled out on the other.
“Skyler. Come here, baby. I need to talk to you.”
She hops up off the couch, watching me curiously, taking her time to cross the room.
“Now, Woman!” I feign frustration, but inside I’m like a kid at Christmas, only instead of receiving gifts, I’m giving them.
She stops right in front of me, crossing her arms over her chest pushing those luscious tits out at me. “What?” She’s uncertain. Nervous.
Caressing her cheek with my hand, I ask, “What’s the matter, baby? What’s got you so nervous?”
“Everything. Nothing.” Skyler’s biting her lip which tells me she’s hiding something.
“Hey. We promised no secrets.”
“I don’t have any secrets. I was thinking about something and I’m not sure how to talk to you about it.”
“You can tell me anything, you know this.”
“Why don’t you tell me your news first, then I’ll tell you mine.” This makes me smile. I already know she’s going to love what I’m about to tell her, and maybe it’ll be enough to set her at ease, where she can tell me what’s eating her.
“I spoke to Pres and the guys, and they’ve agreed to help us adopt Lilah. I know it’s a little backward, getting the kid before the wedding, but we’re already six years behind. I figured calling an audible wouldn’t hurt, and it would give us a head start on the family we’ve always wanted to have. Ghost and Hawk will work out the records and shit. But we can keep her here with us and give her a loving home, and a great family.” I swing my arm around pointing out the large, all be it, functionally dysfunctional family strewn about the clubhouse.
Skyler doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t move a muscle and I’m beginning to worry I may have jumped the gun on this.
Placing my hands on her shoulders, I give her a little shake. “Baby, say something. What was it you wanted to tell me?”
Her eyes light up and the corners of her mouth tip.
“I wanted to ask you if you thought Lilah should stay here with us, where she could go to school and have a normal life a sweet girl like her deserves. A home where e she would be loved and cared for. She’d never go hungry or beg anyone for anything ever again because we would provide her with everything she could ever need, including a crazy ass family of bikers and their semi-sane women and children.”
Laughter bursts out of me. I pull her close and kiss her forehead, still chuckling. “So, I guess that’s a yes, huh?”
“That’s a hell yes.”
“Mmm, think I could get the same answer if I was to ask you to marry me?”
Skyler smiles up at me, it’s a genuine, heart melting smile.
“It’s a definite maybe. When you propose properly.”
My hand comes down on her ass with a hard slap!
“Should we tell the whole family?” Skyler bites her lip again, looking to me for an answer. My response comes easily.
“Yo, motherfuckers! We’ve got some good news!” Everyone in the room stops what they’re doing and focuses on me. “Me and Skyler are adopting a little girl. Her name is Lilah, and she is now and forever will be, a part of the Kings’ family!”
The room fills with people offering their congratulations and asking if we need anything or offering help whenever we need parenting advice. Skyler is smiling so big; I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy.
The crowd dwindles sown, and Lilah finally makes her way over to us, her big blue eyes hopeful.
“I=is it true? You want to adopt me?”
“If you want us to, yes.”
Lilah plows into both of us wrapping her arms around both our waists and begins to cry happy tears.
“Thank you. Thank you both for saving me.”
“Something you’ll learn being around here, sweetheart. Kings take care of their own.”
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