Chapter 2
Rae
You know that feeling you get when you first wake up and it hits you that Toto’s missing and you’re not in Kansas anymore?
That was the kind of hell I realized I was in when my eyes fluttered open and the dredges of sleep evaporated.
I groaned under my breath. There was no waking up from the nightmare I’d experienced the night before.
After securing my last chance with the agency, I started to think that maybe things were on the verge of turning around for me.
That lasted about two point six seconds, right up until the local PD was pounding on the door. They’d been called in by the landlord to put me out on my ass.
Thankfully, depending on how you looked at it, the only things I had left to my name were the clothes on my back and the meager amount of shit I always kept in the backpack I took everywhere.
With no fight left and nowhere else to go, I headed for the women’s shelter, where I just barely made it in time before the lights were turned out.
Quit complaining, it could be worse.
I snapped out of my pity party when I got an eerie feeling on the back of my neck that I was being watched.
Slowly, I rolled my head toward the most likely culprit and locked eyes with the lady sitting on the bunk across from mine.
“Morning,” she grumbled, completely unbothered that I’d caught her staring.
Since subtlety didn’t seem to matter, I took in the parlor of her skin and the redness in her bloodshot eyes.
Junkie. Had to be.
Don’t judge, Rae.
“Good morning,” I rasped, my voice still rough from a horrible night’s sleep. With any luck, I’d have an actual bed to sleep in before the day was over. My fingers were crossed.
“Times up, ladies! You’re welcome to come back tonight!” the shelter coordinator shouted across the gym.
I hadn’t been stoked about going there, but as far as shelters went, it was one of the nicer spots in the city.
It could’ve been worse, I reminded myself for the dozenth time.
Doing an ab curl, I rocked up onto my ass and swung my legs over the side of the cot, my eyes catching on the lady in charge. I lifted my chin, a subtle thanks for her taking me in for the night. She smiled and nodded her head in reply.
“Let’s go, ladies!” Right. It was time to go. I had an interview to get to, and with any luck, I’d have a bed of my own to sleep in by the day’s end.
My body ached as I climbed to my feet. Damn, I really hoped I didn’t have to come back here again.
Reaching under what passed for a pillow, I grabbed my bag and tossed it over my shoulder as the night’s guests started to stream out the door into the cold morning air in search of a meal.
There was no time to waste. I had to get moving; I had a lot of ground to cover if I was going to get to the other side of town and not be late. Hurriedly following them out, I paused when the junkie behind me asked, “Where you headed?”
I probably should have asked for her name when she kept rambling on the night before, but the NYC women’s shelter wasn’t exactly the kind of place I wanted to make friends at.
“Job interview,” I simply replied, pulling the worn paper with the address to my destination from my pocket.
“Good luck,” she said. Her words seemed hollow, but maybe she meant it.
”Thanks.” Without another word, I slipped out the door, ignoring the frigid morning air. There was no time to drag my feet, the walk was a long one and I couldn’t screw my last chance up by being late.
Twenty-six blocks and an evaded mugger later, I arrived at my destination. However, as I looked from the ten-foot fence that wrapped around the perimeter, to the shipping containers that were stacked two tall and spread about strategically, and finally over to the row of Harleys parked neatly in formation at the front of the warehouse that looked an awful lot like a bar but I assumed was my final destination, I started to wonder what the hell I’d gotten myself into.
“They have a baby in a bar?” My lips twitched at the notorious movie quote. I loved that movie.
“Keep moving, lady.” My eyes snapped over to a burly guy in the leather vest who was headed my way.
“Lord have mercy,” I muttered under my breath as my hand went to the gun at my back.
The closer he came, the more handsome he appeared to be. It would really be a crying shame if I had to shoot him.
I glanced to the place that had ‘keep out’ written all over, then back to the sexy giant who looked like he could toss my skinny ass all the way back to the other side of town without breaking a sweat. When a panty-dropping smile crossed his face and I got a look at the dimples on his cheeks, by God I was pretty sure I’d let him.
I fanned my cheeks, damn sure the temperature had risen a good fifty degrees.
“Ma’am?” He grinned, scanning me from the tips of my scuffed cowboy boots to the top of my blonde curly locks.
Snap out of it, Rae. You’re here for a job, not to stare at the biker hottie.
Clearing my throat, I finally spoke, “I’m Rae. I’m here for a job interview.”
His head tipped to the side. He didn’t have a single clue what I was talking about. “The nanny position?” I clarified.
He snapped his fingers as the lightbulb upstairs turned on. “That’s right! Doc said you’d be stopping by. I’m Crow.” He pointed to the patch on his vest that in fact read CROW.
“Follow me and I’ll take you to him.”
Instead of watching his picture-perfect ass like I really wanted, I eyed the razor wire circling the top of the fence as he led me towards the big warehouse. To anyone else this setup might appear daunting, but I grew up with shit like that and knew from experience what its purpose was—deter the Looky Lous.
“What is this place?” I asked, growing more curious about what was behind the big steel door.
“The clubhouse,” he said, lifting a brow like that was obvious.
Clubhouse? Like on that biker show?
I looked to the imposing structure and the way it was secured like Fort Knox, then back at Crow. I’m not sure how I’d missed it.
“Change your mind?” He smirked, holding open the door.
It was a challenge and if I had other options, I’d tell him hell yes, I changed my mind. Unfortunately, I was out of options and needed the job.
So, straightening my spine, I accepted the challenge and crossed the threshold.
My eyes fluttered as I tried to adjust to the dim lighting, and when they did, I was completely blown away.
“Holy shit,” I whispered under my breath. The place wasn’t at all what I expected.
“You’re in luck. Today you get to meet with the Prez’s old lady.” I followed his gaze to the beautiful brunette who was watching us from her seat at the head of a long table. The smile on her face made me think she was friendly, so I smiled back, not wanting to come off as rude.
“This place is wild.” Spinning around the room, I looked from the fully stocked bar lining most of the back wall to the leather couches and recliners that were angled to face a massive TV screen that was hung on the wall.
“It can be at times,” Crow confirmed.
I was still taking it all in when suddenly the back of my neck started to tingle. Turning around completely, I froze as I locked eyes with the scariest looking man I’d ever seen. At further inspection, I noticed the gnarly scar that was slashed across his face.
“Who is that?” I whispered, glancing up at my chaperone. His eyes went to where mine had been and he smirked, before dropping back to me.
“That’s Haze. I don’t think you want to tangle with him, little girl.” Crow laughed. My head went up and down.He didn’t have to worry about that, I had no intention of ‘tangling’ with anyone in a biker vest. The only thing I wanted was to earn enough money to get back on my feet.
A swinging door off to the side opened and out stepped another drop-dead gorgeous man. How many of these guys were there? I wondered as my eyes fell to the plate in his hand then shot around him where I spotted what appeared to be a kitchen area.
The place seemed to have it all.
I tracked his steps as he moved around the bar and off down a long hallway. Embarrassingly, my mind went in a hundred directions as I wondered what was down there. My curiosity always had a way of getting me into trouble.
I’d first pegged this place as a party pad but the more stuff I observed, the more I started to believe this was their home.
Interesting.
Looking closer, I caught sight of a Smith and Wesson 12-gauge shotgun propped against the wall.
I wondered if they’d be offended if I told them, it wasn’t safe to keep that lying around when there were children underfoot.
I had a feeling the advice might fall on deaf ears.
“Do you get trouble around here often?” I asked, flicking my chin toward the weapon.
“Club business,” he retorted, a hint of steel in his tone.
Scrunching my nose, I frowned. The place was starting to feel more like my daddy’s compound in Tennessee by the second.
“Miss Thompson?” I pivoted on my heel and caught the gaze of two men strolling toward me, my eyes widened at the sight.
Both men were tall, broad, and imposing. After further inspection, I picked up on the family resemblance.
Father and son, if I had to guess.
The older of the two grinned as he offered me his hand.
“Call me Rae,” I said, taking his hand.
“Rae.” He nodded his head. “You can call me Pop.”
“Banner,” the giant with tattoos snaking up his arms said, introducing himself.
“Nice to meet you.”
”Hey,” the beauty from the table said softly as she moved around me. Banner locked his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close, the possession loud and clear. ”I”m Sophia.”
”Nice to meet you all.”
”Come on then.” Pop gestured to the large table.
Once we were seated, Pop took the lead. “You’ve come highly recommended.”
I seriously doubted that, but I offered a smile and nodded my head anyway. He didn’t need to know this was my third assignment in almost as many months.
“So…” I started. “You’re needing a live-in nanny?” My tone skeptical as I found it difficult to imagine kids running around there. Sure, it sort of had a family vibe, but kids? No, I just couldn’t see it.
“Payton, our niece,” Sophia said gently. “She’s only an infant. Pop and the,” she looked over her shoulder at one of the half-dressed women I’d noticed when I came in, “girls have been taking care of her while her father is away.”
Something passed behind the old man’s eyes, but he schooled his expression before I could see.
“For now,” Banner added, eyes locking on his lady as his hand moved to the tiny bump I somehow missed.
Sophia smiled adoringly at her man and agreed, “For now.”
Before I could ask where Payton and her parents were, Pop jumped in asking questions about my experience and qualifications. As I listed off my references, classes I’d taken, and certificates, it dawned on me that nobody had said a word about the child’s mother, which I found odd.
Mind your manners, Rae. It’s not your business.
Truth was, it didn’t much matter anyhow. I’d do whatever it took to get this job.
For the next half hour, Pop continued to ask me random questions that didn’t have much to do with the job I was applying for. The longer this went on, the more comfortable I became. He was working out who I was. Not on paper, but in character. It was different as far as interviews went.
Next came a quick and dirty education about the club. I could tell he was only scratching the surface but giving me enough to keep me out of trouble.
“Alright, Rae,” Pop said, holding out his hand. “You’ve passed. The job is yours if you want it.”
“Yes. I want it,” I answered quickly. What I really meant was that I needed it because that was the truth.
Catching my relief, Pop smiled gently. “Welcome to the family, Rae.”
My teeth sank into my lip as the implication washed over me.
Family.
I glanced around the room again, seeing it through a different lens. That’s exactly what these people were: a family, and this was their home.
Emotions welled up in my chest. It had been a while since I had felt like a part of one.
“Thank you,” I told him, truly meaning it.
“Family takes care of its own,” Banner added, his tone holding an edge of warning. I nodded ‘cause I got it. This place and these people were a part of him.
“You won”t regret it, I promise.” I couldn’t put my finger on what it was, but I knew deep in my belly that things were about to change for the better.
“Come on then. I’ll take you to Ghost”s place,” Pop said, thumbing over his shoulder toward the door.
“Ghost?” My nose scrunched while I replayed the last forty-five minutes. I didn’t remember him mentioning anyone with a nickname like that.
Turning, he offered me a grin but didn’t answer my question.
Whatever.
I shrugged my shoulders and kept following him out of the door. It didn’t matter, I needed the job.
My boots crunched against the gravel as I followed him to the warehouse across the lot.
The words Portafino’s Meat Packing were barely visible across the worn red brick.
“It’s not a processing plant anymore,” he explained. “We bought it a few years back. Most of the first floor is open warehouse space, except for Sophia’s flower shop that takes up the corner there.” He gestured to the opposite corner where a pink sign hung.
“Ghost and Payton live up there.” He pointed to a large iron staircase tucked close to the side of the building.
“I see.” Admittedly, I found it comforting that I’d be close to the clubhouse.
“This is just temporary, you understand?” Pop”s voice pulled me back to the moment.
“Crystal.” I nodded.
Nothing had ever been permanent in my life anyway.
I followed him up the steps and watched as he punched in a code on a sophisticated lock. After the machine beeped, he inserted a key and pushed open the door. It seemed like overkill to me, but who was I to judge.
“Make yourself at home,” Pop said, motioning me inside.
As I stepped into the space, I took in every detail. The floors had been refinished, the wood dark and rich. The walls were lined with bookshelves that were filled with books, indicating the man who lived there liked to read. A pool table dominated the center of the room, and lastly, numerous photos of a tiny baby girl hung from the walls and littered the room in coordinating frames.
I was impressed by how perfectly organized everything seemed to be. The place was immaculate, there wasn’t a speck of dust anywhere.
“Ghost likes things... a certain way. He’s particular.” Pop ran a hand along the mahogany bar top that stretched around the far wall of the living room.
“You don’t say.” I looked at him with wide eyes and he chuckled.
“Kitchen’s through there.” Pop nodded toward an archway. “I had the prospects stock it for you. If you need something that’s not here, let one of us know.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” My stomach chose that moment to growl, but I don’t think he heard it. Thank goodness, that would have been embarrassing.
“The bedrooms are upstairs,” he continued as he led me up a set of wooden stairs. When we hit the top, I saw there were three doors. Pop opened the first one revealing a perfectly made bed and a single dresser. “This one”s you.” It was simple, bare bones, but better than what I had.
“There’s a nice view from up here,” he said, pulling back the heavy curtains.
I moved closer, in awe at the morning sky. I hadn’t seen a view so pretty in a while. With the club being on the outskirts of the city, the sky wasn’t hidden by the skyscrapers.
“Come on. I’ll show you the rest of this place and get out of your hair.” I trailed behind him to the next door.
“That’s Ghost”s room.” Pop pointed to the cracked door at the end of the hall. “And this is Payton’s.”
When he opened her door and we stepped inside, the last thing I expected to see was a princess’s paradise. The room was a soft pink with a mural of a castle painted on the wall. The furniture was a beautiful antique white. Everything looked soft and inviting. There was no denying that whoever decorated this room did so with thought and care. The little girl who slept there was clearly loved.
“When will I meet Paton and her parents?” It was a little strange they weren’t the ones giving me the tour of their home. Although, I had noticed the only photos in the house were the ones of Payton.
Pop rubbed at the back of his head as a look passed over his face. “Her mother isn’t in the picture and my son is—” He squinted his eye as if looking for the right answer. Weird. “Uh, he had to go away for a little while.”
“Away,” I repeated, wondering why the lie. “And Payton?” Other than the photos, I still hadn’t seen hide nor hair of the infant that was going to be in my care.
“Nova, that’s Sophia’s friend,” he clarified, “will be bringing her home in a few hours. With this being a live-in position, we figured you’d need time to move some of your stuff in.”
“This is all I have.” I lifted my shoulder, indicating the backpack I had with me.
“That’s all the shit you got?” he asked, eyeing the bag curiously.
“It’s a long story.” I shrugged. I would have had more but I wasn’t about to tell him my thieving roommate stole all my shit.
The last thing I wanted from anyone was pity. I started with nothing when I got to the city, and I could do it again.
“I’ll have the girls round up some extra shit and drop it by.” I opened my mouth to protest but he lifted a hand and cut me off. “I won’t hear nothing else about it.”
With those parting words, he turned on his big, booted feet, jogged down the steps, and left me standing there speechless.
What the hell just happened?