The MC’s Little Brother (Bikers and Babies #3)

Chapter 6

6

Wraith

I knew that look. The look written all over my brother’s face. I used to look that way all the time. Defensive and scared at the same time. Like he was ready for a fight he didn’t want. However the hell he got here, he was obviously scared shitless. And who could blame him with injuries like that? He looked like Jorge took pleasure in smacking him around. I thought it was bad for me, but this kid somehow looked worse. I couldn’t even stomach the idea of that.

Mel cleared her throat, giving me a significant look, but I didn’t know what to do here. He was obviously related to me. I’d never met anyone outside our family who shared the same color eyes. Such a dark blue it looked black in certain lighting. Not to mention he looked just like Jorge. Just like me.

When I didn’t immediately say anything, Mel rolled her eyes and took over, pushing past me to take a seat beside the boy. He edged away from her, his brow furrowed so deep, it looked like it was stuck that way. Did he even know how to smile?

“Okay, let’s start with the simple stuff. What’s your name? Unless you want us to call you mini-Mattie, which I guarantee I’ll tell everyone to do just to get you to give in.”

He looked shocked at her audacity, but honestly, that was just Mel. She knew how to get what she wanted. And the threat was so tame, it didn’t trigger the kid like being surrounded by angry-looking adults might. I took Mel’s lead, coming around the table to sit opposite him. It gave him some space from me while I worked to get my emotions under control again, and hopefully would ease some of his anxiety.

“Xander… Xander Ruiz…” he finally murmured.

Mel nodded, her smile kind. “Okay, Xander. It’s nice to meet you. Can I ask how old you are?”

Trepidation flashed across his face and his eyes darted around for a second before he answered with a quick, “Fourteen.”

“That’s a lie.”

Xander whipped around to face me, panic and anger written all over his face. “I’m not lying!”

I didn’t get heated, which I think was what he was expecting. His whole body went taut and his fists clenched. He was ready to run. So much like I had been when I lived with Jorge.

Mel put her hands up in a soothing gesture. “Okay, okay. Everyone stay calm. Xander, I know the biker thing is really intimidating, but I promise, no one is here to hurt you. We want to help.” She gave him a reassuring smile before turning to me. “How about we keep the accusations to a minimum? Let him speak.”

I could’ve argued, I couldn’t help him if he didn’t give me all the facts, but it didn’t matter. I’d be getting his information once I could get in front of my computer. I doubted Jorge kept his paperwork, but it was always in the system. I’d need it to help him.

Taking my silence as an agreement, Mel turned back to Xander. “Okay, let’s skip that question for now. I can see you’re injured. Is there any more bruising other than on your face? I’m a nurse. I want to make sure you don’t need to go to a hospital.”

He crossed his arms over his chest defensively. “I’m fine.”

I opened my mouth to tell him not to lie, but I got kicked in the shin before I could get a word out. I shot Mel an incredulous look, but she just glared at me. Shut up , she mouthed before turning her smile back to Xander .

“How about this? Let’s make a trade. You let me look at the bruises, I’ll buy you whatever food you want for breakfast. The donut shop in town has these amazing double chocolate donut balls that are to die for. Or there’s a taqueria that serves amazing breakfast tacos. Heck, I’ll even just get you a huge box of cereal, if that’s what you’d prefer. What do you say?”

He looked distrustful, but the sound his stomach made said he needed food now, not later. I pushed to my feet, heading for the fridge. Tank didn’t even bat an eye. I’d been coming here long enough for him to treat me like his own kid. I was allowed in the fridge without asking.

Keeping my back to the group, I fished out the stuff for a sandwich. It was the middle of the night; I didn't have the time or energy to do anything more complicated. While I worked, Mel kept trying to bribe Xander.

“If breakfast isn’t your thing, we can do lunch instead. You’re obviously hungry, and there are some great restaurants in town.”

“Why do you care so much?” he finally snapped at her.

I looked over my shoulder, concerned, but she didn’t even bat an eye. She knew how to deal with difficult patients.

“Because I’m a nurse. It’s my job to help people. I want to help you. And you wouldn’t have come here if you didn’t need help.”

From the look on his face, he didn’t want to come here. I wanted to ask if he was dropped off by Jorge or another family member or if he got here on his own, but it was written all over his face that he wouldn’t answer right now. I finished making the sandwich and grabbed a bag of chips from the pantry, putting both in front of him before I returned to my seat.

He looked at the sandwich and then back at me suspiciously. I raised an eyebrow at him but didn’t comment.

“You’re not going to demand something from me in exchange for this?”

I resisted the urge to scoff. “No. You’re hungry. Eat. Then you need to get some sleep. I’ll handle the rest.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “The rest of what?”

“Custody. Whether or not you’re actually fourteen, you’re still a minor. If you don’t want to end up back under Jorge’s thumb, then you need a guardian. I’ll file for emergency custody in the morning.” With Prez’s help, of course. He wouldn’t be back until tomorrow night, but he could point me in the right direction. Whatever it took to keep this kid out of the devil’s path .

His brows snapped together. “Just like that? You don’t even know me.”

“I don’t have to. You’re my brother, and I’m not leaving you to deal with that asshole by yourself. Eat your food. I need to make a phone call.”

Xander

I watched him go, and my gaze dropped to the patch on his back. Sitting up quickly, I asked, “Are you in a gang?”

It probably wouldn’t be worse than dealing with my dad, but I’d heard some stuff about motorcycle clubs. Some of them were bad news. I didn't want to be associated with that. I just needed somewhere to stay until I could figure out where to go next.

He stopped by the back door, looking over his shoulder at me. “No. We’re a legit club, not a gang. You’re safe here.”

And then he walked out, leaving me trying to figure out what he meant. I was confused and tired and I didn’t know who I could trust. For all I knew, they would send me back to Jorge on the next plane out of El Paso. It was the closest airport and a huge pain in the ass to get to if you didn’t have a car. I had to take out cash to show to the taxi driver to get him to take me all the way out here.

The woman who showed up with him, Mel, rolled her eyes. “Okay, that was a lame way to explain things. Do you even know what a legit club is?”

She didn’t seem to judge me when I shook my head. She just sighed.

“God, he’s a pain in my ass.” She sat straighter and explained, “A legit club is a club that doesn’t do anything illegal. All the members have real jobs, and no criminal activity is allowed. Not even recreationally for themselves.”

Tank snorted, pushing off the wall to come join us at the table. “I wouldn’t even let someone join unless they’d been clean for at least six months.” He raised his bushy eyebrows at me. “I’m the club founder. It’s in the club rules that no illegal activity is allowed. My son is the current president, and he’s a lawyer. He’d boot someone as quick as lightning if he caught them doing something that would put the club at risk.”

That was reassuring. I wanted to look them up myself and see what I could find, but I didn’t think Tank would lie. He was nice so far. Nice enough at least to lie about how he found me. He didn’t tell Mattias that he found me digging in the trash outside a restaurant for something to eat. The card I took from my dad was maxed out after I bought the plane ticket and paid for the taxi. My dad had already been using it for booze before I stole it. I wouldn’t have sunk so low if I had any other option. But Tank didn’t judge, and he bought me lunch at the nearby fast-food joint while asking me questions. When I admitted I was looking for my brother, I didn’t expect him to know who I was talking about. It was my first stroke of luck that they knew each other.

Mel nudged my plate, giving me an encouraging look. “Eat. It’s okay.”

I did because, despite Tank giving me lunch and dinner, I was still hungry. I was used to it, there wasn’t always food in the house when I lived with Jorge, but that didn't make it hurt any less. And I wasn’t going to let the food go to waste.

While I inhaled my food, Mel leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Would it make you more comfortable to see a male doctor? I work at the hospital, so I know all the nice ones.”

Not really. I didn't want to see a doctor. I just wanted a few days to rest. Jorge kicked me out four days ago. It took me that long to figure out what to do and where to go. I didn’t want to end up in foster care. I heard awful things happen to kids like me in the foster care system. Mattias was my only option. But how long would he let me stay if I didn't answer his questions? He said he was going for custody before he even knew me, but if he knew why Jorge kicked me out, would he keep me? Or would he think the same way Jorge did? Was I just making things worse for myself by coming here?

“Hey…” Mel reached out, putting her hand gently on mine. “I know this is scary, but you did the right thing coming here. This is a safe place. We’re going to help you.”

It was hard to believe. After everything that had happened, I didn’t know if I could trust her or anyone else. I just wished I had some other option. I didn’t know where else to go.