Derick (Caveman Instinct- Gypsy Curse #6)

Chapter 11

I was meeting my brother at a McDonald’s close to the care house I’d been in before. I hadn’t told him I’d moved yet. Let alone that I was engaged. Sure, I’d spoken to him, but since he only asked about Hope and my recovery and never my living situation, I’d held off, unsure how he’d react.

Was that a sign? Should that be a flashing red light to me? Did I not trust my brother? Hope loved Toby, but should I be keeping her away from him? He’d always been so good to her and I, or so I thought. Now that I’d been treated like I mattered, and people loved me, I wondered about Toby, and I hated that, but I now had good things to compare experiences with.

The SUV door opened, and I got out, giving a chin lift of thanks to the bodyguard assigned to be by my side today. He handed over Hope, who was bouncing with excitement. “Ands Mummy I tells uncee Tobs about Sunny. Mes birthday party too. Oh, and allz the pretty things Nanny ands Poppy gots mez.”

She jabbered on as I made it to the door and went inside and found a seat close to the playground. I was moving on autopilot, and I cursed Dr. Heather for turning my already chaotic mind into overdrive.

Toby wasn’t here yet, but we were ten minutes early. I wanted to get Hope settled and eating her food so I could talk to Toby without interruptions. I had a feeling we would need time without Hope around to figure out what was going on with everything that had happened with our father’s biker group and to have a good discussion about what had been happening while he’d been away.

I just hoped I could get through this without falling apart. I was glad I’d organized this early so I would have time to recover before I saw anyone else. Derick was at uni and his parents were spending the day with Dustan and Cassie.

I thought it would be best to see my brother first without Derick in his face. Toby was okay with the Silvermans, or so he’d told me. But they had turned both our worlds upside down, mine for the better, and I hoped he felt the same, but until I knew, I wanted to speak alone with him. I had questions too, and thanks to Dr. Heather, I had more than just asking him if he got our father’s club sorted out and if he was okay.

Another guard I knew more than the one who drove me today came to our table. “I’m going to go get your order. Brenton and Sloane are close if you need them.”

I tried to resist rolling my eyes as I looked at Brand. I think having three bodyguards at a Macca’s was overkill, but I wasn’t going to protest when I knew they were just doing their job. I’d seen and, unfortunately, experienced what my father and his friends could do, and I still had that sickly feeling of being watched by people I didn’t want anywhere near me. I was sure I kept catching glimpses of a vest here and there.

“Thanks, Brand. Hope will have a three-nugget happy meal with the fruit slices and apple juice. Can you ask for two extra cups please? One with water so I can water down the juice.” His nod was short and swift, so I continued. “I’ll have a hot chocolate and a grilled chicken aioli wrap please.”

“Sure. I’ll be back.” He turned and headed to the registers.

I burst out laughing at what he said. Terminator was one of my favorite movies to watch with my brother. Anytime I heard the saying it always reminded me of some of the best times. And just like that, my anxiety vanished.

Toby wasn’t a fan of takeout food. He had taken Hope and I for treats before though. It was how we’d learned that Hope loved McDonald’s nuggets and fries. I didn’t let her have the fries very much though. I made sure Hope ate better than I did. I, on the other hand, wasn’t like Toby; I loved fries, burgers, and most takeout. There were some I hadn’t tried much, as my brother was the person who always got it for me, but I was eager to try more.

Since meeting and moving in with the Silvermans I’d tried dishes I couldn’t even dream up. Seafood was new to me, and there was a lot I wouldn’t try because…just, eww: calamari, squid, and caviar—fish eggs—gross. Derick liked sushi, but I only liked the ones with chicken or vegies and rice, no seaweed.

“What are you thinking of that put that look on your face?” Darting my gaze from Hope, I see my brother in all his tattoo hulking glory.

“Uncee Tobs,” Hope screamed with joy, hopped off her seat, and flung herself at my brother.

He caught her, raised her up so they were face-to-face, and smothered her with kisses. Her giggles of happiness had my heart soaring.

Toby looked different, older, and he had wrinkles around his eyes and frown lines that I was sure he didn’t have the last time I saw him. He was ten years older than me, but still young. He was a good mix of our father and his mother. His hair, eyes, and build were all our father, but the shape of his face, dimples, and his longer fingers were his mother. His personality was like neither of them though. He had always been the nicest man I’d ever known. The opposite of his parents. He said his grandmother had been the one to teach him right from wrong. I met her twice before she passed, and she was the sweetest lady I’d ever met.

“What’s with the security? You have three people watching you like a hawk.” His right brow rose.

This was my chance, the time to tell him all about Derick and that I was living with a Silverman. That I was engaged to one. Toby was the one to tell me I could trust them. I was sure he’d be happy that someone was looking out for me.

“I’ve moved out of the safe house and live with Derick Silverman and his family. They treat Hope like their own, and I’m in love with him. Oh, and I’m marrying him,” I blurted out, barely taking a breath as I gave Toby the short version and waved my engagement ring hand before his face.

“You what!” He came closer, towering over me. “What the fuck did you do? You gullible, little girl. Have you lost your fucking mind? The Silverman family? You were kicked in the head way too much if you think this will end well. Surely you’re not this stupid? What the fuck, Ruby? Use your fucking head, you idiot. This won’t end well.”

Toby had never yelled at me before. For a moment, all I saw was his vest that stated he was a Devil’s Queens. It shocked me enough that I flinched and shrank back. He sounded just like our father. Then instinct kicked in, and I snatched Hope from him, shrank down, and covered my daughter, waiting for the blows that usually followed being yelled at.

“Step away now!” Brand’s voice was a deep growl, and two other guards, Dean and Lucca, appeared as if from thin air.

“What the fuck?” Toby yelled. “I would never hurt my sister.”

Closing my eyes, I took deep breaths in and slowly let them out, trying to keep myself calm. I wasn’t a fan of loud voices. Usually they led to me getting punished or hurt in some way.

Hope started crying, and I tried not to shake. I opened my eyes. The punishments were always worse if I couldn’t keep her quiet. “Shhh, baby girl,” I whispered. “Remember what we do? Shhhh.” I clung to Hope.

I heard Toby take in a shaky breath of air that sounded like a suppressed sob. “Fuck. Ruby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell or say those things.” Toby ran his fingers through his shoulder-length hair. “Fuck, I’m an arse. I’m sorry.” I flinched as his hand softly rested on my shoulder only to be snatched away by Brand.

I slowly rose and uncovered Hope, who still cried. I caressed her hair and whispered, “It’s alright, baby girl. I just surprised Uncle Toby.” Her cries became sniffles. “Brand, thank you and the others, but I promise I’m safe with my brother. Toby was just processing everything I’d just told him.”

I pulled my shoulders back and looked Brand in the eyes, so he knew that I was serious. He stepped back and turned his gaze to Toby, and the two of them seem to have a silent conversation, then both gave a chin lift and took a step back.

“Ruby rare, what the hell has happened since I left you with fucking SWAT?” Toby sat down next to me and Hope.

“W…well, you said I could t…trust the Silverman f…family.” I threw back what he’d said to me, starting to become defensive about what I’d done. I’d moved fast, but I felt like I shouldn’t have to be so defensive. I knew I should have taken time to get to know Derick and his family before I moved in, but Toby had said to trust them, and they had been nothing but sweet to me. I loved Derick and he loved me.

“Yeah, I did. For fuck’s sake, Ruby rare, that didn’t mean you could leave the safe house and move in with any of ‘that’ family.” He growled, something I’d never heard him do. I watched as he clenched and unclenched his fists. “I’m gone a couple of months to help get the chaos of the club sorted, and not to fucking mention help the federal police and do my job, and you go and do something beyond truly stupid.” He ran his fingers through his hair, and it looked like he was going to pull it out. “I never even dreamed of you doing something like this.” He threw his hands up like he was defeated or didn’t know what else to say. I’d never seen this side of him directed at me.

I forced what I hoped looked like a smile at Hope and then nodded at Brand. “C…can you please t…take Hope to th…the playground?”

“Yay,” Hope cheered. She got off her seat and went to Brand and dragged him to the playground. Hope must have known something was going on because she hadn’t told Toby about all the things she was excited to tell him.

Turning my focus back on Toby, I tried to keep my smile. “Y…you were gone more than a c…couple of months. M…more l…like six.” I sighed. “Have y…you even be…been home and showered?” I reached over and brushed his unkept beard. He was usually trimmed and tidy. It looked a lot more like our father’s beard now. “You w…were gone. The safe house r…really wasn’t for m…me. I’m no…not th…their favorite person either.” My anger rose. “I hate ou…our father and his friends, b…bb…but they still weren’t fond of m…me because of who I was, so I guess I jumped at the ch…chance to get away when Derick offered. His parents are at the house—well, we’d c…call it a mansion—and I h…have to say I love living with them.” I cleared my throat loudly to try to get myself ready for what had been building for years. I had to…no, I must tell him everything. “Derick thinks I’m his soulmate. He t…t…told me a story about his family and h…how they know their one love. Their soulmate. It’s funny b…because I let him touch me. I knew from th…the moment I met him that I could trust him. That he would n…never tr…treat me like the people we know. I…I…I…love him.”

I hated that my stutter was back. I usually didn’t have one with Toby. Ha, I almost let a laugh free at what I realized. I wondered if my stutter had to do with how comfortable and safe I felt with a person.

“Yeah, right,” Toby scoffed. “Those romance books you read have come to bite you on your arse.”

“I don’t know, Tobs. They’re th…the sweetest people I’ve e…ever m…met. I don’t get the sick feeling I h…have around the gan?—”

“Not a gang, Ruby rare, it’s a club.”

I hated it when he corrected me about the gang our father was in. Waving what he was saying off, I continued. “I like the Silverman family. They tr…treat me like I’m someone. They know I’m no…nothing like him.” I didn’t hold back the bitterness in my voice when I talked about our father. “I’m nothing like any o…of them. I never will be.” I was shouting now, letting my anger and frustration out. I was sick of holding it all in. My therapist said I shouldn’t keep my feelings switched off or what I’d been through bottled up. “Why? Why, Toby?” I went to him and pushed him on his chest with all my might, but he was solid and didn’t budge. “Why didn’t you help me get away and hide?”

He backed up, and a look I’d never seen came over his face. He darted his gaze around to see that the McDonald’s was pretty much empty and only the bodyguards were close. Most of the customers had left. I had a feeling that more guards were around than I thought, and the McDonald’s was emptying because of them.

Toby’s eyes became haunted, and it seemed like his thoughts were far away. The corners of his eyes crinkled, and his lips thinned so much I couldn’t really see them. His big body was stoic, and he opened his mouth once, twice, and then closed his eyes. “I…” His eyes snapped open, but he tried to avoid my gaze. “I’ve been selfish. I...I’ve been expecting this…” Toby turned his back on me for a moment before turning back and looking me straight in the eyes. “I should have gotten you away long before what happened with Hope, but…” He blinked a couple of times, and I didn’t miss how hard it was for him to keep his gaze on me. He closed his eyes again. “I needed you.” His eyes fluttered open, and he scrubbed his face with his hand. “I needed you.” He repeated it like he had to make it clear. “You kept me sane. You kept me from becoming like them.”

My heart felt like it had just been ripped from my chest, stomped on, and then put back into my body. “Oh Tobs, y…you’ve never been anything li…like them.” I knew he was talking about our father and his gang, and I fought to hold in a sob as I let the tears slide down my cheeks.

His chest rose and his whole body shook. For the first time ever, it looked like my brother was scared. “I’ve done things, to keep you safe… No, I…” He shook his head as if he were clearing it. “When you were born, my whole world changed. Your mother wasn’t always the drugged-out club girl she became. Our dad and my mother turned her into what she is now.” The faraway look came into his gaze again. He moved closer to me. “Your mother was kind of my nanny at first, and until she fell pregnant with you, she was nice and treated me like the mother I always dreamed of. She kept it together while she was pregnant and begged me to keep you safe the day she went into labor.” He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me. “I was ten, but as soon as I saw you, I knew you would be the best thing to ever happen to me.” He bopped my nose, like he used to do before I told him off when I became a teen. “I never got close to the others.” I knew he was talking about the other brothers and sisters we have. He squeezed me tighter and kissed my forehead. “I didn’t dare get close to any others, because I am only one man. My power is, and has always been, limited. I did what I could for you, but I was a kid myself, Ruby.” His chuckle was hollow. “I chose your name, you know. From the moment I laid eyes on you and your mother placed you in my arms, I just knew you were a precious jewel, and my favorite is ruby. You are my Ruby rare.”

Tears fell from my eyes and slid down my cheeks. I didn’t brush them away. I was shocked by what I’d just learned. Why had I never asked before? Why hadn’t he told me? “I…I always thought…my…m... mum hated me.”

Toby brushed the wetness from my cheeks. “She got postpartum depression I think, and then my mother found out about you, got jealous like she does, and started your mum on the drugs. She just got worse from then on, and when our dad lost interest, your mum lost herself completely. By then you were a toddler, and I hid you the best I could.” He scrubbed his face. “As soon as I turned eighteen, I got you out of the compound. I thought you were safe. Hidden. When ‘he’ sent me on a trip, I didn’t think ‘he’ would do what ‘he’ did.”

A tear slid down his cheek and fell onto his chest, and I gasped at the sight. I’d never seen my brother cry. Toby’s hold on me tightened so much I knew I’d have bruises, but I didn’t care. I wanted to find out more. I needed to. The bitterness in his voice was sharp every time he referred to our father as ‘he’.

“I didn’t think ‘he’ knew you were helping the girls escape. If I’d known, I would never have left. I should have stopped yo?—”

“No. You did th…the right thing. I…I don’t regret h…helping anyone. I would do it all the s…same if it helped those g…girls again.” I kissed his cheek. “Well, maybe I would do s…some things different. A…as for what happened for m…me to have Hope, I don’t know if I could ev…ever live through th…that again, but Hope is the best thing to ev…ever happen to me. For the lon…longest tt…time Hope was the reason I got out of bbb…bed in the morning. The reason I ch…choose to live and see the positive in everything I…I could.”

I kissed his cheek again and hugged him tightly.

“I’m sorry. I sh…shouldn’t have blamed you. You were just a k…kid. It was nev...never your f…fault.” I eased away. “I know I’ve r…rushed in with Derick and his ff…family, but this is right. I feel it here.” I pointed to my heart. “I feel tr…truly safe for the first time in my life. I sleep all nnn…night long, and it’s proper REM sleep.” I nodded like one of those dashboard bobbleheads, and I knew I was smiling. I didn’t even know what REM sleep was before my therapist had explained it to me when I told her I’d never felt so rested. I wanted—no, needed Toby to know how good I felt. “I…I didn’t know what sleep w…was until I moved here. I mean, Hope and I are…are, lll…looked after better than ever. You just need to gaze around t…to see the security to see that.”

“I worry about you. The Silverman family doesn’t like us, and I don’t blame them, Ruby rare. I just don’t want you to get hurt.” He tucked some of my hair behind my ear.

“I don’t want to get hur…hurt either.”

My brother loved me. I knew now how I felt about my brother. What Dr. Heather had asked me to think about became clear. I needed to process my feelings instead of keeping them bottled up, and there are always ‘what ifs’ and I need to focus on moving on and live in the now.

“When you m…meet Derick and see how he tr…treats not just Hope but me too, I promise you won’t worry any…anymore.”

He studied me, bopped my nose again, and tugged on my hair. “I like the different blues. When did you get this done?” He played with strands of my hair. I relaxed, knowing our big talk was over and we were still good.

“I will never have his hair ever again. I dd…did it the day after we arrived at the s…safe house.” I growled, angry at just the thought of having anything the same as my dickhead father. I could be angry now. I always had to be careful with what I gave away, but now I was free and could let whatever I felt or wanted to say free.

“I understand, Ruby rare. I wish I’d known before now, but I’m not leaving you until I meet him, and know you’re safe where you’re staying.”

I didn’t even bother arguing. After what I’d learned, I knew Toby needed me just as much as I needed him.

Derick

I was behind with my university work. My name gave me leeway, but I knew that even that wouldn’t get me out of the shithole I’d dug if I didn’t catch up on work. I’d been at the top of my class, and I’d never missed a lecture before I’d met Ruby. Now all I wanted to do was spend time with her and my daughter. I now understood why the men in my family were so possessive and never wanted to be apart from their woman.

Ruby was meeting with her brother today and had begged me to let her go by herself. I’d wanted to be there when she saw her brother again, not just to meet him, but to keep her safe. I knew she said her brother kept her safe, but if he’d really done the job right, Ruby wouldn’t have had Hope or been through even half the things she had. I’d given in as she promised to take security and have at least one with her all the time.

I couldn’t concentrate on my work. I’d tried reading, doing an assignment, and even talking to one of my lecturers, but all I could think of was Ruby. I worried about how their first face-to-face was going since SWAT had raided their father’s clubhouse and how Toby was taking Ruby moving in with my family, not to even mention the news that we were now engaged.

“Derick, honey?”

I turned from staring at my laptop to my mother. Living with my parents again wasn’t something I ever thought I would do. Not because I didn’t love them, but because I wanted to be independent. My parents loved me and had both been amazing, but I’d been ready for some freedom. I’d loved my apartment in the city, but I had to take things slow with Ruby, and even if she hadn’t been through what she had, my apartment wasn’t really kid-friendly, so I’d moved back in with my parents to be close to Ruby. They’d moved to Queensland when my brother and I had moved here for university.

“Hey, Mum. What’s up?” I asked. She raised one blonde brow, and her lips quirked on the left. I knew that ‘look’; her eyes told me to fess up. “All I can think about is Ruby.”

She entered and I rose, knowing she wanted a hug. Her arms wrapped around me. I basked in her love. “I’m sorry, honey. I wish it wasn’t like this for you.”

I eased back and looked down at Mum. “I have it better than others did in our family— well, better because I’m with her. I don’t know how they lived through this torture.”

Mum squeezed me. “It’s different for everyone, but I’ve been impressed with your patience.” I watched as tears slid down her face. “What that brave woman of yours has lived through, and for her to be the sweet, kind girl we’re getting to know, is a miracle.” She hiccupped before she broke into sobs. “I gave in and read the file. Your dad hadn’t wanted me to. He said it was bad, worse than Jade. He told me some of it, but, honey…” She grabbed me and sobbed against my chest. I clung to her and gave up on keeping my own feelings bottled.

Ruby was special. The kindness and light she gave after all she’d lived through in her young life put me in utter awe of her. My heart raced and my stomach flip-flopped at the thought of the woman I’d been gifted. I now understood it wasn’t a curse, but a gift. Ruby deserved the best, and I intended to give her that for as long as I lived. She saw the good in everything around her.

Mum patted my arm and stepped back. “I genuinely think she is fantastic, son. What she’s lived through…” Mum shook her head like she didn’t want to even think of what they’d learned about Ruby’s life. “I have no clue how she’s so sweet and such an amazing mother. She has strength. I don’t know if I could live through what she had and be so nice and trusting. She moved in and has trusted us with her daughter.” She gazed out of the big bay windows. “She’s given me a granddaughter. That is something I will be forever grateful to her for. I think I might be more excited than Hope about her birthday and party tomorrow. I worry though.” She stared at me, opened her mouth a couple of times as if to add something more, but then she then just sighed loudly and hugged me.

“But…” I prompted, knowing she wanted to say more.

She stepped back to look at me. “You need to think over what you want to do about university. You’re missing a lot, and it doesn’t reflect well if you want to join a company that isn’t one of ours.” She kissed my forehead. “Take the rest of the year off, or put time aside every day to get back to where you want to be. I know you don’t want to miss out on any time with Ruby or that precious little girl, but as hard as it is now, you need to think of your future too. You’re young and we have plenty of money for you to enjoy life. You don’t have to rush anything.”

Mum was right. I’d always been academically inclined. I liked being the best. My focus now wasn’t where it should be. “You’re right. I think I’m going to take the rest of the semester off and then see where I’m at in the holidays and decide if I need more time. I’m just not getting what I wanted done or at the standard I strive for.”

“Before you make that decision, I think you need to talk to Ruby.” She winked at me. “We have a wedding to plan and have too. I have a feeling you’re not wanting a long engagement.”

“Fuck no,” I growled. “I want Ruby to have our last name. I want everybody to know she is my wife. I love her so much.”

“Oh honey, I know. That girl deserves all the love in the world. You know I love Jade and Cassandra, but Ruby is…” Mum blinked back tears, squeezed my hands tightly, and then took a step back. “I would give her and do anything she asked for. I will be forever grateful to her for what she did for Dustan. She has no idea the power she holds over not just you, but your father and I.” She shook her head and wiped the tears that were now falling freely. “I mean how? She’s so sweet?” Mum took a deep breath in and slowly let it out, and then leveled me with a stern gaze. “You can take time off university, but don’t expect Ruby to take time off. She loves learning and going to school. No one will take that from her. She deserves the best education.”

“I would never take that away from her. She lights up anytime she talks about TAFE and her new friends. I would never ask her to stop that. I want her to be happy. I want time with her though, and I think you’re right. I’m going to talk with Ruby. Thanks, Mum.” I kissed both her cheeks and hugged her to me. My mum was amazing. I loved that she thought of not just my future but Ruby’s too. “Love you.” I kissed her forehead. “Sorry, I’m shaking right now. I feel like I’m having withdrawals. All I can think of is Ruby.” I stepped back. “You know she’s gone to see her brother face-to-face for the first time since SWAT raided her father’s clubhouse.”

Mum tapped my shoulder. “Why on earth are you here then? Go.”

I kissed my mum’s cheek again and rushed out. I was going to be with my woman. I was eager to meet her brother Toby. We had some things to discuss. He was in law enforcement, and I wanted to know why he’d let his sister stay in the situation she’d been in. Ruby said he loved her, but if he did, he should have got her safely away. I knew Ruby needed me, even if she thought she didn’t.

I drove to Macca’s, knowing my own security would follow. I’d made sure Ruby and Hope had an entourage of men guarding them. So imagine my surprise when I entered the McDonald’s with a nod from Sloane, who was guarding the door, to see Ruby flanked by her security and no sight of Hope. I scanned the restaurant, noticing Brand and Dean weren’t around. I stepped around a blind corner and then spotted them standing in the playground. Relaxing a little now that I knew Hope was safe, I went straight for Ruby.

“…not leaving you until I meet him and know you’re safe where you’re staying.”

I saw the man that was talking to Ruby and heard the last of what he said. He looked the same height as me, or it could be that he was bigger, not fat, but muscle, and covered in tats. His hair was the color I would think Ruby’s would be if she didn’t dye it blue. He looked a lot like his father, and an instant hatred formed, which I fought, because this was Ruby’s brother, and I knew she loved him.

“Toby, I don’t w…want them to have to d…deal with any m…more of our family. Hope has a…a p…pp…party tomorrow. You can come and meet him then. Sunday is a f…family birth…birthday, but I…I want them t…t…to like me and not think of me as a p…ppp…part of them and yyy…you.” Her shoulders sagged and her head went down.

I hated seeing her like this. She hadn’t been this timid woman that stuttered like this since the first day I met her. I wanted her to feel loved. To know just because she had a terrible family it didn’t mean she wasn’t perfect to me, and I adore her. Love her.

“Ruby. Precious. You okay?” I didn’t want to surprise her with my sudden appearance, so I spoke loudly.

She stood and didn’t hesitate as she stepped into my embrace. My arm circled her waist, and her hands came to rest around me. She placed her cheek against my chest. I tried to hide my delight as she took deep breaths, breathing me in. My body, that had been strung high only moments before without her, relaxed with her in its embrace.

“You better fucking be the Derick my sister has told me about or those fucking hands will be broken,” he snarled.

Holy shit! His voice matched the scary look he was going for. I wasn’t one of those men who were intimidated easily. I’d been trained to protect myself after my brother and I had been kidnapped. I knew the power my last name held, so it was hard to throw me off, but with the look Toby was giving me, I knew he meant every word he’d said.

“Toby!” Ruby snapped. “Don’t talk to Derick like that.” She didn’t stutter once.

I’d noticed that since she’d started to settle in and her confidence had built, she’d gone from stuttering almost every couple of words, to not at all. I had talked to her therapist as I wasn’t sure if I should point it out to Ruby. Dr. Heather had advised that if I pointed it out, she may become conscious of it and start doing it again. She thought it best Ruby came to notice this on her own. I was proud of her though, and I wanted to be childish and point it out to Toby, but I knew it wasn’t right.

“Ruby, it’s okay.” I moved her so she rested against my side and faced her brother. “Toby is just protecting you.”

Toby’s green eyes, which were so similar to his sister’s—yet so different, thanks to the dandelion ring Ruby had—pierced into mine as he sneered at me.

Now the introductions had been made. I intended to make sure Toby knew that Ruby was my number one priority, and she was mine to care for. He had a lot to answer for. I wanted him to know that Ruby and Hope were mine now, and I wouldn’t ever let anyone, including him, hurt them ever again.

I glared right back at him. I hoped I at least came close to matching his meanness. “Derick. Derick Silverman. Ruby’s fiancé.”

Ruby

My brother glared at Derick. I’d only seen him give the look he now had on his face to our father or his men. The look had worked. When Toby was around, the men had been terrified of him. Our father, not so much, but his men never touched me when Toby was around. It was when he was gone that everything bad happened.

“Why the fuck have you taken my sister?” Toby snarled. I needed to calm him down and show him that Derick had been, was, good to me.

Taking a deep breath in, I let it out slowly and held my hands up. “He didn’t take me.” I reached over and grabbed my brother’s fists and uncurled his fingers. “They gave me an option to get away from the halfway, therapy house.” I held his hands and gazed up at him. “I hated it there too. Before you go getting angry at those women, they weren’t mean. It was just uncomfortable because they knew who I was, and even though they knew I had it bad too, I was still the daughter of the president of the biker’s club that took them.”

Toby squeezed my hands, and I knew that was his cue to tell me he was calm. “You should have told me that you didn’t like it. I would have helped you get out.” He sighed. “I should have called more. I’m sorry.”

I stepped back and took Derick’s hands so they wrapped around me, threading our fingers together. He calmed my nerves, and I noticed I didn’t stutter when I was with him. “I’m happy where I am now. Hope is happy too. I don’t want to move. I like the Silvermans. They have been nothing but nice to me. I love Derick. I’m going to marry him. The Silverman family and Derick are my future.”

Derick squeezed my hands, and instead of moving out of his hold, I rested my head back against him. I was really coming to count on Derick. I enjoyed his touch and his presence. I had a feeling I was an emotional wreck and a lot to put up with. My father had told me all the time I was too much work and he should just get rid of me.

I knew I wasn’t a normal girl. I’d seen how the women around me had acted, and I knew the ones I’d known for the longest weren’t shining examples and the men had been worse, but I wasn’t what I thought was normal. I wasn’t anything like my father and the men and women I’d met. The women, and often times girls, that were being trafficked by my father’s club were always so sad, angry, or in most cases eventually lost, like they gave up on help ever coming. I’d done what I could to help, but with not many role-models to go from, I learned from TV, books, and my gut. Raising Hope was hard, but I just did the opposite of what my dad would have done.

My brother’s groan of defeat had my attention coming back to him. “Fine.” He was giving Derick the meanest look I’d ever seen, and I’d seen him give some scary looks. He threatened my father’s men a lot, and I’d even seen him go through on a threat.

I mentally shook my head to clear it as images arose that I tried never to think of. I loved Hope, and I knew I’d never feel otherwise, but it was hard when images of how Hope was conceived and what happened when Toby found out came to the surface. I had a lot of locked doors in my head. Things I’d seen and had done to me that I didn’t want to think about.

Derick held out his hand. “I promise I will never hurt, or let harm come to, your sister and niece again. I only want the best for them both. I love them.”

Toby hesitated for a moment before he grabbed Derick’s hand and shook it. The shake lasted a long time, and I debated if I should step in when I heard what sounded like bones cracking. Neither looked like they were in pain, but I had a feeling Derick wouldn’t let go until Toby gave him the man’s man okay. I’d read about this in books and was happy to learn it wasn’t fiction. I’d always known that Toby cared, but this showed his love. I really enjoyed Derick showing his claim too.

Hope was the one who interrupted them when she came barreling in, yelling, “Dadddyy. You’ed heres.”

Derick let go, knelt, and opened his arms. Hope went past her uncle and straight to Derick. She jumped up, and he caught her in his embrace. She kissed both his cheeks before showing everyone her beaming smile, her gold gaze with green and yellow flakes, and her bright, bubbly personality shining through.

“Uncee Tobs, this bes my daddy.”

My heart skipped a beat; that was something I hadn’t told Toby about yet. We had no idea who Hope’s biological father was, but I loved that she now had Derick.

“Yes, I am, my beautiful, little princess.” Derick kissed her cheeks, and she graced him with her most devastatingly cute, beaming smile.

“Fuck me,’” my brother moaned.

My gaze snapped from my daughter to Toby, who was shaking his head and running his fingers through his long, blond locks. His headband was on his wrist, which was rare. He mostly had his hair tied into a manbun. I knew my brother kept his hair long not just because women loved it— I’d seen how they swarmed him when he had it out at the beach—but to piss off our father as he had always said Toby’s hair made him look feminine. Well, that was the nicest word he called Toby when he had it out.

“That child is dangerous,” Toby grumbled.

I felt my own smile grow wide. Toby was a sucker for his niece. Even my father knew never to mess with Hope because my brother would kill him. My brother had killed before. The men that he knew participated in my ordeal of how Hope came to be went missing, and I knew he’d killed them, and from what I’d heard from the club girls, he had tortured them for hours before he let them pass. I wasn’t worried they’d ever be found as I was one of two other people who knew where the bodies were buried, and I knew they’d never tell as they helped get rid of the bodies and had helped my brother with a secret place to keep them. My therapist thought that maybe because my brother hadn’t helped Hope and I as much as he should have, that he wasn’t so different from our father. I now knew my mother had something to do with it too.

Stepping forward, I took my brother’s hand. “I’m scared too, but I want Hope to have what we never had.” I dropped his hand. “Hell, I want this to be real, Tobs.” I rolled my shoulders and stood tall, staring my brother down. “I deserve this. I go to TAFE now too and have friends. Lots of friends. I’m living my dream. I want it all, Toby. Please be okay with this.”

Toby’s big arms grabbed me, gathering me against his chest and squeezing me tight. He kissed my head. “It’s real, Ruby rare, I promise.” I couldn’t see his face, but I just knew Derick was getting a deathly glare. “You deserve everything you want.” He kissed my forehead. “Missed you,” he whispered against me.

I felt lighter. Sighing, a weight I didn’t know I was carrying lifted.

Derick

We were now home and sat in the games room. Hope was playing with her many toys while a Disney movie was on the TV. Ruby was snuggled against me, her feet curled up. I was relaxed, and everything felt right in my world. Content.

Toby caught my gaze. “She doesn’t stutter when she’s with you.” He ran his fingers over his head, and a hair tie appeared in his hand and he put his hair in a bun. “She didn’t much with me. Does she with her friends?”

Fuck. I darted my gaze down to Ruby as I groaned. “No shit, Sherlock, but we were trying to get her to realize it herself.”

“Derick, don’t talk to my…” Ruby trailed off as if she was just realizing that ever since meeting, accepting she was safe and could trust me, she very rarely stuttered anymore. I was so proud of her. She gazed up at me. “You didn’t say anything?” Her brow rose. “Actually, now that I think on it, you’ve never said anything about my stutter. None of your family that I’ve met have either. Why?”

Her hair was so soft, and because she was mine, I didn’t hesitate when I reached out and tucked a strand behind her ear and caressed her cheek. “Truthfully, I don’t care if you stutter or don’t, but I will say that the fact that you stopped doing it since being with me has my ego skyrocketing. It also has me falling just a little more in love with you every time you speak.”

Her mouth opened and closed over and over before she shook her head, and then her arms wrapped around me and her lips smashed down on mine. Startled, I could honestly say I’d never been more surprised in my life. I never thought she would do this in front of her brother. I’d take it though.

My arms came around her, and I held her as my mouth opened, and I let her stay in charge but made sure she knew I liked what she was doing. She eased away, and the smile that covered her face lit my whole world, and in that moment, I knew I would do anything for this woman. She was the sun to a night I didn’t know I’d been stuck in.

“You always know just what to say. I am so lucky to have you. Thank you for showing and making sure everyone knows I’m loved. I love you so much. No one has ever told me that other than Hope. So, thanks for saying it to me and even in front of people.”

“I have said that.” Toby spoke up.

I’d almost forgot we weren’t alone. Ruby consumed me.

“Um, no. No, you haven’t.” She nibbled on her bottom lip and looked anywhere but at her brother. “Ever,” she whispered before her voice rose. “I know you love me, but other than Hope, I have never heard anyone say that to or about me before.”

Holy shit! Maybe I should have just let the caveman side take over instead of fighting so hard to cage it. I was the most spoiled, selfish man in the world—no, the universe. I had never felt so ashamed of my privileged life. Not only was my family wealthy, but they also had power and loved each other so much no one in my family ever doubted it. Ruby more than deserved what I took for granted. I really must have done something bloody amazing in a past life to be given a woman like Ruby. How could she be the bright sunshine she was when all she’d ever had was darkness?

“You’re amazing,” I said. She turned her focus from her brother to me. I tilted her head back with my thumb. “I promise to tell you every day.” I pulled her into my embrace. “I love you.” I caressed her cheek. “I’m sorry you haven’t heard it before from anyone, because you are beyond amazing. Since meeting you and learning everything I could about you, I have never been so impressed, so awed by someone. You are the easiest woman to love. I’ll tell you every day if I have to, so you know your worth.” Tears slid down her cheeks, and I wiped them away. “Don’t cry. My precious, precious woman. I’m not saying this to make you upset.”

“Oh, you silly man. I’m not crying because I’m sad, I’m crying because I’m so damn happy. I love you too, so much. I can’t believe you’re mine. You have given me more than I could ever even dreamed of. Thank you.” She brushed her lips over mine quickly. She tried to wiggle off me, but I stopped her and gathered her back to me, lifting her by her arse, my lips eager for hers again.

“For fuck’s sake, can you stop mauling my sister in front of me? I might be cool with you, but seeing you do that to my sister, I want to punch your smug face,” Toby growled.

Smiling, I ignored Toby, but my little princess demanded attention. “Daddddddyyy.” Before my lips even met Ruby’s, Hope pushed between us. “Isza wanna shows uncee Tobs my room.” I let go of Ruby’s arse, and she slid off me and sat beside me. Hope climbed into my lap. “Hes needs meet Sunny. My puppy.”

“They got her a fucking puppy?” Toby yelled. “How the fuck do I top that shit?”

“A little less swearing in front of her please,” Ruby hissed at him.

“Fine. I’m going to go see her room and then head home. I’ll come to the birthday party tomorrow.” He stood, then paused for a moment and ran his fingers through his hair, taking out his hairband before putting it back in again. He came over to Ruby and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Ruby rare. I’m sorry I never said it to you before today.”

Tears slid down Ruby’s cheek. “I love you too, Toby.”

He wiped her wet cheeks, sighed, and then held his hand out for Hope to take and lead him to her bedroom. She got off my lap and went with Toby.

Half an hour later, Toby left. We had spent the day with him. I knew he left safe in the knowledge that I would keep his sister and niece loved and safe. Meeting Toby had gone better than I thought it would. Hope had been the icebreaker, and I knew if I ever hurt either ladies, I’d wind up dead and buried in some inactive mineshaft. Oh, I knew where the bodies were buried. My family’s security was damn good at their jobs. I was a little disappointed I didn’t get to kill the fucking arseholes who hurt my woman, but knowing what was done to them soothed my anger a little.

I looked down at my family. They were snuggled against me, one on each side, and bloody hell, I wanted to give them everything. They deserved that. I wanted to make my family bigger. I could never in my life remember feeling this content. I wanted more of this. I wanted a house full. I intended to have it all. I was going to be greedy. I kissed Hope’s forehead, and she giggled and wiggled deeper against me as we watched the movie.

Smiling, I turned to Ruby, leaned down, and brushed my lips over hers. “I love you.”