Chapter Six
Amara
T oday makes the third day that Zoe’s been in the special needs class. She says that it’s not too bad, but she does get a bit bored. Maddy seems to think it’s because she’s not being challenged enough even though she’s still receiving the same work her old class is.
Which is exactly what I knew would happen. I’ve been looking around for another alternative, but the only option is a Christian private school, and I just can’t afford that. Heaven knows her father wouldn’t help.
There was a board meeting yesterday and Maddy told me that she was going to push the issue about hiring an interpreter. However, they explained that they would come back to the topic in a future meeting. I just can’t understand why they’re doing this.
“Ms. Clarke, it’s good to see you again.”
I stop in my tracks and glare at the man responsible for everything.
“Mr. Brown,” I greet. “How are you?”
“Bright as rain,” he smiles. “I have some good news. Zoe has been placed back in my class.”
Wait, what?
“What’s changed?” I ask. “Maddy, uhm, Ms. Burton told me that the school board didn’t approve the request at the meeting yesterday evening.”
“They didn’t,” he says with false sympathy.
“But they approved funding for the football team to travel to a game using a Greyhound bus as well as the funding for food and the hotel rooms?”
Something else, Maddy told me angrily about.
“Their game is several hours away, Ms. Clarke,” he explains as if that matters. “And it’s the playoffs.”
“Right,” I nod. “That explains everything.”
He nods as if he made me see reason.
“However, a large donation has been made to the school,” he continues. “Unfortunately, the only thing we’re allowed to use it on is an interpreter.”
“Unfortunately?”
“Well, it’s a lot of money, Ms. Clarke,” he frowns. “This school could use the extra funds for things like gym equipment or desks for some of us teachers who have older ones. Anyway, this is Mrs. Samson. She will be here to help your daughter.”
With that, he turns and walks back into his classroom. Mrs. Samson appears to be in her late twenties.
“Hello,” she signs and says. “Is this Zoe?”
Zoe nods.
“I hope we can be friends,” Mrs. Samson tells her. “We’re going to be spending a lot of time together. Why don’t you go on into the classroom and put your things away. I just want to talk to your mom for a minute.”
“Bye, Mommy. Love you.”
I don’t even bother responding because she’s already turned around to head into the class.
“That teacher is an idiot,” Mrs. Samson signs, and I can’t help but agree with her.
“I can actually explain why I’m here,” she says out loud. “The school’s superintendent contacted me late last night asking if I was willing to accept a five-year contract as an ASL interpreter for the elementary school.”
“A five-year contract?” I ask, shocked.
“My thoughts exactly,” she says. “Believe it or not, it’s hard to get jobs like this for my skill. To say I was shocked is an understatement. Of course, I accepted. The donation that Mr. Brown was talking about was strictly for an interpreter.”
“I can’t wrap my mind around this,” I admit. “I was so worried that she was going to fall behind.”
“I’m looking forward to getting to know her,” she smiles. “Here’s my card. It has my cell number on it. Call me anytime when you want updates on how she’s doing.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Samson.”
With a smile, she turns and walks away.
I look down the hall and see Maddy leaning against her classroom door with a huge smile on her face. With a thumbs up, she looks down at the student, tapping her arm.
“Let’s go, boy,” I tell Sky.
As I leave the building, a huge weight is lifted off of my shoulders. The second I get home I flop down on the couch and pull up Ghost’s contact on my cell.
I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay you for this.
I don’t even have to ask who donated all of that money. There wasn’t even a doubt in my mind that it was the Obsidians.
Don’t expect you to, babe. See you tomorrow.
Tomorrow? Oh, the sleepover. Wait, is he going to be there, too?
“I need a nap, Sky,” I sigh. “Come snuggle with me. Up.”
With the security of Sky’s weight on my body, I quickly fall asleep.
***Ghost***
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay instead?” Taylor asks.
Taylor has a hard time leaving Knox alone after what happened a few months ago. I can understand that, but something deep within my soul tells me that this is where I need to be.
“Knox will be fine,” I tease. “I will personally make sure he doesn’t run off and climb any trees.”
“Too soon, brother,” Taylor shakes his head. “I know you’ll keep him safe, but it doesn’t stop me from worrying.”
“I appreciate you running the Cage for me tonight,” I say. “If you have any issues, Venom will be downstairs getting things ready for the fights tomorrow. Also, keep an eye on the staff. See if anyone acts differently when I’m not in the building.”
“We’re going to find out who is stealing from you,” he tells me. “Knox and Hayes are working around the clock to figure this shit out.”
“From us, brother,” I remind him. “Someone is stealing from us. You and your crew are Obsidian’s now, remember?”
“Yeah,” he smiles. “Speaking of my crew, we’re thinking of hiring a few new bodies. Should I run my final picks by you beforehand?”
Taylor owns Obsidian Shield, a bodyguard company that mostly works for clubs and high-profile clientele in and around Harborbrook. Including my own club, the Cage, and the twin’s BDSM club, Obsidian Oasis.
Taylor, Hayes, Mitchell, Parker, and Reynolds all worked together for a few years before we met. They were a club known as the Sentinels MC but wanted to rid themselves of the club’s past. With a unanimous vote from both clubs, the Sentinels became Obsidians.
Our new brothers.
“I trust your judgment,” I tell him honestly.
“Mommy, they’re here.”
I smile at the excitement in Allie’s voice.
“I need to head out,” Taylor says. “I want to get there early enough to check in with Venom. I’ve already talked to King, and he’s going to be on watch duty outside for the night. There was no talking him out of it.”
“I expected nothing less from the man,” I admit. “Go and make us some money. Your Pup will be safe with us.”
With a reluctant sigh, he turns to leave. I don’t take it to heart that he’s struggling to leave Knox in my care. Knox has been through a lot of shit in the past two years, and I’m beyond happy that he’s found someone who cares so much for him.
“Well, hello there, Miss Allie. We’re very excited to spend the night with you.”
“I’m so excited, too. Daddy downloaded an app on my tablet that teaches me sign language. I’ve been practicing all week.”
“That’s wonderful,” Snow says, smiling as she praises my precious niece. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve learned.”
“Let’s go set up a sleeping area in the back corner near the TV,” Knox says. “That way, we can use the rest of the floor for dancing.”
My attention is pulled away from the group as my cell rings.
“Ghost,” I answer.
“Hey, partner, got a quick question.”
Hunter Nisbet is my long-time best friend. We’ve been friends since third grade, and I trust the man with my life. Hunter also happens to be my silent partner for the Undercage. Although everyone knows about it so I guess he’s not very good at the silent part.
“Do you want me to guess, or are you going to ask it?” I tease.
“Ass,” he laughs. “I have this kid who is willing to put in ten grand to fight in next week’s lineup.”
“By kid, you’re saying?”
“He’s seventeen,” he admits.
“Fuck, Hunter, we can’t do that,” I sigh.
“It’s not like we do things by the books,” he reminds me. “He’s just angry and wants to get revenge on someone who wronged him.”
“We may not do shit legally,” I growl. “But every single fighter has to sign a contract to cover our asses. If that kid gets killed, and his folks find out how and press charges, we’re fucked. Not to mention, we can’t force whoever he wants to fight into the cage. That’s not how it works.”
“The man he wants a match with has fought with us before. But yeah, I thought as much, too,” he admits. “I just wanted to help the kid out. His sister was raped last month, and the one responsible got away from lack of evidence.”
“That’s rough, man. And I get his anger. But we can’t let him in the cage until he’s eighteen. Even then, he would have to prove himself, and that can take years.”
“Yeah, I get it. I’ll let him know. Sorry for bothering you, man. I’ll see you in the Undercage tomorrow.”
“Bye, Hunter.”
What the hell was he thinking? We’re walking a tightrope as it is, trying to keep everything off the police radar, and he wants to let a kid fight?
I’m not going to risk my family’s freedom just so some kid can throw a few punches. He knew that before calling.
Crazy bastard.
My attention shifts back to the party in the next room. Music blasts, and I hear laughter and cheers from multiple people.
Leaving the room, I head toward the lounge and simply lean against the wall and watch. I watch as Snow turns in circles with her eyes closed while holding Dove and Alliecat’s hands. Allie is laughing; Dove is too, but I can’t hear it. Maybe she’s nervous to laugh out loud in front of so many new people. Or maybe she’s laughing so softly that I can’t hear it over the music.
But that’s okay. She’ll soon learn that not a single person in my life would make fun of the way she sounds. And, if someone did, I’d kill them without blinking an eye.
Then, there’s Snow. Her eyes are closed, and she’s laughing as she turns with the girls. Her cheeks are red, and her face is filled with happiness.
She’s so damn beautiful. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I haven’t been able to get her out of my head since the very first moment I saw her standing outside of my club. Her light blonde hair was up in a messy bun then, just as it is now. Maybe that’s her go-to style.
“Hey buddy,” I greet Sky as he moves to sit beside me. He, too, seems to be watching Snow closely.
I’ve never known someone who had a seizure disorder so severe that she was given a service animal to help her.
Since meeting her, I’ve done hours of research on her disorder. I know everything there is to know about how to keep her safe when she has another one.
The seizure she had in my office nearly did me in. I’ll admit that I had a moment of doubt about whether I wanted to pursue this woman who caught my attention so quickly, knowing she had a medical condition that would undoubtedly affect the way a relationship would normally go.
One that would even affect the way I live my life.
But the second she opened her eyes and freaked the fuck out for pissing on my couch, I knew that it didn’t matter. I feel it down to my soul that Snow, my beautiful Amara, is supposed to be mine.
And when I claim something as mine, I’m all in. Obsessively so. Which the women in my past couldn’t handle.
I wonder if Snow can handle being obsessed over. Because I sure as fuck already am.
Sky makes a noise and I look down as his body stiffens. I’ve also done research on seizure-alert dogs. Each dog is different depending on who trained them, so I don’t know what he’s agitated about, but I’ll learn.
Snow’s watch starts beeping, but she quickly presses something to silence it before continuing to dance around with the girls.
I swear it seems as if Sky sighs before he leaves my side and heads for the little bag that Snow had around her waist the first time I met her. He picks the bag up by the strap and carries it to Snow. Sitting down near her dancing feet, he barks.
“Oh, it’s time for my medicine,” she laughs. “Good boy, Sky. Here.”
Opening the bag, she pulls out something and gives it to Sky, who takes it and returns to my side.
“That was quite impressive,” I admit to the Golden Retriever.
All the ladies and Knox are now dancing around the room, and I simply watch. The most precious members of my family, including Snow and Dove, are in this room. Even baby Hope is jumping in her walker and laughing.
Feeling the need to up security, I pull out my phone and text King.
“Everything quiet?”
“Yep. I pulled Reynolds from Oasis, and he’s camped out back.”
“Thanks, brother.”
“She yours?”
“Soon.”
Smiling, I pocket my phone and head into the lounge room.
“Who wants pizza?” I shout over the music.
Everyone turns and cheers—except Snow. Her shocked eyes take a few moments to register what I’ve said, and then she, too, cheers.
Not giving a single fuck what the norm is for waiting to pursue someone, I walk over and pull Snow into my arms.
“Hey, babe,” I murmur, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “Having fun?”
“Oh. Uhm. Yeah. I didn’t know you were here.”
Smirking, I lean back and take in her puzzled expression.
“Told you that I would see you today,” I remind her. “What do you like on your pizza?”
“Anything but olives,” she says. “Yuck.”
“Got it. And Dove?”
“Just cheese,” Snow tells me.
A tug on my shirt grabs my attention.
Dove looks up at me, her smile radiant as she communicates with her hands. With her left hand clenched into a fist and her right hand forming a gentle “C” shape, she gracefully glides it across the top of her left.
Snow, quick to interpret, chimes in, “Chips. She’s asking if you’ll grab some chips.”
Kneeling down so Dove can read my lips, I say, “Yes. What kind?”
With her right hand, she holds up her four fingers with her thumb tucked against her palm. Closing her fist, she repeats the gesture. Then, using her pointer finger and thumb, she holds them slightly apart as if saying something is small, then flips her entire hand upside down.
“That was three letters,” Snow explains gently. “B.B.Q. Her favorite chips.”
“Barbeque, it is,” I smile. “How do you say pizza?”
Her eyes light up, and she smiles in excitement. Holding up two fingers just like the peace sign, she bends the tip of her fingers and moves her entire arm down in a Z motion before closing her hand.
“And cheese?”
With both hands flat open, she presses her palms together, fingers pointing in opposite directions, and gently rubs them together.
Taking everything, I’ve just learned, I try and repeat it.
“Cheese Pizza. BBQ chips?”
She squeals in excitement before tackling me to the ground in a hug.
“Good job,” she says in my ear so quietly that I almost missed it.
The words weren’t perfect, but I understood them just fine.
Laughing, I stand up with Dove still in my arms and spin her around in circles. Her laughter surrounds me and settles into my heart.
“Uncle Ghost, can we make a fort under the table in your office?”
I look down into Allie’s hopeful eyes and pretend to think about her request.
“I’m not sure we have enough supplies to turn it into a fort,” I lie. Even if we didn’t, I would send someone out to buy everything they would need.
“We do,” she says excitedly. “We have a bazillion blankets in the playroom closet. Please, Uncle Ghost.”
“What do you think, Dove? Will a bazillion blankets be enough to make a fort?”
Dove looks behind me, and I assume she’s looking at Snow to translate before she nods excitedly.
“Well, alright then,” I say as I put Dove on her feet and Allie grabs her hand and runs to the playroom.
“We didn’t want to take away your only quiet room,” Sophie says. “We can help them make a fort in here.”
“Nonsense,” I say. “Besides, I won’t be able to fit inside a fort made with chairs. Now, pizza.”
“Is he always this playful?” I hear Snow ask as I pull out my cell.
“Only towards the kids and sometimes Knox,” Maddy answers. “He’s typically a very serious man but he has a soft spot when it comes to the little ones.”
“However, if we use the pout face, he usually lets us have whatever it is we’re asking for,” Sophie adds.
“Except a pool,” Maddy pouts. “For some reason, he’s put his foot down and won’t let us install a pool here at the clubhouse.”
“We’re working on changing his mind, though.”
With the phone up to my ear, I send a glare back at the group, which causes them all to laugh.
“Thank you for calling Bennies, will this be pick up or delivery?”
“Delivery.”
The woman hangs up the phone after I finish placing my order. But, just for spite, I add, “Extra anchovies on those, please.”
The revolting gags follow me as I make my way to the office to help Dove and Alliecat make the best fort they’ve ever seen.