Chapter 1
One
Madison
I’m standing in the parking lot of the local steakhouse, debating whether I should just turn around and go home.
It’s been a long ass day at the bakery. Add in the fact that I know someone has been breaking into my bakery keeps me up all hours of the night.
So, I’m definitely running on zero sleep right now.
It’s not like they are stealing money, just some sweets I have left over.
Which seems to be the case at the general store.
Like me, Grandma Silvia also found a note saying they were sorry and would find a way to pay us back.
I’m not so worried about someone taking from me.
I'm worried because we think it could be a kid, and that just makes me sad to think about someone going hungry like that.
The guys came up with a sort of stakeout plan where we are going to hopefully catch this person and get them the help that they need.
And we are going to use my bakery to do it.
It’s not ideal, but it’s what we’ve got right now.
Even my cameras aren’t showing much except a small figure.
They have kept their face hidden from view, which is driving Crow absolutely crazy.
The only thing I’m dreading is that it’s going to be me and Joker all alone tonight.
I tried to fight Blade on it, anyone but him, and he didn’t want me to even be a part of this, but I put my foot down.
It’s my bakery, damn it. So unless I wanted to sit this one out, I didn’t have a choice.
It’s not that I hate the guy; it's just that I’m running out of excuses to say no to the man.
I don’t even know why I’m saying no at this point.
God, he’s maddening and sweet at the same time.
“Debating about running, aren’t you?” An amused voice says behind me, making me jump high in the air.
I turn around to see Crow standing there with a shit- eating grin on his face. “OMG, Crow, you scared the crap out of me.”
He just shakes his head, laughing. “I could see that by the ten-foot jump in the air.”
“Ha ha, very funny. And to answer your question, yes, I’m debating being a chicken and running.” He steps up in front of me, giving me that look that all the men have perfected, with his eyebrow raised and arms folded as if he’s going into interrogation mode.
“And why would that be, Madison? Would a certain biker be the reason?” He has a smirk on his face, waiting for me to break, and it only takes but a minute of his intense stare.
I throw my hands up in the air and start to pace the parking lot.
“Fine, yes, it has everything to do with that man in there that drives me absolutely insane most days. Hell, I don't even know what I’m doing anymore. I banned him from my bakery, only for him to show up the next day. Only a crazy person does that, you know. My customers now come in and take bets on whether he will show up. I don’t know if I want to smack that smirk off his face or kiss it most days.
Add in the fact that I’m going to be stuck with him tonight on this stakeout and I'm either going to give in or you're going to be down a brother and you will find his big ass in one of my ovens.” By the time I’m done ranting, my chest is heaving, and I probably look like a crazy person as I look at Crow, who has a shocked expression on his face by my word vomit.
Lord, this is what the lack of sleep has reduced me to.
“Okay, wow, that’s a lot to unpack there, darlin'. There is only one possible solution to your problem.” He has a smile on his face, one I'm not really likely at the moment.
I take a step closer as if he’s going to give me all of life's answers and wait. “What’s that?”
“Go on a date with Joker. This way you'll know if you love him enough to want something with him. Now wait, before you try to kill me; hear me out. We all know you two have this love- hate relationship going on here. This way, you will finally have your answers. Because I hate to tell you this, Joker isn’t going anywhere.”
My shoulders slump because I know he’s right. I’m just scared. “Crap, you're right.”
Crow barks out a laugh. “Jesus, Madison, don’t sound so excited there.”
I wave my hand in the air as my face goes red. “No, it’s not that.”
Crow smiles at me with a soft look on his face. “I get it; you’ve been hurt before, so it’s only natural to be scared. But I will tell you this: Joker is one of the good ones. He may be a goofy fucker, but he is loyal. Just think about it, okay?”
“Yeah, I will. Thanks Crow.”
“Anytime, darlin'.”
“Hey you guys coming in or what? We have some pretty hangry pregnant ladies wanting to order. They almost robbed the waiter as he was bringing out an order.” Joker says, laughing at his own joke. Jesus, I swear that man has a death wish when it comes to the girls.
Crow and I walk towards the door, and before we reach Joker, who hasn’t taken his eyes off me yet, I ask Crow for one more favor. “Hey Crow, if by some chance I die tonight when things go south with Joker’s plan. Donate all my organs to those in need, except my middle finger- give that to Joker.”
Crow throws his head back and laughs, making Joker narrow his eyes at us. “You got it, Madison.” Crow walks in ahead of us, leaving me with Joker.
“What was that all about?”
We walk towards the table, and I can see everyone waiting for us.
“Nothing, I was just telling him a joke.” I walk towards the table with Joker trailing behind me.
I know he didn’t buy what I was saying but didn’t push me on it, which I’m grateful for.
“Sorry I’m late guys, it's been a day.” I take my seat in front of Hailey, who is absolutely glowing.
Hell, so are Savannah and Scarlett. If I didn’t know any better, I'd say the guys planned this—getting them all pregnant at the same time. I’m so happy for my friends and can’t wait to get in some baby snuggles when the babies are born.
“It’s okay. Scarlett and Ghost just got here themselves. BFG was just being nosy and wanted to see what was taking you two so long.” Hailey has a massive smile on her face as she looks at Joker, who takes the only empty seat left, which is right beside me.
“Now, that doesn’t surprise me at all.” I can feel Joker lean into me, his breath against the side of my face. I don’t move an inch, nor do I breathe as he rests his arm on the back of my chair.
“If you're a good girl later, I will show you an even better surprise.” My body shivers at his naughty words. Good Lord, this man is trying to kill me, and we haven’t even had dinner yet.
I reach for my glass of water on the table to try and cool myself off. I can still feel his stare, but I refuse to turn around and look at him.
“Madison, are you okay? Your face is all red,” Savannah asks, gaining everyone’s attention at the table. Just kill me now.
I nod my head up and down, looking utterly ridiculous. “Yup. All good, just a little hot in here.” Joker's shoulders shake in silent laughter, and I swear he is one wrong move from me stabbing him with my fork. Okay, I probably won’t, but a girl can dream, right?
I’m so glad when the server comes around and starts taking everyone’s orders. I decided on a small salad because my stomach is not able to handle anything else right now.
“Why aren’t you eating more?” Joker says quietly so I can only hear, which I’m thankful for.
I turn my chair slightly so I can look at him better and shrug my shoulders. “I’m not that hungry.”
He narrows his eyes at me, not buying that. “Okay, I’m not buying that. Now tell me the real reason why you're not eating more.” I can tell by the dead-set look in his eyes that he’s not going to let this go.
I sigh and decide just to get this over with. “I’m nervous about tonight and something going wrong. What if someone gets hurt?”
“Hey no one is going to get hurt. I will protect you with my life. If there is a threat to you, then I will just eliminate them, end of.”
I was not expecting him to say that. Lord have mercy, I knew he was intense, but this is too much for my brain to handle right now. The crazy part is I know he would do it too for my protection. “No killing tonight, Joker. I mean it.”
He smirks at me, and I try not to stare at his lips. “Not even a little bit?”
“That doesn’t even make any sense. How do you kill someone only a little bit?” I don’t even know why I’m entertaining his crazy ass, but here we are. This lack of sleep is really getting to me. I can see everyone looking at us, trying not to laugh.
“So that’s a yes?” He smiles wide, making his dimples pop, giving him that boyish look, but I know better.
“In what universe is that a yes, Joker?” I bug my eyes out at him, giving him an incredulous look.
“Fine, no killing. Tonight.”
“Why are you always like this?”
“Like what? Handsome, smart, perfect?”
“ANNOYING!” I raise my voice, catching the stares of the other people in the restaurant. Joker doesn’t seem to care; he just throws his head back and laughs without a care in the world.
“Admit it, Madison, I’m growing on you?”
“Yeah, just like a fungus.” The sarcasm drips from my voice as he narrows his eyes at me.
“I think you should limit your time hanging out with the girls. You're just as mean as they are now.”
“And yet you're still annoying.”
He rubs his chin, looking deep in thought, which isn’t a good sign. “Okay, tell you what. We will call it a truce for tonight, and you can find out just how not annoying I really am.”
I know he’s up to something, but I can’t figure out what, and I know I’m going to regret this. “Fine, you have a deal.”
His smile is wide, which doesn’t sit well with me. “Perfect. I’ll bring the snacks. I can’t have you going hungry on our first date.”
I open and close my mouth, looking like a fish. “I did not agree to a date, Joker.”
He shrugs his shoulders and leans back in his chair, taking a sip of his beer. “Date, stakeout, what's the difference?”
I’m sitting there speechless as everyone starts laughing.
I look at the girls, and they just give me a sympathetic look.
Right now, I can't even look at Joker. A part of me got excited when he said date; the other part wants to run out of this restaurant scared.
The server drops everyone's food off, and now that the salad is in front of me, it looks even more unappetizing.
But I take a few bites just to get something in my stomach.
Once everyone has finished eating, Blade gets our attention.
“Okay, so everyone knows what they have to do tonight. Joker and Madison will be in the bakery hiding. Crow will be watching from the camera’s alerting us when it’s go time.
And the rest of us will be down the street out of view, but not too far that we can’t get to you in time.
From what we have gathered, we believe this person might be a child, so we proceed with caution.
After we catch them, we will bring them back to the clubhouse to figure out what’s been going on.
” Everyone nods their heads and goes back to their conversations.
“Don’t worry, Madison; everything is going to be fine. So, any preference on the snacks for our date?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me, making me narrow my eyes. “Right, surprise it is.” He winks at me and then turns his head to talk to Crow.
I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.