Chapter 3
Three
Madison
We are currently sitting in Joker’s truck with Hawk as we head to my house.
I look over at Bailey and see her looking out the side window, lost in her thoughts.
This little one has had it rough. I know the first thing we are going to do is take her shopping.
She literally has only the clothes on her back, and that’s it.
As soon as I saw her, I knew I had to take her in and help her.
I certainly have the means to do it since I’m a trust fund kid.
I just don’t know how this is all going to work.
I want to give her a safe and happy home, but I don’t know what I have to do to make that happen legally.
We pull onto my street, and I can see my house come into view.
I only rent it as I wasn’t sure if I wanted it to be my forever home.
I can see someone sitting in my driveway, making me sit up straighter.
“Who’s that?” I point out the stranger standing on my porch.
Joker turns around and looks at me. “I had the prospect go to Walmart to pick up a few things for Bailey until we can take her shopping and she can pick out what she likes.”
I honestly love how he said we. Bailey perks up a little. “I get to go shopping?” She whispers, looking at Joker.
“Of course you do; you need new clothes, accessories, and stuff to decorate your room with.” I love to shop and can’t wait until I get to take her.
She throws her arms around me, surprising me. I wrap her gently in my arms. “Thank you, Madison. I’ve never gone shopping before. Momma always told me I wasn’t worth the trip to the mall.”
I hold on just a little bit tighter at her words. I look at Joker and Hawk, and they have pissed-off looks on their faces. They get out and head to the prospect. “Okay, how about we head inside? You can have a shower while I make you something to eat. How does that sound?”
She pulls back and gives me a smile. “Yes, please.”
Joker opens her door, helping her down. While Hawk opens mine. “Thanks.”
We walk up the steps, my feet dragging. I'm so tired. Hell, it’s only ten, and I feel like I’ve been awake all day. I can only imagine how Bailey is feeling right now since she's been on the run.
I pull out my keys, and before I can open my door, Joker takes them from me. “Hey, what are you doing?”
“Stay out here with Hawk and let me check it out first.” I can see he’s really on edge, so I don’t fight him on this. Something more is going on with him, and I can’t figure out what.
“Okay, if you insist, just be careful. I have two dogs.” They are my babies, and I love them.
Joker turns his head and smirks at me. “It’s okay Madison, I think I can handle two small dogs.”
Oh, they are far from small, but since he won’t listen, I will let him think otherwise. Joker opens my door and steps inside.
“I take it from the smirk on your face, Joker has it wrong?” Hawk says, beside me, looking down at me with a smile on his face.
I smile back at him. “Yup.”
“Hey Madison. Can you come in here, please?” Joker says, and that’s when I can hear low growls.
I walk in with Hawk and Bailey following me. I can see my babies cornering Joker against the wall.
“Thor, Loki. Come here.” They look at Joker one more time before rushing to my side. I give them a rubdown, scratching behind their ears. “How are my babies doing?”
“Those aren’t small dogs, Madison.”
I look up at Joker and smile. “Maybe next time you just won’t assume when it comes to me.”
He shakes his head and smiles, walking towards us. “Yeah, I’m starting to see that.”
“Bailey, come here and meet my babies.” I turn my head but don’t see her. That's when her head peeks from behind Hawk. “It’s okay. I promise they are friendly. They won’t hurt you; they are going to protect you.”
She walks out from behind Hawk and moves slowly. Both Loki and Thor sit very still until she reaches my side. They walk towards her and sniff her before licking her on each side of her face, making her giggle.
“That tickles.”
I laugh as they show her some love. “They are big babies and really big bed hogs. Why don’t I show you to your room so you can get cleaned up while I make you something to eat?”
She nods her head while taking my hand. “You guys can make yourselves at home. I have beer in the fridge. I'll be down to cook when I get Bailey set up. Joker, I have a first-aid kit in the bathroom.”
I grab the bag from Joker, and we walk up the stairs and head for the first bedroom that I turned into a quest room.
Not that I’ve ever had any guests stay over.
It has a queen-sized bed with a nightstand and a TV with an attached bathroom.
We walk inside, and I set the bag down on the bed as Bailey looks around.
“Oh, perfect, there are some pajamas in here along with a change of clothes and a new toothbrush. Are you okay with having a shower, or do you prefer a bath?”
I gather her things and turn to find her looking at the bed. “A shower, please.” She takes off her jacket, and that’s when I notice the bruises on her arm, as if someone grabbed her. Hard enough to leave bruises in the form of a hand.
I try to get my anger in check and walk towards her. “Bailey, what happened to your arm?”
She looks down at the ground as a tear slips from her eye. “Leo did that because I was asking for my momma. He says it’s my fault she ran away.”
I walk the rest of the way to her and get down on my knees.
I lift my hand slowly so she knows what I’m doing and wipe her eyes.
“Bailey, this isn’t your fault at all. What Leo did is wrong, and he should never have put his hands on you.
And your momma running away isn’t on you either, okay.
” She nods her head, but I can see she’s still doubting my words.
When I get my hands on this son of a bitch, I’m going to make him hurt.
I take her by the hand and walk into the bathroom, setting up the shower.
I grab a towel and a washcloth. “Okay, shampoo and body wash are in there. I have your clothes here, along with a brush and a toothbrush. Whenever you're ready, you can come back down and have something to eat.” Bailey nods her head, and I know she’s feeling overwhelmed right now, so I give her a reassuring smile and close the door.
I walk down the stairs, letting my anger surface as I head to the kitchen to see Hawk and Joker sitting at the bar having a beer.
I go to my coffee machine and make a coffee, knowing it’s going to be a long night.
“I have the prospect dropping off a pizza. I know she should be eating healthier, but I figure you’re tired.” Joker says.
But I’m way too angry to respond to that.
I slam my hand down on the counter, surprising both of them.
“I want that bastard found. Bailey took off her jacket, and I saw bruises on her arms. She said Leo did it when she asked about where her momma was. He also told her she’s the reason she ran away.
Who says that to a child? I just don’t get it?
She should be in a warm bed with plenty of food and wrapped in love. ” I wipe the tear that has fallen.
“Fuck,” Hawk spits out, pissed off.
Joker gets up from his seat and wraps his arms around me.
“Hey everything is going to be okay, Madison. You are going to make sure she has all of that. Whatever she needs, we will be there for her. And I promise you, Leo is going to suffer. He's going to wish he had never even looked at Bailey when I get through with him.” Joker kisses the top of my head. Being in his arms is comforting. Honestly, I don’t even know why I’m fighting him anymore.
I should just really go after what I want, and that’s being with him.
I pull back and smile up at him. “As long as I get a piece of him as well.” Anyone who hurts babies needs an ass-beating.
Joker smiles wider as his body shakes with laughter. “You got it.”
I pull out of his arms reluctantly and finish making my coffee.
“I hate to bring it up, but we are going to have to ask Bailey for a little more information on her mom and Leo. Do you think she would be up to answering?” Hawk points out, and I hate that we have to do this, but I know they need the information.
“Let's leave it for tonight, and when we get to the clubhouse tomorrow, we can do it then. There are two guest bedrooms down here you guys can take. I swear it feels like I could sleep for a week.” I can still hear the shower going, and the dogs went upstairs to wait for her.
A knock at the door makes me jump. I look at Joker, and he nods his head to Hawk, who gets up to check it out. “It’s probably just the prospect with the pizza, but stay here just in case.” He places a kiss on my forehead, and I sigh, leaning into him, letting him hold me for just a moment.
“Well, I gotta say, as far as first dates go, I think it was a success.”
I can’t help but burst out laughing. Out of all the things he could have said, I was not expecting that. I pull back to smile at him. “It was definitely something. Maybe next time we can have a quiet dinner.” I realized what I had said by the smug smile on his face, making me blush.
“I knew you liked me. Tell me it was my winning personality, wasn’t it?” His smile is wider now.
I roll my eyes at him. “You just had to ruin it, didn’t you?”
Hawk walks in with a few pizzas in his hand. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing.”
“She likes me.” We both speak at the same time.
Hawk laughs and places the pizza on the island while I grab some plates and napkins. I pull out a few drinks from the fridge, not sure what Bailey would want but wanting her to have options.
“Then why did it look like you were one wrong move from her putting Xlax in your cupcake?” Hawks replies, making me smile.
“She wouldn’t do that to me.” Joker looks offended by the thought. I might not have done it, but there was a time or two when that thought popped into my head.
Just then I can hear the clacking of the dogs, and Bailey emerges from the stairs.
She tentatively walks into the kitchen. “Perfect timing; the pizza just got here. Why don’t we take this into the living room so we can relax?
” The guys grab everything while Bailey walks to me and takes my hand, making my heart soar.
This little girl has already stolen my heart.
“Do you feel better after the shower?”
“I do thank you.” She smiles shyly at me.
We take a seat on the couch, and Joker hands her a plate loaded with pizza. “Eat up.”
She sits there, looking at the pizza without moving. “Is something wrong, Bailey?”
She looks at me with a sad look in her eyes. “Am I allowed?”
My brows furrow. “Allowed to what, honey?”
“Eat.”
What kind of monsters were her parents? Starving your child and now she fears eating for fear of punishment. I look at Joker, and he’s beyond mad right now.
“Listen to me, Bailey. If you're hungry, you eat. No one is going to stop you, and if they do, then you send them my way, and I will deal with them. You want something, and it’s not here, I will go get it for you.” Joker says gently, but I know under the surface he’s downright pissed off.
We watch as Bailey nods her head and picks up the pizza, taking a bite.
We eat in silence with the TV on for background noise.
Each of us lost in our own thoughts. Once Bailey has had enough, she leans back against the couch, and I place a blanket over her.
Needing a moment, I get up and gather the plates, and head to the kitchen.
I can hear footsteps behind me, and I know exactly who it is.
“It’s not fair.” I whisper, not wanting her to hear us. A tear slips down.
Joker comes up behind me and turns me around, and wraps his arms around me.
“I know, angel. But we will make sure that she has everything she needs, and she will come out stronger than ever. We can talk about that more tomorrow. I know you're dead on your feet, and Bailey needs to rest. So why don’t we call it a night and get some sleep?”
I go to argue that I’m not tired when I let out an enormous yawn, making him laugh. “You’re right.” I pull out of his arms, and we walk towards the living room to see Bailey fast asleep. Right now, she looks so peaceful, just like a child should.
“I’ll carry her to bed.” Joker walks over and picks her up gently, and heads up the stairs.
I turn towards Hawk. “There are extra blankets in the closet between the bedrooms. Help yourself.”
“Thanks Madison. I’m gonna make sure everything is locked up and check in with the prospect outside.” Hawk sends me a wink and walks out the front door.
I yawn for what seems like the millionth time and walk upstairs and check in on Bailey to see Joker tucking her in.
He sees me standing there and walks over to me.
With each step he takes, my heart beats faster.
I back up as he closes the door and, without saying anything, grabs my hand and walks towards my room.
“Try and get some sleep, angel, and I will see you in the morning.” He leans down and kisses my forehead, making me close my eyes. I don’t even remember the last time I felt this cherished. It’s honestly taking everything in me not to have him hold me tonight.
“Good night, Joker.” I whisper, my throat clogged with all the emotions I’m feeling right now.
He walks towards the door and walks out. But just before he closes it, he looks back at me with a tender look on his face. “Good night, Madison.” He closes my door and walks away.
Today didn’t go how I expected it to go, and I have a feeling it’s only going to get harder.