Chapter 11
Eleven
Madison
It’s been five hours since we came to the mall, and I’m absolutely exhausted, but Bailey is now the proud owner of an entire new wardrobe and everything she needs to decorate her bedroom.
She has had so much fun. We walked around, pointing things out to her to gauge her reaction.
Joker even got her her own leather jacket and helmet because she asked if she could go on a ride with him.
I swear he floated around after that, happy that she was showing an interest. He even got me one as well, and I can’t wait to be on the back of his bike with him.
Joker didn’t complain once as we shopped, though we did have to call a prospect to come and pick up the bags as most of it wouldn’t fit in the truck.
She even picked out things so she could draw because Scarlett told her she would teach her, along with a bookshelf, as she loves to read as well.
Little by little she came out of her shell the longer we were at the mall as she realized this is real and her new life.
She was joking around, being a carefree child.
We pull up to the diner, and my stomach lets out a growl, knowing a greasy burger is calling my name.
It’s now closer to dinnertime, and I’m starved.
I can hear Joker chuckling beside me. “Come on, let's get you ladies fed.” Joker opens Bailey's door, helping her out, and before I can even move, he is at my door opening it. He grabs my hand and helps me down.
“Thank you.” My face flushes as he gives me a look I can’t quite decipher. Though all the little innocent touches he has been giving me all day have been driving me crazy, if this man doesn’t put his hands and mouth on me soon I might just combust.
We walk hand in hand as Joker holds open the door for us before we walk in.
I can see a bike parked at the back, and I have a feeling Joker has gotten his wish, and by the big smile on his face, he knows exactly who's here.
We walk in, and the smell has my mouth watering.
My eyes adjust to the light, and I can see Hawk sitting in a back booth watching Avianna as she moves around the diner.
He turns his head as the bell chimes, seeing us standing there as Bailey waves and runs over to him.
I look over at Joker to see him with a big smile on his face. “Happy now?”
He’s rubbing his hands together with glee. Men, I tell ya. “Immensely, now let's go meet the girl that has Hawk tied up in knots. Oh, and I got a text from Blade while we were shopping. He dropped off the paperwork at home. We just have to sign the documents, and Bailey is ours.”
My throat clogs with emotion, knowing no one can take her from us now. Joker pulls me to his side and kisses the top of my head. “Thank you.” My voice breaks, and I’m really trying not to cry in the middle of the diner right now.
“For what angel?”
“For being you. For making sure Bailey stays with us. Just for everything.” Joker truly is the best, and I’m one lucky person having him in my life.
I know I fought him at first, but I was just so scared of getting hurt, and now I know all those feelings were for nothing. I'm right where I’m meant to be.
Joker gets a tender look on his face. “No need to thank me, angel. We are both in this together. We will raise Bailey as our own and give her the life that she deserves. Then, when you're ready, we will have another baby. When I said I want it all with you, I mean it. You're it for me, Madison.”
A tear I can’t hold back slowly slides down my face, and Joker catches it with his finger. “Joker.” I whisper out, not knowing what to say.
“I know, angel. Come on, let's get you guys fed.” We walk over hand in hand to Hawk’s booth. We can hear an excited Bailey telling him all that she got today at the mall.
“And Madison and Joker are sending me to the private school. I can't wait to make friends.” She's bouncing around in her seat, making us laugh.
“That’s great Bailey I’m sure you will make lots of friends. And if anyone is mean to you, you just come tell Uncle Hawk and I will take care of them.”
Bailey lets out a giggle. “That’s what Joker said as well.” Good Lord, these men! I have a feeling Bailey is going to have all these badass bikers wrapped around her finger.
Hawk looks over at us and nods his head. I look at Joker from the corner of my eye to see a massive smile on his face. “Fancy seeing you here, brother.”
I roll my eyes and take a seat across from Hawk and Bailey and hand a menu over to her. Hawk just gives him a blank look. I notice Bailey waving at someone, smiling big, and we turn our heads to see Avianna coming to the table, waving back.
“How do you know Avianna, Bailey?” I ask curiously.
She turns her head to look at us. “Avianna caught me looking in the dumpster one day for food and brought me inside and gave me a meal. She’s my friend.”
Jesus, my heart hurts hearing that, and Joker isn’t faring much better as his knuckles are turning white trying to control himself. Just before Avianna reaches the table, Bailey jumps out of her seat and wraps her arms around Avianna, hugging her.
Bailey drags her the rest of the way, making her laugh. I can see why Hawk is so infatuated with her. One she’s absolutely beautiful and small, but has an aura about her. I’ve come in here a few times, and she’s always been so sweet.
“Avianna, you have to meet my new family: Madison, Joker. Oh, and Uncle Hawk. They even took me shopping today and told me I can stay with them forever isn’t that great.
” She’s jumping around smiling big, but the moment she said family, it took everything in me not to bawl in the middle of the diner. I can see Joker choked up as well.
Avianna smiles down at Bailey and wraps her arms around her. “Oh, that’s amazing, Bailey. I'm so happy for you.” She looks at Joker and smiles, but when her eyes meet Hawk’s, she blushes and turns her head quickly, looking at me. “Hi Madison.”
I give her a knowing smile. “Hi, Avianna. How’s it going?”
“It’s going okay. Are you guys ready to order?” We place our orders, and she walks away headed into the kitchen, and an idea pops into my head.
“Hey Joker, can you let me out? I want to ask Avianna something.” He gets up, and I walk to the counter where Avianna is filling drink orders.
She turns around and smiles, seeing me standing there.
“Hey, I wanted to invite you to the next girls' night in a few weeks. We get together a few times a month- nothing too crazy, but I want you to come. It will be fun, what do you say?” I know she’s lonely and doesn't have any family or friends around here, and I really like her, and I can tell she will fit in with everyone. She reminds me a lot of Scarlett.
A few seconds later, she gives me a smile and nods her head. “I would love that, thank you, Madison.” I can tell she’s trying to hold back her emotions right now.
“Perfect. Let me see your phone, and I will put my number in it, and I will text you in a few days to set something up.” She hands her phone over, and I put my number along with all the girls' as well because she will eventually be getting them anyway. I sneak Hawk’s number in as well.
I sent a text to myself so I can have her number as well and hand her phone back.
Before I walk back to the table, she places her hand on my arm.
“Madison, what you are doing for Bailey is amazing, and I know she’s in good hands now and will have a loving, happy home to grow up in.
Some people never get that option, but I’m glad she has you guys now.
” She has a sad smile on her face as she walks into the kitchen to grab the food.
I have a feeling Avianna’s upbringing is closer to what Bailey's was.
I walk to the table, and Joker gets up and lets me in. “Is everything okay?” Joker asks ever the protector.
“Oh yeah, everything's perfectly fine. I just invited Avianna to the next girls’ day. I like her, and I know she will fit in well with the other girls. Besides, I have a feeling she hasn’t had much good in her life.” I look at Hawk to see him watching her move around the diner.
After a few moments, he turns his head to me. “Thank you.”
“You got it.” And hey maybe I can get some gossip on how she feels about Hawk.
Good Lord, now I sound like Joker. Just then, Avianna drops our food off, and my burger is calling my name.
I don’t waste a second as I dig in. I’m not ashamed to say I eat my food quickly.
I am so hungry. Bailey was only able to eat half of her food as her stomach still isn’t used to so much food. So Avianna packs her leftovers for her.
Bailey yawns and leans her head on Hawk. I guess today wore her out. “I think someone is exhausted from all the shopping she has done today.” She nods her head as her eyes start to close, making me chuckle.
Joker stands up and helps a sleeping Bailey. “You guys get her home; I've got the bill.” Hawk says as he stands up as well.
I smile at him. “Thank you, Hawk.” He nods his head as he walks towards the counter.
I grab Bailey's food and we walk out of the diner towards the truck.
I take Joker's keys and unlock the door and open it for him so he can put Bailey in, and she doesn’t stir once.
Joker closes the door softly and walks me to my door, helping me inside.
After securing my seat belt, he closes the door and rounds the truck, getting in and starting it up and heading back to his house.
I lean my head back and close my eyes. “Tired, angel?” Joker lifts my hand and kisses the back of it.
I open my eyes and turn my head to look at him. “A little. I’m just dreading having to put all that stuff away when we get home.” I groan, making him laugh.
“I had the prospects put it all away and put together the furniture we bought as well. So you won’t have to do much when we get home. So when we get home, we can just relax.”
“Oh, thank God. I will have to bake them some cookies as a thank you.” I will bake them whatever they want for putting everything away for me.
Joker laughs at my expression. “That’s not necessary, but I’m sure they would appreciate it. Hell, everyone in the club would sell their soul for your baked goods.”
Don’t I know it? I swear, at least one of them comes to the bakery daily for their sweet fix. We stop at a red light, and he looks over at me and smirks. “So what do you think about Avianna?”
I can’t help but laugh. “You do know you're worse than women with the way you guys gossip. I’ve met Avianna a few times before, and I like her. It's why I invited her to a girls' night. I have a feeling she hasn’t had the best life, and she’s running from something.” I do hope I’m wrong, but the signs are there.
“Her uncle is very mean to her and asks her for money a lot.” A small voice from behind me says, scaring the crap out of me. I didn’t realize Bailey was awake.
I turn in my seat and give her a smile. “What do you mean, honey?” We pull into the compound heading for the house, and Joker parks in the garage but makes no move to get out.
“I was there in the back one night hoping to find something to eat when Avianna was throwing out garbage and a man came out of the alley and grabbed her arm hard, making her cry and demanding she give him money. Saying that she owes him for raising her. She called him Uncle Bruno.”
Jesus, I look at Joker and see him white-knuckling the steering wheel. He takes a couple of deep breaths before he masks his anger. “Why don’t you ladies head inside while I make a phone call? Your room should be done as well, Bailey Bee.”
Bailey hops out of the truck, almost landing on her butt in excitement. “Yay! Thank you. Come on, Madison.” She opens my door, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Joker steps out, helping me down as I grab a few bags we have in the back seat, as Bailey already has the door open leading inside.
Joker places a kiss on my lips that’s over way too soon and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear.
“I’m going to call Hawk real quick and let him know what’s been going on and have Crow look into the uncle.
We will take care of this. But tonight, when Bailey goes to bed, your ass is finally going to be mine.
You okay with that, angel?” He lowers his voice so I can only hear him, and my body shivers in need.
I bring my lips to his ear. “I’m more than ready, but don’t keep me waiting long, Joker.” I whisper in his ear, and it’s my turn to see him shiver, making me smile. I head inside, knowing he’s watching my every move.