Chapter 7 #2
Roxy looks affronted. “Your father and I don’t have secrets, son. And Francesca isn’t club business, now is she?” She turns back to me before Bane can answer. “You look exhausted, sweetheart. When’s the last time you had a proper meal?”
I just had about a dozen donut holes, but I’m not sure that constitutes a proper meal. “Um...”
That’s all Roxy needs to hear. She takes my hand and leads me to a table, practically pushing me into a chair. “Sit. I’ll fix you something to eat.”
Bane sighs heavily and drops into the chair next to me. “Don’t fight it,” he mutters. “My mom’s a whirlwind, but she’s harmless. She means well.”
I watch as Roxy bustles around the kitchen area, pulling things out of the refrigerator. “She seems nice,” I whisper.
“She is,” Bane agrees. “Too nice sometimes. She sees the good in everyone.”
“Even in you?” I ask, raising a brow and grinning.
His lips twitch. “Fuck yeah. She thinks I’m a fucking angel.”
I snort. “Clearly she doesn’t know you very well.”
“I know my son perfectly well,” Roxy says, returning with a glass of orange juice that she places in front of me. “Drink that. You need the vitamin C.”
I take a sip, not wanting to argue. The juice is cold and sweet, and I realize how thirsty I am. I drain half the glass in one go.
“See?” Roxy smiles triumphantly. “Your body knows what it needs.”
She disappears back into the kitchen, and I hear the sizzle of something hitting a hot pan.
“Sorry about this,” Bane says, leaning closer so only I can hear. “Once she gets an idea in her head, there’s no stopping her.”
“It’s fine,” I assure him. There’s something comforting about Roxy’s fussing. It makes me wonder what my life would have been like with a mother.
A few minutes later, Roxy returns with a plate piled high with scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. She sets it in front of me with a flourish. “Eat. You’re too skinny.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say automatically, picking up the fork she hands me.
“Frankie needs sleep, Ma,” Bane says, rubbing his eyes. “She’s been up for days.”
“Food first, then sleep,” Roxy insists, taking a seat across from us. “Can’t heal a body without fuel.”
I take a bite of the eggs, and they’re delicious—fluffy and buttery with just the right amount of salt and pepper. My stomach growls loudly, thankful for the home-cooked meal.
“So, Frankie,” Roxy says, resting her chin on her raised fists. “Eagle tells me you’re some kind of computer genius.”
I shoot Bane a look, not having the first clue who Eagle is.
“My Pop.”
Ah. Right. Her husband, who tells her all the biker gang secrets. “I wouldn’t say I’m a genius,” I mumble around a mouthful of toast.
Bane raises a dark brow. “She’s full of fuckin’ shit. She’s been syphoning money from our accounts for weeks, and it took Cyber a month to catch her.”
Heat flares across my cheeks, and I bug my eyes out at him, then turn to her and offer a small, embarrassed smile.
Roxy’s eyes flash with glee. “Is that so?” To my surprise, she doesn’t look angry. If anything, she looks impressed. “Good for you, honey.”
“Ma!” Bane protests.
“What?” Roxy says innocently. “It’s about time a woman knocked you down a peg.” She shoots me a wink.
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. I like Roxy more and more by the second.
“Uncle Coopy!” The high-pitched squeal cuts through the air, and I turn to see a little girl racing toward our table.
She’s absolutely adorable, with long dark brown hair and the same cobalt blue eyes as Bane. Behind her is a teenage boy who could be Bane’s younger clone.
“Hey, squirt,” Bane says, his voice softening as he catches the little girl and lifts her onto his lap. “What are you doing here so early?”
“Grandma said we could have pancakes for breakfast!” she says excitedly before tilting her head, just noticing me. “Who are you?”
“This is Frankie,” Bane says before I can answer. “She’s... a friend.”
A friend? Hardly.
“Frankie, this is my niece, Saylor,” Bane continues. “And that’s my nephew, Jagger.”
Jagger nods at me, looking bored in that way every teenager has perfected. “Sup.”
“Hi,” I say, feeling suddenly shy. I’m not used to being around kids. Or people for that matter.
“Are you Uncle Coopy’s girlfriend?” Saylor asks bluntly, stressing the word girl.
I choke on my orange juice, and Bane pats me on the back.
“Fuck no,” he says firmly. “Ain’t no bi—”
“Cooper!” Roxy scolds before he can finish his sentence.
His nephew smirks, and Saylor looks disappointed. “Oh. You should get a girlfriend, Uncle Coopy. Daddy says you need to get laid.”
“Saylor!” Roxy gasps, while Jagger busts out laughing.
Bane’s ears turn red. “Your daddy needs to mind his own fucking business.”
“Language,” Roxy scolds. Her eyes go around the table, daring anyone to step out of line again.
“Yeah, Uncle Coopy,” Saylor mimics her grandmother’s tone. “Language.”
I bite my lip to keep from laughing. The family dynamic is fascinating to watch. They clearly love each other, even if they show it by giving each other a hard time.
“Uncle Coopy,” Saylor says, tugging on Bane’s sleeve. “Can you take me to Wally World today? I need the new Stranger Things Funko Pop.”
Bane’s brow furrows. “What the hell is Stranger Things, and what’s a Funko Pop?”
My jaw drops. “You’re kidding, right?”
He looks at me, genuinely confused. “No. Why would I be kidding?”
“Have you been living under a rock?” I ask, incredulous. “Stranger Things is only the biggest show on Netflix!”
“I don’t watch Netflix,” he says, like that should be obvious.
Saylor looks at me with an expression of long-suffering patience. “See what I deal with?”
I laugh, warming to this sassy little girl immediately. “It’s tough, huh?”
“You have no idea,” she sighs.
Okay, it’s official. I love this kid.
“Why can’t Jagger take you?” Bane asks, looking at his nephew.
Jagger rolls his eyes. “Because I don’t have any fuc—” his wide eyes bounce to his grandmother, almost letting the F-bomb slip, “money.”
“So that’s what this is about,” Bane says, narrowing his eyes at Saylor. “You want me to take you because you want me to buy this Funko Pop shit.”
“Exactly!” Saylor beams at him, batting her eyelashes. “Please, Uncle Coopy? Pretty please? I’ll be your best friend forever and ever.”
I watch the internal battle play out on Bane’s face. He’s trying to look stern, but it’s clear he’s putty in his niece’s hands.
“You’re a good kid,” I tell Saylor with a wink. “I like your style.”
Saylor grins, showing a missing front tooth.
Bane sighs heavily, the sound of a man who knows he’s been defeated. “Fine.”
“Yay!” Saylor squeals, throwing her arms around Bane’s neck.
“Sucker,” Jagger mutters, shaking his head.
As I watch Bane with his family, I see a different side of him. A normal-ish guy who loves his family and would clearly do anything for them.
It’s... confusing.
Roxy smiles at me knowingly, like she can read my thoughts. “Finish your breakfast, dear. You’re going to need your strength.”