Chapter Fifteen. #2
“Kyleah Adams, she’s a huge problem,” Leila said without a hello. The IT expert, basically the Hawthornes’ PI hacker, didn’t sound amused.
“What’s that cunt done now?” I stopped rocking and swung my legs down and sat up straight.
“The baby ain’t yours, but the daddy is a nasty piece of work. Kyleah ran from him but stole half a mill. He’s tracked her down and doesn’t want the kid but wants his money. Bitch told him you have it, and now the motherfucker’s hunting you.”
“Fuck!” I exclaimed. This was the last thing I needed on top of someone trying to kill Amy.
“Kyleah was also the one who outed Amy’s identity to the media and leaked her whereabouts,” Leila continued.
“I knew the damn whore had overheard what was said!” I growled out. Anger swept through me. Some cheap whore had put my woman’s life at risk. “Who’s the guy?”
“Stefan Marker. A big-time criminal in St. Louis. Kyleah ran from there and latched onto you,” Leila said.
“Can we arrange a meeting with him?”
“Vortex, this asshole is dangerous,” Leila stated.
“So am I. Set something up, Leila. I want Marker off my back with what’s happening with Amy. She’s my priority,” I replied.
“Fine. I’ll get back to you.”
I hung up; there wasn’t much more to say. Stefan Marker, I’d no idea who he was and couldn’t care less. His problem was with Kyleah, not me. Stefan could chase her until the ends of the earth, for all I cared.
Amy
The children took my mind off my problems, and we had a great time.
Maybe too much fun. Poet overfilled the feeding troughs, and Cassian got attacked by furious chickens.
We had to scatter seed for them to ignore him and give Cassian time to grab the eggs.
Chill was full-on laughing when the teen emerged, looking pissed.
It was easy to tell Cassian was deciding whether to break the eggs over Chill’s head.
“Don’t bother, or your mum will get a heads-up on who really blew the toilet up,” Chill threatened in a low tone.
Cassian looked betrayed, but held back.
“How’d you know?” Cassian demanded.
“Dude, never play poker, you can’t hide shit,” Chill retorted.
Cassian glared.
“Why did you do it?” I asked.
“Because we wanted to see the town. Mom wouldn’t let us have some time off, so I arranged it so we could,” Cassian replied simply.
Chill snorted, and I grinned. “As a schoolteacher, I shouldn’t be encouraging you, but that was a genius move. I bet half your friends are up here and silently thanking you.”
“You’re a teacher?” Cassian demanded, looking horrified.
“Kindergarten, you’re safe from me. Although if something blows up around me, I’ll look for you,” I replied.
“Shit,” Cassian muttered. “Ain’t you got some sort of code where you have to tell other teachers?”
“Nope. What you did isn’t safeguarding; it’s just teenage pranks. Chill, is there anything else for Cassian to do?”
Chill regarded him. “The feed truck will be here soon. Cassian can unload that, then we’ll go back and check he’s allowed to take the kids around town. If you are, stick to Main Street; your mom has enough worries.”
“Trust me, I know exactly how to look after my brother and sister,” Cassian replied.
Somehow, I knew that was true.
◆◆◆
When we returned to the clubhouse, Meadow gave permission, and Chill headed outside with the children. Although I was getting used to people staring, I didn’t want to be constantly exposed to it.
Through the doors, I watched as Chill slid the kids some notes. Cassian tried handing some back, but Chill shook his head. Chill said something, Cassian nodded, pocketed the cash, and then took the younger kids’ hands and walked off.
“How much did you give him?” I asked.
“Two hundred bucks. I’ve got the feeling they don’t have much. Meadow’s struggling; her ex is still giving her the runaround and has hidden the money. Luckily, Meadow can prove it existed. The judge is ready to throw the book at the fucker if he doesn’t start being honest,” Chill replied.
“Meadow confides in you?” I asked.
Chill looked guilty. “Not quite. I’ve made her business my business—and don’t you tell her.”
“I won’t say a word. Pinky promise,” I teased.
Chill sent me a disgusted look and walked away, to my laughter. The doors opened, and I gasped. “Dad, Papa! Declan!”
Declan tore from Papa’s hand and rushed over to me. He climbed onto my lap and hugged me tightly.
“Looks like we’re not wanted anymore,” Papa complained as he came over and kissed my cheek.
“You’re always needed. Hi, Papa,” I replied.
Dad followed suit and stepped back. His gaze narrowed on my arm. “What is that?” he demanded.
Declan looked at my injury, and worry appeared in his eyes.
I went with the stunt woman story that Declan bought, but my dads didn’t.
Declan, usually a quiet child, began babbling about sheriffs, the Wild West, and horses.
I was slightly shocked. Declan typically spoke one or two words, and I hoped this meant he was coming out of his shell.
“Shall we go explore? I know where there are horses,” I asked.
Declan jumped down and bounced on his toes. His little face lit up with glee. “Sheriff?”
“Well, there’s one in town. Fancy visiting him?”
“Yes!” Declan cried and grabbed my hand.
“We’re going to talk,” Papa promised, and I nodded . Somehow, I’d guessed that.
Vortex met us as we began the tour, and he texted Drew to find us. I gaped when I saw what Drew was wearing.
“Oh wow, Declan will go nuts,” I whispered.
“Drew looks great, and it was his idea,” Vortex murmured.
Drew wore black jeans tucked into cowboy boots with spurs.
His gun was in a side holster, and he’d donned a white shirt with a thin black tie knotted into a bow.
Over that was a tan waistcoat, and to cap it all, a knee-length brown leather duster.
On his left breast shone his sheriff’s badge, and a Stetson perched on his head.
Behind Drew came Bow, wearing the same but different colours; his jeans were light tan, his waistcoat a faded red, and his leather duster was black. A black bandana was around his neck.
Tourists stared as they headed towards us. Declan began bouncing on his feet. “Sheriff!” he cackled and clapped his hands. I smiled as Drew and Bow stopped close by.
“Any trouble?” Vortex asked Bow as Declan engaged Drew.
“No. We’ve had some looks and questions whether we’re really law enforcement. The taser, cuffs and ID are enough to convince most,” Bow replied.
Some young women strolled by and stared at Bow. He tipped his hat and offered a slow smile. I barely stopped the laugh as I saw them fall instantly in lust. Bow knew exactly what he was doing as he winked. One was so distracted that she walked into a gas lamp post and bounced off it.
“Damn,” Vortex muttered. “Now I know why you’re wearing them.”
“Because we look great?” Drew retorted, and Vortex shook his head.
“Are you jealous?” I teased, and Vortex snatched me up.
“Of those two douches? Nah, I got the best woman already,” Vortex replied.
“Yup, remember that, when all these women come on to you,” I sniped. While I kept my tone light-hearted, there was a little worry. Vortex was garnering just as many looks as Drew and Bow.
“Horse?” Declan asked Drew, and Drew pointed to the stables.
“Want to see some?” Declan began tugging Drew in that direction before he’d even finished speaking.
“Damn, this is the most animated I’ve seen him,” Papa exclaimed.
“Declan clearly loves the Wild West, and the Black Hills are notorious for it,” Vortex mused. “How’s he settling in?”
“He’s not,” Dad admitted. “Declan has nightmares, no doubt about the crash, and he also wets the bed in fear. Nothing settles him. He constantly needs to know where Amy is.”
Dad exchanged glances with Papa.
“What is it?” I demanded.
“Amy, darling. How do you feel about Declan?”
I took my time answering that. “I’m falling in love with him, in all honesty. He’s such a sweet boy.”
“Have you considered adopting him?” Papa suggested.
“I wouldn’t get approval. I’ve no job, no real home, and the apartment isn’t suitable for a kid. We couldn’t live there,” I replied after considering that.
“But if you had a home? Would you?” Vortex asked intensely.
“Probably,” I admitted.
“Let’s grab Declan, I’ve something to show you,” Vortex said and snatched my hand. He jerked his head for my dads to follow, and we walked across to rescue Drew and Bow from Declan.