Big Red (Sinful Warriors MC #5)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

BIG RED

B eep. Beep. Beep. Slamming my hand down on the worst creation known to man, I silence my alarm clock. I lay in silence for a few minutes before dragging myself out of bed.

Lately, my days seem to run together. Besides my kids, Colton and Cindy, I have nothing going for myself. Being a single dad is as hard as it gets. I never thought I would become a father, let alone a single father.

Growing up, seeing the things I did, I had zero desire to have children of my own.

I don’t regret my children. They’re the best things that ever happened to me. They soften my hard soul. When their mother, Chloe, told me she was pregnant, I couldn’t believe it. Literally.

She told me she was on the pill.

Yeah, she used the oldest trick in the book. I thought I could trust Chloe. We had been seeing each other for six months at the time. I wasn’t in love, but I did care for her. When she told me we didn’t have to use condoms anymore because she had gone and got the pill, I didn’t even hesitate to take her bare. I had been having sex since I was sixteen, and the thought of being inside a woman bare intrigued me.

Two months after having an insane amount of unprotected sex, she dropped the we’re-going-to-be-parents bomb. I’ve never been scared of anything, but the thought of being a parent at only twenty-four years old was enough to make me spiral.

During the first few months of her pregnancy, I spent time at the clubhouse avoiding her. When Smoke, our former club president, found out I wasn’t stepping up to the plate, that old bastard put a boot to my ass. He wasn’t going for it.

I was angry at the time. I didn’t appreciate him butting into my life, but in the end, he was right. From the moment I laid eyes on my daughter, I was a goner. I knew in that very moment there wouldn’t be a damn thing I wouldn’t do for her. And when Colton was born, it was like looking in the mirror.

Sometimes, it’s a bit freaky how much he cloned me—matching black hair and hazel eyes, not to mention the temper. He can be a calm little dude but piss him off, and he looks like a grenade getting ready to explode.

“DAD! WHAT DID YOU DO?!” he screams from down the hall.

See what I mean?

I know that tone. I don’t know what I’ve done, but it can’t be too bad. I just woke up.

Making my way out of my room, I follow the sound of giggles and Colt’s furious tone. “It’s not funny, Cindy. Look at this. Look what he did!”

Okay. I don’t like the way he referred to me like I’m the plague. I highly doubt whatever’s got him tied in knots this morning is all that serious. Kids can be a little dramatic, especially in the mornings when they’re still tired.

Walking into the laundry room, I freeze at the catastrophe I’m staring at. Cindy sits on top of the washer, giggling into her hand while my son holds what used to be his whites, which are now pink.

Yikes.

I don’t know how I did this.

My helpful daughter picks up on my confusion and holds up one of his now-faded red socks.

“Dad, care to explain this?” His tone sounds like he’s bordering the line of a breakdown.

Every time I used to lose my temper, my mom always used to tell me my children would end up being little hulks in the making.

“Sorry, son. I don’t know how I missed that. But how about after school, we go shopping and replace all your whites?”

I’ll do anything to avoid an explosion today. It's Friday, and I just want a nice relaxing day before enjoying my weekend.

His frown quickly turns into a smile. He nods his head and gathers up the ruined whites.

“Where are you taking those?” I ask him as he walks out of the laundry room.

“To the trash where they belong.”

Shaking my head and chuckling, I turn to my daughter, who still thinks this is so funny. “Alright, you got your laugh for the morning. Go get dressed so we can head over to the clubhouse and eat breakfast before Gigi takes you to school.”

Gigi, aka mother hen of the compound. Her name is Crystal, but to all the children on the compound, she’s ‘Gigi’, their surrogate grandma. She’s my club brothers Torch and Blade's mother and an absolute godsend. When their sisters came to the compound a few years back, they ended up falling head over heels in love with Viper and Bear.

Crystal and her husband, Paul, moved here with their son, Marco, to be closer to their grandchildren, and the rest is history.

“Okay. I’m just going to call Aunt Cara really quick. I want French braids today.”

She hops down from the washer and begins making her way out of the laundry room. I place my hand on her arm, stopping her.

“Baby girl, how about we do something a little different today? I can help you with your hair. Aunt Cara has her hands full these days.”

Cindy frowns, and I can tell she wants to argue. I pin her with a look that has her muttering, “Fine,” and walking out of the room. I feel like a bit of an ass for denying her, but Cara and Viper have four kids now. Their triplets are always up to some kind of mischief.

I appreciate all the ol’ ladies when they help with the kids. I just don’t want to become a burden to them. I have to learn how to do certain things on my own.

I make my way back to my room and hop into the shower. Being a single dad, I’ve learned to get ready quickly. The day Chloe decided she didn’t want to be a mother anymore, she left me with a three-year-old and a one-year-old. I remember having a few club brothers come over just so I could shower.

The first few years after Chloe left were the most challenging times in my life.

Walking out of the bathroom, I notice my phone in the middle of the bed. I don’t remember leaving it there. I always make sure to charge my phone when I go to bed. I can’t afford for my phone to die. There always seems to be some type of emergency these days, whether it’s the club or my kids.

I grab my phone, power up the screen, and notice a full battery.

I shake my head and pocket my phone. Maybe I need a vacation. I leave my room to check on the kids, and Colt’s already dressed and putting his shoes on.

My front door opens, and Cara strides in, pinning me with a look that lets me know she’s pissed. Everything clicks at that moment. Cindy. She must have used my phone while I was showering. I turn around and catch her at the end of the hall, eyeing me with a smirk.

Snitch.

I can’t believe she ratted me out.

Colton gives his Aunt Cara a beaming smile before running to her. She squats down just in time to wrap him in a hug. “Hi, my handsome man. How’d you do on that art project?”

“B-plus,” he says and holds his fist up. Cara taps her fist against his tiny one.

“That’s what I’m talking about. I’m so proud of you.” She kisses his cheek, and I watch as they turn redder than a tomato. I cover my mouth to hide the smile on my face. Colton hates it when anyone points out how smitten he is with his Aunt Cara.

She ruffles his hair before standing and locking her gaze with mine. All the affection is wiped from her face as she steps up to me.

“Did you really tell Cindy that I was too busy for her? Hmm?” she asks as she pokes a finger to my chest.

“I didn’t say it like that. I just said you have your hands full, which you do.” I hear a huff coming from behind me. I don’t need to turn around to know Cindy is standing there with her arms crossed and a look I’m pretty sure says, “ that’s basically what you said.”

“Listen to me good, Red. I will never be too busy for them. If they want to call me, let them. Okay?”

I nod as she saunters up the hall with Cindy in tow as they discuss her hairstyle.

All the guys with ol’ ladies lucked up. They found amazing women to spend their lives with. Sometimes, I think it’s time to move on from Chloe's betrayal, but I enjoy the peace of not being in a relationship. My relationship with Chloe wasn’t the best.

If I found a woman like the other ol’ ladies, I would snatch her up in a heartbeat. But the women who come on to me either only want me for my patch or my money. It’s no secret the club owns multiple businesses in town, and for certain women, all they see are dollar signs. A means to an end.

After about fifteen minutes, Cara comes back with Cindy, not too far behind. After telling the kids she’ll see them at breakfast, she heads out.

“Grab your backpacks so we can leave.” They race off to their rooms as I grab my cut from my bedroom. After locking up the house, we walk over to the clubhouse.

“I can’t believe you told on me.” I frown at her.

Cindy giggles before shaking her head. “I’m sorry, Dad, but you really suck at doing hair. I’d rather not get teased for having my hair look like a bird's nest.”

Cindy quickly recognizes her slipup, turns away from me and tries to quicken her steps. I grab hold of her arm, stopping her. “Go ahead, lil man, let me talk to your sister for a second.” Colt looks at Cindy, and she gives him a curt nod. As much as those two bicker, they put no one before each other.

“Have you still been having problems with Tommy?”

That little boy is a complete shithead. His parents are even more of a pain in the ass. I’ve had two parent-teacher conferences with them, and they still won't get their demon of a child in line. I’m really beginning to lose my patience.

Cindy had already broken his nose, and that seemed to have added gasoline to the fire. I never want my kids to always choose violence to solve their problems. If this doesn’t stop, his father is going to be getting a broken nose next. I won't put up with Tommy bullying my daughter any longer.

Cindy opens her mouth, and I can tell she’s about to try and brush this off. “Don’t lie to me, baby girl. Is he?” I ask again.

“Yes, and now a few girls have joined in, too. But Marco and Hannah are always there to make them back off. Please don’t come to my school, Dad. Last time, people were calling me a tattletale for months. If it gets out of hand, I promise I’ll say something. Please.”

Her eyes are pleading, so I nod. I don’t need to tell her I’ll be paying Tommy’s dad a visit real soon. After breakfast, I hug my kids goodbye as they head off to school. On the way out, I ask Tech to find out anything and everything about Tommy’s parents.

Nobody messes with my kids.