Chapter 11
-:- CHAOS -:-
When I walk into the clubhouse kitchen, which I felt was the best option, I guide Corey in with me. He is not a timid kid, and I reckon he’ll be fine here.
Meat looks up and gives me a small nod before giving one to Corey. Amelia walks over and smiles, “Well, hello little man, and who might you be?”
“I’m Corey. This is my Uncle Chaos. I’m nine and living with Aunty Victoria.”
Now, Corey states this with such pride that it has me thinking I have to do my best for him.
“We are going to visit Axel,” I inform Amelia when Mia walks into the kitchen with Summer on her hip. She gives Corey a huge smile as she steps closer.
“Oh, hello, and who might you be young man?”
Corey puffs his chest out and gives such a toothy smile that I can’t help but smile along with him. “I’m Corey. I just told this old lady that this is my Uncle Chaos and I live with Aunty Victoria.”
Amelia frowns at the old lady comment, huffs, and mumbles something about no cookies, then gets back to work in the kitchen. Meat chuckles, but remains silent.
“Well, you can come with me, Corey. I’m going to have my morning snack with Summer,” Mia jiggles Summer so she laughs and it points out to Corey who Summer is. “We are having cookies and milk. Do you want some?”
Corey looks up at me, and I shrug. “I’ve got to go out for a while. so if you are okay with Mia and everyone here, I’ll see you later.”
“I’m nine, Uncle Chaos, so I can stay here. I’ll be fine. I’ll go with this lovely lady.”
Mia laughs. “My name is Mia, and…” taking his arm with her free hand, “I’m the boss here.”
That is how Mia walks away with Corey, both looking like they will get along just fine. Turning, I look at Amelia. “Will you make sure he’s okay, Amelia?”
“Of course I will, although I am only an old lady…” huffing again as she turns her back to me. Meat gives his deep chuckle of amusement, and I roll my eyes because that’s what the Ol’ Ladies would do.
Knowing I have people to catch up with today, I have to get my butt moving or I’ll not get everything done. Forgetting all about Axel, I make my way to BaronsSecure as my first port of call.
Standing at the door, I tap on the frame, gaining Bones' attention.
“Come in, Chaos. What can I do for you?”
I walk inside and take a seat facing Bones. “I’ve been thinking about Vicky’s situation and you know she’s a tech person, like yourself. I was thinking maybe you had a space for her here?”
Bones taps his palm on his knee gently while looking at me seriously. “Delta has actually spoken to me about Victoria. I have also spoken to Specs. Both say she’d make a great addition to the team here, but would she be interested? That is the question.”
“I will speak to her today. Well, tonight, when we have sorted out sleeping arrangements. Last night Corey slept on the couch and I had the floor. Christ, I’m too old for sleeping on the ground. Did enough of that in the military.”
Bones chuckles. “Well, you know if you are serious about Victoria then you will have to get somewhere to live. Above the range isn’t going to be ideal. Did you know there is a house for sale across the street from me?”
“No, I didn’t. I’ll put that on my list of things to do. I’ll arrange a viewing.” I tap my chin in thought, then laugh at Bones’ next comment.
“You’ll have to put up with Mrs. Lincoln. She’s the one who does nothing but complain. But you will also have Ginny, who is great. She compensates for having to put up with Mrs. Lincoln.”
“Hmm, maybe I could shut the old crow up. I can cause chaos if I want to, and she may have earned some.” We both look at each other and start to laugh because we both know I’m not even joking.
****
An hour later I am outside the realtor’s office sitting in the truck with the phone to my ear. It only rings three times before my call is answered, “Wings, have you found Bethy?”
“Yeah, she’s safe with me. I’ve had to divert some as she was being followed. I found a tracker in her shoe, but got rid of that quickly enough. We are heading back but not taking a direct route. I’m watching for anyone following, but nothing as yet. I reckon two days and we’ll be with you.”
Wings knowing someone was tracking her would have had him taking out the threat. I’m not going to ask and he’s not going to say, but I know him well enough that he’d do exactly the same as I would. Eliminate the threat.
“Okay, stay safe. If you need me, I’ll be with you as fast as I can.”
“Gotta go, Chaos. See you soon, brother.”
Placing my phone into the console of the truck, I climb out and head into the realtor’s office. Sitting calmly behind a desk is a man who looks like he should be in a theater of some kind. All he needs is a pipe, and he’d make a good Sherlock Holmes.
“Good day to you,” the man says as he stands from his seat behind the desk. “Can I help you?”
“I want to look at a house…” I ramble the information and the man who tells me his name is Mr. Stonley keeps nodding before he looks on his desk and picks up two sheets of paper.
“This is the house you are speaking about. It is vacant and ready for possession. It is in excellent condition and had a replacement kitchen, bathroom and ensuite only a year before the owner decided to move to Europe where her son resides. Now she has put the house on the market as she has no inclination to return. She is leaving it fully furnished, as is, as one says.” Mr. Stonley looks at me as though this place is a goldmine, and I’d be stupid not to look at it.
“Okay, when can I look at it?” I ask because honestly this sounds like a bargain.
“I can meet you at the house, nine-thirty tomorrow morning, if that suits you?”
Nodding, I hold my hand out to shake. “Yeah, that suits me. I’ll see you at the house, nine thirty sharp.”
Sitting back in the truck, I pick up my phone and see Forest has called. Fuck, that must be important as he hardly ever calls me.
I make my way to the Sheriff’s Office, and when I walk inside Gemmy is at the reception desk. “Well, hello, Chaos.”
“Well, hello, Gemmy,” I mimic, which gets me a laugh right before Forest walks out of the Deputies’ office and gives me a scowl and a head nod to follow him.
Inside Forest’s office, I take a seat and wait. I know better than to push Forest when he’s got his resting bitch face on.
“Okay, we have the fact that you were attacked by an armed woman covered. She died when a law enforcement officer reacted. The father – I had pushed during interrogation to get the answers that I needed. The parents were trying to collect the insurance payout, but unbeknownst to the mother, she was next on the list.”
I’m looking at Forest with no sign of shock on my face. This is exactly what I was expecting, but it’s Corey’s future I’m worried about. “Yeah, it’s what I thought.”
Forest continues. “I had our judge friend do something for us. It now seems you have legal guardianship of Corey. His father signed it over to you right before Graham and Tank came for him.”
Now, as the realization of what Forest is saying hits, the smile on my face grows. I don’t give a shit that I’m not related to Corey, and I’ll fucking adopt him so he is safe for the rest of his life, because once something is mine, it’s mine as long as I’m breathing.
“Okay, let’s get this guardianship into adoption. He can be Corey Styles from this moment onward.”
“What about Victoria? What if she doesn’t want to take on a nine-year-old kid?” Forest asks, and I don’t even have to consider my answer.
“If Victoria isn’t up for it, then she’s not the woman I thought she was, and she’s not the woman for me.”
Forest nods his head in understanding. I give him a tip of my head as I walk out of the office. I’ve got to speak to Target next before he pays me a visit.
****
I’m pacing in Target’s office at the range, and he’s watching me patiently.
“It’s been a hell of a time, Target. I can boil it down to this.
I rescued Corey from his parents' clutches thanks to Aaron’s help.
I’ve now got Corey under my guardianship and I’m going to adopt him.
I’m looking to buy a house across the street from Bones.
I have also found my woman. I just have to make sure she’ll be up for it. ”
I take a deep breath, but before I can carry on speaking Target interrupts.
“Take a seat, Chaos.”
Target waits quietly while I settle myself into a chair.
“Okay, I know about the river incident. I know about Victoria. I know about everything, and you should know that I would know.”
Leaning forward, Target continues, “I didn’t know you have guardianship, and that impresses me.
It means you are finally growing into the man I know you to be.
Adoption is a great thing, and from what I have heard about Victoria she will not have a problem with that.
But, and it is a but, do you have Victoria locked down?
Do you have a kutte on her back? Have you got a wedding ring on her finger?
All or one of those are needed, otherwise she’ll think you are using her just to get Corey. ”
Now my mind rushes with all the thoughts Target has placed in my head. He is sitting back in his seat knowing full well what he has done. But he isn’t looking smug. He is just waiting for me to respond.
“I will speak to Victoria tonight. I don’t think she’ll have a problem with it, but if she does, then she’s not the right fit for me.
Adopting Corey is the right thing for me to do, I won’t leave him in a position where he’ll be shoved into the system.
Having guardianship has saved that, but I want to take it further and have him grow up knowing he is wanted. ”
“Be upfront always. That is my advice. I hold nothing back from Winter. We discuss everything. Have no secrets. If you hold secrets you are begging for things to come back, bite you on the ass, and rip your life apart.” Target gives me a serious look, and I know he’s saying this to me because I hold things close to me.
Not sharing my feelings as much as I should and could.
I head out from the range after giving Winter a few minutes of my time. Of course, Winter is going to want to add Victoria to her weapons training for the Ol’ Ladies. Trouble is, I have to nail down Vicky to be my Ol’ Lady first.
I head back to the clubhouse. I have to pick up Corey, inform him I’m his guardian, and I want to adopt him. That his father is gone and won’t be coming back. I also need him to help me get my woman on board with what’s happening.