Chapter Fourteen.
Jody
Three showers later, the stench was finally out of my hair.
God knows what Magic had put in those things.
Stupidly, I hadn’t expected chaos when I got back, but should have.
It was Magic’s way of doing stuff. All the kids were in their respective bathrooms getting clean, and I couldn’t help but notice how happy and relaxed they’d all been.
When I came downstairs, I was surprised to see Magic wasn’t waiting.
Voices drifted outside, and I walked toward them, frowning when a bike revved.
Confused, I headed for the side door, and my heart skipped a beat.
It was a scene directly out of a biker’s domestic heaven.
A man showing two boys how to maintain their bikes.
Oskar with Magic, both their heads bent over Oskar’s Harley.
Lars sat and throttled it as Magic showed Oskar something.
He was explaining patiently, and Lars leaned over to watch, too.
I couldn’t help the pain that rushed through me.
Vulcan and Kanon should be doing that. I swallowed the grief and watched.
A bond was forming between the three of them; it was plain to see, and I was glad Magic was experiencing that. He deserved it, too.
◆◆◆
“I told Magic,” Laila announced, sitting down.
“What, honey?” Laila couldn’t have been more random if she’d tried.
“That I like girls.”
Well, I guessed Magic’s reaction to that. “And?”
“He wasn’t bothered.”
Bingo!
“Magic stated if I was happy, who cared. And he was grateful he didn’t have to scare away boyfriends. But Magic was unsure about girlfriends.”
“No doubt Magic will look up if it’s acceptable to chase off potential girlfriends. Although that doesn’t quite have the same ring.”
“Lars also told me what Magic suggested.” Laila chewed her lip.
“What was that?”
“That Vulcan was our dad, but Magic could be our Pops.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“Better. Mor, I like Magic, and if he’s Pops, then we aren’t betraying Far,” Laila replied.
“That’s your choice, baby. I’ll support you no matter what.”
“Thanks, Mor.” Laila leaned over and kissed my cheek.
“Anytime, kiddo,” I murmured as she got up and headed inside. I sat outside for a few moments to gather my thoughts and followed Laila. Dinner needed organising.
Magic
“Did you know you can’t use a shotgun to scare off your daughter’s girlfriend? It’s not acceptable. What a load of bullshit.”
Alice gaped in horror. “What the hell are you looking at?” She tried to grab my cell, but I moved away.
“If it’s a boy, I can chase them off with a rifle, but the interweb says that’s not reasonable to do to girls.” I frowned. “How about a handgun? They’re not as threatening but still frightening, right?”
“Magic!” Alice nearly shrieked. “What is wrong with you?”
“What?” I demanded. “I’ve gotta protect my baby, and girlfriends can be bitches.”
Alice was shaking her head in despair as chuckles rang out around the bar.
“Knew Magic would go loco when he discovered he had a girl,” Inglorious stated.
Onyx leaned over and tapped Storm on the shoulder. “Pay up.”
Storm glared at me. “Asshole.”
“You bet on me? Motherfuckers!”
“We bet that you’d still go whacko, even if Laila was a lesbian and you’ve done that.” Onyx grinned.
Laila had told me she didn’t care who knew; she was just wary of the schoolkids finding out. I’d had to put a few of these idiots straight when they taunted me about boys.
“Laila’s going to bring home someone Jody will love, and you’ll be screwed,” Inglorious goaded.
“Fuckin’ hate you. Cut him off,” I ordered Alice, who shook her head and promptly took Inglorious another beer.
“Traitor!” I boomed, and Alice shrugged. “If shotguns are off-limits, what about a handgun?”
“No,” Bunny declared from the end of the bar.
“Why not?” I almost whined. “Baseball bat! I’ll do what that guy did in Walking Dead and wrap it in barbed wire. Let a bitch fight that.”
Alice shook her head and reached up and slapped the back of my head. “No!”
“You’re spoiling my fun. I’ve every right to protect my baby.”
“Not with weapons. Will you chase a girl because she’s dating Lars?”
“Nope, my boy’s gonna score!” I chortled, and Alice took the bat from behind the bar and whacked me hard.
“Your boy’s going to score, but Laila can’t? Aren’t they the same age?” Alice hit me again as Bunny shouted encouragement. “How dare you stand in front of Bunny and me and crow about your double standards?” Whack!
“Stop, that shit hurts!” I yelled.
“I’m taking Laila to an adult store and will buy her a shitload of sex toys, strap-ons, bullets, wands,” Bunny threatened as Alice slammed me a fourth time.
In between staring at Bunny in horror and trying to grab the damn thing, Alice beamed me in the forehead.
I staggered back and sat heavily on the floor. My sweet Alice pointed the bat.
“Magic, I ever hear such misogynistic crap from you again, I’ll be using the excavator myself. You’ll be the one buried ten feet down,” Bunny threatened. It was a terrifying threat because of how calm she was.
“Pyro is a bad influence. He needs dealing with,” I threatened, and Bunny laughed.
“Magic, you’re overreacting. Laila can take care of herself,” Alice stated, and I scowled.
“She’s my baby girl. You’re my big girls, and I don’t like your husbands getting handsy.” I glowered at Diesel and Pyro, who both smirked. “I’ll cut your fuckin’ hands off!”
“Magic, go play with some gunpowder,” Alice said, patting my arm.
Was she being patronising? I became incensed. “You better not be doing freaky shit with my daughters,” I hissed at Diesel and Pyro. Their smirks grew.
A growl escaped. “Listen up fuckers, I’ve got dynamite waistcoats, and I know where you fuckers live, work, and relax.”
Diesel looked worried while Pyro considered that.
“Yeah, I’ll take my chances. Harming me hurts Bunny, and you won’t do that. You’d rather cut your own throat.” Diesel perked up.
A wicked grin crossed my lips. “Yup, but my girls don’t need your balls intact. I know how to make you sterile,” I threatened. “Two bricks without anaesthesia.” I pinched two fingers and thumb together and kissed them, flicking my fingers outwards.
Around the bar, men grabbed their groins. “Why?” Diesel howled.
“You’re a sick bastard, Magic,” Onyx stated, and I grinned. Everyone had better remember that! Now, how to protect Laila from randy bitches?
Jody
“Hey, are you here to distract the lunatic?” Alice inquired hopefully as I entered the bar.
“What?” I asked with a smile. Alice could only be referring to Magic.
“Magic’s lost the plot. Apparently, Bunny and I don’t have sex, and our children were created through immaculate conception. Plus, he’s researching ways to chase off randy bitches. And he might also be bruised after I beat him with a bat,” Alice stated.
“What the hell is wrong with you people?” I asked, laughing.
“Magic was telling the bar Lars could get laid but not Laila. Bunny and I took offence. And then Pyro stiffed him after declaring that Magic would rather cut his arm off than hurt Bunny and me. Therefore, Pyro and Diesel were safe from any threats. Magic disappeared, and I’m sure he’s researching ways to harm them without causing too much damage,” Alice continued.
She was so calm.
“And you’re not worried?”
“No. Magic might bruise them a bit, but he’d never maim them. He knows we’d be too upset if he did,” Bunny said as she approached.
“Seriously, you’re all fucked up in the head,” I stated, and Bunny grinned.
“Yeah. Some more than others. As Magic’s girls, Alice and I have excuses. What’s yours?”
“Huh?”
“You dated Magic for four years before everything went tits up. And now you’re dating him again. Alice and I have a reason for our insanity, do you?” Bunny demanded.
There was a glint in her eye, and I knew Bunny was getting off on the teasing. Two could play that game. “I love the way Magic kisses. How his lips fit mine and his tongue, good Lord, that man knows how to use that. Especially when he goes down on you. Magic does this thing—”
“Ew! Stop! That’s my adopted dad,” Alice yelled, and I laughed.
“Yeah, I’m uncomfortable too,” Bunny agreed and walked away. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
“Where is he?” I asked.
“Out back. Go through the kitchen,” Alice said. I nodded and headed to the staff door. I found Magic at the small seating area he provided for employees.
“Checking the dead are staying where they’re buried?”
Magic snorted. “I’d be stupid to bury them directly out here.” Magic gazed towards the nearby hillside, and he smirked. Yup, that’s where the bodies were.
“That’s something you never were.” I sat down and leaned my head on his arm. Magic stiffened before relaxing and stretched his legs out. “What happened to that parole officer you had?”
“Rutter fucked the wrong guy off and ate a bullet. No, it wasn’t me, but I testified to his abuse of power. Do you remember calling him Rotter?” Magic chuckled.
“Yup. That creep also looked a hell of a lot like Pee-wee Herman. That was damn frightening.”
“Yeah.”
“What about the judge?”
Magic snickered. “Asshole got caught with an underage girl. They had to put him in isolation. A buddy posted bail, and he disappeared. The other judge lost his position, wife, kids, and home. Idiot.”
“And let me guess, your judge is pushing up daisies?” I asked.
“Too damn right. The fucker was prejudiced from the start. Loads of his convictions have been overturned,” Magic said.
“Yours?”
“Nah. I did the time, that can’t be reversed. That’s life.”
“That asshole was out of line,” I muttered, still angry all these years later.
“It’s done, baby. We can’t change anything. How’s the kids?”
“Laila took Henrik and Jesper to Delta Force. Jacob stated that if they worked hard today, he might let them try the wind tunnel. Jesper was bouncing at the idea. It’s good to see him happy. Thanks for thinking of them,” I said, turning to Magic and smiling.
Magic reached out, cupped my nape, and kissed me lightly.