Chapter 15
When Street slid his arm from under her in the dark, she pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “Be safe,” she whispered, hating to see him go.
Rosa couldn’t believe how much he meant to her. He treated her like something precious. And he would have eaten that awful spaghetti without a complaint if she hadn’t almost thrown up at the taste and stopped him. The pizza delivery had rocked.
His hand stroking over her hair erased her wandering thoughts. “I’ll always be careful so I can spend more time with you, Dinorosa. Go back to sleep. The MC will protect you while I’m gone.”
Trying not to worry, Rosa watched him dress quietly in the dark shadows created by the nightlight he always left on for her. After tugging on his leather vest, Street sat on the edge of the bed. He brushed a hand along her cheek as if he didn’t want to leave.
“You could stay. Say I’m sick?” she suggested.
“Razor would be here in sixty seconds with a thermometer to stretch your small bottom.”
When she wildly shook her head, he laughed. “That’s what I thought. I’m a Devil Daddy, Rosa. These guys are my family. Just like you are. I would never let those I care for down. We’ll keep each other safe and deal with the Ravagers.”
“You’re going for revenge,” she whispered.
“You’re right. They could have killed me—either from the drugs or caused me to wreck. Those assholes didn’t anticipate that one Little girl would put her life at risk to protect mine. But she was so fucking brave.”
The pride in his voice made her smile and embarrassed her simultaneously. “It was the right thing to do.”
“Only for someone special. They don’t get to threaten those I love. I’m going to make sure they understand that lesson.”
“Would you teach me to drive a car?” she blurted.
“Of course. Do you not know how?”
“No.”
“But you drove my motorcycle?”
“I’d done that before, but I’ve never had anyone who would take the time to teach me to maneuver a big vehicle,” Rosa said.
“Then we’ll have some driver’s education classes. My garage has plenty of space for a compact car next to my bike. The new house, even more. Now, close those pretty brown eyes and go to sleep.”
“I can’t. I’m going to get up and watch videos.” She tried to distract him from the skirmish ahead. Lying in bed sleeping wasn’t an option as she worried. “Would you…. Call me when you’re on your way home?”
“I will. Give me one more kiss, Little girl. I need some sugar to fuel my ride.”
Rosa rose to her knees and pressed her mouth firmly to his. When his tongue slid across the seam of her lips, she opened her mouth to welcome it to wrap around hers. When he set her away from him, she breathed heavier.
“You are a potent temptation, Little girl. Be good while I’m gone.”
He stood, shifting his cock inside his jeans. Rosa snickered. The Devil Daddies members had to think Street was a sex addict. He kept showing up with a literal hard-on.
“I’m going to start carrying an ice pack in my boxers,” he growled and winked to let her know he enjoyed his response to her as much as she did. “Be good.”
He was gone before she could answer. Rosa sat up in bed and wrapped her arms around herself. Inky! She searched around for her stuffie and found him hiding under the covers. Hugging Inky to her heart helped ease her worry.
Deciding she wouldn’t be able to sleep, Rosa headed for the family room of the cabin. She could watch some videos on the TV. Hopefully, she remembered how to pull up the internet on the screen.
Walking into the darkened room, Rosa heard the rumble of a bike driving down the street.
She peered out the big, picture window and saw another headlight go by.
One after another proceeded to the gate.
The display of their strength settled the uneasiness inside her.
The Devil Daddies were together. They would protect each other.
Rosa refused to wonder what would happen to her if Street wasn’t around.
That was selfish. She’d survive just as she always had.
Unfortunately, Rosa remembered how tough those first days and weeks on her own had been.
Staying with Street had reminded her of how phenomenal a caring family was.
Having people who cared about her ripped away would be devastating.
A shadowy figure appeared on the other side of the glass. Her heart raced as she jumped a foot off the floor. Automatically, she dropped to the rug to disappear from view. No one ever lurked in the dark with good intentions. Did they see me? Who was that?
“Rosa? Rosa, it’s Winnie! Scythe’s Little girl. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“Winnie?” Rosa whispered and slowly pushed herself up to peek out the window.
She barely recognized the young woman in the dark. They’d met at Inferno, but Winnie had looked like a second-grade teacher in the midst of the roadhouse people. That woman’s hair was wild. Wait, was that a squirrel in her arms?
Rosa rushed to the door and opened it. “Winnie? What are you doing?”
“Chippy said we should come over and check on you. He thought you’d be worried.”
“You scared me.”
“I’m sorry. I should have knocked but I didn’t want to wake you up if Chippy was wrong. Ah!” She whirled around. “Caroline! Oh, thank goodness. I thought the boogeyman was here to carry me away to his cave.”
“Does the boogeyman live in a cave?” Caroline asked before grinning at Rosa. “Hi! I thought maybe you might like some company.”
“I’m here too!” a petite blonde said.
“Angel!” Winnie greeted the newest arrival with a fond hug. “We should get Honey. She might be having trouble walking here. I’ll be right back. Go on inside.”
The others smiled at Rosa, appearing friendly. “Um. Would you all like to come in?” Rosa crossed her fingers hoping Street would be okay with her inviting people inside as she held the door open for everyone.
“Sure,” Caroline said. She flipped on the interior and exterior lights as she entered Street’s house.
Winnie returned with her arm around Honey as they walked slowly down the driveway. Quickly, Rosa figured out that Honey had some type of mobility challenge. Her opinion of Winnie skyrocketed. She really was as sweet as she’d appeared at Inferno.
Soon everyone sat scattered around the family room. Rosa’s mind raced as she tried to figure out how to welcome her guests. Should she offer refreshments? Taking a deep breath, she confessed, “I’m sorry. I don’t know how to do this. I never have company over. Can you help me?”
“Of course. Let’s remind Rosa of our names.” Winnie took charge. “And our Daddies.”
“And introduce our stuffies,” Honey suggested with a smile. “I’ll start. I’m Honey. Razor is my Daddy. And this is Beatrice. She’s a honeybee, of course.”
“I’m Caroline. My Daddy is Wraith. He’s the big guy at the front door of Inferno. Jam is my stuffed monkey.”
“You’re the author, right?” Rosa checked.
“Yes. You have a great memory,” Caroline said, grinning.
“My name is Angel but Vex calls me Baby girl. Sammie is my best friend in the world.”
Winnie cleared her throat as if she’d been rehearsing mentally, “Winnie is my name. Chipmunks are my game. Chippy is sweet and tame. And Scythe ignites my Daddy flame!”
Angel clapped. “Good job, Winnie! Your Daddy flame,” she said giggling.
“I have to follow that?” Rosa said, shaking her head in disbelief. These women were so much fun. “Can I admit I’ve never been Little? Having Street as my Daddy is a total dream. The Ravagers sliced Inky’s tummy. How bad is it that I hope someone has to sew up the jerk responsible?”
“Ditto!” Honey said.
“They are the worst,” Angel said, scowling.
“Okay, so we all wish terrible karma on the Ravagers.” Winnie summed up everyone’s feelings.
“Ah!” They all screamed after a hard knock landed on the window.
“Oops! Sorry. Just checking on you,” a familiar leather-clad biker called, holding up his hands.
“Fury! You scared us!” Caroline said, still pressing her hand to her chest as if keeping her heart from pounding through her skin.
“Are you all okay?” Fury asked. His gaze met Rosa’s directly.
“We’re good. Everyone came to check on me,” Rosa explained, assuring Fury that she was fine having everyone there.
“We’re going to watch movies and eat popcorn,” Angel told Fury. The other women nodded.
“Enjoy! If you need anything, flick the lights on and off or call. Razor and I are on patrol.” Fury looked at Honey. “Did you tell him you were coming over here?”
“Yes. Of course I did,” Honey answered. Rosa saw her fingers were crossed behind her back.
“No, she did not,” Razor’s deep voice stated firmly.
“Oh, no! Did my text not go through?” Honey asked innocently. “Darn cell towers. Sorry, Daddy.”
“We’ll discuss connectivity later, Little girl,” Razor said with a stern expression that sent a shiver down Rosa’s spine, and he wasn’t even looking at her. “Call if you need anything.”
Razor and Fury faded into the dark shadows without a sound.
“Are you in trouble?” Rosa whispered.
“My ass is grass. But that’s okay. I’ll feel better afterward,” Honey assured her with a smile that seemed genuine.
“Shall I raid Street’s popcorn supply?” Winnie asked.
If Winnie already knew where this stash was, she must have eaten some before, so surely Street wouldn’t be mad. “I guess so. I’m afraid I’m not sure where everything is,” Rosa said.
“All the guys put supplies for us in the same place in their pantries. Come on. I’ll show you where our stash is. Street sometimes has extra stuff that’s super yummy,” Winnie said.
Amazed, Rosa followed Winnie into the pantry.
Inside on the left, a wicker basket sat on one shelf.
Rosa hadn’t checked in there when she’d searched for pasta.
Winnie pulled the woven box out so they could peek inside.
Street had filled the container with boxes of microwave popcorn in a variety of flavors along with snack crackers, chocolate, and even gummy candy.
“What’s your favorite?” Winnie asked.
“Butter popcorn is great.” Rosa hesitated and pointed to one of the candy bags. “Are those good?”
“The watermelon sour gummies? The apple ones are my favorite, but those are definitely tasty.” Winnie hesitated a moment before asking, “Have you never tasted them?”
“My mom didn’t allow sugar when I was a kid. I didn’t have money to waste.”
“Have you tried the others?” Winnie asked.
Feeling embarrassed, Rosa bluffed, “Of course I have.”
“Your Daddy would spank you so hard for lying. Come on. We’re taking the entire basket and opening everything. We’ll make the snacks a feast.”
“Winnie, it’s not even three in the morning,” Rosa said, laughing.
“Time doesn’t matter. We’ll sleep in tomorrow. It’s Saturday.” Winnie picked up the basket and groaned. “Help me, Rosa.”
Immediately, Rosa grabbed one side. The two women carried the basket to the kitchen and dropped it on the table. Winnie called into the other room, “Change of plans. We’re going to munch on all the treats.”
“Basket party!” Angel cheered.
“You all have done this before?” Rosa asked.
“Never. I have no idea why not. This is a brilliant plan,” Winnie said as the others joined them in the kitchen.
Working together, the women popped three different flavors of popcorn and opened all the gummies and chocolate.
They piled the goodies on the coffee table and chose a movie.
As everyone laughed at the animated movie they’d selected, Rosa taste tested all the different snacks.
What a crazy fun thing to do! She loved everything but the cherry chewy ones.
Will I be sorry I’ve tried these? Was it better to have no clue what they tasted like? Would she miss them now? She pushed those thoughts away and lived in the moment with these women.
Angel threw her arm around Rosa and offered her more kettle corn. “Come on. Eat some of this. I’ll have a tummy ache if I eat the whole bowl.”
Rosa helped herself to a handful and smiled at Angel. “That’s totally unacceptable.”
“I know, right?” Lowering her voice to a whisper that wouldn’t disturb the others, Angel said, “I’m glad you’re here, Rosa.”
“Thank you, Angel. Me too.”
“You realize, you’re one of us now, right? Winnie, Caroline, and Honey welcomed me. We’re tickled Street found someone special. He watches you like you’re his next breath of air.”
“He does?” Rosa whispered. Her heart lurched at that incredible thought.
“Always. He’s totally smitten.”
Inside, Rosa’s defenses melted a bit more. Each day with Street made her believe this could actually be her life. “Are the guys going to be okay?” If anything happened to Street, she’d never get over him.
“The MC protects each other. Razor will patch up their boo-boos. They’ll take care of the Ravagers. Those guys are such losers,” Angel said.
“They did something to you?”
“Kidnapped me. My father refused to pay the ransom. Who knows what would have happened if Vex hadn’t broken down the door and stolen me away. My Daddy’s still pissed. I think he’ll have at least one stab wound.”
“Doesn’t that scare you?”
“Every second. But Vex risked himself to save me before we’d ever met. He likes Street and knows you’re my friend….” Her voice trailed off before she chuckled. “Vex’s anger is legendary. Those Ravagers don’t have a chance.”
“He’s nice to you?”
“Treats me better than anyone ever has. He adores me with an intensity I didn’t believe existed. I love him and can’t imagine returning to how things were before I met the Ravagers and Vex. Are you going to stay here with the Devil Daddies?” Angel asked.
The lingering doubts in Rosa’s mind vanished. Angel had summed up the risks and benefits of living with a Devil Daddy so well that all the scattered puzzle pieces of her new life with Street clicked into place. “I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
“If you ever have questions or wish to talk, I’m here for you,” Angel said.
“Us too!” Caroline echoed. Winnie and Honey nodded.
“This is my Chippy’s favorite part,” Winnie cheered. Everyone hushed as animated chipmunks did a break dance on the screen.
Rosa had a few more watermelon candies as she watched. A yawn stretched her jaw widely as she settled comfortably on the couch. Soon, soft snores filled the room as everyone fell asleep. Rosa closed her eyes for just a minute.