Chapter Eight
Penny
The Kiss of Death compound loomed before us, a series of massive warehouses forming a grid.
My daughters pressed against me as we approached, Kira’s small fingers twisting into the hem of my jacket while Zelda looked around us with an odd mixture of wariness and wonder.
Tiny gripped the steering wheel loosely as we drove through the gate.
A chain-link fence seemed to surround the entire property.
I knew it was at the lower end next to Haven, but really, the compound was really massive.
The walkways between the buildings were covered with camo netting, and there were guys lounging next to buildings shooting the shit.
Except when I looked closer, they were actually on pretty high alert.
Made me wonder if the whole posture happened by design.
Tiny drove us in a large Bronco past the first warehouse, down the gravel path between the buildings to what had to be the center of the compound.
There was a grassy courtyard-like area with a few small trees, flower gardens, and stone benches under the shade of the trees.
He’d assured me we’d all love it here, but I had learned not to get my hopes up.
Once out of the vehicle, Tiny led us inside the warehouse in front of the courtyard.
Other than the reception area, the place looked pretty close to Haven.
Made sense. I got the feeling there was more to the relationship between Haven and Kiss of Death than was widely known.
And in the most positive of ways. I’d bet my last dollar most of the funding came from the club in the form of money and, more importantly, labor and security.
“The bottom two floors of the outer warehouses are for club business,” Knight explained as we walked inside the building. “Upper floors are apartments. The inner buildings are all residential.”
“It’s like a fortress,” I murmured.
Tiny glanced back, a small smile lifting his beard. “That’s the idea.”
We passed three men inside the main room, painting the back wall by the lift.
I recognized Griffin and Ranger but was unfamiliar with the third guy.
They paused to acknowledge Tiny and all of us with subtle nods and friendly smiles.
None of them stared or made any attempt to engage beyond the quiet, friendly greeting.
Their restraint surprised me. Andy’s friends had always demanded attention, inserting themselves into my personal space without permission.
“Everyone knows you’re under our protection,” Tiny said quietly, as if reading my thoughts. “No one will bother you unless invited to. But every single one of them will do anything you ask of them. They’re all good men.”
The knot in my chest loosened slightly at his words. “Is this place even real? Are we going to wake up one day and find we fell out of the frying pan into the fire?” I knew I sounded more than a little crazy, but there had to be a downside here. I never got this lucky.
Tiny chuckled, not taking offense in any way.
“It’s real, honey. We won’t…” He trailed off before closing the lift and set it to go to the third floor.
“We won’t, but more importantly, I won’t let you down, Penny.
You and the girls are my first priority.
The club knows this, and they will back me with anything I need. ”
“He’s right, Penny.” Knight stepped off the lift, looking back over his shoulder.
“Ain’t a person in this place wouldn’t help you in any way necessary.
And I don’t mean just the men. The old ladies already love you and the girls.
Expect them to bring groceries and essentials as well as a few housewarming gifts. ”
“I hope we won’t be in your way too long,” I said as we followed him to the apartment they were letting us use. “We’re causing you so many problems…” I trailed off, still upset over not being able to find Kira.
Knight glanced from me to Tiny and raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, I don’t think you’ll be leaving. You might have to fight Tiny for closet space, but I have a feeling you’ll work something out.
Besides, you aren’t the problem. None of this is your fault.
If you believe nothing else any of us tells you, believe that, Penny.
” He gave me a gentle smile. It took me a few days to get used to Knight’s appearance when we’d first met him.
Pretty much every spare inch of visible skin was covered in tattoos.
Even the whites of his eyes had been tattooed black.
I’d heard of sclera tattooing but never seen it.
While I admitted he looked really cool now, when I’d first met him I had trouble meeting his gaze head-on.
Knight coded our key cards and showed us how to use them. The girls had rolled their eyes at him and done it themselves while Knight looked contrite before breaking into a grin, making Kira actually laugh.
“This one’s yours, if you like it.” Knight gestured at the open living room. “Go take a look. If you think you’ll be comfortable here, I’ll let you set a PIN for the door and the security system.”
“We need a security system inside here?” I know my expression was confused. Then it dawned on me, and I actually felt my face go red. “You have security so we feel safe. Like it really was a leased apartment.”
Tiny shrugged. “We don’t want anyone here who doesn’t want to be here.
And we don’t take people under our protection we intend on harming in any way.
We know this. The women who’ve come here over the last couple of years didn’t always feel safe with strangers.
As I’m sure you don’t.” He wasn’t wrong. But the fact was, I did feel safe.
“It never even crossed my mind I wouldn’t be safe in this apartment. I feel safer with everyone in your club than I have my entire life.”
“Do we each get our own room, Mom?” Zelda rested her hand on her hip as she stood outside one of the bedrooms. Kira was at the door to the room across the hall from the one Zelda had apparently claimed even if she pretended to ask.
“I suppose that depends on how many bedrooms there are.”
“Three.” Knight said without hesitation. “Master bedroom is on the other end of the apartment.
“Wow. This place would cost a fortune to rent. It’s really nice,” I said, meaning it.
The kitchen/dining area was an open plan with a large picture window leading to a balcony. Heavy drapes could be pulled for privacy or to block the sun if necessary.
“The windows are bulletproof,” Tiny said, “as well as tinted so no one can see inside. It would be best if you pulled the curtains at night if you’ve got the lights on, and to not go out on the balcony until we’ve taken care of this guy.”
“You’ll get no arguments from us. We will do exactly what you tell us to.” I met Tiny’s gaze, wanting him to know I meant what I said. “I trust you, Tiny. You and your club.”
“Mom!” Zelda snapped her fingers impatiently. “Do we get our own room or not?”
I sighed and closed my eyes, even as I smiled. “Yes, Zelda. You and Kira can each have your own room.” That was the only permission they needed. Each girl claimed her room and started making herself at home.
“The women brought care packages to all of you. There’s clothes and toiletries. Make me a list of everything you need, and I’ll make it happen.
“I’ll leave you guys to it.” Knight smiled at me, excusing himself.
Tiny shifted his weight, uncharacteristically hesitant. “The apartment across the hall is vacant,” he said, his deep voice pitched low. “I was thinking I might take it. Just to be close. In case you need anything.”
I blinked, surprised by the suggestion. “You don’t live here already?”
He shook his head. “My apartment’s in the east building. But I thought… you know, with everything that’s happened…”
I understood what he wasn’t saying. He wanted to be near enough to protect us without crowding us. The thoughtfulness of it struck me, but I hesitated. Having him so close felt like a commitment to whatever was growing between us.
“I don’t know,” I began, my voice uncertain. “The girls --”
“I think it’s a good idea,” Zelda said from the hallway, startling both of us. She stood in the doorway to her newly claimed bedroom, arms crossed over her chest, but her voice held none of its usual suspicion.
“You do?” I couldn’t keep the surprise from my voice.
She nodded, her eyes flicking briefly to Tiny before meeting mine again. “If Dad shows up here, I want Tiny close enough to stop him.”
“Me too,” Kira added, appearing beside her sister. She hugged Mr. Hoppers to her chest. “Mr. Hoppers feels safer with Tiny nearby, too.”
I glanced at Tiny, who looked as stunned as I felt by this vote of confidence from my usually wary daughters. His expression softened, the hard lines of his face gentling into something that made my chest tighten in an entirely different way.
“OK,” I said finally. “Because if it makes Mr. Hoppers feel better, then it has to be done. Right?”
Relief flashed across his features, and he smiled down at me. “I’ll get my stuff moved over today, so I’ll be there tonight.”
Knight returned with our few belongings from Haven. It wasn’t much, but it was ours.
“Give me a couple of hours and I’ll have some more things for you and the girls,” Tiny said. “I’ll get you all a key and your own code to my door. In case you need me.”
“You coming back tonight or what?” Zelda gave Tiny an impatient look, like she was put out with him or something.
Tiny blinked at her, clearly confused. “Well, once I got my stuff moved I thought I’d come back and spend some time with you guys before bed. Too soon?” He looked from Zelda to me, clearly confused.
Zelda gave him a level look. “It’s movie night. You need to bring junk food. Don’t come back if you can’t do your part.” She scowled before heading back to her room.
“Well.” Tiny scratched the back of his neck and grinned. “Guess I have my orders.”
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