I have never felt more cared for, more protected by anyone in my entire life. Not even when I was with Michael. I feel like a traitor even admitting it. But this man, this tattooed ex-convict, biker, father, mystery of a man, has already been more of a hero in my story than anyone ever has.
“Poppy?” He tosses a sponge into the sink and turns to face me. His arms are crossed over his chest, and he waits, those denim-blue eyes insistent.
“What time is the hearing?” I ask.
“Nine. I figured I’d drop all the kids at school and then head to the courthouse.”
Clara is going to cover the salon tomorrow, so I can take the day to do whatever. Sleep, clean my house. I know Phantom said he had people doing it, but I can’t imagine anyone will take better care of my house than Iwill. I think back to the broken glass, the trashed papers, the overturned furniture.
“Do you really think Shayla’s behind what happened at my house?” I ask.
He turns to the fridge and grabs a beer. “You want one?” he asks. “Or you think you’ll want some cold medicine tonight?”
Right now, the thought of an ice-cold beer sounds like bliss. “I’d love one.”
He opens the bottles, and we sit back down at the table, the dishes only half done.
“I put the word out, and we got some names. I don’t have proof yet, but I’m close.”
“Why?” I ask, taking a long sip of the beer. It bubbles and fizzes on my tongue. Cold and refreshing after so many hours hot from my fever. “What could she possibly have against me?”
Phantom rolls his neck. “Shayla isn’t herself. I don’t know what’s gotten into her. The shit with the kids and the salon… That’s not the half of it. She could be pissed I paid your bill, she could be pissed we went to dinner with the kids. Could be nothing, could be anything.”
All of a sudden, the beer sits heavy on my stomach. “How would she know?” I ask. “How would she know we went out together? Is she still hung up on you?”
Phantom shakes his head and barks out a bitter laugh. He reaches across the table and takes my hand just like he did in the restaurant. He laces his fingers through mine, and despite the worry and fear, I feel calmer.
“Babe, I don’t know. I don’t know if she has any ideawe were out. The last time I saw Shayla, which was the day after I met you, she was standing in the driveway of the compound, calling me a loser and threatening to call the cops on me for taking the kids.” He strokes the back of my hand with a thumb. “It’s all legal and above board. I’m entitled to have them whenever they want to be with me. And if the court agrees with me, I’ll have them permanently.”
“Is she dangerous?”
“Babe, I’ve known Shayla since junior high. We met when we were Daisy’s age. She was my first everything. First fuck, first kiss. She got knocked up when we were seventeen and stood by me through all the stupid shit I did. But things change. People change. I think I’ve changed for the better in some ways, but don’t get me wrong, I’m an asshole through and through. Shayla didn’t start out the way she is now, but the change happened quick.”
I wrap my hands around his and squeeze. His hands are scarred and rough, but somehow, they fit me.
“Do you think she’d hurt me or Jax?” I ask, suddenly wondering what might have happened if we’d been home when the break-in happened, but I can’t go there.
“That’s a chance I don’t want to take.” His eyes bore into mine. “I want to protect you both. And right now, I can only do that if you’re with me.”
He leans over the table, and I lean in too, until our noses practically touch over our clasped hands. “Stay with me, Poppy. Stay here for as long as it takes to sort this out.”
I close my eyes and lower my head until our foreheads touch. I can’t agree to it. Stay here? What am I going to do, move my son in to the home of a man I’ve known for one week?
But when I open my eyes, I refuse to believe that the man who made me soup, who fed me medicine, whose daughters are kind, gentle, wonderful young women could have a dark side so bleak I can’t handle it.
There’s been no one in my life since Michael. No one I wanted. No one I could even picture being with me past a single date. Technically, Phantom and I are still on our first date.
“Will you take me to my place?” I ask. “After the court appearance.”
He nods. “Whatever you want.”
I draw in a shaky breath and lower my lips to kiss his knuckles. “Okay. I’ll go to court with you.”
That’s all I can promise him for now. I can’t give him any more of me. After tomorrow, I have to go back to work. I have to get back to my life, whatever that looks like now.
But how am I ever going to let go of something I want so badly?
14
