Prologue
Luca
Age 10
Dragging my bag behind me after another long day at school, I headed for the kitchen to grab the milk and cookies that Mrs. H would have laid out.
Yep, you guessed it, I was right. There was a note folded on top of the plate of freshly baked choc chip cookies. My stomach growled on sight of them alone. Gooey and warm, just what all kids want for an afternoon snack.
Opening the note after stuffing one into my mouth, dropping warm crumbs onto the stack of more cookies, I read:
Remember Luca homework; I will be checking.Just under that was a smiley face with more writing:I’m watching you. Rolling my eyes side to side in my head, I look to see if she’s lurking out of the corner of my eyes. Nope, nothing.
Picking up the plate I then look around me and push my hands on the salon-style doors of the kitchen that lead out to the bar and main room of the club, nope. No Mrs. H there. Looking up toward the roof and wrap around stairs that lead to the top floor housing all the rooms and offices, nope, again not a sign of her.
Letting out the breath I was holding, my cheeks red and my lungs begging for air, I take the whole plate of cookies and a glass of milk then head to the great room to watch some cartoons.
Stopping dead in my tracks, Mrs. Austin stands by the large bay window looking over the back garden of the club. She’s holding a stunning baby in her arms and has another in the bassinet.
“Oh, I'm sorry,” I stumbled out as her eyes meet mine. Her smile was bright and her face full of warmth and pride.
“No, No, Luca, it’s fine darling. Come in.” She stares at me then her eyes fall back down to the baby in her arms.
Placing the cookies and milk down on the table I walked over to her and the babies. I knew she had them and was so excited for her to bring them back. For some reason, I can't quite explain, I just knew I needed to know they were here and safe.
Stepping closer to Mrs. Austin, I pushed up on my tiptoes to peer at the baby wrapped in a white blanket with daisies on it in her arms. There was a small sprinkling of red hair coating her head.
“This is Senna. Senna, this is Luca and he will look after you.” My eyes fall onto the baby, her skin so white so soft I instantly felt drawn to her. A pull to my body was rippled with electricity and I thought that it would take my breath away
“Isn't that right, Luca,” Mrs. Austin said to me, her eyes meeting mine as I reluctantly pulled myself from the baby in her arms. My skin was prickly, and my heart was beating so fast.
She looked like heaven and smelt like a promise. I knew I had to protect her from that moment. I knew there was nowhere she would go without me.
Luca
Age 18
Eighteen, my life is pretty much what I expected it to be. I was brought up in the club. I ate, slept and breathed the club. Tonight, I received my patch. I am now a blue AOS. I have worked my ass off to get here, to this point, and tonight, watching the club and surrounding chapters party is a reminder that I have done it.
Resting my legs up on the stones circling the massive fire pit I have a beer in my hand and a chica on my right. She was presented to me with a wink from the old man.
Oh, old man, I have had my dick wet well before now. I smiled and thanked him. Now she's been shadowing me all night.
Looking over the roaring flames of the fire, I see Senna playing with the other club member’s kids. My eyes follow her and the bigger boys playing with the girls. The urge to protect her, love her, keep her safe and within eye contact is unreal. It’s also getting harder and harder. I did request for her to be home-schooled and received the most random looks from everyone involved. Needless to say, she's in school now.
“What?” I questioned them while raising my brow. I remember that day like it was yesterday. “She and Saylor are the club’s Princesses andthey’re the prez’s only daughters, I may add. Their safety is paramount. Isn't it?” All they did was stare. Mrs. Austin just smiled at me nodding her head. It's always been that way with her. Like she knows something I don’t.
“Baby, wanna go to your room now?” the cooing voice of Callie hitting my ears, annoying me instantly.
“Nope,” I spat out watching Senna.
“Well, baby, you know I've wanted you for so long now.” Her nails ran up the inside of my thigh and I flinched at her touch.
“Mmmmm, see, baby, you want it,” she purred, mistaking my flinch for something imitating desire, I was about to tell her to fuck off when a scream took my attention away from her. I snapped my head around fast toward the kids. I see my little Senna on the ground clutching her left knee in her hands while tears fell down her flushed cheeks.
Fear gripped me at the forefront of my mind as I jumped up. I wanted to throttle the punk running to her aid. I shoved the kid away from her
“The fuck you do?” I hollered at him, his big eyes looking up at me blankly. “Well?” I spat as tears formed in his eyes “Cat got ya tongue, boy?” I screamed as Senna pulled at my pant leg.
