“Huh?”
“Her tag,” Loyal gestures toward the dog’s collar.
She kneels down beside the dog, holding her hand out to sniff. One whiff of her and the dog almost throws itself in her lap, her stub tail going wild, shaking her whole body with her happiness.
Loyal giggles and the sound hits me square in the gut.
“OK, well it looks like her name is Barbara. There’s a number and an address on the tag, but it’s not Joe’s number. You might want to take her back Damian. Her owner might be missing her.”
Damian’s shoulders slump a little and I can see written all over his face that this dog already has his heart. The man looks like he’d rather have teeth pulled than return that sweet girl.
Offering Loyal a hand up, I lean into her space, my lips brushing her ear lobe. “Keep an eye on the girls, I’ll be back soon.” I press a kiss to her temple then step back, eyes focused on Damian. “Damian, let’s go.” I tip my head to the road and try to ignore Loyal’s eyes dancing as she tries to hide her smile.
“You’re a good friend, Vex.”
“Probably too good,” I mumble, stalking toward the club’s SUV with the big blonde behind me, whispering sweet nothings to the big, drooly dog.
“Hey, Vex!” I turn when Dex calls me. “Good luck with that.” He grins while the rest of the crew cackles.
I close my eyes briefly before yanking the car door open. I mean, how bad can a quick trip with Damian be?
Loyal
As soon as I enter the clubhouse Addy and Bree rush up to me and curl themselves around me. I hold them tight to me, knowing full well that without the chaos of the DRMC and the other kids to keep them distracted, all the feelings of seeing their Aunt Joe have come rushing back.
“Sorry, Loyal, I tried to keep them occupied but, well -” Nell gives me a tight smile and I reach out and lay a hand on her arm.
“Thank you, Nell. It’s been a big day and the DRMC are quite good at making you forget what’s going on.”
She brightens at this. “You can say that again.” I huff out a laugh as she turns bright red, obviously embarrassed at her comment. “Oh my gosh, I don’t mean it in a bad way or anything,” she cringes.
“No, I know what you mean. They’re just unapologetically themselves.”
“That they are. I kinda wish -” Her voice trails off as color rises on her cheeks and she shakes her head, eyes on the floor.
“No need to wish, Nell. With enough time, you and I will be women like them one day. Fun loving, mischievous, loved.”
Nell’s large brown eyes meet my own. “Loved,” she whispers back, barely heard above the men walking into the clubhouse.
“Loyal, can we see Aunt Joe?” Bree asks, chin tipped up.
I run my hand over her hair. “Aunt Joe isn’t feeling too well, sweetheart.”
Her face darkens. “Was it her boyfriend again?”
Addy tugs on my hand. “We can help, Loyal. We have looked after Aunt Joe before. We know what to do.”
I really want to say no, but these kids have been through more than enough and they clearly love their aunt. I guess a quick peek to make sure Joe doesn’t need any more pain killers or fluids might be enough to get them to relax. It’s hard when you’re miles away from everything you know, with strangers and your aunt turns up. I would imagine they’ll want to spend time with her, someone familiar. Well, barely given what their father did to Joe’s face and body.
“OK girls, we’ll go check in with your Aunt Joe, but just a quick visit so she can rest and get better. Agreed?”
Both their heads bob, copper curls bouncing with the movement. I take their hands and lead them down the long hall to Justice’s room. He’s sitting next to the bed, talking in hushed tones, eyes on Joe.
“Aunt Joe!” Bree shouts, running into the room and interrupting whatever Justice was talking about.
“Bree and Addy! My favorite little munchkins, have you been behaving for my friend Loyal?” The eye that isn’t swollen shut twinkles as she greets the girls gingerly wrapping them in her arms.
Justice growls at the movement causing all our eyes to shoot in his direction. “Ah, sorry, just, be careful girls, your Aunt Joe is a bit sore,” he says softly, eyes on Joe.
