And there was only one person who could give them.She turned and walked toward the kitchen.
Baker stood at the counter, drying a mug with a towel.He looked up when she entered, and he stopped what he was doing.
"Lydia."He put the cup down.
She swallowed hard."Do you have time to talk?"
He didn't hesitate."Absolutely."
She stayed near the doorway, arms crossed tight over her chest."I talked to my mom."
"Good."He nodded emphatically."Good."
"She told me what you believed happened after she was sent away," Lydia continued."That you thought we were safe.That you thought she was using the money to take care of me.That you didn't know—"
"If I had known Cusclan Motorcycle Club had you," Baker cut in, voice rough, "I would've started a fucking war."
His violent declaration was fierce and full of a kind of love she didn't know how to accept.It reminded her of something Baddy would say.He displayed that defensive quality of protecting what he loved, and she liked that.
He stepped closer, slow and careful, like he was afraid of scaring her.Then he cupped her face in both hands, his palms warm and rough, his thumbs brushing her cheeks.
"Listen to me," he said.
Her breath caught.
His voice deepened."I spent twenty years thinking you were out there living a life I helped give you.I thought you were safe, loved, and happy.I thought you had everything I couldn't give you here, and that's the proudest thing I have ever done in my life.And finding out a few days ago that I was wrong all this time is killing me.Finding out you were struggling and fighting to survive while I was back here, surrounded by a club that had my back—" He shook his head, emotion tightening his voice."I don't expect you to ever forgive me."
Lydia's throat burned.He seemed sincere, but she was twenty years old.It was a lifetime without a father.
Baker continued, softer now."I can't go back and change a damn thing, but you're here now, and I'm not going anywhere."
Her eyes stung.
He rested his forehead against hers.She swallowed, understanding that he was asking permission to exist in her world.
"I'll keep being here," he whispered."Every damn day, until you decide what you want from me."
Lydia closed her eyes, letting the words settle deep inside of her.She didn't know what she wanted yet.But she believed him.
Footsteps echoed in the room.She opened her eyes and looked over her shoulder, seeing Baddy.She held out her hand.
Baddy approached her.The worn leather photo album was tucked under his arm.
She inhaled deeply, taking his hand and holding it to her chest.Baddy's gaze flickered between her and Baker, trying to read the mood.
He handed her the album.Her fingers brushed his as she took it, and suddenly the weight of the book seemed heavier.She turned toward Baker and held the album out to him.
She cleared her throat."I believe this belongs to you."
Baker's face drained of color.He stumbled back a step.
Baddy moved fast.He grabbed a stool, set it behind Baker, and guided him down with a steady hand on his shoulder.
Lydia placed the album on the counter beside him.
"Mom gave this to me when I was a baby," she said quietly."I can't tell you how many hours I've spent looking at it.Too many to count.When life got too hard, I'd open it and...I don't know.I guess it sounds stupid, but I'd pretend I belonged in those pictures.I pretended that the people in them were my family.They always looked so happy and carefree."
Baker's hand trembled as he opened the cover.Her gaze went straight to the photo that made her believe in love.
