He put a keycard on the coffee table. “This is for the door to the room. It’s yours while you’re here.”
He was gone before I could do more than mumble a “Thanks.” And why would I even thank him? I wasn’t here because I asked to be. I was here because he once again decided I needed to be semi-kidnapped.
My bags were sitting next to the bed, and I pulled out all the toys and books I’d packed. Looking around the empty space that was to be our home for the next few days, I regretted not packing more.
We hung out in the room for a total of forty minutes before the kids were trying to put holes in the walls and Lena had the meltdown to end all meltdowns.
“Okay, okay, let’s go find something to eat,” I said, thinking an early dinner might be the best idea at this stage.
I picked Lena up and took Luca’s hand. They were excited to get out of the room.
The trip down the stairs was slow since Luca was busy watching everything but his feet and tripped every second step. I had to half carry him down as well as holding Lena. The stairway wasn’t long—my only saving grace—and I released the breath I was holding once we made it to the bottom.
“Now where is the kitchen?” I said, looking around the room, searching for a red door.
I spotted it on the other end and took a fortifying breath before making my way through the leather-clad bikers.
Lena threw her little body around, not wanting to be carried. I held on tight, and she clocked me in the face with her tiny fists a few times thanks to my efforts. But if I let her go now, we’d never eat tonight because I would be busy chasing her.
Luca was too intimidated to do much more than clutch my hand and stumble along behind me.
I once again received a few nods and waves that I returned. It wouldn’t be smart to piss people off on our first day here.
The kitchen was empty except for the big guy Sebastian introduced as Grim and one barely dressed woman.
“There you are,” Grim greeted me. “I was wondering when you’d be brave enough to leave your room.”
“The kids were hungry,” I said, my tone apologetic.
“There’s plenty of food, so you should be able to find what you need.”
Luca didn’t leave my side when I rummaged through the fridge, finding it well stocked. I decided on hot dogs. They were quick and easy to make, and the kids loved them.
I grabbed the buns and sausages and got to work. Luca was holding on to my leg, and Lena was still trying to get down.
“Baby girl, stop trying to dive onto the floor. You have to wait until I’m done cooking,” I said, placing a kiss on her head, barely missing another head butt.
“I’ll take her,” Grim said, holding out his hands.
He read my hesitation and said, “I’ve got eight grandkids. Haven’t dropped a single one. Your little one is safe with me.”
Lena stared at him wide-eyed when I handed her over, surprising me by not screaming at the stranger who’d picked her up.
Grim sat down with her on his lap, letting her play with his beard and leather vest. I finished dinner, keeping an eye on Lena to make sure she wasn’t scared or turning into a turd and annoying the big guy.
“Do you want hot dogs?” I asked Grim, wanting to do something to repay the favor. He was really good with my little tornado, stopping her from sliding off the bench they were sitting on and keeping her entertained.
Luca had fused himself to my leg, but I had no intention of removing him. I understood his feelings well, since I also wanted to hide behind someone’s leg.
“That would be great, darling,” Grim said.
I put everything on plates, making sure to give him three hot dogs.
Once we were all settled around the table, Lena went straight for Grim’s food.
He didn’t stop her, and we both watched her pull off a piece of his sausage and stuff it in her mouth. And spit it out again immediately.
“Hot,” she cried and put the regurgitated meat back on Grim’s plate.
