“Are you hungry, Bailey? I have some snacks you can have.”
She looks at the plate on the counter with longing, and that’s when I hear her stomach growl. I grab a chair from the corner and have her sit down. She looks absolutely exhausted, as if she hasn't had a good night's sleep in a long time.
She looks at the food before looking back at me. “Are you sure it’s okay?”
“Positive.” She picks up a muffin, and I watch as she eats slowly, savoring each bite, and I know for a fact it’s been a while since she’s had a decent meal. I watch as the guys walk into the kitchen, which to some is an intimidating sight. I watch Bailey's reaction, and she quickly stands up, hiding behind me, grabbing the back of my shirt and holding on for dear life. I can feel her body shake with fear.
“Who are they?” She whispers behind me.
Joker walks over, and I know his arms has to hurt. “These are my brothers. Blade, Ghost, Crow, Stone, and Hawk. Guys, this is Bailey, my new BFF.”
Bailey peeks her head out from behind me, and each guy has a smile on his face trying to look less intimidating. She gives them a small wave. “You guys are really big.” She’s side-eyeing Stone because he really is massive.
Joker looks down and winks at her. “That’s because we ate all of our vegetables growing up.”
Bailey scrunches up her face, making us laugh. “Yuck.”
Blade steps forward. “Hi Bailey, I’m Blade. Can you tell us what’s going on?”
She looks at me with fear in her eyes. “It’s okay, honey, he’s here to help.”
Helping her sit back down, I watch as she starts picking apart a muffin with shaking hands. “I live over at the trailer park with my momma and her new boyfriend, Leo. I don’t like him; he's mean, and he and Momma are always high. I’m always so hungry; they never have enough food. Last month, Momma said she was going to the store to get me something to eat, and she never came back. I kept asking where Momma was, and he said she wasn’t coming back. I heard him talking one night to his friends when they were drunk about selling me, so I ran. I know he’s looking for me because I saw him last week around here. You're not going to make me go back, are you? Please, I promise I won’t steal anything again.” Bailey starts sobbing, and I gather her in my arms.
I lean down so I can look her in the eye and gently wipe her tears. “Bailey, I promise you, we won’t send you back.”
“Then where will I go? I don’t know who my daddy is. Momma said he didn’t want me.”
My heart just shattered. I swear, when I get my hands on these people, they are going to regret treating Bailey badly. “You can stay with me.”
“Madison,” Joker says, making me shoot my head towards him. There’s no way he’s going to deny me this.
“No Joker. Bailey is staying with me. I have the room and the means to take care of her. She deserves to be in a warm bed with plenty of food. But most of all, she needs to be safe.”
He holds his hands up, walking closer. “Easy, Momma Bear. No one is denying that she needs to be protected. I was only going to point out that the boyfriend is still out there.”
“Joker is right. Your house is too out in the open, and anything can happen there.” Blade says.
Shoot, he’s right. I don’t have any added security at all. “Then what do you suggest?”
“Okay, just hear me out before you start yelling.” He holds up his hands, and I know I’m definitely not going to like what he has to say.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Go on.”
“For tonight, since it’s late. I will come to your house and keep watch, and tomorrow we can move your stuff to mine. We have all the added security where he can’t get to Bailey.”
I was right. I definitely don’t like this idea at all. But as I look at Bailey, I know it’s the right thing to do. I want to protect her, and what better way than behind a wall with badass bikers?
“Fine, we can do it your way. Are you okay with that, Bailey?” She’s been through so much. I just want her to feel comfortable right now. She doesn’t know us, but we are her safest bet right now.
Bailey looks at the guys before looking at me. She tentatively reaches for my hand before holding on tightly. “I will go with you.”
We all release the breath we were holding.
Blade gives her a smile. “Okay, now that part is settled. Joker and Hawk, I want you at Madison’s tonight, and in the morning I will send the prospects to move whatever you want, and we can move Madison’s things over to your house, Joker. And we will meet up at the clubhouse in the morning and form a plan. I will square it with Colton and tell him what’s been going on.”
“Who’s Colton?” Bailey whispers, looking on in fear.
I smile at her. “He’s the sheriff, and his grandparents own the general store.”
