Tears spring to her eyes. “Am I going to jail? I swear I only took a little bit. I promise to work it off and pay her back. Please don’t send me away.”
Joker steps forward and bends at the knee so he’s in front of her. “Hey dry those eyes, Bailey Bee. No one, and I mean no one, is going to take you away. I made a promise to you, and I won't break my promises.”
Bailey looks him in the eye and sighs. She holds out her pinky finger, making me smile. “Do you pinky promise?”
I’m not shocked to see Joker's finger wrap around Bailey’s, which honestly melts my heart. “I pinky-promise.”
Three
Madison
We are currently sitting in Joker’s truck with Hawk as we head to my house. I look over at Bailey and see her looking out the side window, lost in her thoughts. This little one has had it rough. I know the first thing we are going to do is take her shopping. She literally has only the clothes on her back, and that’s it. As soon as I saw her, I knew I had to take her in and help her. I certainly have the means to do it since I’m a trust fund kid. I just don’t know how this is all going to work. I want to give her a safe and happy home, but I don’t know what I have to do to make that happen legally. We pull onto my street, and I cansee my house come into view. I only rent it as I wasn’t sure if I wanted it to be my forever home. I can see someone sitting in my driveway, making me sit up straighter.
“Who’s that?” I point out the stranger standing on my porch.
Joker turns around and looks at me. “I had the prospect go to Walmart to pick up a few things for Bailey until we can take her shopping and she can pick out what she likes.”
I honestly love how he said we. Bailey perks up a little. “I get to go shopping?” She whispers, looking at Joker.
“Of course you do; you need new clothes, accessories, and stuff to decorate your room with.” I love to shop and can’t wait until I get to take her.
She throws her arms around me, surprising me. I wrap her gently in my arms. “Thank you, Madison. I’ve never gone shopping before. Momma always told me I wasn’t worth the trip to the mall.”
I hold on just a little bit tighter at her words. I look at Joker and Hawk, and they have pissed-off looks on their faces. They get out and head to the prospect. “Okay, how about we head inside? You can have a shower while I make you something to eat. How does that sound?”
She pulls back and gives me a smile. “Yes, please.”
Joker opens her door, helping her down. While Hawk opens mine. “Thanks.”
We walk up the steps, my feet dragging. I'm so tired. Hell, it’s only ten, and I feel like I’ve been awake all day. I can only imagine how Bailey is feeling right now since she's been on the run.
I pull out my keys, and before I can open my door, Joker takes them from me. “Hey, what are you doing?”
“Stay out here with Hawk and let me check it out first.” I can see he’s really on edge, so I don’t fight him on this. Something more is going on with him, and I can’t figure out what.
“Okay, if you insist, just be careful. I have two dogs.” They are my babies, and I love them.
Joker turns his head and smirks at me. “It’s okay Madison, I think I can handle two small dogs.”
Oh, they are far from small, but since he won’t listen, I will let him think otherwise. Joker opens my door and steps inside.
“I take it from the smirk on your face, Joker has it wrong?” Hawk says, beside me, looking down at me with a smile on his face.
I smile back at him. “Yup.”
“Hey Madison. Can you come in here, please?” Joker says, and that’s when I can hear low growls.
I walk in with Hawk and Bailey following me. I can see my babies cornering Joker against the wall.
“Thor, Loki. Come here.” They look at Joker one more time before rushing to my side. I give them a rubdown, scratching behind their ears. “How are my babies doing?”
“Those aren’t small dogs, Madison.”
I look up at Joker and smile. “Maybe next time you just won’t assume when it comes to me.”
He shakes his head and smiles, walking towards us. “Yeah, I’m starting to see that.”
“Bailey, come here and meet my babies.” I turn my head but don’t see her. That's when her head peeks from behind Hawk. “It’s okay. I promise they are friendly. They won’t hurt you; they are going to protect you.”
