She walks out from behind Hawk and moves slowly. Both Loki and Thor sit very still until she reaches my side. They walk towards her and sniff her before licking her on each side of her face, making her giggle.
“That tickles.”
I laugh as they show her some love. “They are big babies and really big bed hogs. Why don’t I show you to your room so you can get cleaned up while I make you something to eat?”
She nods her head while taking my hand. “You guys can make yourselves at home. I have beer in the fridge. I'll be down to cook when I get Bailey set up. Joker, I have a first-aid kit in the bathroom.”
I grab the bag from Joker, and we walk up the stairs and head for the first bedroom that I turned into a quest room. Not that I’ve ever had any guests stay over. It has a queen-sized bed with a nightstand and a TV with an attached bathroom. We walk inside, and I set the bag down on the bed as Bailey looks around. “Oh, perfect, there are some pajamas in here along with a change of clothes and a new toothbrush. Are you okay with having a shower, or do you prefer a bath?”
I gather her things and turn to find her looking at the bed. “A shower, please.” She takes off her jacket, and that’s when I notice the bruises on her arm, as if someone grabbed her. Hard enough to leave bruises in the form of a hand.
I try to get my anger in check and walk towards her. “Bailey, what happened to your arm?”
She looks down at the ground as a tear slips from her eye. “Leo did that because I was asking for my momma. He says it’s my fault she ran away.”
I walk the rest of the way to her and get down on my knees. I lift my hand slowly so she knows what I’m doing and wipe her eyes. “Bailey, this isn’t your fault at all. What Leo did is wrong, and he should never have put his hands on you. And your momma running away isn’t on you either, okay.” She nods her head, but I can see she’s still doubting my words. When I get my hands on this son of a bitch, I’m going to make him hurt.
I take her by the hand and walk into the bathroom, setting up the shower. I grab a towel and a washcloth. “Okay, shampoo and body wash are in there. I have your clothes here, along with a brush and a toothbrush. Whenever you're ready, you can come back down and have something to eat.” Bailey nods her head, and I know she’s feeling overwhelmed right now, so I give her a reassuring smile and close the door. I walk down the stairs, letting my anger surface as I head to the kitchen to see Hawk and Joker sitting at the bar having a beer. I go to my coffee machine and make a coffee, knowing it’s going to be a long night.
“I have the prospect dropping off a pizza. I know she should be eating healthier, but I figure you’re tired.” Joker says.
But I’m way too angry to respond to that. I slam my hand down on the counter, surprising both of them. “I want that bastard found. Bailey took off her jacket, and I saw bruises on her arms. She said Leo did it when she asked about where her momma was. He also told her she’s the reason she ran away. Who says that to a child? I just don’t get it? She should be in a warm bed with plenty of food and wrapped in love.” I wipe the tear that has fallen.
“Fuck,” Hawk spits out, pissed off.
Joker gets up from his seat and wraps his arms around me. “Hey everything is going to be okay, Madison. You are going to make sure she has all of that. Whatever she needs, we will be there for her. And I promise you, Leo is going to suffer. He's going to wish he had never even looked at Bailey when I get through with him.” Joker kisses the top of my head. Being in his arms is comforting. Honestly, I don’t even know why I’m fighting him anymore. I should just really go after what I want, and that’s being with him.
I pull back and smile up at him. “As long as I get a piece of him as well.” Anyone who hurts babies needs an ass-beating.
Joker smiles wider as his body shakes with laughter. “You got it.”
I pull out of his arms reluctantly and finish making my coffee.
“I hate to bring it up, but we are going to have to ask Bailey for a little more information on her mom and Leo. Do you think she would be up to answering?” Hawk points out, and I hate that we have to do this, but I know they need the information.
“Let's leave it for tonight, and when we get to the clubhouse tomorrow, we can do it then. There are two guest bedrooms down here you guys can take. I swear it feels like I could sleep for a week.” I can still hear the shower going, and the dogs went upstairs to wait for her.
A knock at the door makes me jump. I look at Joker, and he nods his head to Hawk, who gets up to check it out. “It’s probably just the prospect with the pizza, but stay here just in case.” He places a kiss on my forehead, and I sigh, leaning into him, letting him hold me for just a moment.
“Well, I gotta say, as far as first dates go, I think it was a success.”
I can’t help but burst out laughing. Out of all the things he could have said, I was not expecting that. I pull back to smile at him. “It was definitely something. Maybe next time we can have a quiet dinner.” I realized what I had said by the smug smile on his face, making me blush.
“I knew you liked me. Tell me it was my winning personality, wasn’t it?” His smile is wider now.
I roll my eyes at him. “You just had to ruin it, didn’t you?”
Hawk walks in with a few pizzas in his hand. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing.”
“She likes me.” We both speak at the same time.
Hawk laughs and places the pizza on the island while I grab some plates and napkins. I pull out a few drinks from the fridge, not sure what Bailey would want but wanting her to have options.
“Then why did it look like you were one wrong move from her putting Xlax in your cupcake?” Hawks replies, making me smile.
“She wouldn’t do that to me.” Joker looks offended by the thought. I might not have done it, but there was a time or two when that thought popped into my head.
