I hated that my own stupid actions years ago had her thinking that way. Even though I knew I wanted her to be mine forever and she had to learn to trust me again, I was still happy we talked. Until I made her my Old Lady I’d continue to be worried about her leaving. Even then, I’m not sure that feeling would ever go away. But I deserved it after what I did to her. The fact that she’s here at all was a blessing. She’s not planning to take off, and for now that’s enough. I promised to prove my love to her every day, and now I’ve promised to wait as long as she needed. I didn’t promise her forever when we were kids, and that’s the only way I was able to leave the way I did. But now, I gave her my word, and I’d meet my destiny before I broke it.
Chapter 19
Kristie
“You nervous?” Shiv asked as I sipped my coffee in the bar.
It was still a little odd that we basically lived at a bar, but the food was excellent and just magically appeared. It was easy to get used to. It made the need to find a place less urgent.
“A little. But I think I’m ready.”
She sipped a cup of tea and ate her cheese omelet cooked to order while I enjoyed poached eggs over toast with bacon.
Mama Hen hustled over. “You girls okay?” she asked as she topped off my coffee.
“Perfect. It’s all amazing as usual,” I said, wiping my hands with my napkin. “Hey, Mama Hen. Can I ask you something?”
She stopped and put a hand on her hip while holding the carafe with the other. “Sure, shoot. But I may not answer ya.”
“Fair,” I said. “But do you enjoy this?”
“Breakfast?” she asked, her head cocked.
“I mean this,” I said, waving my hand over the table. “Serving us. You don’t even get paid.”
Shiv picked up her tea, her brows nearly touching her hairline as she looked over the cup.
“You think I don’t get paid?” A smile grew over Mama Hen’s face, then she started practically cackling.
“So, you do, then?” I glanced between them and Shiv was still pretending she wasn’t involved. Throwing my hands up, I said, “Well I don’t know, okay? Everyone is so damn secretive about everything here. It just seems weird.”
“Weird? Honey, listen,” Mama Hen said as she took a seat, still gripping the carafe. “I have more than enough money to take care of myself thanks to these guys. Shiv doesn’t have to work, Lacy doesn’t have to go to school, and Daisy doesn’t need to go to the tattoo shop. The others,” she said as she waved behind her, “they chose to be here for their own reasons. They get a little bit of cash, they have a place to stay, food to eat, and know they’re safe. They can go anytime they want, but they would make less working at a restaurant or bar. We take care of our family.”
“But I thought only Old Ladies were considered family? Those women are what… bunnies? So, I don’t understand.”
Shiv put her hand on mine. “I had all the questions whenI came, too. But everyone here regularly is family, right Mama Hen?”
“Yep. Hell, you met Jeannie, right?”
Nodding, I said, “Yeah, she was here a few times. Cute blonde right?”
“Well, we have a few of those but yeah, dancer over at the club. Has her own place. But you best believe if something happened to her, these guys would handle it.”
Blowing a breath through puffed cheeks, I just nodded. I was even more confused than before I spoke to Rooster.
“Like I said, hon. Any of these girls can leave if they want. But if you’re talking about the long haul, then no. Once you’re an Old Lady, you’re in for life. But that doesn’t mean Hawk would make you be miserable.”
“Hawk? You mean Rooster?”
She smirked. “No. I mean Hawk. I don’t believe Rooster would ever get out of line, but if he did, Hawk would set him straight. And if necessary, make sure you’re otherwise safe and taken care of. That’s what I meant when I said once you’re in, you’re in for life. My man never tolerated violence against women, and my son sure as hell won’t either.” She finally stood, smiling down. “Regular bullshit fights, though, that’s between y’all and the peanut gallery. Those boys are worse than high school girls about gossip. Good luck today, hon.” Then she went back to the kitchen.
Shiv put her cup down and started eating again. “You’re nervous,” she said before shoving a bit of her food in her mouth.
“This could be an amazing opportunity. I’d be crazy notto be.”
She waved her fork. “No, no. I mean about Rooster. Being here.”
Nodding, I answered, “Yeah. I just… the flurry of it all has been a rush, ya know. And he’s… I don’t know how to explain it…”
