Hannah’s stubborn expression softened just a touch, and she nodded.
Relief slid through me that she was agreeing to go back inside so we could discuss things. The tight line of her shoulders softened just a fraction, and I knew it meant she was at least willing to hear me out.
We moved silently back toward the store, and I swung the door open, letting Hannah step in ahead of me. The scent of apples and cinnamon wrapped around us as we entered, comforting me in a way I hadn’t expected. Clara glanced up from the counter, her expression immediately relaxing into a soft smile when she saw Hannah had returned. But her gaze darted cautiously to mine, clearly assessing if shit was about to get tense again.
Isa squirmed unhappily in Clara’s arms, her small face scrunched and fists waving as frustrated whimpers filled the air. Without hesitating, Clara crossed over, gently placing the fussing baby in my waiting arms. It happened so naturally that I didn’t even pause to think about what to do. I just cradled her against my chest, shifting instinctively so her tiny head settled comfortably against me.
Almost immediately, Isa calmed, her small body relaxing into mine with a soft sigh. My chest tightened as a fierce wave of love surged through me and nearly stole my breath. I looked down into her delicate face, noting the faint dusting of lashes and tiny rosebud lips pursed gently in sleep. It was the same overwhelming sensation that had slammed into me when I’d first laid eyes on Hannah, but pure. This was my baby girl, the one I’d been waiting my entire life to hold without even realizing it.
A stifled laugh drew my gaze up sharply, and I turned toward Rebel, who stood beside Clara, his eyes glittering with barely contained amusement. His expression clearly said that I was done for. He’d recognize the feeling since I’d watched him fall hard and fast for Clara the same way. The bastard clearly lovedwatching me go down the same fucking path, but I couldn’t even bring myself to glare at him. He was right, and we both knew it.
When my gaze shifted to Hannah, my heart lurched inside my chest. She stared at me, wide-eyed, looking both stunned and softer around the edges than I’d seen yet. The guarded tension in her eyes had melted slightly, replaced with something almost like wonder.
Seeing her expression finally tipped me over the edge, pushing me into fully accepting what my heart had been shouting at me since the moment I first laid eyes on her. She belonged to me. I glanced down at Isa. To us.
Taking a slow, steady breath, I forced myself to focus. I had to lay it all out clearly. She deserved that much. “Need you to hear me, Hannah. What I said outside about having a twin brother wasn’t bullshit. We’re identical, down to everything but the ink on our skin, and he’s spent his life causing trouble I’ve had to clean up. That birth certificate…it might have the name Griffin Reid on it, but I didn’t father this baby. Gavin did.”
Her expression tightened again, skepticism returning as her lips pressed into a stubborn line. Before she could speak, a deep voice sounded from the edge of the store, startling us both.
“He’s telling you the truth.”
I turned toward the sound, surprised to see the president of my MC standing silently just inside the doorway. King had entered so quietly, I hadn’t even noticed. His presence was commanding as always, his eyes assessing the room with cool authority.
His attention was fixed firmly on Hannah as he moved toward us. “Cross has an identical twin, but they are opposites when it comes to character. Gavin Reid is trouble, through and through. That’s why the Hounds helped Cross go off the grid. Was the only way to cut ties and make sure Gavin’s shit couldn’t touch him here.”
The unwavering certainty in King’s voice had a visible effect on Hannah. More of the tension drained from her shoulders, and she exhaled slowly, her expression shifting subtly as she processed this new information. Her guarded skepticism softened into careful consideration. I could tell she wasn’t ready to trust me fully yet, but the doubt clouding her gaze had started to clear.
She finally met my eyes again. “Regardless of all that, my job is to ensure Isa is safe and cared for. I’m going to stay here until I’m sure everything is settled and I’m convinced you’re not going to abandon her.”
Her fierce protectiveness sent a deep rush of satisfaction rolling through me. Her words confirmed exactly what I’d hoped—she wasn’t running. She was already planning to stay in town, and that meant one less obstacle standing between us. The corner of my mouth twitched slightly, but I quickly stifled the reaction before she could see it.
Hannah was staying, which meant she was almost right where I wanted her.
King drew my attention when he spoke again. “Gonna get Wizard started on a timeline for both you and Gavin around the time when he would’ve been with the mother.”
I nodded. “Find him.”
He jerked his chin up in agreement, then he turned to leave.
The moment King stepped outside to call Wizard, Hannah’s gaze swung back to me, her brow knitting with apprehension. Those expressive eyes met mine, and I knew exactly what question was coming before she opened her mouth.
“You’re not planning on just handing Isa over to Gavin, are you?” Concern and protectiveness flickered across her beautiful face. She took a half step closer, her fingers flexing anxiously at her sides, like she was preparing herself for a fight.
Annoyance spiked hot through me for a split second, irritation that she’d even think that after everything she’d just heard. But the reaction faded as quickly as it rose.
It wasn’t her fault. She’d spent three fucking months thinking I was a worthless asshole who’d abandoned a baby, and we’d met less than an hour ago. Her skepticism was understandable, even if it grated on my nerves.
“Not a fucking chance in hell.” I didn’t look away, making damn sure she saw the truth burning in my gaze. “Wouldn’t trust Gavin to take care of a houseplant, let alone a child. We need to find him to make sure nothing he’s done will blow back on Isa. And more importantly, to make damn sure he knows to stay the fuck away from her.”
The relief that flashed across Hannah’s face was immediate, her entire body easing like a weight had been lifted off her. The trust in her eyes warmed something deep in my chest, making my heart thud hard behind my ribs. She believed me, I realized. She was starting to trust me, even after such a fucked-up first impression.
Isa fussed softly then, squirming in the crook of my arm. I adjusted her carefully, shifting until I had her tucked comfortably against my side, cradled in one arm like I’d done countless times with my club brothers’ kids. When I glanced down at her, Isa’s innocent eyes were fixed on me, staring intently. Almost knowingly. I could’ve sworn the kid gave me a conspiratorial wink.
I froze for a split second, realization hitting me like a freight train. I had the perfect way to make sure Hannah stayed with me. Isa knew Hannah and already loved and trusted her. And Hannah was fiercely attached to the baby—anyone could see that clearly in the way she’d fought for her, even faced down a biker club alone to find her father.
If I could make Hannah see that Isa needed her, she wouldn’t hesitate to stay with us. It was exactly where she belonged, and I’d known it from the second I’d laid eyes on her. This would just move things along a little faster.
I furrowed my brow slightly, giving Hannah a carefully calculated look of uncertainty as I cradled Isa. “Am I holding her right? This okay?”
