“Oh my gosh,” I whisper, tears welling in my eyes.
“You did it babe, even when that little voice inside you said you couldn’t,” Jazz whispers, throwing her arm over my shoulders.
“You’re welcome. I’m sure by following my rules and maybe coming to more classes you’ll definitely be able to survive being regular murdered,” Chewy says before walking directly into Rhodie’s arms and kissing her daughter on the cheek.
“Mommy, that was so cool,” Kit says, her loud voice moving to an awed whisper at the end. “You got that bad man in the balls!” She punches her fist in the air.
“That wasn’t a bad man, sweetie, that was Niko.”
Kit’s head spins to the man behind me, grin on his face as he slowly peels his protective wear off. It’s a nice smile, and one that I don’t think I’ve seen often. Around the clubhouse NIko is very serious. Jazz and Kaia told me he’s a prospect and all that entails, so I guess he has to be serious to do his job well. Kit stares at Niko for a long while before turning her big blue eyes to mine.
“Was he pretending to be a bad man?” Kit whispers clinging closer.
“Yeah, so we could practice our punches. Did you see my punches?”
Kit nods solemnly, working something through her mind. “So good mens can pretend to be bad mens and bad mens can pretend to be good mens?”
“Um,” I’m not sure how to answer her.
“Like Daddy was a bad man but pretended to be a good man.”
I swallow, unsure how to answer Kit. It would be unfair of me to agree with her, not wanting to ruin the memory of her father, but I have a feeling it was ruined the night before Switch got us out. The night he decided to hurt me by hurting my baby girl.
“Yeah, ah, I guess.” I clear my throat, “But remember, we can trust Niko and the DRMC -”
“- and Mr. Switch! He busted me out of the playroom and we drove real fast to get here to see you kick butt!” Kit says excitedly, completely over remembering the terrible piece of trash her father was, instead turning her big eyes on Switch who grins down at her.
My breath hitches as Switch steps closer, eyes on mine. “You did good, Joy.” His head tips toward Niko. “He probably deserved the kick in the balls.” His perfect white teeth peek through his perfectly trimmed beard as he grins at me.
“Speaking of, me and Switch have a wager going,” Rider announces, “how many times did Niko get hit in the balls?”
All eyes turn to Niko who rolls his. “Eight times.”
“Ha! You got it little lady,” Rider yells, pointing at Kit before putting his hand in his back pocket and removing a worn leather man wallet. Pulling out a $10 note he hands it to Kit. “Your winnings, Kit Kat. Don’t spend it all at once,” he winks and moves aside as Switch does the same thing.
I’m speechless and I’m unsure whether to scold my new friends, these huge biker men, or let it slide. Is it wrong for my daughter to be making bets with a bunch of bikers? Yes. But is it a small trade off for the confidence she seems to be soaking up by hanging out with these men? I think so. I know that the DRMC wouldn’t steer her wrong so I let it slide. Besides, I may be a different woman from the one Switch stole away in the middle of the night. But I’m still me. Still the woman that was beat on and ridiculed, not even just for the last ten years with Travis, but before then. Back when I was a little girl with nomother and a father who didn’t know how to raise a daughter tenderly. A father who only knew how to criticize and complain that nothing was good enough. ThatIwasn’t good enough. It’s no wonder at the tender age of 18 I fell for Travis and his kind words. Little did I know.
“Mommy, I’m hungry, can we have pizza?” Kit asks and I raise my brows at her.
She already had dinner earlier in the evening and we all know Mama Debs would have given all the kids dessert because, well, the woman’s love language is food. The first week I was at the clubhouse I put on 2 pounds.
“Baby, it’s getting late and you have school tomorrow -” my reasoning is interrupted by a loud growl from my stomach and heat fills my cheeks when Switch’s head snaps in my direction, his gaze on me.
“Hey, I ah, I haven’t eaten yet, I was thinking of ordering in. Do you want to share some take out with me?” Switch asks.
His cool blue eyes search mine and I have to admit, butterflies hit my system. I know that it’s wrong to feel things like this for Switch. I know that I’m probably latching onto him because he saved me from a bad situation and he will never feel what I do. He’s not only a biker, he’s a doctor. He saves lives. It’s in his nature to save people and I’m no different. Besides, he needs a tough woman, like the DRMC Ol Ladies. My stomach rumbles again and Switch’s smile widens.
“Joy, would you like to take Kit home, do whatever you need to and allow me to bring you take out?”
I can feel my face heating and my hands shake, whether from anxiety or excitement I’m unsure. I’ve had a great evening, feel stronger than I have in who knows how long and a man I trust is asking me to make a decision on what I want to do next. OK, it’s not a huge decision, deciding to have dinner with a friend or not, but to me, it's everything.
“Yes,” I whisper, before clearing my throat. “Yes. I would like that.” I say, a little stronger.
“Good,” Switch whispers, “good.”
Chapter 5
Switch
