What the fuck is going on with her?
Shaking my head, I walk back to my office and enter so I can get back to work. We’re putting the final details in place forwhat’s going to happen at the auction. Count has been helping me every day because he doesn’t want me to remain locked up in my room when Taleah is home alone. He makes me leave earlier than normal, knowing when my girl goes to bed, I’ll get back to work at home on my laptop.
“Is she okay?” he asks me when I take my seat and start typing again.
“I have no clue. She’s in the kitchen with Cali and Annistyn. Mumbled some shit about us talkin’ later when we were alone,” I answer him and notice the smirk on his face while he continues working. “She didn’t even touch the crackers or Ginger Ale.”
“I have a feelin’ she’s okay, Master. Think about it and put two and two together,” Count says as if he already knows what’s going on with my girl when I have no clue.
“Let’s just get this work done. We’ll talk when we get home after dinner. I didn’t know we were all eatin’ at the clubhouse tonight, but that’s okay,” I say, keeping my attention on the computer as so many possibilities race through my mind.
Count and I worked until Evan knocked and told us dinner was ready. I made sure my programs were running so more information would come in when we weren’t in the room. We joined everyone in the common room and I found my girl walking around with a large smile on her face. Walking up to her, I take the dishes from her hands and set them on the bar with the rest of the food before leading her to the table next to where Reckless and Link are already sitting. She doesn’t say anything to me and avoids looking in my direction before I leave her to fill a plate with food so she doesn’t have to get back up.
Looking at the spaghetti, garlic bread, plain Italian bread, and meatballs, I’m really not sure what to give her. If she’s got a stomach bug of some sort, this might not be the best meal for her. It could irritate her more and I don’t want her to get sick again.
“She can eat it, Master,” Cali says as she steps up next to me to get the kids food. “Give her smaller portions than you normally do, but she’ll be okay.”
“Are you sure?” I question her as Reckless steps up and takes two of the plates from his ol’ lady’s hands.
“I’m positive. Make sure you give her some salad too. She was munching on the veggies when we were cooking and it didn’t bother her at all. Taleah was dipping them in dressing without a problem,” she says, smiling at me as I finally relent and start getting her food.
By the time I take Taleah’s plate back over to her, Dakota is sitting next to her, talking a mile a minute. Taleah is trying so hard to keep up with the little girl next to her, but I can tell she’s struggling.
“My main girl, Dakota!” I call out, setting the plate down on the table and leaning down closer to Dakota. “What are ya doin’?”
“Massy!” she says, laughter filling her voice when I pretend to take her nose as normal.
Dakota has called me Massy since she started talking more. She couldn’t say Master properly so she shortened it. Or just said Massy instead. It doesn’t bother me and I think it’s adorable. Dakota is the only one who will ever call me Massy.
“She was telling me all about her day and Kylan being rude to her,” Taleah says as Kylan walks up and stands next to me.
“She runned and wasn’t ‘posed to,” he says, his little voice holding a hint of anger as I look down at him.
“Let me guess, she was tryin’ to get to Link and Annistyn’s house again?” I ask Kylan as he nods in response. “Dakota, you’re such a little trouble maker.”
“No, Massy,” she says, turning a pout in my direction and I have to turn my head so she doesn’t see my smile while I try to hold in the laughter.
“Kids, your dinner is over here,” Reckless says when he steps back over with their plates. “Ready to eat?”
“Here, Daddy,” Dakota states as she turns to face her dad.
“You want to eat with Taleah?” he asks her, an indulgent smile on his face as he moves to bring her food over to our table. “Do you guys mind?”
“Not at all,” Taleah responds while moving Dakota’s chair closer next to her so she can help her. “Did you already cut her spaghetti up?”
“Yeah. She’s good to go. Cali will bring her milk over in a minute,” Reckless says before he leads Kylan to the next table and gets him settled in a chair.
Leaving Taleah and Dakota, I head back to the bar and stand in line with the rest of the guys to grab our dinner. Reckless lets us all know we’re having church the second we’re done eating. He wants an update on what new information I’ve discovered and he has to inform us about the calls he’s been placing. We all start moving faster through the line so we’re not in church all night long. I honestly want to be home with Taleah so I can find out what’s going on with her. Instead, I’ll be in a meeting.
Eating with Dakota and Taleah is fun. Dakota talks between bites of food and Taleah keeps cleaning Dakota’s faceoff until the little girl glares at her. Taleah holds her hands up in surrender before going back to the food in front of her. She’s eating a lot slower than normal and spends more time pushing her food around the plate than actually eating. I go to say something before I notice all the guys standing from their seats and disappearing down the hallway.
“Doll, we’re havin’ church. If you want to rest in my room here until I’m done, you can. You’ve got the key for the door. Send me a message if you decide to go up to the house so I know where you are,” I tell her, leaning down and pressing a kiss against her temple.
“Okay, Rex. I’ll probably end up going to the house. I’m exhausted and just want to go to sleep, but I’ll let you know for sure,” she says before turning her attention back to Dakota.
After getting rid of my phone and gun, I head into our meeting room. Count hands over the files we’ve been putting together and I nod in response as we all take our seats around the large table.
“Church in session. First of all, I’ve heard back from a few clubs. We’ll definitely have enough man power for this mission. Grandpa is comin’ to town with the club, Grim is bringin’ the Wild Kings, and we’ve got a club named Knight’s Rebellion showin’ up. Dad and Grandpa have worked with Knight’s Rebellion in the past and they’re the new faces we need for this shit. I’ve talked to their President, Lash, and he’s on board to end this with us. His brother, Judge, is also prepared to send some of his guys if we need them,” Reckless informs us as we all nod in response because this is good. “Master, what have you found out?”
