“I guess you’re going to have to be late or think of something else.” She giggles, and I tickle her.
I can’t believe how close I feel to her already. I want to hear that giggle for the rest of my life, just like I want her for breakfast every morning.
I roll out of bed and dress quickly. The sooner I get this over with, the faster I’ll be back between my girl’s legs. I need to tie her to me in every way possible. First, I’ll get her knocked up. Then I’ll put my property patch on her. Finally, I’ll give her my name. Andrea Forbes will be Andrea Rutherford before the end of the year if I have my way.
With that thought, I send a quick text to Striker, letting him know I need to speak to him. He responds back that he’ll be here shortly. It’s past time I told him what my intentions are with Andi.
Everything is set until I turn the corner into the main area of the clubhouse and see a very dour-looking woman standing there with an infant car seat. I know right then that everything is about to change.
Andi
Stretching,I realize I must have fallen back asleep and that Callum hasn’t come back. Glancing around the room, I notice the sun is higher in the sky. Rolling to the side of the bed, I check my phone and see a missed call from my mother. I ignore it for now. It’s almost eleven o’clock. Dang, where is Callum.
I climb out of bed and slip his T-shirt on as I pad to the bathroom. Looking down between my legs and seeing the dried semen, I realize I need to be more serious about Callum wearing a condom. The pill isn’t one hundred percent effective.
When I come out of the bathroom, he still hasn’t shown up. I get dressed and decide to go search him out. He said he would be talking to Striker today, so I should be fine.
I slip on my boots and braid my hair, which is crazy from last night. We made love a few times in bed. My hair was soaked after taking another shower and not drying it very well. Callum was all over me, saying he was making up for lost time. I have to admit, I needed it too. I missed him so much.
Walking down the hall after I close and lock his door, I realize I’m not wearing his cut. Last night he told me I was to wear it every time I walked around the clubhouse. I’ll just wait to do that until he talks to Striker. We don’t need anyone letting it slip before Callum gets to talk to him.
I should call Lia and tell her what’s going on. My phone rings as I turn the corner, and I come to a stop. There stands Callum, a small baby in his arms. My heart clenches. He looks so good holding a baby. But it’s the worried look on his face when he sees me that makes me freeze. Glancing down at my phone, I see it’s my mother again. I send her to voicemail. I need to figure out what’s going on with Callum.
“Callum?” I ask.
A very stern-looking woman stands before me, her dark hair pinned back so tightly it pulls at her eyebrows and forehead. She eyes me up and down, and I can tell she finds me lacking. I don’t know why, other than I’m obviously in an MC club.
My cell rings again. This time it’s Lia.
“Just a sec, Callum.” I quickly answer. “Hey, girl. I can’t talk right now. What’s up?”
“Pick up the call from your mother. It’s urgent. I’ll tell her to call you back in about ten.” Lia sounds out of breath, like she’s moving around.
“Is everyone okay? Is it Tiffany or Grandma?” Panic rises in my chest, and Callum notices.
He walks over with the cute little bundle in pink.
“Everyone is fine in the family. Just take her call. I’ll be there as soon as I can get the boys in the truck.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Just don’t answer any questions until we get there.”
“Answer what questions?”
She hangs up, yelling at Jude to get his butt in the truck.
I stare at the phone in shock, then look up at Callum. “Who is this cutie?” I ask, though I’m sure I know the answer when I see the color of her eyes.
It can’t be, can it?
“This is Ria,” he says, his voice thick with emotion as I look between them. “She’s my niece. Well… Honestly… She’s going to be my daughter. My sister and mother were murdered a few weeks ago, and it took them this long to find me. Are you okay with that?”
“Murdered. Oh my God, Callum. I’m so sorry. Of course I’m okay with that.” I reach for him, and he leans into me.
He hands me the baby as he returns to the woman in the skirt suit, who watches me with judgement in her eyes. I hear them discuss that it will be a four-to-six-month process of home visits and proof that he is integrating Ria into his life and that she is a focus for him. I overhear him say he’s already put in an offer on a house.
I walk away from them, cuddling the little bundle who is innocent in all this chaos. She lost everything in a matter of moments. I don’t know the details, but I know this little girldeserves to be loved and protected. In my heart, I make the choice that she should never be touched by danger again.
