Uncle Sean chuckles, “I know how you feel about him. Can you do some checking on this new MC? They do business with Adam and are allies of the Crow MC, but I’d still like you to look into them.”
“What’s their history?”
“Mother chapter is in the USA, South Dakota small town called Shadow Haven. They were a one percenter club but have gone legit over the last few years. That’s about all I know. The UK chapter is new, only a few years old. I haven’t figured out what they’re up to. For the most part they seem legitimate when it comes to business, but we know that may be a cover.”
“I’ll look into them. Send me the dates of when they arrive. If they're on the up and up, they can stay in one of the houses opposite me.”
“Really?” Uncle Sean raises a brow, “with your girls there?”
I shrug. “If they’re a problem, we’ll deal with them. I’ll know once I’ve done a check on them. Give me a day or two, and I’ll let you know. I’ve got to get home.” I stand, taking my mug to the sink. I rinse it out and put it on the drainer.
Kissing my aunt, I nod at my uncle and the cousins that are at the table. “I’ll see you later, let me know if you need anything handled.”
I left the house that had been my home throughout my twenties—and the family who welcomed and shaped me into the man I am today.
I loved them. I may not always show it, but I did. They knew that. That was all that mattered. Starting my bike, I ride away, making my way slowly through the city towards the lights of my life. The two people that kept me sane and whole.
Parking my bike in the garage, I can hear Wolfie barking from next door. It’s too early for Moria and Mikayla to be home, so I let myself into her house. Over the last few months, ever since Moira had started looking after Wolfie, I’d done this if I got home before they did. She didn’t like me leaving him in the house alone if I was back.
Wolfie throws himself at me. I chuckle, giving him a hard rub down, “Hey boy. Did you look after the girls for me?”
He barks once.
Tapping my thigh, I call him to the door. He’s used to moving between the two houses. I’d bought doubles for him so that he had a bed, toys, and food in both our homes. More often than not, I’d find him over here if I was late coming back on days when I wasn’t away killing people.
Once I’ve got Wolfie settled I start making calls, researching the Queens Wraiths. I can’t find anything untoward on them. They seem to be exactly what they say they are. The only bug bear I have is the person they want to do business with, and the type of business they’re looking at. The O’Sheas deal with weapons, but not the type they’re after. Only one person is capable of making them, and she’s related to Aiden Kelly.
As my last resort I put a call through to him and leave a voicemail, asking for a meeting.
He messages me within minutes.
Aiden: Tonight. 2am. Usual place.
I’ll be there.
Checking the time, I see that Moira and Mikayla will be home soon. Going to my bag, I find the teddy I bought Mikayla and go outside with Wolfie, throwing his rope for him to fetch while I wait for my girls to get home.
I’m sitting on the step to their home when they drive up. A smile lights up Moira’s face as soon as she sees me.
A smile tugs at my lips when I hear Mikayla squeal my name, and her head pops up from her car seat as she strains to look out of the car window.
I stand as Moira parks and open her door, helping her out. I happily return her quick hug and hurried, “You’re back. Welcome home.” Before she moves to the back of her car and helps the tiny tornado better known as Mikayla Jane from her car seat. She’s a big personality in a small body, and I love the stuffing out of her.
Kneeling, I wait for her small body to tackle mine, pretending to fall over onto the lawn between our houses as she crawls over me. Frowning, she looks down at me.
“Butch you been gone for eva.”
Smiling up into her little face so like her mother’s, my heart clenches and love for the two of them fills me. I need to makechanges to my life if I want them in it permanently. They’d slowly wormed their way in, no matter how hard I’d tried in the beginning to keep away from them. It was as if I was pulled towards them like a moth to a flame.
“I’m sorry baby. I’ll try not to go away so often, but sometimes I have to.”
She nods her head hard enough that her blonde curls bounce around her head, “I know. Mammy said. Did you bring me a present?”
“Mikayla Jane, you did not just ask Butcher that,” Moira scolds her, walking out the house with a tray with drinks and snacks.
Chuckling, I stand up, taking Mikayla with me and settling her on my arm as I carry her towards the table and chairs that Moira had put between our houses when I’d been away last summer. It was cool today, but not so cold that we couldn’t sit outside for a bit.
“Here,” I pick up the teddy I’d bought her and give it to her. She immediately cuddles it then presses a kiss to my cheek, “Thank you, Butch. I go play now.” She announces as she squirms to be put down. Making sure she’s steady on her feet, I watch as she flies to Wolfie, showing him the teddy and chattering a mile a minute.
