Page 59 of Street

“Too late,” Vex said, nodding at Winnie, who raced to Rosa’s side to ooh and aah over the ribbons that streamed down the length of her hair. As they watched, Rosa pointed proudly at her Daddy. Winnie’s mouth rounded into a circle before she raced to Scythe as he carried a crockpot toward the food table.

“Scythe brought us nacho cheese dip,” Vex said.

“I’m going to be lucky if I’m not wearing that hot concoction by the end of the night when Scythe figures out what’s happening,” Street said, grinning as Scythe’s gaze followed Winnie’s wild gesture toward him. He lifted a hand to wave and watched Scythe’s eyes close for a good four seconds.

“You might need this,” Lucien growled, handing Street and Vex bottles of beer as he juggled his own.

“We need to find your Little, Lucien,” Street told him.

For all the ribbing going on, each of the Devil Daddies would proudly wear matching outfits and ribbons to make their Little girls happy. Once he’d understood how important the coordination was to Rosa, Street had planned several ways they could mirror each other. He was tickled to have the world know they were together. Rosa’s excited chatter had shown him how important this was to her.

“If I’m ever that lucky,” Lucien said, his tone more world-weary than Street had ever heard from the MC president.

“She’ll reveal herself,” Vex said with confidence. “Tell me. When does the next shipment come in?”

“Three AM. Enjoy one beer. I’m going to need everyone clearheaded tomorrow.”

Street and the guys nodded. They’d savor the malty brew and then switch to a soft drink. Street especially didn’t want to move the shifting cargo he’d taken to Warehouse Five impaired.

“Daddy, would you set up the badminton net? We want to play,” Angel called to Vex.

Razor and Scythe accompanied Vex to help, leaving Street alone with Lucien. Street seized the opportunity alone with Lucien to ask the question that had banged around in his mind since he’d moved those storage containers. “I shouldn’t pry….”

“But you’re going to anyway, right?” Lucien said, leveling a look at Street that held every bit of the intimidating force that seeped into the MC president’s presence.

“I am. What’s in those containers?”

“Once you know, you open yourself up to consequences. Now, you can claim you’re simply doing your job.”

“Consequences like jail time?” Street asked as he did his best not to stare at Lucien’s facial tattoos. Even to his uneducated status in criminal activity, Street could figure out some, maybe all, of the symbols etched into Lucien’s skin held a prison meaning.

“Probably not. But subsequent actions could lead you there,” Lucien said, studying him.

“Forget I asked. I just found my Little girl. I don’t want to lose her.”

“Good choice. Follow my directions and you’ll have plausible deniability.”

Fuck! Street nodded his understanding. Lucien was protecting him while doing something vital. Street would have to squash his natural curiosity. That was going to be difficult.

Rosa’s delighted giggles made him glance over at the game his MC brothers had helped set up. Armed with rackets, the Little girls had divided up into two. Rosa, Angel, and Caroline battled Honey and Winnie with Razor added to their team to even the numbers. Rosa danced in a circle before serving. On the other side, Honey, Winnie, and Razor had to twirl like ballerinas on their tiptoes before returning the birdie.

“Those are interesting rules,” Lucien said without changing his expression one bit.

Street laughed and excused himself. “I think I need to get into this game.” He took two steps away and turned to Lucien. “Thanks.”

Lucien nodded once and headed over to speak with another group. Street wondered who protected Lucien. The biggest target their enemies had rested on the president’s shoulders. He sent his hopes out to the universe as he walked over to grab a racket.

Please let Lucien find his special Little girl.

Street focused on his Little girl as she ran to hug him. “Can I be on your team, Dinorosa?”

“Of course. We’re matchy-matchy. We can’t be on separate teams! Besides, I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, Rosa.” Street cupped her cheek and pressed a kiss to her lips.

“Hey! There’s no kissing in badminton,” Vex called across the net.

Street flipped him off and exchanged another long smooch with Rosa. When he lifted his head, everyone had taken a kiss break. He whispered into his Little girl’s ear, “Quick, go serve the birdie.”