Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
“I’ll take care of it.”
“I’m so sorry about Cain,” Angel said, looking away. Her brows drew together. I couldn’t remember ever seeing her this angry at her husband since they’d met. “He’s a good man. Even better president to these guys. But he’s extremely protective. I imagine he was trying to think how he’d feel if I’d run off with his kids.”
“Cherry didn’t run off,” Calliope said softly but defensively. “Chase ran away from her. I stand by what I said in there. Even if Cherry lied. If she didn’t try to find him. Chase knew they had had unprotected sex. If he’d been interested in any children he might have, he should have checked to make sure she hadn’t gotten pregnant.”
“Honey,” Angel said, snagging her hand and squeezing. “I’m on your side. How much access Chase has -- if any -- should be your decision. You’ve raised those boys entirely on your own. Chase doesn’t get a say unless you give him one.”
“I appreciate that.” Calliope was folding in on herself. It made me want to punch something. I could tell by the look on Angel’s face when she looked up at me she had some very harsh feelings as well.
“Try to get a little rest, Calliope. I’ll come get you guys for dinner. I think the boys are grilling out tonight, so it will be burgers and hotdogs. Maybe some chicken, but they say chicken is for pussies, so who knows.” She smiled, obviously trying to lighten the mood, but Calliope had reached her limit. I could see tears trying to form in her eyes.
“Thank you. We’d appreciate the meal.”
Angel nodded, then looked up at me again. The look she gave me made me realize exactly why the woman was our president’s ol’ lady. It was a look Cain often had when he wanted to be obeyed at all costs. “Take care of her.”
“All over that, ma’am.”
Angel snorted. “Ma’am,” she muttered. “I’m not a fucking ma’am.”
That got a giggle from Calliope and a soft smile from Angel. Then I ushered Calliope inside the suite. I took her straight to the bedroom. The boys could be heard laughing and talking in the other room right before Data came in, followed by a couple of the prospects, some bigass gaming system in tow. Must have been something special because I could hear Sebastian “oohing” and “ahhing” from the other room.
“Sounds like Data has just the thing to keep them occupied for a while.” I walked around the room checking out the windows and making sure the bathroom was empty. Force of habit. I always checked out a room before settling in.
“You expecting someone to be hiding out?” Calliope looked curious, but also vulnerable and afraid.
“No, baby.” I winced. The “baby” thing had just slipped out. Clearing my throat, I continued. “Habit I picked up in the Marines.”
“I suppose it’s a good habit to have.”
“I suppose.” There was an awkward silence. I knew I needed to leave her alone, but I hated leaving her like this. She was so small. The events of the day were obviously catching up to her, and she’d reached her limit of brave today. She needed someone to take over, but I didn’t think she’d let me. Probably wouldn’t let anyone from the club, including the women. “Do you want me to stay with you? Watch over you?”
She didn’t say a word, just shook her head, looking down at the floor. OK. I’d had enough. Calliope needed sleep, and I knew there was no way she’d do it on her own.
“I’ll be right back.”
I left the room to find Theodore. The boy was sitting on the couch, watching the other two boys with interest, but not making a move to join their gaming. “Theodore,” I said softly, jerking my head in an indication for Theo to come to me. Immediately, Theodore got off the couch and crossed the room.
“Mom OK?”
“No.” No use sugarcoating it. Besides, as much as I wanted to protect the boys, to make them act like boys instead of men, this wasn’t the time. Theo was already too grown up and he had the same need -- probably stronger -- to protect Calliope that I was rapidly developing. “She needs sleep.”
“Yeah. She never sleeps unless Mark is gone. Then she only naps.”
“She’s not gonna sleep unless she knows you guys are safe.”
“She’s afraid that Chase guy’s gonna come and take us away.” Theodore shook his head. “I ain’t gonna let him.”
“Me neither, kid.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “She needs someone with her right now. Someone to actually make her lie down. I know it’s a lot to ask, but…”
“I’ll lay down with her,” Theo said automatically. “It sometimes helps her sleep.”
For some fucking reason, my fucking chest swelled with pride. This wasn’t my kid. Hell, I’d just met Theodore a few hours ago. But I was so fucking proud of the boy I wanted to beat my chest and declare to the world, “That’s my boy!” But he wasn’t. And Calliope wasn’t my woman.