Voices outside the door had Tank turning to peer into the hallway. He stepped out of the room a moment and returned with a pink bundle in his arms. He handed my daughter over, and I cradled her in my arms.
“She’s so small,” Ripper said, “She’s like a little doll.”
I smiled. “She’s my angel.”
Maybe some wouldn’t have felt the same way. Yes, she’d been conceived in a horrible way, and her father was a monster, but I could have never gotten rid of her. I didn’t begrudge anyone who felt the need to get an abortion or give their baby up for adoption. Those options just weren’t right for me. Sienna was a part of me, and even though we struggled, I’d wanted to keep her. She was my bright spot from a horrible moment.
“You can use my house,” Ripper said. “I’ll stay at the clubhouse.”
His offer took me by surprise, and I blinked at him a moment. He couldn’t be serious, could he? The way he stared me down said yes, he was very serious.
The VP and President shared a look. To say they seemed surprised was an understatement, which made me wonder… exactly why had Ripper offered his house? Did he expect something in return? He’d said he’d sleep at the clubhouse, but…
“I’m not throwing you out of your house,” I said. I didn’t mind the one bedroom someone had mentioned. It would be preferable to staying in a stranger’s house. At the least the other place seemed to be something they kept vacant for guests.
“Fine. It’s three bedrooms. You can have one and Sienna can have the other. We can be roommates until you get on your feet.” Ripper smiled, and the flash of his eyes said he had me over a barrel. If I refused his offer, I’d seem like a bitch. Agreeing put me under the roof of a strange man. Still, Tank wouldn’t have brought me here if he didn’t trust these men.
I opened my mouth to protest, but Tank leaned down and whispered in my ear. “He won’t do anything you don’t want him to. But I can promise he’ll do his best to convince you to want the same thing he does. Might even end up with a daddy for sweet little Sienna.”
My cheeks burned and I nodded. I had no intention of taking on Ripper or any other man, but I wouldn’t say no to sharing the house with him. If he wanted more, he’d be sorely disappointed.
“She accepts,” Tank said.
“Anything else?” Badger asked. “Any other surprises I need to know about? No. Good. Everyone get the fuck out. Ripper, help Glory get set up at your place and let me know if they need anything.”
I eyed Ripper, wondering if he had an ulterior motive to sharing his house with me. Tank seemed to think the guy might push my boundaries, but was it possible he was just being nice? Wouldn’t matter. Even though he seemed harmless enough and was good-looking, he wasn’t my type. I had once been attracted to the flirty types of guys. Since meeting the Dixie Reapers, I’d discovered bikers tended to be big flirts. Since having Sienna, things had changed. I didn’t date anymore. Even if I did, I would go for someone a bit more… somber. Reliable. Serious. Yes, serious was a good word. I didn’t want to raise two kids. At least, not when one was supposed to be a grown man.
Tank nodded to the door and I followed him out of the room, with Slash right behind us. We didn’t stop until we’d stepped outside and walked over to the truck Tank had loaded down with my things. Sienna’s crib and a few boxes were in the bed. It wasn’t much, but it was all we owned, other than the one bag I’d packed with our essentials we’d need immediately, and of course Sienna’s baby seat and diaper bag. I smiled, remembering Tank called it her “go bag.” Emmie had rolled her eyes when she’d heard her other half say those words, and I’d decided I didn’t want to know. It sounded like something a secret agent would have, or a criminal.
“Ripper’s house is that way,” Slash said, pointing to the right of the gate. “It’s about half a mile down the road. Has some sort of flowering tree out front. Think Shella called it a dogwood. The old ladies had it planted there when Ripper patched in and got the keys to the house. Just look for a tree with white flowers.”
Tank punched his brother in the arm. “I know what a dogwood is, fucker.”
Slash’s eye twitched and I bit my lip so I wouldn’t laugh. I had no doubt he’d have a bruise where Tank had given him a love tap. The man was like a walking mountain, and his fists were the size of a bear’s paw. And yet, when he held his girls, he had a gentle touch.
“Stop by the house when you’re done. Too bad Emmie and the girls couldn’t come with you.” Slash gave him a little salute and started walking to his bike.
“Next time,” Tank called after him. “Or better yet, bring your ass to Alabama more often. The girls miss their Uncle Slash, and now you’ve given them an aunt. When I told them you’d gotten married, they squealed and nearly busted my eardrums.”
I could easily imagine Harlow, Westlyn, and Kasen bouncing as they gave off high-pitched squeals in their excitement. I’d come to love those girls, and I’d miss them. Maybe if Slash did go to Alabama he’d let me and Sienna tag along. It would be nice to visit the friends I’d made at the Dixie Reapers. Emmie and Ridley had even tried setting me up with one of the men there. Warden wasn’t much older than me, and while he’d been nice, I knew he wasn’t ready to settle down. If I’d given in and gone
