“Okay, you heard him, guys. Give your Dad a hug and head to bed. I’ll be in after you to tuck you in.”
D kneeled, embracing their small bodies tight. There was nothing more to be said, and drawing out the process only put strain on them. This was their way. With a quick wave, they disappeared down the hall into their rooms.
“How about you? You going to be okay?” D asked, eyeing Ardy.
“Piece of cake.” She waved him off. “I do caring for others well.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed.” He moved into her space. The pulse in her neck jerked, and her eyes dilated. “I like how you look after my children.”
She licked her lips and swallowed. “That’s what you took me for, right?”
The words hit him like slap to the cheek. “Yeah.” He stepped back. “If you need anything, you have phone numbers. The boys will be checking in on you every couple of days. I shouldn’t be gone for more than a week and half, two tops.”
“Okay, be safe.”
“I’ll do my best.” He turned on his heel and stalked from the room. What the fuck was I thinking? She’s not a girlfriend, she’ an acquired female I fuck. Too far to the left and this whole thing could capsize on him. Pissed about his slip, he climbed onto his bike, and let the wind blow away everything that didn’t matter.
Chapter Four
She’d kicked herself for pissing D off right before he left. The lines were blurring, and she needed clarity for herself. At the end of the day, she was visiting. That meant she had to be able to walk away. Gone almost a week, D had called a few times. Usually, their only interactions were minimal as he checked on the kids. As it should be. I’m nothing more than a warm body. A little voice inside her head told her she didn’t believe that. She gagged that voice and fell back onto her usual distraction method, cleaning. She scrubbed the stove, removing invisible dust as she hummed along with the music coming from the Mp3 deck. The kids were napping, and that left her alone with her thoughts. A knock sounded at the door, and she rolled her eyes. I swear those boys are worse than my own mother.
Setting the sponge on the white surface, she wiped her damp hands on her pants and walked out of the kitchen. One look through the peep hole made her freeze. The curvaceous mocha—skinned woman with feathered black hair and a heart-shaped face might be a stranger, but she knew her features well. This is Rocket and Harley’s mother. Ardy didn’t know all the details about how and why their mother left, but she knew she was banished. The woman banged on the door, and she cringed. If Rocket sees her, he’ll flip. Ardy scanned the area for the sign of anyone else and found nothing more than the older model black sedan in the driveway. The woman lifted her door to knock once more, and Ardy opened it.
“Can I help you?” Ardy said, blocking the entryway with her body.
“Oh…who are you?” The woman’s face twisted into an ugly mask.
“I’m someone who lives here. Who are you.”
“Natasha.” She huffed.
“And?” Ardy shook her head.
“Look…does Demon still live here?”
“If you don’t know the answer to that, I doubt you’re welcome here.” Ardy pursed her lips, not about to be intimidated.
“Listen you Irish bitch, we have unfinished business. He’ll be upset when he finds out you cock-blocked him.”
Ardy clenched her jaw. “Oh, trust me, love.” She purposely thickened her brogue. “He’s not being blocked that way.”
“Bitch.” Natasha stepped forward, and Ardy exited the house. Natasha stumbled back, and Ardy shut the door behind her.
“I know who you are, and you sure as fuck aren’t welcome here. So, I suggest you get back into that car and stop trying to get into the house because it’s not going to happen.”
“Says who?” Natasha growled.
Ardy struck a defensive pose. “Says me. Trust me, you don’t want to go battle. I’m surprised you even made it here. High as you are.” The dilated pupils and slight shaking of Natasha’s body told Ardy everything she needed to know.
“Fuck you. You don’t know shit. I’m here to see my kids. You can’t keep them away from me.” Natasha rushed toward the door, and Ardy shoved her back. “Rocket! Harley!”
Ardy slapped her hand over her mouth, and they stumbled away from the front porch . “Shut up, you crazy bitch. They don’t need to see you like this,” Ardy hissed. Natasha stumbled, and they went down in the driveway. The drug-induced woman bucked, rolling them over. On top of Ardy, she began to slap wildly. Ardy held up her arms to shield her face, and brought her legs up, pushing up with her feet. Natasha screamed as her body flew back. The roar of motorcycles filled the air, spurring Ardy into action. She scrambled to her feet, scraping skin of her palms as she half crawled up the drive before she gained her feet. Unsure if friends or foes approached, she burst through the front door, locked the door behind h
er, and began to yell.
“Rocket, Harley, come on, we need to play hide-and-seek.” She grabbed her cell phone off the table near the door, pressed speed dial, and jogged to the door.
“Hey, Ardy—”