CHAPTER1
WAYNE
Sitting at the bar in the kitchen, I hear movement from upstairs, she’s awake. My entire body tenses. I didn’t get much sleep last night, the kiss was too fucking much. I knew that once wouldn’t be enough but she’s barely eighteen and she’s legally my daughter. Albeit stepdaughter, it’s nonetheless frowned upon. Every time I closed my eyes all I could see was her against the wall, all I could feel was the softness of her lips against mine, the way her body felt in my arms. I did the right thing, I backed the fuck away and let her leave. It took everything I had to do that but it was what I needed to do, or at least I thought it was.
I never loved her mother. Debbie was a woman that needed help and I’m a fucking sick bastard who took one look at her daughter and knew I’d do whatever the hell it took to keep her safe. Being who I am and the life that I lead, Debbie thought she could hoodwink me. Little did she know I knew who she was the moment I met her. But I allowed her to pretend, only so that I could ensure that Georgina was safe from the filth that she allowed around her daughter.
Debbie thought that me being the right-hand man to Grant Lomas—the head of the Lomas crime family—would get her the benefits from being my wife. Little did she know that I wanted nothing to do with her, especially when I discovered the truth about Georgie’s father—Python, the former Enforcer for the Dirty Demons Motorcycle Club—I also know that Debbie was sent to be a spy to see what she could find out about the Lomases. Fuck her and the Dirty Demons. I’ll die before I let them take down the Lomases.
Footsteps sound and as I glance to the stairs, my breath is taken from me as I see her dressed in the shortest motherfucking shorts known to man along with a tight tank top, so tight that I can see her nipples, which are erect.
“Morning, Daddy,” she calls sweetly as she walks past me and opens the fridge.
“Morning,” I reply gruffly, my jaw clenched as I glance at her. She’s fucking bending over, her ass cheeks barely concealed by the scrap of material she calls shorts. “What do you call that?”
She stands and closes the fridge door. She turns to look at me, a confused look on her face. “What?”
“That,” I say, pointing at her outfit.
She glances down at herself and shrugs with a smile on her face when she looks back at me. “It’s my pajamas.”
Fuck, she wears this all the time? I bite back my retort, not wanting to say anything as I know she’ll just twist it. She’s got a knowing grin on her face and I can tell that she very aware of the effect she has on me. I turn back to my coffee and hear her huff, hiding my smile behind my coffee mug. I’m unsure if it’s because she’s frustrated or if she’s pissed that I’ve not reacted in the way she wants.
She walks toward the stairs and I call out to her, “Georgie.” She stills. “You’re staying here, at least until I hear from your mom.”
She spins to face me. “You’ve not spoken to her?” There’s worry in her voice. Immediately her expression shutters and now the façade takes over.
“This is your home too,” I say, but it’s no use, she’s already turned around. “Georgie,” I ground out, pissed that she’s ignoring me.
“What?” she cries. “What the hell do you want from me?”
I’m up on my feet and stalking toward her. “That’s a loaded question.” One that I won’t answer now. “For once you’re going to have some stability in your life. Whether you like it or not.”
Her eyes widen and her breath hitches. “Daddy,” she whispers and I close my eyes, I can’t do this. I’m trying to be good but fuck, she’s making it hard. I take a step backward, needing to put some distance between us before I lose the last shred of my control.
Tears well in her eyes, a shattered look crosses her face. “Thanks,” she says and turns away, this time I let her walk away.
“Boss, no sign of Debbie,” Hardy says as he walks into my office. His eyes narrowed as he glares at his cell. "I've got Porter out talking to known associates."
"Have you found out anything?" I want to know what the fuck Debbie’s put Georgie through; my girl has too much contempt and anger when she speaks about her mother.
He shakes his head. "I don't get it, boss. Why the fuck hasn’t Python asked about his daughter, or even demanded that she return home?"
"Debbie craves attention and I’m wondering if Python even knows that Georgie’s here. Whether he does or not, the point is moot. Georgie stays here." I’ll be fucking damned if anyone tries to take her away.
He clenches his jaw. “No doubt Debbie’s gone to ground, she’s probably returned to whatever fucking rock she was hiding under before she tried to hook you.”
I shake my head, thankful I never stooped so low as to fuck her. I could never quite understand why I wasn’t attracted to the woman; she’s fucking gorgeous but damn my cock never once stood to attention for her, not like it does with Georgie.
“How the hell does she sleep at night, leaving her daughter behind?” I ask disgustedly.
“Some people aren’t meant to be parents,” he says, getting to his feet. “I’m going to keep digging, she’s gotta have slipped up somewhere.”
I nod. “Keep me informed.”
He lifts his chin in acknowledgment. “Got it.”
My cell buzzes on the desk and I see Lydia’s name pop up. I grit my teeth, another bitch that I can’t stand. She’s messaging hoping that we can talk. She’s Hardy’s ex and a fucking cheater. She tries to get me to talk to Grant in hopes of him investing in whatever fucked-up scheme she’s got going on.