“Karma, I don’t want to delay this. I need to meet her. She needs to know I’m her dad.”
“Can you just give me a day or two to gently prepare her? Please, Abe. This is a lot for a little girl. Hell, it’s a lot for me. I’ve hated you for so long, I don’t know how not to.”
“Fine, not today.” I pressed my lips to her forehead and pulled her close. “I’ve got club business to deal with anyway.”
“Of course.” Her hand fell away. “Go take care of your club.”
“Don’t give me that snarky tone. You know what my job is.”
“Yes, I know. Except you just found out that you have a daughter, and you’re already putting the club first.
“You and Nova are my priorities. Don’t go thinking you’re not.” I kissed her. “Pack a bag. I’ll take you both home with me.”
She rolled her eyes. “No. I’m the only tattooist at Human Canvas right now. Y’know Storm’s club is dealing with something in Montana? Nobody in the club has told me jack shit. I’m an outsider, so I have no idea what’s going on.”
“I’ll come back either tomorrow or Tuesday. Piper wanted to see Emilee and her baby.”
“Tomorrow is fine.” She stared at me, appearing more docile than I’d seen her, maybe ever.
“You got it. Wednesday, I’ll be out of town for three to five days, depending on how things go.” I knew what my cousin was up to in Montana, but it wasn’t my place to tell Karma.
“Where are you going? If you blow me off or tell me it’s club business, how will I know you’re serious about working through our problems and being a family?”
“Minot.” I sat beside her and pulled her against me. My heart rate had finally slowed. “We’re investigating some tips we’ve received.”
“Dang, that’s more than I expected you to say. Is it dangerous?”
“If it is, will you worry about me?” I shot her a crooked smile.
“Don’t get cocky.”
“Come on, Karma. Tell me the truth.” I jiggled her in my embrace.
“You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”
“But you love me.”
“I care; that’s all you’re getting.” She exhaled a heavy breath, and I knew at that moment she still loved me as I loved her.
14
Karma
I watched Nova at the table eating her cereal. She’d been in a great mood since she came home from her sleepover with Sadie last night. I hadn’t found the courage to tell her the truth about Abe.
And time had run out.
After school, Abe would return to meet his daughter, and I had yet to mention him. When he texted me last night to find out if we were still telling Nova today, I’d replied with “yes.” I didn’t dare mention I hadn’t said anything to her. I was sure he was as nervous as me.
“Do you want a banana?” I asked her.
She smiled, shaking her head.
“How about orange juice?”
“No thanks.” She lifted her bowl to her lips and sipped the milk.
“I need to talk to you about something.” I sat across from her.