“Bastard.” Brooklyn sighed. “Well, she’s here now, safe.”
He clenched his fists and looked up and down the street. Half of him actually wished the guy would show his face so he could pummel on it. Pummel until it was mush and unrecognizable as human. “I won’t let anything happen to her, not on my watch.”
“I know you won’t, so does Hudson. That’s why he sent you.”
He was pleased that Hudson trusted him with family. It showed Jayden’s senior position in the club. “She brought nothing with her, not even pajamas for the kid.”
“Nothing?”
“Nope, zilch, nada. I’m guessing she took off at a sprint and didn’t look back.”
Brooklyn was quiet for a moment, then, “We can organize a few clothes, no problem. I’ll ask around, and drop some off tomorrow when I come with Hudson.”
“Cool.”
“I take it she needs clothes for herself too.”
“Er, yeah.” He thought of the skinny jeans and faded gray hoody Tammy was wearing. “I guess so.”
“What size is she?”
“I dunno.” He sucked on his smoke.
“Guess. Is she bigger than me?”
“Er, no, she’s little, small tits, small ass, about half my size.”
“Ha, all right, I can work with that. And the kid, how old is he?”
“How would I know? He’s just a kid with no front teeth.”
Brooklyn laughed. “So about six or seven.”
“I guess, he’s little and skinny too. Ain’t neither of them been eating well, I’d say. I’m just waiting on pizza now.”
“You’re a good guy, Jayden.” Brooklyn paused. “But just remember, she’s not used to them. All she’s known is a bad guy.”
“I get that, it’s all cool. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He ended the call and puffed on his smoke as he looked out for the pizza delivery.
“Why is this door open?” Tammy whispered loudly, peering from the darkness of the house. “It was locked.”
“I wanted a smoke and you told me not to in the house.” He gave his best angelic grin, though he knew it was still devilish despite his best efforts.
“It’s just…” She glanced around, her eyes wide again. “I don’t want…”
“He ain’t here, and if he did show, you really think he’d get past me?” Jayden huffed.
She didn’t reply.
“Do you?” he asked, flicking away his spent cigarette. She had to know she was safe with him. He wasn’t the enemy. And neither were the Devil’s Barbarians, despite their appearance. They were her saviors. She was Hudson’s niece, which made her one of them, and she’d be protected as such.
“It’s just…” She covered her mouth with her hand, as if hiding words, keeping her thoughts to herself.
“What?” he asked, coming to stand by the door.
“It’s … he’s…”