Hawk snorts from his spot on one of the easy chairs. “Do I get an extra beer for getting shot?”
“He got shot?” Bea gasps.
“I got over it,” he grumbles. “It was only one bullet.” He's nursing a beer next to a muscled guy who's missing his left hand. They seem to be commiserating, and from the dark look Hawk sends me, he's not ready to celebrate the other guys claiming me yet, either.
Good, because I’m not ready to give up on him.
Just then Eagle-eye comes down the stairs, together with Miriam and Jupiter.
“Who’s that?” the club president snaps. “Please tell me she’s not being stalked, kidnapped or otherwise going to ruin my fucking night. And for the love of all that’s holy. NOBODY KNOCK HER UP,” he roars.
Bea’s eyes go wide and she hides behind me. “She's just visiting. I promise.”
Eagle-eye's eyes narrow. Maybe that wasn’t the right thing to say. “Is she Mafia?”
The room quiets suddenly and everyone's attention is on us. Crap, that part of it didn't occur to me. “She's not going to cause trouble. We're friends.”
“Your brand of trouble already put a bullet in one of my guys. Trust is hard to come by these days.”
Bea grips my arm nervously. It’s strange to see her being the timid one. Usually she’s dragging me places and taking risks, but I guess she’s technically the enemy, and she doesn’t have a group of guys willing to go to bat for her. She just has me.
“Well, I vouch for her, for what it's worth. She's the only one who knew who Izzy's fathers were and she never told my family. We've been roommates since I started college. If you won't allow her here, I'll walk her out. Just don’t hurt her.” I place myself in front of her.
“Hurt her? What the fuck do you take us for? Whatever they tell you up in that damn tower, we don't go around messing up women. Jesus Christ. We're men, not animals.”
I decide it's the wrong time to mention that one of them is literally called Animal.
“She can stay, but keep her with you. And she's your responsibility. She messes with anything here, and it's up to you to fix it.” Jupiter hops around for attention, and Eagle-eye reaches down to scratch his head. “Fair?”
“Yeah. Fair.” I let out a soft breath of relief.
“We'll keep an eye on them,” says Viking. “Alessa's responsibility is our responsibility.”
“Come.” I grab her hand. “Let's go see Izzy. We’ll figure out somewhere for you to stay.”
“Thanks, you’re the best.” Bea gives me a strained, but relieved look. I forgot about her money problems. I bet she couldn’t afford a hotel room. It didn’t even occur to me.
——-
“Okay, it's my turn. Hand her over,” says Emily with enthusiasm. Bea pouts and pretends to cry which makes Izzy laugh, but passes her over. Emily spreads her legs so she can put Izzy down between them and leans forward, then stops suddenly. “God, I want to blow raspberries all over your little tummy, but my own’s getting in the way.”
Izzy giggles anyway.
The guys are out on patrol, and we’re passing the time in the common room. Blade, Alpha and Animal are playing cards, giving us bemused looks. I'm not sure if they're actually annoyed about us invading their space or don't mind it, but at this point they're used to it. Quickshot and Wild Child are in an avid discussion about some kind of motorcycle part that I have no understanding of. King and Hero are off on their own with a couple of beers, but I think they're talking about Emily, since they keep looking over at her and chuckling.
“So how are you settling in, honey?” Miriam comes down from upstairs and sits with us. I can’t quite tell if she lives here or not, but between her pregnant daughter and whatever she’s got going on with Eagle-Eye, she’s sure around a lot.
“It’s good.” I smile, forcing myself not to think about Hawk. “I miss school, but it's not safe for me to go back there yet. It’s nice not to have to watch Izzy alone anymore, though.” I gesture at Bea and Emily, who’re entertaining my little girl. “It’s a little unconventional, but I have more help than I know what to do with now.”
“Enjoy it.” Miriam laughs and shakes her head. “I had it conventional. One husband, one daughter, a beautiful house and everything that should’ve meant success, but it was empty. No, worse than empty. Having the wrong people is worse than having nothing. I wish I learned that lesson a long time ago.”
Emily looks uncomfortable. We’ve talked a little about her childhood since I got here, and from the sound of it, her relationship with her mother is getting better, but isn’t great.
I know she sympathizes with her mother now, but forgiveness is a tall order. I just hope that Hawk and I don’t end up like them, awkwardly sharing Izzy and trying not to dwell on what could’ve been.