Hadley (The Club Girl Diaries Book 3) (19 page)

I had no doubt the men treated her well, just like the boys from Athens did with their girls. But she knew they only wanted one thing.

Or did she?

“You think she wants someone to save her?”

He nodded. “I think she realizes it happened once. I came in, protected her, treated her good because I felt for her, and hated that she’d been through that shit.”

“And she thinks by letting herself be used again, a knight in shining armor is going to come in like before and rescue her,” I said, my mind reeling at the idea of how she must be feeling inside.

“You need to get her out of here, Leo. If this is how her mind is working, she’s sitting on the edge of a cliff, and it won’t take too much to push her off,” I told him, reaching out and pulling his large hand into mine.

“Working on it, baby,” he told me, lacing his fingers through mine. “Working on it.”

“More?” I asked Op, tucking my cell phone between my ear and my shoulder as I buckled my belt, stepping into the bathroom attached to our room.

“Yeah. Every second day since you left,” he told me, his voice tense. There was shit going on back at the club. I wish I were there with my brothers, but protecting Hadley was my priority at the moment. “Seems like our calculations might have been wrong. They’re speeding up.”

“Or something’s happened, and he needs to get it done sooner than he expected,” I said, more to myself as I attempted to figure out the puzzle that was being thrown at us.

“I know the packages are being sent here, but maybe it’s time you moved. If he’s desperate, he’s smart enough to do something to try and throw us off.”

It made sense.

We’d been in Troy for almost five days. Today we were finally taking the trip down to see Hadley’s parents. After this set of packages, I was beginning to think that we wouldn’t return to Troy after the visit. We would move on. To where? I wasn’t sure.

“I think Macy needs to come back. This is getting too serious for me to have her around,” I told Op, knowing he would understand, having his own little girl.

“Talk to Bright Eyes. I’m sure she and Oz won’t mind taking the trip,” he answered.

I felt a warm hand against my bare back and swung around to see Hadley smiling at me, a silk gown wrapped around her body. She was smiling until she saw my face, quickly switching to a frown.

“I’ll chat to them now, and let you know whether to expect them,” I told Op, my eyes holding with my woman’s. “Speak soon.”

“Yeah, brother,” he answered before the line went dead.

“What’s going on?” Hadley asked, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around my waist.

I dropped my lips to her head. “More packages. It’s time to move, seems like things are speeding up.”

She leaned away, looking up at me. “That can’t be right.”

“Why?”

“Simon plans, he likes order, deviating from that isn’t his style,” she said, her brow creased in confusion.

“Maybe he has pressure on him, he’s panicking,” I stated, thinking maybe this was actually a good thing. If he was in over his head and beginning to scramble, we could have the upper hand. Stressful situations cause people to make mistakes if they can’t keep their heads clear.

“Are we still going to see my mom?” I felt the sadness in her voice, but she was trying to put on a brave face.

I cupped her cheek with my hand, looking down into her beautiful doe eyes. Sweetness radiating from Hadley, she made me want to touch her with gentle hands. I wanted to care for her. But at the same time, she was sexy, and held herself with pride and determination. And fuck me, if that didn’t make me want to pound my cock inside her so hard.

“Yeah, baby. We’re still going. But afterward, we move on. Find somewhere new,” I told her, grazing my thumb across her heated cheeks. “Gonna ask Oz if they’ll take Macy back to Athens, though. If things are coming to a head, it’s better if she’s there and safe.”

I saw her cringe. I knew she hated the fact that she was putting my girl in danger. The guilt she felt when they were chased still weighs heavily on her, despite none of us knowing if they really were there for her or not.

If they were, surely Simon would have sent more men by now. And ones who knew what they were doing. Not bumbling goons.

I loved that she cared so much about my baby girl. There were too many people out there who would only think of themselves in a dangerous situation. Self-preservation and staying alive came to the forefront more often than not. But for Hadley, she risked her life for the people she cared about, just like my brothers would do for each other in times of need.

Which was why I knew, without a doubt, I needed her and wanted her at my side. Her loyalty was unwavering.

“That’s a good idea,” she said quietly, averting her eyes.

I curled my fingers around her chin, forcing her face to look up at me. When I had her full attention, I dipped my head, claiming her mouth with all the passion I had inside me. Her nails pierced my skin, and she leaned into the kiss.

She could feel me, everything I was giving her, and she was a willing participant. She took it all, allowing it to light her body on fire and bathed in the warmth.

My free hand slipped inside her gown, her silky soft skin feeling like heaven against my fingertips. She was wearing nothing underneath, due to the fact I’d already claimed her body and given her two breathtaking orgasms this morning, the flush still present on her skin.

“Daddy,” a soft voice came from the doorway of the bathroom causing us to break apart. I looked over Hadley’s head to see Macy standing in the doorway, rubbing at her sleepy eyes.

“Hey, baby girl.”

She gave me a sleepy smile, clutching her teddy in one hand as she reached out her arms. “Cuddle.”

Hadley automatically stepped to the side, and I couldn’t help but smile. I took two steps, sweeping Macy into my arms. Her little arms wrapped around my neck, and I swelled with love for the little girl in my arms.

She was everything. The world. The light that drew me from the darkness.

“Hadwee,” she said softy.

“Morning, pretty girl,” Hadley replied, walking around in front of me and reaching up on her tiptoes to give Macy a kiss on the cheek. “You sleep good?”

“Yes,” she answered simply, telling me she was probably still a little sleepy.

“How about I help you get into your clothes?” Hadley asked her with a light hand on her back. “Daddy needs to talk to Bright Eyes and Ozzy.”

Macy had taken to calling Oz, Ozzy. I found it hilarious myself, thinking of this man who would rip you to shreds in an instant if you threatened his family. But Oz loved it, said all his grand babies were going to call him that.

If Harmony and Kit ever gave him any, that was.

At the moment they seemed quite content with just living their lives together. I didn’t blame them really. I would never give Macy up for anything, but it was a lot harder to live in this life and raise children too. When things got dangerous, you wanted badly to protect them from anything that may hurt them. It pulls your focus, it haunts you, knowing that if anything ever happened to them, you would never forgive yourself.

Macy reached out for Hadley, and I handed her over before grabbing a shirt and heading downstairs. Oz sat at the kitchen table with a coffee in his hand, Bright Eyes at the stove, the smell of eggs and bacon wafting through the air.

“Morning,” I greeted, leaning against the kitchen counter. “Got a favor to ask,” I said, laying it out straight.

Oz looked up from his paper and Bright Eyes switched off the stove top, removing the pan before turning her attention to me.

“We need to get moving today, but I can’t risk taking Macy with me. Was hoping you might be able to make the trip to Athens. My sister-in-law will be able to keep her for the rest of the time I’m away,” I explained briefly.

“No problem,” Oz answered without a second thought.

Bright Eyes nodded in agreement. “We’ve been meaning to make the trip up to see Optimus for a while now.”

I sighed in relief. “Thanks, for everything.”

Bright Eyes scowled at me across the kitchen and Oz snorted. “Leo, you know we’d do anything to help,” she scolded like I was a small child.

I smirked. “Had to say it.”

“No, you didn’t.” Oz laughed. “But she’s right. We’re always here.”

“Appreciate that.”

Bright Eyes looked over my shoulder before returning her gaze to mine. “We haven’t had much time to talk—”

“Woman…” Oz warned, narrowing his eyes at his wife.

She ignored him, continuing to speak directly to me, “I do adore Hadley. She’s a perfect choice for an Old Lady. But how are you feeling about things with Kim?”

I no longer flinched like I used to when I heard people say her name. It wasn’t as though she wasn’t spoken about, we all remembered her in our own ways. But for a good year after her death, I couldn’t speak or hear her name without needing to go straight to the bar and drink myself into oblivion.

I remember hearing Macy crying, her newborn screech sending chills throughout my body. Every time I looked at her I was reminded of my wife, the woman who I’d lost. I struggled, I was man enough to admit that I hadn’t handled it well, and it was because of my brothers, Harmony, Chelsea, and Carly, forcing me to step up and realize I wasn’t the only one hurting. They pulled me back, making me see that I should be grateful.

Macy reminding me of Kim was a good thing. I needed to cherish her.

And since then, that was exactly what I had done. I hadn’t been the perfect father, but she would always come first.

“I’m not going to forget Kim if that’s what you mean.”

Bright Eyes shook her head. “No, that’s not what I meant.”

“Hadley makes me happy. Something I haven’t felt much in the last three years,” I said, hanging my head and taking a deep breath before looking back up at her. “She cares for Macy. She’d do whatever she could to protect her like she was her own, but at the same time, she’s not trying to take Kim’s place. She gets it.”

A saw a small quirk in the corner of Oz’s mouth. “Sounds like you’ve made up your mind.”

I nodded. “We’ve got time to figure shit out, but as far as I’m concerned, I ain’t letting her go. I’ll lay my shit down for her, not going to lose her to this asshole. She’s mine.”

“There’s that word again.” Hadley giggled as she stepped into the kitchen holding a freshly dressed Macy. “Always mine.”

Bright Eyes laughed, turning back to the stove and beginning to dish breakfast onto plates. “Better get used to it, honey. These boys are possessive.”

Hadley’s eyes stayed glued to mine, as Macy squirmed out of her arms and began climbing onto Oz’s lap.

I knew she’d heard what I said, and I waited for her reaction. She finally walked toward me, and I opened my arms, she stepped into my body and curled herself into me.

“Mine,” I whispered, bending my head to her ear.

“Yours.”

We said goodbye to Macy, who didn’t seem too upset about the prospect of a road trip with her new friends. Being with Leo for the last few days seemed to have eased the fears that she felt after the attack. He’d allowed her to see that he was there for her when shit got hard and that the people around her would love and protect her.

The trip to my mom and step dad’s place didn’t take long.

I hadn’t told them I was coming, so when we pulled up to the curb next to their house, I suddenly felt nervous.

Leo reached over and grabbed my hand. “I know you wanna see them, but we really need to make this trip as quick as possible and get back on the road. You never know when he may appear, and the last thing we want to do is draw attention to your parents.”

I nodded in agreement. Simon hadn’t been supportive of me seeing my family. At first, I thought he was being supportive, but now I realized he was playing on my dislike for Keith, my step dad, using it to keep me close to him and away from them.

It’d taken me a long time after he left to understand just how manipulative he’d really been. I was shocked when he’d come in that day, back from Vegas, a changed man. But I soon grasped that I shouldn’t have been surprised. The little things finally added up, making me see he really wasn’t the man I had made him out to be in my head.

I pulled the door handle, climbing out of the truck and standing on the sidewalk as Leo made his way around the vehicle. He wore his club cut over a black hooded sweatshirt and dark denim jeans.

He looked amazing, but with a dark edge that I hoped wouldn’t scare my mom or Keith before they got to know him. He took my hand in his as we walked up the path to the front door. I knocked, excitement finally starting to overcome the nerves as I anticipated seeing my mom.

When she pulled the door open, we both stared for a moment before a wide smile broke onto her face. “My girl.” She held out her arms, and Leo released my hand as I threw myself into her waiting embrace.

I giggled as she swayed back and forth, her face tucked against my shoulder. It was a few moments before she pulled back, holding me at an arm’s length and running her eyes over my body. “Look at you,” she whispered.

“Hey, Mama.”

Her eyes finally left me and took in Leo, who stood a few feet back. “Hello, I’m Marie,” she greeted, my mother not one to be rude to a visitor.

Leo stepped forward, holding out a hand which she took in hers. “Leo, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” she answered with a soft smile. “Please… come in.” She stepped back, holding the door as I lead Leo inside. He followed me down the hall and into our large family area. The kitchen, dining and living room was a large open plan space.

I spotted Sammy sitting at the kitchen table with Keith, playing a board game. “Hope you aren’t cheating, Sammy,” I said loudly with a grin.

His eyes shot up from the table, and he was out of his chair within a second, running toward me. “Hadley!” he yelled as he leaped into my arms.

I hugged him close, trying to press back the tears that were forming in my eyes. He’d gotten so big, I couldn’t believe it. “Geez kid, stop growing.” I laughed, the ten-year-old already at my shoulder. Soon, he’d be towering over me.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, pulling back, his eyes wide with excitement.

“We were in the area, thought we’d make a quick visit,” I told him, scruffing his hair.

He moved his eyes, spotting Leo.

“How’s it, man?” Leo said, sticking out his hand.

I could tell Sammy liked Leo instantly, loving that Leo hadn’t addressed him like a child. He put his hand in Leo’s and shook it hard. “Good, man,” he answered seriously.

Leo smirked.

“It’s good to see you, Had.” I turned to my step father. A small smile present beneath his salt and pepper goatee. I’d already told myself I wasn’t going to make this tense or awkward. This wasn’t about our problems, this was about seeing my family.

“Hey, Keith,” I said, stepping toward him and giving him a quick hug.

“I’m going to pull some things out for lunch, lucky I did groceries yesterday,” Mom said, walking over to the kitchen and beginning to fuss. “Sammy, clean off the table please, then go and get washed up for lunch.”

Sammy rolled his eyes but moved over and started to pack away the game, before heading out of the room and down the hall.

Keith gestured to the sofa, offering us to sit.

“Keith, this is Leo,” I said as I took a seat. Leo sitting beside me and placing his hand on my lap.

Keith sat in the recliner, his eyes going to Leo’s hand. “Not to be rude, but is there something we need to discuss?”

“Leo’s my boyfriend,” I said simply. They knew Simon and I had stopped seeing each other, and I can’t say they were disappointed.

“Part of a motorcycle club?” Keith observed.

Leo nodded. “Yes, sir. Brothers by Blood. Situated in Athens, Alabama.”

Mom looked up. “You’re in Alabama now?”

“Yeah, Mama.”

“What happened to your place with Judge and Jackie?” she asked, continuing to slice up some chicken. She’d met Judge and Jackie when she’d come to visit, straight after the breakup. I could tell she liked them.

I looked to Leo. Not sure about how much I should tell them regarding what was going on.

“They thought she’d be safer with us,” Leo answered simply.

Keith’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“Simon has lost it. Trying to get me back.”

“Define lost it?” Keith asked, sitting forward.

“It’s better if you don’t know,” Leo said. “Just know that we are looking after her until it blows over.”

Keith shook his head, and I could see my mom standing frozen in the kitchen with a look of worry on her face.

“No,” Keith said. “If my daughter is in trouble, we need—”

“I’m not your daughter,” I snapped before I’d even thought about the words.

Leo squeezed my leg in his hand.

Keith looked taken aback from my burst.

“Hadley, don’t,” Mom warned, stepping out of the kitchen and coming to Keith’s side. “He helped raise you, and supported you, and all of us.”

“I have a father,
he
raised me,” I said, beginning to feel the emotions building inside me.

I could see the hurt in Keith’s eyes, it was something I’d seen before, but for some reason this time when I saw it, it made my chest hurt. He pushed out of his chair, not looking back as he walked over to the sliding doors, pulling them open and stepping out onto the patio.

Mom scowled at me. “We barely ever get to see you, and every time we do this is what happens. When are you going to stop this childish crap?”

I jolted, the sound of my mother swearing shocking me. She was always so polite, even when she was angry she found a way to word things to get around the curse words that most of us would use to express their anger.

“Mama—”

“No, Hadley Jane. You have no idea what that man has done for you. Working long hours so we had a roof over our heads. Dealing every day with your resentment and knowing that he would never fill your father’s place in your life, but supporting you anyway.”

Tears brimmed my eyes. “I miss Daddy,” I whispered, looking over to the mantle where the picture of my father hung proudly.

Keith had never once asked for it to be taken down or tried to replace it. He accepted that that man was a part of mine and my mother’s life. I knew this in my heart. But for some reason, I just always felt the need to fight for my father’s place in our home. Even though, I knew that Keith had never contested it. He embraced it.

I looked to Leo, who watched me with careful eyes. It dawned on me that Keith and I now had something in common.

I was coming into Macy’s life just like he had come into mine. Macy may have never got to meet her mother, but there was no part in my heart that wished to replace the memory of her. I would want Macy to know about her, to love her, and think about her as often as possible. I would never take that away from her because, in my heart, I was grateful to Kim for giving birth to such a beautiful baby girl.

I wished I could talk to her, let her know that I would watch over her as if she was my own, and love Leo with all my heart without trying to step on her memory. But I couldn’t.

I just had to hope.

Tears dripped onto my cheeks as I finally realized what Keith must be feeling. I pushed off the sofa and headed for the door, where I could see Keith standing at the edge of the patio looking out into the garden.

I took one last look over my shoulder, Leo gave me an encouraging nod. I took a deep breath and pushed through the doors, closing them behind me and walking slowing toward where Keith stood with his back to me.

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice filled with emotion.

He didn’t turn around, so I moved up to stand beside him, my eyes searching the garden before us.

“I never wanted to take away your love for your father. John was a good man,” he said, his hands tucked into his pockets. “Just wanted to do right by him.”

I looked up at him, seeing his eyes glisten.

“He couldn’t be in this life anymore, and I know that leaving you and your mom behind would have broken his heart because that’s exactly how I would’ve felt if it was me,” he admitted, his eyes finally turning to me. “All I ever wanted to do was make sure you were happy, keep you safe, and look after you like he would have wanted.”

I sniffed. “Must have been hard, I gave you so much hell.”

He shook his head. “We do strange things when we’re hurting.”

His words reminded me of Slider, and the way he’d lashed out when he thought I was going to give away his secret. He was hurt and feeling threatened, and his natural reflex was to fight back.

It was exactly what I’d done.

“I thought I was doing the right thing. I felt like he’d want me to fight for his memory,” I told him, my throat tightening. “But he wouldn’t have. He would’ve wanted me to be happy, to accept the love that you were offering.”

“I went to his grave a few days before I asked your mom to marry me.”

I was surprised by the admission. “Why?”

“Just wanted to tell him man-to-man that I’d do whatever was within my power to look after the two of you.” His voice cracked, and he cleared it before he continued, “That was where I felt he might be able to hear me the clearest. I also wanted to thank him.”

Tears streamed like a waterfall, and I sobbed. “For what?”

“For creating something so beautiful, and allowing me the opportunity to be a part of her life.” He wiped away a tear that dropped down onto his cheek.

I didn’t hold back, I was done, and it was time to let go of the resentment I felt for this man. He hadn’t come in and tried to take my dad away. All he wanted to do, was be a part of my life, no matter what that part was.

Throwing myself at him, he caught me in his arms and held me close.

I felt a weight lifting, my heart blooming like a flower, opening up and letting the light inside.