Maui
Three Months Ago
I could still hear her screaming. In the middle of the night, I’d jolt awake, thinking I needed to save Casey. She didn’t know I’d heard her. One of the times I’d helped with Becca, I’d sent Casey to bed, only for her to have a nightmare. We hadn’t discussed it, but I thought I knew what she’d been through. I’d heard her pleas, listened to her tell multiple guys no. My gut twisted at the implication. Did Atilla know? I doubted it. If he had, those fuckers would have been buried already. Which meant she hadn’t been dreaming like this at his house. What triggered them now?
I didn’t need to overstep, and it could backfire in a huge way, but I also couldn’t sit and do nothing. Calling Wire, I hoped like hell I was making the right decision.
“What’s up, Maui?” he asked the second the call connected.
“Need a favor. You know Atilla’s daughter, Casey?”
“Yeah, why?” The sudden tension in Wire’s voice told me he felt protective of her. Good. She needed all of us standing behind her and ready to take down any monsters who threatened her or Becca.
“Think someone has hurt her. Maybe Becca’s dad. When you were doing all that digging in the trafficking ring, did you notice anything out of the ordinary about the baby daddy?” I asked.
“I have his name but didn’t really look into him. Casey said he’d not wanted anything to do with her or the baby, so I assumed he’d filled out the form willingly. Just a dumb teenage kid, you know?”
“I have a feeling it’s more involved. Can you see if anything pops up on the little fucker?”
“Sure. Anyone else know about this?” he asked.
“No, and I want to keep it that way for now. She’s been through hell already. We all have. I don’t want to shake up the club if it’s unnecessary. Atilla is settling into his life with Solena and the kids. Casey and Becca are living on their own, Meredith and Lynx have the twins to raise. No one needs this shit if it turns out to be nothing.”
“Understood. I’ll see what I can find. In the meantime, want to tell me what makes you think this kid did something wrong?”
I held back for a second. How much did I want to tell him? What if I was completely off base with this? Although my gut said I wasn’t wrong.
“I believe he assaulted Casey. Possibly with more than one other guy. She had a bad nightmare not too long ago. I’m not sure if it was just a dream. Think she was reliving a traumatic experience.”
“Fuck,” Wire muttered. “All right. I’ll focus on this and get Lavender to help. We’ll call if we find anything, but you need to tell Atilla. I’m not going to have him come after me for this.”
“Done. Just not until I know for sure there’s anything to worry about.”
We ended the call, and I shoved the phone into my pocket. Leaning against my bike, I folded my arms and watched Casey’s house. Inside the compound, she should be completely safe. Should being the operative word. I’d have felt better if her house were at the back of the compound, far from the clubhouse. What if a party got out of hand? Or someone could slip through who wanted to hurt her or little Becca. I’d let nothing happen to either of them.
She was far too young for me. Only seventeen to my thirty-five. Hell, she could have been my daughter. But after seeing Atilla settle down with someone so much younger than he was, and Lynx pairing off with Meredith, it made me wonder if maybe Casey wasn’t so far out of reach. Not now, clearly, but once she turned eighteen, maybe I could express an interest in dating her.
She was a new mom. I didn’t want her to feel rushed, or like I was pushing her into a corner. If she wasn’t ready, then I’d back off. Didn’t mean I’d go away completely, though. I could be her friend, if that was what she needed most. For now, I’d keep watch. Protect her, even if she didn’t think she needed it.
I heard Becca cry and nearly rushed inside to check on the little one. That darling girl had me wrapped around her finger, much like her mother. Rebel came around the bend and pulled to a stop on the road.
“You stalking her?” he asked, flashing me a smile.
The fucker knew exactly how I felt about her. The moment he started nosing around, I’d told him I wanted Casey to be mine. Someday. Thankfully, he didn’t see her that way.
“Just making sure they stay safe,” I said. “You heading home? Alone?”
He shrugged. “Same pussy as usual at the clubhouse. Getting tired of it.”
I knew what he meant. I hadn’t been with any of the club girls in over a year. Last time I’d gotten my dick wet had been months before Casey came to the compound. Once I set eyes on her, it was all over for me. I hadn’t wanted anyone else since then.
The baby quieted, and I saw the shadow of Casey passing by the window. Atilla had given her this tiny home to share with Becca, and I’d heard he planned to give her the house he had now. His new home already had the foundation and frame up. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too long before the workers could complete it.
“You could let her know you’re here,” Rebel said. “Think she might welcome the company.”
Maybe. But what if she didn’t? I wouldn’t want her to feel obligated to invite me inside. Rebel waved and pulled away, heading farther into the compound. I took a chance and pushed off from my bike, walking up to Casey’s front door. I lightly knocked, not wanting to startle Becca since she was no longer crying.
Casey opened the door, her hair in disarray and dark smudges under her eyes. She always looked so exhausted, and my heart hurt for her.
“You want some help?” I asked. I saw Becca was still awake and sucking on her thumb. “Want me to walk with her?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. You look ready to drop. Go get some rest. I’ll get the little one back to sleep, then let myself out.”
Casey smiled up at me. “Thank you, Maui. You’re a lifesaver.”
I stepped into the house and took Becca from her. Once the little girl snuggled against my chest, I rubbed her back as we walked back and forth from the kitchen through the small living room, and back again. If I didn’t think the night air might be too much for her, I’d have taken her outside for a bit.
Casey yawned so wide her jaw cracked, and I watched as she stumbled her way back to the bedroom. I knew Atilla and Solena helped when they could, but it wasn’t enough. She’d eventually get sick if she kept doing this on her own.
“Little one, you need to let your mom sleep more,” I murmured to Becca. “You’re exhausting her. What do you think will happen if she gets too sick to take care of you?”
The baby sighed and kept sucking her thumb. I looked down and realized she’d shut her eyes. Good. Maybe both of them would be asleep soon. The slight weight against me was a welcome one. I’d never thought of myself as a family man. Not until now. The more time I spent with Becca and Casey, the more I wanted to keep them forever.
I hoped like hell Wire didn’t find anything on Casey’s ex-boyfriend. Because if he did, I knew I wouldn’t let that little shit keep breathing. Neither would Atilla. Only one problem. Casey hadn’t told any of us about Becca’s father, which made me wonder why she was protecting someone like that. One wrong move and the future I wanted could go up in smoke. I needed to tread carefully, but if he’d hurt her, I wouldn’t let it slide.
Someone needed to make sure she and Becca could live a safe and happy life. If that meant getting blood on my hands, then so be it. There wasn’t a damn thing I wouldn’t do for the two of them. I’d walk through hell, give up my soul, or spend time in prison. None of it mattered. I’d give them my everything, if only Casey would accept it.
Becca slept soundly, so I crept to her crib and placed her gently inside. After checking on Casey, I let myself out, locking the door behind me. One day, I’d lock this door and stay inside with my girls. Assuming Atilla didn’t rip off my balls for daring to covet his daughter.
One step at a time.
Protect Casey and Becca.
Confess my feelings.
Then hope like hell the Pres didn’t murder me.