dug through the fridge and cabinets, then decided to make pork chops with mashed potatoes and green beans for dinner. I’d looked up some recipes on the phone he’d given me, but I wasn’t brave enough to try something as adventurous as making rolls from scratch. Instead, I bought some from the bakery at the store and just warmed them in the oven while I put the finishing touches on everything else.
Kraken ended his call and came closer, pulling me back against his chest. He kissed my cheek, then my neck. “Love you, baby.”
“I love you too. Pork chops okay for dinner?”
He nodded. “Sounds good. I’m going to go play with our girl while you do your thing in here. Just give a shout if you need anything.”
I waved him off and got to work mixing the ingredients for the homemade marinade I’d found online. It was the first time I’d tried it, and I hoped it turned out okay. With some luck, the pork chops would be flavorful.
I heard Ember giggle in the living room and smiled. Kraken was so good with her. For such a tough-looking guy, he was an amazing dad, and so sweet to the both of us. I’d be forever grateful he’d walked into the Sadistic Saints clubhouse that night.
Chapter Thirteen
Kraken
The news wasn’t good. It wasn’t the Sadistic Saints with their eye on Phoebe. It was worse. Her parents had hired someone to bring her home. I didn’t know why, but I’d damn sure never let them have her. They didn’t deserve Phoebe, or Ember. I wasn’t entirely sure they wouldn’t sell them both the first chance they had. Wizard’s words still rattled around my brain. The phone call hadn’t gone the way I’d hoped. Another club would be easier to take on. But a preacher and his wife? What the fuck was I supposed to do with that?
Ember chewed on the ear of her bear, babbling at me. I wasn’t sure when she would start talking in a way I could understand, but I had to admit she was just too fucking cute for words. I hoped one day we had a house full of kids. Although we’d need more rooms. Right now, I only had two bedrooms other than the one I shared with Phoebe. I’d always sworn if I had kids, they wouldn’t have to share a room. Sharing a closet-sized bedroom with two other siblings had been hell.
I heard Phoebe humming softly in the kitchen as she cooked our dinner. If anyone had ever told me I’d be playing on the floor with my daughter while my wife made dinner, I’d have laughed in their faces. I’d never thought of myself as the settling down type, but Phoebe had needed me, and just maybe I’d needed her too.
My phone rang and I pulled it from my pocket, answering it while keeping an eye on my daughter. “Kraken.”
I heard a snort and glanced at the screen. Wizard. “No shit. Listen, I’ve been trying to follow the paper trail from the parents. Looks like they used part of the money from the Sadistic Saints to hire a P.I. He either lost her trail, or learned what the parents had done and refused to help. So where did they turn but to another club. One we’re a little familiar with.”
“Who’d they call?” I asked.
“Reckless Kings. I can promise you Beast doesn’t know a damn thing about how Phoebe came to be here. I’m betting the parents spun some sob story about you snatching the girl. Need to call him and nip this shit before it gets out of hand.”
“I’m on it,” I said, then disconnected the call. Son of a bitch.
I shot off a quick text to Titan to give him a heads up, then dialed the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Reckless Kings. Forge answered on the fifth ring, right before I was about to give up.
“What the fuck do you want?” Forge asked.
“Nice greeting, asshole. Heard your club is watching my woman.”
I heard him shift and something rustle on the other end of the line. “Phoebe Whitlow?”
“Not Whitlow anymore. She’s not just my old lady but my wife. Don’t believe me, check the marriage records.”
“Well, fuck. Why the hell are the parents paying us to find their kid if you have her? They’re claiming she got snatched or some shit. When my guys said they’d seen her drive into your compound earlier, I didn’t believe them.”
“They sold her to the Sadistic Saints. No clue