Hawk (Reckless Kings MC #2) - Harley Wylde Page 0,38

To think I’d been single, and fucking miserable, two days ago and now I had a woman and daughter. I just needed to get them both settled into their new home, make sure Hayley was healthy, and hope Freya’s purple crying ended soon. Whatever the fuck that was. I seriously needed to look it up and see if there was some way to ease Freya’s distress. I didn’t think Hayley could handle much more. Every time our sweet girl started screaming, my woman looked like she would fall apart.

I made some space for Hayley to hang up her things, with a mental note to figure out a new spot for my weapons. Then I called Dr. Kestral. He patched us up when things went sideways, but I knew he was a legit doctor and would be able to help Hayley. Or at least check her over and make sure she was healthy. He promised to stop by within the hour, which meant I needed to keep Hayley awake a little while longer.

But first, there was another matter to handle.

I called Torch.

“Hawk, do you have any idea what fucking time it is?” he demanded when he picked up the call. I glanced at the clock, realizing it was barely after eight. I doubted he went to bed this damn early.

“Uh, no. I didn’t really stop to look. I need Chief Daniels’ number, if you have it.”

It was quiet a moment. “Do I seem like the type to go golfing with the chief of police, or what the fuck ever guys like him do for fun? Call the damn station during daylight hours. You know, when people aren’t trying to get their fucking kids to sleep.”

I winced. Now that I had a daughter, I could sympathize. “Sorry, Torch. I just know it’s messing Hayley up that her family dumped her the way they did. I was hoping to talk to the chief and smooth things over, maybe make him see reason.”

“Good luck,” he muttered and ended the call.

Well, that hadn’t gone the way I’d hoped, but it could have been worse.

I heard Hayley call out for me and I rushed to her side, not wanting her to get out of the tub on her own. As tired as she was, she could easily slip and fall. I helped her dry off and change into her pajamas.

“The doctor will be here in a little while,” I said. “For now, let’s warm up our dinner and get some food into your stomach. I don’t think you’ve been eating enough.”

She snorted and smacked her hip. “You didn’t notice the extra padding?”

My lips twitched. “Oh, I noticed all the changes, baby. And I especially approve of the ‘extra padding,’ as you put it, on your hips and ass. You’re beautiful, Hayley. Having a baby didn’t change that. If anything, it just made you even more stunning.”

She shook her head. “I look more like Cuddles right now.”

Her eyes went wide, and she slapped a hand over her mouth. Shit. We’d forgotten about her raccoon.

“I’ll get him. You go sit in the kitchen.” I hesitated a moment. “Will he bite me? He seemed friendly enough at the Dixie Reaper’s place, but he’s in a new environment, and today hasn’t been the easiest day for any of us.”

She shook her head. “No, he’s really sweet, and he already met you once so it’s not like you’re a stranger. His harness and leash are by the carrier. He probably needs to go to the bathroom. There’s a litter box for him, but I haven’t set it up yet, and he has a cat tree he likes to hide inside.”

“I’ll take him outside. Don’t worry, Hayley. Just go sit.”

Once I knew she would listen, I let the raccoon out of his cage. He chittered and fussed, clearly pissed we’d forgotten about him. I was surprised at how easily I could get the harness on him, and he eagerly walked on a leash. We went out front and I led him away from the house so he wouldn’t leave any surprises where someone might step in it. After he’d finished, I took him inside and set him free in the house.

I found his litter box and other necessities and got everything set up. I opened the folding doors on the tiny hall closet and decided it would be a good spot for his litter box. I made sure Cuddles knew where I’d put it before I put his cat tree in the