want to do that?” I ask, glancing between the two men. “Just how long is your list of enemies?”
No one answers me.
Great.
“All the men are coming in now and we’re going to discuss it and come up with a plan,” Temper says, patting Shadow when he comes up to him. “We’re going to need all of you to stay safe—don’t go anywhere alone, and keep tabs on each other, all right? We’re back on high alert until we take care of these men.”
We all nod.
He looks to Saint. “Where’s Skylar?”
Saint puts his phone in his pocket. “I just texted and asked her to come home. She was working, but she’ll be here soon.”
What a mess.
It’s safe to say my problems of being stuck in my hometown seem less complicated than ever. These new problems of life and death are making me realize how much I took my life for granted. At the same time, though, being out and away, and having this freedom also makes me realize how much I’ve been missing, and how I haven’t really been living life. I’ve just been following the rules and existing the way my mother wants me to.
“Want to go for a ride?” Temper asks, offering me his hand.
“Sure,” I reply, taking it.
And then there are moments like this, when it’s just me and him, that are perfect.
And worth it.
Chapter Thirteen
I didn’t really get to speak with Trade on the first night that I met him, because all the members of the MC were there, but tonight it’s just him and his kids having dinner with us, giving a more personal and intimate setting.
His son, AJ, is such a bright kid, and with his dark hair tied up in a man bun just like his dad’s, and his long lashes and cute dimpled smile, he is definitely going to be a heartbreaker.
“This is so yummy, Uncle Tommy,” he says to Temper, beaming. Trade’s kids are the only ones I’ve ever heard calling Temper by his real name, and it’s a little weird to hear, but also super cute.
“Is it? I made it myself,” Temper says to his nephew, grinning.
AJ eyes the chocolate cake. “No you didn’t. I bet you bought it at the store. I’ve never seen you bake a day in your life.”
“He made me a cake once,” Alia adds, licking the chocolate from her fingers. “Well, at least he tried to make me a cake.”
“Hey, that was an artistic creation,” Temper says to his niece, pretending to be offended. “It came straight from a packet and I had to follow the extremely complicated instructions.”
“You just had to add eggs and water and mix it all together,” she says, looking at her dad. “The two of you have the same skills in the kitchen.”
“What do you guys eat every night?” I ask her, trying to hide my smile and failing hard.
“Easy stuff, like meat and salad,” she says, pouting her lips out, and resting her face on her hand. “Or Ariel will cook us something really nice and yummy, like a homemade lasagna or seafood pasta.”
“That does sound yummy.” I know Ariel is Izzy’s sister, and her and Trade seem super cute together.
“Ariel is a really good cook,” India adds. She’s the oldest, and the quietest of the lot, but is such a gorgeous, well-mannered child. Trade has done so well raising these three. I don’t know where their mother is, but no one has mentioned it, and I’m sure as hell not going to ask.
“So, I’ve heard a lot about you, Abbie,” Trade says when he finds me in the kitchen alone. “But nothing directly from you.”
“Well, I was in school, but I’ve put that on hold for now while I help my family with our business. I will definitely finish my degree, because that’s something I’ve always wanted for myself,” I say, rinsing my dish and placing it in the dishwasher. I turn to face him with a tea towel in my hands, wiping them.
“Do you like kids?” he