“Loud and clear, sir.” Johnny tapped his forehead, and Blade walked out with a huff.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Twenty-four hours later, Deacon and Viper rode to Dalton. Shifter and Blade asked them to stay a few more days, but Deacon was anxious to get his clubhouse back in order. He promised to return as soon as word of Gomez’s improvement came. Trent was staying.
Right on cue, forty-eight hours passed, and Johnny received a text from Blade, which he thought was odd as they were both in the clubhouse.
Gomez can take visitors for a few minutes. Take Isolde, and keep this strictly to yourself. I’ll text Barron to join you.
Frowning, Johnny typed back.
What’s going on?
A feeling I have. I follow my hunches.
Will they let usin? We’re not family.
Gomez doesn’t have relatives. Deacon is the responsible party, and he left a list of approved names before he left.
Isolde was playing in Cel’s Little room. Johnny was pleased his baby girl had the support and comfort of someone who’d lived the life for so long and could teach her a lot. Plus, Isolde would soon meet Yoanni, Barron’s Little. This influenced him further to stay in Garden City rather than move to Dalton. Deacon needed time to come around toward Johnny, and he could always ride up with Isolde for a visit.
The two girls were sitting at Cel’s small table. A complete play tea set was displayed as they happily chatted. Making choo-choo noises, little Jerrod played with his train set nearby.
“Hey, girls, sorry to interrupt. I need to take Isolde somewhere.”
Cel and Isolde blinked at him.
“Hi, Daddy,” Isolde chirped in her Little voice, which always warmed his heart.
“S’okay,” Cel said. “We play later.”
He studied Isolde’s get-up—the cute, flowery short skirt, argyle knit Mary-Jane shoes, and ankle socks—and decided a change in clothes was essential. “You need to change, baby. We’re going out.”
She sashayed toward him. “We are?”
“Yes.” Bending his head, he whispered. “We have permission to see Gomez.”
“Yay.” Clapping her hands, she rushed over to Cel, and hugged her friend. “I’s sorry.”
“No sorry,” Cel murmured, smiling with a mischievous grin. “We’s good girls. No want heinies spank.”
“Nooo.” Isolde turned to hold Johnny’s hand. “I’s a good girl, Daddy. I’s obey.”
“Yes, you do.” Chuckling, he led her out of the room, then turned into the main hallway. As he did, her transformation was immediate. Isolde went from cute skipping to the upright walk of an adult.
Johnny opened his door, and Trent stepped out of the darkness.
“Whassup, guys?” Trent said.
Isolde jumped the gun on him. “Good news. We?—”
Johnny yanked her arm. She glanced up a him with a question on her face.
“She’s so excited,” Johnny answered before she said anything about Gomez. “We’re going to the movies.”
Trent narrowed his eyes slightly, then looked from Isolde to Johnny. “Oh, what are you going to watch? Is it good? I love movie theaters. I could join you.”
Evidently, Trent didn’t buy Johnny’s excuse. A sudden chill, a weird sensation similar to a premonition or warning, ran up and down Johnny’s spine.