Page 102 of Creed

“Like Morgan said, there are some downfalls to living and working at Creed’s Lake. First of all, we are not just an MC. We do top secret work for the government, military, and some law enforcement agencies. That is why we demand so much secrecy. Well, that and Morgan is kind of popular.” He chuckled and she giggled.

“Kind of?” She was amused.

“Okay, she’s very popular. Anyway, with that being said, we cannot allow you to have visitors. You are more than welcome to come and go from Creed’s Lake to do your own business, unless we are on lockdown. Times of lockdown can last from a few hours to weeks, depending on the situation.We are currently on lockdown due to Morgan and Addie’s situation, but they rarely occur on a normal basis. We believe the situation is currently handled but for now we are playing it safe. Life on Creed’s Lake is similar to life on a military base, except we offer much more. We are currently building a medical and rehabilitation facility, and we do have a doctor and mental health provider already on site. We are adding some first responders and honestly we are constantly growing and adding more conveniences.”

I spoke up. “All your travel expenses will be covered. That can also be a perk because you will be given the opportunity to see the world. As far as Addie’s education, we would like to keep her in public school and try to keep travel at a minimum during the school year. If we find that’s impossible, we will decide later what’s best for her education. I would rather not travel without Addie. So, we will have to play that by ear. Fortunately, with time I won’t have any obligations to Hollywood. Unfortunately, my retirement will be a slow process. I have one movie premiering in a couple of weeks, and I have another we just wrapped up before I returned home. It will be released next year. The other upside to that is as my work slows down, Creed’s Lake is growing. I have a degree in education and will be getting my license to teach in Indiana. I believe I will always need an assistant if I plan to teach the children in our community whose parents aren’t comfortable with public schools.”

I could tell by looking at Melissa her head was spinning. “If I accept, when would this position start?”

“I have obligations to be in Hollywood two weeks from today. I would need you for that trip.” I said.

She asked a few more questions, then she said she would call us back the following day with an answer. I understood, if she did take it, she would need to give the parents of the children she provided daycare services time to make other arrangements.

Creed and I headed home. Addie was there with Stephanie, but all the Originals would also be there for their weekly night of hanging out in Creed’s basement. I already cooked finger foods and did some baking, so all Stephanie had to do was warm things up. It might have been a weekly occurrence, but that night was different. We had a few more guests. Anthony Jennings was promoted, and was classified as an Original. He was married to Heidi, and they had three children. I learned AJ was twelve, Hazel was nine, and their youngest, Nora, just turned six.

As I sat at the kitchen table talking with Stephanie, Valerie, and Heidi, I realized how fulfilled I felt. I didn’t think it was possible after Callie’s death, but Creed changed everything. He didn’t just provide safety for us. He provided so much more. I was making new friends, which was rare for me. I was able to watch as Melissa was offered a whole new life. I knew she would accept. When she left I watched her smile all the way to her car. Creed gave me a home, something I hadn’t had since I left my parents home for college. I felt safe, loved, and relaxed. I may have owned a house in Malibu, but it was never a home.

Creed and I constantly grew closer. Although we both always had complicated lives, we were easy. It might not have been at first, but once we gave into our intense attraction, we simply fell into place.

Easy

Creed

Magnus and Axton were shooting a game of pool against Drakos and Irons. Jennings, Granger and I were sitting at the bar drinking a beer watching the kids play hide and seek. Typically, we played poker, and the game hadn’t started yet when it happened.

Granger and I acted like we didn’t know that Addie was hiding behind the bar. Dillon came running in and asked if we saw Addie.

“Dat’s tweeting!” Addie ran around the bar pointing at the kid.

“No, it’s not! I don’t cheat!” Dillon talked back to the little badass princess, and I watched as her face turned blood red.

“It is so, you can’t ask for help when you’re it!” She stomped her foot.

“Quit being such a baby!” Dillon stood tall.

“Umm…Granger, you might want to get your kid.” I advised.

“Nah, he can fight his own battles. He needs to know that dad can’t always bail him out.” Granger took a swig of his beer.

“Yeah, but he’s only six and I’m worried for his safety.” I muttered under my breath. I wouldn’t stop Addie. It was good she knew to stand up to boys. I was one once and we could be little assholes. Especially to cute little girls in pigtails that looked like angels.

Addie took a step closer to the kid. “I’m not the one that’s going to be cwying for mommy.”

Jennings was taking a swig but choked on his beer in a laugh.

“At least I have a mommy, four eyes!” Dillon stuck his tongue out at her, and I went to stand and take care of the kid myself, but paused midway, because it happened so fast I didn’t even see her hand move. Suddenly, Dillon had a bloody nose and was crying for Stephanie.

“Oh shit!” All the guys stopped and watched in horror, except Granger. He calmly took a swig of his beer.

Addie then spit in his face and crossed her arms. Standing there like she was proud of herself. “Who’s the baby now?” She asked.

I went to rush over to them, but Granger caught my arm. “Let them work it out.”

I looked at Granger’s son and he had blood pouring from his nose. “Dude, your kid is hurt.”

He shrugged. “He’ll be fine.”

Dillon went rushing for Granger, but Granger held a hand up. “Don’t come running to me. You brought that onyourself. I heard what you said to that girl, and you deserved it. Go on to the bathroom, and clean yourself up, its not your first bloody nose and you know what to do. If I hear you went to your mom, you and I will have a problem.”

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