Page 18 of Slice

Chapter Twelve

Slice sat in the passenger seat, relaxed against the door. They’d picked up the parts order in Kansas City after a five-hour drive. They’d left after Slice had talked with Faith and then let Dex know what had gone on. Dex had canceled his date with Candace and decided to come with Slice and Locks to pick up the items.

Locks had volunteered to come, and Slice had to wonder if it was Locks’ way of getting out of town and getting a certain silver-haired woman out of his mind. The guys had been buzzing after Rose had mentioned the attraction between Locks and Faith’s sister, Hope.

After falling for Faith, Slice had a better understanding of what Locks might have gone through when he lost his wife. Slice would be devastated if he lost Faith, and he’d only been with her a short time. Locks had been married for years, had children with his wife, and built a business before losing her.Slice imagined that even considering someone else was a huge emotional step.

“Is Saint’s Outlaws providing supper, or do we need to grab food before we get there?” Dex asked.

“Pit said he’d bring home barbecue from his restaurant. I’ve been thinking about his barbecue all week,” Locks replied.

“Is barbecue why you decided to volunteer? I thought it was a woman you were avoiding,” Dex said.

Slice decided he’d stay out of it. He liked Locks and wasn’t getting in the middle of this, especially after Locks had babysat the boys.

“We’re not discussing that. Slice, have you heard any more about LB’s mom?” Locks asked.

“Nice change of subject,” Dex muttered.

“No, it is going to break Faith’s heart if he’s taken away.”

“Only Faith’s?” Locks questioned.

“No, mine too. I’m trying not to think about it, but it’s so hard not to worry,” Slice said. “It’s frustrating because it’s not like planning a mission and preparing for all the eventualities based on experience. Without all the information, I’m just making my best guess on what to do. Why did the woman who birthed him leave him there in a cooling, deserted house? I keep wondering what would make someone do that. Was she desperate? Did she have mental issues?”

“I don’t know. I can’t imagine someone just leaving their baby in an abandoned house unless they were desperate, but there are some twisted people in the world who don’t value women and children as much as we do. Besides Scoop and Sarah looking, Cowboy in Texas is looking, and Pit said he had someone he trusted to do some hacking. We’re all behind you to face whatever you have to,” Locks said.

Slice appreciated all the support, but he didn’t want to need it. He craved a fresh start with Faith where LB was free to be theirson, and they could adopt Micah and Isaiah. He adored those boys. His love for them just kept growing, and he wanted to make them all a permanent family.

He hadn’t visited the Saint’s Outlaws clubhouse yet. He’d been one of the ones holding down everything when Ariel married Pit back in November. War and Roam had raved about their setup and the food. Well, they had in between saying that Pit didn’t deserve their sister and he better keep her happy.

Pit and Ariel had been at Roam’s wedding, but Slice had been focused on getting his job done and getting back to Faith’s house. He’d already been falling for all of them that night.

He was worried about Faith having to deal with those women at work. He worked with the brotherhood, and although he might disagree with someone else, his brothers had his back. He couldn’t fathom working somewhere people didn’t like a person due to how they looked.

He wondered if there was any way he could help Faith. She’d told him she didn’t need a hug, but was there something else he could do?

Maybe Willa or one of the other women might have a suggestion when Faith came to lunch on Sunday. Surely Faith wouldn’t have to deal with those women being mean forever. This seemed like something that could be fixed—at least he assumed so, and he could see how Faith might want him to help fix it.

Dex pulled into the Saint’s Outlaws MC compound, and Slice slid his phone in his pocket. He’d chat with Willa when he got back and see if she had any ideas on how to take care of Faith’s problem. Now, he wanted some barbecue and to sack out. He wasn’t in the mood for any parties because he missed Faith. His nights didn’t seem complete without talking with her or kissing her. He longed for the day that his family—and it was his family—was all under one roof.

Chapter Thirteen

Faith loved the smell of Slice’s new vehicle he’d purchased while in Kansas City. He’d been chatting with Pit, the President of the MC they were visiting, about wanting to buy an SUV, and Pit had a friend who was selling one that had been a lease.

It was a maroon Chevy Tahoe with third-row seating. With the bench seat in the second row, Slice could take seven people with him. The tan leather seats were heated. Faith hadn’t been in any vehicle that had heated seats, and she decided her next vehicle needed to have them.

Slice pulled into the compound and then told Faith he’d open her door and then help the boys out. Slice was a protective softy when it came to her and the boys. It was one of the many things she adored about the man. He’d even lifted her into the Tahoe since it was a step up. He said he was having the little steps that would tuck up under the vehicle when not in use installed nextweek. Neither she nor the boys would have to hop up into the vehicle.

He opened her door, held her hand to help her out, and dropped a kiss on her lips.

“Is it too early to turn around?” Slice asked.

“Why?” Faith questioned.

“I’m sure I’ll end up embarrassed sometime today, but just know whatever they do, it’s in love.”

Then he helped the boys out and unhooked LB’s car seat to carry. Faith had been a little apprehensive. With Slice’s words, she didn’t know if she was excited to see what happened and learn more about Slice or scared of what she was walking into. It was too late now to change her mind despite Slice’s offer.

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