Page 52 of Rebel

“How are you?” Mia met me at the elevator and pulled me into a hug as soon as I stepped off. She squeezed me so tight I felt tears prick the back of my eyes. “You should’ve told me.”

I nodded against her shoulder. “I told you as soon as I got my emotions under control. We’re fine. The house? Not so much.” I tried to shrug it off like it didn’t matter but I couldn’t stop hearing the sound of bullets and shattering glass—even three days later it was fresh in my mind. “Me and Livvy are alive, that’s what matters.”

She looked around with a frown. “Where is Livvy?”

That was something else I didn’t want to talk about. “She’s at the Steel Demons clubhouse. With Logan and everyone.” I rolled my eyes, but I managed to stifle the groan that threatened to break free.

Mia’s brows shot up. “How is that?”

“She loves it and I’m in hell, but we’re safe there.” At least safe from the Blood Fangs if not from the fury of Logan. “Some of the wives and girlfriends are there looking after her and there are kids her age so, that.”

Mia nodded and we walked together to my office, where she closed the door and pushed me into the closest chair. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Right before the gunshots started, I told Logan that Livvy was his daughter. He was furious.”

“What? That he has the world’s greatest kid?”

That was just one of the many reasons I loved my best friend. “No, that I kept it from him.”

Mia’s eyes bugged out of her head. “You mean for the five fucking minutes that he’s been back in your life?” She shook her head. “Unbelievable. If he can’t understand why you’d take your time, fuck him.”

“You told me to tell him.”

“And you did. But I’d say finding out he’s a biker and having people threaten your life took a little priority.” She rolled her eyes. “Men.”

She wasn’t wrong but I had bigger things to worry about, things other than Logan’s hurt feelings. “He’ll get over it. In the meantime I need to find a place to stay until the house is livable again.” I appreciated the hospitality extended by the Steel Demons, but it wasn’t a long-term solution.

“You’re welcome to stay with me,” Mia offered.

“Thanks. I might take you up on that offer.” It had only been a few days, but already being at the clubhouse was stifling. Logan had outright ignored me, basically iced me out of his life. Gio took me to work in the afternoon, and Maverick picked me up when the show was over. In fact, I hadn’t seen Logan since he took Livvy to meet the MC dog. At first, I was hurt, but then I reminded myself that none of this was normal, that it didn’t matter.

As soon as the Blood Fangs issue was dealt with, we didn’t need to talk, other than to talk about Livvy.

“Have you told Livvy yet?”

“No, but I plan to. Soon.” There was no point waiting any longer. “I doubt Logan will be happy if I wait much longer.”

“Fuck his happiness.” Mia smiled and I did the same. “Seriously, he should be thanking you for everything you’ve done to make her such a wonderful little creature.”

“Thanks. Now can we please talk about the show?”

“Gladly. I just needed to make sure my bestie was okay.”

“She is.” Despite everything, I was grateful that Logan and Livvy were spending time together. He loved her, that much was clear, and he seemed to relish showing her off to his friends, at least according to Livvy. It was sweet and everything I wanted for her.

That thought kept me focused on the show. Knowing Livvy was safe and happy let me worry about my career and what the hell I was going to do about this Blood Fangs mess.

“Thanks for riding the tunes and sharing your stories with me tonight. I’m Nikki and this has beenHighway Pulse. See you on the other side.” My shoulders relaxed as soon as the ‘On Air’ sign flipped off. I made it through a show without one threatening call from the Blood Fangs.

Small victories.

Mia walked with me downstairs and waited until Maverick entered the lobby. When she spotted him, she hugged me and walked out with us. Maverick watched the car until Mia safely merged into traffic before we were on the move.

“Thanks for picking me up.”

He nodded once and smiled. “You don’t have to thank me every single time, Nikki.”

“Sure I do. You have better things to do than play chauffeur.”

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