Page 57 of Rebel

I stared at Diesel. “You too?”

He nodded. “Stacy was a party girl, but she stepped up and took care of Leo until I could get to him.” He stood with a heavy sigh. “You can stay mad at her and have a contentious relationship, but think about Livvy. She loves you already, focus on that.”

I couldn’t believe this shit. “Are you fucking with me because it’s my turn now, or are you fuckers for real?”

Rocky laughed. “As much fun as this would be, fuckin’ with you until the end of time, they’re serious. You need to make this shit right with Nikki. The whole place is tense as fuck and it’s not good.”

Diesel nodded. “We need clear heads to keep your girls safe, and to fuck up the Blood Fangs.”

“Well now I feel like a fucking asshole.”

Slate grinned and clapped my shoulder. “That’s because you are a fucking asshole.”

“Thanks, brother.” I snatched the joint from his fingers and took a long pull, exhaling with a heavy sigh.

I guess I needed to figure my shit out and find a way to talk to Nikki without arguing with her.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Nikki

“What are we doin’ today, Mommy?” Livvy was excited first thing in the morning, the same way she always was, especially over the past week that we had been staying at the clubhouse. There were always kids around for her to play with, a slobbery dog she loved, and half a dozen women to mother her when I wasn’t around. She was in heaven.

“I don’t know. How do you feel about a girls’ day? We could get our nails done, maybe get one of those oatmeal facials. What do you say?”

Her eyes rounded in shock. “Yeah?”

“Yeah, why not?” It was still early, and the clubhouse was quiet but there were stirrings of other people. It was my day off and the plan was to spend as much of the day as possible away from the clubhouse. And Logan.

“And can wedolunch too?”

I bit back a laugh. She was so damn cute when she repeated things she heard without context. “Yes, Livvy, we can absolutelydolunch too.”

She squirmed excitedly and bounced on the bed. “Love you Mommy.”

“Love you too, baby. Now let’s get ready for the day!” Once we were dressed and ready to go, the hard part was making it out of the clubhouse without being spotted. It wasn’t that Ididn’t take the threats seriously, but I hated feeling like I needed a babysitter all the time.

“Good morning!” Maybe I should have let Livvy in on the plan to sneak out because her greeting turned six sets of eyes on us.

“Good morning, Livvy. Sleep well?”

“Uh-huh, I slept like a bear,” she offered, drawing laughter from the other women.

They sat together at a table with a legal pad, which immediately drew my attention. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, we’re going to have a barbecue today and we’re putting together a list of supplies we’ll need.” Ellie’s eyes raked over us both. “Where are you headed?”

“Girls’ day,” Livvy shouted.

“Yep. We figured we could use some fresh air and time together.” I didn’t want to offend the women who had been nothing but nice and welcoming, but I needed to get the hell out of here.

Ellie stood and came closer to me, worry darkening her eyes. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

My instinct was to tell her to mind her own business, instead I nodded. “Yeah. They haven’t been following me from the clubhouse and besides that, they wouldn’t be stupid enough to try anything in broad daylight.”

“Maybe not, but you should assume they are always following you, Nikki. They know it’s your day off, I’m sure of that.” She softened her expression. “Look, I know it isn’t ideal going from work to the clubhouse every single day, but youshould always act as if they can get to you, even if you don’t believe it.”

“I appreciate that Ellie, I really do, but it’s not good for Livvy to be stuck inside all day. She’s missing kindergarten as it is.”

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