Page 17 of Declan's Dove

I listen as Mrs. Monroe speaks with Carter. Her voice is muffled.

“Hello. Mister Declan,” Carter says, his voice sounding unsure.

“Hey Little Man, you all right?”

“Y-yes sir. But Mama didn’t show up to get me. I think maybe she got busy at work. She’s not answering my calls.” He’s speaking softly into the phone, like he doesn’t want the people around him to hear. “She told me you might have to pick me up today.”

“She did, huh?” That’s interesting since she didn’t say shit to me. “You sure you’re okay, bud?”

“Mmhmm.”

“I’m going to call Ethan as soon as I hang up with you and find out what time your mom is getting off, okay?” I’m outside Garrison’s office now, mounting my bike, ready to take off. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. You stay in the school office until I get there. Got me?”

“Yes, sir.”

We hang up, I start my bike, throw on my helmet and call Ethan. His phone rings twice before his voice comes over my blue tooth.

“What’s up, Dec?” I hear the sounds of gloves slapping and people talking in the gym's background.

“Is Violet there? The school called me and said she didn’t show up to get Carter.”

“Uh, no man. She called out this morning. Said she wasn’t feeling well. I didn’t argue, not wanting her to come in here sick.”

Maybe she fell asleep and forgot.

“Skyler’s finally gotten past her morning sickness. It would suck if she caught some kind of bug.”

I smile at the pride in Ethan’s voice. He and his wife, Skyler, announced she’s almost five months pregnant at the club a few nights ago. He’s been driving her crazy with his overprotectiveness. They lost a baby many years ago and are both so fucking happy now. It’s the only reason I think Skyler’s letting Ethan get away with his bullshit. The night they announced her pregnancy to the club, Ethan slapped a virgin pina colada out of her hand, thinking she was drinking a real one. He’s been hovering over her about what she eats lately. I give it a week before she goes off on him or drops him on his ass. Little Mama has some fighting skills of her own.

“Did you try Violet’s house?” Ethan asks.

“Not yet. I need to go grab the kid first. After-school care is closing and they want him picked up.”

“All right. You want me to head over there and check on her?” The motion in the background tells me Ethan’s already on the move. “If she slept through picking up Carter, she could need a doctor. I can meet you over there after you grab Carter,” he offers.

“Yeah, that’ll work. Thanks, brother.” We hang up just as I’m pulling into the school parking lot. I back my bike into a space near the office and set the kickstand down, pulling my helmet off and setting it on the seat.

Making my way to the front of the building, I stop and wait for the guard to buzz me in. That’s new. We didn’t have that shit when I was growing up. It’s weird to see.

When the lock disengages, I enter to the sound of kids’ voices echoing down the halls. I make a left and head into the door marked office and am nearly knocked off balance by Carter’s body slamming into me.

“You came.”

I rustle his dirty blond hair with my hand. “Hey, kid.”

“Thank you for getting me,” Cater says as he pulls away.

“Did you think I wouldn’t?” I smile down at him, and he shrugs, not meeting my eyes.

“Hi. You must be Mr. O’Malley. I’m Mrs. Monroe. We spoke on the phone.” She’s an older woman with a white bun and red cat-eyeglasses. The way she looks me up and down, her eyes locking onto my cut, tells me I’m not at all what she expected to see picking up Violet’s kid.

It makes sense, I guess. Violet is a conservative dresser, shy, unless she’s had a few drinks and is very private. This lady probably expected someone in a suit or nice polo shirt to walk through her doors. Not a biker in faded jeans, a t-shirt, and a leather cut.

She doesn’t know I own a bar and work for a security company. Doesn’t matter. My little dove chose me to take care of her kid, so that’s what I’m here to do. Pearl clutching old bitty be damned.

“If I could just verify your ID, then if you would sign Carter out here, you boys can be on your way.”

I do as she asks, handing her my ID and signing the paperwork releasing Carter into my care.

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