Page 37 of Law Maker

They were talking about that kid.

He didn’t know why his skull felt too tight.

He roamed a hand around his temple where the loudest noise was coming from. Listening to Zara telling Rider how Child Services searched for extensive family in New Mexico. They located a sick elderly uncle who couldn’t take the girl.

“Rider…”

“Icy, you know we can’t.”

“No one in the entire world. She’s so unhappy, I can’t stand it.” Resting her head on Rider’s shoulder, they did that support system thing couples do.

For Lawless, it was like watching one of those Wildlife shows on the Discovery channel.

“What if we…”

“Baby, we’re getting you back into the system again after 3 years of no footprints. I run a MC that’s under suspicion for theRebelsfire. Plus a ton of other crimes the cops have their eyes on us for. Even if I wanted to foster a teen kid, there are a thousand reasons why we can’t.”

The girl sighed. “I know. I hate not being able to do anything for Angela.”

The burn increased. Itchy under his skin, Lawless tossed the laptop aside and picked up the sleeping kitten, putting her on his chest. The thing was no bigger than his palm, constantly hungry. She came awake, scampered up his chest and started pitifully meowing and butting her head on his chin.

Animals he could understand. They didn’t lie and present a face that wasn’t real. They were upfront, even when they were about to devour you in a vicious attack.

He stroked absently over her tiny head and went on unapologetically listening in to a private conversation.

“We can ask her social worker if you can see her more. Her foster family seemed nice you said.”

“They are. They’ve been fostering for thirty-five years. They take in the troubled kids too so they know how to deal with Angela’s grief.”

A growing ulcer the size of a mountain settled in Lawless’ sternum.

“I feel helpless, honey. She has no family; she’s having a hard time settling in with the foster people and she’s had no closure with her parents.”

That was because Hades’ crew made sure they got rid of their bodies.

The science experiment in front of him continued. Rider petting his ol’ lady’s hair, laying the mouth on hers. “You helped her, Icy. Who protected her when you couldn’t even fuckin’ protect yourself? You’ve got a bond with the girl, I get that, but you gotta drop this sad shit or I’ll stop it.”

“Oh, will you now?”

“Fuckin’ hate seeing you upset.”

Z-girl laughed. “Fine, you great gorgeous bully, but you promise we can see more of her?”

“Any time you want.”

The word of the Prez.

After that, Lawless saw that girl around the clubhouse more times than he saw Grinder. Wherever he turned, there she was. And if she arrived on a weekend with Zara, those dark, sad eyes would seek him out.

He felt it like they were fiery arrows coming at him.

“Look lively, Law’s sidekick is here,” joked Pretty-boy one day, weeks later. All the boys around the pool table cocked their heads toward the entryway.

Lawless didn’t look over.

His skin already fucking knew because it started at the base of his spine and rushed down his back. Vibrations and fire ants.

He didn’t want to becruel.

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