Page 18 of Unbreakable
"See, this right here is one more reason I should be in school-a real school with other kids my age," Remi sighs.
Looking around Jake, I see her standing by the register with her arms crossed. "Peanut," I warn.
"Mom, come on please. We passed the school on the way here, and it's close enough I could walk there. You need to focus on work, and I want to have friends. I can't make friends if I'm stuck in here with you all day. I want to be normal," she begs.
I feel bad. I know she hasn’t had normal for a long time. And she's been homeschooled her whole life because of Ronan, but she needs to understand it's for her own good. It's so I can keep her safe. I don't know what else to do.
"If I could offer a solution, babe?" Jake interjects.
I rub my temples with the tips of my fingers, "I'm willing to hear what type of solution you could have," I tell him.
"Let me talk with Reid; maybe he can do for Remi what O'Rourke did for you. If I can find a way to keep her hidden and safe would you consider letting her try school?" He rubs the sides of my arms as he speaks to me.
It’s a huge risk. "If Reid can come up with all the required documents for Remi to be enrolled, then I will consider letting her go to public school," I state.
Hearing the rumble of a motorcycle draws our attention towards the window to see Quinn backing his bike alongside my car.
"If you need me, you call, and put Quinn's ass to work doing something," Jake leans in to steal one more kiss.
11
Jake
Riding down main street behind Grace, I spot Quinn sittin' on his bike in front of the bakery smokin' a cigarette. Grace parks in her usual spot next to the alley as I pull in next to Quinn. Getting out of her car Grace makes her way toward me while Remi jogs over to Quinn and begins chattin' with him. Remi has taken a shine to Quinn. Kids are drawn to him. He says it's his easy going and charming personality. I suppose it's because he acts like a big fuckin' kid all the time and they see him as a peer. All the brothers give Quinn shit from time to time, but we wouldn't want him any other way.
I turn my attention back to my woman when she wraps her arms around my middle, and her scent invades my nostrils. "Will you be here at closing or is Quinn following me home today?"
"I'll be here. I'm going to go see Reid and we're going to find a solution for getting Remi in school." When I see apprehension flash across Grace's face, I tilt her chin up forcing her to meet my eyes. "Whatever we come up with, I promise you your girl will be safe. The club won't let anything happen to Remi. I want you to trust me on this, Little Bird." Taking a shuttered breath, she runs her fingers through my beard, something I've come to love, and nods. "Yes, Jake I trust you. It's just, Remi is my life. I'm always going to worry. But I know this is going to be good for her. I want her to have a normal childhood."
Kissing her on top of her head and then again on her lips, I murmur. "She will." Slapping her on the ass, "Now get inside. I'll see ya later." Turning on her heel in the direction of the bakery's front door, I watch the sway of her hips as she walks inside before I then turn my attention to Quinn who is wearing a goofy ass grin on his face. "What," I gruff narrowing my eyes.
"Nothin' Prez, just like seeing ya happy is all."
Losing some of the bite in my tone, I regard him, "Thanks, brother."
"Well, I'm going to get inside. My stomach is talkin', and Grace's cinnamon rolls are about to answer." Quinn says getting off his bike and rubbing his hand over his stomach. "Brother, you can't tell me Lisa didn't already feed your ass this mornin'. That woman doesn't let anyone leave the clubhouse without a full belly."
"Yeah, Prez, but that was two hours ago."
Chuckling I shake my head, "Alright, man, I'm headed to see Reid. Call me if ya need anything."
"You got it, Prez." Quinn says lifting his chin and then strides into the bakery.
With one last look at my woman through the window, I fire up my bike and head in the direction of Kings Construction.
Walking into Kings Construction, I see Leah sitting behind the front desk with her face hiding behind her glasses and mass of brown curly hair. Though Leah has been in Polson and around the club for over a year now, she is still shy as ever. I'm always mindful of my tone and how I approach her. The last thing I want to do is scare her. And this poor girl looks like she is scared of her own shadow. There's a story there for sure. I don't know much; only she's layin' low from her father and Nikolai and Reid pay her in cash.
"Hey sweetheart, is Reid in yet?" I ask striding up to the counter.
"Yes, Mr. Delane. Mr. Carter is in his office," she replies, her voice low.
"Thanks, sweetheart," I say giving her a wink. "And no more of that Mr. Delane nonsense, okay? You can call me Jake."
With a slight blush, she drops her head and nods.
Walking down the hall, I stop in the doorway of Reid's office, and see he is typing away on his computer. Rapping my knuckles on his door, I make my presence know.
"Hey brother, you have a minute?"
