Page 9 of Rattler's Revelation
“Rattler! Can you read us a story?” Elina asks as she wraps her arms around my leg. “Please!”
“Of course. Why don’t you guys get ready and meet me in the entertainment room? I’ll come read to you after I show Bianca to her room.”
“Thanks!” Elina screams before she and the others rush off ahead of us.
“You read stories to them?” Bianca asks with a grin.
I nod. “When I was a prospect, all the kids were my responsibility. I don’t know who they’ll get to watch over them now that I’m no longer a prospect. However, I’d still be willing to take care of them. They’re the future of our club.”
“You know, I wouldn’t mind listening to a story,” Bianca grins.
CHAPTER SIX: BIANCA
Rattler offers me his hand as the kids rush off to get ready for bed. He leads me into a fantastic game room. A massive television is the first thing you see when you walk in. Facing it is a comfy sofa along with two love seats. Several bean bags in bright colors sit on the floor between the sofa and the television. Rattler leads me to the sofa as I continue to take in the room. In one corner is a large tent that is spacious enough for six adults to stretch out comfortably. Pillows cover the floor along with several fluffy blankets. In the opposite corner is a mock castle, complete with turrets. Behind me is a table with chairs. Shelves containing games and toys line the three walls not taken over by the television. It’s a dream room for kids. I can’t think of anything else they could add.
“This room is incredible,” I say as I kick off my shoes and lie with my back against the arm of the couch while Rattler settles on the opposite end. We’re close enough that I can feel his warmth.
He grins at me. “Puma created it.”
“For himself or the kids?” I ask, remembering how playful the giant man was with the kids.
Rattler chuckles. “Both. He’s always been a big kid, even before Elina and Mal arrived. Once they came into his life, though, he went crazy. He built this room and a massive playground outside.”
“There’s a playground?” I ask, then shake my head. “Of course, there’s a playground.”
Rattler chuckles. “He’s building a pool, too.”
“Every time I saw Puma at the casino, I found him intimidating. He was always so serious. Tonight, I’ve seen a new side of him. I think everyone working at the casino would be shocked to see the kids using him as a jungle gym.”
Rattler shrugs. “I don’t know why. Puma was a former basketball player. He used to play ball for a living. The kids bring out his playfulness. He loves all of them. Puma and the others know that the kids are our future.”
“True. So, what book will you be reading tonight?”
“That depends on who selects the book,” Rattler says with a soft smile. “They each take turns. If it’s Elina's turn, we’ll get a story with a strong female lead. Mal will choose something about sports. Slade loves superheroes, while Angel loves stories about princesses. I don’t know what Colt likes yet; he’s the new guy and still trying to fit in.”
We hear the kids before they come racing into the room. The boy I recognize as Colt is the one carrying a book. He shyly hands the book to Rattler, who takes it with a welcoming smile. Rattler makes a big deal of getting the kids settled in their bean bags as he examines the book.
“The Paper Bag Princess,” Rattler says with a grin. “Elizabeth was a beautiful princess…”
Rattler reads the book with a passion that has the children enthralled with the story. He makes them laugh and scream. My admiration for him grows as he uses voices and sound effects to enhance the story. I’m as enthralled as they are, but not becauseof the story, but because of the man reading it. I give a little jolt when I realize how, only a few hours ago, I couldn’t see past his resemblance to the man who had tormented me for weeks, but now I can’t see any similarities between the two. These bright, outgoing kids adore him. How could he not be a good guy?
When he finishes the story, the kids get up and hug him.
“Are you going to tuck us in?” Elina asks as she takes the book from him.
“What do you think?” Rattler says, reaching over to tickle the adorable little girl.
She dances out of his reach as she giggles while the other kids gang up on him and tickle him as he laughs while trying to defend himself. They’re ridiculously cute. Rattler growls as he snags Angel and Elina into his arms and heads for the door. The boys follow behind him, with me bringing up the rear. Rattler wanders through the labyrinth of hallways before stopping at a door. Opening it, he steps inside and drops Elina on a bed with a Wonder Woman comforter and then plops Angel down on a bed with a Frozen theme. He lifts the covers for Angel to crawl under before he tucks her in with a kiss to her forehead. He does the same for Elina. After wishing them goodnight, he takes Mal and Colt’s hands and leads them to the room next door. He helps all three boys into their respective beds and tucks them in. Kissing each of them on the forehead.
When we exit the room, we find the prospect, Smooth, sitting in a chair positioned between the two rooms. “Watch over them,” Rattler orders as he offers the prospect a fist bump.
I raise my eyebrow in question. “That was my job before I got patched in. Puma always has a prospect watching over the kids.”
My respect for Puma and the club continues to grow.
“How about I tuck you into bed, too?” Rattler says as he offers me his hand.
I nod as I take his hand. “You know, I understand why Chill didn’t believe me when I first told her about fake Max.”
