Chapter 80
Cassidy
OVER THE NEXT few weeks, Carter became a pretty solid fixture at my apartment, as did the dog. I was half expecting a neighbor to rat me out and contact the management, but so far so good. For the most part, we spent weekends at Carter’s place and weekdays at mine, which worked for now, but would probably have to change relatively quickly.
Most weeks, instead of taking Maverick to daycare, Carter would take him to his place on Friday mornings and hang with him while I went to work, and I’d drive to his place in the evening. Maverick loved his one–on- one time with Carter and I loved that I got to sleep in.
One Thursday morning, I got a phone call from the director of the daycare and it seriously put a wrench in my busy day.
“Ms. Dennis, would you please come down? Ah, we need to discuss your son.”
My stomach dropped. “Um, sure, is everything okay?”
“We’ve had an incident, and I think it would be a good idea if we talk about it in person.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I hung up, let my boss know there was an emergency, and headed to my car. My mind ran rampant with all the issues it could be.
“Cassidy?” I turned to find Tom following me into the elevator. “Everything okay?”
“Something’s happened at my son’s daycare,” I said, and pressed the button to the lobby.
“Can I drive you? You look upset.”
“No, I’m okay. I just need to get there as soon as I can.”
“Let me drive you,” Tom insisted.
“No, it’s really okay. Thank you, though.” I left Tom standing in the elevator and rushed for my car. I probably broke a few speeding laws, but figured if I got pulled over, the cop would more than likely be sympathetic. I pulled into the parking lot and saw two Harleys parked by the entrance. I recognized Carter’s and frowned. I couldn’t imagine the school would have called him, unless they couldn’t get a hold of me.
Walking into the building, I saw Maverick sitting next to Lily on a chair outside of the director’s office. Carter was standing close by.
“Mom!” Maverick called, and rushed to me.
“Hey, honey. You okay?”
“Ms. Dennis, if you could join us, please?” Monica leaned out of her office and waved me in.
I nodded and led Maverick back to his seat. “Just hang for a bit with Lily, okay?”
TU:43 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 80
“Yeah, Mom. I’m protectin‘ her.”
56 vouchers
Oh, this did not sound good. I frowned up at Carter and then walked into Monica’s office and frowned, Carter following. Hawk stood looking very fierce and somewhat pissed off, while Payton sat on one of the chairs looking more worried about the state of her husband than anything.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Have a seat,” Monica said. “We’ve had a little bit of an incident with Maverick and Lily. I must ask your friend to step outside.”
“I’m not goin‘ anywhere,” Carter said.
“He’s Maverick’s father,” I said, unsure exactly what to say.
“Oh, in that case, come in,” Monica said, and sat at the desk. “Maverick hit another little boy today.”
I gasped. “What?”
“Yes. Ethan Walker. According to Maverick, he was harassing Lily and Maverick was protecting her.”
I forced myself not to let out a holler of victory.
“Lily, as you know, Mr. and Mrs. James, unfortunately, has a nasty bruise on her arm, and since we have a zero–tolerance policy, Ethan is expelled, however, I’m attempting to figure out the best course of action for Maverick.”
Hawk looked like he was ready to kill someone.
“I don’t understand,” I said.
Monica sighed. “I can’t condone violence, Ms. Dennis. Maverick hit Ethan and then put him in a chokehold that caused him to pass out for a few seconds. This is very serious.”
“Yes, very serious. I agree,” I said.
“Maverick said the reason he put Ethan in a chokehold, was that even after Ethan was hit, he would not release Lily, which I believe is why Maverick went that route… how he even learned how to do that is disturbing, but in this case, it was effective.”
I narrowed my eyes up at Carter who gave me a look of complete innocence. Well, right there was proof of how Maverick knew how to do that. Crap!
“So,” Monica continued, “I think it would be a good idea if Maverick takes the week to talk about non–violent ways to resolve his conflict-”
“That little bastard put his hands on my daughter,” Hawk said, his tone frightening.
“I’m aware of that, Mr. James.”
“He nearly broke her arm.”
10:43 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 80
“I… I know. I apologize…”
“Are you hearing me, lady? He nearly broke my daughter’s fuckin‘ arm. If Maverick hadn’t stopped him, he would have. Where the fuck were the adults in this fuckin‘ situation?” he bellowed,
“Honey,” Payton whispered.
A disturbance outside had Carter pulling open the door, then, “What the fuck?”
We rushed out to see Maverick shoving Ethan away from Lily, a large man drawing his arm back as though to hit him. Carter moved with lightning speed, as did Hawk. The man I assumed was Ethan’s father seemed rather surprised when Carter’s fist landed squarely in his face, while Hawk pulled Ethan away, and Maverick rushed to stand in front of Lily, blocking her from harm. I wasn’t sure I was correctly processing everything that was happening.
“Ohmigod,” Payton said, groaning.
Payton and I guided the children into Monica’s office, while Monica pulled Ethan aside. Hawk, Carter, and Ethan’s dad had disappeared, but I caught movement out a side window, so I assumed they were having a discussion… well, or something.
“I’m calling the police,” Monica stated, and pulled out her cell phone.
“I think we should get the kids home,” I said, and grabbed Maverick’s hand.
“Good idea,” Payton agreed.
“You need to wait for the police,” Monica said.
“My husband can deal with the police,” Payton said. “I would rather get my daughter somewhere safe… it’s obviously not here.”
“Yes, what she said,” I said, and tugged Maverick toward the exit.
I was pulled up a little as I realized Maverick had taken Lily’s hand and was guiding her with us. I caught Payton’s eye and she bit her lip… yes, even in the stress of a biker fight, my kid protecting this little girl was adorable.
We arrived at the car, luckily parked in the opposite direction of where I assumed our men were, and I pulled open the door.
“Hold on, Mom,” Maverick said, and faced Lily, laying his hands on her upper arms (the way Carter did to me, I might add). “Hey, you okay?”
“I’m okay, Mav,” she said, her tiny little voice lilting as she smiled at him with hero worship. “Thanks for helping me.”
He kissed her forehead and gave her a hug and I had to turn away and bite my knuckle to keep from sighing out loud. Payton had her lips pressed in a thin line in an effort to do the same.
“I’m gonna make sure Lily gets in her car seat safe, ‘k, Mom?”
10:43 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 80
I smiled at Payton and then turned to the kids. “Absolutely, buddy”
He took Lily’s hand and then stared up at Payton. “We’re ready, Mrs. James?
“Right,” she said, recovering a little slower than Maverick expected. “Let’s go
Payton hadn’t parked far from us, so I followed her to the car, sandwiching the kids between us. Once Lay was in the car, she smiled over at me. “Why don’t you guys come back to our place for a bit? I don’t know how long the guys will be and maybe we can order pizzas or something”
“I feel like we should wait for the police,” I said.
“Don’t worry about it. Alex will take care of it and if there are any issues, my brother will help.”
“Is your brother a cop?”
“FBL”
“Oh, wow.”
Payton smiled. “I really want to get Lily home and get ice on her arm. Macey’s coming over later, so I’m going to have her look at it.”
“Should she go to the emergency room?” I asked.
“No, nothing feels broken. She has full range of motion, so we’ll ice and see what Mace says when she comes over.”
“Can we go to their house, Mom, please?” Maverick begged.
“Sure, buddy. I’ll just text Carter and let him know what we’re doing.”
“Don’t,” Payton said. “It’ll distract him.”
“Good point.” I laid my hand on Maverick’s head. “Okay, buddy, let’s get in the car. We’ll follow Mrs. James
home.”
Maverick buckled himself in and we followed Payton home. I didn’t see Carter as we drove out of the parking lot, I did still see his bike, but wondered where the heck the men had gone. We passed a lit–up police cruiser on our way home and my heart raced a little. I’d never been in trouble with the law… or anyone for that matter, so it made me nervous.
We pulled up to a lovely and spacious house in Felida, an upper–class area of Vancouver. It was a newer development and it made me long for a place of our own. Me, Maverick, and Carter. I smiled, realizing that it was very, very likely that we’d have it one day.
Maverick unbuckled himself and rushed to open the door for Lily. I caught Payton’s eye and we both stifled giggles. Grabbing my purse, I followed her inside the house and, after a quick tour, we sat at the dinette table with the kids while Payton iced Lily’s arm.
Hawk and Carter got home less than an hour after us.
Chapter 80
55 vouchere
I studied Carter’s body, checking for injury, but he looked fine… well, other than the knuckles on his right
hand.
“Babe, I’m fine,” he said, stroking my cheek.
“How bad?”
He studied his hand. “Not bad.”
I let out a frustrated snort. “Not you, Carter. Ethan’s dad.”
“Babe, don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to.”
“I’m not.”
Carter sighed. “He won’t be an issue.”
“Did the police come?”
“Yeah, but it’s sorted.”
“Carter,”
“I’m hungry. Are we ordering pizza or what?”
“Honey, seriously, tell me.”
He smiled, kissing me quickly. “Ethan’s dad didn’t press charges, and we didn’t either, considering his kid hurt Lily, so it’s done.”
“Except we need to find another daycare.”
“We’ve got time, Cass. I’ll take May with me to the shop on days I have to go in and when we get married, we can find a more permanent situation.”
I huffed and stalked into the kitchen.
“Babe?” Carter called, following me.
“You okay?” Payton asked me, glancing up from her laptop on the island.
I nodded. “Yep.”
“What do you want on your pizza?” Payton asked.
“I like combo, Carter’s a ham and pineapple guy, and Mav’s all about the cheese.”
“Perfect. Ordered.” Payton grinned and closed the laptop. “Should be here in half–an–hour or so.”
“Don’t like ham and pineapple anymore, Cassidy,” Carter said.
10:43 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 80
“Don’t care, Carter,” I retorted, and sat at the island.
(83)
65 vouchers-
I saw Payton smile and I glared up at Carter, catching his grin before he schooled his features. “What?”
“What?” he repeated, innocently.
“Bite me, butthead,”
He leaned down and gently nipped the back of my neck. “Anytime, baby.”
“You’re an idiot.”
Carter laughed. “God, how I have missed that from you.”
“Bet you have.”
“I still love ham and pineapple.”
I rolled my eyes. “Tell me something I don’t know, Carter.”
“Yoohoo!” a voice called out from the foyer.
“Kitchen, Mace,” Payton responded.
“I’ll get Lily,” Hawk said, and bellowed for her up the stairs.
“Helpful, babe, thanks,” Payton grumbled.
Hawk grinned, and Lily and Maverick came down the stairs a few seconds later, Maverick in full protection mode. I was beginning to see that I’d need to have a conversation with him about the difference of being protective and stalker–like.
“Auntie Macey,” Lily squeaked and hugged her.
Macey hunkered down in front of her and grinned. “Hey, baby. Mommy said you got a bruise on your arm. I’m gonna look at it okay?”
“Okay,” Lily said.
“Mav, let’s give them some space,” I said.
He frowned and it took him a few seconds before he stepped away from Lily and over to me. I gave Carter a look of frustration and he smiled.
“Hey, Mav, let’s go talk for a bit,” Carter said.
“I want to make sure Lily’s okay,” Maverick countered.
“She’s okay, bud, but Macey needs to look at her to make sure.” Carter laid a hand on his shoulder. “And she needs to do it without us hovering.”
Chapter 80
Maverick sighed, but followed Carter into the family room. I heard my phone peal from the kitchen and rummaged through my purse to answer it. I didn’t recognize the number. “Hello?”
“Cassidy?”
“Yes, this is she.”
“Hey, it’s Tom.”
I frowned. “Oh, hi.”
“I’m ringing to see if everything’s okay with your son.”
“Oh, yes. It’s fine. Thank you. How did you get my number?”
“Janie provided it. I hope I’m not overstepping. I was concerned about you and wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Thank you. Yes, everything’s fine.”
“I’m so glad,” he said. “Well, should you need anything, please let me know.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Cheers.” He hung up.
“Who was that?” Carter asked as he walked into the kitchen and grabbed a beer.
I shoved my phone back in my purse. “No one.”
“Does this no one have a name?”
“It was a telemarketer,” I lied. “I didn’t ask his name.”
“Want a beer?”
I shook my head. “I’m good with pop.”
He smiled and wrapped an arm around my waist. “Stop worrying.”
I dropped my head to his chest. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
Carter chuckled, setting his beer on the island and sliding his hand to my neck. “I’ve got Mav, honey. We’ll hang out this week at the shop. He’s old enough to hold a wrench and learn how to fix an engine anyway.”
I raised my head and bit my lip. “You won’t let a car fall on him, or let him fall down into a hole or anything, will you?”
“Babe.”
“What?” I challenged. “He’s a little boy and he’s curious about everything, but common sense is not his strong
10:43 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 80
suit.”
“I remember, honey. Don’t worry, I got this.”
:
I squeezed his middle. “I love you, even if you drive me nuts.”
“So, how about we go get married next week?”
“You are not going to get a rise out of me, Carter Quinn.”
He chuckled again and raised my head for a heart stopping kiss. “We’ll continue this later.”
I smiled. “We better.”
“Come on, let’s go join everyone.”
“Okay, but I can’t make it a late night.”
“It won’t be,” Carter promised. “I need time to do things to you.”
I giggled. “You are so romantic.”
***
83
69 vouchers
Ace
“I’ll just grab my beer, babe,” I said, and waited until Cassidy was out of sight. I then found her phone, referenced the phone number that had last called her, and put the phone back in her purse. Grabbing a soda for her, I took my beer and followed her into the other room.
Telemarketer, my ass. I knew she lied to me, I just wasn’t sure why, but I fully intended to find out.
AD
Lant
Send gift
No Ads
