Sanctuary, page 21
“That bad?”
“Girl, you have no idea. I nearly lost my shit with the last one. Samara had to talk me down.” The cell phone in her hand went off, and she groaned. “I’m sorry, honey. I have to take this. We have a project that is almost complete, but the supplies we need were delayed. Hopefully I get this figured out today so my husband doesn’t have to step in. Let me know if you need anything, but you’re doing a fantastic job already.”
Promising her I would, I let her take the call. No sooner had she turned away than the phone rang again. In between calls, I filled out the paperwork for Jos, but I didn’t have a spare minute to return it to her. With all the calls I had to take, I was easily the busiest person in the entire building.
I was so consumed with work that I didn’t have time to think about how Jack would react. Yet every time the door opened, anticipation fluttered in my tummy. I expected him to show up and drag me home, and each time it was just a client or someone with a package, I was left disappointed.
By the time I saw Gracie walking through the front door, my throat felt scratchy from all the talking I’d done. “Hey, stranger,” she greeted. “Are you ready to eat?”
“Beyond ready.” Grabbing my things, I walked around the desk. “This place is insane.”
Laughing, she slid her arm through mine as we left. “Jos texted me earlier, told me how easily you’ve settled in. How do you like it so far?”
“I’ve talked more in the past few hours than I have in a month.” I wasn’t sure if I was complaining or telling her how much I had enjoyed myself. It wasn’t physical work like when I’d waited tables, but it was definitely exhausting. “Did Jack get upset when he realized I was at work?”
“I haven’t seen him,” his mom said with a shrug as we walked to the car. “For some reason, he seems to be sleeping in today.”
Heat instantly filled my face, and I ducked around to the passenger side in an attempt to collect myself.
“A-are we going to Aggie’s?”
Her laughter sounded so sweet and pure that my heart melted. “There’s no better way to celebrate anything than with a burger from Aggie’s.” She opened her door. “And a slice of cake for dessert.”
“Dessert with lunch?”
“We’re celebrating, sweetheart.”
Despite my face feeling like it could melt the polar ice caps, I found myself grinning. “I like the way you celebrate, Gracie.”
We both got into the car and I fastened my seat belt, but Gracie just sat there. “Is something wrong?” I asked, concerned.
“I… Um…” The uncertainty in her voice made me look at her a little closer. In all the time I’d known her, I’d never seen her hesitate like she was in that moment. Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, causing her to look years younger, like a girl unsure of what to say next.
“Gracie?”
“Maybe… One day… I mean, you don’t have to. Not ever, if you don’t feel comfortable, but I’m just saying… I’m putting it out there, and you can do whatever you want with it, okay?”
I grasped her hand, giving it an encouraging squeeze. “Okay.”
“It’s only when you feel comfortable with it, but if you don’t, that’s fine. I understand. I don’t want you to feel pressured or to think I’m trying to replace anyone or—”
“Gracie, what are you trying to say?”
“You can call me ‘Mom’ if you want. I mean, if, and only if, you want to.”
Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them back. Throwing my arms around her neck, I hugged her so tight, neither one of us could breathe for a moment. “You have no idea how much I wish you were my real mom,” I choked out. “Gracie, you make me feel like a daughter is supposed to. I-I love you, and I think… I mean, I hope, that you love me too. And I-I really want to call you Mom, but—”
“Shh, sweetheart.” Her touch was so damn soothing when she stroked her fingers through my hair. “I do love you. Even if Jack weren’t crazy about you, I would adore you. You’re mine just as much as you are his. Don’t be upset. I’m sorry if I hurt you. I only wanted to—”
“I’m not upset! I’m h-happy.”
“You sob like your heart is broken when you’re happy?”
“I don’t know,” I cried, burying my face in her shoulder. “I-I’ve never been this happy.”
“Ah, sweetie.” She clutched me harder against her. “That’s going to change now. I promise. Jack, Hawk, and I will make sure all you know is happiness.”
Sniffling, I leaned my head back. “Thank you for offering to let me call you ‘Mom.’ That means so much to me…but…”
“It’s too soon,” she finished for me when I trailed off, her smile telling me she understood. “It’s okay, Nishia. We don’t have expiration dates in our family.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
jack
The absence of Nishia’s warm body against my side forced my lids open. Groaning, I rolled over and lifted my head. “Baby?”
I wasn’t surprised I didn’t receive a reply. It was Monday, and she went to group therapy and then one-on-one with Dr. Cainfield. If Molly was home from school, Nishia would color with her in the kitchen while Molly ate a snack and she forced down the protein drinks she hated so much. Now that she could eat solids again, she’d been eating any time someone put food in front of her.
Her love for food was so adorable. The way she moaned when she took a bite, how she savored the taste after so long without.
No, not adorable.
Sexy as hell.
Climbing out of bed, I took a shower and got dressed before going in search of my little fairy. Maybe I’d take her to Aggie’s for something to eat. On Mondays, Kingston made chicken-fried steak, so the diner was slammed even more than usual from lunch all the way past dinner, or until they ran out. Usually, it was the latter.
Suzanne was in the kitchen with Marcy when I entered. They both gave me a welcoming smile while I crossed to the coffeepot. “Ladies,” I greeted with a nod. “Nishia outside or with Cainfield?”
Marcy’s smile turned into a frown. “Neither, hon. She’s at work.”
I paused with the mug halfway to my mouth. “Pardon?”
“She went to work,” the cook repeated. “Didn’t she tell you that Elias offered her a job?”
“Excuse me?” I couldn’t keep the growl out of my voice.
“The receptionist position,” Suzanne explained like I was slow. “They’ve been trying to find someone to fill it. Elias offered her the job when he brought her home Friday night.”
“Who took her?” I demanded, my heart already pounding.
“Elias picked her up,” Marcy said with a shrug. “Gracie left not long ago to take her to lunch. They’re celebrating her job, so I guess they’re going to Aggie’s.”
“My dad let her leave without him?” I half shouted.
“Well…” The two women shared a look. “Hawk told her to stay here today. He had to take care of something at the bar. But Gracie didn’t want to let Nishia down, so she took your car.”
“Fuck.” Tossing back half the contents of my mug, I gulped it down and slammed the cup on the counter so hard, the handle broke. “Shit, sorry for the mess. I gotta go.”
“Why?” Suzanne asked, her eyes wide. “Did something happen?”
Not taking the time to explain, I sprinted out the back door and around to the garage. Jumping on my motorcycle, I already had the gate open before I reached it.
My hands were sweating, and I prayed the entire drive to Aggie’s, mentally cursing my mother’s stubbornness. Of course she wouldn’t listen, especially if it meant letting Nishia down. But if she’d just woken me up, I would have gone with her.
I left tread when I braked in the parking lot, my heart still in my throat even though I spotted my car that Mom sometimes used. Everyone sitting by a window inside turned to look through the glass. Stomping through the entrance, I nearly took the door off its hinges.
“Easy, Jack,” Aunt Quinn chided. “You’re going to scare the tourists.”
I looked past her to where Mom was sitting at a back booth, her head thrown back as she laughed. Reaching out, I gently moved my aunt out of my way before storming toward the two women who had fucking wrecked me.
Spotting me, my mom lifted her brows, and I figured I looked like a madman. Curious, Nishia turned to see what had caught Mom’s attention, her eyes lighting up when she saw me.
Every head turned as I passed their tables, some patrons scooting the chairs farther away from me.
“Uh-oh, looks like we’re in trouble,” I heard Mom say as I reached their booth.
“You fucking think?” I barked. “Did Dad tell you to stay put?”
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
“And you didn’t think to take the threat seriously?”
She folded her arms over her chest, a mulish look in her blue eyes. “We’re fine. Nothing happened.”
“Fine,” I parroted with a laugh that sounded manic, even to my own ears. “Nothing happened.” I stabbed my fingers through my hair. “You’re going to drive me over the edge, you know that? I’m going to lose my shit once and for all, and it will be because of you two.”
“Jack.” Nishia’s voice pulled my crazed gaze to her. “Please calm down. We’re just having lunch. I don’t know what you’re so worried about.”
“Yeah,” Mom agreed. “We’re perfectly safe. There are at least ten other MC brothers in here right now, including Kingston, who is cooking. Honey, you need to relax a little. Seriously, I worry more about your blood pressure than your dad’s.”
Putting my hands on the table, I leaned down to glare at both women. “Morgan is probably watching every step you two take. He’s waiting to make a move, to take you both from me. You willingly put yourselves in danger.”
Soft hands wrapped around my forearm. “Your mom just said we’re surrounded by all these bikers, Jack. We’re fine.”
Closing my eyes, I inhaled slowly, trying to get myself under control. “I’m going to spank your ass later, Nishia.”
“Jack!” she admonished, while Mom laughed.
Turning my head toward her, I slowly lifted my lids. “You want me to do it right now, little fairy?”
Her cheeks flamed, but she couldn’t hide the curiosity deep in those baby blues. “You’re in a mood,” she mumbled.
“Maybe I wouldn’t be if I hadn’t woken up to an empty bed, only to be told you had left.”
“I only went to work,” she muttered. “And Elias was with me. You trusted him enough to drop me off Friday night, I figured you would trust him to give me a ride to work.”
“You figured fucking wrong.”
“Obviously,” she sassed.
“Would you like to order something to eat, Jack?” Aunt Quinn asked, coming up beside me.
Blowing out a sigh, I nudged Nishia over and dropped down beside her in the booth. I felt scrunched, but there wasn’t anywhere else to sit. “Chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and extra gravy,” I grumbled, shooting Mom another glare. She raised a brow, and I quickly tacked on a “Please.”
My aunt shared a look with her, and they both rolled their eyes. “I’ll let Kingston know. Ladies, your burgers will be right out.”
“Thanks, Quinn,” Mom said with a smile.
“Of course.” Aunt Quinn dropped her gaze on me. “You put tread on my parking lot like that again, and I’m going to take a spoon to your hide, mister.”
Nishia’s mouth fell open. “Did you drive recklessly?” she whispered, horrified.
I draped my arm along the back of the booth. “No, of course not.”
“You did!” she accused.
“Did not,” I muttered petulantly, sounding more like a sixteen-year-old being chastised for driving his first car too fast, not a man well into his thirties.
“Someone is getting spanked tonight, but it’s not going to be me,” she hissed.
The fire in her eyes made my lips twitch despite how hard my pulse was still racing. Lowering my head, I captured her lips in a hard kiss. She gasped, one delicate hand slapping against my chest, but the other curled around my neck, and she kissed me back.
“I heard two of the prettiest girls in town ordered some burgers,” Kingston announced, loudly dropping two plates on the table. Unhappily, I lifted my head, tempted to kill my cousin for interrupting. “Miss Nishia, I can’t believe I get the honor of cooking for you again.”
“Do you like breathing, Kingston?”
“It has its benefits.” Smirking, he gave Nishia a wink. “Eat up, darlin’.”
“Thanks, Kingston,” she murmured, shyly popping a fry into her mouth.
“Boys,” Mom snipped. “Play all you want, but do not embarrass my girl. I’ll bend you both over my knee and take Quinn’s spoon to your backsides.”
“And I’ll help her,” Aunt Quinn promised, placing my usual glass of Dr Pepper on the table. “You two be good. If I hear either of you upsetting Nishia, I’ll tell your fathers.”
“Big whoop,” Kingston snickered. “I’m not scared of him or you, Ma. Neither of you ever raised a hand to me.”
“That’s probably why you’re such a pain in the ass,” Mom told him.
“You never touched Jack either. You saying that’s why your son’s a dickhead, Auntie?”
Aunt Quinn cocked a brow at her son before amending, “I’ll tell Raven.”
He lost the grin and lifted both hands. “I give, Ma. No need to play dirty.” Throwing an arm around her shoulders, he dropped a kiss on top of her head and grinned down at Nishia. “Enjoy, ladies. Jack, I’ll get that steak out for you, cuz.”
“Thanks, sweetie,” Mom called after him.
I stole a fry off Nishia’s plate and tried to stretch my legs out a little more under the table, watching him go until he disappeared into the kitchen.
“You’re kind of an asshole today,” Nishia complained, picking up her burger.
Mom snorted out a laugh, nearly spitting her Diet Coke across the table. Shaking my head at her, I leaned in closer to my little fairy, kissing the tip of her nose. “I’m always an asshole, just not with you.”
Pleasure flared in her eyes. Picking up a fry, she stuffed it into my mouth. “I guess that’s acceptable.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
nishia
After shutting down the front desk computer, I started gathering my things. It had been a busy three weeks, but I kind of liked working at Barker & Reid Construction. It was hectic at times, but between Elias and Samara, I was rarely bored. With all the time I spent on the phone with complete strangers, it was exhausting, but I felt like I was making a difference.
Jos told me every day how thankful she was for me, praised my competence, and told me regularly she was going to have to give me a raise already. I didn’t understand how anyone could not be able to do what I’d been doing for weeks now, but apparently the past receptionists had been more into who worked at the office than doing their job. By that, I took it that the previous women had crushed on Elias.
Or maybe it was Samara they were starstruck over.
Either way, I wasn’t affected in the same way and was able to focus on getting work done without royally fucking up the computer system.
Samara came out of her office, empty coffee mug in hand. “Ugh, I hate indecisive clients,” she muttered as she walked toward the coffeepot. “Nishia, you are legit an angel for keeping the coffee fresh all day. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Did that Lynn woman change her mind again?” I asked, making sure my desk was in order. I knew I would be busy from the moment I walked through the door Monday morning and wanted to make sure everything was ready to hit the ground running or I’d feel out of sorts all day.
Annoyance radiated off Samara as she added creamer to her coffee. “Do you have any experience burying a body?”
Her question surprised a laugh out of me, but when I glanced at her, the expression on her face was serious. “No?”
“You asking or telling me, fairy?” she grumbled.
Laughing again, I picked up my phone. “Telling. Sorry, I’ve never buried a body before.”
“You’re a Hannigan now, so that will probably change sooner or later.”
I cocked my head at her, my smile lingering. “I’m kind of okay with that.” For Jack and his mom, I’d do anything I had to in order to protect them. I might even consider getting rid of a body for Hawk if it came down to it. But I’d kill for Gracie without hesitation. Delaney and Ronan too; both of them had become like family. I felt like Delaney was my sister, and I loved her Max-clone son as if he were my nephew.
“If you want to survive in that family, you have to be okay with a lot of shit really quick.”
“Yeah, I’ve figured that out.” I checked my messages, seeing Jack had texted to let me know he would be late picking me up because he needed to help with the liquor delivery at Hannigans’ since his uncle Raider and uncle Colt had both had to go on a run down to Oakland, and Kingston was sick. It was just going to be him and his dad at the bar all night.
“How hard is it to tend bar?” I asked Samara, wondering how big of a stink Jack would make if I offered to help—or rather, just showed up and started mixing drinks.
“Dunno,” she answered with a shrug. “I’ve never done it. Jack and his uncles make it look fairly easy, though. I mean, if you can handle the craziness here at the office, it shouldn’t be an issue for you to pop the tops off a few beers and fill a few pitchers with draft. But you’d be on your feet a lot, and you seem pretty beat, considering you’ve been doing physical therapy as well as working here. Jack won’t like that, fairy.”
My lips lifted at her calling me “fairy” again. It didn’t annoy me because she didn’t do it teasingly like some of Jack’s cousins did. I’d noticed she called Delaney “treasure” without thinking about it more often than using her name. It was sweet.
“Do you need anything?” I offered.
