Saint (Dixie Reapers MC 12) Read online

  “I’m afraid it’s more complicated than that,” I said. “You want Daddy to love the woman he marries, don’t you?”

  “You could love Sofia. She’s nice, Daddy, and I think she’s scared.”

  Damn. My little girl was growing up way too fast. She’d walked before she was supposed to, talked way earlier than she should have, and now she ran circles around me some days. She spoke better than most kids I knew who were older than her, and she was scary smart.

  “We’ll see, sweetheart. Right now, I’m going to lay out some clothes for you, and I want you to wash your face and brush your hair, then get dressed. You play in here while Daddy takes a shower and gets dressed, then we’ll figure out breakfast.”

  “Okay. Love you, Daddy.”

  “I love you too.” I brushed a kiss against her forehead, then got up and rummaged through her dresser, pulling out one of her favorite outfits.

  I went back to my room and found Sofia standing near the foot of the bed, a stricken look on her face.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “She knows. How does she know?” she whispered.

  “Knows what?”

  “What the men did to me. You can’t let that touch her life, Saint. I’ll ask your President to move me elsewhere. Someone like me shouldn’t be around that sweet little girl. I don’t want her to know about the ugliness in the world.”

  My heart shattered at that moment and fell to the floor in pieces. Sofia, for all she’d suffered, was worried more about Delia than herself. She didn’t know my daughter, or me for that matter, and yet she was willing to put Delia first.

  “It was just a nightmare, Sofia. She doesn’t know anything for certain.” At least, I hoped she didn’t. Like Sofia, I didn’t want any of that darkness to touch my daughter. I knew I couldn’t protect her forever, but I could damn sure try.

  Sofia didn’t appear convinced, but she left my room and I quickly showered and dressed. I didn’t know what to do about Sofia, or my daughter, but first I needed to make sure everyone was fed. We could worry about the rest later.

  Chapter Two

  Sofia

  Hearing Delia speak to Saint had left me shaken. I would do anything to keep her safe, to ensure my father’s men never came anywhere near her, even if it meant I put myself in jeopardy. I’d always loved children, and Delia seemed especially sweet. Tears misted my eyes over her request for Saint to marry me. He was right to shut that down. I wasn’t anywhere near good enough to marry a man like him, or anyone for that matter. He’d been so honorable, tried to push me away even when I’d insisted otherwise. I’d never met anyone like him before.

  If my interaction with him this morning hadn’t thawed my heart, then hearing him speak to Delia had done the trick. I had no doubt if I spent enough time with them, I’d fall for both of them, want to keep them and make them both mine. My family. Even though I loved my two sisters, and we were close, I didn’t remember my mother and my father had been a monster.

  I dashed away the tears that slid down my cheeks and finished getting ready. I could still hear the shower running as I crept down the hallway past Delia’s door. I snuck out of the house, and wandered down the road in what I hoped was the direction of the front gates. Maybe I could slip past unnoticed. I’d never been good with directions, and I’d been so scared when I’d arrived I hadn’t paid much attention.

  As I got closer to the front gates, I saw someone standing guard. He was young, maybe close to my age. I didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. Maybe he’d be more likely to let me pass? I could hope at any rate. I didn’t want Saint to get into trouble for me leaving, but I also refused to put him and his daughter in any sort of danger. I knew my father had brokered some sort of deal through Mr. VanHorne, but I also knew he’d want us back eventually. His good little whores.

  The man at the gate folded his arms and stared down his nose at me. “Are you lost?”

  The leather vest he wore said Prospect. I didn’t know if that was his name or a title. I knew nothing about bikers, and it didn’t seem I’d be learning anytime soon. Not if I could make my way around this guy and through the gate.

  “Um, no. I need to go. Please.”

  He snorted.

  “I said please,” I pointed out.

  “I can’t let you leave. Torch would hand my ass to me, and I’m sure Saint would too, even though he didn’t look too happy about having you in his home.” The man’s gaze skimmed over me. “Not much to you from what I can see. I don’t know what Torch is thinking, giving you to Saint, but I’m sure he has his reasons.”

  “You don’t understand. Saint and his daughter could be in danger if I stay with them. Please, I need to leave.”

  He shook his head. “Nope. Not happening. I’m not opening this gate.”

  A clawing panic filled me as I looked around. I didn’t see another person except the one refusing to let me leave. I didn’t know how big the territory was, or whether or not there might be a weak place in the fencing. I turned and walked off, heading back in the direction of Saint’s home, but I didn’t plan to stop. The man at the gate didn’t need to know that.

  As I passed Saint’s house, I didn’t see either him or Delia. His bike was still parked in the carport. I picked up my pace, not wanting him to see me. As I rushed farther down the road, following the winding path past more homes, I eventually reached an area that was heavily treed. I tried to hide in the shadows and tested the sections of fencing, praying that I would find a spot where I could slip through.

  The stomp of boots made me freeze and hold my breath. I heard some cursing, and when I looked over my shoulder, I saw an older redheaded man who looked more than a little pissed.

  “What the hell are you doing?” he demanded.

  “I…”

  He shook his head. “Saint is going to be furious. If he doesn’t tan your ass, maybe I should.”

  I gasped and hastily stepped back, tripping over a tree root and falling. My ankle turned and pain shot up my leg, making me cry out. The big man came closer and I tried to scramble away.

  “I’m not going to hurt you. Just sit the fuck still.”

  I whimpered as he hunkered down next to me. His touch was light as he pressed against my ankle, but it just made the pain worse. He sighed and picked me up, cradling me against his chest. I struggled to get down, not liking the way it felt to be held by him.

  “Would you be still!” he yelled. “Christ. My daughter is close to your age and isn’t half this much trouble.”

  “Daughter?” I asked, ceasing my struggles. Was he the kind of dad like Saint, or more like mine?

  “Yes. My daughter, Pepper, is with the club’s Treasurer, Flicker. You’re safe with me, Sofia. I’m not going to hurt you, but Saint is going to be really damn mad. Why were you trying to leave?”

  “To keep him and his daughter safe,” I said.

  The man froze and looked down at me. “What?”

  “My father will want me back. I don’t want little Delia getting caught in the middle.”

  “Jesus,” he muttered. “That’s really fucking brave of you, and selfless. Probably won’t keep Saint from spanking your ass, though. Especially since I saw Torch going in to speak with him. I have a feeling it’s about you.”

  I hoped not. Unless it meant that Torch would place me with someone else, someone without kids. I let the man with Sarge stitched on his vest carry me back to Saint’s house, and I hoped I could make everyone see reason. It really wasn’t safe for me to remain with him and Delia. Not only for them, but I knew it wasn’t safe for me either. I’d get attached, fall for them, and then I’d be forced to leave. I couldn’t allow any of their warmth to seep into me or I’d never survive when my father wanted me returned.

  Sarge kicked Saint’s door with his booted foot and when it opened, Saint looked relieved more than anything. He took me from Sarge, holding me close.

  “Thank fuck. I thought someone had come into the house and snatched h
er,” Saint said.

  “Nope,” Sarge said. “She decided to save you and your daughter, so she was trying to find a way out of the compound.”

  Saint growled and narrowed his eyes as he gazed down at me. “You what?”

  “It would be better if I left,” I said.

  “And that is why I came to talk to you this morning,” said the President from over Saint’s shoulder. “Casper is also concerned their father may ask for their return, and he wants to make sure it’s impossible for Gomez to get his hands on them.”

  “I don’t understand,” I said. “How can you keep him from taking us back? If he demands our return, refusing will only put a target on your men and their families.”

  “Not if you’re legally a US citizen and married to someone here,” Torch said.

  My breath froze in my lungs as I blinked at him, knowing I couldn’t have heard that right. “Is that possible? To be a legal resident here?”

  I wasn’t about to mention the second part. Marrying anyone wasn’t the best of ideas, especially if the man he chose had a child. While part of me would love to live with Saint and Delia for the rest of my life, I knew it was just a dream that could never happen.

  “With Wire on the job, anything is possible,” Torch said.

  “Breakfast, then we’ll talk,” Saint said. “I promised Delia waffles so she wants to go to the diner.”

  “And I’m out,” said Sarge as he turned. He paused in the doorway. “Your girl turned her ankle. She needs to ice it.”

  Before anyone could respond, he walked off.

  “What’s that about?” Saint asked.

  “I think it has to do with a certain waitress there,” Torch said. “He’ll get it figured out. Eventually. If he doesn’t, Pepper may decide to handle the matter herself, and none of us want that.”

  “You can put me down,” I told Saint, liking it a little too much that he was still holding me. Even though my ankle was still throbbing, it wasn’t like he could carry me everywhere. I’d have to put weight on it eventually.

  “Nope. Now that I know you’re a runner, I’m holding on,” he said.

  “Since Delia’s seat is in your SUV, we’ll take that,” Torch said. “I’ll have Wire meet us there.”

  Saint carried me out the door and placed me in the back seat of an SUV I hadn’t even noticed before now. It was a dark gray and was hidden in the shadows on the other side of the carport. How I’d missed it, I didn’t know. It wasn’t exactly small. He buckled my belt, flipped a switch on the inside of the door, then shut it.

  Torch slid into the front passenger seat, chuckling.

  “What’s funny?” I asked.

  “He just activated the child locks so you can’t escape. He didn’t handle it well when he realized you’d vanished.”

  Why had Saint even cared? If I was gone, his life could go back to normal. I would think he’d be glad to be rid of me.

  He brought Delia out of the house and buckled her into her booster seat, pressed the child lock on her side, while staring me down, then got behind the wheel of the SUV and started the engine. Everyone was quiet on the way to the diner, except Delia.

  “You don’t like us?” Delia asked me.

  I blinked at her a moment. “Of course I like you.”

  “Then why did you leave?” she asked.

  “Because I thought it would be better. Safer. My father is a very bad man. I don’t want him to try and hurt you or your daddy.”

  She nodded and seemed to think it over, her brow wrinkled and her lips pursed. Adorable. “My daddy can keep both of us safe. He’s good at keeping people safe.”

  “Isabella is going to meet us at the diner with the kids,” Torch said. “I thought Delia might like to sit with them. At another table. Far from the grownups talking.”

  Saint nodded and my stomach knotted. That meant we would likely discuss my father, and whatever plan Torch had for me to marry someone. I wanted to prolong things as long as possible. I’d make them see reason. I didn’t have a choice, but I also loved spending time with Delia. She was so sweet and innocent. Most kids were, unless they’d been exposed to the horrors of the world far too early. I hoped that Delia never had to see that side of life.

  At the diner, a woman with long black hair smiled warmly at Torch, an infant wrapped in a blue blanket was cradled in her arms, and a cute little girl stood next to her. I assumed that was Torch’s wife and kids, the ones he’d mentioned in the car. He was a lot older than her, which surprised me, but no more so than the look of complete love on her face when she watched him. Despite the age difference, it was obvious she adored him.

  I couldn’t remember any of the women back home looking at my father, his men, or his associates like that. They respected their men, mostly out of fear, but there was definitely no love between them. It amazed me to see such a tough man have a gentle touch with his wife and kids. It also made me yearn for a life like that one day. If he forced me to marry someone, then I’d likely never have that. What man would love a woman he’d had no choice in marrying?

  Delia took my hand as we got out of the car and walked over to the little family. I fought not to wince or show any discomfort. Saint was just behind me, the heat of his body pressing against me. Isabella smiled down at Delia.

  “This is Sofia. She’s going to be my new momma.”

  I sucked in a sharp breath and ended up choking. Saint patted my back until I was able to breathe normally again. “What?”

  “I want you to be my new momma,” Delia said. “My other momma is in heaven, so she can’t be here. But you can.”

  I opened and shut my mouth several times before Isabella reached for Delia’s hand, tugging her along with her own children. The woman looked over her shoulder and winked at me, making me wonder if she knew something I didn’t.

  Saint placed his hand at my waist and led me into the diner in Torch’s wake. I tried to hide my limp, but his grip on me tightened and I knew that he’d noticed. Isabella and the children took a booth at the very back, but Torch chose one nearer to the door. He placed his back to his family so Saint and I sat across from him. A moment later, a ginger-haired man slid into the booth next to Torch.

  “Sofia, this is Wire,” Torch said. “There isn’t anything he can’t do on a computer.”

  Wire smiled and gave me a little wave, setting me at ease immediately. He seemed friendly enough. Saint patted my thigh and I relaxed back into the booth, realizing I was on the edge of my seat like I would flee at any moment. Not that I could get past any of the men sitting with me. For one, I’d have to go over Saint to get free.

  Wire pulled out a manila folder he’d stuffed inside his leather vest and set it on the table. The first paper he pulled out and placed in front of me just left me confused. I could read English well enough, but it didn’t make any sense.

  “I don’t understand,” I said.

  “As of this morning, you’re a legal citizen in this country,” Wire said. “If your father tries to take you back to Colombia, then the US Embassy over there should be of some assistance. If we go about things the legal way when it comes time to retrieve you.”

  Retrieve, like a dog toy. Wonderful. I swallowed hard. The thought of my father getting his hands on me again was the scariest thing I’d ever faced. I didn’t understand why he’d let us go. I mean, it sort of made sense. He wanted to work out a deal with the clubs here in the United States, but why not just loan out me and my sisters for a few weeks or months? Or purchase other girls for them. He’d made it sound like we would be living here from now on, property of the clubs. I knew better.

  “I also have something else for you,” Wire said, pulling out another piece of paper.

  “A marriage license?” Saint asked. “Really?”

  “Who’s Jonathan?” I asked, looking at the names listed.

  Saint cleared his throat. “That’s me, but I go by Saint these days and Johnny prior to that.”

  “It’s a marriage license for
me and… you?” I asked, looking at him.

  “So it would seem. Torch believes if we’re married, then it will give you an added layer of protection from your father. I can’t say that he’s wrong, but I also have Delia to consider, which I’ve pointed out to him. Several times.”

  Torch waved him off. “Delia obviously likes Sofia. If Sofia was willing to put herself in danger in order to save your daughter, do you really think she’d do anything to hurt the girl?”

  “No,” Saint said. “But if Gomez does come for Sofia, it’s going to put a target on my daughter. It’s not that I don’t want to marry her, I’m just concerned about Delia. I have to put her first.”

  “I agree,” I said. “I won’t do anything that could hurt Delia.”

  “If Saint won’t marry you, then I’ll have to find someone else,” Torch said, pulling the marriage license from my hand. Panic shot through me. Someone else. A stranger. It felt like the walls were closing in on me, and I couldn’t seem to breathe. Everything started to spin.

  “Shit,” Wire said. “She’s having a panic attack.”

  I felt an arm go around my shoulders, but there was a loud buzzing in my ears as the room started to get dark. Someone turned my face, then warm lips pressed against mine. My breath caught and my lashes fluttered. When the contact was gone, I blinked at Saint. He was gazing at me with concern.

  “Better? You back with us?” he asked.

  “Sorry.”

  Torch leaned back in the booth. “What triggered that response?”

  “The thought of marrying a stranger,” I admitted. “But I’ll do whatever you want.”

  “We’ll just have to hope your dad doesn’t press for us to return you,” Torch said. “I’m not about to force you to marry someone if that’s your reaction. I’d thought Saint would be the least threatening of all of us, but that’s apparently not going to work.”

  “Would you put Lyssa, Portia, and Hadrian in danger?” Saint asked.

  “You have three kids?” I asked. “I only saw two.”

  “Portia wasn’t feeling well, so Ridley offered to watch her,” Torch said. “Ridley is with my VP. You’ll need to meet everyone if you’re going to make your home here.”