Road to Redemption (10 page)

“Payton doesn’t do drama.”

“She’s a woman, how the hell does she avoid drama?” Kayla asked.

Hawk laughed. “Yeah, but bitch drama? Not sure she’ll put up with it.”

Kayla patted his knee. “If it’s meant to be, it’ll be.”

“You dump your asshole of an old man and now you’re a sage.”

She wagged a finger at him. “Don’t you forget it.”

“Daddy.” Lily ran into the room. “I put my soos on.”

Hawk glanced at her feet. “You did a great job, baby girl, but they’re on the wrong feet.”

She lowered her head, then smiled and crossed one foot over the other. “Not anymore.”

Hawk laughed and scooped her up, holding her above his head. “Do you know how much I love you?”

“All the way to the moon,” she squealed.

He lowered her enough so she could wrap her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. “I love you, Daddy.”

“Love you too, baby girl. Let’s fix those shoes and then we’ll go hang out with Payton.”

“Yay,” she sang.

Setting her on the ground, he fixed her shoes, and then they headed to Vancouver.

* * *

Because I had no idea what Alex would be wearing, I chose to dress down a little. I wore a dark pair of jeans, a festive red sweater with a deep V-neck and a black lace cami underneath it. My knee-high black boots finished off the outfit and because they were my favorite, I felt extra comfortable.

I was standing in the kitchen when I heard the doorbell ring. Since Macey and Dallas had arrived thirty minutes ago, I knew it had to be Alex. “I’ll get it.”

I rushed to the foyer, my heart racing in anticipation. I smoothed my hands over my jeans and then pulled open the door, my breath leaving my body. I didn’t think Alex could get better looking, but he wore dark jeans, almost black, a dark blue button up shirt, open at the throat, and a pair of black boots that looked in better shape that his regular motorcycle boots.

I smiled. “Hi.”

“Hey, baby,” he whispered, his eyes raking over me. “This is my sister, Kayla.”

Kayla looked a lot like her brother. And I mean, a
lot
. I looked a little like my siblings, but mostly like Brock, so people figured out we were related, but Kayla was the feminine version of Alex and she was beautiful. Long blonde hair, the same blue eyes as her brother, and she was tall and slim… model slim. Her hair was bigger than I was used to and her makeup was heavier, but she was gorgeous. I shook her hand and smiled.

“Nice to meet you, hon,” Kayla said.

“You too.”

“Hi, Payton,” Lily said, unable to stand still.

“Hi.” I hunkered down in front of her. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

She wore a red dress with black tights and black sparkly shoes. Her blonde hair had been pulled back at the sides and curled, and she wore pink lipgloss.

“Fank you,” she said.

“My nieces are all downstairs and you know what they’re doing?”

“What?”

“They’re watching
Frozen
.”

Her eyes got wide. “They
awa
?”

I nodded. “Do you want to join them?”

She looked up at her father. “Can I, Daddy?”

“Let’s meet everyone and then, yes, baby girl, you can.”

Lily jumped up and down. “’Kay, Daddy.”

I rose to my feet. “Come on in and I’ll introduce you to the masses.”

They stepped inside and Alex’s hand brushed my back before I led them into the great room where all of the adults were congregated. I was grateful my family hadn’t followed me to the door, but now, they stared at Alex in open interest.

“Everyone, this is Alex, Kayla, and Lily,” I said, and the group rose enmasse, and the next few minutes were spent with introductions.

I was glad Alex at least knew Brock and Dallas. I was confident they would make him feel included. I was a little concerned about Kayla, but then Kristen and Bailey descended on her, commenting on how beautiful she was, and Kayla was returning the compliments, so it appeared she was well in hand.

“I’m just going to show Lily where the other kids are,” I said.

Lily grabbed onto Hawk’s leg, but he knelt beside her and pulled her close. “I’m coming baby girl. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Okay, Daddy,” she said, and he rose to his feet.

Lily slipped her tiny hand into his big one and Alex smiled at me. “She’s good.”

I nodded and led them to the basement stairs. We arrived at the double doors just as “the song” started and I heard the voices of Elizabeth and Molly singing at the top of their lungs. I watched Lily’s face brighten as we walked into the entertainment room. Billy, my seven-year-old nephew (and Molly’s brother) was in the corner, headphones on and his face stuck in a gaming device. The baby, Callie who was two, was doing her best to keep up with her cousins, a big grin on her chubby face as she bobbed to the music.

I grabbed the remote and paused the television, my nieces turning in annoyance to face me. “I want you to meet Lily. Lily, this is Elizabeth and Molly.”

Elizabeth grinned and made her way to Lily. “Hi Lily. Do you want to watch
Frozen
with us?”

Lily nodded and looked up at Alex.

“I think Lily wants to know her Dad is close,” I said.

“If you want to see your dad, I’ll take you okay?” Elizabeth said. “You just let me know.”

Lily released Alex’s hand and rushed to my niece. I gave Elizabeth the remote with a grin. “You’re the bomb.”

Elizabeth giggled. “I know, Auntie, I know.”

Alex and I watched the girls for a few minutes, but since Lily appeared totally comfortable, we took the distraction to leave the game room. I led Alex back toward the stairs, but found myself pulled into the room closest to the stairs. The room was my mother’s craft room and typically a mess, which meant the door was usually closed. But for whatever reason, it was open and I found myself pushed against the wall and kissed almost to the point of no return.

“Fuck, baby,” Alex whispered, dropping his forehead to mine once he broke the kiss. “I have missed you.”

“You have?”

“Yeah.” He stroked my pulse.

“Me too,” I rasped. “You have no idea.”

“I think I do.” He smiled. “You look incredible.”

“Thank you. So do you.” I licked my lips. “I kind of want to peel you out of those jeans.”

“Do it.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. “You’re killing me.”

“Would now be the wrong time to point out you’re the one making us wait?”

I glared up at him. “Yes, it absolutely would.”

Alex grinned. “We’ll have our time.”

“I’m really looking forward to it.”

“Fuck me,” he whispered.

“Yes, please.”

He groaned. “Payton.”

“Sorry,” I said. “Not helping.”

“No, not helping at all.” He kissed me again. “You really are beautiful, baby.”

“Thank you.”

“How’s your bruise?”

“Much better. I put a little makeup over it.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I see that.”

I laid my hands on his chest. “We should get back upstairs.”

“In a minute.”

“I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Me too.” He took my hand and kissed my palm.

“Did you get everything done this week?”

He nodded. “Everything I could. As long as someone doesn’t jump bail this weekend, I might have the next few days off.”

“Is there like a numbering system? Someone else might get called up before you?”

Alex shrugged. “Depends on who jumps bail. I offer a certain set of skills others don’t.”

“Oh,” I said. “Probably won’t ask what.”

“Probably a good idea.”

“We should go back up.”

He nodded.

I licked my lips. “But I need another kiss.”

He chuckled and obliged.

Arriving back upstairs, Kayla and Kristen had their heads together and were staring at a recipe card.

“She fits right in,” I said, and smiled up at Alex.

He laid his hand on my lower back and nodded. “She does that.”

“Hawk,” Dallas called, and headed our way. “Guys are on the deck. As is the beer.”

Alex chuckled. “Say no more.”

I frowned up at him. “What? You don’t want to help us make the pies?”

“There is nothing more I’d love to do, baby, but I’m thinkin’ it’s better I don’t burn down your house.”

“You’re so full of crap.” I giggled. “Go play with the boys.”

He grinned and followed Dallas outside. I made my way to the kitchen and joined Macey at the back counter rolling out dough. “Remind me why your mom insists on doing it this way? We could just buy pie crust.”

I bumped her hip with mine. “She’s a purist. And admit it, you love her pies.”

Macey sighed. “I do love her pies. Of course, I don’t see her here
making
said pies.”

“Never said she was a dumb purist.”

Macey grinned.

“What time are your grandparents coming?” I asked, and sprinkled flour on the rolling mat.

Macey had lost both her parents when she was young and had essentially been raised by her grandparents, with a lot of help from my parents. Macey was simply another sister in the sea of all my family adopted.

“In about an hour.” She rolled over the dough, then again. “I told Gran not to bring anything, but she probably won’t listen. She still insists on doing too much.”

“You can’t stop her and I personally love almost everything she cooks,” I said. “Let’s just hope she brings something other than pie.”

Macey laughed. “Amen to that.”

We managed to finish up the pies relatively quickly before my mom arrived to commandeer the kitchen. Macey and I were released so we headed out onto the deck to find our men. Alex grinned when he saw me, pushing away from the deck railing. He’d put on his dark brown leather jacket again and I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed. “Didn’t realize it was so cold out here.”

“Where’s your jacket?”

“Inside.” I smiled up at him. “You’ll do in a pinch.”

He chuckled and slid his arm around my waist.

My mom peeked out of the French doors with a smile. “Chuck, honey. Bird’s ready to be carved. If the rest of you want to get the kids washed up and seated, we’re about to eat.”