Page 47 of Could Be Worse

“And?”

“She’s being blackmailed, and we know who’s doing it. So, until we get the threat dealt with, she can’t leave the compound. Just in case, you know?”

“No, I don’t know. Just in case what? Do you think whoever is blackmailing her will try to hurt her?”

“Probably not, but we don’t take chances with our loved ones.”

“Do you know how crazy all this sounds? I’m not going anywhere.”

He got in my face. “If anyone was following Sadie, they know about you and your girls.”

My gut twisted into a painful knot. “Are my babies in danger?”

“Do you want to chance it?”

“Fuck.” I backed up and hit the wall.

“I’m just being cautious. You’re probably fine but—”

“And Sadie?”

“She’s a mess and has a hangover.” He smirked, but I didn’t find it funny.

“So, she was too drunk to text me back?” Was she out partying last night? With whom? Admittedly, I was jealous. And annoyed. How could Zander be so nonchalant about his daughter and my girls being in danger?

“Dude, be nice. She feels awful about you and the girls getting mixed up in everything. It’s tearing her apart. She was forced into quitting the Nutcracker.”

“I hate that for her.” Her dreams had been ripped out of her hands. The asshole who’d done this to her should pay. “But Zander, I don’t know.” I’d never been near the club’s compound. Avoided it on purpose. How could I take my daughters there?

“We have a family unit on the property you can stay in. It’s real nice. You’ll be comfortable.”

“For how long?” I wouldn’t put my girls’ lives at risk, but this was precisely why I’d minded my own business and kept my head down over the years. Gritty, violent bikers had been a concern when I’d moved to Bastion Township. But my nana had lived here, and she’d told me, Don’t bother them and they won’t bother you. However, she hadn’t mentioned what to do if I’d fallen head over heels for a biker’s daughter.

“A day or two. We’re taking swift action to resolve the situation quickly.”

“Fine. Give me fifteen minutes.”

What in the hell had I gotten mixed up in?

Zander took us to a family suite in a building behind the clubhouse. It was sort of like a hotel. Our unit had two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a sitting area with a kitchenette. It was pretty nice, actually.

The entire compound was like a fortress. It was very unnerving to have armed guards at a massive gate, like why did they need them? I had to admit; I felt protected, but also trapped.

The girls were excited to see Sadie, so I guess that was good. They were in their room, checking it out and putting their stuffed animals on the bed.

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Sadie should be here any second. She’s been dying to see you.” He considered me for a beat. “Don’t go giving her a hard time or blaming her for any of this. She didn’t cause this situation. Her fucking bio dad did.”

“Her dad? You’ve got to be joking.” What kind of man would blackmail his child? Obviously, an asshole.

“Shit, me and my big mouth. Don’t say anything to her.” Zander dragged his hand against his cheek.

“What do you mean her bio dad?”

“He owns a club in Vegas, where her mom used to dance at. It’s a long story, but he signed away his paternity rights to Sadie, and I adopted her.”

I’d wanted Connie to sign away her rights too, when we’d gotten divorced. She hadn’t, but apparently had changed her mind. She’d given me the signed documents before she left yesterday.

“Why is he doing this to his daughter? She gave up her dreams, for Christ’s sake.”

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