Page 94 of Fighting the Odds

“Eyes off my niece assholes, or I’ll kill you. I’m sure her men would love to help.” Rico’s voice raises, and the ones at his table burst out laughing.

I’ve seen Rico put fear into men he knows, but never someone he doesn’t. I have a whole new level of respect for him.

“God, I’ve missed ya man. Sure you don’t want to come back? You’re welcome to join the Hellions or just be a supporter of the club.” Sam slaps him on the back as I set the glasses and whiskey on the table.

Rico glances up and smiles as his eyes lock on me, they soften.

“So Sam. I’ve never known you to bring a woman in on one of your jobs,” Rico states as he pours the brown liquid into the glasses.

“Well, she’s my woman and when she overheard—” The one called Bash rolls his eyes—“she thought she could help out. She’s had her own troubles and well, she just so happens to have danced in our clubs. We knew she wouldn’t be an exact match, but you said Sierra wears a costume, Arizona felt she could swap out for her. But lookin’ at them now, I’m thinkin’ it may be obvious they’re not the same. Maybe a two for one special. I think that part of the plan could still work.” The others at the table nod and Arizona bumps my shoulders.

“Tell me, Sierra, do you like dancing?” Arizona spins on the chair, facing me. I know she’s trying to distract me from what they’re talking about.

“No, but it pays the rent and keeps food on the table for me and Sam.”

“That’s your sister. Right?”

“Yeah.” I pull my phone from my pocket and show her some pictures. “Do you have kids?”

“Not yet, but I’m a badass aunt. I’m practicing all my skills with him. My men, though? They’re ready to knock me up. We’ve been trying, but no luck yet.” Her face drops a little, and she glances at Bash.

“I’ve heard it happens when you least expect it. Wait, did you say men?”

“Yep, four to be exact. But if I heard your uncle right, you have your own men as well.”

“Yeah, we’re still new. Three for sure, but I’m undecided about the fourth. He hated me at the beginning and believed all the lies my ex best friend Wesley was spreading around school. But he’s been trying to show me he’s sorry.”

She smiles sweetly, taking my hand in hers.

“There’s always one of them, Sierra. Just know that our kind of relationships are special and take a lot of work and molding to make them succeed. Communication, which I’m sure you know, is key to that. My bestie also has a dynamic like us. Those are two of her men over there.” She points to the two younger ones at the table, who are deep in conversation with Rico and the older men.

“How does it work with children? I know he said he’s the dad. Is he really?”

“Slow down. Back to what we were talking about and then I’ll answer that. Assholes, there’s always one in the group, sometimes more, but always one. At least in my experience. Mine was the man sitting there. He was hung up on our age difference and sharing. It takes some a while to grasp the idea. I didn’t give up on him, though. And look at us now.”

“Was he mean to you, though?” I ask.

“In the beginning, yes. But I learned people change. If he’s trying to make amends, give him the chance, and don’t hold anger from the past in your heart. You’ll never be able to move forward if you do. Now for the kids, all the men are called some form of dad. For them, she wanted to give each their own child so they know who the biological father is, but it’s only for paper. Some don’t want to know and just have kids.”

“What are you going to do? Do you want to know who the bio dad is?”

“I haven’t really thought about it. We’re just busy having fun practicing.” She winks and I giggle.

“Sierra, Arizona,” Rico calls, waving us over.

“New plan. Bash is going to hack into the police mainframe. If the scumbag hasn’t been charged, we’re going to schedule the private dance. But since there is a size and build difference between you two—” Rico clears his throat and I smirk—“we are going to let him know if our ladies go to an outside location, it’s as a pair only. Once we get the address from him, we’re going to stake it out and then let’s just say he’s going to disappear.”

“What if there’s other people there?”

“That’s why we’re going to know all the ins and outs of the location and if anyone else is going to show up. Don’t worry, Sierra, we will protect you the entire time. Both of you.”

“Then what?”

“That part is need-to-know only. But don’t worry, it will be over after we’re done with him, and nothing will fall back on you. You’re not stepping foot into a court to testify against him or worry about him being back on the street someday to come looking for retribution against you. I promise.”

I step over to Rico and wrap my arms around his neck. I’m so glad he’s in my life now. I just wish I had him years ago. Maybe I would never have been subjected to Aunt Sarah’s abuse, and Sam and I could still be together. That’s if he would want Sam.

Would he? I’m sure he would.

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