Page 20 of Sniper

I blow raspberries on Autumn's cheeks, making her giggle as we wait in line. When we’re next, I give the serving girl a polite smile, ignoring the way her eyes eat me up, and hating that, even without my fucking cut, I get attention.

“A small scoop of chocolate chip and two large cones of mint chocolate chip, please,” I say as I get some cash out of my jeans before Aurora can grab her purse.

It’s not her first time trying to pay, and I know it won’t be the last. My girl is strong-willed.

The server gives Autumn hers, and she grins wide as I put the cash down and take the cone she’s handing to me after giving Aurora hers.

I thank her and turn, Aurora following. I can feel my girl’s eyes burning into my back, and I chuckle, “You’re not paying when you’re with me, Firecracker. Get used to it.”

She growls, making me grin as I place Autumn on the grass, who happily chomps her ice cream. I sit next to her before I pull Aurora down next to me.

She comes willingly and leans against my body, watching her daughter.

I chuckle when Autumn holds the cone out to me to share. I lean forward and take a bite, making her giggle, and Aurora states, “At least she didn’t throw it this time.”

I grin at her. “Yeah, but if she hadn’t that first time, I wouldn’t have met you both.”

Her cheeks redden with a blush, and I chuckle, my body wanting to move closer to her than I already am.

Leaning forward, I kiss her cheek, feeling her smile. In this moment, while sitting on the grass eating ice cream with a two-year-old, I know this woman is my future, and I know her daughter is mine, and I know I need to tell her who I am before we go any further. I need to explain my reasoning for not telling her, hoping she doesn’t hate me for it.

Clearing my throat, I lick my cone, and subtly ask, “Have you heard of the Devil’s MC?”

Okay that was subtle but, honestly, I don’t know how else to bring it up.

She stills, and I look at her with a furrowed brow. Clearing her throat, she rasps, “I have heard of them. I know they look after the town, but I, uh, um…. Why?”

She’s confused but not as perplexed as I am at her reaction.

“They are a big part of the town, and I, uh….” The crease between her brows deepens and I swallow hard. Fuck, I’m failing here. My words trail off, seeing her reaction to my words. She’s looking at me with fear, and I don’t fucking like it. Clearing my throat, I ask, “You don’t like MCs?”

She gives me a timid smile as she grabs a wipe, and starts to clean up Autumn, whose eyes are following a butterfly. Aurora says, “I’m sure the men in the MC are nice, but I just, personally, don’t like them or any brother for that matter. I, uh, um, I don’t want anything to do with MCs, and I uh, the thought of being with a brother makes me want to run a mile….” She looks at me with concern and asks, “Are you a brother? I mean, you have the tattoos, and I know you mentioned a Harley….”

Her words trail off, and instantly, I know I can’t tell her the truth. The look in her eyes tells me she’ll fucking run, ending this, her words basically confirming it.

Fuck’s sake….

Giving her what I hope is a smile, I omit the truth and say, “I have a couple of friends who are part of the brotherhood. Is that going to be a problem?”

She looks at Autumn, who’s crawling my way, making me smile. I lift her onto my lap as Aurora whispers, “I don’t want them anywhere near me or my daughter. I….”

Her words trail off again, and I look at her to see the fear and anger. Concern and worry hit me.

What the fuck happened to my girl?

Tilting my head, I cajole, “I won’t force you to do something you don’t want to. I want you and Autumn, Firecracker, that’s it.”

I want to push her to tell me; in the past month, her past has been just that, she doesn’t mention it or Autumn’s father.

I think I just need to give her some time, and hopefully, she’ll open up to me; if not, I’ll have a conversation with Tech, our club’s computer genius.

She smiles, her eyes tearing up. I lean forward, taking her lips with mine, as Autumn places her head on my shoulder.

Aurora hums, and I smile against her lips, gently caressing hers.

I will tell her about who I really am. First, though, I need to get her to fall madly in love with me, so she won’t leave.

I need to tie her to me in every way possible.

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