Page 64 of June 7

"No problem." He knocked on the counter. "If you need anything else, call me. We can work something out."

The new schedule meant Daisy would need to get up earlier, come to the shop with him, and then go to work at nine o'clock when the pool opened. He walked out the front door and strolled along the sidewalk.

The glass enclosure on the pool was clear today. The bright sunshine lit up the area, though the weather hadn't risen above seventy degrees all day.

He spied Daisy at the edge of the pool. The sharp warning from her whistle came through the glass. He wouldn't bother her. She was in her element, working with the kids.

He went up the steps to the front door and waited outside the pool house. She was taken care of inside. One of her coworkers or the lifeguards was always around her. While none of them could protect her physically, they all were deterrents to someone wanting to get her alone.

Two young boys ran out, still dripping water in their wake, and headed straight to the bike rack at the bottom of the stairs. Most kids who came to the pool lived within walking or riding distance.

Tara walked outside and yelled, "Steven? You forgot your inhaler."

The taller of the two boys ran back up the stairs. "Thank you."

"Your mom would've kicked your butt if you forgot again." Tara ruffled his wet hair. "See you tomorrow, kiddo."

"I can't come tomorrow." Steven walked backward. "My mom's making me go stupid school shopping."

"Bummer." Tara laughed and waved before going back inside.

Bane, caught up in the exchange, had never seen how a community could raise a child until he started seeing Daisy. Having been raised in foster homes, he'd gone through life suspecting nobody cared about him. If he failed to do his homework, there was no parent at home who would ride his ass about getting it done. He was living under a roof so the adults could receive the money from the state for taking care of him.

By the time he was six, he spent most of his time on the streets when he wasn't forced to go to school. He knew how to get back to the house he was staying in because that was where he slept and could find a meal.

Every school he'd attended was big enough that he got lost in the system. He graduated because he'd shown up, not because he'd done the work.

Liz walked around the corner swinging a bag and spotted him. "Hey, no loitering."

He lifted his chin, starting to understand her personality the more he was around her and Daisy. She was often sarcastic and mouthy but could turn sweet on occasion. More often than not, her humor was on the rough side. He suspected her attitude hid how emotionally connected she was toward other people. She loved Daisy and worried about her. That was clear for anyone to see.

"No one even notices me here," he said.

"Big guy. Leather vest. Kickass boots. Long hair. Tats." She laughed. "Nah. You look just like one of the kids coming for swim lessons."

He grunted. "Valid point."

Liz shrugged. "If anyone complains, we'll just tell them the bikers have spread out and invaded this block. Probably selling crack to the four-year-olds as they run past with their water wings."

"Fair enough."

Liz cocked her eyebrow. "They are talking about you, you know."

He reached for a cigarette in his pocket and stopped. "Who?"

"The good citizens of Seaglass Cove." She leaned against the wall. "That's the glorious part of watching over rec swim. Adults gossip more than teenage girls. They're all wondering what kind of crimes Havlin Motorcycle Club is going to bring to our safe, wholesome town where nothing has gone wrong since the scandalous night a man killed his wife and drove off into the ocean."

Bane gritted his teeth. If Daisy were around, Liz wouldn't be talking shit about what happened to her. He thought they were best friends.

"There's nothing to get the town going like having one of the criminals involved with the girl who has the bad blood running through her veins and—"

"Enough." He unfolded his arms. "If you were a man, I would've shot you in the head for talking shit about Daisy like that, and considering you're her best friend, I'm not sure why you thought it'd be fun to mouth off about her past like that." He stepped closer. "But I'll tell you one thing. That's the last time I better hear you—"

"Alright, big guy. It was a test." Liz patted his chest. "Just seeing if you're as great as she claims you are. I guess you'll do."

Liz grinned. Still steaming from what he thought was happening, he pulled that cigarette out and stuck it between his lips.

"I'm not a man who likes to be tested," he muttered.

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