Page 5 of Comp's Chance

"I can grab your bags for you. Why don't both of you pretty ladies follow me? I’m sure Prez is waiting in the common room for us," I say, starting toward the front door.

"Look at all the bikes, mama! Oh my gosh, look, it’s my favorite color!" Paisley says excitedly.

"Which one, baby girl? There are a lot of bikes out here," Sunny says, smiling down at her daughter and squeezing her tiny hand.

"The dark blue one! With the flames, and look! It even has a skull with horns and fangs. That is so cool!" she exclaims, and I stop dead in my tracks. She's pointing out my bike.

"Ohhh… I like that one too." Sunny says, looking at my bike in awe.

Looking at their faces and how they have fallen in love with the one thing in my life I can depend on shifts something in me that I’m not ready to process yet. I clear my throat before making my way further down the building and to the front door. I open it and duck inside, turning and making sure Sunny and Paisley follow me. When I turn back, I see my entire club standing in the common area, looking at me with smirks all across their faces. I roll my eyes before growling at them.

These fuckers are probably already planning my fucking wedding just from that little show I gave at the front gate. The last thing Sunny needs is to feel pressured. I'll just have to be sure to stay out of the way. My cave has never seemed less appealing.

"Uh… hello," Sunny says, waving awkwardly.

"Cool, Mom, look! They have pool tables! This place is awesome!" Paisley says, looking all around. When her eyes land on the group of observers, she stiffens only briefly before a smile flashes over her face and waves wildly.

“Look, Mom, they're all staring at us. It’s like we’re famous or something,” she whisper-screams. Everyone laughs, and Sunny hides her face behind her hands. Swift walks up to Sunny, but before he can open his mouth to speak, we hear tiny feet heading our way.

“Come on, Rome! Mommy said there was another little girl here so we could play.” I hear Rae saying as the siblings rush down the hall. I’m guessing they're coming from the dining hall.

“But why do I have to come? I don’t want to meet a girl. I want to finish killing that damn boss in Uncle Comp’s room,” Rome says grumpily but still heading our way.

“Language!” Grease calls after them.

“Fuck, he heard me. Shit,” Rome says, trying to whisper, but it's too loud, and we all hear it. I just shake my head. That boy will never change. If I’m honest with myself, I never want him to.

When they turn the corner, Rae sees Paisley standing in the middle of the room and squeals before rushing over to her. I watch Rome as his face turns from surprise to curiosity, then to his protector mode. Motherfucker, we might be in trouble.

“Hi, my name's Paisley! What’s your name?” Paisley asks Rae. This girl is not shy at all. From the minute she woke up, I have seen not one ounce of fear in her eyes. Only curiosity and excitement.

“I’m Rae! Wow, you’re so pale! It makes your green eyes pop out of your head,” Rae tells Paisley.

“Rae, don’t be rude.” Halle chides her. Rae turns to Halle with a confused look on her face.

“What? I just told her her eyes were pretty, Mommy. How is that rude?” Rae asks honestly.

“I didn’t think it was rude. Thank you for the compliment. I wish my skin wasn’t so pale. I wish it was pretty and dark like yours. You can see every ugly purple and black bruise I get, and I hate it. Plus, you can sometimes see the blue veins running through my arms and legs,” Paisley says, pointing out some bruises on her skin and veins all over her body.

“I think you’re beautiful,” Rome says, moving to stand beside his sister.

“Thank you! I think you’re beautiful too!” Paisley says, and I can’t help but chuckle, along with half the club, but of course, Grease has to fuck with Rome. He can never let one go.

“You hear that, Rome? You’re not handsome; you’re beautiful,” Grease laughed.

“She can call me whatever she wants. You’re just jealous. Bet you no one has ever called your ugly mug beautiful or handsome,” Rome snaps back. For being a grown-ass man and a seven-year-old, they go at it more than actual siblings.

“Yeah, well, at least I can drive,” Grease mumbles behind his fist in a poor attempt to hide his shit-eating grin.

“Not for long if you keep talkin' to my girl all wrong! I mean… the girls. The girls wrong. Show some respect, ya old man,” Rome bites back. Several of the brothers cough or openly chuckle at the outburst, and we all hear Grease mumble something under his breath, but he doesn’t reply.

“There’s a playroom in the back of the compound. Want to come play with us?” Rae asks Paisley, clearly attempting to drawthe attention away from her brother. Paisley looks up at her mom, but Sunny speaks first.

“We need to put our bags down. You can go play with your friends once we know where we will be staying,” Sunny tells her. That gives Swift a chance to speak up.

“I know you both are probably tired from the drive, but we need to meet about your situation. We can do that after Comp shows you to your room and the kids are playing,” he says, looking over at me. Damn, I thought I’d be able to get away.

“I have one of my programs running, and I need to check on it. Can Hitter or one of the women show her where to go?” I hate the thought of one of my single brothers being the one to escort her around, but I have no claim on this woman. I need to get away from her as fast as possible before I start thinking otherwise.

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