Page 74 of Claim Me

Cupping his face, I stare in his eyes so he’ll focus on me instead of all the rowdy kids. “Baby, calm down and explain what happened.”

“A man said Indigo was being perverted in the bathroom, but he wasn’t. It’s my fault. Now CPS is coming. Indigo told me to run to you and leave fast.”

I look over his head at the restrooms, where I see several officers moving in our direction.

“This isn’t about you,” I promise the kids as I grip my bag. “The police are always hassling Indigo and my family. You did nothing wrong, okay?”

Despite my calm words, I’m glued to my spot. There’s no clear path to the front door. The kids are panicking. I see the cops coming our direction. I’m afraid for Indigo.

“Kiera, take Deirdre’s hand. Nora, take Glen’s hand,” I say and hold their free hands. “We have to go. No crying. No fits. We have to leave now.”

We’re halfway to the door when a uniformed cop steps in my way. A second pig is at my side.

“Miss O’Malley, we’re going to need you to come to the station. We’ve called CPS to look after the kids.”

“When Alec Brennan gets his deal with the club, do you think he’ll protect you from my family’s wrath?” I ask when the cop reaches for me. “Because if you take Elvis O’Malley’s pregnant daughter to a patrol car and send his grandkids with CPS, your life is ruined. No way will Alec Brennan waste time saving your ass.”

I know instantly how these two aren’t members of the Brennan family. They’ll be left out in the cold when the Backcountry Kings come calling.

The cop in front of me steps aside. “Leave now. The next officer won’t show any pity.”

Walking as fast as my belly will allow, I tug the kids past the other customers and out the front door. We arrive at my new SUV when more police cars arrive. Glen and Nora hurry to the third row while the twins belt themselves into the second row. Scooting down in my seat, I nearly drop my phone as I call my mom.

“The pigs are making a play,” I say in a voice dripping with panic. “They showed up at the Play Hut and claimed Indigo was doing something weird in the men’s room. They’re arresting him. They’ve threatened to arrest me and call CPS.”

“Where are you now?”

“In the SUV,” I mumble as the cops yank Indigo through the Play Hut’s front doors and slam him against a patrol car. “The pigs have Indigo outside now. They’re being rough. I think they’re looking for a reason to hurt him. Should I be recording what’s happening?”

“There are cameras all over the place. Just get out of that location. If they try to grab you, they’ll get hold of the kids. You have to leave.”

“But they’re going to hurt Indigo,” I whimper, tearing up.

In the third row, Nora begins to cry. Her brother tells her that nothing matters.

“You have to get out of there before one of those cops does something to your babies,” Mom insists, sounding on the move. “Indigo knows how to handle himself. We’re sending out an alert now. Let his club brothers watch his back. Don’t go home. Drive to Natasha’s house. Her security will keep the cops from entering.”

I hear the cops yelling “Stop fighting!” When I look at Indigo, he seems so passive. His gaze flashes to the SUV. I feel him begging me to leave.

The cops yank him away from the car before slamming him against it again. I know he could kick their asses in a fair fight. I’ve seen him in a brawl. The man is impressively powerful. He never fights like he’s showing off. He just demolishes every target.

Yet, right now, he’s docile, even as the first cop strikes him with a baton. Deirdre touches the window and whimpers his name.

“Siobhan, snap out of it,” Mom demands, sounding like a woman capable of running with wild men. Her tone instantly cuts through my fear. “Shove aside your feelings and be an O’Malley right now.”

“I love you. I’ve got to go,” I say and hang up. Behind me, Deirdre begins to cry harder. “Don’t look out the windows,” I tell the kids. “Get down low in case someone tries to see us. I want you to slide down as low as you can without getting out of your seats.”

The twins reach for each other and lean down. I see Glen and Nora’s blond heads disappear behind the seats. As a few cops point in our direction, I pull the SUV out of the parking lot and race through a yellow light.

Today isn’t about cops hassling a random man and his family. They’ve gone after a Backcountry Kings member in a city the club runs. I might be powerless to help Indigo, but he knows his people are coming to his rescue.

INDIGO

Places like the Play Hut seem to bring out the worst in parents. However, the noise doesn’t bother me. I don’t care about the terrible food. I ignore kids who aren’t mine. Maybe that’s why I’d be fine staying all afternoon.

While Siobhan watches the girls, I hang out with Glen. I can understand why Caveman named him Vanilla. Glen doesn’t like rocking the boat or drawing attention to himself. He mostly wants to be as normal as possible.

No matter how unfrazzled Glen wants to be, he’s just a kid. He gets overwhelmed by crowds and noise. His clothes might be new and slick, but he can never forget he grew up poor. Once he shrinks next to me at the sight of bigger boys, I know he’ll want to leave soon.

---