Page 28 of Pigeon

“Wash your hands!” I shout as he walks off.

“He’s adorable,” Ivy states with a smile as she watches him weave his way to the restroom.

“Not sure anyone has ever described him as adorable before.”

Ivy laughs before slipping her straw into her mouth to sip on her drink. I wait until she’s done before bluntly asking, “How old are you?”

“22, going on 23, why?”

“You’re older than I thought. I was thinking you look closer to 18,” I answer honestly.

“You thought I was a teenager. Is that why you were worried about my bruise?” Ivy questions in a quiet voice while setting down her fork.

“No, your age has nothing to do with that. I’m worried because I know you have someone mistreating you, and I don’t like it. You, at any age, should never be hurt by a man. I want your promise that you’ll call me if that ever happens again,” I insist.

Ivy studies my face for a moment before giving me a silent nod. Without thought, I reach across the table and wrap my index finger around her pinkie. Giving it a slight tug, I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile before saying, “Thank you.”

I release her hand when I see Craig coming toward the table, but when I see his eyes light up, I realize I didn’t release it quick enough. Hopping onto his chair, surprisingly he goes back to his meal without comment.

Walking into the clubhouse, I head straight to the bar and take the seat next to Axel. Little Alex is sitting on the bar in front of him, and they’re playing some pattycake-type game. I watch, silently laughing at my VP, as he patiently shows her the pattern again. Little Alex has the tip of her tongue sticking out of her mouth and a serious look of concentration on her cute little face. After she successfully completes the beginning sequence, Axel shows her the rest of the game. When the large, bald biker gets to the point of mimicking the rocking of the baby, my laughter is no longer silent.

“Shut it, Pigeon,” he growls my direction before starting at the beginning of pattycake again.

“Can I request you sing ‘The Muffin Man’ next?” I ask and then dodge the elbow he throws my way.

“I’m ignoring you now,” he replies without missing a beat.

“Hello, pretty lady. Uncle Pigeon wants a hug,” I say to Alexia while holding my hands toward her.

As expected, her bright smile flashes in my direction before she launches herself at my hands. I catch her and pull her close. I shoot a grin at Axel over her shoulder while she winds her arms around my neck.

“Got your hug, now give my daughter back,” Axel orders.

“I’m ignoring you now,” I retort while hugging Alex tighter. She giggles, Axel scowls, and Craig interrupts my taunting.

“You were right about two things, Axel.”

Sufficiently distracted, Axel turns to face Craig and asks, “I was? About what?”

“Prissy has the hots for you. We chatted today, and she asked about you a lot,” Craig answers.

“I knew it! She’s the only smart bird I’ve ever met!”

“Heard that, Assman!” Mac hollers from across the room.

“Doesn’t change the fact it’s true, you feathered jackoff!” Axel shouts back before turning to Craig again. “What else was I right about?”

“There was a look,” Craig answers nonchalantly. “Pigeon. Ivy. A look.”

“I knew it! I’m two for two!” Axel crows.

It takes me a minute to realize what Craig’s talking about and then another one to digest the fact that the little brat just tossed me under the bus. Axel’s never going to stay off my ass now. Shooting a death glare at Craig, I hand Alexia back to her father. Staring Craig down, I rise off my stool and break into a run at the same time he does. He makes it across the room and behind a couch before I can reach him. He gives me an arrogant grin with raised eyebrows. The grin disappears when I vault over the couch. My hand grazes his shoulder, but he ducks under it and makes a break for it. Leaping back over the couch, I run him down, grab the waistband of his jeans, and pull him to a stop. Looking over his shoulder, our eyes meet.

“Gonna beat me now?” he asks in a voice I should have paid attention to.

“Yep,” I answer.

“I think not,” he calmly replies before letting loose an ear-splitting scream. Deep breath and another scream.

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