Page 46 of Steal

It’s time I stopped hiding my daughter. If Steal wants access when he finds out about her, which I know he will, then that'sfine, but it’ll be supervised, at a local park, and she will not be going to the clubhouse—ever.

The elevator dings, and I sigh as the doors open, and I walk out.

Only one person other than my sister knows Moira exists, and that was an accident, and the only reason Natalie hasn’t said anything is because I won a bet. I have to admit, I feel bad about making her keep quiet, but I wasn’t ready for the club to know about Moira, and I wasn’t expecting to climb into the elevator to take her to daycare to see Natalie looking at me wide-eyed on her way to see her OB.

“Oh my,” Natalie gasps, her eyes wide as she looks at Moira, who hides behind my legs, peeking out at her.

“Hi,” Moira whispers shyly, and I swallow hard as I slowly walk into the confining box Moira’s grip tightening as she follows.

“Cass…” Nat whispers, her eyes coming to mine.

My eyes tear up, and I rasp, “You can’t tell anyone, not even Piston." She opens her mouth, but I quickly say, “I’m calling in that favor.”

She flinches. “But-but this, this is different. She looks just like…I mean Steal’s her?—”

I cut her off, “I was sexually assaulted, then the man who said he loved me, who always put his club and Faith first, dragged me out of the kitchen by my hair and held a gun to my head.” Her mouth hung open. “That day I had found out I was pregnant and that I could lose her. Steal has no right to know; he chose his path, and I walked mine alone, raising her alone. I don’t want him to know, not yet, because I am notready, and when I am, he will not have full access, and he will be supervised because he lost my trust.”

Her eyes tear up, but she nods before hugging me, then pulls back when Moira hugs both our legs.

Moira fell in love with Natalie, which isn’t really a surprise, especially with her being a teacher and having that kind of aura, I just hate that I’ve made her keep this to herself.

Hopefully, she doesn’t get too much backlash.

Shaking my head, I walk into the daycare and smile as my little girl runs toward me.

“Mommy,” she squeals, and I catch her before swinging her into the air, making her giggle. I kiss her head and put her on my hip before the daycare worker passes me her bag. I thank her before I walk to the door, trying to ignore how hard my heart pounds knowing what’s about to happen, and head back to the elevator, ready for battle.

“Have you had a good day, my angel?” I ask her when we get into the elevator. She nods before placing her head on my shoulder, and everything feels right in my world. I close my eyes and hold her close.

I’ll fight to the death for this girl, even if it’s against her father.

Holding Moira close, I walk out the double doors toward my car, expecting to see Killian, but I freeze in shock when I see Steal leaning against his bike instead, my whole body locking up.

His eyes come my way, the smirk on his face slowly fading as he sees the little girl in my arms, and he pushes off his bike instantly.

Swallowing hard, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat, I walk forward. Instead of stopping next to Steal, I head to the backseat of my car and open the door. I gently place Moira in her seat, and click her in as I try to calm my breathing.

I grin at her, trying to keep things light for her, and hand her theLittle Red Riding Hoodbook, which she takes instantly. After placing her bag in the footwell, I carefully shut the door.

“Face me, Trouble,” Steal demands when I don’t turn and suddenly, my heart thumps so hard that I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack.

I take it back; I wasn’t ready for this yet.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly turn and face him. His face is red and filled with hurt and anger, his hands fisted at his side, and when our eyes lock he asks, “Is she mine?”

I don’t speak, words unable to form. Instead, I nod once, and he steps back, turning away from me. He links his fingers behind his head, doubling over as if in excruciating pain.

I don’t say anything; I don’t even think I can breathe. All I do is watch Steal come to terms with the fact that he has a daughter.

“Does Perrie know?” he demands a few minutes later as he quickly stands and turns back toward me, and I swallow hard before admitting, “I sent her a photo the day I gave birth. She met her when we reconnected.”

He flinches, but my words don’t deter him. “Piston, Acid, Natalie?”

I clear my throat. “The only other person who knows is Nat, but that was an accident. I called in a favor to keep her quiet.”

He scoffs, shaking his head before he snaps, “You kept my fucking child from me!”

He’s angry with me, seriously, after he held a gun to my head? I get it’s a shock, but he has no right. What else was I supposed to do? He called me a whore, for Christ’s sake!

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