Page 56 of Rock

Rock was fucking glad Atlas had stayed and made a home here. They’d spent too many years apart.

But Atlas was also right. Love trumped everything. Even though it hadn’t been a full twenty-four hours since he’d been reunited with Lyla, he knew in his heart he would never let her go again. He didn’t even like that she’d left the room with the Littles.

His chest was tight, and he almost reached up to rub it but stopped himself. There was nothing wrong with his ticker. His heart, yes, but not its functioning. He didn’t need half the MC harping on him about his health.

Elizabeth squeezed in between her Daddy, Talon, and Faust. She looked toward Rock, biting her lip.

“Is everything okay?” Rock panicked a bit.

“Yes. We were wondering if you would mind if we offered to lend Lyla some clothes. I mean, some Little clothes.”

Rock smiled. “That’s fine, but don’t pressure her. She might not be ready for that.” She might not ever be ready for that. It was a reality he was going to have to face. He truly believed she had a Little inside her, a side she’d buried for all these years, but it was also possible it was all wishful thinking on his part.

“We won’t. Thanks, Rock.” Elizabeth skipped away.

Talon groaned. “The skipping is a conspiracy between the Littles to get away with running in the house.”

Doc chuckled. “I’m good with mandating they can’tskipin the compound either if we all agree.”

Faust shook his head. “The skipping is cute, plus it’s hard for Molly to keep from running when she starts skipping, which gives me an excuse to spank her bottom.”

Rock chuckled. Faust had a point.

Atlas slapped him on the back. “Let’s see if Bear needs help in the kitchen. It will take your mind off things while we give the girls a chance to connect.”

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

Lyla felt like she’d fallen into a parallel dimension. Eleven women hovered around her, all dressed as though it were Halloween and they’d agreed to go as children.

Lyla had to remind herself over and over this was their way of life, not a costume party. She kept asking them to repeat their names so she could remember who they were and who their significant others were—their Daddies.

They showed her around the compound, including their various apartments. Apparently, many of the club members had rooms in the clubhouse. Some of them lived here full-time, and some lived in homes in the community—like Rock.

Remi came out of one of the apartments after a bit. She didn’t look any different, but she did wince occasionally.

Elizabeth had left them, and she suddenly returned, skipping down the hall. “Rock saidyes!” she exclaimed.

“Rock saidyesto what?” Remi asked.

Lyla was wondering the same thing.

A woman named Eden—Lyla thought her Daddy was Gabriel—responded, looking at Lyla, “We thought you might like to borrow some clothes. You don’t have to, of course. But if you wanted, we could lend you something.”

Lyla swallowed, wondering what she meant. She hesitated a moment before it dawned on her.Littleclothes. Dresses like they were wearing.

Remi reached out and touched her arm. “You don’t have to,” she repeated. “It’s just… Whatever makes you feel more comfortable. We want you to feel welcome.”

Lyla turned toward Remi. This was Rock’s daughter. Rock had a daughter. And a son. It was suddenly all kind of overwhelming. Because Lyla had fled town and never come back, Rock had married another woman and had two kids.

Remi moved in front of Lyla, blocking her from everyone else. “Hey,” she whispered.

A hushed murmur spread behind Remi.

Remi turned toward the others and said, “Give us a minute, yeah?”

“Of course,” several of them responded at the same time.

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