Page 18 of Snagged By Hook

“Stuff it, both of you.” Nope, having an internal argument with oneself and then externally breaking it up didn’t sound crazy at all.

Pulling into her spot at the apartment, she grabbed the boxes from the passenger seat of the car the club had loaned her. It was dependable and nicer than anything she’d ever driven. Pizza seemed wholly inadequate, but it felt good to buy a little something for Hook for a change.

She couldn’t believe it, a big bad scary motorcycle club, the kind of men she’d been warned away from her whole life, had done more for her than everyone else combined since as long as she could even remember. And not a one of the Bastards had asked for anything in return.

Just because they hadn’t asked didn’t mean she wouldn’t do everything in her power to pay them back, though. Even if it took her decades, she’d repay the men who’d become her family. A huge family of big brothers and one who she may or may not see as big brother’s hot best friend. Off limits, but oh man, she could dream. Especially when she saw him with her daughter each evening. Her heart just melted.

Unlocking the door, she stepped inside. There were just a few low lights on and a sexy, husky voice coming through the child monitor. Granted, her child was beyond the baby monitor stage. However, she couldn’t help herself. June had sleepless nights since her dad left, but they’d completely stopped since moving into Hook’s apartment. Being in a new place where they weren’t sleeping together, Nova needed that added peace of mind.

Right now, it wasn’t her mind being engaged by the smoky voice making a princess falsetto while telling her daughter a tall tale.

Hook had tucked June in almost every night since they’d been there. Even when Nova was home, June wantedher Jeremy.

Tonight was no exception if the sounds coming from her daughter’s room were any indication.

Nova set the pizzas on the counter, Hook’s inexplicable pizza and a cheese for people with taste buds.

Slipping off her shoes, she made her way toward the sounds. The bar was dead, so Croon closed early. She thought she might actually get to tuck June in for once.

She approached the open door when she heard her daughter ask, “Did they live happily ever after, Jeremy?”

“You know my stories don’t end like that, Flower.”

Nova watched from the shadow of the hall as he tapped her nose with a tattooed finger and kissed her forehead.

“Now, get some sleep, and I’ll make you pancakes in the morning.”

“With rainbow sprinkles?”

“Are they even really pancakes without ’em?” The teasing amusement in his voice made her insides quiver.

He reached for the lamp, and before he could dim the light, her daughter’s sad voice cut her deep. She went from laughing to forlorn just like that.

“I wish you were my daddy.”

Nova swallowed a sob.

“Flower…” Hook’s voice trailed off as he tucked her hair behind her ear. It amazed her how gentle he was when it came to June. “If you were, we could be a real family.”

“June, look at me.” That was the first time since they moved in, he’d called her June. Nova took a step closer to better hear what he’d say. “We are a real family. More real than any family I’ve ever had, other than my club brothers. No matter where you go or how big you grow, we will always be family.” Hook raised her chin with a gentle finger. “You understand me?”

Nova’s heart shattered into a million pieces and knit back together all in the span of seconds. Hook didn’t treat her daughter like a child in the way many adults did. He spoke to her as he would anyone else, sans cursing.

“Mommy too?”

“Of course, Mommy too. Did you miss the part about real family?” Before Nova could even mentallyaww, her daughter struck.

“Are you her boyfriend, then?”

“Um…no.” It was the first time Nova had heard Hook at a loss for words. Especially when it came to June.

Nova watched from the door as June puffed out her bottom lip.

“Why not? Misty’s dad left, and her mom got a new boyfriend, and he’s nicer than her dad was. You’re nicer than mine, too, so why aren’t you mom’s boyfriend?”

“Well, Flower. Um, people are different.” Nova suppressed a small giggle when he rubbed the back of his neck again and stuttered a few incomprehensible syllables.

She’d noticed he did that when he was nervous.

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