Page 56 of The Bastard's Lily
“You trust me to keep you safe, don’t you?” My voice is a whisper against her skin.
Her fingers clutch the front of my shirt, knuckles whitening. “You know I do.”
I trail a soft kiss along her jaw, stopping just shy of her mouth. “Then let me do it. Let me take care of you… both of you.”
Her eyes flutter shut, the tension in her shoulders melting beneath my palms. I brush my lips across hers—light, teasing, a question she can answer or refuse.
She exhales a shaky breath, voice barely audible. “Okay.”
I rest my forehead against hers, a slow smile tugging at my mouth. “Good,” I whisper. “We’ll be gone before Beau even knows it’s a move. Just a night. Just us. Safe.”
Calla and I walk back into the kitchen, still holding hands. Beau looks up from his plate, crumbs of crackers scattered like confetti.
“Hey champ,” I say, crouching beside him. “Change of plans tonight. We’re gonna have a sleepover at the clubhouse. Big movie room, pool tables, and brothers to tell you wild stories. You in?”
Beau’s eyes go wide. “For real? Can I bring Fox?”
“Fox gets his own VIP seat,” I tell him, grinning.
Calla smooths his hair, her smile soft but sure. “Just for a night or two, buddy. We’ll all stay together.”
He’s already bouncing in his chair. “I gotta pack! PJs and the dinosaur picture!”
“That’s the spirit,” I say, scooping up his empty plate. “Grab your favorite things and we’ll hit the road.”
Beau darts off toward his room, chattering about which stuffed animals need to come along. The sound of his excitement fills the cabin, easing the knot in my chest.
Calla meets my eyes over the kitchen table. “You really think it’s the best move?”
“I do,” I answer, steady. “And we’ll be right there with him the whole time.”
She nods, a quiet resolve settling in. Within minutes, we’re packed—backpacks for Beau, a duffel for Calla, my gear slungover a shoulder. I lock the door behind us, the weight of the key heavy in my palm.
Beau bounces down the steps, fox under one arm, grinning like this is the start of a grand adventure. Calla takes his other hand, and I fall in beside them.
The night air smells of pine and wood smoke as we head toward the truck and the waiting bike. Whatever the Scorpions think they’ve started, they won’t find us unprepared.
Time to bring my family under the Bastards’ roof—safe, together, and ready for whatever comes next.
Theclubhousehumswithlow voices and the faint smell of motor oil as we carry our bags down the hall. Beau clutches Fox tight, practically skipping beside Rook.
Grimm is already waiting inside, hauling a small frame and a pile of bedding. “Figured the little man would want his own spot,” he says, flashing Beau a grin.
“Yeah!” Beau bounces on his toes. “Fox too!”
Rook crouches to help, holding the frame steady while Grimm snaps it into place and smooths the blanket. Beau climbs up the second the pillow hits, proud and grinning.
“Looks perfect,” I say, dropping Beau’s backpack near the foot of the bed.
Rook straightens, his eyes soft but serious as they meet mine. “You two are safe here. Nothing gets past these walls.”
Grimm gives a single nod of agreement. “Whole chapter’s on watch tonight.”
Beau stretches out beside Fox, already chatting about bedtime stories and pancakes for breakfast. I brush a hand over his hair, the simple rhythm of it easing some of the tension in my chest. For the first time all day, I let myself breathe. Tonight, we’re surrounded. Tonight, we’re not alone.
A solid knock hits the door.
Rook’s head turns first. “Yeah?”
