Page 8 of Vicious

Though I had access, I hadn’t touched my Duchene trust. The money I made from watching Samuel was more than enough to support the girls. I knew the money was there if I needed it, even my inheritance. I just couldn’t bring myself to dip into it. My whole life, I worked for what I wanted, but now, I may not have a choice. Sarah was leaving tonight.

Looking at my watch, I noted the time.

I no longer had any other choice. If I stayed, I would have to inform Matrix of my situation or I could keep quiet and give him my resignation and leave with the girls. I didn’t like option two because they loved the area. The freedom of just being little girls. The fresh air to run around in. Here in this state, they were just little girls, free of any obligation. The world was hard enough without having requirements and responsibilities. They were just little girls. As far as I was concerned, their only worry should be what movie to watch and when they could go to the zoo again.

Then there were the legal matters their grandmother had started. Thankfully, Alexander was handling everything to that end, but I knew soon he would need me in court to finalize Davy’s will. To do that, I would have to prove a stable home life. If I couldn’t do that, then I could lose the girls and that was something I refused to let happen.

I had made a promise, and I intended to keep it.

No matter the cost.

To make matters worse, I didn’t expect him.

I watched as he tried to be subtle, but there was nothing subtle about his sterling gray eyes as he stared at me. It felt as if he could see the heart of me. It was unsettling. Though I would never admit it, the man made me nervous.

His name was Vicious.

The name suited him. Older than most of the brothers in the club, Vicious was fit and muscular in all the right places. Not a single ounce of fat on him, from what I could see. The slight graying at his temples gave him an air of age and respect, making him look distinguished even though he had a beard and tattoos. He rarely talked from what I noticed, preferring to watch and listen. In some ways, he looked lost, almost as if he’d rather be anywhere but inside. The only time I saw any kind of emotion from him was when he was with his daughter, Elizabeth.

I was later told that Vicious was a single father and that Elizabeth’s mother died shortly after her birth. What made him more interesting was when I learned Elizabeth wasn’t even his biological daughter. Beth’s mom had put Vicious’ name on the birth certificate, giving her daughter to the older biker who accepted his newfound fatherhood. Few men would ever take on a child that wasn’t theirs, but Vicious did without question. That alone told me everything I needed to know about the man.

He was an honorable man.

Checking my watch, I noted the time again. Hurrying from the main room, I found Matrix in his makeshift office and cleared my throat to get his attention.

“Yeah?”

“Matrix, I have an errand to run. I won’t be back until later. Samuel is with the other kids in the kitchen with the other ladies. Is there anything you need from me before I go?”

“Nope,” my boss said, never looking away from his computer screen. I knew Matrix was an important member of the club. He told me so himself. It was his job to monitor all the club’s investments. Matrix explained it to me once. He was like the club’s banker or treasurer, as he called it. Everything the club made went through him. He would deposit the money into a central account, setting aside a percentage for the club, which was there when a brother wanted to start a new business. Matrix paid the brothers once a month, each given an equal share. Only the prospects got less because they weren’t patched members. Every brother and every business gave to the club because the club came first. Though they didn’t look like it, the club and the brothers themselves were well off. When not tracking the club’s businesses, Matrix was investing the club money to grow the club’s coffers.

I had just about made my escape when Matrix faced me. “You need a brother to go with you, Linsey?”

Shaking my head, I smiled. “No. Thank you for the offer. I’m meeting a friend in Knoxville and we’re going to have dinner together.”

I hated lying to him. Matrix had been nothing but honest and understanding with me since I started working for him. The man always went over and beyond, but this was something I couldn’t tell him. I wanted to many times, but with his job at the clubhouse and his son, I didn’t want to burden him anymore. Besides, my nieces were my responsibility.

“You sure? Knoxville is a big city.”

“I’m sure.”

Matrix nodded, turning back to his computer. “Make sure you keep your phone with you and call me immediately if you need help, okay?”

“I will.” Leaving the office, I headed for the kitchen, smiling as I saw all the kids laughing and eating their afternoon snacks. Their mothers talking a mile a minute. Seeing the board near the back door with all the keys hanging on it, I grabbed my set and headed outside. Looking at my watch again, I ran for my SUV.

By the time I made it into town and to the small rental house I had found, I noticed Sarah was placing two bags into a car. Parking next to her, I jumped out. “What’s going on? I thought you weren’t leaving until morning?”

“You need to call Alex.”

“Why?”

“Just call him,” Sarah asserted, heading back into the small house. Reaching for my phone, I dialed Alex’s number. He picked up on the first ring. “Linnie, I need you to take the girls to the compound.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“Blackwell has filed a petition with the state of Colorado stating that you are unfit to parent the girls and you are only after their inheritance.”

“I’ve never touched a dime. Not even from my own inheritance.”

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