“I can’t believe we let that happen,” Cassie said. “Nineteen.”
“Yeah, I’m nineteen.”
“And all grown up,” Rage said.
Cassie moved aside and I walked toward him.
“Hey, Rage,” I said.
There were many times he was more of a father to me than my own had been.
“Hey, pumpkin,” he said. He pulled me in for a hug.
There was a time his hugs made me feel safe, warm, comforted, but none of them compared to Ivan’s.
Ivan was giving me a promise. No, he had made a vow to me for my protection and I believed every word of it.
“This year, I didn’t know what to get you, so Cassie looked at the best spas possible, and I was able to get you multiple spa days with Cassie, if your husband would allow it,” Rage said.
“We can go shopping and have spa days. I’m stayingat the hotel just across the street. It’s real nice, but I thought I could stick around for a little while, if you don’t mind.”
I didn’t mind, but I looked toward Ivan and Ive. “Can she stay?”
They were in charge.
“Yes, but there’s an apartment available below. If you stay at the hotel tonight, I’ll make arrangements for you to move in tomorrow,” Ive said.
“That’s wonderful,” Cassie said. “I’ve missed you.”
She pulled me in for another hug.
“So, Ive,” Ivan said. “What did you get your bride, because I happened to hear a rumor that you’re thinking of taking her on a honeymoon?”
I look toward Ive, and I just know in my heart of hearts, that was not the case. Ive looked pissed off, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Isn’t that right, Ive?” Ivan asked.
“As soon as I finish with my business, then yes, that is exactly what we’re going to do,” Ive said.
They were good liars.
Ive
I hadn’t known it was my wife’s birthday. I also hadn’t known Ivan was back in my city for a visit.
Rage and Cassie had been close, so I had no choice but to wait for them before heading home. I don’t know what Ivan had said to her, but whatever it was, it had caused her to cry, and I found myself more curious about that.
There was no gift I could giveher, and in Ivan suggesting a honeymoon, he’d saved me. There was no time to stop for gifts. Rage and Cassie each had their gifts, and I had nothing to offer.
Ivan and Charlotte had waited for us to have dinner. They ordered takeout from one of our restaurants. Charlotte had been in the mood for a cheeseburger and fries. Sitting around my penthouse dining room table, I had Rage, the president of the Evil Savages MC, Cassie, her sister, Ivan, my boss, my wife, and myself.
I never expected to have them in my home. Ivan wentwithout saying, but Rage and Cassie I didn’t want in my home. Seeing the happiness on Charlotte’s face was the only reason they were allowed to stay.
And I felt a little guilty for not realizing it was her birthday sooner. I didn’t mean to forget it. She looked happy and for now, I was content with that.
“It’s been a long time since I had a cheeseburger,” Ivan said.
This made Charlotte laugh. “Was it good?”
“It’s from our own restaurant. It’s the best.” Ivan winked at Charlotte and she chuckled, shaking her head.
Don’t get me wrong, she had a way of drawingpeople to her. She had a pretty smile, and even after everything she had been through.
After the food, there was another knock at the door, and this time, Ivan went to answer.
I sat, wanting to be alone with my wife, to talk to her, but Cassie sat next to Charlotte, talking to her. I hadn’t realized the two sisters were close. No one would have assumed that based on the intel.
Cassie was the MC’s princess. I assumed she would have contributed to making her life miserable, but instead, the two were talking like they were old friends.
Rage had a smile on his lips. He was the doting father figure for Charlotte.
Ivan came around the corner, and began to sing happy birthday to her. Charlotte gasped and Cassie stepped back. We all stood, and joined in the song, as Ivan put the cake in front of Charlotte.
Nineteen candles.
“Don’t forget to make a wish as you blow out the candles,” Ivan said.