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“Hey, it’s Hollis, here to see Lila.”
“Come on up,” he says as the buzzer goes off.
I’ve never been a nervous guy, but this? This makes me nervous. Lila is the youngest, the baby. What if her brother and sister don’t like me? Would that make her walk away from me? I guess I’m not so much worried that they’ll like me, I’m worried about their thoughts on the club. Lila seems okay with club life, but it’s not something that everyone likes or understands. And as much as I know that I need Lila in my life, I could never give up my club.
I get in the elevator and head up to her apartment. Taking a deep breath at her door, I knock. Lila opens the door, and I hesitate. This is new territory for me. I don’t know what lines I can or cannot cross yet. So I play it safe and lean in, kissing her on the cheek.
“Mommy? Who’s that?” I hear the tiniest voice ask.
That’s when I see the most adorable little girl pop her head out from behind Lila. She was hiding behind her, clinging to her leg. I crouch down to her level. She has Lila’s caramel-brown eyes and dark hair.
“Hi, I’m Hollis. You must be Maddie.” I stick my hand out for her to shake. She looks up at Lila like she’s asking permission.
“Hollis is mommy’s friend,” Lila explains to her. Maddie gives me a smile and gently puts her hand in mine.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Maddie.” I smile. She giggles at me.
“And this is my brother Carter, and my sister Diana,” Lila says.
I stand up and shake both their hands.
“Cimaruta MC?” Carter says.
I nod at him. “Best group around.”
He gives me a weird look but doesn’t say anything. Great. It looks like he’s already made up his mind about me and the club.
Lila
I know the look my brother is giving Hollis. I frown at Carter. I don’t care what he thinks he knows about the club, because I can guarantee whatever he’s thinking is incorrect. I’m not naïve enough to think the club does nothing wrong. But I do know Charmy, and she would never be with Amante if he wasn’t a good person. And at the end of the day, that’s what matters most.
My instincts say Hollis is a good man. In the last couple of weeks he’s been nothing but a gentleman. And as much as I want to jump into bed with him again, we haven’t done anything. He says we already know that part is awesome. And he wants me to be sure before we take it to that level again.
If I’m being honest with myself? I already know what I want. But I’m worried about Maddie. So tonight will tell me what I need to know about Hollis. Being a dad to someone else’s baby isn’t easy. Especially when the other parent isn’t around. It’s like you have to compensate for them not being there. There’s also the fact that being around a kid once in a while is a totally different thing than being there daily.
Hollis keeps saying I have nothing to worry about. But I need to be sure—for Maddie.
I watch Diana and Hollis talk. Maddie is standing next to Hollis. It’s like she’s drawn to him, like I am. My brother pulls me to the side.
“Are you sure you want Maddie around a guy like him?” he whispers.
“What do you mean a ‘guy like him’?” I raise my eyebrows at Carter.
“He’s a biker. With the biggest club in Chicago. They’re criminals, Li. What if someone comes after you or Maddie because of him?”
“I appreciate you worrying about us. But Hollis would never let anything like that happen. And what makes you think they’re criminals?”
“Come on, Li. We’ve all grown up hearing the stories about the Cimaruta MC. They’re fucking crooks and I don’t like it. I don’t want you or Maddie around this hooligan.”
Oh for fuck’s sake, ‘hooligan’? Carter has always been protective. But I’ve never known him to judge someone before getting to know them.
“People can change, Carter. You haven’t even tried to get to know Hollis. Can you at least give him a chance? I really like him.”
He sighs and frowns at me. I’m not sure I can convince him, and that makes me angry. I pull Carter into my bedroom.
“You need to stop being a dick. Hollis is a good man. In fact, every member of the Cimaruta MC has been nothing but nice and supportive of Charmaine, and me too. So be the big brother I love and give him a chance. Please.”
“And what if he hurts you? Then what? I don’t think I can watch you go through that again.” He stares at me.
