you want me to send someone else so you can stay with Bella, I can.” Shaking my head, that isn’t happening.
“You’ve known me for a long time Creed. Don’t look at me any differently now that you know about her. I’m still me brother and I still know my place.” Slapping him on the shoulder, he nods.
Part of the reason I didn’t want them to know about Bella was just that. I didn’t want him to think I couldn’t handle what the club had to throw at me. I know a few guys like to take a back seat to the runs to stay with their families but I’m not one of those guys. Do I love my daughter? Fuck yeah I do and I would do anything to protect her too. That includes trusting one of my brothers to watch out for her while I handle business that’s getting to close to home.
Heading out into the main room, I see Bella sitting by the bar with a book in front of her. That’s my girl. She will be smarter than your dad ever was.
“Hey baby girl. I need to talk to you for a minute.” Dropping down on the stool next to her, she closes her book and looks over.
“What did I do now?” Rolling her eyes, I can only smile. Just like her mother, I think to myself.
“There’s been some things goin’ on and I need to go out on a run. Handle some club business.” Bella just stares at me since this isn’t anything new to her. Before I could trust her to be at home alone with the doors locked up, but not after I caught her sneaking out.
Her face finally comes into a smile as she looks at me.
“So I get to go home?” I look over my shoulder just as the other guys start piling back in. I like that she thought she was getting off that easily. After what she pulled she will be 50 before she stays home alone.
“Piper. Come here brother.” I turn back to Bella with a big ass smile on my face.
“Nope, you get Piper though.” Piper steps up next to me as Bella cuts her eye to him before coming back to mine.
“Who gets me?” Piper stands there like a smiling jackass. If only he knew the little devil I am leaving in his care he wouldn’t smile like that.
“You get to keep an eye on my daughter Bella. Bella, meet Uncle Piper.” Standing up with a giant grin on my face, I slap his shoulder before making my way to my room to pack. That should be an interesting combination there.
Chapter 7
“You can’t just do that! I don’t even know that man!” Bella stomps around my room while I pack a small bag to take. I knew she wouldn’t be happy about this.
“Should have thought about that shit before you went sneakin’ out of the house.” Grabbing a few t-shirts, I walk over to the bed and shove them into my bag.
“Oh come on! This is stupid!” I glance over at her with her arms crossed over her chest. Something inside of me snaps. She looks so much like Candy did when I first fell in love with her. So young and innocent.
“Bella look. There is some shit goin’ on and I need to know you’re safe. Piper isn’t that bad.” Zipping my bag, I pick it up and throw it over my shoulder before walking towards the door.
“Isn’t that bad? Meaning he can be bad.” I chuckle as she mumbles behind me.
Piper is in his 60’s but he is wise beyond his years. He has so many sides to him that I don’t think we have even seen them all. He’s a good man, very trustworthy.
Walking back into the main room I dead stop when I see Piper at the bar with a stack of boxes.
Bella slams into my back from my sudden lack of movement. I can’t believe what I’m seeing though.
“What the hell dad!” She steps around me as I keep my eyes on those boxes. I explode into a fit of laughter once I realize just what they are.
Bella looks up at me and follows my gaze before she yells again.
“Are you kidding me? No dad! Come one.” She protests as I walk over towards the bar. Piper smiles as I look through the piles of board games he has set out.
“Candyland?” Raising my