With the last of the dishes loaded in the dishwasher, I slip my apron off and hang it on the hook next to the back door. My third full day at work and it felt great. My first day at work had been spent with Remi and me baking. The very next day I flip the closed sign around to open and so many people in town came by to say hello and let me know just how happy they were to see I was back. Of course, I had several ask why I left, but brushing it off as a family issue was more than enough to satisfy their eager curiosities.

Remi, however, has been on the edge of her seat ever since Jake said he would see what he could do about getting her enrolled in the local school down the road. I'm still a bit nervous about letting her go but know she needs it-she needs to feel and be a regular twelve-year-old girl. She has seen and been through far too much for her age as it is.

The only thing that puts my mind at ease is knowing Jake will do anything and I mean anything to make sure nothing happens to her.

When I walk to the front of the store Remi has the broom in her hand as she finishes sweeping the floors. Without hesitation, Remi has always helped with chores.

She was born into what most would consider a privileged lifestyle, but I haven't raised her to think that way. I wasn’t brought up with others picking up after me, and I plan on raising her the same way.

"Thanks for helping out, Peanut," I praise her while I begin to empty out the register and place the day's earnings in the lockbox in my office.

"Grace," Quinn walks out from the small break room, "Jake just called and said he'd be here in ten minutes. You got anything I can help with?"

"Sure, if you would grab the trash and throw in the dumpster out in the alleyway, I need to put this money away and log it," I let him know as I place the cash into a bank bag then zip it.

"You got it, pretty lady," Quinn responds before disappearing into the kitchen. Walking to the front door I secure the lock, "Remi, come hang with me in the office until Jake gets here," I tell my daughter. She follows me into the office and sits on the edge of the small desk and swings her legs.

"Mom, do you think Aunt Glory would consider coming to live here or live with us?"

I ponder her question for a minute as I key in the numbers on the computer screen. It's not a bad idea. Polson is a pleasant town and having her here would not only make Remi happy but me as well. "You know, I think we should ask her," I give an enthusiastic smile to my daughter. I watch the smile on her face fade and her brows furrow.

"Do you think we will ever stop hiding?"

The one question I have no answer for. Remi knows a lot, but doesn’t know the extent of the terrible person her father is, or the horrible things his family has done to people. She knows how abusive he is; she unfortunately witnessed his anger first hand on more than one occasion. No child should ever have to see or hear what she has heard. She's also aware of the fact her father and his family are suspected in the death of my mother-her grandma. My stomach sinks and bile rises in my throat at the thought.

Ronan and his family have money, most of it blood money. It's one of the many reasons I've had to take on a different name and stay low key. "I hope so, Peanut. Finn is working very hard to put your father and as much of the De Burca family as he can behind bars."

Remi begins to draw a circle on the desktop with her fingertip, "I like it here. I love being with you. I really like your friends, and Jake's club is really cool. I don’t ever want to leave here," she confesses with a low murmur.

"Me too," I agree. I'm done living under a rock. We've been given a second chance in life to have happiness, and I'm grabbing hold with both hands as tight as I can and not letting go.

Knuckles drumming on my office door takes my focus from Remi, and I turn my head and notice Quinn standing outside the open door.

"Jake just pulled up. I locked the back door, and everything else is shut down and secure for the evening. What do ya say we call it a day?" he tells me in his smooth and laid back tone. If only all of us could be that way. Quinn has a relaxed and easy going attitude, and I have enjoyed being around him because of it. He has a way of putting Remi at ease. She talks a lot, and it doesn’t seem to bother him. Quinn is a good man.

"Thank you, Quinn," I push my chair away from the desk and stand. "You ready to go home, Peanut?" I kiss her forehead, which earns me an eye roll with a smile. I'm very affectionate with my daughter. I always have been. I don’t want her to just hear that she is loved, I want her to feel she is loved.

"Can we pick some pizza up tonight, and maybe a movie?" she jumps down off the desk and walks to the far corner of my office to get her bag.

"Sure." I answer as we walk to the entrance of the store where Jake is waiting out front with Finn. Wait a minute. Finn? Why would Finn be here? Quinn unlocks the door, and the three of us walk outside to meet Jake and Finn on the sidewalk. "Come here, give me those lips, Little Bird," Jake's voice rumbles while my eyes continue to stay locked on Finn's, waiting for answers. Jake's hand snakes out and pulls me into his body. Tilting my head, I give him my full attention as his lips descend upon mine. My eyes close and I melt into his touch, and I breathe in his smell of motor oil and grease cleaner he has acquired from working in the shop all day.

"You mind if Quinn takes Remi home?" his large calloused hand comes to rest on my face and he uses the pad of his thumb to caress the apple of my cheek as he waits on my response.

"I get to ride on a motorcycle?" Remi squeals with excitement.

I turn to Quinn, "Please drive safe with her on the back of that thing," I tell him.

With his signature smile he holds up his index finger, "First, my bike is not a thing she is a Harley Davidson Heritage Softail. Second," he holds up a second finger, "I've had my little sister on the back of my bike before, I can promise you I'll keep her safe, Grace."

Quinn has a little sister?

"Please, Mom," Remi grabs my hand and bounces. I look at Jake, and he smiles.

"Quinn may be a goof a lot of the time, babe, but I trust him," he says to put my mind at ease.

"Okay," I relent and turn to my daughter, "call me as soon as you get home," I inform her. Jake, Finn and I watch as Quinn secures a helmet over her head and helps her onto the back of his bike. He slides his aviators over his eyes and signals a two finger salute before pulling out and driving down the road. As soon as they are out of my sight, I fold my arms under my breasts and give Jake and Finn a look. "Alright, now someone let me in on what's going on," I ask the two of them.

Finn slips his hands into his pockets and is the first to speak. "Come on; I'm using the apartment above the bakery for a while. Let's head up, and we can fill you in," he ushers.

Eager to find out, I allow Jake to guide me up the stairs with his hand possessively placed on the small of my back. Jake reaches around me and unlocks my old apartment door. Everything inside is the way I left it. Dresser drawers left open in a rush and a couple of dirty dishes still sitting in the sink. The same wave of emotions I was feeling that night rush over me. I was scared to love someone again. Afraid of the feelings I had been hiding for a long time. I have let fear rule my life for a long time. Not anymore. "Okay," I place my bag on the kitchen counter, "I'm listening."

"I'm working with Jake and the club to bring down Ronan and several of his family members, and I've taken a leave of absence from the force to do it," Finn informs me.

"Wait. Why? What's changed? Has he found us?" I choked my words.

"No, babe," Jake assures me, "but O'Rourke feels the Kings can offer him something more. He's right; we can. We can offer him a reach that’s beyond the law. The club has connections which can allow us more of a backdoor to the inner workings of the De Burca family. I know you are aware who Logan's Father is, am I right?" Jake studies me.

Many conversations with Bella about her family has clued me into many facts, and my own experiences have made me acutely aware who Demetri Volkov is, or of him anyway.

"Anna…Shit, I'm sorry…Grace, I want you, Remi, Glory and her family to have a normal life again. I know that unless we put Ronan behind bars or somewhere more permanent that will never happen," Finn says with certainty.

He's right. The De Burca family is ruthless, and Ronan won't stops until he finds us. "Finn," I say with a sigh.

"Yeah?" he answers back.

"Two years. Ronan has been looking for us for two years. He took my mom from me; he almost took my life. The evidence you already have against him, you're positive it isn't enough to take them down?" I question. What the two of them are talking about puts all of us in the middle a war zone. Should I have heeded the warning my parents gave me? Why did I have to be so blinded by what I thought was love?

"No, we need more to have anything that will hold up in court. Unfortunately, money talks and even dirty money if the amount is right can help persuade influential people. They have covered their tracks well, and we have found no witnesses to anything besides you. You are our only witness to a crime they have committed."

He's right. "Promise me one thing," I look to both of them, but my eyes settle on the man I love, "Promise me by the end of all this my daughter stays safe. I don’t care about myself. The most important person in the middle of everything is Remi. It's always been Remi."

Jake takes my face in the palm of his hands, "Myself, the club and O'Rourke will protect both of you with our lives, Little Bird. I can promise you that," he vows.

Standing a little taller I hold back my emotions. I won't waste another tear due to the name Ronan De Burca or anyone associated with the last name. I'll fight alongside my new family if need be to protect the ones I love.