Chapter Four
DJ
It’s been four weeks since the whole Starla encounter and things are back on track with Hatch and myself. We went to the school the next day, Law in tow, and the administration has promised some serious changes where the kids’ safety is concerned. It might have more to do with the fact that Law filed a lawsuit on behalf of all three kids after they were hit by the car, but I’m honestly hoping it has more to do with the fact they never want something like that to happen again. Luca’s cast has been shortened finally, and he’s become pretty good using a pair of crutches. And oh my goodness—the girls wait on him hand and foot when they’re all at home. I’ve settled in at the office. The work isn’t really that difficult, so I usually handle what needs doing and then work on my laptop until it’s time to close and head home for the kids. Right now, I’m laying in bed, wide awake and staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Hatch is laying beside me snoring. He’s been more attentive to me and we’ve had long conversations about our exes. I can’t believe she’d just leave him like that! I want to beat her ass, but on the other hand I’m so glad things turned out the way they did, or I wouldn’t have him now. You know the saying one man's trash is another man’s treasure? Well I’ve got all the gold and jewels in the world in my bed every single night and I thank the man upstairs for bringing him to me.
Hatch has told me that since the day Starla and I got into it, she’s stayed clear away from him. She avoids him if they’re in the same room, and turns the other way when they walk down the same hallway. I’m glad to see she took mine, Braxton, Hatch’s and Twisted’s words seriously and has forgotten all about fighting to take my man from me. I have a bad feeling where she’s concerned though, I don’t think we’ve heard the end of things from her. I think she’s sitting back and waiting for an opportunity to strike, she’s a snake like that.
For now, I’ll take her staying away as a good thing and keep going on with my life, I’ve promised Hatch and the others that I won’t dwell where she’s concerned. But there is something nagging at the back of my mind, and I’m determined to find out what that’s all about. I’m not sure if it’s the writer in me and my overactive imagination is at play here, or if it’s just that I don’t like that bitch—but that would be too simple where she’s concerned. Nope, I’m convinced, she’s up to something and I will stop her before she begins...one way or the other.
“Stop overthinking things over there and go back to sleep,” he says, startling me.
“Did I wake you up?”
“Yeah, babe, you’re over there thinking so hard that your body is moving—a lot.”
“I’m sorry, lover, go back to sleep.”
“Hmmm... you too,” he says snuggling further into me. He has me wrapped up in his protective embrace. His arm is thrown over my chest and my legs are trapped between his. No wonder he feels me moving around, I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t realize I was moving or notice how trapped by him I was. It doesn’t take long for slumber to take me, feeling safe and warm, I let all thoughts drift from my mind.
Maysen
I wake up and carefully listen to make sure that Mommy’s boyfriend isn’t here. I don’t like him very much, he’s big and has a scary voice and he looks at me funny. When I don’t hear anything, I grab my bunny and go into the kitchen. Mommy says I’m a big girl now since I’m almost six. I can make my own cereal so she can get her beauty sleep. Grabbing a chair, I drag it over to the counter and climb up and get a bowl because Mommy forgot to get one down for me, then I pour in some Cocoa Puffs and add some milk. Sitting at the table, I eat my breakfast and wonder what we’re going to do today. It’s Saturday so that means no school and sometimes, Mommy takes me to the park to play. If she’s not too tired or sick. She’s sick a lot though, and her boyfriend gives her shots. I don’t understand how they help her because when he gives her one, she usually lays there and doesn’t talk to me. Finished with breakfast, I carefully carry my bowl and spoon to the sink and put it in. Last week, I dropped my bowl and spilled milk and Mommy was sick and it made her so mad at me! I still have marks where she spanked me and they hurt, so now I’m extra careful.
Walking into our living room, I see Mommy asleep on the couch. I touch her and see she’s cold so I pull the blanket off the back of the couch and cover her up before I get the remote and turn the television on to watch cartoons. I hope she doesn’t sleep all day.
Trinity
I drive through the local Starbucks for my daily dose of caffeine goodness, about an hour later than I’m used to. Seems my coffee pot gave up the ghost last night and I mentally add buying a new one to my ever-growing to-do list. Mondays are usually rough as a social worker and I’m sure, based on the text I got from my boss, that today will be no different. Thanking the cashier and taking my drink, I continue on to the office, doing what I can to prepare for the day.
Looking at the case file in front of me, I want to cry. Another child whose parent died of an overdose. Dammit, when will it end? When will people’s children become more important to them than chasing the all mighty high that life doesn't offer them? Wiping my eyes, I flip the few pages over and start reading again.
Maysen Leigh Hatcher, age five, found alone in apartment with deceased mother when concerned neighbors didn’t see her out. Police were called and the apartment manager let them in to find the little girl sitting in the living room watching television. Preliminary reports indicate the mother was deceased as early as late Friday evening. Child was found Monday afternoon. Child appears healthy if a bit on the thin side and had been eating cereal and lunchables as evidenced by the trash and bowls in the sink. Shows signs of physical abuse, there are marks on her upper thighs and buttocks. Child seems to be timid, and she shies away from men. Recommendation from doctor is to have female caseworkers until it is determined the cause of her fear stemming from males.
Looking at the second page, I see a copy of the little girl’s birth certificate. Mother is listed as the deceased woman, Anniston, I further explore the page to check for a father, good, there’s a father listed. I won’t presume that he knew the mother was a junkie, at least not until I’ve had a chance to speak with him. I start looking up any and all information I can find on one Jayden Hatcher. First thing is to go visit with Maysen and find out what all she knows about her father, then I will call Mr. Hatcher and set up an appointment to meet with him. I think one of my first questions asked of him will be why didn’t you get your daughter out of the situation she was living in? I’m not one to pussyfoot around the serious topics, if I even consider letting him have custody of her, I need to understand why he allowed her to stay there like that.
Hatch
“Hatcher,” I answer my phone from the unknown number. Thinking that it is a drop I’m delivering for the day I don’t even give the call a second thought before answering.
“I’m trying to reach a Jayden Hatcher,” the lady says all professional like on the other end. It makes me think of Cara and DJ while they’re at work and the way they make professional calls. I immediately begin to think this is some sort of sales pitch, because no one calls me Jayden unless they don’t know me.
“Speaking,” I tell her.
“Mr. Hatcher, this is Trinity Adams with Child Protective Services. I need to set up a time to come speak to you.” I’m thinking this has to do with Ralynn and the incident at the school, but shouldn’t she be calling DJ?
“What’s this about, Mrs. Adams?”
“It’s Ms. Adams, but you can call me Trinity.”
“You can call me Hatch,” I reply back to her.
“Alright Mr. Hatch,” she begins, but I cut her off.
“Just Hatch, ma’am,” I tell her. I really loathe formalities.
“Sorry, Hatch, but this is something that I can’t discuss over the phone. Can I come meet you at your work place in say, one hour?” She has an urgency in her voice that makes me want to meet with her and find out what’s going on.
“I’ll work it out,” I tell her.
“See you then,” she says, and before I get a chance to reply, the phone disconnects. She hung up on me, this should be an interesting meeting. Still convinced that this has something to do with the school and pending lawsuit, I call Law and fill him in on my phone call. He says he’ll be here and not to talk to her until he arrives. I go in search of Axe and Twisted, I find them in Twisted’s office going over some paperwork. Cara is sitting there taking notes, so I knock on the open door to grab their attention.
“Hey, guys,” I say to the room.
“What’s up?” Twisted inquires.
“I just had a phone call from a social worker with Child Protective Services. She’s requested a meeting with me in an hour. I need someone to take my shipments for the day.”
“No problem,” Cara says. “I have a new guy that’s supposed to start tomorrow, I’ll give him a call and see if he’s willing to come in one day sooner. Give me a minute to run to my office and call him,” she says, walking out the door.
“Cara,” I call out to her. “Could you give DJ a call and see if she can get away from the office and come to the meeting?”
“Sure, Hatch.”
“What’s this about, Hatch?” Axe asks me.
“Not sure, man, I guess we’ll find out in forty-five minutes or so. I’m thinking it's about the lawsuit with the school and Ralynn.”
“Wouldn’t they have contacted DJ and not you?” he asks me.
“That’s what I was thinking, but maybe she wants to question me about DJ as a mother,” I say shrugging my shoulders, because honestly, I’m just as confused as they are.
“Did you call Law in?”
“Yep, he says he’ll be here.” I tell them.
“Then all we can do is wait,” Axe says to us. Waiting, suspense, not something I show great patience with.
Trinity
Pulling into the parking lot of Rebel Guardians Transportation, I’m surprised to see the activity. I really must have a preconceived notion when it comes to bikers. With the information I was able to find, I know that Hatch is a biker with the Rebel Guardians MC. I’ve read a lot of Motorcycle Club Romance novels, and I was expecting this to be a cover for illegal activities. I know it’s wrong of me to jump to conclusions, but like I said, I’ve read books and know what bikers are known for. This place, however, looks like a legitimate business. I grab my files that include my notes from my meeting with Maysen earlier this morning. For everything she’s been through, she’s a delightful child and I plan on doing everything I can to keep her that way. I walk in the doors and go to the receptionist. Now this woman here is exactly what I’m expecting to see when it comes to the biker lifestyle.
“Can I help you?” she says while filing her nails and blowing a bubble and popping it.
“I have a meeting with Jayden Hatcher...I mean Hatch.”
“Just a sec,” she says putting her nail file down. I notice she’s got some bruising under her makeup letting me know those preconceived notions may have very well been correct. “He’ll be right with you if you’ll take a seat over there,” she points to a couch and a few chairs tucked away in the corner, “and someone will come out and get you.”
“Thank you,” I tell her and walk over and sit in one of the chairs. As I wait, I go through my files and hear someone walking up to me.
“Hi, are you Trinity Adams?” a sweet woman asks me.
“I am,” I stand up holding out my hand for a shake in greeting.
“Hi, I’m Cara. I work here with Hatch and am close friends with him and his girlfriend.” This woman is wholesome looking and sweet, I wonder what her friend is like. I suddenly wonder what this friend of hers who’s with a biker looks like. I picture someone exactly like the lady at the reception desk.
“Girlfriend?” I say. Something else to ask him about I suppose. I need to know if they live together and what role she’ll potentially play in Maysen’s life.
“Follow me,” she says leading me down a long hallway where we pass several offices. “The guys are currently in my husband’s office and will be here to meet you soon, would you like any coffee, tea or water?” I raise my eyebrow in silent question of who her husband is, but it’s none of my business...at this time.
“What can you tell me about Hatch?” I ask as I sit and bring out my notes.
“Wh… why would you want to know?” she asks me nervously.
“Does the question make you nervous?” I ask her, “Are you safe, Cara?” She looks at me stunned by the question.
“Of course, I’m safe. What kind of question is that anyways?”
“You seemed nervous, I’ll help you if you need help,” I say to her in my sincerest voice. I’m not only an advocate for children, but women as well. She smiles at me and pats my hand.
“I’ve never been safer or more loved in my life since getting with Braxton.” And for some reason I believe her, so I nod my head letting her know I believe what she’s saying to me. “As for answering questions about Hatch, I’m uncomfortable doing so to a stranger. I’m sorry, but I don’t know you or what you’re after here and as I stated before, Hatch is a very close friend and I’m protective over him, DJ and Ralynn.” There are two women?
“And who are DJ and Ralynn?” I ask her, but it’s a male voice that answers the question from the doorway.
“My girlfriend and our daughter,” he says. I stand up and shake his hand.
“You must be Hatch?”
“I am,” he says shaking my hand in a firm, yet gentle handshake.
“I’m Trinity Adams, thank you for meeting with me today.”
“Ms. Adams,” another man says cutting in. “My name is Elijah Jackson, but the guys call me Law. I’m Mr. Hatcher’s legal representative,” he says causing me to look at Hatch and raise my eyebrows.
“Is there a reason you felt like you needed legal representation today, Mr. Hatcher?” I ask him.
“Hatch, please,” he says to me.
“I wasn’t sure if the formality was still on the table, Hatch.”
“It is, my buddy just looks out for his brothers.”
“I see, shall we have a seat then,” I indicate the table and chairs. As we sit I see another strikingly beautiful woman come into the room.
“Hatch, baby, what’s going on?” she asks him, and color me surprised to put two and two together to figure out this is his girlfriend. She’s absolutely nothing like I pictured him with, she’s the kind of woman others envy and work hard to look like.
“DJ,” he says getting up and walking up to the woman. “This is Trinity Adams with CPS, she called me this morning requesting a meeting.” He kisses her cheek and guides her to the table.
I can’t help but ask, “Hatch, are you sure you want all of these people present for our conversation?”
“They’re my family,” he says as introductions go around the table.
“This is usually not the normal for this circumstance, but I really would like to get everyone’s input and question everyone individually later on. So I’ll allow it without causing a fuss,” I say in my business tone of voice.
“Appreciate that, ma’am,” he says, pulling DJ to sit next to him. They are sitting directly across from me, so I pull out my files and begin to question him.
“Can you tell me why Maysen was living in the environment she was without you taking legal action to gain custody of her?” Blunt and straight to the point is the way I like to start meetings like this off with.
“Wait a minute,” he says. “First off, who’s Maysen and why would I interfere?” This causes alarm bells to go off in my head.
“You’ve no knowledge of Maysen Hatcher?”
“Who? No, and why does she have my last name?” Well fuck me, this just got interesting really fast.
DJ
I’m looking back and forth between Ms. Adams and Hatch. He seems confused and she looks upset by the development.
“Hatch,” she begins after clearing her throat. “I’m sorry that you’re having to find out this way. But Maysen Hatcher is a five-year old little girl, and you’re listed as her father on her birth certificate.”
“What?” Hatch asks, dropping my hand and standing up from his chair. “That’s impossible,” he states. I can see the worry sketched on his facial features. Deciding I need to step in and help my man out, I ask the question that I’m sure is floating around in everyone’s mind.
“Who’s the mother?”
“Anniston…” is all she gets out before Hatch cuts her off.
“Oh hell no! When she left me she wasn’t pregnant,” he says to her.
“How old is Maysen?” I ask the social worker.
“Maysen is five years old,” she says. The timing sounds about right to me.
“Since you’re denying she’s yours, we’d like to have a DNA test run,” she says to Hatch.
“Fine,” he says to her. “But if she’s mine, I’m coming to get her.”
“That’s not how things work, unfortunately,” she tells him. “We would need to do a home study, especially after how she’s come to us.”
“What do you mean by that?” he asks her.
“She’s standoffish where most men are concerned.” This causes Cara and I to gasp with what we fear, and the men to all curse out some type of obscenity.
“Why?” I ask the dreaded question.
“We’re not sure, there is no sign of physical abuse other than the welts found on her upper legs and buttocks.” With that statement the room explodes.
Once everyone settles down I usher everyone out of the room other than Hatch, myself, Law and Ms. Adams—Trinity.
Hatch
That fucking bitch! I have a daughter and she never told me. She ran off with my kid and never looked back, I want to strangle her. “Where is her mother?” I ask Trinity.
“I’m sorry, Hatch, she passed away of a drug overdose,” she says quietly.
“Who found her?” I ask, hoping to God it wasn’t Maysen.
“Hatch,” she says, and I cut her off once again.
“Who. Found. Her?” I all but growl out.
“Her daughter did, she thought her mom was just sleeping so she fed herself cereal and lunchables throughout the weekend.”
“You’re telling me that she sat with her mother's dead body all weekend and took care of herself?” That’s fucking ludicrous! I’m beyond pissed.
“According to Maysen, she took care of herself a lot while her mother slept.” I nearly lose my shit, until DJ stands up and comes up to me wrapping her arms around my waist and lays her head on my chest. I immediately put one arm around her waist pulling her tightly into me and lay the other on top of her head.
“Start whatever it is you have to do, I want her with me as soon as possible,” I tell Trinity before I take a seat again. After I’m seated, I put DJ in my lap, I need her strength and comfort this time around.
“Let’s start with the family interview then,” she says to us. “Tell me about your family?”
And this is the way the rest of the afternoon goes, first DJ and I, then Braxton and Cara and finally Twisted and Paisley have an interview. Trinity tells us she will be by for a home study in the next couple of days and will set up a DNA test and let me know the date, time and where to be. If she is my daughter, she will be coming to live with DJ, Ralynn and me.
Fuck, please don’t let this mess up what I have with DJ and Ralynn, I beg to myself.
DJ
Lying in bed that night I can see my man’s worry. It’s almost palpable and it makes my heart hurt. “Hatch?” I quietly ask. “Honey, it’s going to be okay. If she’s yours, then she will come here to stay with us. I promise you, we will work with her and help her to become a little girl again, because the way it sounds she’s older than her years.” He looks at me and I can see the relief as it floods his eyes. “Did you honestly think something like this would have me leaving you?” I question.
“I didn’t know what to think or expect. I know that I love you and Ray to death, but it’s a bit much of me to ask you to take on another woman’s child and raise as your own.”
“She’s your child, too, Hatch,” I tell him, pulling him close. “And I love you. I hate that you never had the opportunity to know about her, and I realize we’re waiting for the DNA test to get scheduled, but based on what you told me, and her age, the timeline fits, honey.”
He curls into my body and cups my face before leaning in to kiss me. “Love you, woman. We’re gonna be making this shit official.”
“Hmmm... I would hope I get a better proposal than that,” I say, a grin teasing my lips.
“You will.”
“Is that a promise, lover?”
“That’s a guarantee, gorgeous.” We drift off to sleep wrapped in each other’s arms, warmth and love.