Chapter Thirteen

Avon felt like he couldn’t catch his breath. He’d never had an orgasm that had rocked him like that. He rolled over onto his side, cupping the side of Robyn’s face.

 

“You trying to kill me?”

 

Her laugh was weak. “I should ask you the same thing.”

 

He let his eyes drift shut for a few moments as he relished the pleasure buzzing through him. Robyn snuggled up to him, and he wrapped his arms around her.

 

Yeah, he could get used to this. Suddenly there was no question about it. He wanted to be with her. And come hell or high water, he’d be in the baby’s life.

 

“Intense.” He smoothed the pad of his thumb over her jawline.

 

“That’s an understatement,” she said, then buried her face in his chest.

 

“So, we should keep doing this.” He pressed his lips to her hairline, his heart hammering for a different reason now. “What do you think?”

 

A long silence stretched between them. Robyn tilted her head back. He caught a whiff of her fruity shampoo. “What do you mean?”

 

“I want to be in my baby’s life,” Avon said, the words nearly sticking to his throat. Part of him still couldn’t believe this was real. That he was gonna be a dad. “And I want to be in your life.”

 

Robyn swallowed, but no expression crossed her face. He watched her until he couldn’t take it any longer. “Aren’t you gonna say anything?”

 

“You really want to be together?”

 

The disdain was obvious in her voice. Part of him wilted a little. “I want to try.”

 

She scoffed. Another part of his heart broke off and drifted away. “Avon, I’m not gonna lie to you. I won’t be with you just because of the baby. If I’m gonna be with someone, it’ll be because I want to be.”

 

“This isn’t because of the baby.”

 

“Well, what are the chances you would have stuck around if I wasn’t pregnant?”

 

Avon gnawed on the inside of his lip as he considered her words. He traced his fingers around a mole beneath her ribs. “I don’t know.”

 

“Exactly. I think you’re just feeling romantic because I’m knocked up.” She sighed, turning away from him. He slid his hand over her hip, smoothing his lips against her shoulder blade.

 

She wasn’t wrong, but she wasn’t entirely right either. “I’m feeling romantic for a lot of reasons, sweets.”

 

“Well let’s not confuse them,” she said over her shoulder. “I think we should just focus on Matt for now.”

 

“But I need to be in our baby’s life.” Avon propped himself up by the arm. This was non-negotiable. And she had to know that.

 

She glanced back at him, indecision creasing her face. “I know. And… I’ll think about it.” She adjusted the pillow beneath her head.

 

“It’s not a question,” Avon said, running his thumb along the swell of her hip. “I need to be involved.”

 

Robyn was quiet for a long time, and then she flopped onto her back. Before he knew it, she was nodding, running her fingers along the planes of his chest. “Okay.”

 

Okay. That was all he needed to hear. He swooped down and pressed his lips to hers. When they parted, he said, “You’re gonna be a hard-ass mom, you know that?”

 

She laughed, pushing at his chest. “What, and you’re gonna be the softie?”

 

He shrugged, burrowing into the side of her neck, loving the sweet scents he found there. “Maybe. Maybe not. Guess we’ll just have to find out.”

 

Avon and Robyn spent the rest of the evening drifting between kisses and orgasms. When she’d finally decided to go to sleep, Avon held her in his arms until she drifted off, then redressed and snuck back into Matt’s bedroom to sleep at his side.

 

Every bit of him wanted to stay at Robyn’s side, but keeping up the routine was most important for Matt. Avon drifted into a restless sleep, images of Robyn’s naked body flitting through his mind whenever he’d managed to almost drift off to sleep.

 

In the early hours of the morning, he heard the familiar movements of Robyn going about her morning ritual. Coffeemaker beeping to life. The opening and closing of the bathroom door.

 

Matt was still asleep. Avon eased himself out of the bedroom, squinting against the bright lights of the kitchen. Robyn paused when she saw him, a smile tugging at her lips.

 

“Morning,” he said, heading her way.

 

“Morning.” She fell into his embrace when he hugged her. And having her back in his arms, after only hours apart, felt righter than he wanted to admit.

 

“Just wanted to see you off,” he whispered into her ear. She swatted at his arm, and he swore there was color in her cheeks.

 

“I’ll need lots of coffee today after our night together,” she said, heading for the coffeemaker. The pot was almost full. “Can’t say I’m too upset about it though.”

 

Avon grinned, slinking up behind her. Now that he’d gotten a good, full taste of her, he wasn’t sure he would be able to scale things back. “Me neither. In fact, I’m just counting the minutes until you get home from work.”

 

Robyn sighed, searing him with a meaningful look. “I know. Me too.”

 

Once Robyn was out the door for work, Avon tried to go back to sleep, but it was impossible. Between his night with Robyn and all the cycling doubts and questions about who was really behind Matt’s kidnapping, rest was impossible. He went through the motions of the morning like a zombie. The only thing to help snap him out of the stupor was Matt’s growing vocabulary and confidence.

 

“Avon.” Matt pointed to the board games stacked up in the corner. “Can we?”

 

He nodded. Anything to keep him talking and playing. “Of course. You pick.”

 

While Matt wandered over to the stack of games, Avon’s phone buzzed. He hoped it was Robyn. He fished it out of his pocket. An unknown number.

 

Got info u needed. Meet today?

 

Avon reread the text a few times. It had to be Slade. He tapped his finger against the edge of the phone as he considered his response. Robyn needed to hear the information, whatever it was. But taking her along with him to meet Slade was less than ideal because he would have to bring Matt along. Public outings were fine, but when it was connected to intel and MC stuff, he didn’t want Matt to be exposed to potential dangers.

 

Avon texted Robyn before responding to Slade.

 

If my guy has info about this Keenan guy… do you want to meet him and hear what he has to say?

 

Robyn’s response was fast.

 

Absolutely.

 

Avon suggested Slade coming to the apartment, and both agreed to the visit. Once Robyn was home, she took a quick shower and then curled up on the couch next to Avon and Matt. Not even five minutes later, the doorbell rang.

 

“This is an old buddy of mine,” Avon said as he got up. Robyn watched him with a strange twinkle in her eye. “He used to be in the MC life, but he’s not anymore.”

 

“Like you?”

 

He swore there was a twinge of hope there in her eyes. He smirked. “Time will tell.” He pulled open the door, and Slade towered in the doorway. He waved with two fingers as Avon gestured for him to come inside.

 

“Brother.” Avon shut the door behind Slade before wrapping him in a quick hug, followed by their handshake.

 

“So, is this the family?” Slade took off his sunglasses as he followed Avon into the living room.

 

Robyn and Matt smiled up at him.

 

“Slade, meet Robyn. Matt, do you remember Slade?”

 

Matt nodded shyly as Robyn sprang up from the couch, her hand extended. “It’s great to meet you. I’ve heard good things about you. You seem to be well-connected.”

 

Slade hefted a laugh, glancing at Avon. “You could say that.”

 

Robyn tousled Matt’s hair and leaned down to speak to him. “Buddy, can you run to your bedroom for a little bit? We need to talk about some boring adult stuff. Go play in your room.”

 

Matt nodded and headed down the hallway. When he heard the door click, Avon jerked his head toward the kitchen. “You want a beer?”

 

“I can’t stay long.” Slade perched on the armrest of the couch. Avon sat next to Robyn, surprised to find that she put her hand into his. He smiled down at her before focusing back on Slade.

 

“So, what’s the news?”

 

“I looked into this Keenan guy. Keenan Lourdes.” Slade exaggerated his last name, shaking his head. “Turns out this guy has a track record of philanthropic organizations. This place where Matt’s going is his third endeavor.”

 

Robyn frowned, looking over at Avon. “My agency partners exclusively with that organization. And from what I understand, every other social work agency in the region.”

 

“Yeah. Well, I think this guy is something of a philanthropy addict. I was told he was kidnapped when he was a kid, like age four or something. Even saw two crooks take out his parents during the robbery. He managed to get into investing and make a lot of money and has spent the majority of his thirties investing in child welfare organizations.” Slade coughed into his fist. “Giving back, and all that shit.”

 

“Well he sounds nice,” Robyn said.

 

“Yeah, but he made Matt freak out like he was staring down his kidnapper.” Avon looked over at Slade. “I’ve never seen him act like that before. It wasn’t a fluke.”

 

“Maybe he looks like whoever kidnapped him?” Robyn suggested. “Or he has a twin?” She lifted a brow, looking over at Slade. “Anything in there about a twin?”

 

“Sorry, honey.” Slade shook his head. “No twin, but get this: he’s been checked out a couple of times because of a tendency to ‘meddle’.” Slade used air quotes. “Whatever that means. Dude at the station told me there was a formal complaint made two years ago by an organization because Keenan lost his shit when a certain kid wasn’t going to a certain home. Threatened to pull funding from their agency and everything.”

 

“Damn,” Robyn said.

 

“So maybe he’s a loose cannon. Anyway, I couldn’t look any further because my contact got a call.” Slade sucked on his teeth. “Turns out Keenan was in touch with the station. Talking to my contact. You’ll never guess why.”

 

A tight fist formed in Avon’s gut. “Tell us.”

 

Slade leaned in and spoke in a conspiratorial whisper. “Keenan wants my guy to investigate you two.”

 

The living room went deathly quiet for a few moments. Robyn leaned her head against Avon’s shoulder, and he squeezed her knee.

 

“What is he trying to find? I don’t get this guy.”

 

“I don’t know, brother.” Slade heaved a sigh. “But if anything, my dude is on our side. I told him this dude is probably behind Matt’s kidnapping. I asked him if he could go double.”

 

“What?”

 

“Double agent,” Avon clarified, rubbing his thumb over Robyn’s knuckles. To Slade, he said, “He’d be willing to do that?”

 

Slade shrugged. “He’s not above passing along key information as he gets it. He can conduct an investigation to Keenan’s liking while making sure your shit doesn’t get ruffled.”

 

Robyn snorted. “There isn’t much shit to ruffle. We lead a pretty boring life.”

 

Avon worked his jaw back and forth, the implication suddenly bearing down on him. “He could use the MC against me.”

 

Slade cast him a grave look, crossing his arms over his chest. “Wouldn’t put it past him. If he’s gonna start scraping for dirt, he can find plenty on you.”

 

Robyn sighed. “I thought your record might be a problem, but if someone’s specifically out to get you, then you’re screwed.”

 

“Fuck.” Avon squeezed Robyn’s hand. “What are the chances Keenan wants to personally place Matt?”

 

“We’re gonna have to wait and see,” Slade said, standing. He patted his coat pockets before locating a pack of cigarettes. He drew out a skinny cigarette before placing it behind his ear. “Maybe Keenan’s just doing the normal research for his organization.”

 

“Or maybe he’s looking to fuck me over,” Avon said.

 

“I’ll put you in touch with my dude. His name is Morales. He’ll call you from a burner.”

 

“A burner?” Robyn looked at Avon.

 

“A throwaway phone,” Avon said.

 

“So much MC lingo,” Robyn remarked dryly.

 

“I gotta run. You’ll hear from me.” Slade waved then clunked toward the door. “Nice meeting ya, Robyn.”

 

“Bye, Slade.” Robyn nibbled on her bottom lip once the front door shut and she and Avon were left in a tense silence. “Could he really be after Matt?”

 

“I don’t see why.” Avon sank back into the couch, holding Robyn’s hand in his lap. “But then again, we don’t know shit about this guy or why he’s doing what he’s doing. Maybe he’s a fucking psycho. Maybe he’s just thorough. Who knows.”

 

They shared a heavy gaze for a few moments, almost speaking without words.

 

“And if he really is after you?” Robyn asked, her voice growing timid, like the mere idea was too scary to broach. “And after Matt?”

 

Avon studied her face, reading all the worry and anxiety on it like a book. “Then he’s gonna be in for a surprise. Because nobody’s taking Matt away from me.”