Chapter Two
Trinity
It’s been a week since Claree came into my home. She’s settling in as well as can be expected, and I’m more thankful than ever for my boss as well as my friends. Chief, on the other hand? That man has come by Every. Single. Day, since we’ve been home. It started the first day, when he came by with several bags from the local department store. Granted, Cara and DJ were with him and apparently did the bulk of the shopping, but he still showed up. Then? He came with two prospects, Chet and Maxum I think, and they delivered two gorgeous canopy beds for the girls’ room. When I protested, he merely said, “From the RGMC.” The shopping trip with DJ and Cara was an absolute hoot and now, two little girls have a well-appointed bedroom that includes a desk for Claree to do homework and a laptop. Hearing a knock on my door, I check on Claree who is coming into the living room before heading that way.
“Hey, Trinity,” Chief says when I open up the door. “I figured with it being Friday, you ladies might like to go with me and grab some pizza or something.”
I turn and look at Claree to see her face lighting up. Guess going out for pizza was something that didn’t happen very often any more. “That sounds good to us,” I say, “please come in while I grab my purse.”
He stops me, saying, “When you’re with me, you don’t pay.” Hello, we’re in the twenty-first century, caveman!
“Um, okay, but I need to take Claree’s pain meds with us and would prefer not to stick them in my pocket,” I reply, pointing to my jeans. “As well as needing my identification, you know, the law states not to leave home without it when you’re over the age of seventeen.” Then I notice his eyes heat up, and I realize that I’m wearing an old pair that’s molded to my skin, with light patches and holes in various spots. Nothing inappropriate is showing, but right now he’s making me feel like I’m standing here naked. “Do I need to change?”
“Not as far as I’m concerned,” he says. He helps us out to his truck and part of me wishes we could take his bike. I’d love to wrap my arms around him. Shaking my head to banish that thought, because what would he want with someone like me, I get in to the passenger side when he opens the door.
Once we’re all settled and buckled in, he heads into town to the local pizza parlor. Walking in, I see my friends and their husbands, along with all the children. I give him a look and he smiles at me, his eyes lighting up at my frown. “Chief, don’t you think it’s too much for her?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper so Claree doesn’t hear.
“Not at all. This way, she can meet everyone in a safe, fun environment.”
Chief
I didn’t tell Trinity when I came to get her that everyone else would be here and now I’m wondering if it was the right thing to do. Leaning down over Claree, who’s in her wheelchair, I ask, “Is this too much for you?”
She looks over at the tables that have been pushed together and gives me a small smile. “No, I want to meet the kids that Miss DJ and Miss Cara have mentioned.”
“How about after this, we go and check on Shelby?” I ask her.
“Yes, please. I didn’t get to see her today and I want her to know that I’m still here for her.”
“Well, we’ll be here for about an hour or so, so that will only give us about thirty-minutes to visit, but I’d like to check up on her myself,” I say giving her a smile, I look over at Trinity and see one plastered on her face as well.
“We were busy today and didn’t get a chance to go up and visit, thank you for being willing to take us up there once we’re done,” Trinity says to me. For some odd reason, I’d do anything to see these two women smile. I nod my head and hold my hand out, allowing her to walk ahead of us. It might have been a bad idea, because watching her ass sway in those jeans has my dick excruciatingly hard. Using the wheelchair as cover, I rearrange and adjust myself and push Claree to join the others. I’m not sure she realizes that I’m interested in her yet. Apparently, I need to make myself clear to Miss Trinity Adams. She will be mine. Not sure when, but it’s gonna happen.
Shelby has finally woken up and Trinity and I sit there listening to her talk to Claree. The nightgowns that the women bought swallow the little girl, but she’s tickled with them and I swear, she hasn’t taken that pink doll they brought out of her arms. “I think she had fun tonight,” Trinity whispers, overhearing what Claree is saying.
Listening in, I hear her tell Shelby about the other kids and how they played games and ate pizza. I also happened to notice Talon take a special interest in Claree. If anyone understands what she’s going through it is him. My hope is that he’ll help her get through some of the hard times she has ahead of her. Then again, the thought of any boy being interested in this little pixie of a girl has my heart racing. Something to think about later when Trinity’s unique floral scent isn’t sucking me in. Claree also tells her about their new bedroom at Trinity’s house and I notice Shelby’s eyes widen. Trinity doesn’t know it, but both of the girls were sleeping on mattresses on the floor, no sheets in sight. I don’t know what the hell happened after their mother died, but it obviously wasn’t good. While I hate that the little girl is apparently going to have to deal with the after-effects of being shaken, she’s in a good home now and I’ll do whatever it takes for Trinity to be able to keep them. An overprotectiveness, where these two little girls are concerned, takes root deep in my gut. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced or felt before, something else to add to the list of things to think about. “I think she did as well. I know I did,” I confess.
Her eyes widen, and I decide that now’s as good a time as any to state my intentions. “Trinity, woman, don’t you realize that I’m interested in you?”
“Really? I mean...I know you’ve been over every day since she got to my house, but I thought it was about the case.”
Dammit, now’s not the time or place to kiss her like I want to. Fuck my life. Looking at her, I say, “There’s a detective handling the case, sweetness. I’m there for you and these two girls.”
If she licks her bottom lip one more time, I’m going to come completely unglued. Right now, my dick probably has the ridges of my zipper imprinted against it. I wonder how she’ll like my piercings? Fuck, once again, my thoughts have gone down a road best not traveled, at least not in this hospital room.
“Claree, we need to leave, sweetie,” Trinity says after looking at her watch. I like that she is in the now and not always using her phone. That shit drives me nuts. Instead, she usually leaves it in her purse or on a table. I’ve seen her have to hunt it down when I’ve been there.
Claree’s eyes tear up and I just want to...hell, I want to pull her close and hug her and tell her everything’s gonna be alright, I’ve got her. But again, not the time or place. Fuck. My. Life. Again.
“Don’t worry sweetheart, Shelby will be home soon,” I tell Claree trying to make our leave as smooth as I possibly can. I hope I’m right, and the little girl will be coming home...soon.
Once I have them back at Trinity’s, she looks at Claree and says, “Time to get ready for bed, sweetie.” Claree’s sweet little voice agrees and she heads down the hall to her room. Looking around, I admire Trinity’s house and not for the first time. It’s a very comfortable ranch-style with large rooms that she has decorated in light, almost airy colors. It has a homey feel, one that makes you want to kick off your boots, sit down on the couch and put your feet on the coffee table and settle in for a long evening. I can picture myself here, ingrained in this home with Trinity and the girls.
“Do you want something to drink?” Trinity asks me. Looking at my watch, I nod my head yes and then make a decision.
“Can we watch a movie with her? Maybe one of her favorites?”
I see the look in Trinity’s eyes before she agrees. “I think that’s the perfect end to tonight. Let me go tell her.” As she heads toward Claree’s room, once again I’m watching that ass sway and cursing the fact that my dick is in overdrive. Hell, I haven’t had this happen in my life, not even with her. Just thinking about my ex has my dick shriveling up and going into hiding. That’s apparently the secret I’ve been searching for when it comes to keeping him in check around my girl. She walks back into the room carrying two bottles of water and a beer for me and says to me, “Okay, she’s good with watching a movie with us. She wants us to watch some movie called Pitch Perfect, whatever that is. Can you look on Netflix and see if it’s there?”
I find the movie and get it set up to play whenever Claree gets in here. Sitting on the couch, I pat the seat next to me. “Sit here, sweetness,” I command. I want Trinity close, there’s something about her that I want to analyze because no woman ever has made me feel like this and I’m not sure how to feel about it. Fuck, is my man card in jeopardy? Hatch and his damn man card theories are rubbing off on me now.
“Do you want popcorn?” Trinity asks Claree once she gets in the living room and plops down on the recliner.
“Yes, please.”
“Okay, then I’ll grab us sodas as well. That’ll go better with popcorn than water, don’t you think?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Trinity heads into her kitchen, leaving me with Claree. “Are you excited about going to a new school?”
“I think so. At least people won’t pick on me there.”
“Why were you picked on?” I think I have an idea, the clothes that were at that house were stained and in horrible condition. Now, though, thanks to the ladies, she has a brand-new wardrobe.
“Because I was skinny, and my clothes didn’t fit well,” she mutters. “Mommy would be horrified at how I looked.”
“Your mom sounds like a special lady,” I say.
“I miss her so much,” Claree states and I see tears welling up in her eyes. Going over to her, I pull her up and into a hug. There’s something about tears and women that do something to me.
“I’m sorry, baby girl. Sorry that your mom died and sorry that you and Shelby went through hell.”
“I tried to protect her,” Claree says, sobbing into my chest.
“Honey, no one has the right to hurt anyone, especially a child. You did a good job keeping Shelby safe, you know that, right?”
“I didn’t get home in time that day, though. But he was upset because she had been sick and running a fever, so she couldn’t go to daycare.”
“Is Shelby your stepfather’s biological daughter?” I’m sure it was in the reports, but I can’t seem to remember that detail right now.
“Yes. We have different dads. Mine died overseas when I was five. Mom married Cliff, my step-dad, when I was eight and Shelby was born a year later.” Hmm, sounds like I may need to call Law and find out what we can do to get that piece of shit’s rights terminated. I’m sure Trinity’s office will try to do that as well, but Law has contacts that can push the case through faster than social services can. Claree, of course, is an orphan, so she would be able to be put up for adoption.
“Let’s get you cleaned up so we can watch this movie. What’s it about?” I ask, helping her sit back down and grabbing the box of kleenex.
“A bunch of girls who sing.” Great, a fucking musical. Guess I’ll put my game face on and watch it because I want to have my arm around Trinity. I mentally add burning my man card to my list of things I need to do when I’m home. Damnit, there go my thoughts again on that motherfucking man card...mental note, don’t let Hatch know he’s rubbing off on me. He’ll throw that shit in my face as often as he can.
Trinity comes back in with the popcorn and sodas and gives me a look. I shake my head to let her know that now’s not the time and she hands one bowl to Claree along with a soda before sitting down next to me. I take the bowl and put it on my lap. Apparently, the ex’s thoughts only worked so long because as soon as that woman sat down, my dick woke up. A-fuckin-gain.
The movie ends up being pretty good, much better than I anticipated if I’m being honest. I think I’m partial to the Fat Amy character, but Claree likes the girl whose voice is so light you can’t hear her, and Trinity loves the chick named Chloe. Whatever. “What if we watch part two tomorrow?” I ask. “I’ll bring dinner over or we can go ahead and watch it earlier if you’d like.”
“You liked it, didn’t you?” Claree asks me, “Admit it, you just want an excuse to see the next one.”
“No comment,” I say, turning my attention back to Trinity.
“Don’t you have to work?” Trinity asks me with a smirk on her face, thank goodness for her jumping in to save me and changing the subject.
“Not tomorrow.” I tell her.
“Well, we’re going to see Shelby early and then I was taking Claree to get her hair cut. She’ll go back to school next Monday. I got permission to wait until her eye was opened and the doctor thinks it’ll be good by then.”
“So what about an early lunch?”
Claree, who grabbed the remote, says, “Oh goody! The third part is out right now too! Can we...can we do a movie marathon?”
I look at her face and see the smile and nod. “Absolutely.” Right now, I’d do anything to help her heal and if watching these crazy movies helps, so be it. I’m sure my brothers would be the same way if they were in this situation. Just in case, I decide that I’ll keep this to myself. There’s no reason to overshare information...right?
“Okay, young lady, now it’s really time for bed if we’re doing this tomorrow,” Trinity tells Claree.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Be sure to brush your teeth and you can set the timer on your phone to read for thirty minutes, okay?” That’s something else I did for her, got her an e-reader so she could escape into stories. She had mentioned one day missing being able to go to the library. I told Trinity it was from the RGMC when she questioned me, but really, it was from me.
Once Claree left the room, I look over at Trinity and say, “You know, I’ve been thinking. It’s a good thing that sorry piece of shit had gotten her a phone. Can you imagine how long it would’ve been until they’d gotten help if she hadn’t had one?”
“Yeah, I know, I’ve been thinking that I need to put her on my plan so that we don’t have to worry about hers being shut off,” Trinity tells me.
“Might be a good idea, she’ll need one in case she ever needs help again,” I tell her.
“True, I worry about her being at school and him possibly trying to get to her.”
“We’ll make sure there’s someone there when she goes in and gets out. We’ll be taking no chances when it comes to her safety. And once Shelby is back in daycare, we’ll do the same, okay?”
“Thank you, I can only do so much and be in so many places at once.” I nod in agreement.
“We’ve got your back,” I tell her. It’s taking everything I have in me not to lean down and plant a kiss on her luscious lips. Fuck it! I lean down and plant one on her. I was half-way expecting her to push me away, but when she pulls me close and responds to my kiss, I realize I now know what heaven feels like. My hands cup her face and one goes around and tangles in her hair. I want to take this slow with her, she gives off the vibe that she’s inexperienced. I swipe my tongue across her lower lip, the one that’s been driving me crazy and hear a moan come from her. Emboldened, I deepen the kiss and soon find our tongues dueling. Pulling her against me, I lean back into the couch, so she’s nearly sprawled on top of me. I know this isn’t going to end the way I’d like it to, so right now, feeling her weight against me will have to do. When I’m nearly breathless, I pull back and see her beautiful eyes, now shining more gold than hazel and I grin. “Been wanting to do that for awhile,” I admit as my hand strokes her face.
“You don’t think...that is...I mean, is this a conflict of interest?” she asks. I like how breathy her voice sounds knowing that I was the cause.
“Nope. And I bet if you called your friend, what’s her name again? Deanna? She’d tell you the same thing. I want this with you. Fast, slow, in-between, I don’t give a shit. You’re gonna be mine, Trinity.”
Trinity
His growly voice does something to my insides that my ex never managed. I’m so turned on I don’t know what to do about it but I know now’s not the time to pursue this further. “Are you sure you want me?” I finally ask him. I mean, I know I’m out of his league by a long shot.
“Sweetness, you’re killing me here. Don’t you realize what you do to me?” he asks. Before I can answer, he takes my hand and pulls it down to his crotch where I feel something very hard pressed against the outside of his jeans.
“I... I had no idea.”
“I know we have to talk and that’s fine. I know this is new, for both of us actually, so I’ll take my cues from you, okay?”
I nod at him before saying, “I’ve had one boyfriend. Nothing major happened, but he was a jerk, always putting me down, so I broke up with him. Since then, I’ve focused on the kids in my case load. I don’t know how to do a relationship, Chief, and I’ll probably screw it up six ways from Sunday.”
He leans in and kisses my nose before replying, “I love your crazy sayings, Trinity. I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve laid eyes on and it’s no secret that my dick feels the same way. I do want to tell you something though, especially since this seems like it’s going to go in a direction where it’ll be important.”
“What?” I ask. I can’t think of anything he could tell me that would make me not want to get into a relationship with him. Nothing at all.
“I can’t have kids.”
“You can’t have them, or you don’t want them?”
“Oh, I’d love to have them, but I had the mumps when I was a teenager and was told my sperm count was too low to father a child. It’s one of the reasons why my ex and I split up. She went in with eyes wide open until she caught baby fever.”
I take a deep breath because I want this beautiful man to hear what I’m saying. “Chief, while I would love kids of my own, there are so many that need homes, if that’s what we do, then that’s what we do. I’m sorry your ex changed like that but that’s not who I am.” To prove my point, I kiss him, pouring everything that I’m feeling that I can’t express yet into my actions.
Long minutes pass as we kiss, and he caresses me, making my body sing with desire. When he finally pulls back, I say, “We can’t do this tonight.”
“No, we can’t. Not the time or place, but Trinity, let the record show that I want you,” he states, once again pulling my hand toward the impressive hardness that’s currently trying to break through his jeans. He sits up, taking me with him and then he stands. “I know y’all have an early day and things to do first. Text me when you’re on your way back and I’ll grab us some subs or something. How’s that?”
“That sounds good, Chief.”
“Turk. When it’s just us, please call me Turk.” I smile up at him and walk him to the door.
“Turk? You going to kiss me goodnight?” I ask. He pulls me into his arms and leans down and I find myself being kissed breathless.
“That should hold us both until tomorrow,” he states. “Like my name on your lips. Can’t wait to see my dick there.” And with that, he leaves, ordering me to lock up. My body still humming with desire, I lock up before cleaning up our movie mess then I head in to check on Claree. I find her asleep and I lean down and smooth her hair back before kissing her forehead.
Satisfied that she’ll sleep through the night, I head into my room and straight to the shower. Time to take care of that itch that Chief...no, Turk...caused with his kisses.
Chief
Lying in bed trying to catch my breath after coming so hard to thoughts of Trinity, I lean over and grab my shirt and wipe up the mess. Tossing it to the side, I think about the woman who has captured my thoughts and heart. After Willow left me, I vowed never again to put myself in a position where I would love someone. Her parting words, “You’re not a real man” still ring in my ears sometimes. And yet Trinity, with her hazel eyes and generous heart, has cracked that rusty safe around my heart wide open. I can see us as a family, her and me and those two girls, plus maybe a dog or two if her crazy cat allows it. I’ve never heard a cat purr like Mr. Grumbles does, that’s for damn sure. And he’s taken with Claree, following her around almost like a dog would.
As I lay here lost in thought of what the future may hold for me...for us, I can’t help but imagine what it will feel like to be a father to those young girls. It’s always been a dream of mine, to be a father, something I find that I’m looking forward to. I couldn’t imagine it being with any other kids now that those two have stolen my heart. And Trinity, God Trinity. The feel of her in my arms makes my heart skip a beat. I grew up on the reservation in Oklahoma, we had ‘medicine men’ and my father didn’t believe in doctors. My father was a full-blooded Indian whereas my mother was a ‘white woman’ as they called her, to me she was just a beautiful snow-white headed woman who meant the world to me. Her being different than the rest of the tribe didn’t bother me in the least. I loved her spunk and fire. When I got sick with the mumps, she and my father got into the only fight I can remember them having. She wanted to take me into town to see a ‘real’ doctor’ and my father being set in his ways would only allow the tribe’s medicine man treat me. My father worshipped the ground my mother walked on, would do just about anything for her, even go against his family when he married her. But on this, he just wouldn’t budge. I love him, but sometimes I’m so angry at him for not putting my health first.
I was considered the outcast because my mother wasn’t of Indian heritage, it caused me to get into multiple fights when I was a teenager. As soon as I turned eighteen, I left the reservation, no longer wanting to be associated with those who would dare judge my mother...I just couldn't take it anymore.
I call her from time to time and let her know how I am, but I won’t go back. Deciding I need to talk to Axe, I pick up my phone and shoot him a text.
Me: You awake?
Axe: Yeah. What’s up?
Me: When are we having church? I need Law on something.
Axe: He’s already working on seeing what can be done for those girls.
Me: Well, fuck. How do you do that?
Axe: Magic
Fucker. His woman probably let it slip that I’ve been going by Trinity’s house every day since Claree came home from the hospital and that I’ve been going up to the hospital to see Shelby every day as well.
Me: When though?
Axe: Is tomorrow soon enough?
I think about my plans with Trinity and Claree for tomorrow once they’re home.
Me: As long as it’s in the morning.
Axe: Why? Got a hot date?
Me: Got plans with them around lunch.
Axe: Fine. Be there at nine, I’ll send out a group text to let everyone know.
Me: Thanks.
I put my phone away and decide to call it a night. Sleep claims me fast with thoughts of Trinity dancing around in my mind.
I arrive at the clubhouse early the next morning and find everyone else already there. “Alright, y’all, let’s go,” Axe calls out seeing me walk in the door.
Once we’re all inside, we go over the current financials and find out that the trucking company is exceeding expectations, which has all of us cheering. “How is it going with the specs on that truck stop?” Axe asks Law and Smokey.
“Should have the information by the weekend,” Law states. “Next time we have church, I’ll make sure I have it all together, but honestly? It looks like it’d be a good investment.”
“Good, good. With all the renovations around here,” he starts only to have to stop when we all break out laughing. His mom, Nan, went a little bit crazy earlier in the year and almost the whole clubhouse got a makeover. Then again, it seems as though it was right on time seeing as kids are popping up left and right. “As I said, with all the renovations around here, any time we can increase our income stream, it’s a good thing. Now, next up is the piece of shit that Chief and his officers are hunting down. We’ve had no sightings of Cliff Connell, but if you do happen to spot him, make sure you call Chief and if possible, try not to hurt him too badly.”
Yeah, right. I know these guys. We may be legitimate and law-abiding, but every man in here, as well as our prospects, would love to give that fucker an ass-whooping he wouldn’t soon forget for what he did to Claree and Shelby. “How is all that paperwork coming, Law?”
I see Law sigh and realize he looks exhausted. That’s not a normal look for him and it raises some concern. I make a mental note to talk to him later.
“Waiting on the judge to sign off on the parental termination for Shelby. Claree, being a ward of the state, has no paperwork like that, so she’s good to be adopted. Does Trinity plan on doing that?” he asks, looking at me.
“I’m thinking so, yes. The only problem is her job. She loves what she’s doing, but Shelby is going to require a lot of care for the next few years at least and she’s not keen on putting her back into daycare. Can’t say as I blame her, just don’t know what she can do.”
Axe looks at Hatch and then at me before saying, “Let me think on it because I may have an idea. I think it’s a good thing that she wants to be there for the girls. How will it affect her financially?”
“She doesn’t fully understand it yet, but she’s mine, so I’ll make sure she’s taken care of,” I state. Between my salary with the police department and my share of the RGMC businesses, I’m actually set for the rest of my life, so if she has to stay home forever, I can handle it.
“Get her on board, man, the sooner the better. My woman thinks she’s the shit,” Hatch says.
“Working on it,” I reply.