***Ramrod***

 

Why isn’t there a way to get data straight from a brain? Fuck. I want to know the names, exact conversations, everything she went through, so I can bring those fuckers to my own brand of justice. But I also know very well that in these type of situations, the victim comes first. Doll comes first. She needs to feel at ease, comfortable enough to share her memories.

I have time to plan this the right way. I’ve already informed my Pres through a text and gave Chopper all the details Doll gave me so he’s running his checks. I’m dead sure he’ll have something for us when we take this shit to church this afternoon. But she mentioned they were planning to kill others and that little fact adds pressure instead of making me feel I have the time to plan this the right way.

No wonder she’s jumpy and has no trust or doesn’t value my words that I will take care of her and be there for her. Kidnapped, kicked around, God knows what else, and then to overhear those guys plan to murder people…yeah, that shit will do something to you. Good thing we crossed paths when we did. Because I will show her how she should be treated. She will never have to face these things alone.

Seems like we both have intentions of showing each other instead of giving us the words. The way she’s hugging me is telling me she’s thankful for the clothes my family gave her freely. Like I said…I will make damn sure she will feel the love this world is able to give. She survived ugly, only fair to let her get pampered with the good life has to give.

“Come on, let’s get dressed.” That’s all I manage because I’m interrupted by knocking. I give her a quick kiss on the top of her head before I go down to the door again.

Hadley is standing there and rushes inside. I close the door and face her. As usual she begins to wave her hands and I take a deep breath and cross my arms in front of my chest. I’m trying like hell to keep up with her sign language, but she’s way too fast when she’s all excited so I only understand a hint of it, but that’s enough for me to know that she wants to leave right now.

Movement catches my eye and I see Doll coming down the stairs. She’s now wearing a pair of dark gray leggings with ladder cutouts on the sides, a black sweater with something written across it, and pink sneakers. I’m thankful the ol’ladies threw in some new underwear and a sports bra so everything would fit and be comfy. I owe those ladies for standing up for my girl with just a few words from Deeds telling his ol’lady who was staying with me and why.

Hadley is still jumping up and down, so I give her my attention and shake my head ‘no’ slowly.

“What’s going on?” Doll asks, making me glance her way.

Now I’m shaking my head again but this time for a whole different reason. “I bet Lynn threw in that sweater.”

I chuckle and she glances down, pulling her shirt a little away from herself so she can read the words upside down. “If karma doesn’t hit you…I will.” She smiles at me. “That’s nice. I might need another one…instead of I will…my ol’man will, huh?”

Warmth fills my chest to hear her say something like that, knowing I’ll kick ass to anyone who’d do her harm. I close the distance between us and place a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll make sure you get that one.”

She leans into me a moment longer before she pulls back and asks, “What were you guys talking about?”

“Hadley here wants to leave right now. I told her that we’re going to wait for everyone to get here because I can’t have the two of you going alone. She’s a little impatient.” I glance back at Hadley, two braids, a purple dress, and looking oh so innocent. She’s got these cool shoes with studs and when she stomps her feet, little lights go on and off around the soles.

Doll’s voice catches my attention. “Can you translate something for me? I want to ask her something and I don’t know how to sign.”

I nod and we stroll over to Hadley. Doll squats down at her level and slowly asks her, “Would you like to start right now? Because we could do that. I wanted to have some sketches ready for you but I didn’t get around to do it yet. Would you like to help and decide what it will look like?”

I guess she doesn’t need me to translate for her because Hadley read Doll’s lips and is now hugging the hell out of her. Hadley lets go and takes Doll’s hand, pulling her toward the couch and the table. Paper and a pencil are still where Doll left them yesterday so she sits down on the floor and Hadley sits down next to her.

Doll glances back at me. “Can I have your phone to look something up?”

She doesn’t even have to finish her question, because by the time she had half of her words out, I had already pushed my phone in her hand. Because whatever she asks for, I’m willing to give no questions asked…and it might be fast, and yet I’d even give her my heart if she asked for it, but I’m pretty sure she’s already stolen it.

I slide in behind those two and sit down on the couch. This way I can glance over their shoulders. Not that I’m snooping or anything, it’s just very intriguing to see her open up and show us a piece of herself. She looks up her website on my phone but it’s so fucking tiny.

“Hang on, sugar,” I tell her and point to the table. “Grab my iPad, it’s in the drawer. That’s got a bigger screen for you guys.”

Doll does as I tell her and she gives me a wink. “Are you sure it’s for us, or do you want to glance over our shoulders along with us?”

“That too.” I chuckle. “I’m just curious to see more of what you do, so I’m gonna stay out of your way and keep quiet.”

She just gives me a smile before she locks eyes with Hadley. “I’m going to show you some of the animals I made myself so you will have some idea of what I do, okay?”

Hadley’s face lights up and suddenly the urge hits me to have at least ten kids just like her. And if I thought that was her biggest smile? The one she’s wearing now as Doll scrolls through her gallery is exquisite. Hadley starts waving her hands and I can tell that Doll regrets that she can’t understand her at all.

I tap Hadley’s shoulder so she connects her gaze with mine. “Take it easy, Hadley. Doll doesn’t use sign language and you have to know that she can’t make all of that at once.”

“What did she say, and don’t lie, I want the exact words she told you,” Doll tells me with a firm voice.

The corner of my mouth twitches. “She wants one of each you just showed her...a bear, a panda, a bunny, all of them, and four giraffes, a mommy, daddy, son and daughter. She was going on about clothes and shit but I didn’t catch half of that.”

A giggle leaves Doll’s mouth and she starts to write down some basics. This also helps her to communicate with Hadley herself instead of through me. They manage to narrow down how long Hadley wants the legs, arms, neck and so on before I notice Doll sketching a pattern, telling us she’s going to need it for cutting the fabric later.

Hadley is looking at the parts with awe and it makes Doll chuckle. “We’re going to pick up fabric, stuffing, and items we need to make the head, arms, and legs move. You can also pick out the color of his, or her, eyes. Do you already know what we’re going to make?”

She nods her head and turns her eyes on the paper before she writes down ‘girl’.

Those two don’t notice movement by the window, but I do. Lochlan’s been staring through the window for over five minutes now. Eyes on my ol’lady and I’m not liking it.

I stand up and stalk to the door, opening it before I start to bark out my words, “What’s wrong with you, you damn idiot? Knock on the fucking door instead of standing in front of the window gawking at my ol’lady.”

“Ol’lady, Ramrod? Holy fuck, smooth moves there, lucky bastard,” the fucker tells me.

Lochlan looks like he walked straight out of a Viking movie. Rough features, beard, reddish, blond hair. Yeah, he doesn’t need to do shit but just stand there and women will be dripping for him. Somehow this annoys me when he’s got an intense look that’s aimed straight at Doll.

She glances up and nods once before her eyes connect with mine. The way her eyes speak to me is completely different than the formal nod of politeness she gave Lochlan just now. My heart gets wrapped with her attention, making it beat a little stronger. If only it was just the two of us in here, then I’d…

“Could you two not look at each other like that? There’s a kid in the room, ya know,” Lochlan tells us.

“Shut the fuck up,” I growl. “Doll, this pain in the ass is Lochlan. He’s one of my oldest friends. He’ll keep a close eye on you and if there’s something and I’m not there, go to him.”

Doll nods in our direction but Hadley pulls on her arm. She glances back and sees her tapping the paper in front of her.

Smiling, Doll answers the question she wrote down. “She’s going to be this big.” Doll indicates with two hands. “Is that okay?”

A smile with a furious nod is Hadley’s reply.

“Okay folks, we’re ready,” Broke says from the doorway as Lips pushes past him.

“I knew that shirt would look good on you,” Lips gushes, her dirty blonde hair tied in a ponytail while she’s holding on to her daughter Esmee. Doll hasn’t met Lips yet but my Prez’s ol’lady acts like Doll is a long-lost friend.

“Thanks for babysitting along with Ramrod yesterday. I’m Lips, the Prez’s ol’lady.” She gives Doll a one arm hug which she returns but before Lips pulls back, Esmee forces them to stay close because there are two tiny fists that are holding on to Doll’s hair.

They both laugh and gently pry those tiny fists open. They make some more small talk and when I glance at the time, I get anxious. It’s the first time I have to leave her and I’m not liking it. I still don’t know shit about what’s going on with her and who’s doing it. I know my brothers are there for her but dammit…I want to be there for her myself.

Knowing I can’t be there twenty-four seven, I step up. “Hey, I gotta go. Are you sure you’re...”

She reaches out and cups my cheek. Going up on her toes, she gives me a quick kiss on the lips. “I’ll be fine, you said so yourself. I’ll be back soon and you will be too.”

“Here,” I rumble and hold out the phone I asked Broke to bring for me.

Doll glances down, confused. “Whose phone is that?”

“Yours. I asked Broke to pick one up for you. My number, Lochlan’s, Lips’, and Broke’s number are in there. Call me if something’s up, or text if something is bothering you.” I drop my voice to a husky whisper. “Or just text.”

“I’ll be sure to do that,” she murmurs and takes the phone from my hand.

“Okay, you two lovebirds. Time to split up. My man is waiting for you, I’m going to take your woman and we’re gonna trade later today. You keep an eye on what’s mine and I’ll return the favor, okay?” Lips tells me and this is exactly why I respect her so damn much.

Lips hands her kid to Lochlan and laces her arm with Doll. “Come on, Hadley.” She holds out her hand and the little one puts her hand in hers as they walk toward Broke’s black truck.