Chapter 7: A Deal Made

Trish Having Rebel this close is not helping at all. I can literally feel his body heat. “You are not a burden. We like having you around, and we are trying to keep you safe.” “And I thank you for that. But it’s best if I go. Then you can all get back to your lives,” I say, and move away, towards the door. He pulls me back and spins me around. “Why are you in such a rush to die? You put yourself and my guys at risk earlier.” “I didn’t mean to. They weren't even supposed to be there,” I counter. “Thank God they were. Do you know how worried we were?” “We?” I asked, frowning. “Yes, we were all worried. Mad Dog heard the alarm go off when you left, so they checked the cameras. You can thank your lucky stars they found you in time.” “I am grateful they saved me. But I think it’s best I leave.” “No, it's not. Why are you so stubborn?” he says, folding his arms.. “Look Rebel, I absolve you of your duty. You no longer have to feel responsible for my safety. I will leave, and you never have to see me again. You can go back to your clubhouse, and you don't have to work so hard to ignore me. I know you stopped coming to the clubhouse because you are avoiding me,” I say as I march over to the door. “I didn’t stay away because I was avoiding you. I was in the hospital with my daughter,” he says after he pulled me back over to him. “Oh,” I say, feeling like an i***t. “Yes, oh. She was born six days ago. Dani left her on my mom’s doorstep and ran off. Zia was born prematurely and had a slight case of jaundice. She had to stay in the hospital for a few days. We just got home today.” “I am so sorry. That is horrible. Why would Dani just leave her? Anything could have happened to her.” “Because she is a selfish b***h,” “Is Zia okay now?” I ask and he nods. “She is just perfect,” he says, smiling. “I am glad. But don’t act like you haven't been avoiding me. It’s best I leave so that you can go on with your life. You clearly don’t want me around. It was all in my head,” I said the last part in a whisper and looked down, but he must've heard me. He lifts my chin so I can look in his beautiful, mesmerizing eyes. “I don’t want you to go. What do you mean? What was all in your head?” He asked me. “It’s nothing, don’t worry about it,” I say and look away, not ready to divulge my secret. “I have a proposition for you,” he says, catching my attention. “A proposition?” “Yes. I want you to live here with me. I need someone to help with Zia and you have experience with kids. It’s a win-win. You’ll have a safe place to live and I will pay you. And I get a live-in nanny for my princess,” he says, catching me by surprise. “What? Are you serious?” I ask and he smiles. God, that smile just gets sexier every time I see it. “Yes, I am.” “How do you know I would be any good?” “I can see it in your eyes. I think you would care for her better than her mother would,” he says, frowning. I have no doubt about that. Who leaves a premature newborn baby on someone's doorstep? “Are you sure? Gary is still out there and clearly looking for me.” “Yes, now do we have a deal?” he asks, and I look at him for a while before I answer. I already know I want to say yes. I am just using this excuse to study his perfect features. “Deal,” I said and held out my hand for him to shake. He laughs but shakes my hand. “Let me introduce you to my princess, Zia,” he says as he walks to the door and I follow him. We find the others in the lounge, sitting with drinks. Dagger hands me a glass and I take a sip. “Trish will stay here to help with Zia. She has experience with kids, and I need a nanny. That way, I can keep an eye on both of them,” Rebel says. “Yeah… right,” Cookie says, giving him a look with one eyebrow raised, and he just rolls his eyes. He walks over to her and takes Zia. “She is so beautiful, Rebel. Why didn't you tell us sooner?” Cookie asks. “Sorry, my mind was on getting her healthy,” he says, looking down at Zia and smiling softly. “This is Zia Morales,” he says, handing her to me. I take her into my arms and hold her. She is so tiny and so perfect. What kind of woman leaves such a little treasure behind? I wouldn't even want to let her out of my sight. I rock her gently while he watches me with a smile on his face. “Well, we will be off,” Cookie says as she gets up. “Don’t pull that stunt again, b***h. I will whip your ass myself,” she adds as she gives me a side hug. “Scouts honor,” I say with a mock salute and she laughs. The guys both say goodnight too, and then I find myself alone with Rebel. What could possibly go wrong? I don’t think he has the same type of feelings for me as I have for him. But he is sweet and kind, and I will take this lifeline he offered me. “It means a lot to me that you trust me with your daughter,” “I told you, I can see it in your eyes. You are a good person who has been dealt a s**t hand.” “And then some,” I mumbled. “Did you have dinner?” “I did, and I am not hungry right now. It’s late, and this little missy should be in bed,” I say and he nods. “Right,” he says and shows me to follow him. It’s already well after midnight anyway. He leads me to a room that is painted pink and white and decorated with everything a girl would like. I lay her down in her crib, and she didn't even open her eyes. It seems like her sleeping patterns will be easy to manage. “My room is through here. I will keep the door open so that I can hear her,” he says, showing me a door that leads from her room into his. It's only then that I realize that it's the same room he brought me to earlier. “So, where can I put my things?” I ask, feeling suddenly very aware of his proximity. “Follow me,” he says, walking out of the room to a door across the hall. “You can stay here. I will ask Cookie to bring the rest of your clothes from the clubhouse,” he says, showing me into the room. It’s decorated almost the same as his, but with more earthy tones. “Thank you, the room is lovely,” I say, looking around. “If you need anything, I am right across the hall. Help yourself to anything in the house. My mom will be here in the morning. She has been helping me with Zia, but she has a business to run too. The room next door is hers when she stays over. I am sure you will get along. My mom is easy to like,” “Thank you for your hospitality. Can you tell me what time Zia normally wakes up and show me where her formula is?” I ask. “Oh, I almost forgot. Come with me,” he says, and I follow. He shows me where everything is in her room, and then shows me around the kitchen, while he tells me when she last had a feed and her sleeping patterns. “Then she will wake up soon. I will get a bottle ready for her,” I said as I put the kettle on. “You don’t have to. You can go to bed. You had an eventful evening. I will see to Zia.” Rebel says, taking the bottle from me. “No, you go to sleep, you have had a tough few days. I am all good. At least this time I didn’t get hurt,” I say, and giggle. “It’s nothing to laugh about, Trish. You have been through way too much in your life,” he says. “Yeah, but that does not define me.” I answered and busied myself with Zia’s bottle, but I noticed the smile he gave me. “You are right. I promise Gary will pay for everything he has done to you. I will make it right, so that you can live a good life without fear. And no more running. As long as I am around, you won’t have to run,” he says, bringing a smile to my face. “Thank you, you have no idea how much that means to me. I am not used to people caring for me. You and the rest of the Chopper Demons have given me more of a home than I have ever had. I will be forever in your debt. So helping out with Zia is the least I can do. Go to bed, we can talk more in the morning,” I say and he smiles and nods. “Thank you, Trish. I haven't had much sleep in the past few days. See you in the morning,” he answers and gives me a look I can’t decipher, before he leaves the kitchen. After I got the bottle ready, I checked on Zia, who was still fast asleep. So I decided to take a quick shower, but brought the baby monitor with me so that I could hear when she woke up. When I was nearly done with my shower, I heard her cry. A loud piercing scream, like something was wrong. I quickly turned the shower off, grabbed a towel and ran to her room. I know I am still wet, but I need to check that she is okay. In my haste, I grabbed the bath towel and not the bath sheet. It barely covered my ass, and the sight that greeted me made me immediately regret grabbing the wrong towel. Rebel must've heard her too, because he beat me there. “I am sorry, I thought I would be done in time,” I say, trying to cover as much of me as I can. He looks at me from head to toe before he answers. “It’s okay, I got this. Go finish your shower before you catch a cold,” he says. I nodded awkwardly and turned to leave, but I could feel his eyes on me. I am such an i***t. What mustn't he think of me now? I am supposed to be watching his baby, not showing up in only a towel that barely covers me. I finish drying myself, and then get dressed. I wear my pajamas and a night gown before I head back to the nursery. I think I have shown him enough of my body for one day.