LylaIt's been a week since the day of the custody hearing. Everything has been really good between Shane and I, but there are times when I feel like he is keeping something from me. Shane isn't necessarily a secretive person, but with club business he has been lately. I've asked him about the guy that shot at us or if Alberts has done anything else to threaten the club, but he simply shrugs my way and changes the subject. I understand my role in their boy's club, I get the dynamics, but I don't feel comfortable with Shane keeping something from me that could very well affect Adrianna's life.You're one to talk Ly.I haven't exactly told Shane about the custody hearing, nor about what I plan on doing today. He believes I am meeting up with Adrianna's teacher to discuss next year. Instead, I am on my way to the house Rory has rented while here in New York, with Adrianna.When I got the call from the social worker assigned to our case, saying that Rory's house was deemed fit for Adri
Shane"I like the color pink now." Adrianna says to me for the eighth time in a row. I look up from my coffee and turn to her sitting on the dining room table coloring. Her hair is messy, and she has giant purple pajamas on. She turns to look at me and my heart nearly falls out of my chest.It's been two days since everything happened at the hospital with Shawna and Max. They were released yesterday, and Lyla and I went by to see them. Max seems a little better, but Shawna still has a lot to deal with. It nearly broke me when I walked past the nursery they had set up in light gray's and yellows that I had to close the door.I've also thought a lot about what Lyla told me that dreadful day at the hospital. She shook with nerves while telling me and I can only imagine how she thought I was going to react. I kept in all my anger at the fact that this douchebag is now in Adrianna's life. At first, I was angry that Lyla would take a child away from their father, but after hearing her con
LylaTardiness has always been a weakness of mine. It's not something I have ever done on purpose, but being a single mother, with a job that requires you to spend twelve hours helping to save lives, sometimes makes it a little hard to be on time for everything else.I check the time on my dash once more as I pull into the courthouse parking lot. It's twelve twenty-seven and court started at twelve o'clock. After everything that has been happening lately and Shane not being around for the last couple days, it was a little hard to get out of the house leaving Miles with Adrianna. I trust him, but Adrianna was questioning why Shane still hadn't come back to us.Knowing there was someone from another MC watching our house is enough to have me worrying over Adrianna while I'm at work. Shane hasn't completely ignored us, he's called each night which I'm grateful for. He was listening when I told him to at least keep in contact with me. Shane told me about needing some space and as much as I
Shane"Because I'm the oldest, I should always be entitled to get the last one.""That's a bunch of bullshit if I've ever heard any.""Look you little shit, mom made these cookies because Candy told her she had been wanting some. My woman, my cookies."I roll my eyes as Austin and Max go back and forth for the hundredth time about these goddamn cookies. Normally I would simply walk in, grab the last one they always fight about, and end that shit right then and there causing an uproar between the two brothers, but tonight I have no strength. Since the moment Lyla broke me in half last night, I have been walking around with a stick up my ass. I decided to come with Max and Austin to visit their mother Julia. Partly, to get out, and partly because I could never say no to seeing Julia. She was there for me when the cruelty of my father's life ending was too much to bear and my mother was too busy latching onto whoever gave her attention.Julia is a strong woman, someone I have always felt
Lyla"And so now he is requesting full custody. I swear Candy, I could hunt him down, and stuff in a mailbox.""I'm so sorry Lyla. And on top of that Adrianna is still sick?""Yes." I answer, placing the phone to my other ear so I can make my second cup of coffee of the day. "She isn't getting any better and I have to work tonight.""Well why don't I take your shift?""I can't ask that of you honey.""You're not. I'm your best friend Lyla, or at least I better be¡. I am, aren't I?" I throw my head back and laugh, something that feels foreign to do. It's been so long so I've been myself that I feel like I'm in a black hole."Of course, you are. I hate to do that when I could use the money for this custody battle, but I would love a day where I can just take care of her ya know?""Take the day Lyla, you've been covering for me for the last few weeks, so I can do wedding stuff, this is the least I can do.""Thank you, Candy. I owe you one." I say then peak into Adrianna's room. The room
ShaneAnger and frustration work their way equally through my body as I try and comprehend someone speaking in front of me."Shane, we need you to concentrate brother." Austin says but my eyes keep wondering over to the destruction of the house the woman I loved called home. "C'mon brother, snap out of it. We need to work together on this."My gaze follows to the small little mermaid blanket crumbled to the floor, a small rabbit doll next to it. There are red marks on it from the time Adrianna thought she would try to put her mother's nail polish on her furry best friend."Tell me we got somethin'." I whisper starring at the chaos near the door where it's clear there was a struggle.She fought for her daughter.She fought them."Torque might have something, he said he was able to tap into the street lights and is looking for any suspicious vehicles, including the one that followed her the other day. In the meantime, we need to get out of here brother. We don't know if the neighb
LylaMy back slides down the door as exhaustion sets in.I have been banging my fists on the door for the last hour. Every second that has ticked by has heightened my anxiety. Adrianna. All I can think about is my poor daughter, sick, crying out for her mommy. The fear she must be riddled with gives me the strength I have to continue. I slowly get up, still aching from the beating I received from Griz and begin slamming on the door once more.After a few minutes and a bloody set of knuckles, I hear some commotion echoing off the walls. I quickly stand, holding my cold body with my arms and back up. Griz walks in the room with a menacing smirk and slowly walks over to me. I step backwards until my body hits the wall with him looming over me."Want your daughter?" My eyes go wide and although I don't trust him completely, I can't pass up the opportunity to see Adrianna."Yes, please. Please, I will do anything. Just let me see her." He nods his head and grabs hold of my wrist tightl
ShaneI hold Lyla as she wails on my cut. The pain I hear in her cry is enough to create my own tears."He was drunk. He never ever got that bad, but this night, he was completely wasted. I kept telling him repeatedly, that I didn't want it, but he wouldn't listen. I have never been hit that hard in my life." She sniffles, and I tighten my hold on her."What happened babe?""I was tired, he had kept hitting me and I didn't want to be hurt anymore. He's hurt me before, but nothing like that night. I let him do whatever he wanted that night, then he proceeded to pass out. As soon as I realized he was asleep, I ran out of there and straight for my mom's. I told her everything, and she didn't believe me. Figured I was acting out. Accused me of acting like that since we had gotten engaged. A blind man could tell I was only marrying Rory because it was what everyone expected of me. Our families were lifelong friends and partners. My family needed the money, and the Mitchelson's needed th