The Biker's Fate Chapter 273

Maisie

THREE WEEKS LATER, life had settled into a regular routine. I had returned to the office, although, on a part-time basis since I still couldn't use my hand for long periods of time. I was slowly getting back to normal, but it was frustrating at times. I was now the owner of a shiny new Volvo. I loved it and since Hatch knew how to fix them, I felt safer knowing he could check for cut brake lines and disabled airbags.

Cricket had walked into the job and owned it in less than a week. I had never seen anyone pick up a job so quickly, and I don't think I could have eased back into my day-to-day so seamlessly without her.

Alison was keeping her distance, which I fully understood and appreciated, but through Ryan, she relayed that she didn't want her actions to affect Grace and Poppy's relationship and I agreed. So, the girls got together on a regular basis, but always at my place or somewhere public. Poppy was never allowed at their house or somewhere Alison would be. I don't think the girls really cared one way or the other, so long as they got to hang out.

I hated it. I missed my best friend. I'd see her from a distance while I was picking up Poppy from school on occasion and she'd give me a sad smile and wave. I'd wave back then I'd go home and cry privately, unless Hatch was with me, then I'd cry in his shirt.

I wanted everything back the way it was. I knew it never would be, but it didn't make me wish for it any less.

Jaxon had alerted Child Protective Services to the volatile nature of the Lundy home and they did a full investigation, but with Ryan being a decorated police officer, and Alison never having threatened her children (or anyone before me), there was no evidence to warrant them stepping in. Hatch wasn't happy with this answer and neither was Jaxon, so the Dogs and Jaxon's team were watching at a distance for any red flags. So far things were calm, and Poppy promised she'd let me know if Grace said anything to the contrary.

A little before three on Friday afternoon, my cell phone pealed on my desk. "Maisie Mann."

"Mrs. Mann, it's Anthony Miller."

Anthony Miller was the lead prosecutor on Alison's case. I really had no desire to speak with him, but I'd stupidly answered the phone. "Hello, Mr. Miller."

"I need to run something by you. Is now a good time?"

"Ah… sure."

"Mrs. Lundy has indicated she may be willing to take a plea to avoid trial."

"Well, considering I don't think she should go to trial at all, you should let her."

"Even after what she did?"

"Look, Alison has some issues with mental health, but she needs help, not jail," I said. "If there's a way she can be treated instead of doing time, I'd like that to be the priority."

"Okay, Mrs. Mann I'll see what we can do," he said.

"Thanks, Mr. Miller."

I hung up and immediately called Hatch. "Hey, Sunshine."

"Hey."

"What's wrong?"

I groaned and filled him in on my conversation with the D.A.

"Wow," he said.

"Yeah." I squeezed my eyes shut trying to ward off a headache. "I can't believe they're even going there. I'm not pressing charges, why am I even involved?"

"Because—"

"I know, I know. She totally single-white-female'd my life."

"Technically, she married-white-female'd it."

I snorted on a reluctant giggle. "Don't make me laugh. I'm too frustrated."

"It's the State versus now, Maisie, so it's really out of your hands. But be prepared for them to subpoena you to testify if it goes to trial."

"I might be conveniently out of the country."

"Rebel," he said.

"That's me. Badass to the core."

Hatch chuckled. "Got a club get together tomorrow night. Family only. You and Poppy in?"

"Um, sure." I dropped my head to the desk and stared at the carpet. "What happens at a Club get together?"

"Food, drink, communing with the brothers and their families," he explained. "Showing you off."

I smiled. "So, this is the equivalent of meeting the parents for me?"

"Pretty much."

"I like that, darling."

"Me too, Sunshine."

I sat up and turned my chair to look out the window. "I miss you today. I kind of want to blow this joint and find somewhere private where we can get naked."

"Your place or mine?"

"I can't just up and leave."

"You're the boss, Maisie. That kind of ensures you can just up and leave."

He had a point.

"You got a meetin'?" he asked.

"Well, no. But, didn't you drop Poppy at my place?"

"Right," he said. "Why don't you meet me at the shop? We can swing by the compound."

"I can't leave Poppy at the condo, love. It's fine for an hour or two, but not forever."

"Susie's with her."

"Who's Susie?"

"Prez's old lady. She's cool. You'll love her."

"Okay, we need to have a conversation about not leaving my daughter with people I've never met before."

Hatch sighed. "I get it, baby, but it was either Susie or Flea, and I know you've met Flea, but he's young, and from what I've been told, considered hot, so I figured you'd feel better havin' the fifty-six-year-old wife of our Club president hangin' with her, rather than the twenty-two-year-old horny-as-hell recruit. Not that he'd touch her, just to be clear, but I wanted to make sure she was covered, and I made a judgment call in the moment."

"You have a point."

"I know I do, Sunshine."

"I feel weird about making Susie stay with my daughter for us to go off for an illicit sex hour."

He laughed. "Babe, believe me, she'd be all for it."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, seriously. So, compound, yes or no?"

I bit my lip. "Will we be alone?"