The Biker's Fate Chapter 565

Daisy

"SO, I PASSED the background check, huh?" Huck asked as we drove.

"How did you know he ran a background check?"

"I didn't… until just now."

I sighed. "Shit."

Huck chuckled. "It's all good, Daisy. Seriously."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's good you have people looking out for you." His expression grew somber. "Not everyone's as lucky."

I gasped. "Oh my god, did something happen to Louisa?"

"No, thank god. If anything ever happened to my sister, I'd be in prison."

I felt warm fuzzies again. Of course he'd protect his sister with his freedom.

"It happened to my friend, Robin, in high school. A guy she'd only just started dating released a video of them having sex. Honestly, if it happened to her now, I'd probably be in prison, too, but back then, I was too young to fully understand all of it. My dad stepped in to handle some of it as well, so it was out of my hands a bit." He frowned. "She dropped out senior year."

"Oh my god, that's awful."

"Not the worst part, though."

I scrunched up my face in horror. "How could it get any worse?"

"What the authorities first thought was revenge porn turned out to be video of him sexually assaulting her. What they discovered in the investigation was that he'd drugged and raped two other girls earlier that same year."

"Oh my god." I bit back tears. "I can't even imagine."

"Yeah, it was bad."

"Wait, your dad got involved? You told your dad?" I squeaked.

"No way in hell. Louisa told my mom because she was worried, and that's how Dad got involved," he said. "Mom's the math teacher at the high school."

"Your high school?"

"Only one in town," he confirmed. "We come from a small town in Montana, not quite a one-stop light kind of thing, but close."

"Whoa, what was that like?"

"Complicated." He chuckled. "Especially, considering Dad's the principal of the same school."

"Oh my god," I breathed out. "Did your dad have to…?

"Watch the video?"

"Yeah."

He grimaced. "No. He refused."

"Did you?"

"Fuck, no." He frowned. "I figured she'd been through enough with half the school seeing it. I wasn't gonna add to the pile."

Oh my god, this man was such a good man. No thought to how it might affect him, just that it would hurt her if he saw it.

I nodded, unable to form words right at that moment.

"Mom did though," Huck continued, "and she said it scarred her for life."

I bit my lip. "My friend, Sierra, works for the FBI and her main job is finding missing kids and putting pedophiles away. She has to watch more kiddie porn than anyone should be forced to, so I totally understand that."

"Tough gig."

"The toughest." I nodded. "Did he get off?"

"No fucking way. Dad got him expelled, arrested, and put away. Cyrus had his full ride to Texas A&M revoked and his life was pretty much ruined. Don't really give a shit."

"Cyrus totally sounds like a creepo name."

Huck shrugged. "Don't know a whole lotta Cyruses, so can't speak to that."

I sighed. "What happened to Robin?"

"Louisa kept in touch with her over the years. Still does, I think. She's doing much better. Graduated remotely, became an author, healed. She's married, has a couple of kids."

I let out a quiet sob, tears now slipping down my face.

"Shit, sorry." He reached over and took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I didn't mean to make you cry."

I grimaced. "I'm one of those weirdoes who cries at everything."

"I don't think it's weird that someone being hurt bothers you, though, Daisy," Huck pointed out. "It should bother you. I think the world in general has become hardened and it's nice to see someone who's genuinely kind." He gave my hand a squeeze again. "Don't ever let anyone change that."

"I won't," I promised, squeezing his hand back. "But you should probably be warned about something."

"What's that?"

"When I say I cry at everything, I mean, I cry at everything."

He smiled. "Yeah?"

I nodded. "The holidays are the worst. Those sappy coffee commercials? Forget about it. I'm a puddle on the floor."

He chuckled. "I'll make sure I buy stock in Kleenex."

I lowered my head and bit my lip, trying not to let out a schoolgirl sigh. He didn't scoff or tell me I was weird. He just smiled gently and said he'd make sure to have tissues at the ready, indicating, one, he'd still be around at Christmas and two, he wasn't bothered that I might cry at coffee commercials. He also hadn't let go of my hand. Lordy, I was really starting to like him.

I was also starting to turn in on myself and feel extremely uncomfortable with my vulnerability. "Um, can we change the subject?"

"Sure."

I cocked my head. "What did you think of Melody?"

"She was nicer than the rumors."

I laughed. "That's a very diplomatic answer."

Melody Morgan was the biggest pop and movie star on the planet and currently home planning her summer tour.

"I am not her demographic. Louisa's more her audience," he said. "I mean, I get that she's talented, but I've never understood someone with that much money and opportunity bitching about their life, you know?"

"Definitely." I nodded. "She doesn't do that anymore, to be clear."

"That's good. Sounds like her man and kids have helped heal whatever ailed her."

"Truer words were never spoken."

Huck chuckled. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, she invited us over for dinner. Whenever we're free, of course. But now that I've said that out loud, it's all very random and quick, and, well, Jesus, sorry—"

"Hey," he interrupted, squeezing my hand. "Dinner sounds great."

"There's no pressure and you can absolutely say no. She just happened to mention it—"

"Daisy." He squeezed my hand again. "Dinner's good."

I shifted in my seat and forced a smile. "Okay, awesome. I'll let her know."

We pulled into the parking lot, and I suddenly felt bereft that our time together was ending.

"What's your schedule like this week?" Huck asked as we rode the elevator to our floor.

"I don't think Melody meant dinner that quickly," I joked.

Huck smirked. "Cute."

"Um, I'm supposed to be going out of town."

"But…?"

"I don't think that's going to happen now. Teagan's dad's kind of pissed she used a fake ID—never mind, it's a long story." I shook my head. "Anyway, unless something changes, I'm somewhat free. Finals are over and I told my clients I was taking the week off. Why?"

"I'd like to take you out. On a proper date."

"Well…" I smiled. "I'd love to go out."

We arrived at my door, and he asked, "Are you a little black dress kinda girl, or do you want to throw axes?"

I chuckled as I unlocked my door. "I love it all."

"I see how it is. You're gonna make me work for it." He leaned down to kiss my cheek. "Just so you know, I like working for things."

I shivered and felt heat creep up my neck. "Good to know."

"You need to get inside, Daisy, or I'm gonna kiss you."

"I'd be okay with that."

"Yeah, but would your dad or your brothers?"

"Goddamn cameras," I hissed.

"I'll text you."

"Okay." I smiled. "Goodnight."

"Night."

I stepped into my home, then closed and locked the door, grabbing my phone and immediately calling Teagan.

"Oh my god, girl, spill."

"There's nothing to spill," I said, dropping my keys in the bowl on my island and heading to my bedroom. "He dropped me off and now I'm home and alone."

"No kiss?"

"On the cheek," I said, dejectedly.

"That's no fun."

"I know," I breathed out. "He did say he was going to take me out this week."

"Okay, good, because I definitely can't go away with you."

I wrinkled my nose. "I figured that. That's why I told him I was probably free."

"Sorry my dad's being a total Debbie Downer."

"It's fine." I sat on the bench at the end of my bed and unzipped my boots. "Let's set something up when you actually turn twenty-one. Deal?"

"Absolutely. Let's do Vegas for my birthday."

"I'm in," I said. "I'd like to go on the record that I want Huxley there this time, okay?"

Teagan chuckled. "Me too."

"Okay, good."

"I'm gonna let you go. I bet your brother fifty bucks he couldn't beat me at pinball."

"Which brother?"

"Cash."

"Why would you do that?" I admonished. "He's kind of unbeatable."

"We'll see."

"Well, it's your funeral and your money."

Teagan laughed. "I'll text you the result."

"Can't wait. Have fun."