Page 35 of Street

“Patches and Fluff are safe. Inferno will create some non-poultry food for me,” Street reassured his Little girl. He glanced up at Razor. “Did you text the others?”

“They’ve already pushed tables together and put in two orders for the crowd. Let’s go.”

Chapter 13

In the early hours of the morning, Rosa’s eyelids snapped open. The silence scared her. With her heart beating loudly, she closed her eyes to slits and scanned the darkness, checking for a threat. Slowly the terror faded to allow her to grasp where she was.

Rosa slid her fingers over the blanket draped over her to find the embroidered patch. The Devil Daddies MC had created this magical, protected space. She pulled the soft material up to her chin as she turned over to face Street. The man who she’d saved from the Ravagers slept soundly next to her with Inky claiming the pillow space above his head. Moving carefully, she retrieved her stuffie and hugged him to her chest. She studied his handsome face, considering how much he’d changed her life.

Hanging out with everyone at Inferno last night had been a blast. Struggling to survive for the last few years since she’d run away, Rosa had worked at least two jobs at all times since she’d had to support herself. That didn’t leave any time for friends or money to waste on junk food. Walking home or to work, Rosa had passed people her age laughing and having fun. It had seemed so alien to her to have the opportunity to enjoy life when she struggled so hard to survive.

Uncomfortable at first, Rosa had clung to Street’s hand. The other Littles had drawn her into the conversation, pretending they didn’t notice anything wrong. Caroline, Honey, Winnie, and Angel had ordered frozen margaritas with salted rims. She’d hesitated to share that she didn’t want alcohol, but Street had spoken to her quietly. When he’d ordered a virgin frozen strawberry daiquiri, they’d changed their orders to join her without a fuss. The bartenders even made a whole pitcher of the festive pink mixture and sent the treat over as a second round with the guys’ beers.

Rosa had protested she didn’t want to ruin anyone’s fun, and they could have margaritas without her, but the women had confessed the limey concoctions usually had a negative effect on their tummies. They seemed happier with the nonalcoholic one. Their Daddies definitely approved of that choice.

Now safe and happy next to this amazing man, Rosa couldn’t have imagined her world would change so much after risking warning him. She pinched herself to make sure this wasn’t an elaborate dream. Her gasp woke Street.

“Dinorosa? Are you okay?” His low voice was husky with sleep. His hand swept under her blanket to rub over her shoulder and down her arm.

“Sorry. I was just making sure I wasn’t hallucinating all this.”

“What?” he asked. “Are you not feeling well? I can call Razor.”

“No, Daddy. I’m not sick or imagining things. Really.” She paused a minute before asking, “Are you sure you want me here? I’m sure the Ravagers have stopped searching for me. I could head out of town.”

Street shifted to switch on the lamp, lighting up the bedroom. He turned back to prop himself up on one elbow. “Talk to me, Little girl. Have you decided you don’t want to be here?”

She shook her head vigorously. “I love being with you. I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You could never be that, Little girl. You’re important to me—the one I’ve hoped to find for years.”

Rosa smiled at him before sobering. “That’s nice of you to say, but can you promise me you’ll tell me the truth when you decide I should go?”

“I will always tell you the truth, Rosa.” He leaned forward to kiss her lips softly. “Did you have a bad dream?”

“No. I woke up, and the room was so quiet.”

“And that’s bad?”

“No. Just completely different from the places I’ve had to sleep in for the last few years.”

“Do you think you can rest again?” he asked. “It’s super early.”

“Probably not. But you should. I’m sorry I woke you up.”

“I’m not. How about if we go get some warm milk and watch a movie?”

“At two in the morning?”

“Sometimes a distraction helps your brain unplug.”

“Have you had a Little girl before?” she blurted as the thought popped into her mind that he was really good at this.

“Only for casual play. I’ve known who I needed in my life.”

“And hadn’t run into her?” Rosa had to ask.

“I guess I was waiting for her to find me. I never guessed she’d be a badass that would ride my motorcycle off into the sunset with my barely conscious drugged self on the seat behind her to get away from the bad guys.”