Page 73 of Best Laid Plans

Greer opens her mouth but snaps it shut when Mack tugs her back to him. “I’ll get the ball rolling,” she says simply. I feel for her because I know nothing is ever that simple. The guys in the MC are used to making things happen. They forget that in the real world things run far differently, and Greer doesn’t have half as much power as I’m sure she wishes she did when it comes to the children under her care.

Delphi pulls back and smooths Rebecca’s hair from her face. “I’ll be whatever you need me to be,” she answers before looking up at Greer. “Is it okay if we take her up to the saloon? The rest of the kids are up there, and I want to introduce her to Theo.”

“Of course. I’ll give you a ring later so we can iron out the details. But as far as I’m concerned, Rebecca is your foster child.”

“Thanks, Greer.”

Delphi stands up as Kruger sweeps Rebecca into his arms. She rests her head on his shoulder like it’s the most natural thing in the world. He nods at Greer before his eyes move to Havoc, where they seem to be having a silent conversation. Eventually, Havoc sighs and gives him a nod. Kruger takes Delphi’s hand, and we all watch as they head inside the warehouse.

Greer lets out a shaky breath. “Thank you.”

I turn to look at her and realize she’s talking to Havoc.

“You put me on the spot. You pulled that shit knowing they’d fall in love with her,” he accuses her.

“Damn fucking right I did,” she says fiercely, shocking not just me but Mack too, by the sound of things. “Something isn’t right in the office. The new boss is a dick. Everything Theo’s old caseworker did got swept under the rug now that he’s gone and…” she trails off, likely realizing she shouldn’t be telling us.

“I got into this to protect kids, and that’s what I’m trying to do. So if that means I make big strong men like you uncomfortable, so be it. Because at the end of the day, Havoc, I know you’ll lay your life down for that girl already.”

“I don’t like being played, Greer. You’d do well to remember that.”

“I’ll remember…until a little girl’s life is on the line. Then I’ll develop amnesia a million times over.” She steps closer to Havoc. Mack grabs her arm, but she shakes him off. “She was the one who dialed 911. She tried to breathe for her,” she chokes out, and I feel tears track down my face at the haunting picture she’s painting.

“She knew who I was as soon as I arrived because Lauren promised her I’d keep her safe. And goddam it, I refuse to break a dead woman’s promise when she gave her life so that Rebecca could keep hers.” Greer spins on her heel and rushes over to the car.

I pull free from Powers’s arms and jog after her, reaching for her before she can open her door. “Hey, Greer, it’s okay.”

She whirls around, but when she sees it’s me, she crumbles. I step forward and wrap my arms around her. I might not know her well, but right now I feel her pain as if it were my own. I don’t know how she does what she does. A job like hers can tear a person to shreds. It takes a special kind of person to willingly put themselves through that, day in and day out.

“She knew Lauren was her mother. She told me it was a secret. That she had to call her ‘aunt’ or something bad would happen to her.” She swallows as she pulls back, her face red and splotchy. “She doesn’t understand what it all means yet, but she will. One day, she’ll figure out what her dad did to her mom, and she’ll carry that with her always. I can’t protect her from that.”

“You brought her to the right place. I don’t know Delphi well, but even I know she was born for this. Kruger is one of my best friends, and that man will treat Rebecca like a princess, and Theo will dote on her like a big brother. We might not be able to hide the truth from her, but she’ll never have to carry it alone.”

She takes a shuddering breath as my words sink in. “Thank you, Lil.”

“You’re welcome. Anytime you need reminding that you’re doing the best you can, come find me. I have no problem knocking some sense into you.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “I’d better get going. There is already gonna be hell to pay. I’d better go face the music.”

“Are you going to be okay?”

“Something you should know about me is that I’m really good at falling on my face, but I always get back up again.”

There is a flash of something in her expression, something that makes my stomach curl in its familiarity, but it’s gone before I can analyze it. I move back, wondering if I imagined it as she climbs into her car and pulls away.

I walk back over to Powers, Havoc, and Mack, who watch the car until it disappears. “How well do you know Greer?” I ask Mack, his attention moving to me.

“We went to high school together. You know that. We were close, the three of us—Greer, Toot, and me. Something happened in the senior year that had us all falling apart, and then she left. We didn’t see or hear from her for about five years, and then I ran into her in town, literally. Now we’re polite, cordial even, but that’s about it. Why?”

“Did something happen to her?”

“What do you mean, did something happen to her?” he snaps.

Powers growls at him. “Watch your fucking tone.”

Mack holds up his hands and sighs. “Sorry, Lil. Greer is a touchy subject. As I said, we lost touch. If something happened, it was while she was gone.”

“And you don’t care enough about her anymore to find out?”