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“No, it’s fine.”

“It’s not fine, and you know it. A ton of crap went down a few months ago, and you haven’t had a chance to process it all. Heck, you haven’t had a moment of silence to wrap your head around everything. You wouldn’t be human if that stuff didn’t affect you in one way or another.”

“You’re right. It’s not fine. None of it was or is. But it’s done, and I just want to live my life. I want to move on and heal and love my little girl.”

“Do you think you’ll ever tell her about her dad?”

“Sin is her father, so there’s nothing to tell.”

It doesn’t matter if Sin’s blood doesn’t run through her veins because what matters is what the heart feels, and those two are bonded. She knows her daddy. You can see how excited she gets just by hearing his voice. Biology doesn’t make that type of connection, love does.

“I agree with you, wholeheartedly. He’s her father in every way that counts.”

“He is, and we couldn’t be luckier. And by the way, I see how you turned the conversation around to me and away from you and Lick.”

Damn, she caught that. “There isn’t much to tell, you know.” I bring a now sleeping Grace to my shoulder. “I tried to be there for him. To show him that women are more than what he thinks. That I’m more than what he thinks.”

“He does, you know. Lick is a certain way with you. I see how he looks at The Fallen and how he doesn’t give a shit about them or any other female for that matter. He’s standoffish with Bianca almost like he’s afraid of her. He doesn’t pay any attention to Lily, and I know that pisses Cut off. He barely stands me. But you’ve been different. Since the first day you arrived, he’s been different with you.”

“It’s because I haven’t opened my legs to him, that’s all. He sees me as one of the guys.”

She laughs a big belly laugh. It’s so loud that it startles little Grace and she lets out a whimper. Savannah covers her mouth as her eyes continue to dance with laughter. She takes a breath. “That is so not the reason. I haven’t opened my legs to him either. Neither has Lilly or Bianca.”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. He told me to get the eff out, and I did. He hasn’t been by here in three days. He’s been dealing with all this by himself when I told him he didn’t have to, but he refuses to see it any other way.”

“Do you blame him?”

No, I don’t blame him. Not from what I’ve heard about his past, but that’s the thing. I’ve been here for five months, and I’ve only heard things, rumors. He’s never once opened up to me.

“I don’t.”

“Then let him handle everything on his own, and be there for when he finally needs someone.”

A knock on the front door ends our conversation, and I’m thankful for it. I don’t feel right talking about Lick. I don’t want to gossip about him and the things he’s going through. I hand Grace off to Savannah and make my way to the door. I know it’s not Bianca since she’s out with friends tonight.

“Jenni,” she says in a panicked voice.

“Don’t worry, there’s a shotgun behind the door.”

“That’s safe for a baby,” she grumbles as I go to answer the door.

I look through the peephole and see an older woman dressed in a pantsuit. She has a leather folder in one hand and her purse in her other. There’s a clear name badge on the lapel of her jacket. I open the door to her smiling face.

“Can I help you?” I ask.

“Yes, I hope you’ll be able to help. This might be an odd question, but I’m not sure where else to go.” She glances down at the leather folder and then back to me. “I’m looking for a Tylan McCoy.” I continue to stare at her. “Oh yes, sorry. My name is Margaret Simons. You can call me Maggie, though.” She pulls a card from a clip attached to the folder and holds it up. I push through the screen and prop it open on my hip, taking the card from her hand.

“I’m with Social Services. I need to speak with Mr. McCoy.”

“So, you’re looking for Tylan?”

“Yes.” She gives me a tight smile. “The address I was able to pull is for the place next door, but I didn’t see a way to get through the gates, and there was no buzzer. I was hoping you’d be able to help me find him, seeing as how you’re neighbors.”

“What do you need with him? Is this about his sister?”

I know Lick’s next door because I recognize the rumble of his bike. It’s a bit deeper, meaner than the other guys and I heard him pull in just about an hour ago.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t divulge that information. I need to speak with Mr. McCoy.”