you say, brother?”
Shock floods through me making my blood run ice cold, but I honestly have no other ideas at the moment. Aldinga is an excellent chapter—although recently burdened with some heavy shit coming down on them—that’s all sorted now. He’s right, though, it’s far enough away that we wouldn’t run into trouble and, at least, it’s still in South Australia. Willow could still see her parents if she wanted to. If we’re stationed at Aldinga, the protection element for Willow will be there. I wouldn’t have to worry, and we wouldn’t be on the run. Just one problem—it’s a biker club—Willow doesn’t like clubhouses very much. So living at one will be hard for her. But surely if it keeps her alive she’d be open to it?
“If I say yes, I have your word that Willow will be protected undoubtedly? And if I’m not around no one will touch, harm or harass her?”
“You have my word, brother. She’s your Old Lady, we respect that unconditionally here.”
It sounds like an offer too good to refuse. I’m not going to check it over with Willow because I’m pretty sure she’ll say no to living at a clubhouse. But there are no other viable options. I need her protected and I miss the brotherhood. Plus, living in a car can’t continue.
“Gator, this is so fuckin’ ace of you to do this for us, brother. Thank you. We do have a pet with us, though. Is that okay?” I don’t tell him it’s a fucking pig. I don’t know how he’d react to that. It’s best to let him assume it’s a dog.
“Yeah, that’s fine brother animals are allowed. We’ll await your arrival and get a room ready for you.”
“Thanks, brother, we’ll arrive sometime today. I really appreciate this and I owe you.”
“No brother, you don’t. See you soon.” He hangs up the phone and I take a deep breath and let it out slowly slumping my body. Shaking my head at the lifeline thrown my way, I stand up running my hands through my hair and walk back inside to see Mum chatting to Willow. She notices me and smirks widely like she knows exactly what’s going on.
“Who was that, my boy?” Mum asks still smirking.
I purse my lips and flare out my nostrils at her. “Gator.”
She tilts her head and nods. “Oh yeah? What’s he got to say?”
Stiffening my posture, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning against the cupboard, I look down at her shaking my head.
“I’d like to know how you are after calling Dad to sort this shit out?”
She stiffens and then fakes a smile as Willow furrows her brows paying close attention.
“I have no idea what you mean, son.”
I half laugh and shake my head. “Uh-huh,” I murmur and walk over grabbing her head forcefully, pulling her to me then lean in kissing her forehead.
She laughs and smacks my chest with a spatula as I huff thinking how hard that call would have been for Mum to make. But she did it anyway—for me. Letting her go, I move around the dining table and take a seat next to Willow, who’s half smiling but her eyebrows are slightly furrowed like she’s confused by what’s going on.
“Is something happening?” Her voice is high pitched like she’s afraid of what I’m about to say.
“We’ll be hittin’ the road again today, babe.”
Her lips fall downward in a frown and she exhales slumping her body. “Can’t we stay a couple more days?”
Reaching my hand out to hold hers in a comforting squeeze, I tighten my grip on her skin. “I’ve found somewhere more permanent for us to stay.” I don’t elaborate as she nods chewing on her bottom lip slumping into her chair. The silence in the room is deafening as she says nothing, not asking the dreaded question I was certain she was going to ask. Where are we going?
I tighten my hand on hers and she exhales looking at me furrowing her brows and glaring like she’s waiting for me to tell her without speaking the words. But she’s not going to ask and I’m not going to tell. My heart begins to