Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“But why?” I asked, needing to understand before I let hope take root. “Why would you do this for us?”
Lana’s gaze was steady, unblinking. “Because someone should have done it already.” She reached into her purse and withdrew two business cards. Taking a pen from her portfolio, she wrote numbers on the backs of both cards before sliding them across the bedside table. “This one is mine,” she said, tapping the first card. “My direct line is on the back. I answer day or night.” She tapped the second card. “This is Cash’s. I’ve written his cell number here.” I stared at the cards, wondering how something so small could feel so significant. “Call him first in emergencies,” Lana continued, her voice matter of fact. “He can get anywhere in this city faster than I can.”
I picked up the cards reverently, aware they represented physical evidence someone believed me and was willing to fight alongside me.
“Tomorrow morning, I’ll file a formal response to Ms. Winters’ report,” Lana explained. “I’ll request a medical continuance on any decisions regarding custody or placement until Lily can be properly evaluated. I have enough pull with the judge assigned to family services cases, I’m reasonably sure I can make this happen.”
“And if they try to take her before then?” The question haunting me since the social worker left slipped out before I could stop it.
Lana’s expression hardened slightly. “They won’t. I’ll make sure. But if someone tries to put you out of here for any reason, you call Cash, then you call me.”
The confidence in her voice was compelling, but doubt still gnawed at me. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because I know how to fight the system on its terms,” she replied. “And because I have resources most people don’t.” She hesitated, then added, “Which brings me to something else we should discuss. Have you heard of Haven? It’s officially called New Beginnings Women’s Shelter.”
I shook my head. “Cash mentioned the name, but didn’t go into details.”
“It’s a women’s shelter on the edge of town, protected by the same club Cash belongs to.”
“A motorcycle club,” I repeated, unable to keep the wariness from my voice. The news had run plenty of stories about outlaw bikers, none of them good. But honestly, this was the most compassion I’d been shown through this whole ordeal.
“I understand your hesitation,” Lana said. “But Haven is a legitimate shelter with trained staff. The club provides security and financial support. It’s a safe place for women and children who need protection.”
“And you think we need protection?” I glanced at Lily, the implications settling heavily on my shoulders.
“I think you need support,” Lana corrected gently. “Medical, legal, and emotional. Haven can provide all three. Plus, if things escalate with Ms. Winters and her department, having a secure place to stay might become important.”
I blinked, taking time to process what she’d just said. “Kind of sounds like you mean you’ll prevent her from taking Lily even against the law.”
Lana grinned at me. “It won’t come to that. But if it does and the guys truly don’t believe you’ve hurt Lily, then yeah. They’d prevent anyone from taking her from you.”
“But how --”
“It won’t come to that.” She cut me off with a smile and a gentle hand on top of my clenched ones. “You need the support Haven has. Emotional and physical support. Please take them up on their offer of a place to stay. You’ll feel safer resting there and they have an excellent homeschooling system in place. Lily can keep up with her studies in a very low impact environment.”
I really thought I might cry. “You know,” I began, my voice trembling, “No one says nice things about motorcycle clubs or bikers in general, to say nothing of ex-convicts. But Cash showed us so much kindness, especially to Lily. And you’re clearly an educated, professional woman. I’ll do whatever you think best. This is the most hope I’ve had since Ms. Winters came to talk to me today.”
“Many of the guys in Kiss of Death are fathers themselves. Most of them adopted kids from the women they’re with now. Knight, one of their members, has a biological daughter who had a kidney disorder and needed a transplant. His former girlfriend found him and Knight donated a kidney to her.” Lana replied with a smile. “He and Brynn are tight now. She adores him and he feels the same way. Brynn’s mother, Lavender, is the heart of their little family. So all of them take the protection of women and children very seriously. They also take family seriously. It’s a core principle of the club.” Her expression softened slightly. “I wouldn’t suggest Haven if I didn’t believe it was absolutely safe for both you and Lily.”
I nodded slowly, processing this unexpected turn. When I’d woken up this morning, my biggest concern had been convincing Dr. Samson to order more tests. Now I was contemplating accepting help from a motorcycle club with access to the specialized doctors I’d been trying to reach on my own with no results.