Defiant Dodge by Naomi Porter

18

Emilee

I focused on Dante’s denim-blue eyes as I processed Danny’s news. My dad was alive. He was in bad shape, but he wasn’t dead as I’d been preparing to hear.

Danny kept a hand on my knee and his arm around me on the sofa. His touch reached into my soul, comforting me from the inside out.

“I’m okay,” I told him. “I know you’re worried, but I’m okay.”

“It’s a lot to take in.”

“It is. But he’s alive, so that’s better than I’d been imagining.”

I held Dante so he could stand. He smiled, bouncing a little as he clasped his hands and shoved them in his mouth. He had a big cheesy grin and the brightest eyes staring back at me.

“Little D makes everything better.” I rubbed my nose on his hands, relishing this new stage he was in. It amazed me how fast he changed. In the blink of an eye, Dante would be a grown man. The thought of it made me sad.

“He sure does. Next to you, he’s the best thing to ever happen to me.” Danny kissed me on the head, then did the same to Dante. “Are you really okay?”

“I don’t know. I feel numb. I don’t want to think about his injuries. I’m just relieved he’s alive.” I was still angry with Justin, but maybe not as much.

“Storm and Raul are going to see him tomorrow.”

“They are?” I shouldn’t be surprised, knowing how much they cared about my dad.

“Yeah, they need to question him about what happened.”

“I suppose.” I laid my head on his shoulder as I admired our happy boy. “Do you think we should go see him? What if he takes a turn for the worst?” I would never forgive myself for not going to see him.

“I had thought of that.”

“So, what do you think?”

“It’s up to you, Em. I’d have to clear it with Storm. Taking you to Fargo puts you in hostile territory. Cobra’s club hasn’t found the Rat Brotherhood’s hive yet.” He ran his hand gently along the top of Dante’s head. “I don’t want to put either of you in danger.”

“Call Storm. Whatever he thinks is fine with me.” I pecked his lips. “I’ll go bathe Dante while you do that.” My emotions were all over the place. I wanted to see Justin, then in the next second, I didn’t. I was terrified to go back to Fargo, but Danny, Storm, and Raul would protect Dante and me.

I could do this.

I needed to be strong like the other old ladies. I was Danny’s old lady, his fiancée. Our future was the Knight’s Legion MC. Horrible stuff came with this life, but there was a lot more wonderful than the awful. The best part was all of our family.

My stomach twisted into knots as we walked down the long hallway in the hospital. I hated the smell of disinfectant, the bright fluorescent lights, and the coldness in the air. The last time I was here, it was to give birth. I was alone and scared.

A shiver worked through me. You can do this.

Storm thought it would be good if I came to see my dad. Danny wasn’t sure about it, but there we were: my three bodyguards and me. And Dante, safe in the sling he loved.

Three large bikers were standing outside of a room. I recognized them right away.

“Ben, good to see you.” Storm shook his hand. “Cobra. Hustler. How’s Justin today?”

“Stable. That’s all they’ll tell us,” Cobra replied, then looked at me. “When I told him he was getting some visitors, he said he didn’t want you here.”

“Why not?” Danny asked.

“He’s worried about her safety,” Cobra said. “But I assured him nothing would happen to her or the baby.”

“That’s right.” Ben came toward me and peeked at Dante. “We won’t let anything happen to either of you.” He kissed Dante’s head and pinched my cheek. He’d make a terrific grandpa one day. “This your man?”

“Yes, this is Dodge. Dodge, this is Ben Knight, the president of the North Dakota chapter.”

“Good to meet you, Ben.” The two shook hands. “Thank you for taking care of her and my son. I appreciate it.”

Ben nodded. “You’re welcome. Emilee is a sweetheart, and your boy shows the makings of a future president.”

I laughed. “Oh, please. He’s only three months old.” Besides, the Knight’s Legion MC was founded by the twins Frank and Charlie Knight. It was written in the bylaws that only a natural-born Knight could be president. Storm better get on having a son, or maybe Birdie would be the club’s president. The thought made me smile. I was sure her parents wouldn’t approve.

Ben clicked his tongue. “I gotta an eye for these things.”

“Raul and I are going in first,” Storm stated, his brow furrowed. Tension rolled off him in thick waves. Both he and Raul were wound tight today.

My stomach churned as I nodded.

As if sensing my duress, Danny rubbed my back. “Let’s sit over here.” He guided me to a row of chairs along the wall. “It’s gonna be all right.”

I hoped so.

“How’s the knee?” Hustler jerked his chin toward my leg.

“Good. Patch, the club’s doctor, checked it out. After the swelling went down, it’s been fine.”

“That’s good, darlin’. Piper will ask about you when we get back,” Ben said as he jiggled Dante’s hand.

I hadn’t talked to Piper all week. I should call her. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Danny’s jaw twitch. He was tense too. We were both on edge about visiting my dad. There was no telling how he’d react to see us together.

Maybe coming wasn’t a good idea.