Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

" I s he always this stubborn?" the nurse asked Molly.

"I'm not getting into that wheelchair," Faust stated flatly.

"It's hospital policy, sir. You'll be free of all our regulations just outside the front doors."

"I'm not getting into that wheelchair," Faust repeated for the fifth time.

"Ummm, Faust? Will you play a game with me?" Molly asked.

"If it involves me in that wheelchair, no."

"Even if we do a swap? You know, you get in the wheelchair so this wonderful nurse can go take care of sick people, and I'll owe you a favor," Molly suggested.

"What kind of a favor?" he asked, laser focused on her.

"I'm going to leave that up to you."

He studied her face for a couple of seconds. When she winked, he muttered, "Fuck me," and sat down. "Give me that."

After handing him the huge, colorful floral arrangement the Littles had all made Atlas order for them, Molly trailed after them as the nurse walked briskly down the hall to the elevator. The Guardian in charge of the accounts had paid the bill without comment as he tried not to laugh, picturing Faust's reaction when that was delivered. Molly had prevented him from ordering a teddy bear addition to the flowers but had allowed the chocolate-covered strawberries. They had been delicious.

She was thankful for the hospital's skill in patching Faust up. They needed a break from the irascible biker who'd been ready to go home after surgery. The nurse patted her arm in a silent thanks as they stood in the elevator.

As the automatic doors opened, Molly slapped a hand over her mouth. Steele, Kade, and Storm sat on their bikes with their Littles hugging them tight. Right behind the line of cycles, Atlas stood by the open passenger door of Steele's black truck.

"Someone stab me again," Faust hissed.

"None of that. Look, your friends are here," the nurse said, locking the wheelchair's brakes.

Faust rose as quickly as his wound would allow and walked to the truck. Atlas plucked the flowers from his hands. "I'll take that, brother. These are beautiful. I bet they made your icky hospital room colorful."

"You helped them with that, huh?" Faust said with a glare.

"I was glad to fund your cheeriness," Atlas said. "Need help climbing up?"

"For fuck's sake," Faust said, stepping back to help Molly into the truck's back seat before swinging himself up into the passenger seat.

"Thank you, Atlas, for picking us up," Molly said cheerfully as he climbed into the truck.

"You're welcome, Molly."

The cycles took off in a roar of high-powered motors. Atlas followed them out of the drive and onto the street leading to the compound. As they passed parking lots, a Guardian or two joined the procession.

Molly watched Faust look in the side mirror as more joined the group. Thrilled by the thundering assembly, Molly's eyes filled with tears. These guys were brothers. They supported each other during the good times and the bad times. How had she ever thought they were scary?

"We're a fucking parade," Faust said, shaking his head.

"I want to learn to ride a bike," Molly said, patting her Daddy's shoulder. "Maybe just short trips for a while."

"The doctor told you I shouldn't ride my cycle for an extended time," Faust guessed.

"Oh, no. I'm sure you have to get used to riding on a motorcycle," Molly said quickly.

"Lying will get your bottom spanked," Faust reminded her.

"So true," Atlas teased.

"Okay, so he said use care when riding," Molly admitted.

"I'll teach you, Pixie. We'll start this afternoon."

"Maybe tomorrow?" she suggested.

"There's not a fucking party at the clubhouse, is there?" Faust said, glaring at Atlas.

"No party," Atlas assured him.

"Someone has their head out of their ass."

"Bear's making you ribs, Daddy."

"Damn, that sounds good. If I never have hospital food again, it will be too soon," Faust grumped.

In a few minutes, they walked into the clubhouse. Streamers trailed from the rafters and a big welcome home sign hung over the kitchen. The smells coming from the covered dishes made Molly's mouth water.

"No party?" Faust said, pinning Molly with a steely look.

"It's a barbeque, Daddy. That's totally different than a party."

"You're lucky I'm hungry."

"Yay!" Molly said, dancing around him as Atlas plucked the vase from his hands to place on the end of the bar.

Faust loaded his plate with ribs and all the fixins' a few minutes later. He met the gaze of Bear who refilled the serving dishes as they emptied out. "We'll talk about this party later."

"Barbeque," Bear corrected him with a laser look. "Besides, we didn't do it for you." He looked over at Molly who had joined all the other Littles as they learned a new line dance from Talon. He'd insist she get a plate soon, but for now, she needed some fun after days of being in the hospital.

"Thank you for taking care of her," Faust said, instantly understanding the message.

"The Shadowridge Guardians take care of our own," Bear said easily.

"We do," Faust answered and headed for the chair he'd claimed for his own. He grabbed a beer on the way over. Popping the top, he swallowed gratefully. He'd refused painkillers after that first day, not liking how foggy they made his brain.

He looked at Steele. "What does Elizabeth say about that jerk?"

"She's working on a legal loophole to keep him in jail for the max sentence this time without the chance of parole. His ex-wife and kids are safe and won't be returning to town. She'll have a few more years to know he's locked up and her kids can grow up safely."

"And the brother who showed up here?" Faust asked. He wasn't going to forget that asshole's role.

"In the county jail for aiding and abetting," Steele assured him.

"Can I get some help moving Molly out of her apartment next week?" Faust forced himself to ask. He didn't want to rip the stitches out of the healing wound and delay his full recovery.

"You got it. We need you in the shop," Kade stated.

"I'll be there tomorrow."

"Good," Kade answered.

"Get help when you move the engines," Kade ordered. When Faust scoffed, Kade added, "Or I'll give you a permanent assistant. I'm sure there's a prospect who's never worked on an engine before that would jump at a chance to learn everything you know."

"Fuck off. You're not going to do that," Faust said, feeling the corners of his lips turn up. "I'll get help for a while."

"You're smiling, Daddy. Home is a good place, isn't it?" Molly asked and plucked a rib from his plate before scrambling up on Faust's lap on the good side.

"Hungry now?" he asked.

"How about we finish your plate and then you can get more?" she suggested.

"And a big gooey brownie for you?" Faust suggested.

"Gabriel made brownies? I'll just start with dessert," Molly said, wiggling forward.

"Food first. Then dessert, Little girl," Faust decreed, holding her in place. While she pouted, he scooped up a bite of potato salad. "Try this."

"Ooo! That's better than Miss Marcie's potato salad she brings to church socials."

"You should eat more. I wonder if the coleslaw is good?" Faust asked.

"I'll try it," Molly offered eagerly, relaxing back against him.

As he fed her, Faust looked around at everyone gathered and wondered who would find their Little next.

"There's a big birthday party coming up, Daddy. We have to go shopping for the best present for Carlee," Molly told him. "What do you think she'd like? I was thinking about getting her some clothes for Hammie."

"I think that would be a good idea. I bet we could order some online," Faust suggested, crossing his fingers.

"Oh, no, Daddy. We have to go to the store to feel the material and make sure it's soft. Stuffies don't like scratchy things," Molly told him.

"Of course not. We'll go. That would be a good trip on the motorcycle," he suggested, thinking it wasn't too far to the mall and not horrible traffic.

"Are your trunk things big enough?" Molly asked.

"Saddlebags, Pixie. How many sets of clothes are you going to get?"

"Just one. But there are shoes and hats and…"

"We'll have plenty of room. We can even get you a leather jacket to ride on the bike."

"Can I have a patch?" she asked eagerly.

"We'll talk about it."

"Yay!" she cheered.

"Try some chicken, Pixie," Faust suggested, handing her a chicken wing.

"Yum. Daddy, I had a dream last night. Storm was in it."

"I don't think I like you dreaming about other men, Little girl."

"No, it wasn't that kind of dream. Storm was there and he was watching someone."

"Someone bad?" Faust probed.

"I don't think so. He looked… interested."

"That was an intriguing dream."

"Not as good as the dream I had about you later," Molly whispered, feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment at even mentioning it.

"And I now know what I want to use my favor on," Faust declared.

"Daddy!"

A few minutes later, she admitted in an oh-so-quiet whisper, "I made banana pudding just in case you wanted to reenact my dream. It's only on day one, but it will be good."

When he stared at her hard, obviously connecting the dots between her spicy dream and banana pudding, Molly tried to look innocent as she wiped a finger down his chest before leaning in to lick that sensitive spot at the base of his neck.

Faust boosted Molly to her feet and set his plate in the chair after rising. "Life is short. We should have dessert first."