1. Earl

Chapter one

Earl

I royally fucked up. Not once, but twice. How can someone screw up that many times with the same woman? The first time I don't regret—without it, I wouldn't have my beautiful daughter or my grandson.

I can't believe I'm a fuckin' grandfather

The second is all on me. I rashly blamed Melissa for keeping shit from me. Blamed her for my daughter being taken when the snakes were right under my nose, in my very own home.

She's been keeping her distance. Fuck, the last time I was even close to her was when we visited Ashlynn in the hospital when she had little Jacey. Since then, she's been avoiding me. Every time I go to the diner, she sends one of the girls out to take my order.

Today, though, she's going to sit down and talk to me. I'm determined to mend what's going on between us because fuck if I'm letting that slimy cook get his paws on her. Melissa is mine , whether she wants to admit it or not.

As I pull up in front of the diner, I glance over at the garage. Colin is inside the bay, leaning over the engine of a sedan. It's not one I recognize from our loyal customers, so maybe a traveler. I couldn't have picked a better husband for my daughter than him—hell, than all four of them.

Four husbands! Shit, that's still so fucking weird to say.

My gaze moves over to the staircase leading up to where my baby girl lived. The apartment where that bastard would watch her and send her gifts. It's been empty since she moved out. Ashlynn had briefly asked what I thought of making it a safe haven for women who have been trafficked, abused, or on the run. A safe place for them to hide and make a new life. It's not a bad idea. Bringing Mel in on it to get her opinion is my excuse for seeing her today.

She just doesn't know I'm coming. There was no way in hell I was giving her a chance to avoid me.

Getting off my bike, I slide my helmet off and pull in a deep breath, slowly exhaling. Time to do this. The few steps to the front door feel like I'm walking the plank on a pirate ship—just mere seconds from leaping to my death. The familiar jingle of the bell rings over my head as I pull the door open.

I look around but don't see Melissa—my gut tells me she's here, though. Well, that, and I saw her car parked on the side of the building. My booth is open, so I head toward it, sit on the bench seat, and slide to the center.

It's where I've always sat, well nearly every time I've come to Melbre's, especially since becoming the President of the Hellions. But even before then, I made this my spot. It allows me to see everyone in the diner. In the beginning, years ago, it was so I could look at her. Now it's so I can see who's coming or going and my back is to the wall so no one can sneak up on my ass.

Nothing worse than being caught with your pants down. It's happened one too many times, and it always ends up hurting the women I care for and love.

A petite brunette comes up to the table and I recognize her right away—AJ, Cassie's sister. She's maybe five foot three and a hundred twenty pounds, soaking wet. AJ has an innocent look, but somehow I think there's a wild streak running through her. I've also noticed Jake has been spending a lot of time at the farm, more than he really needs to.

"Hey Mr. Bowman, how are you today?" She smiles sweetly and I let out a little laugh at the whole Mr. thing.

"AJ, darlin', how many times do I gotta tell ya? It's Earl. I'm no Mr."

"I know, sir, it's just, well, my momma and sister did raise me right. What can I get for you today?" She cocks her hip out to the side as she holds her pen and pad poised in her hand.

"I'll take a burger and some fries, tea to drink. Actually, can I get a coffee now and tea when the food comes?"

"Coming right up," her bubbly voice sings songs as she spins on her heels.

"AJ, one more thing. Can you let Melissa know I'm here and I need to speak with her?"

"Yes, Sir," she pauses. "I mean, Earl."

I watch as she heads behind the counter, ripping my order from her pad and putting it on the order rack for the fucking cook in the back. Melissa calls him her chef, but I'm sorry; ain't no way I'm calling a fry cook a fancy name. If he's really a chef, why isn't he in some ritzy restaurant in New York or Boca? Once she's done, she disappears through the door that leads back to Mel's office and into the kitchen.

Impatiently, I sit and wait. About five minutes later, I see AJ step out from the back, wearing a glum look as she quickly makes my coffee. She reaches over to pick something up—I'm assuming it's creamer—and heads my way, holding the cup carefully.

She looks up, the corners of her lips turning up. "Here's your coffee and some creamer, just in case you want some. So, umm… Mr.—"

"AJ, sweetie, it's okay. Go let her know I ain't leavin' till I talk to her. So either she comes out here and speaks to me, or I'm comin' back there."

That's right, Mel, you're talking to me today whether you like it or not. I've got nothin' but time and nowhere I need to be.

She nods her head, blows out a deep breath, and scurries away. I feel bad for her; she shouldn't be caught as the messenger between Mel and me. Unfortunately, she's the poor soul in the wrong place at the wrong time and getting the brunt of the anger between us.

As I sit and wait, I add some creamer to my coffee and slowly begin to drink it as I flip through pictures on my phone of my grandbaby. I fucking hate that I wasn't there for Ashlynn to see her grow up, but damn if I'm not going to be there for every minute of Jacey's childhood.

I'm almost finished with my coffee and I've promised myself that when I do, if that goddess in the back isn't sitting in front of me, I will head back there.

Right before I stand up, she comes storming through the kitchen door. She has a scowl on her face that would scare the most unruly of children into obedience. Her eyes shoot daggers my way and I check to make sure she doesn't have a weapon in her hands—I can see her cutting my dick off if given the chance.

"What do you want, Earl? I'm busy and don't have time to sit and chitchat." Her voice is cold, not the sweet endearing one she used to have for me, or that she shares with others.

"Sit and have some coffee with me while I talk."

She rolls her eyes but slides into the booth across from me.

"Earl, hurry it up. I got shit to do."

I lift my hand and wave at AJ. When she looks my way, I hold my cup up to let her know what I want. She smiles and picks up the pot, heading our way.

She must sense the tension at our table because she quickly pours my cup, glancing nervously between us. "Would you like some, Melissa?"

"No, thank you, AJ. I won't be here long." She gives her a warm smile before turning her icy glare back on me. "What do you want, Earl?"

"I've missed you." The words slip from my mouth unexpectedly. It wasn't how I wanted to start our conversation, but guess my subconscious decided for me.

"Earl—" I cut her off before she can say anything else.

"Look, I know I fucked up. I seem to always do it when it comes to me and you. It's like the fuckin' world is conspirin' against us. Melissa, I just want you to know what I said—I didn't mean it. My emotions were on overload just finding out I had a daughter, that she was missin' and you knew. Hell, you weren't the only one, but I took the brunt of my anger out on you, and I'm sorry."

"It's a little too late for an apology, don't you think? Instead of listening to me, you pushed me away, wanted nothing to do with me. Well, I'm not going to forgive so easily. I did it once before and it got me nowhere." She crosses her arms over her chest, leaning back against the leathered booth.

"I know. I just want you to know I'm sorry."

"Okay, you've said it, and now I can go." Her voice is bitter and cold and I know all she wants to do is get far away from me.

Reaching out, I place my hand on her arm. The touch sends ripples of excitement through my body, straight to my fucking cock. But now is not the time for that, not yet at least. First, I have to win her back.

"I wanted to talk to you about an idea Ashlynn mentioned." That seems to catch her attention. As much as she hates me right now, she absolutely loves my daughter.

"Okay, hurry up and tell me." She waves her hand in the air.

"She questioned me about what I wanted to do with her old apartment. I told her I wasn't sure if I wanted to rent out the garage apartment now that she's not livin' there or not. She thinks it could be a good place for someone in need of a safe place to stay. A victim of domestic abuse, assault, sex traffickin', you get the gist. I'm behind it a hundred percent. This is where you come in." I give her my winning smile, hoping to break the icy glare directed at me.

"Love the idea, but what can I possibly have to do with it?"

"Well, I thought with you havin' the restaurant, you could offer them a job. The Hellions would totally cover the cost of payroll to bring them on. I also thought you could be a confidant, someone they could come to. You helped Ashlynn so much and then with your own history."

"My past has nothin' to do with this, Earl Bowman, and long ago when the Hellions came to my aid, it was specifically promised it would never be spoken of again."

"I know, Mel. I was just tryin' to get you to understand how important you are to this. If I don't have your support, I'm not goin' to move forward with it." I know, with those words, I have her. She always goes out of her way to help someone in need and she'd never let an idea to help someone fall by the wayside.

"Well, you got it. When you get it all sorted, send one of the boys with the details. There's no need for us to talk." She stands and heads back to the kitchen, without even a glance back over her shoulder.

Fuck, that did not go as planned!