11. Evie

"She'll haveto sleep with you. That way, you'll know if she gets up at night, at least until you get a bed for Hannah. Push your bed up against the wall so she won't fall off. And stuff pillow all against the wall."

"What a great idea! I ordered her a bed, and it will be here on Friday. I'm going to make a nursery out of Carrie's old room. She'll be here tomorrow to meet Hannah and help pack up all her old stuff. I still can't believe I have a daughter. She's so beautiful."

"Yes, she is. It's sad about her mommy dying, but she's lucky to have you as her father. I don't know much about you, but I do know you'll be a great Dad."

"Thank you. It's a lot of responsibility. I never looked at my buddies and thought they had a big responsibility before, but now I do. My poor Grandfather really had his hands full with the five of us."

"I'm going to let Tater out for a while. Good night," I said as I left to find Tater, who had really reduced her stinky gas problem. I think it was because she was always outside running around, and she only went out at home when we walked her.

I smiled, remembering Rebel bathing Hannah. That was a fun experience. My mind went to him soaked, his tee shirt clinging to his wet body, playing with Hannah. That is one hot-looking Daddy. I found Tater, and we walked in the back. I let Alpo join us as we sat on the porch. Alpo and Tater were sitting in my lap when Rebel sat beside me.

I looked over at him. "Is she sleeping?"

"Yes, the poor thing was completely worn out. I'll have to make a schedule for when it's time for her to eat, bedtime, and bath time. She"s such a tiny little thing," he glanced over at me. "I love her so much it scares me."

I smiled as Alpo decided to climb on Rebel's lap. I heard him chuckle. "You'll have to shower again before getting back in bed with Hannah. That's the only thing about Alpo; she slobbers all over you," I said, laughing at the look on Rebel's face when he saw all the slobbers on his leg.

"What's a few slobbers?" he said, chuckling. We were on a rescue mission in Iran once, and all we had to eat were granola bars. This Navy Seal with us caught a chicken. All of us were excited because we would be having chicken for dinner. But Luca let him go because he swore the chicken was saying (help me, mama) every time it opened its mouth."

I was laughing and shaking my head. "Did any of you try catching the chicken again?"

"No, how were we to know if that chicken was or wasn't shouting for help?" He chuckled. "I know I didn't eat chicken for the longest time after that."

"It's strange how your mind works. Sometimes, in my mind, I see Kylie taking care of horses, and I wonder if that's what she is doing. But then reality will jump back inside my head," I paused after looking around.

"I spoke with a woman who lived on the streets. She was somewhat lucid; she told me if she weren't afraid of going to hell, she would have already killed herself. She was twenty-three, and she looked like an old lady. I asked her if she wanted me to call her family, and she said my family is better off thinking I'm dead."

"That's sad. The government could stop all of this if they wanted to, but they are getting paid big bucks under the table from the cartel to do nothing," Rebel said. "I better get back in there. I'll see you in the morning."

"Yep, I'll see you then." I sat there until midnight, thinking of my next plan. I couldn't just sit here while Kylie needed my help. She could be in any state or country if the cartel had her. If they no longer had her, she would live on the streets somewhere. But where? I will visit Marcus tomorrow morning and start asking questions.

I put Alpo back in her area, and Tater and I went to bed. The next morning, my mind went to Cinder. I realized I hadn't seen her in a couple of days; what with the piano lessons and Hannah, I hadn't paid attention to whether she had even been eating her food. I knew Tater would eat it if Cinder weren't around, so I couldn't even go by that.

I started hunting for her like a crazy person. I couldn't lose Cinder; he was Kylie's sweet baby. I went outside to hunt him, and then I looked in Alpo's area. I walked up and down the street, calling for him. When I got back to the house, Rebel stood outside, looking angry.

"What are you doing? It is barely seven. You aren't supposed to go anywhere alone."

"Cinder is gone. Have you seen him anywhere?"

"No, I haven't actually now that you mention it. Come inside. Let me feed Hannah, and I will help you look for him. Have you checked everywhere inside?"

Not the bedrooms. He likes hiding under things he might be under the covers. Is everyone here?"

"No, I'll check Reaper's room, and when Allison wakes up, she can check her room. I'm sure he's in one of the rooms," Rebel said.

By dinner time, I knew we would not be finding Cinder. I had Hannah with me while Rebel checked under the house. When he walked onto the porch, I couldn't help but smile. He was covered with dirt and cobwebs.

"Why are you smiling," he asked, standing next to me.

"You are very dirty," I said, backing away from him.

"Oh yeah, well, I think Hannah wants a kiss from her daddy, he said, wrapping his arms around us. I laughed, trying to wiggle out of his arms as he rubbed dirt and cobwebs all over me.

He kissed Hannah on the neck, making her giggle. I chuckled until his lips touched mine. It was just a baby kiss at first, and then it changed. His hold tightened, and the kiss deepened. If he weren't holding me up, I would have fallen.

He raised his head and gazed into my eyes. "I'm not sorry. I've wanted to taste you since I met you."

Why?" I whispered.

"Because I knew you'd taste good."

I couldn't help but smile at that silly remark. He smiled, bent his head, and kissed me again. This time, his tongue slipped into my mouth. I made a sound that sounded like a growl deep in my throat. And his hand slid up and touched my breast. I turned into his hand, giving him permission to do whatever he wanted, and then Hannah kissed his cheek.

I ached all the way to my core. I wanted him inside me, deep inside me. When he looked at me, he saw it in my eyes. I wanted him to touch me right now; I had never had a craving like this for anyone before. I had a feeling I would never have a craving like this for another man ever.

I knew he wanted me. I saw the way his head dipped down for another kiss, and then a little hand slapped his cheek. I smiled, and he shook his head and smiled before giving me another quick kiss.

Cinder was gone. It had been three days since I started looking for him, and he was nowhere to be found. I put his photo up throughout the little mountain town. I continued to make Rebel angry by walking around town in the middle of the night hunting for Kylie's cat. I felt like if I didn't find the cat, then I would never find Kylie.

I walked to my room and cried. What was I going to do? I was failing my sister, and I should have already found her and Cinder. How was I going to find her by staying here? The damn mafia guy wasn't coming anywhere around me. I'm hiding from no one who is after me, and I haven't seen anyone looking for me.

I sat up when I heard my door open. "Evie, please don't cry. We'll find him. Sometimes, cats will run off when they are first moved, but they come back after a couple of weeks or so," he said with his arm around me.

"Who told you that?"

"I read it. I've been reading about cats for three days," he said kissing the side of my head.

"Where is Hannah?" I asked.

"She went to Spartan and Benni's to play with her cousin for the afternoon."

Then, lock my door. I've been aching for you to be inside of me since you kissed me."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. It's the middle of the day. What if your parents want to come in?"

They won't get to. Do you want me?"

You know I want you, but you're my client."

I'm not a paying client, so I don't consider myself a real client. If you don't want me, I understand. I have only had sex with two men, and I have to tell you I didn't like it. But you make me ache for you to make love to me. I know you will make me love making love. What do you say?" He got up and locked the door. Now I was nervous.

When Rebel came back to me, I stood up, and he pulled my tee shirt over my head as he bent and kissed me. "Maybe it"s me that doesn't know how to make love. I hope you enjoy it as much as I'm going to," I said. He chuckled as he undid my bra.

"I'll make sure both of us have a good time," he said, bending to put my breast in his mouth. I moaned and ran my fingers through his hair. My thoughts refused to remain in my head. Before I knew what was happening, we were in bed, both of us naked.