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)
“I don’t know,” I admitted, crossing my arms over my chest. “But he’s her father. He’s never been bad to either of us other than getting sent to prison when he could have chosen to stay home. He has rights.”
Hannah’s eyes softened. “Not in Haven. No one has rights here except the women and children we protect. If you don’t want him inside these walls, he doesn’t come inside. I told you the same with Cash and it stands the same with Ash.” She blinked several times before a smile broke out. “Cash and Ash.”
Despite myself, a small giggle escaped. “Yeah. Cash and Ash.”
The promise in her voice combined with the small humor loosened the tension in my chest, but only momentarily. I glanced at the monitor again. Ash looked different from the man I remembered before prison. Harder. More watchful. But beneath, I could still see glimpses of the person who had genuinely loved our daughter, even if he had never truly loved me.
I pulled Hannah a few steps away from the desk, lowering my voice. “He’s a good person. And Lily’s father. But I’m not ready to have him here, in our space.” The words tumbled out in a nervous rush. “And I know he’s wearing a Kiss of Death cut now. Does that change things? Will the club expect you to side with him because he’s one of them?”
The fear simmering beneath the surface finally found its voice. Ash might be new to Kiss of Death, but he shared their bond. What if their loyalty to him outweighed their promises to me?
Hannah’s expression grew fierce. “Listen to me carefully, Eliza. The men respect our boundaries. This place belongs to the women. Period. If you say he doesn’t enter, then he doesn’t enter. Not even Knuckles would override your decision.”
Her certainty was reassuring, but I still hesitated. “Lily asked about him yesterday. She remembers the chocolate chip pancakes with faces he used to make for her when he was around.”
Hannah’s lips curved into a small, understanding smile. “Children need their fathers when those fathers are good men. And from everything you’ve said, Ash is a good man who made bad choices.”
“He is,” I agreed reluctantly. “Just not a man I can depend on.”
Hannah nodded. “You don’t have to let him into your life to let him into Lily’s. We can arrange supervised visits here, in the common room. You set the boundaries; we enforce them. Me and Pippa will see to it personally. Trust me when I tell you no one will mess with me. And Pippa is Knuckles’ daughter, so even if her husband wasn’t the vice president of Kiss of Death, her father is the president. Ash isn’t going to give either of us shit.”
I nodded. “Because you’re the president’s old lady.”
Hannah shook her head, giving me slightly deranged looking, wide grin. “Oh no. He’s not going to give me shit because I will shank him when he least expects it. Or when he knows it’s coming. Either scenario ends in him getting the plunge.”
Her statement and the fact I could tell she was totally serious, really should have freaked me out. Instead, I actually felt better. “OK,” I said finally. “He can see her in the common room. But will you really be there? You and Pippa?”
“Absolutely,” Hannah agreed immediately. “I’ll shoot Pippa a text, and we’ll talk to him before bringing him in.”
She returned to the intercom, pressing the button to speak. “Ash, right? Have a seat next to the door and I’ll be out with you in a bit to explain things.”
I couldn’t hear his response through the monitor, but his posture straightened, his nod visible even on the small screen. Hannah exited the security door between the community common room and the lobby, then she stepped outside into the parking lot where Asher sat on the bench in front of the door to New Beginnings. The bench had been placed there on purpose so anyone inside could see who waited outside.
She had a short conversation with Ash. He nodded several times, then they both headed into the lobby of Haven. His gaze found mine immediately, gratitude and apprehension mingling in his expression.
“Thanks for letting me come,” he said, his voice rougher than I remembered. “I appreciate it, Eliza.”
I nodded stiffly, unable to form a response. I didn’t want to reveal the storm of emotions churning inside me. Hannah gestured toward the common room.
“Lily’s playing with the other children. Why don’t you come sit down, and I’ll let her know you’re here.”
Ash followed Hannah. I trailed behind them, my heart racing as we entered the bright, open space where Lily sat cross-legged on the floor, coloring with Brynn. The older child had taken Lily under her wing, even though Brynn and Lavender were with Knight and didn’t live inside Haven. The sight of her, so peaceful and engaged, squeezed my heart.