Blackjack

Chapter 21

Chapter 21 

Alex’s POV 

I reached the clubhouse a little after 12.  

“Hey Shane have you seen my dad?” 

“Yea man he’s over in the shop with Tyler” 

“Thanks man” I say as I walk out the door to head over to the shop.  

“Hey dad” 

“Son how's it going?” 

“Can we talk a minute?” I ask. He nods and motions for me to follow him out back. 

“Everything ok son?” 

“I said I'd be in late today cuz Hayley let me take Addie to school this morning.” 

“Thats great Alex I'm glad you're getting to spend time with your daughter. Family always comes first son.” He says proudly 

“Thanks dad....I also stayed the night with Hayley.” I say nervously. 

“Well that’s moving faster than I expected.” my father says chuckling. I just raise my eye brow at him. 

“You never stopped loving her Alex, that has always been clear even when you were with Becca. I’m happy for you son, you and Hayley were always meant to be together. Don’t rush things though, don’t push her. Being a part of this life comes with risk, Hayley isn’t stupid she knows this. If you push her into a life with you to quickly, she could run again and take Addie with her. I don’t ever want to see you hurt like that again Alex.” 

“Thanks dad, talking things out with you always helps. You have any advice on how to bring her into this world?” 

“Unfortunately son I don’t, your mother grew up in this world that’s how we met. Just be honest with her and give her time. This life is mostly mild for the women, your mother hasn’t ever had any trouble.”  

I just nod response. “Well I better get going dad we got that shipment coming in at the docks, you coming?” 

“No, I have a meet with Lopez. They wanna check out some different hardware.” 

“Ok, I’ll see you later old man. Love ya” 

“Love ya too son” 

“Shane, Ray, Reggie lets get going we got that delivery.” I say as I hop on my Harley. 

Hayley’s POV 

The next couple of days past by quickly. Alex and I texted constantly and he picked Addie up for school every morning. Everything was going great, I haven’t been this happy in a long time. Today the four of us are going to spend the day together. I’m just waiting on Addie to get up so we can get ready to go. I take one last look at myself in the mirror before heading to the living room to wait for Addie. I’m wearing a blue flowy t-shirt with a flower print on it and dark blue skinny jeans. I paired the outfit with my black flat healed dress boots. I wanted to look cute but also be comfortable since I have no idea what Alex has planned for the day. I head out to the living room to see Addie standing there with the biggest grin on her face, she is so excited to spend the day together and excited to finally meet her baby brother.  

“Are you ready baby girl?” 

“YES!” she replies excitedly. I chuckle as I motion for her to head out the door. I get into the driver’s seat of my Toyota Highlander and look in my rearview mirror to see that she is already buckled up and ready to go. After a short drive to Alex’s house I pull into the driveway with a very excited little girl. Addie runs ahead of me and rings the doorbell. As I start to catch up to her Alex opens the door cradling Liam in his arms and with the biggest smile on his face.  

“Hi Daddy!” Addie says excitedly 

“Good morning Princess” Alex says bringing her in for a hug. 

“Good morning Hayley” Alex says smiling 

“Good morning Alex” I reply returning the smile. He guilds us into the living room and sit down on the grey couch. 

“Addie this is your little brother Liam” Alex says proudly 

“He is so cute! Can I hold him?” Addie asks 

“Of course just sit back on the couch” Alex says as he places Liam in her arms. 

“Are you comfortable Addie?” He says as he places a pillow under her arm for support. 

“Yes Daddy I'm fine thank you” she replies smiling. I just watch the three of them together and my heart swells with joy. Maybe this can work, we can be a happy little family. I know Addie would want that, I want that too. Sweet little Liam needs a mother figure in his life and Addie needs her father. 

“Addie how about you watch your brother for me down here on the floor while I talk to your mom.” Alex says as he placed Liam on the play mat. 

“Ok!” Addie replies grabbing a rattle so she can play with Liam. Alex guilds me into the kitchen as we sit down at the table. 

“I wanted to talk to you about our future. You know I love you and always have. I want to be a family, the 4 of us. I want you and Addie to move in with us someday I want to marry you, I always have.” Alex just lays it all out and it’s a bit over whelming. I don’t want to rush Addie into anything, but on the other hand I know she would love to all be a family.  

“I want all of that in good time too Alex, but I don’t want to rush things. We have Addie and Liam to think about. We can’t just do all of that because we want to. Also moving in here and being a family means exposing Addie to your lifestyle and as much as I love you that scares me. I know you are a great man and I have no doubt in your abilities to be an amazing father but you’re a criminal. I don’t even know the extent of what you do.” I say trying to be honest but not hurtful 

“I understand it’s a scary thing, I know I'm not perfect. This life I was born into is serious one, but in my 27 years I have never encountered any serious issues. As a child nothing crazy ever happened to me, nothing has ever happened to my mom the security she has is just a precaution. I could provide you and Addie with the same security. As for what we do I can tell you everything if that’s what you want my father thinks it may be best to be completely honest, but I can't help but think maybe the less you know the better for you. So I guess I’ll leave that decision up to you.”  

“I need to know what I'm getting into Alex, I understand that no matter what I’m always tied to you. The way I see it is that as much as we have been seen together and you have been out with Addie that we are already at risk anyway if someone wanted to try something. We are safer as a family, so I might as well know the whole truth. For now lets just start with how you guys earn your money.” I reply.  

“We sell illegal guns and drugs” He states. 

“What kind of drug?” I ask 

“Heroin” 

“Wow that’s some serious s**t” I say in shock “Where do you make it?” I ask 

“We don’t, we mule it”  

“From where?” 

“The docks” He says trying to be evasive  

“A little more specific Alex, it comes from somewhere.” I say sternly 

“Russia, the guns too.” I says nervously. 

Alex POV 

I give her the answer’s she looking for hoping it won't scare her away. She’s right even though our club has never had any serious issues they are safer with me then without me at this point. The Russian’s are pretty serious people and if they wanted to hurt us the first thing they would do to get to us is hurt our families. The anticipation of her reply is killing me. I couldn’t lose her again and I couldn’t let her take my daughter from me.  

“Thanks for being honest with me Alex, I expect the same kind of honesty whenever I ask you about things. Don’t hold back thinking it will make things better because it won’t. I don’t like being lied to and I would never be ok with half-truths, it's not my style.” She says to me. 

“Your not going to run?” I ask 

“No Alex I'm not, I trust you and I love you. It may not be the ideal life I imagined for myself but you are my soulmate. We were always meant to be together. I know will do everything necessary to keep this family safe.” She says