The Saint Read online

  “No. No, I want to meet her. Oh God, do you think she thinks that?”

  He chuckled. “Sweetheart, gotta relax.” His lips swept over hers.

  “Don’t kiss me, she could be watching.”

  Saint chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her to the porch. Before they made it to the landing, the front door opened, and a beautiful little replica of Saint stood in front of her.

  “Hi.” Her smile was just as Bailey had remembered from her picture.

  Bailey smiled, stepping away from Saint. She didn’t get very far. His hand slid down to her waist tugging her close. Bailey cleared her throat.

  “Hi Cia.”

  “I have something for you,” she blurted then spun so fast Bailey barely saw her disappear into the house.

  “What the…” She moved forward when Saint nudged her through the door. She’d been in the house several times and usually felt comfortable. This was different. When she walked into the living room she halted. A pretty blonde sat on the couch. Tara.

  Bailey smiled and drew in a breath. She’d never met an ex before, but read enough books and saw enough movies to know it rarely went smoothly.

  “T, this is Bailey.” Saint dropped something on the side table.

  The woman stood up and made her way to Bailey. It occurred to her last minute that Bailey had yet to move or speak. Tara was probably thinking Bailey was the bitch. Fuck, she was messing this up.

  “The infamous Bailey,” she said and snickered. She stopped and dropped her head back and held her hands in prayer. “Thank you, God.” She giggled and looked back at Bailey with an amused grin. “If I had to go another two weeks hearing, ‘Dad won’t let me meet her. Do you think she likes popcorn, what kinda movies do ya think she likes?’ And of course, my favorite, ‘can we pass by her house, maybe she’s outside.’” Tara burst out laughing and looked over Bailey’s shoulder. “Hell, Saint, I think we might have a stalker on our hands.” Tara leaned forward. “I feel for this kid’s first boyfriend.” She winked.

  Bailey laughed, ’cause how could she not. Tara was funny.

  “To say my girl has been dying to meet you would be an effing understatement.” Tara stepped forward, extending her hand, which Bailey immediately shook. Her hand was warm and soft.

  Bailey swallowed a breath and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Tara.”

  “Same here, Bailey. I think—” She stopped mid-sentence when Cia came rushing down the stairs, barreling through the living room and halted directly in front of her. She glanced up, not far since Bailey only had about six inches on the girl anyway.

  “Gimme your hand.” Cia grabbed her hand before Bailey had time to oblige. She gripped her hand, pushing up her sleeve to the wrist. Bailey could sense the second Cia zoned in on her scar. This wasn’t the first time someone had stared, though she couldn’t recall a stranger being so up close and inspecting since…. Saint. Her heart skipped, and she watched his daughter’s lip tug down into a frown. If she pushed her sleeve any further, she’d see the scar leading up past her elbow. Please don’t. Her hand trembled slightly, and the room remained silent.

  “Well, give it to her, Cia. It’s all she’s talked about for the last couple days, Bailey.”

  Bailey glanced up at Tara, who was smiling though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She knew the look, had gotten it so many times throughout the years. She’d recognize it a mile away. Sympathy.

  Bailey felt Cia’s hand over hers and gazed down. A multicolored beaded bracelet slipped through her hand, landing on her wrist. In the center was a red and black ladybug.

  She stepped forward, practically leaning into Bailey. “Look, we have matching ones.” She held up her bracelet, a smaller replica of the one Bailey wore. “Do you like it?”

  Bailey was overcome with crazy emotions and on the verge of tears. This was new territory for her. She smiled at Cia, raising her hand against her heart.

  “I love it, Cia. Thank you so much.”

  The little girl grinned at the same time she felt Saint at her back. His hands wrapped around her waist, and he leaned over her shoulder. Bailey held up her wrist, and his lips grazed her temple. “Where’s mine?”

  Cia giggled. “It’s just for girls, Daddy.”

  The sound of her laugh had Bailey joining in, and relief spread throughout her body. Any anxiety she was carrying drifted away with a little feminine snicker. Here she was the adult, yet it was a nine-year-old putting her at ease.

  “Come on, C, help me get drinks.”

  She jerked her head, and Saint smiled at her. Cia followed behind him, glancing over her shoulder with a toothy grin before slipping past the doorway. Now, she was left with his ex in a room alone. Tara seemed nice during their introduction. Now it was very awkward to be standing in silence.

  She took a deep calming breath and faced Tara.

  “I asked him to give us a minute.”

  Bailey’s brows hiked up.

  Tara waved her over to the couch and sat. Bailey slowly skirted past the table and took a seat at the opposite end. She clasped her hands on her lap.

  Tara glanced at the kitchen and leaned forward. “Just wanted to have a little one on one with you.”

  “Oh.” Was this where Tara threatened her if she ever hurt her child, she’d kill her? Or maybe she wasn’t over Saint and wanted her to leave. From the description Saint gave her of his ex, these all seemed far-fetched, but it still worried her.

  Tara leaned across the couch and grasped her folded hands, giving her a squeeze. “I’m just so happy to meet you, Bailey.”

  Not what she expected.

  “Ya know, getting any info outta Saint is nearly impossible. Only gives ya what he wants, and he’s keeping you all to himself.” She released her hands and turned her body to face Bailey. “I just wanted to meet you, and hopefully, ya know, be friends.”

  “Oh.” She shuddered at her inability to say more, but she was completely caught off guard. She cleared her throat and shifted around matching Tara’s position. “Well, it’s great to meet you. Saint talks about you, all good things.”

  Tara grinned and chuckled. “Well, he’s leaving out a bunch then, since I can be a stark raving loon. You’ll find out soon enough.” She winked. “Denny says I can only hide my crazy so long before it comes raging out, usually around the holidays.”

  Bailey knew Denny was her husband, and although she didn’t let on, Saint informed her of how nuts Tara got at Christmas. She kept that to herself.

  “So, anyway, this is gonna sound strange, I just wanna put it out there.”

  Here it comes…don’t mess with my kid or you’re dead.

  “You ever run into a problem with Cia, something you can’t go to Saint with, you reach out to me and I’ll get it sorted.”

  Bailey blinked in confusion. “Uh…what do ya mean?”

  Tara snorted. “Cia’s a great kid. Most of the time she’s my favorite, though if you mention it in front of the other two, I’ll deny I said it.” She winked with a smirk. “But she’s a kid, none of them are perfect, and sometimes, she gets sassy and snarky. I mean, she is my kid, so it’s partially my fault. It happens, and I just want you know when it does, you have my permission to set her straight, and if she’s not listening to you, you tell me.”

  “Shouldn’t I tell Saint?”

  “Yes, absolutely, but if for some reason, you couldn’t or didn’t want to have him in the middle, I’m here, and I’ll make sure it works out.”

  This was strange, and she wasn’t completely following Tara. The idea that the sweet girl who put her at ease would turn on her was making her a bit anxious again.

  “Okay.”

  Tara smiled. “Good.” She jerked her chin toward the kitchen. “Saint did that for me right after Denny and I got together. I appreciate that more than he’ll ever know, of course, he doesn’t know. Denny made me promise not to tell him I knew.”

  “Has Denny ever had to take him up on the offer?”
<
br />   She shrugged. “Don’t know. Denny never mentioned it. Marriage is hard enough, and in blended families, it can be harder.” She snapped her fingers. “Another thing, we do holidays together, Christmas, Thanksgiving, her birthday, we usually get together at my house. It’s a good time, but if you and Saint decide ya wanna do something on your own with Cia, that’s fine too.”

  Bailey smirked. “You’re completely ruining the stereotype of the bitter ex-wife.”

  Tara burst out laughing. She glanced over to Saint, who had come to the doorway. He looked confused as Tara howled again. Bailey smiled and shrugged. He shook his head and disappeared into the kitchen.

  “Oh shit, we are gonna be best friends, I can feel it.” She wiped her eyes and continued a steady chuckle.

  “I appreciate you having this conversation with me, Tara. I didn’t expect it, especially the first time meeting you, but thank you.”

  “I know it’s weird, and you and Saint aren’t walking down the aisle next week, but this thing you guys have?” She gave her a soft smile and nodded. “I’ve known Saint a very long time, and as much as it’s hard to get anything outta him, I can see how he feels for you. You’re the one. You’re his like Denny is mine.”

  Bailey’s heart raced against her chest. I’m the one. She was going to need a Xanax after this day was over. A roller coaster ride of emotions. Her heart couldn’t take much more. She peeked up to see Cia race into the room and plop down on the couch near her mom, but her smile was aimed at Bailey. Her gaze flicked past the couch to see Saint standing at the edge of the room, staring at her with a soft gaze.

  Her heart swelled. I’m his.

  ****

  Saint was bringing in the grill tools through the mudroom and stopped short at the kitchen doorway. Cia was sitting at the table with her legs swinging and staring up at the ceiling fan. He was thoroughly in tune with his kid. He had made a point of reading her since she was a baby. He didn’t want anything to slip without him knowing.

  She sighed heavily, and her shoulders sagged. He scanned the room. No sight of Bailey. They had pretty much stuck together for the last five hours since she arrived. Mostly it was Cia who stuck by Bailey’s side. Had something happened when he was outside?

  “C, you good?”

  She jerked her head. “Yeah.”

  Something was on her mind, but she was holding it close. If he wanted her to let it out, he’d have to finagle it out of her. He walked toward the sink. “Where’s Bailey?”

  “Bathroom.”

  He lay the utensils in the sink and turned, leaning his back against the counter. She stared back at him, and he knew the look. She was reeling with indecision of wanting to talk.

  “Talk to me.”

  She clasped her hands on her lap and squinted her eyes. She quickly glanced over her shoulder toward the empty doorway.

  “Something happen with Bailey?”

  “Uh-uh.”

  “You like her?”

  Her face lit up, and she nodded. “Yeah, she’s really nice and pretty. She said next time I come, she wants me to come over so I can see where she lives. Can we?”

  “Yeah, we can.”

  Cia pursed her lips together. Something was eating at her, and she was having a hard time of it. Saint knew his girl, caught the long silent stare when she gave Bailey the bracelet and saw her scars.

  “Proud of you.” Saint smiled.

  “For what?”

  He shrugged, not wanting to make it a big deal, but knowing this conversation needed to happen to make things good for Cia.

  “For not saying anything about Bailey’s scars, playing it cool.”

  “Did I, ’cause I think I stared a little?” Her lips formed a deep frown, and she dropped her gaze to her feet.

  “Hey.”

  When she looked up, Saint lifted his chin. “You didn’t, C.”

  Her small body deflated a bit, and the tension eased on her forehead. She bit her lip, which made it obvious she had more going on in her mind.

  “You wanna ask me something, just ask.”

  “Um…” She glanced toward the doorway then back at him. “Did something bad happen to Bailey?”

  Oh fuck. How was he supposed to answer her? He’d always made a point to be truthful and honest with his daughter. But he knew Bailey’s concerns about Cia knowing the details of what happened. He would have to handle it delicately, for both of them. Saint pushed off the counter and came to a stop in from of Cia, bending down to her level. He rested his elbows on his knees and gazed up at her.

  “A few years ago, someone she trusted hurt her.”

  Cia’s eyes widened. “Why would someone hurt Bailey?”

  Saint ground his teeth together. “Because he was a bad guy. But he was punished, went to jail. He won’t hurt her again.”

  “He gave her the scars on her arm?”

  Saint nodded.

  Cia’s bottom lip trembled slightly. It was a lot for a nine-year-old to take in. She glanced up and raised her brows. “Did you tell her you’d never hurt her?”

  Saint cupped her jaw and leaned in, kissing her cheek. “She knows, baby.”

  “Tell her anyway, Dad. Make sure she really knows.”

  “All right, I’ll tell her.”

  “And tell her,” she paused and gulped a breath, “tell her I won’t hurt her either.”

  He pulled her in for a tight hug, and her fingers dug into his back. He and Tara may have made mistakes in the past; Cia was proof they’d done something right. He kissed her cheek and pulled away just as the sight of Bailey caught his eye. She slipped behind the doorway as to not be seen.

  “Go pull out the chairs and set them up around the pit.”

  “Can we do s’mores with Bailey?”

  “Yeah, go set up, and I’ll wait for her.” Cia jumped down from her chair and rushed out. He gave her a minute to get outside and when he heard the screen door close, he turned toward the doorway. Bailey peeked her head out and smiled shyly.

  “She’s a sweet one,” she whispered and stared down at the floor.

  “Yeah, she is.”

  Bailey peeked up, shifting on her feet. He hated the awkwardness between them. All he wanted was to walk over and take her in his arms. He just didn’t know if it was what she needed right now.

  The silence drug on as he stared back at her, and she avoided his gaze.

  Fuck it.

  He stalked over to her, and she jerked her head up and widened her eyes in surprise. He grasped his palm over her neck, kissing her softly. Bailey pulled away slightly, gazing down at his chest.

  “You heard Cia?”

  She clamped her lips and nodded.

  He leaned closer, whispering in her ear and keeping his promise to his daughter. “Not gonna hurt ya, Bailey.”

  She glanced up through her lashes. “I know, Saint.”

  “And I’m not gonna let anyone hurt you.” He angled her jaw, forcing her to meet his stare. “You believe me?”

  “Yes.” She teared up. “I know you had to tell her, and I don’t want you to lie, I just wish…”

  “Bailey,” he whispered.

  She wiped her face. “I just wish I didn’t have a past like the one I have.” She was shaking off the inevitable. Bailey was strong, stronger than most. She drew in a breath. He hugged her close.

  “What can I do to make this better?”

  She sniffled. “Get the marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers so I can have s’mores with your sweet daughter.”

  Saint couldn’t resist. He loved this woman beyond anything in the world. He cupped her chin, making her looking up at him. She smiled though it was a front. The back of his hand grazed her wet cheek before his lips dropped down to hers. Bailey eased up on her toes and kissed him back, and then circled around him and headed outside.

  He’d spend the rest of his life giving her so many good memories, she’d hopefully one day forget the bad. It wasn’t plausible. Bailey would never forget. He was still
going to try.

  Saint made his way to the pantry, grabbing everything he needed and headed out to the back yard. He stopped at the edge of the steps. Bailey was bent down near the fire ring, stacking the wood with Cia standing next to her, shredding strips of old newspaper.

  He’d obviously walked out in mid-conversation.

  “And I told my mom, I’ll share my room, too. I even know where we can put the crib if I move my bed by the window.”

  Saint smiled, inching closer. His little girl wanted a baby sister so badly. It would wreck her if Tara had another boy.

  Bailey turned her head. “I always wanted a sister too. I hope you get yours.”

  “Mom says it’s a fifty-fifty chance.”

  Bailey laughed and nodded her head. “Those are good odds.” She winked and stood, reaching in her pocket.

  Saint purposely waited while Bailey lit the fire. Watching the small bonding between these two was more than he thought his heart could take. Once the fire started, Bailey sat on the chair. He watched his daughter take the seat next to her.

  “Do you like babies?”

  Bailey jerked her head and smiled. “I love babies, especially girls.”

  Cia laughed. “I just really want a sister.”

  He watched Bailey’s profile. Her features softened and she reached out, taking Cia’s hand. “If I could have chosen a big sister, I would have chosen one just like you.”

  Cia turned, and Saint was struck by the view. The two of them smiling at each other. He was going to remember this moment for the rest of his life.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “You’re so full of shit. They are not real,” Macy blurted.

  Bailey choked on her margarita and quickly covered her mouth. She felt a hand pat her back, and she glanced over, catching Meg’s amusement.

  Just another Friday night at the Ghosttown Riders clubhouse.

  She may have come in with Saint, but she was carted off to a table with Chey and Macy after ten minutes, and Meg joined a short while ago. They were seated in the pool room in the back. A neighboring club was visiting, as Saint explained. While he didn’t stay by her side once the women gathered at the small table, she constantly felt his eyes on her.