Morrison (Caldwell Brothers)

Instinct can be a lifesaver. It can also get you killed. Like the poor bastard who leaps in front of a car to push someone out of the way and gets nailed. Like the guy who jumps in front of a drug-crazed lunatic with a gun and thinks he’s gonna save everyone in the store by taking the man down, only to end up dead. Like the mom who feels her kids are being threatened and puts herself between them and what she considers a danger and gets her ass beat down by some sick fuck. And like right now, as I am kneeling beside Hailey, pulling her into my arms because instinct kicked in and I didn’t wanna see her hurt.

She pushes me away and wipes at her face, trying to erase the evidence that her tell is out there for the whole world to see. While she gasps for words, I turn away and start picking up all the clothes spilled on the sidewalk.

Finally, she stops trying to talk and starts frantically shoving things in boxes, too. I pick up the first box and load it into her car, and then the second. I turn to grab the third, but she is on my heels, pushing past me.

“Mommy?” I hear from behind.

I look at the little girl she had in her arms earlier, and Hailey takes a deep breath and avoids my gaze.

“Almost ready, Marisa.” Her voice is soft and so full of love I am almost floored.

“For our adventure?” the little girl says.

“Yep.” She turns back and looks at me. “Thanks.”

When she starts to walk away, I grab her arm, stopping her.

“Hey, Marisa, we forgot one thing. Come help me get it?” the other female says to the little girl.

“Yep. Be right back, Mommy.”

“I’ll be right here, Ris. Just hurry up. We don’t want to be late.”

When the door shuts behind her daughter—her fucking daughter—my hands start to shake. “Something you need to tell me?”

“I don’t owe you—”

“Enough of the ‘owe me’ shit, Hailey. I’ve never asked for a damn thing, but right now, I’m gonna, and you’re gonna give it to me.”

“Is that so?” The edge has returned to her voice.

“Are you married?”

She looks confused.

“Did you sneak out of my hotel room this morning to go hop in your husband’s bed? Is that why—”

“Legally, yes, but that is none of your business.”

“It sure as fuck is my business.” I am pissed, and I don’t do pissed.

“I don’t have time for alpha attitude or a man standing in front of me making demands. If my little girl wasn’t gonna be walking back out that door any minute, I would use language you’ve probably never even heard. But because I have to be mother, father, and protector of that little girl, I will give you an answer. Then you’re gonna get in that shiny little car of yours and drive the hell away, because, as nice as things have been, Slick, you are not my reality.

“Yes, I have a husband. We are separated, and he is not a good man; hell, he doesn’t even pretend to be. He would sell his own child if he thought he could get away with it.

“I’m not gonna sugarcoat this. He thinks I owe him, and hell, maybe I do. I thought I had more time, and I did, until he heard I spent the night with ‘Aces.’ Now he’s calling in my debt, and that little girl—my little girl—is what he will take if I don’t give it to him. So excuse me if I didn’t stop to chat earlier, but I have more important things to deal with.

“Now, if you would kindly leave—and don’t look back, Slick, ’cause there is nothing sexy, shiny, or pretty for you to look at anymore.”

“How much do you owe him?”

“That’s none of your business or your concern.”

“I had a part in creating this situation, so let me help you out.”

“No! Never again will I let a man think I owe him.”

At this moment, I realize why she is the way she is, why she will never take more than she gives. At this moment, I know damn well I can’t just walk away. It’s not just my unexplainable draw to Hailey—now there’s a kid involved. I was that kid once, and no one offered to help.

Momma didn’t raise us to walk away.

“I wanna help.”

“I don’t need your help.” Her attention moves to the walkway her friend is rushing down.

“Hailey, just got a call, and Monte is on his way. You need to—” her friend begins, and I snap to full attention.

“Monte Timmons?” I ask. They both look at me, and I shake my head, realizing the ruthless bastard she’s tied to. “I’m not asking for anything in return. Just take this as a little good in a world of bad.” I turn around and see the little girl. “Hey, beautiful, you ever ride in a Porsche?”