Creatively Crushed (Reckless Bastards MC 6)

I shook my head, refusing to let her words or their determined and eager head nods sway me. I knew the truth. “I can’t put myself in a situation that I know will end badly, especially with everything I have on my plate. I need to make good choices for me and Beau.”

Teddy and Rocky both laughed. “I find good choices to be terribly boring,” the stunning redhead said with a laugh.

“Maybe but I’m all Beau has and I can’t afford to lose my shit over a man, especially one who has heartache written all over him. Boring is preferable to broken.”

“Who said anything about broken?” Rocky asked, far too astutely. “Oh shit, you like him. Like seriously maybe-could be love, kind of like?”

I shook my head silently.

“That’s bullshit Moon and you know it,” Jana said with more ferocity than I expected. “It’s not just you and Beau anymore. You have us. All of us.”

I accepted their kind words because it was the only thing to do in the moment. Cross was their family, technically the boss of their men and I knew how break ups in a situation like this worked. I’d seen it plenty with my family’s social circle. Usually the couples all kept the half of the couple with the most power or influence, so usually the husband. I vowed that after this was all over, I’d do better about getting out and making new friends.

&n

bsp; Living life.

“Thanks, ladies.” My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out, frowning at the unknown number. “Excuse me. Hello?” I got up from the table and walked to a spot where I could hear.

“Is this Moonbeam Vanderbilt?”

I didn’t recognize the almost robotic voice but immediately I went on alert. “Who’s asking?”

“Please confirm your identity, ma’am.” The voice on the other end spoke with an air of authority and a whole lot of irritation.

“You first.”

“Officer Jones,” he grunted out angrily.

“That’s a common name, do you have a first name?” What kind of cop called without identifying themselves?

“No.”

“Okay, neither do I. Have a good day.” I ended the call and took a quick glance over my shoulder where Beau played with the other kids but mostly he climbed up Stitch’s long body which was perfect since he was little more than a kid himself. My phone rang again and I went in search of Jag. I couldn’t be sure, but if the caller was a cop, he was a crooked one.

Jag looked up when I placed a hand on his shoulder and I pointed at the ringing phone. “What’s up?”

I answered the phone on speaker. “Hello?”

“Ms. Vanderbilt?”

“Who’s calling?” I couldn’t help but smile at the frustrated growl he let out.

“Officer Jones.” Jag grabbed the phone from my hands and did a bunch of quick hand moves before he handed it back. The call was recording and I relaxed.

“Officer Jones who refuses to identify himself properly? Tell you what, keep your first name and give me your badge number.”

“Are you Moonbeam Vanderbilt, mother of Rainbeau Vanderbilt?”

“How is this any of your business? I don’t even know who you are.”

“There’s been an accident at the camp, Ms. Vanderbilt.”

Jag’s dark brows rose in question and I shook my head, pointing at the area just outside where Beau played with his friends.

“And what does that have to do with me?”

The faux officer sighed heavily. “We think one of the injured kids is your son, Rainbeau. That is your son’s name, isn’t it?”