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for protection. They both cooked
dinner together, and Mindy was improving under Cherry’s care. His daughter was
seeing her as more of a mother than anything else.
    When his daughter’s menstrual cycle came a week ago
and there hadn’t been any ladies’ products, Cherry had handled it, talking with
her. He was starting to wonder how he even handled his daughter before she came
into his life.
    “How is Cherry?” Caleb asked, taking a sip of his
whiskey.
    “She’s fine.”
    “You’ve kept her then,” Henry asked.
    “She’s not something I can get rid of.” Marcel had
asked her how his gift was faring. Elijah had given the bastard a warning. When
his wife had died, Elijah had gone on a rampage earning the reputation that
helped him to this day. He’d killed men who’d tried to fight him, lashing out
without being provoked. Elijah had done all of this until he went back to the
hospital where his little girl was waiting for him.
    Bethan died in his arms, and he went to take care of
business. Fifteen years ago, three gangs had been trying to take his turf from
him. Elijah took out all three gangs and sent out a warning. He’d not cared at
the time if he lived or died. He had held his dead wife and wanted to follow
her. When he’d survived, he’d gone back to the hospital, organized what to do
for his wife’s funeral, then gone to hold his
daughter. Mindy had held onto his finger as if begging him to stay.
    Elijah had fought for the life he now led. Marcel may
have a lot of men at his back, but none of them knew how many men owed Elijah.
He learned to help other men who also helped him. John was ex-military. When
the military got rid of him, Elijah picked him up. He took men who had a gift
for defense and were known to be loyal, and he paid them well.
    “Donna likes her.”
    “She likes everyone,” Elijah said.
    “Lydia likes her as well, and she doesn’t like
everyone,” Henry said.
    “She doesn’t even like you half the time.” Elijah
chuckled. It was no secret that Lydia and Henry’s relationship was a love-hate
one.
    It was cute most of the time to see the two together.
    “I’ve got to head out of here.” Elijah downed his whiskey,
getting to his feet. It was a Saturday night, girls’ night. He’d been asked to
give Mindy and Cherry time to themselves. Nine o’clock was more than enough
time.
    He shook both men’s hands and headed out. John was
waiting for him again. His life was becoming the same routine of business deals
and danger. Elijah was growing bored.
    You weren’t bored of the life you led before Cherry came into your life.
    “Are you okay, boss ?” John
asked.
    “Yes, I’m fine.” He didn’t talk about his feelings
with his men. Elijah talked to the photo of his dead wife. “Any
news?”
    “None, sir. Cherry and Mindy stayed in all night. They ordered pizza, and the
delivery guy flirted with Cherry. She slammed the door in his face. I don’t
know what he said, but she was not impressed.”
    Elijah chuckled. He kept a lot of protection on his
home. No one got near his daughter. All of his men had his cell phone number
and would use it if something happened. In the last fifteen years no one had
come close to his daughter. He’d kept Mindy a secret from the dark side of his
life.
    “You can take the rest of the day off,” Elijah said. “And tomorrow.”
    “Will do.”
    Opening the front door, Elijah keyed in the security.
The house was silent. He passed the dining room only to stop. Cherry had
several books open and was jotting down notes. She didn’t look up or show any
sign that she’d heard him.
    Leaning against the doorframe he watched her working.
Her clear blue eyes soaked up each word.
    She glanced up and screamed. Cherry pulled her
headphones out of her ears. “Shit, you scared me. I didn’t even hear you come
in.”
    “You were concentrating.” He pointed at the book that
she was writing in.
    “Sorry, is it late?” She looked down at her watch,
frowning.