Reclaiming her ( Forgotten Sons book 1)

Chapter 10

Lacey

I still can't believe Nate was here and met Cassidy. The looks of pain and heartbreak on his face when he realised she was his and he has missed so much of her life broke me.

I don't know why I listened to my parents about how a young man wouldn't want to be burdened with Cass, but at the time, I was scared and thought it made sense. I also thought I was protecting him from them and their connections to the mayor, who could all have made his life very difficult in this small town.

When he left yesterday, I was so confused. I wanted to hug him and feel the connection we used to share, but he's grown, and he is different. I saw the patches on his vest yesterday, the words 'president' and 'Viper' reminding me of his ties to a whole other world that I know nothing about.

I remember him telling me all the messed up things his dad got him to do for the club to prove his loyalty and show that he would be a good leader one day. He always told me that he would do things differently when he took over, but what if he still does things his father's way? I could be putting Cassidy and myself in danger, which is the last thing I would want for my daughter. Shaking the thought from my mind, I focus on the food I'm cooking for breakfast.

Plating up eggs, bacon, and pancakes, I call out to Cassidy that breakfast is ready, not wanting her to be late for her first day. It's not long before I hear the thumping steps of my daughter running down the stairs, her excitement barely being contained. Climbing onto one of the barstools, Cass smiles as I slide a plate over to her.

" How are you feeling, sweetheart?" I ask, knowing she's been nervous about starting a new school. " I'm good. I feel a little scared but mostly excited to get there and play with Ellie!" She says before shovelling a fork full of food into her mouth. I can't help chuckling at Cassidy as syrup drips onto her chin, giving her a sticky goatee. I pass my daughter a serviette to clean up just as the doorbell sounds throughout the house.

I was wondering who could be at our door this early in the morning as I make my way up the hall to open the door. Looking through the peep-hole, my heart begins to race. Nate is standing on the other side of my door, looking as handsome as yesterday with his large muscular body covered in tattoos and slicked back black hair, those green eyes that match my daughters while the new addition of his beard has me wanting to run my fingers through it as he holds me close.

As the doorbell rings again, I manage to pull myself together. Opening the door, I smile at Nate, hoping he can't see how much his presence affects me. " Hi, Nate. What brings you here this early in the morning?" I silently scold myself for my lame attempt at sounding casual. " I wanted to see Cassidy off on her first day. I know she doesn't know who I am yet, but I can't bear the thought of missing another important day in her life. So here I am." He says, his emerald eyes piercing through me with an intensity that sends heat straight to my stomach.

Unsure of what to say, I move aside, letting him enter my home. Heading back into the kitchen, I go straight over to the coffee machine and make a cup for Nate. Cassidy lets out an excited squeal when she sees the man that is now standing at the end of the bench smiling at her. " Hey, short stuff, you ready for your first day?" He asks with a cheeky grin. " Viper! What are you doing here? I think I'm ready, but I'm a little bit scared too. What if no one besides Ellie wants to be my friend?" My daughter asks, my heart tightening at her question. Cass always makes friends. It's in her nature. Although she's not an overly out there kid, she has a way of drawing others in by just being herself and never judging anyone.

" I'm sure heaps of kids will want to be your friend, and with Ellie already there, you don't have to be nervous that you don't know anyone. Plus, if any kid gives you trouble, just tell me, and I'll sort em out." Nate jokes as Cass gives him the biggest smile, making my heart melt. " Will you come with us to drop me off?" Cass suddenly asks with excitement. " Of course, short stuff. I mean, if it's alright with your ma?" He says, looking at me with a smirk. " I guess that's alright, but I'm heading straight to the bakery after I drop Cassidy off. Mr Philips is doing the final handover of the shop today. That way, I can start getting organised and be ready to reopen next week." I say as I finish packing my daughter lunch and putting it in her bag.

Handing the bag to Cassidy, I head for the garage to start the car. I listen to my daughter chat to Nate as they follow behind me. Once I'm in the driver's seat, I wait as Cass hops in the back, and Nate jumps in the passenger seat beside me.

The drive to school was torture with Nate sitting so close to me, his heated gaze on me the whole time as our daughter happily chatted away in the back seat.

Once Cassidy was dropped off, Nate and I headed over to the bakery to see Mr Philips. I was surprised to see how well the men knew each other, Nate telling me that the baker has always donated food to the charity drives run by his club. In turn, Mr. Philips told me how the forgotten sons members love to buy lunch from the bakery almost daily and that they make up a lot of his buisness.

After we finish the handover with the older man, I take the keys and hold them tightly in my hand, soaking in the fact that I now have my very own shop and not working for someone else.

Getting back in the car, I am very aware that Nate and I are now alone and driving back to my house, where it will be just the two of us. Looking over at Nate, I am met with his emerald eyes staring back at me. " Did you need to get back to the club?" I ask nervously.

Without breaking his gaze, Nate reaches his hand over, resting it on my thigh. " No. I think I'll hang out at your place for a bit. There is still so much we have to catch up on. Don't you think?" The low timbre of his voice awakens a desire inside of me that I had tried to bury long ago as I feel heat pool between my legs.

I find myself suddenly pressing harder on the accelerator, the need to get home becoming urgent.