Page 23 of Wire

Shaking my head, I let her know I am now officially off the clock. I could have gone home when the kids all left, but there was no way I was leaving Jovie here to wander the library alone.

She digs into her sandwich and I watch her devour the lot, making me really worry when the last time she ate was.

“Jovie, what’s your last name, honey? I’ll see if someone can track down your dad, OK?”

She mumbles “Spencer” around her mouthful and I take note. Not just to call her father, but I’m going to do a little digging when I get back to the compound.

“Where the fuck is my daughter? She’s meant to be waiting for me on the road, not fucking around in here!” A man’s voice booms and I know that Jovie’s dad has finally arrived.

I gather up her things, smiling down at her when I notice that she’s eaten everything I gave her. That makes me happy that at least she has something in her little tummy. Walking her out of the staffroom into the main library, I can see her father yelling at Beth on the help desk.

“She’s right here, Mr. Spencer. We were just a little further back in the library. If you weren’t almost 2 hours late, she would have been right where you expected her to be.” I reply in a steady voice.

“Whatever. Jovie, get your ass in the car.” Jovie nods, avoiding eye contact and shuffles past her father, the man giving her a little shove to get her to walk faster.

Stepping forward to get to her, I’m overwhelmed by the smell of body odor and weed. “You stay the fuck away from my kid, bitch. Unless you want to become her new mommy. I’m sure I can look past your dog ugly face for that fine rack you have on you.” He leers at me, licking his lips before turning on his heel and storming out the door.

“What an asshole. Someone needs to take that kid off him,” Beth says with a look of disgust on her face.

“I’m going to make sure of it,” I say to her, letting her see the fire in my eyes.

I carry that fire all the way back to the compound, determined to use my newfound computer skills to help me after I check in to see how Dad is doing. I’ve told him about Jovie and my worries. I’m sure he’ll want me to get right on to looking into her deadbeat dad, but that loser can wait for a moment. After we’ve had our catch up, I’ll look into the few databases that Chewy showed me. It’ll be an excellent test of my skills. And if I need more skills, I’m sure Chewy and Wire will be more than happy to help me. They’re good people.

In fact, the whole MC are good people. It feels like I’m fitting in a little more. I’ve made friends with a few more of the brothers, and I feel like I’m gaining confidence in myself. Mainly because these people want me to be heard, to be confident. It’s a powerful feeling.

“You fit in well here, Rem.” my dad pats my hand with his giant paw of a hand, his bright blue eyes shining at me. This is the best he’s looked in a long time.

“Thanks Dad. I really like it here. Not that I hated it at home. It’s just, different.” I shrug, not knowing what to say.

My dad lets out a sigh before cupping my chin to look at him. “Rem. I think I may have fucked up letting you grow up how you did.” I make a noise of protest, but he keeps talking. “I had nowhere else to go with you girls, no support, no family other than the men in the MC. Looking back now, it wasn’t a good place for two little girls. Especially you, Rem. You’re a softy, my girl. I tried to do the best I could, but it seems these men have done a better job in what is it, three? Four short weeks? Than I ever did in 18 years.”

“Aw Dad, it wasn’t that bad. I could have spoken up, found my place, but I was content not to make waves. It’s on both of us. But I wouldn’t change growing up with you as my dad for all the money in the world. I love you old man. And we are going to find exactly who did this to you and kick his butt!” I kiss Dad on the cheek and his body shakes from his chuckling.

I pull him up to standing as the DRMC cookout will be starting soon. Savage, Dex and a few of the other Death Riders are here to pick up Dad to take him back to Roxwell tomorrow. It’s a good thing they plan to stay because they definitely won’t be sober enough to leave tonight. I’m a little disappointed that Nat couldn’t make it, but it seems our Pres and his Ol Lady are going to be parents soon and the morning sickness is kicking her butt.

“Remy! We need you in the control center!” Chewy comes flying down the hallway yelling my name, stopping for a moment in the doorway “Nomads are back, they have a sniper out the back, and the rest are coming in hot!”

My dad squeezes my hand tight in his and presses a kiss to my knuckles before pushing me toward Chewy. “Go girl, they need you!”

Chaper Seven

Beretta_Penn: Why are you still awake?

St_Margarita: Can’t sleep.

Beretta_Penn: Me neither.

St_Margarita: What’s wrong in your world?

Beretta_Penn: Boredom? I just thought I’d be more. More independent, more successful. But I’m still me, just older.

St_Margarita: At least you don’t spend all day and night thinking the worst is going to happen to everyone you love.

Beretta_Penn: You can’t protect everyone all the time, Mags.

St_Margarita: Why not?

Beretta_Penn: Because you’re not Superman?