Lyla

Sobs attempt to wreck my body as the reality of what happened sets in.

I close the front door and practically run to my bedroom, slamming the door closed and collapsing onto my bed.

The day I have had, rivals even my worst of days when I first came out here to New York. I was pregnant, confused, lonely and ashamed. After I had given birth to Adrianna, everything hit me even worse. I didn't know how to take care of a newborn and knowing my mother was around but wanted nothing to do with me, put me in even more of a spiral. Still, I kept my head held high and made it through with humor and sacrifice. But Shane? He managed to bring me to my lowest point tonight without even trying.

I thought Rory making an appearance at my work, rubbing in that he had a date set for our first custody hearing was bad. When Candice invited me to have a few drinks and hang out, I jumped at the opportunity. Lisa had taken Adrianna upstate with her until tomorrow, so I can have a night to myself. She was going to go see her lifelong friend Destiny and she has a daughter Adrianna's age, so it was perfect. At least it was until Shane showed up at the very bar where I felt like letting all my troubles out.

The images of his body pumping fiercely into mine makes my thighs automatically rub together and I curse myself for allowing the same man that just told me that he fucked me because he was horny, to become somewhat imbedding into my mind right now. I wouldn't say I used Shane the same way he did me. I care for him, I love him, and although we both know it was more of frustration and lust that created our little alley rub out, I still don't regret what I did with him.

I shake my head, stand up from the bed and make my way to my bathroom. Looking in the mirror I roll my eyes at the freshly fucked look. I don't have time for pity. I have to get ready for this court date that I have less than three weeks to prepare for. I have a little girl to worry about and I won't let Shane Matthews and his enormous cock deter me from my main goal.

I must keep Adrianna safe.

I can hear my phone ringing from my purse that I left on the hardwood floor in the living room, so I leave the bathroom and practically nosedive for it. I texted Lisa when I was at the bar and she told me she was getting Adrianna ready for bed, so I didn't want to call them this late, but I can never tell if Adrianna might have had a nightmare and wanted to call me. She has them off and on and I'm always there for them.

I blow out a breath of relief when I see it's Candice calling, but it's immediately replaced with mortification when I think of her news from earlier tonight and how I never even checked on her. She is close with her grandmother and here I am worried more about my sexscapdes with Shane than my best friend.

"Candy?" I answer realizing that she could very well be calling me with terrible news.

"Hey Lyla, I am so sorry I left you earlier with Shane. I think I was in such a panic that I didn't even realize I left you with your ex."

"Don't worry about it honey, I'm just glad your grandmother is alright. How is she?"

I listen as Candice gives me the abbreviated version of her own panicked night. Apparently, her grandmother had gotten ill a few weeks ago but like majority people that get sick, didn't think much of it. When Candice's mother went to check on her this afternoon she was unconscious. The doctor told her it was most likely ammonia but will keep her twenty-four hours for observation.

"Yikes sounds like your mother came right in time."

"Yeah, it was scary to think that grandma could have died in that state. Mom thinks she should move in with her but I'm sure grandma will fight her tooth and nail."

I smile thinking of the hilarious old lady that would scare any of those biker boys. She's a tough one, but even the strongest most courageous of people need help from time to time. The thought hits me hard when I get off the phone with Candice minutes later after making her promise she will keep me up to date on her grandmother's condition.

After walking back into the bathroom, I start a shower for myself and let everything out within the water. There is something cathartic about crying and screaming in a shower when no one is home. I've only done this once and that was the morning after I woke up after finding out that I was pregnant, hating everything. Rory never heard me, or he just didn't care.

Once I'm out, I head to bed and collapse rethinking everything that happened from the day and thankful it's over. One thing is certain, I have too much going on in my life right now, to think of anyone but my daughter. It's time I started acting like it.

ùùù

It's been a week since the accurately named alley banging incident. A week of busy schedules for Lisa since her job is taking her all over the city. A week of busy mornings, consisting of dropping Adrianna off at preschool each day, and an even busier time of avoiding Candice's nosy questions as she questions me about being dropped off from Shane last week.

"Mommy are we going to the zoo today?" Adrianna asks from the back of the car. I peer into my rear-view mirror to look into her deep green eyes.

"No, not today baby. Remember, we are going on the weekend." I say then smirk knowing damn well what's coming next. The same thing, that has been happening all week long.

Note to self. Never tell a three-year-old the cool and exciting plan for the weekend on a Monday morning.

"Oh okay so are we going to the zoo today?" I giggle then pull into the driveway to the school.

I had talked to Lisa about it and we both agreed that Adrianna deserved a day when she didn't have to worry about anything except her youth. No family tree confusion, no 'where is my dad?' questions and lastly, no Shane Matthews.

"Alright love bug. Let's head inside." I cut the car off and hop out heading for the back seat to unbuckle her and help her out of her car seat. Her usual impatience is showing as she kicks her legs back and forth and begins clapping her hands. It brings me joy that Adrianna loves coming to preschool each day.

Walking inside, I walk over to her teacher, Miss Torres, while Adrianna runs over to the dollhouse collection they have in the corner. It's early, earlier than I normally bring her, but Ben was sick these past few days and told Candy that we would have to fill in for him today, so I want to get there at a decent time.

"Miss Monroe, nice to see you again."

"You too. I wanted to ask you something if that's alright?" Miss Torres looks over to the two children she has besides Adrianna, then back over to me. She leads me to the corner of the room where she can still see the children but speak privately with me.

"Everything alright?"

"I was actually going to ask you that question. Adrianna came home with a family tree the other day and since then has been acting a little off. I was wondering if she has maybe said something to you?" I ask cringing as I await her answer.

"She hasn't said anything to me Lyla, but I did overhear her tell one of the other girls that she didn't have a daddy. It's none of my business and everyone here has a different family, but I noticed Adrianna's face when she saw everyone else's tree. She seemed a bit too embarrassed and didn't want to share in front of everyone when it was her turn."

I nod my head already feeling the tears building at the tips of my eyes. I hate this for my little girl, but I'm glad Miss Torres was able to alleviate some of her tension. Lisa and I had asked her over the course of the last few days how she feels about her family, but she simply shrugged and kept at her task of either eating or coloring. I know this is something my daughter will eventually get over, but the thought of her hurting in any kind of way is making my stomach turn.

"Thank you, Miss Torres." I say then head over to say goodbye to Adrianna. I hear my name being called from behind me and turn to see Miss Torres walking closer.

"Before you go and beat yourself up for being a bad mom, I wanted you to know that everyone is different. Every family is different, and although I'm sure that you already know that, your daughter is a very happy go lucky little girl. She helps others and is extremely smart. She's got courage and isn't afraid to tell me how she feels. She's a very special little girl and I think that's because of the two leaves she had on her family tree. Doesn't always matter how many we have influencing us. As long as they are doing it in a positive manner."

I smile a genuine smile at her. She's right, I am a good mother, and even though I would love to give Adrianna everything, I can't lose my sanity trying to control what I never will be able to. All I can do is what I have been doing all these years.

"Bye mommy." Adrianna says as I approach her. It's getting late and there are more and more kids coming in, so I say a quick goodbye and head back out to my car.

My phone alerts me of a new message from my purse and I look down to see who the message is coming from.

Candice: Ugh Ben tried to show up at work just now and sneezed on me. I swear if he got me sick I will have Austin kill him.

I giggle imagining Austin killing Ben for a lot less than getting his bride to be, sick. When I look up at my car I stop in my tracks at the bizarre stranger leaning against the hood of my car. He is tall, dark and scary, but good looking. All the things my libido is fed up with after this past week. When I move in closer to give him the attitude of a single mother that is just about over men for the week, I notice what he is wearing.

A cut.

It's different. This one not matching the cut of the Nightmare Warriors that I have seen. This one has an image of a skull with a cross bone under it. Around the image in big bold white letters are the words Rejects MC. I narrow my eyes as his stands there with his arms crossed leaning against my car, smoking a cigarette.

I march over, get in front of his vision and cross my arms matching his gesture.

"Um excuse me sugar, but last I checked leaning against a person's hood was rude. Maybe your mamma didn't teach you that, but I can assure you it is." The stranger smirks then pulls his cigarette out of his mouth and flicks it away from the two of us.

Who the hell does this guy think he is? Granted it's no Bugatti, but my little minivan mom mobile gets me from point A to B, and right now running him over will be point A.

"Well?" I say taking the guy in. His vibes scream bad guy. Tall, dark hair, gray eyes. He would be good looking if he weren't such a jerk. I glance over at his cut while he shakes his head with amusement and notice his cut has the VP patch on it.

Shit.

"You've got a mouth on babe. Betcha' Adrianna will have the same mouth on her when she gets older."

Before I could blink from the pure shock I feel of him knowing my daughter, my mother instincts kick in and I attack this guy. My hands are everywhere as he grabs my waist and pins be against my car. I hear a curse, so I know I have somehow injured him. The small scratch gives me an inner victory but it's short lived when his arms tighten against mine.

The stranger leans in and graces his mouth along my cheek to my ear. Anyone driving or walking by would assume we are two lovers whispering sweet nothings that can't keep their hands off each other.

"This is a message to you and your fucking Warriors. Stop looking around for trouble, or you may not like what you get when you find it." He whispers to me then quickly releases me.

I collapse to the ground as he walks away from me and seconds later takes off on a bike I never saw. My body shakes and trembles as I recall the words he whispered to me over and over again.

Warriors? Looking for trouble?

I hear the sound of shrill laughter and reality hits me like a ton of potatoes. I jump up and race back to the entrance. He knew. He knew Adrianna's name. He knew where to find her. I have to get her out of here and now.

With wobbly legs, I run back inside the preschool entrance just as Nancy is about to close the door. My sudden panicked state must tip her off because she quickly opens the door for me, then shuts it quickly.

"Are you alright Lyla?"

"Yes, I need to get my daughter please. There's been a family emergency." I lie, hating that my accent is coming out full-fledged. Lisa always said I was terrible liar and I have a feeling that's how she could always tell.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry. Let me go and get her." I nod my head in her direction attempting to slow my heart rate.

"Please hurry."

It takes only seconds to bring my daughter back to me, but my mind is too busy working out all the different scenarios that I could have lost her to that gray eyed asshole.

Who threatens little girls in order to get some biker club to back off? Who the hell are these guys?

"Mommy?" Adrianna calls out and I snap out of it enough to collect her and practically drag her to my car, praying no one is on the hood again.

Once I know for sure everything is clear, I rush Adrianna to the car, ignoring the questions she is asking about the zoo. I have her buckled and me in the car within seconds. After the first few miles of driving, I pull out my phone and dial Candice's number. Adrianna is talking quietly to her doll that she likes to keep in the back of the car that Lisa bought her last year for Christmas. Candice answers on the first ring.

"Lyla?"

"Candy, I need you to listen. Someone threatened me. They threatened me and Adrianna." I say endeavoring not to break down in the middle of the road with my three-year-old daughter in the back.

"What?"

"He said. he said that it was a message and that the Nightmare Warriors need to stop looking for trouble or they won't like what they find. He knew where her preschool was Candy. He knew her name." This time I can't stop the flow of tears as I recall the anger and fear I felt for my daughter.

"Lyla, where are you?" She asks sounding shockingly calm. I can hear some shifting around and suddenly her background noise goes from busy to dead silence. She must have gone into her office at work.

"Driving home. I didn't know what else to do. You think he knows where we live?" My fear is getting the better of me as I nearly swerve into someone's parked car. I decide to park the car for now since I'm not too far from the house but enough distance away from the preschool. "I just pulled over, I'm on the corner of Washington and Bourge."

"Stay there. I'm going to call Austin and call you right back with directions. Stay right where you are." She says, then hangs up.

"Mommy?" I quickly wipe my tears and inhale and exhale a few times to get my jumpy nerves in order. I can't scare Adrianna and I won't let her be affected by any of this.

"Sorry about that love bug. Mommy decided to take the day off and thought we could spend it together. Does that sound fun?" Adrianna nods her head and immediately asks about the zoo but before I can answer my phone rings in my hand.

"Candy?"

"Austin says to drive home. He will meet you there. Don't worry about work I called someone in to cover your shift. Let me know if there is anything I can do. I'm so sorry this is happening to you."

"Me too. Thanks Candy." I say then blow out a much-needed deep breath. Knowing Austin is on his way to my house has reassured me on so any levels. I hate that this is affecting my life and I'm not even with their MC, but I am glad these guys are willing to protect my daughter and me.

I pull out onto the street and continue my drive home. Something tells me this is going to be hard to explain to the president of the Nightmare Warriors.