Lyla

It's been a few days since Shane has graced our presence of sleeping on the couch. Days of watching him consume my daughter's whole world, days of him making me dinner each night, and days of nonstop sexual frustration for my libido. Every morning I wake up, he is either doing his regular thousand pushups, shirtless I might add, or brewing me coffee and making us breakfast.

Yesterday was an early day for me since we were dead, so I came home early to find them both in the kitchen making dinner together while some new bright pink barbie boombox played a Disney princess song from the kitchen. I questioned Shane buying her a present, but he simply shrugged and told me she gave him a cute look.

Men.

Today, being Friday, would normally mean my work day, but a new transfer began today, and Ben wanted her to do as much training on the floor to get used to our building, so I was volunteered to stay home. At first, I was hesitant, it would be the first day since Shane has been here that I would be home as well. I'm hoping he has some enormous responsibility to uphold today so that I am not doomed to his shirtless body for hours at a time. I can barely handle it for a few moments.

I had asked Shane yesterday as the three of us had dinner and Adrianna played with her brand new bright pink tablet, about any leads they may have gotten about the Rejects MC or who Adrianna might have been talking to that was meeting her at the fence. Knowing someone, either Rory or that asshole that put his hands on me, was harassing my little girl, gets fire roaring in my belly. At first, I was shocked. Torment and panic had set in, but then anger came quickly after.

Unfortunately, they had no leads, at least not one that he would tell me, and I didn't know if I felt better or worse about that. On one hand I was enjoying having Shane here, and Adrianna away from danger. On the other hand, I don't want to constantly look over my shoulder as I head to my car at night. Austin came over the other day and let me know that they would have a brother at the hospital but that it was safe for me to start driving back and forth to work. I took that as a good sign that this would be over soon.

"Mommy is Shane here?" I look over at my daughter whom still has the sleepy look on her face. Like each day this past week, she immediately jumps up looking for Shane as if he is a piece of chocolate cake.

Like mother like daughter.

"No baby, he had somewhere to be this morning." Shane had woken up early, as usual, and woken me up to let me know he had to go and check on the club's businesses. Guilt had ridden me hard knowing he was sacrificing his life to deal with us, but one look and he could tell what I was thinking because he gently kissed my lips and told me there was nowhere else he would rather be. He's been doing that more and more lately. Light kisses each night, small touches while we put Adrianna to bed together. I want to tell him to stop but don't have it in me.

I touch my lips at the memory and almost miss Adrianna's words.

"Is he coming back?"

"Sure is. Hey why don't we eat some breakfast, get dressed and head to the park for the day. Sound good?" I ask noticing her perk right up. Adrianna's always been the type of kid to prefer the outdoors than stand in front of the television all day.

"Okay mommy." She shouts, running to the pantry.

We spend the next two hours, eating breakfast, talking about what her and Shane have been up to these last few days, and cleaning the house. Shane's duffle bag is in between my two couches and I make the conscious decision to place it in the closet located in my room. I feel terrible that he has been sleeping on the couch and even more awful that he wouldn't sleep in Lisa's room. I decide to sleep on the couch tonight so that he can get some real rest.

My phone chimes with a new message and I pull it out of my pocket to see who is texting me.

Candy: Hey, I thought we could have the theme as Disney princess. She still hardcore into them?

I giggle thinking of what Candy and I talked about yesterday on our shift together. Candy had mentioned that she wanted to help me plan Adrianna's fourth birthday party. We still have a couple more months until it's time and I confessed to her that I didn't think I would have enough money to do anything special for her, but she assured me that she would help.

Thinking of Candy has me thinking of impending wedding plans. I'm lucky to have her as a friend and glad she's in my life. I felt terrible that I wasn't involved in the wedding plans as much as I should be, but she assured me that I was doing enough by listening to her complicated planning and giving her my input. I was pleased when she told me that she had cornered her mother and Julia and told them that they were putting too much pressure on her. Now that she and Austin were doing everything that they planned, and not their mothers, the wedding venue was going to be more practical.

Me: If by hardcore, you mean does she obsess over every Disney movie and complain if I don't do her hair every morning like belle's? Than yeah, she's still hardcore into it.

"Ready mommy." Adrianna says as she walks out in her usual pink shirt and blue shorts. She decided to switch it up and put on her brown cow girl boots that she came home with newly bought from Shawna.

I decide to be on the safe side and call Shane to let him know we would be going to the park down the street from here. I pull up his name on the screen and listen as it rings and rings then eventually goes to voicemail. I decide to leave a message just in case he comes back and wonders where we are. I don't plan on being long, but I know how Adrianna could turn a one-hour venture, into three.

"Hey Shane, it's Lyla. Adrianna and I decided to go to the park today, so if you need us just call my cell. The park isn't too far, just down the street. See you soon." I hang up then look to my daughter who has a giant smirk on her face.

"What?" I ask knowing damn well why my three-year-old looks like someone had just told her Santa clause moved in next door.

"You like him." She sings, and I giggle at her. She's been spending way too much time with Shawna and Max.

"Let's go little missy. Maybe if you're good we can get some frozen yogurt afterwards." Adrianna screams for joy and we head out to my car.

It takes us only a few minutes to get to the park and since it's still early, we are practically the only ones here. I pull up my black cardigan when a chill runs through me. It's chilly out since fall began settling in and it's causing the entire park to go in and out between sunshine and clouds.

"Mommy push me on the swings."

"Coming honey."

We spend the next twenty minutes giggling and running around. I've always enjoyed playing with Adrianna at the park. She's such a carefree kid that it makes the little things that much more important to me.

We are just about to do another run on the slide when I hear a bike rumble from the parking lot. I look up from the bottom of the slide and see Shane getting off his bike and practically run over to where we sat our blanket out. He looks distressed as he looks around for us after coming up empty from our spot.

Once he spots us, his panicked appearance conveys to anger. He advances over to us and stops just before my feet. Adrianna, oblivious to the very furious Shane in front of her, runs straight over to him.

"Shane." She shouts running into his legs. Shane's arms reach down to pick her up. "Did you come to see me slide? I beat mommy down, but then she won the second time." She begins telling him about our race, but his eyes are locked onto mine.

"Shane?" I ask approaching the bear. He doesn't scare me, Shane would never hurt me, but I hate to think he never got his voicemail and came looking for us. "Did you not get my message?"

"I got it." He says then looks at Adrianna. I feel a pang of pain as he converts back into his asshole brooding self once again. I swear it's like ping pong with this man. "Sorry darlin' but it's time to go."

"Aw man. Can we at least go on the swing one more time?"

"Go ahead darlin' just make sure I can see you." Adrianna runs over to the swings and I whip my head back around on Shane. Who the hell does he think he is?

"What is your problem? I'm her mother, not you, you don't come here, act like a dick, then dictate how long we stay somewhere." I cross my arms at my chest angry that he thinks he owns me.

Been there, done that.

"You out of your fuckin' mind Lyla? Why the hell would you come out in the open after everything that happened the other day. Someone fuckin' threatens you and your daughter and this is how you act?"

"What? We're at a park." I shout throwing my hands in the air.

"Yeah, and people that are willing to hurt kids are known to never step foot in a park." He says sarcastically. "Thought you were smarter than that. I was worried fuckin' sick, then I check my voicemail and hear you tellin' me you're at a park down the street from where those assholes have more than likely stalked your house."

I open my mouth to say something then immediately shut it. Shit. He's right. I was just trying to get Adrianna out of the house but in doing so, I could have made a very bad situation much worse. Austin told me that day that they most likely know where I live, which is why Shane was staying with us in general.

"You got nothin' to fuckin' say?" He shouts gets angrier by the second. I walk slowly over to him and place my trembling hands into his. I can feel his shaking as well but for completely different reasons.

"I'm sorry Shane. I'm so sorry we worried you, but you need to know something right now before my daughter comes back over here and we go back home." I take a deep breath and try to refrain from spilling the imminent tears. "I won't be spoken to like this from you anymore. Austin gave me the go ahead that I can have you switched with someone else. Someone who wouldn't dare speak to me this way. I understand that you're angry and now that I realize why, I get it, but I don't deserve your words. I never did."

I release my hands then turn around to get Adrianna who has walked over to the rock-climbing wall. Noticing me, she runs over, and I grab her hand in mine and lead us to my car. Shane is trying to protect us, and I will be forever grateful to him and the Warriors. However, he is holding onto too much anger and pain towards me and I don't deserve the backlash.

I don't bother turning around to see if he is following us when I pull out of the parking lot. I can hear the rumble of his bike and I roll my window down to let the fast winds wipe the few remaining tears I have for Shane.

The few minutes it takes for us to get home is far too short. I didn't have much time to figure out how I'm going to take Shane being in the house with me. I'm getting out of the car and heading to Adrianna's door when Shane pulls up behind my car. Memories of riding behind him on the same bike overwhelm me as he hops off gracefully. One of my favorite past times with this man, besides lying in bed and doing horizontal exercises, was riding on his bike. I never cared where we went, just as long as I was holding onto his waist while letting the road take us away.

I reach into the back seat to grab a now sleeping Adrianna. She ironically fell asleep the moment we pulled in. I can hear Shane's footsteps halt right before me and smell his cologne when he leans into me.

"She fall asleep?"

I turn around and come face to face with Shane. I had no idea he was so close, and it takes everything in me not to lean in and lick him. Those deep brown eyes and small gruff that he has been sporting for the last few days are doing things to my body that I don't want.

"I'll get her." He says, and I oblige by moving out of the way. Adrianna is getting older and unfortunately to my back, bigger. Gone are the days I can easily pick her up and carry her through the house and into her room.

"Thanks." I reply, then watch as my heart breaks a little at the image before me. Shane lifts Adrianna out of the car, leaning her small head on his chest, then proceeds to the front door.

I walk in right after him and begin cleaning up this morning's breakfast left over in the sink. Adrianna was excited about the park, so we left our plates and glass wear, something I don't normally do, but was excited to get out of the house as well.

What a terrible idea that turned out to be.

"She's down." I look up at Shane as he walks back out of the hallway. It hasn't been just the two of us since this whole thing started and although we just had yet another fight, I don't want him to leave.

"Thank you for doing that. She's getting bigger and bigger and sometimes it makes it hard to carry her or bring her in from the car. I've got to get a new car seat for her too which is bound to make it even harder to get her in this house after she falls asleep and." Damn it Lyla, stop rambling.

Shane moves closer and closer into my personal space and when I look up, his eyes are darker than normal.

"I'm sorry for treatin' you like that babe. You were right, you didn't deserve to be spoken to that way. Even though Ghost was watchin' the house, I was worried as hell and that shit made me act like an ass. I'm sorry."

I burst into an all-out giggle and nearly collapse to the ground crutching my stomach. I can hear Shane chuckle and call me a nut then lift me up and place me on the couch. It takes me two minutes to finally calm down and even then, my body is still shaking. I wipe the tears from my eyes and look over at Shane whom is wearing a grin of his own.

"Want to tell me what the hell was so funny?"

"You finally apologize to me, and no one was around to hear it. No one is going to believe the great big moody bastard known as Shane Matthews, apologized to me." I look at my hands laying on his lap then back up to him. "There any chance you could say that again? Just on top of the Empire State building or something?"

Shane chuckles once more than shakes his head and turns to face the blank screen of the television.

"I keep underestimating you. Still don't understand the entire story, but I know I've made my fair share of mistakes when it came to you. I'm sorry if I was an asshole to you Ly."

I lean forward, placing my head on his shoulder. I hold his arm as he places his hand on my lap. How many times have we been in this exact position when we're together? How many times had I taken advantage of what we were and what we could have been? I should have told Shane about my past and about Rory the moment we became something more, but I was too afraid.

We don't have room for any regrets in where we are now, but I do wish we could go back. I would have done things differently.

Shane leans back against the couch, bringing me down with him. I lay my hand right on his lap and he places his on my lower back. Anyone walking in would guess we had just gotten back from a long day at the park with our daughter and have settled on a good movie to watch. How I wish our lives were that easy, but knowing where we are now, knowing the fighting is behind us, I'm thankful.

"Haven't been able to hold you like this in a while babe."

"Have you been able to hold anyone like this recently?" I know I'm clutching at straws here, but I need to know about Shane. We aren't together, I couldn't even say we are friends, but I still want to know if he's had someone else in his bed. We were together not long ago and didn't use protection, it was stupid on my part, and I need to know if I'm the only one he's been with recently.

"That you tryin' to ask me if I've fucked since you?"

"Such a vulgar tongue you have Mr. Matthews, but yes. Has anyone filled that void since me?"

I feel Shane shrug and begin to push myself up. I have no right to be upset but my heart is telling me otherwise. I can't necessarily listen to my head right now because it's too busy trying to remember where I put that Jason mask I got for Halloween last year, so I can do a mystery murder on some bimbo.

"You've always been it Lyla. Couldn't fill a hole that's endless."

"So."

"Haven't had anyone in my bed since you Ly. Don't want anyone there either. I've had offers, but never taken anyone up on them. Couldn't." He shrugs.

My inner badass bitch does her happy dance and I fight to wipe the giant grin off my face. When Shane turns around and shakes his head chuckling, I know I've lost that battle.

"Think that's funny darlin?" He says but before I can make a joke he pulls me down into the couch and leans over me. I can feel his erection through his faded jeans and I nearly dry hump his leg to get the friction I feel between my thighs to settle down.

"Shane what are you doing?" I ask as his head descends lower to mine. He places his forehead gently onto mine and our eyes catch each other's gazes.

God how I've missed this man. I miss everything about him. Even his cranky little attitude.

"Can't keep fighting this thing between us babe. Need you, right now." His lips crash into mine, something I fight at first, but quickly change my mind when I feel his tongue connect with mine.

Shane's hands grab at everything as his mouth moves in rhythm with mine. His hands move under me and lift my body up making my yoga pants connect with his body. I bring my arms around his neck and pull him down further causing the kiss to become deeper. I can hear him groan as he moves my pants and panties down enough to venture his fingers deep inside me.

"Fuck baby. You're so goddamn wet for me. Need to make you come Ly. Need it more than anything."

"Shane, God, right there. Please don't stop."

"Don't fuckin' plan on darlin'."

I lift myself up further, so he can continue his assault on my gspot. My pants aren't even all the way down when the first wave of orgasm hits me hard.

As soon as I'm done, Shane looks down at me like I'm his last meal he will ever have, and I make quick work of getting rid of the rest of my clothing. I pull my pants all the way off and lift my shirt up. Shane slaps my hands away when I reach behind me to unclip my bra and I chuckle when he makes quick work of pulling it off and throwing it across the room.

Adrianna could wake up any moment and I know we should take this to my room, but I don't have it in me to stop anything that is happening right now.

Shane leans down to kiss me once more and I tug at his shirt as his lips find my neck. Shane knows that's my weak spot and chuckles when I try to remove his shirt once more. Finally, he gives in to me and leans up enough to discard his shirt and throw it on the floor. I bask in the glory of his chest.

Big, muscular, perfect.

"Gonna stand there lookin', or you gonna continue undressin' me?" I smile up at him then use my hands to answer him.

I unbuckle his belt and pull his jeans down low enough to release his hard-heavy cock. Remembering the way Shane fills me has not only my mouth watering but my thighs shaking. Grasping his cock, I begin stroking it with two hands and when I hear Shane moan from above me I nearly lose it.

"Fuck babe. Harder, grip it harder. That's it. Fuck." Shane releases my hands from his body then stands up to rid himself of the rest of his clothing. He strokes himself a few times then grabs me by my hips and angels himself right back on top of me.

The couch is small, but somehow, we have made it work. Shane holds no mercy as he plunges himself deep inside of me and begins thrusting faster and faster. His hands grip my waist so tightly I will no doubt have some bruising there tomorrow morning, but for now, I couldn't care less. Leaning down, Shane takes my mouth once more and I relish in the pleasure already beginning to build down below once again.

"Shane"

"Can't hold on much longer babe, need you to come." He adds more pleasure by flicking my bud with his thumb and I come harder than I have in my life.

"Fuck babe, gonna come, play with those fuckin' tits for me." I take my weakened hands and place them on my boobs, pinching the nipples just like I remember he likes it. Shane has always been a breast man and I'm happy enough to show him the girls anytime. "That's it, just like that Ly. Fuck babe, gonna come now."

Shane pumps three more times than releases himself inside me. I can feel his hot spurts as they fill me and lay back attempting to catch my breath.

"Fuck babe. Lost control there for a minute." Shane says pulling out of me and grabbing a small throw blanket off the side of the couch to cover me up. "I hurt you?"

"No. I loved every minute of it." I'm just about to say more when I see him starring straight down at my left hip that is sticking out of the blanket.

"Fuck Ly. I did that to you?"

I look down and see the small bruise forming from when he had lost control. It doesn't hurt but I've always been a bit pale and I'm assuming the purple and blue is already beginning to show.

"Shane, look at me. Baby, I loved every minute. You may have done that, but if I didn't like it, you know I would have stopped it. I love your mark on me." I take his face in my hands when he continues to stare down at my revealed body and bring his gaze back to mine.

We told each other this was not going to happen. We agreed that this would just confuse my daughter and my heart, but for now, right now in this moment, it feels right.

"Tell me what you're thinking." Shane blesses me with one of his dazzling smiles that lured me in when I first met him and the Warriors. He was the one that called out to me, it was like my spirit could find his in the blackest of nights.

"That your daughter is going to wake up any moment and catch my bare ass." A giggle erupts from my belly and I stand up to help him gather our clothing.

Once decent, I walk back over to Shane and sit down on the couch with him.

"Tell me we will get through this." I say with hope in my breath.

"Gonna get through this darlin', promise you that."

ùùù

I'm warm. Too warm. I try to pull my body away from the sweltering heat but stop when a hand comes back and places me back into its hold.

"Tryin' to leave honey?"

"Hmmm, that depends. Are you going to make me some breakfast in bed, hot stuff?" I ask closing my eyes and resting my head on Shane's arm. He turns me around and proceeds to kiss and tickle me until I'm screaming and scrambling around for mercy.

"Give yet?"

"Yes, you big oaf, not stop tickling me, you don't play fair."

Shane pauses when he hears the little pitter patter of feet and I giggle knowing my internal mother alarm is working. It must be seven, the time Adrianna and I always get up in the morning now that we have a schedule to uphold. Shane stands and make himself decent by putting on his shirt and pants from yesterday.

After Adrianna had woken from her nap and came out to the living room, the three of us spent the entire rest of the afternoon playing board games, cleaning up the house and making dinner. It was amazing and completely different than what I remember from the times we were together in the past. Shane would spend the night and help with Adrianna from here and there, but yesterday was different. It was like we were a family, and it was the most amazing feeling in the world.

After putting Adrianna to bed last night, after Shane read her a bedtime story, we had gone into my room where he found out I put his duffle bag and made love over and over again. It was astonishing to remember all the things his body could do to mine.

"Mommy?" I hear from the other side of the door. I remembered to close the door last night, but I would never lock my daughter out, so we still had to be cautious of her entering the room.

"Come on in love bug." I call out watching as my door slowly opens to Adrianna wearing her usual Disney princess pajamas and bright morning smile.

"Shane, you're still here." She shouts jumping on our bed and sitting in between us. "I didn't see your blanket on the couch and was afraid you left again." Shane and I share a look and I watch as Shane picks up my daughter and lifts her onto his lap.

"Not goin' anywhere anytime soon darlin'. Promised you that remember?" Adrianna nods her head and looks up at me. I can tell she remembers our conversation from last night about what today is going to consist of.

"Mommy are we going to the zoo today?" She asks pushing her hair out of her face. It's the mornings that I love the most with her because her innocence is so fresh. She looks just like the small baby I brought in the world almost four years ago.

"Yep. Today is the day. In fact, I spoke with Shane, and he wants to know if he could come too. How about it baby doll?"

Adrianna looks over to Shane while pressing her finger to her chin and tapping. She narrows her eyes on Shane then looks back to me. "I guess it's okay." She shrugs causing the two of us to laugh then lunge at her together. Adrianna squeals with laughter as we both tickle her, then I stand and head to the kitchen for much needed coffee and breakfast.

Two hours later, we are heading out of the door and heading for Shane's mustang. He had left last night after dinner to go and trade in his bike. I begin heading to my car so that I can grab Adrianna's car seat out of my car and place it in Shane's car but stop when I remember he has one of his own in his car.

He doesn't know about the custody battle, and because of that, I can't be everything I want to be with him, but that doesn't stop my heart from tripping over and spilling out each time he does things like that.

It takes us one hour to get to the zoo, in that time Shane and I talk about everything and nothing while Adrianna naps.

I find out about some of the chaos surrounding the MC. It's a little frightening to think of everything their club is in the middle of, and a large part of me hates that I have added more stress to an already ticking time bomb, but Shane, being Shane, saw right through my fa?ade. He assured me that even if he weren't at my beck and call, he wouldn't be chasing anything at the moment. They have no leads. There were certain things he couldn't mention to me and I respected that. I know their life and it wouldn't be right for me to come and expect them to change it all.

Shane asks about me and work and I tell him about Candy making work her place of all things wedding. Over the past two weeks, we have gone over every detail of their wedding and since I am mostly bound to the house, it was nice knowing I could help in some ways. I also mention to him that I couldn't wait to see him in a tux and he chuckled, then placed his hand on my knee. There wasn't anything sexual about it, but damn if I didn't want to pull over and jump on his lap.

"Here babe." I look over and notice the zoo's outrageous parking lot. Lisa had mentioned that going on a Saturday was like slow suicide, but with my constant work schedule, I knew we wouldn't have a choice. Knowing Shane is here will make it less agonizing.

"We here already?" Adrianna says from the back, rubbing her eyes clear of their sleepy fog.

"You slept through the whole drive love bug. It was an hour ride."

"Is that a long-time mommy?" She asks causing Shane and I to laugh.

After paying, something Shane insisted on that I fought until he gave me a stern look that made me want to drop my panties, we walk around the first few exhibits. I had forgotten to grab a stroller, but Shane bought one right when he walked. I tried to give him my card, but he just placed it back in my wallet and handed me back my purse.

Men.

Adrianna is running around looking between the two cages of monkeys. I am taking pictures of her and look over at Shane to see him looking hard at his cell.

"If you need to take that don't worry about us. I think it will be a few moments until she's done with this section." I laugh, and Shane nods his head then walks away.

"Mommy, did you see the monkey with the big butt?" Adrianna shouts running over to me. A few people chuckle at how loud my little girl is and I laugh right along with them.

Defiantly like mother like daughter.

"Where's Shane?" She asks looking around. I glance at his spot and see his features have become hard and rigid. I glance at where he is staring so intensely at, and that's when I see him. A man wearing a Rejects MC cut that matches the one of the man that threatened me and my daughter.

"Adrianna come here." I lift my daughter up at the same time as Shane looking over at me and I read what he mouths.

Run.

Before I can make it three solid steps, I hear the unmistakable sound of gun shots ring out. Screams echo around me as everyone begins to go from states of happiness and joy, to terror and panic. I see some people grabbing their children, while others duck into corners and bathrooms. Chaos breaks out all around while I hear more and more gun shots ring out. Adrianna tightens in my arms, obviously aware of something desperately wrong happening all around us. I shield her with my body just in case there are others around and don't stop running until I make it to a section of the zoo where the exit is.

I briefly remember where Shane had parked but don't have his keys, so my next decision is to just find some kind of shelter. I find a small janitor's closet where three other people have run into and shut the door. It's quiet, and no one in here dares to make a sound that may alert whoever it is to find us.

I attempt to pull Adrianna down from my chest, but she claws at my back and begins crying. My body shakes with adrenaline and the petrifying fact that I could have easily lost my daughter today.

"Are they gone?" A woman asks and the man she is with leans in to open the door a peak to check. It's been at least fifteen minutes since everything has happened and I no longer hear cries and screaming.

I can't see anything, just the slither of light coming in from outside, but the stranger quickly opens the door wide when a cop comes with his gun trained on us. He's wearing protective gear and demands for us to get out slowly with our hands up.

"Let's go, let's go." The cop yells and we fall into a silent line running out of the closet. I keep my eyes open for Shane as I run out to where the cop is indicating for us to go.

There are ambulances everywhere, along with about a dozen cop cars and what looks like ten different newscasters already speaking about the event. I clutch Adrianna to my chest tighter as we head over to where they are handing out small blankets and grab one to block her.

My fault.

This is all my fault.

I don't see anyone seriously hurt but they may have already been taken to the hospital. I make it to Shane's car, but stop in my tracks when Chief Officer Alberts stands there with his hands crossed at his chest. His dark black hair with gray streaks sticks out of his blue police cap and he is wearing one of those blue police jackets. Of what Shane has told me about him, it's incredibly tempting not to kick him right in his balls as he makes his way over to me.

"Miss Monroe. Please. come with me." He says with a smirk then walks away from me. I don't want to follow him, but I know he will most likely lead me to Shane.

He directs me to a large police van and heads inside. I walk in right behind him, Adrianna still silent and clutched to my chest, and immediately find Shane in handcuffs with a few bruises along his face. Alongside him are two other officers in similar uniforms to Alberts, all wearing bullet proof vests and sunglasses.

"Ly. Thank Christ you're okay. How's Adrianna?"

"We're okay Shane. We're okay." I say but don't make a move to walk closer to him. Alberts is watching us, and I don't feel comfortable showing any kind of emotion in front of him except for the one I feel most right now. Fear and anger.

Adrianna turns at Shane's voice and all but jumps out of my arms. She runs over and holds onto his chest crying. My heart breaks at my daughters' tears and I battle my own from coming to the surface. Shane, with his hands behind his back, cannot hold her, but he leans his face into her and begins whispering to her, casing my daughter to nod her head rapidly.

"Miss Monroe, I just need you for a few questions. We have several witnesses that say they saw someone firing into the crowd that was wearing a cut. We were able to arrest a man that was shot in the shoulder and when we attempted to restrain Mr. Matthews here, we found a gun on him."

"What exactly are you asking me?" I say narrowing my eyes on this pig. I'm usually the kind of woman to give people the benefit of the doubt, I hate when people judge, but I can see where he is heading with this and I am not liking it. I've been around enough men that take their title and use it to their advantage.

"Just seeing if you know of any gang affiliations for Mr. Matthews here. He shot back at the assailant, of which we still have no motive for, and was wrestling with police officers to get free."

"That's because I wanted to check on my girls. I said that three times before your b cop there acted like an idiot and was met with my boot in his face." Shane shouts. I look over at the cop behind Alberts and see him clutching his face.

"Mr. Matthew's gun is registered no?" Alberts frowns then looks at me with narrowed eyes. "Then you have no grounds to hold him. He most likely saved lives and here you are treating him like he was the one that started that gun fight."

Alberts looks from me to Shane then slightly nods his head. I can see the anger behind his gaze, I would recognize the look anywhere. It was something Rory would wear on an almost daily basis.

"Release him Rogers." Alberts calls out causing the police officer whom was clutching his face to groan but come over with a set of keys and release Shane. He stands and walks, with a still quiet Adrianna, right over to me. With one last gaze thrown at Alberts, Shane leads me out of the van and over to his car.

"Mr. Matthews." Alberts Shouts, causing us to turn around. "We will be keeping in touch about this. Don't make any plans to leave the city." Shane turns me back around and places Adrianna in the car seat as I get in the passenger seat and strap myself in.

I watch as everyone still walks around with their phones out videotaping what they can. Lots of people are crying and even more are still running around, no doubt looking for their loved ones. I can't believe this happened at a place where children run around free and happy. This violence is more than I can handle as I watch Shane bounce into his car then tighten his grip on the steering wheel before finally turning on the car and backing us out slowly. This may not have been a good idea to bring this MC into my daughter's life.

We arrive home almost two hours later. There was lots of traffic, mostly of news crews trying to get into the zoo. Adrianna eventually stopped being silent and began asking questions about what happened. Shane remained quiet while I told her that someone just got into a fight. She didn't question any further only wanted to know when we will be going back there again. I didn't answer her.

"I'll get her." Shane says when we pull into my driveway. It's early still, only four pm and Adrianna is fortunately sleeping. The zoo and all the mayhem from the shooting must have exhausted her.

"No, I'll get her." I say then hop out of his car and open the back door to retrieve my daughter. Shane meets me at the front door and opens the door for me to go in and place Adrianna on her bed. Once she is down I head back to the living room where Shane has made himself comfortable and is on the phone.

"No. I'll come by the compound tomorrow morning. Need this time with them for now." Shane looks up at me as I enter the living room and lean against the wall with my arms crossed at my chest. "Yeah I think it's best. Seems as though he was fishing around for some intel. Yep. Thanks man."

Shane stands up then walks over to me and places his giant palm on my cheek. I ignore the flutter my belly is doing and fight the instinct I have to collapse into his hold and let out all my stress, but I can't. I can no longer put my daughter in the mix of any danger.

"Babe, you good?"

"No." Shane holds me to his chest, but I leave my hands where the reside crossed at my chest. I can't give in to him, not when I'm about to break his heart, along with mine. "I want you to leave Shane."

"What?" He says pulling me back and holding my arms. I push away from him and head to the kitchen for a drink of water. "Mind explaining why you just fuckin' said that?"

"I can't do this anymore Shane. I can't have you and your club fucking up my life right now. I have too much responsibility, too much I care about to deal with this." I throw my glass in the sink listening to it shatter.

"You're afraid babe. It's alright to be afraid because of what just happened, but don't put that shit on the club."

"Don't put this on the club? Don't put this on the club? Are you fuckin kidding me. The club is the reason me and my daughter were shot at three hours ago. The club is the reason I was clutching my daughter to my chest while I hid in a fucking janitor's closet with strangers. The club is behind all this bullshit. You guys aren't saints and I've been able to ignore that since I met you because I saw the life you all lived by, but no more. I will not put my daughter in any danger."

"The club is dealin' with something right now. Don't act like this happens all the time."

"I don't need for it to happen all the time Shane. I need for it to never happen. I need for my daughter to be able to enjoy her childhood without going to class on Monday and telling her teacher that bad guys are after her because of who her mother is currently fucking." My words come out harsh as I scream the last statement. I hate fighting with Shane, but he needs to understand where I am coming from.

"Is that what I am to you? I'm just some fuckin' cock you rode last night? You really want to put me in that category? What about the cock you rode before me huh? What about your goddamn ex?"

"Get your stuff and get out of my house. I no longer want any of your guys' protection. If I feel in danger in any sort of way, then I will call the police. The thing I should have done since the beginning."

"But you didn't Ly. You called us, and we handled it."

"Did you? Because since I have known you and your fucking club, I have seen my best friend get rushed into the ER with life threatening injuries, I have seen Shawna get almost beat to death, and I was just shot at with my daughter. Seems like you guys can't handle anything."

The moment the words fall from my lips I want to take them back. Shane's face contorts into pain, but he refuses to show it. He simply goes into my room, coming back moments later with his duffle bag, and walks over to me. I have tears flowing down my cheeks from the horrible heartache I feel. My body shakes with fear that I am making a mistake, but I can't take it back now. This is for the best.

"I know you're scared baby, I know you're just trying to be typical fuckin' Lyla and thinking you can control everything, but you don't have to be. You call me when you understand that." He whispers then walks out of the door leaving me in a crying mess.

He's right about one thing. I can't control some of the things in my life, but I can control who me and my daughter are around and the influence they have on her. She could have died today, and it would have been all my fault. That is something I can't live with.