The house phone rang interrupting their moment.
“I’ll be back.”
Answering the phone, she listened to Angel complain over the line. Lash had called and was begging her to stay with Eva so she wasn’t alone.
“I’m really sorry to do this, but I don’t want him worrying while he’s away. Will it be okay if I come and camp out with you?” Angel asked.
“Sure. Do you want me to send Baker to come and get you?”
“Nah, Ink’s here and he can drive me to you. He can then go and do something back at the club. I’ve already got the deal with Lash that he can go back to the clubhouse. Baker’s to stay with us though.”
Agreeing, Eva put the phone back and walked into the sitting room. Baker was staring up at the ceiling.
“Angel’s on her way over. She’s going to be staying with us until the guys get back.”
Baker nodded.
“I’m going to make you a drink. You’re really good with kids,” she said.
“Thank you.”
Leaving him alone, she walked into the kitchen and set about making a drink. Angel turned up carrying several bags for herself and Anthony. Leaving the kids with Baker, both women set up an extra bed in the kids’ bedroom then arranged for Angel to sleep in one of the guest bedrooms.
“I swear, I don’t think Lash trusts me on my own. I’ve never given him any cause to be worried.”
Eva chuckled. “He’s not worried about you, honey. He’s worried about the men out there who’d hurt you. If Lash thought there was anything wrong with you, then he wouldn’t have married you.”
Angel laughed. “I’ve gone a little crazy in my time.”
Shaking her head at the joke, Eva finished putting the blankets on the bed before making her way downstairs. With the kids and Baker, the two women played games in the sitting room. Hours passed as the kids were giggling from the antics of Baker. She really did like the new prospects. At around four, she got a call from Tiny, checking up on her and to make sure she was safe. She tried to soothe his concern, but there wasn’t much she could say.
Eva knew how much Tiny hated doing these kinds of runs.
“How is Baker doing?” Tiny asked.
“He’s a star, Tiny. I can’t complain. He’s brilliant with the kids, and he knows what he’s doing.”
“I don’t want you to leave the house without him with you.”
“Nothing is going to happen. He’ll take care of me. All you need to be concerned about is getting the job done.”
Tiny had told her what Butch found out from Gonzalez. She knew something was going to happen while the boys were away, she just didn’t know what.
“I wish I was home with you,” he said.
“I wish you were here as well. It won’t be long, and we’ll both be safe and so will the club. Come back to me in one piece.”
“I will. Love you, baby.”
“I love you, too.”
When she got off the phone with him, she walked into the kitchen to make dinner. The time passed easily with all of them enjoying their time.
By nightfall, Baker helped to bathe the kids. She left Angel to finish talking with Lash on her cell phone.
“Today has been the best day of my life,” Baker said. “Your kids are perfect.”
“Thank you.”
“Lash!” Angel’s scream filled the air.
Eva didn’t give Baker chance to rush after Angel. Gut instinct had her running downstairs, and she followed the noise of Angel screaming.
Rounding the corner and entering the kitchen, she saw a large man holding Angel against his body while she fought to get free. She stamped on his foot multiple times. Eva watched, amazed, as Angel flung her head back hitting him in the nose.
The man was dazed for several seconds. Angel made to get away. The guy grabbed her and slammed her against the counter hard. Angel disappeared from view as she collapsed in a heap on the floor.
When she saw the man go to kick Angel, Eva was pulled out of her trance. Charging at the man, Eva threw her weight at him.
He shoved her off him, slamming his fist into her face. Reeling back from the attack, Eva crashed against the cooker, knocking the pan onto the floor. He charged at her, but Baker knocked him back.
Getting to her feet, Eva watched as Baker unleashed his fists, slamming them into the guy’s face. Seeing her cell phone on the floor, Eva crawled over to it and picked it up.
“Hello,” Eva said, wincing at the pain.
She put her back against the cupboard and watched as Baker hit the man with one of her saucepans. Their attacker went down in a heap on the floor.
“Eva? What’s going on? Where’s Angel?” Lash asked, panicked.
Angel smiled at her, getting to her feet.
“We’re okay. Baker just saved us.” Baker stood at her feet and signaled for the phone. She handed it to him without a fight.
“Someone just came in through the back and attacked Angel. Before I got a chance he hurt Eva. Both women look okay, and I’ll keep an eye on him.” Baker was silent for several moments. “He’s alive but unconscious.” He nodded. “Okay, I’ll do that.”
He closed the phone and handed it to her. “Do you have anything for me to tie him up? Lash and Tiny want him alive to question.”
“I’ll get the rope Tiny keeps on hand just in case this happens.” Eva got to her feet, wincing. She was going to be bruised from where he threw her against the cooker. Walking out of the kitchen, she went into Tiny’s office. She typed the key into the safe and pulled out the rope.
Walking back into the kitchen she saw Baker lifting the man up and placing him on one of her sturdy wooden chairs.
Handing him the rope, she saw Angel was sitting at the counter, holding her stomach.
“Are you okay?” Eva asked.
“I put the safety gate in place for the kids. They’re watching a movie, but if you want to check on them you can.”
Eva nodded. She was going to make sure they were both okay before she went to the kids. Worrying the young ones was not a good idea for her.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Angel said.
Not believing her, she walked toward Angel and lifted her shirt up to see the bruises forming over her stomach.
“Really, Eva, I’m fine. It just hurts that’s all. He wasn’t the nicest of men. Being thrown against a counter takes some time to get accustomed to.” Angel tried to make a joke of it.
“I want you ladies out of the kitchen.”