Chapter 5 Meet the Slades

Kade POV

He smiled as he raised his hand in surrender, seeing how I was watching him. Marriage or not, I was still in enemy territory, and I wasn't letting my guard down any more than I already had by forgetting my fucking gun.

“I didn't mean to scare you,” he said, backing up a little. The first Hound with common sense. He knew not to mess with me right now. “My name is Sly. I was told by the boss to help you settle in. Whatever you need, I am at your service,” he said with a friendly smile.

“Where is he?” I asked. Last night didn't exactly end the way he had planned, and I knew I had pissed him off, so I had prepared for hostility this morning. Guess he wasn't man enough to face me.

“Business. He did say to allow you to do whatever you want. The house and clubhouse are at your disposal. He did say not to go to his office, but yeah, that part might fall on deaf ears,” Sly said with a smirk.

I stared at him blankly at his weak attempt at a joke.

“Mama, I am hungry,” JJ said in a whiny voice, making Sly turn to look at her. His eyes brightened as she poked my cheeks.

“Well, hello to you, my lady,” Sly said, waving at JJ, who giggled and waved back. “You are so pretty,” he said in a smooth voice, like he was trying to swoon her, and my daughter became a blushing mess.

“Kitchen. Now,” I said.

Sly winked at JJ before turning around and walking down the hall. I contemplated going back to get my gun but thought against it since we were heading to the kitchen. A knife would do if he tried anything.

Killa might not have gotten what he wanted, which made him more dangerous now than ever, and me holding him by the balls, literally, wasn't helping. I watched Sly turn the corner, but that wasn't what stopped me in my tracks.

I heard voices.

Fuck.

Now I really wished I had taken my gun. I knew going back now wouldn't make any sense, so let's hope none of them tried anything stupid. I might be outnumbered or outgunned, but I ain't going down without a fight, especially with JJ here.

Speaking of, her tiny hands stretched across my forehead, making me turn to look at her.

“You have ugly lines,” she said with a grimace.

I almost burst out laughing. She called frown lines ugly lines.

I took a deep breath before following Sly into the kitchen. I was met with three sets of eyes. Two women and Sly.

It got quiet and awkward immediately when I entered. I stared intently at them, and they gave me looks of surprise. One of the women, a middle-aged woman, stepped forward, her eyes darting between JJ and me.

“Hello,” she said softly, a little too softly for someone in a place like this, but I wasn't falling for it. “I know you would be hyper-aware of your surroundings, considering where you are, so I came to help. My name is—”

“Kiana Slade,” I completed her statement in an uninterested voice because I really wasn't interested. “Killa's mother,” I continued with a raised eyebrow while Sly and the other woman looked on.

JJ could feel the tension in the room because she immediately clung to my neck. “You didn't think I would walk into my enemy's territory and not know what and who I am dealing with?” I asked Sly with a raised eyebrow. Fucker really thought I had no idea who he was.

She smiled a little and nodded. “I expected nothing less from the leader of the Crucifers,” she said, still staring at JJ.

It got quiet again, and the room became even tenser than before. My eyes kept bouncing between all three. I had no idea what games they were playing, but they had me real messed up if they believed I would fall for it even for a second.

“Why are we doing this again? She's a fucking Crucifer, hell, not just anyone but their fucking leader, and we are what? Lending a helping hand? Are y'all serious?” the other woman said, throwing her hand up in the air.

She definitely had a flair for the dramatics, and I wouldn't be surprised, seeing who she was related to.

“I didn't ask for it,” I said in a bored voice. “If you would please excuse me,” I added, making my way further into the kitchen with my head held high, but I was conscious as hell, watching their every move.

I gently placed JJ on the counter, though she didn't want to let go. I rubbed her back, a signal that it was okay. JJ might have a mouth on her, but she's just like every other kid. Small and scared.

I ignored the three pairs of eyes watching us and ransacked the kitchen. Luckily, I saw a few ingredients to make pancakes, JJ's favorite. Then I got to work.

I tried not to let myself look like I cared about their presence in the house, but it was a tad bit difficult when they were watching me, especially his mom.

“Mama,” I heard JJ call as I stacked the pancakes up gently.

“Yes, baby?”

“Where is Granny?” she asked, swinging her legs. She was referring to Nikita. I was a bit surprised she hadn't mentioned her, considering how attached she was to her.

“We will go see her soon, okay?” I said as I slowly poured the syrup over her pancakes.

She nodded eagerly. I pushed the plate towards her. “Eat up.”

I opened the well-stocked fridge and brought out some juice for her. My child hated milk, though I tried to force her to drink it once in a while.

I gently patted her head as she ate, forgetting about the extra presence for a minute. Just me and her. But that didn't last long before I noticed someone standing opposite the counter.

I looked up slowly and was met with Kiana's gaze.

“I am sorry,” she said gently.

I stared at her blankly. I knew what she was apologizing for, though it wouldn't make any difference.

“It's too late,” I said before looking back at JJ, who had already made a mess. I smiled a little at her messy face.

Everyone knew Killa and I would destroy each other, and there was no stopping it.