son in surprise. “What?” he asked a little dumbfounded.
“She’s our girl now. Why’d you let her go out with him?” He demanded.
“Our girl?” He asked.
“Yeah, you call her the same thing you did mom. She’s our girl now.” Max said, using some logic that only made sense to him.
For a minute he couldn’t figure out what he was talking about then he realized that he’d called Vivi baby girl too. Shit, he hadn’t even realized that until Max pointed it out. He was actually surprised that Max remembered. He’d only been four when his mother died.
“Oh, buddy. She’s just here for a little while, and we can’t keep her.” Tick told him, not sure what else to say.
“You like her don’t you dad?” The boy asked.
“Yeah, I like her.” Tick agreed.
“So then why can’t we keep her?” He tilted his head looking up at Tick with a puzzled expression.
Tick tried to think of an answer the boy would understand. He didn’t want to upset him, but they weren’t going to keep Charity. It didn’t matter how bad he’d like to. It just couldn’t happen, or could it, he wondered.
“Son, Charity’s not a pet. We have to let her go if she wants to. She’s just helping us out for a little while.”
“That’s stupid. I like her and you like her and she likes us, so she should just stay here with us.” Max informed him crossing his little arms across his chest, again. Tick didn’t see a flaw in the boy’s logic. Other than the fact that she was on a date with that prat that is. That was a big flaw.
It was a little over thirty minutes later, and he’d just put Max to bed when he got the call.
“Hello.” Tick answered on the third ring.
“Hey, we may have a lead on your problem. Guy in the area is said to have the skinny according to Tiny. Names Vickers, he lives over by the Miller place. Go over there tonight and see what the hell he knows.” Bone told him. He agreed and hung up calling Ratchet.
“What’s up?” Ratchet asked
“Have a bead on some info. Wanna come with me to have a little chat?” Tick asked.
“Yeah, what about Max? Want me to call Colt to send Maria over?” Ratchet asked.
Tick thought about that for a moment. Humm…that was the way to interrupt her date without having to be a total dick.
“Nah, Charity can do it.” Tick said, grinning.
“Isn’t she on a date?” Ratchet questioned.
“Yep,” He said a little gleefully, maybe a bit too gleefully.
“I see.” Ratchet chuckled. Then after a pause asked. “Her being on a date is eating you up isn’t it?”
“What? Hell no, I just like being a dick because she’s a pain in the ass.” He denied.
“Uh-huh, I’ll be there in thirty.” Ratchet chuckled as he hung up the phone, the bastard.
He called Charity. She answered on the third ring. “What’s wrong? Is Max okay?” She asked her voice a little panicked.
“He’s fine.” He assured her. “Just need you to come back here. I gotta take care of some business.”
“Can’t Maria come and handle it till I get home?” Charity asked.
“No, come home, now.” He roared into the phone, unhappy that she was questioning him.
“Are you kidding me? Why are you acting like such a dick?” She asked.
“Just get your ass back here. Lover boy, can take you out another night. I need you here and your brother put me in charge of this punishment, so get your ass back here.” Tick didn’t want to argue with her she needed to get her ass back here and away from that dickhead. He didn’t want that man touching her.
“Fine, asshole.” Charity hung up.
He got ready then waited in the living room for them to show up. The two of them walked up on the porch, and Tick seethed when the man looked like he was going to kiss her again. Yeah that was not fucking happening, he thought walking to the door. Ripping it open, he stormed out onto the porch.
“Took you long enough. Look she needs to watch the kid so leave.” Tick growled, moving down the