Surviving Storm (Kings Reapers MC Book 7)

by Nicola Jane

  “After today, you’ll never feel pain again. Not like this. I’ll make it right.”

  We fall silent for a few moments, then her eyes open again. “Storm . . . she has a pink stuffed elephant. She can’t sleep without it. She likes the movement of the car when she can’t settle. And she hates waiting for her morning feed, so be on that shit right away.” She gasps, and I squeeze her hand harder in panic.

  “Baby, you can show me all of that when we get out of here, okay?”

  I watch Lottie’s chest move up and down. She hasn’t opened her eyes for fifteen minutes now, and it doesn’t matter how much I nudge her with my foot or shout her name, she’s out cold. Her blood is soaking into the mattress despite the dirty rags she’s got pressed against her wounds. I hear a loud bang and freeze. Rushing to the door, I press my ear to it, grinning when I hear Blade’s familiar voice. “Motherfucker, that hurt,” he snaps.

  “Blade, in here,” I shout, moving back from the door. A second later, it busts open, and Blade pokes his head in. “Brother, it’s so fucking good to see your ugly ass face,” I say.

  “Shit, you look like you’ve done a few rounds in the ring,” he observes.

  “We gotta get Lottie out of here. She’s unconscious.” I move to the side so he can see her on the mattress. Pulling out a set of keys, he unlocks my cuffs. I don’t bother questioning why he’s got a set of handcuff keys. I scoop Lottie up in my arms and follow Blade out the room.

  There’s chaos in the flat, men fighting and dead bodies strewn across the floor. Raven is by the door, and I pass Lottie to her. “Get her to the hospital,” I order.

  “Shouldn’t you be with her?” she asks uncertainly.

  “I have some unfinished business here,” I say, turning back to the chaos.

  I spot Riggs with Ali. He’s got him by the throat. “How happy are you to see me again?” I ask, grinning.

  “You must love that whore to go to this amount of trouble.” Ali grins, spitting blood at my feet.

  “I just can’t stand people like you,” I say. “You see that man there?” I add, pointing to Lake, who’s just slit the throat of this arse’s accomplice. “That’s her brother, and he’s super-pissed about the whole situation,” I say.

  “You think I’m scared of you? Any of you?” he asks, smiling. “Only God can judge me.”

  I take a knife from Blade. “Wrong,” I say. I hold his little finger to the side and slice the knife to the bone, snapping the rest. He howls in pain, and I shake my head. “Not even God would protect scum like you. Right now, I’m your judge and jury and I say you belong in hell.” I stick the blade into the palm of his hand, and he wails. Riggs stuffs a towel into his mouth to muffle his screams as I stab the blade into his other hand.

  Brick comes over, holding his mobile to his ear. “Pres, the cops are on their way.”

  I roll my eyes. Trust law enforcement to show up when I’m just getting warmed up. “Go set off the fire alarms, give everyone a chance to evacuate before we send this place up,” orders Riggs.

  I stuff the knife into Ali’s stomach, and his eyes widen. I love that look in the second they realise they’re actually going to die. I pull the blade along his flesh and step back as his guts spill out. He tries to hold them in, sliding down the wall and clutching what he can. “Rest in hell,” I mutter.

  Cree is splashing petrol around the flat. We step out, and Riggs throws a cigarette back inside, lighting the fuel instantly. He closes the door and we make our way down the stairs along with other residents who are leaving the building in response to the blaring fire alarm.

  Chapter Nineteen

  LOTTIE

  “I didn’t try to kill myself,” I hiss.

  The doctor looks doubtfully over at Anna. “Let me talk to her,” she says and waits for him to step outside.

  “Lottie, he’s never gonna believe you didn’t do this, not with your history,” she says carefully. “Just get him to sign the damn paperwork and you’re free to leave.”

  My eyes widen. “Free?” I repeat. “That’s not exactly true, is it?”

  “Would you rather they section you?” she asks.

  “I’d rather we all just tell the truth,” I snap.

  “You know that can’t happen. The guys will get sent down for murder, arson, and god knows what else.”

  “But I’ll be free,” I hiss.

  “You want Lake to go to prison?” she snaps. “I know you think this is unfair, but this was all for you. Be thankful you’re alive. Agree to the release terms and come home to your daughter.”

  My heart squeezes. Since waking up in hospital three days ago, I haven’t seen Elsie. The doctors think I tried to kill myself, despite my bruises and obvious assault. Now, my choice is get released into the club’s care or go into a mental hospital for three months of intense treatment. “Riggs pulled some strings to have you released to the club. It’s your best option,” says Anna, her eyes pleading for me to listen. I sigh heavily and nod. Fine, I’ll sign the damn papers. Three months at the club with Elsie is better than being locked up in a hospital.

  I stare at the clubhouse doors. “It’s gonna be okay,” Anna whispers gently. “Everyone’s been so worried about you.”

  “Is he good with her?” I ask, referring to Storm and Elsie.

  “He’s really good with her. He’s been doing her night feeds. I think she’s been unsettled without you.”

  “He didn’t come to the hospital,” I point out. “I thought he’d bring her to see me.”

  “He had to deal with social care. They were asking all kinds of questions. Things have been a little crazy.”

  I nod. Social care agreed to let Elsie stay with Storm, but it wasn’t easy convincing them he hadn’t beaten me and that was the reason I’d tried to kill myself. I guess that would have been easier to believe than the truth. “If you need anything,” says Anna, “you can always come to me. Nothing’s changed.”

  I push the door open and step inside. “Everything’s changed,” I whisper.

  I’m greeted by the ol’ ladies. They’re all pleased to see me, and I feel slightly more relaxed. Even Frankie seems happy as she embraces me. I spot Storm watching me from across the room and make my way over. “She’s sleeping,” he says bluntly.

  “I need to see her,” I say desperately.

  “You can, once she’s awake.”

  “You don’t understand,” I whisper, tears filling my eyes. “I’ve never been apart from her, and now, it’s been four days. I have to see her.”

  “Now you know how I feel not seeing her for the first three months of her life,” he snaps.

  “That’s not the same,” I hiss. “You didn’t know about her.”

  Anna gently places her hand on my shoulder. “Storm, let her pass. She’s been through enough.”

  He glares at Anna, then sighs, stepping to one side. I rush upstairs to his room and burst into tears when my eyes finally land on Elsie. I scoop her into my arms and bury my nose into her soft body, inhaling her baby smell. “I’ve missed you so much,” I mumble against her. “I love you.”

  A woman, the one from the caravan, steps into the room from the bathroom and stops when she sees me. “Does Storm know you’re up here?” she asks, glancing at the door.

  I nod, swiping at my tear-stained face. “I’m her mum,” I explain.

  “I know,” she says, “but he said not to let anyone in.”

  Ignoring her, I take a seat in the middle of the bed and lie Elsie down in front of me so I can stare at her peaceful face. The door flies open and Seb runs in. “You’re back,” he screeches, and I smile wide. He seems happy to see me. “Guess what, I have a sister,” he adds excitedly. He climbs on the bed and lays next to Elsie, gently running a finger over her tummy.

  “I know,” I say. “How cool is that?”

  “Really cool,” he says. Bently joins us, curling up on the other side of Elsie. I smile down at all three of them. I ignore the niggling voice telling me this
could’ve been us, if I’d have given Storm the chance to be a part of Elsie’s life.

  “Seb, shall we walk Bently?” asks the woman.

  Seb shakes his head, taking my hand in his. “I want to stay with Lottie,” he says.

  “Too bad. You need to walk the mutt,” comes Storm’s voice, and Seb rolls his eyes.

  “I’ll be here when you get back,” I reassure him, and he nods, following the woman from the room. Storm catches her hand in his as they pass, and they share a brief kiss. I stare down at Elsie, ignoring the squeeze to my heart.

  “I thought you were gonna die,” he mutters, taking a seat on the end of his bed.

  “It would have worked out better for you if I had,” I say, straightening Elsie’s little pink dress. “With me out the way, you could play happy family with your ol’ lady and my daughter.”

  “She ain’t my ol’ lady.”

  “Yet,” I say.

  “How’s this gonna play out?” he asks.

  “I’ll stay out of your way,” I mutter. “Three months will fly by, then I’ll be outta your hair.”

  “Taking my daughter with you,” he says coldly.

  “I never asked for any of this,” I snap. “I wanted to go home and live my life, but I had to lie to keep you all from going to prison. I didn’t ask you to get involved, so why did you go after Ali and those men?”

  “For you,” he growls, standing and pacing the room. “I couldn’t stand what they did to you. They had to fucking pay.”

  “It was over. My life was moving on. I have a nice place and a future. You’ve dragged me back into this life, and now I have to stick around here for three months watching you with her—” I clamp my lips shut. I didn't mean to say that.

  “She isn’t living here. She came to see how I was doing.”

  “It doesn’t matter. You have your life too. It’s why I never wanted to tell you, but Lake made me and now look.” I suck in a breath.

  “You should never have kept it from me. I know I lost my mind after everything with Seb, but if you’d have told me, I would have supported you. We had it good, didn’t we?”

  “I don’t wanna talk about the past,” I mutter. It’s too hard to go over what could have been. “I made my choice and I can’t change it. I’ll stay out of your way, and when it’s time for me to leave, we’ll sort arrangements out for Elsie then.” I scoop her against my chest and get off the bed. “Nothing’s ever simple with us, is it?” I add. “We attract drama. I don’t miss that.”

  STORM

  Watching Lottie be a mum to our baby girl is both hard and amazing all at the same time. It’s been two weeks since she arrived and her bruises have slowly faded to pale yellow. Leia has been in charge of the bandage changes and she tells me the deep cuts to Lottie’s arms are healing well, and the stitches are due to be taken out any day now.

  “It changes things, doesn’t it.” Riggs takes a seat beside me on the grass. “When Anna told me she was pregnant with Willow, I was so pissed. I remember thinking, how the fuck do I tell this woman that I might not be around to help raise our kid. I’d only just found out about the cancer then, and I was a mess. I’d go to visit Willow and see Anna with her and my heart would ache, brother. Seeing her be a mother to my kid, fuck, it changed everything. I found a new respect that wasn’t there before. She carried my child and was raising her on her own like a fucking queen. Even with all the shit I was throwing her way, she still got on with it.”

  I nod, keeping my eyes fixed on Lottie as she cradles Elsie against her chest and laughs at something Anna is telling her. He’s right. Something possessive is growing inside of me, and every time I watch them together, it gets bigger. “She can’t wait to get out of here,” I say. “If it wasn’t for Lake, I wouldn’t even know about Elsie.”

  “Do you blame her, brother? Man, she came back to see you and within an hour she was handcuffed in a room by a man who molested her as a kid.”

  I snigger, shrugging my shoulders. “What’s your point?”

  “There was a time when you claimed her as yours, brother. The way I see it, you both fucked up along the way, but now you’re both in a better place, and you have that beautiful little girl to raise. What better excuse do you need to give it a go?”

  I laugh. “I think she’d rather gouge her own eyes out than ever have my name tattooed on her again.”

  “You’re a Kings Reaper, since when did we ever take no for an answer. You want her, go get her.”

  “And what about Emily?”

  “You ain’t claiming Emily,” he scoffs. “She’s a tight pussy to help you out on a bad day, but she ain’t ol’ lady material and you know it. That there,” he says, pointing to Lottie, “is your future.”

  “Careful, Pres, you almost sound wise.”

  Riggs laughs. “I’ve always been wise,” he says. “I just hide it well.”

  I watch Lottie apply the finishing touches to her makeup. “Why are you wearing all that if you’re just drinking in the club bar?” I ask, rocking Elsie gently. I said I’d watch her while Lottie got ready for a girls’ night, and even though she’s not actually leaving the club, I’m still scowling as she applies a coat of lip gloss.

  “It’s nice to feel attractive sometimes. Especially when you’ve just had a baby. I spend my days covered in milk spit,” she says, laughing. Over the last few days, things have been easier between us. We’ve gradually spoken more and more and even shared a joke or two.

  “You wanna meet someone?” I ask, trying to look nonchalant.

  “Who the hell would I meet here, Storm? Everyone’s got an ol’ lady, and those who haven’t, are single for very good reasons.”

  “I haven’t got an ol’ lady,” I say, feigning insult.

  She rolls her eyes. “It’s been months since I had a drink and even longer since I spent quality time with the girls. I’m looking forward to relaxing and not worrying about Elsie.” I place a kiss on Elsie’s head, and she stirs. “If you’re sure you don’t mind watching her for me,” she adds.

  “Of course not. Since you’ve been back, she’s slept like a dream,” I say, and Lottie’s eyes bug out of her head.

  “How would you know? She’s in here with me.”

  “I’m right next door. I hear every whimper coming from this room.” I raise an eyebrow, and she blushes. “So, just remember that tonight. I’m gonna put her down in her crib. Have a good night.” I head towards my room, where I’ve got a crib set up for Elsie. I plan on keeping a close eye on her and her mum tonight. There ain’t no way I’m sitting in my room knowing Lottie is down in the bar looking this good with men like Vinn likely to stop by.

  Chapter Twenty

  LOTTIE

  I’ve made no secret about the fact I’m mad as hell to be back at the club, but sitting here chatting with the ol’ ladies is something I’ve definitely missed. Leia tops up my third glass of wine, and I take the glass and keep my hand over the top so she can’t do it again. I haven’t drunk in such a long time and it’s going straight to my head.

  “I like Raven,” argues Leia, “but she’s always with the guys. I’m surprised Riggs hasn’t made her a club member,” she adds.

  “They don’t take girls,” says Eva. “I asked already.”

  Anna laughs. “You want to be a club member?”

  Eva grins. “I was winding Cree up. Told him I want to get a bike and join an MC. He freaked the hell out. We spent all day in bed that time,” she says, winking.

  “What would your road name be?” Anna asks.

  “Something really crude like ‘Wet Pussy’,” she says, and Tillie giggles. “Just so I could see the shock when I said my name to some of these guys.”

  “You’re going off subject,” argues Leia.

  “Because we don’t wanna talk about your crazy obsession with Raven,” says Eva.

  “Why doesn’t Riggs let any of us go on runs? He had Vinn showing her how to use all kinds of guns. He’d never ever dream of letting any of us u
se a weapon.”

  “I don’t want to use a weapon,” says Anna.

  “That’s not the point. It’s wrong he has rules for some of us and not others.”

  “Then raise it with your brother,” Anna suggests. “Riggs is reasonable, he’ll explain why Raven is more like a brother than an ol’ lady.”

  “Are you all happy that she goes on runs with your men? What happens when it’s a long run? Where the hell does she sleep?”

  Eva groans. “For goodness sake, Leia, stop. Has something happened to make you freak like this?”

  Leia shakes her head. “I just think it’s weird.”

  “We’re not talking about this anymore. Talk to Riggs about it,” says Anna firmly, then she turns to me. “How are you?”

  “Good,” I say, smiling. “Still not happy that I’ve effectively been sectioned, but I’m getting over it. I missed you guys.”

  “We missed you too. It’s so great to have you back. Just like old times,” says Sara.

  “But not for long,” I remind her, and she pouts.

  “Would you consider staying if you and Storm can work past the hostility?” asks Eva.

  “Actually, the last few days we’ve been civil, friendly even,” I say, “but it won’t last. One of us will say or do something to upset the other, usually me.” I feel Storm enter the room. My skin prickles, and our eyes connect as he crosses the bar and joins Riggs and some of the others.

  “Looks like he’s made an effort this evening,” Anna notes. He’s wearing a white button-down shirt and his usual Levi’s. She’s right—he looks hot. Leia clicks her fingers to gain my attention, laughing when I start.

  “Earth to Lottie,” she jokes.

  I blush. “I have my own place. I like the independence I have. I’m out of here as soon as the three months are up and the doctor clears me.”

  The main door opens and Emily enters. Anna groans. “What’s she doing here?”