I had just checked out a customer when Lila walked in. “Hi, Parker.”
“Oh, hey, Lila, how are you?” I asked, setting a receipt in my drawer.
She settled her hands on her belly. “Oh my god, girrrrrl, I’m pregnant.”
“You are?” I asked.
“Yes! Just like you. I think we might actually be due really close to each other. I found out last week.”
I forced myself not to appear confused. She’d never mentioned a man or any love interest, which I figured she would since she overshared about pretty much everything else.
I moved out from behind the counter and hugged her. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” she said. “I can’t wait to have my shower.”
“Me too,” I said.
“I’ll be sure to send you an invite.”
“Thanks, Lila, that would be fun.”
“Well, I better get back to the shop,” she said. “Just wanted to share.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
She walked out and I went back to my day. Rabbit picked me up at closing time and came in through the front rather than the back.
“Hi, honey. You’re early.”
“Yeah, we got done sooner than expected.” He nodded toward the door. “That woman down the street keeps starin’ this way. Leaning out her window and watchin’.”
“Lila?”
“Yeah. She’s fuckin’ weird.”
“She’s lonely, which makes her awkward,” I countered. “But weird might be a bit harsh.”
“It’s like she’s obsessed with you.”
“I think she just wants to connect. She’s pregnant,” I said. “She told me today.”
“How the fuck does that work?” he asked. “She’s, like, fifty.”
I rolled my eyes. “She’s maybe forty, honey.”
His eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“Well, she looks a hell of a lot older,” he said.
“Don’t be mean,” I said, standing on my tiptoes to kiss him quickly. “She just wants a friend.”
“She’s a fuckin’ weirdo.”
I shook my head and chose to ignore his unkind words. “Come on, help me with the receipts and we’ll get out of here.”
Life was pretty uneventful for the next four months. The Beast had gone to ground, Taxi was giving Rabbit space for the most part, and we found out we were having a boy.
Little did I know, the other shoe was about to drop in the form of a fireplace poker, a scalpel, and a loaded gun.
Parker
“I want you off your feet,” Rabbit ordered, walking through the front door of the shop.
“You don’t need to check up on me, Zane. I’m good,” I countered, closing the cash drawer.
He raised an eyebrow. “Baby, you’re fuckin’ close to your due date. You should be home with your feet up so I can feed you bonbons or some shit like that.”
“I don’t need my feet to swell more than they already are, honey.” I set my hands on my belly. “Bonbons will just add to the carnage that used to be my calves.”
“Today’s your last day. Got it? Shadow and Mouse are onboard to watch the store until you’re back.”
I bit my lip. “Really?”
“Yep.”
“That might be six weeks if I end up having—”
“You’re not gonna have a fuckin’ C-section,” he avowed. “But it doesn’t matter how long it takes, they’ve cleared their schedule.”
“Oh my god, seriously?”
“Yeah, baby.” He smiled. “Need you to relax for the rest of your pregnancy. Can you do that for me?”
I nodded, moving from behind the counter and wrapping my arms around his waist. “I can totally do that for you.”
He stroked my hair. “Good.”
The bell on the door dinged and we both turned toward it to see Lila walk in.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hey, Lila, how are you feeling?” I asked as she rubbed her belly.
“Huge,” she said.
I smiled. “I hear ya.”
I noticed Rabbit staring her down, but he softened his features and even managed to smile slightly as she stepped away from him slightly.
“Ah, so, I’m having my shower on Saturday.” She handed me an envelope. “I wanted to invite you.”
“She’s supposed to be resting,” Rabbit said.
“But I can probably get away for a little while,” I countered. “Right, honey?”
He widened his eyes at me, his back to Lila, so she couldn’t see him.
“Right?” I pressed.
“We’ll see how you’re doin’ on Saturday.”
I patted his chest. “I’ll text you Saturday morning, okay?” I asked Lila.
“Oh, sure.” She nodded. “I’d really love to see you.”
“I’ll do my best,” I promised, and she walked out.
“You’re not goin’ to that fuckin’ shower,” Rabbit said.
“It’s five days away. Let’s talk about it then.”
He shook his head, but dropped the subject, and we went about finishing out our day.
* * *
Saturday morning, Rabbit had to deal with club business, so I headed to my parents’ place for the day. He insisted on me never being alone, so this was the compromise. He followed me over and walked me in. “She’s to rest,” he said to my mother.
“Gotya,” she said.
“Be good,” he said to me, kissing me.
“I’m too big to party, honey,” I pointed out and he kissed me again, then walked out the door.
“Right, my love, let’s get you settled,” Mom said, and walked me into the family room where I planted my butt on the sofa. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, Mom,” I said. “Other than cabin fever.”
She smiled gently. “I remember those days. It’s why there are only two of you.”
I chuckled. “I’m right there with you.”
She handed me the television remote. “You relax, I’ll get you a cup of tea, then I have a few things to do.”
“Okay, Mama.” I smiled. “Thank you.”
She walked out of the room just as my phone rang. I saw it was Lila calling and realized I’d completely forgotten about her baby shower.
“Hi, Lila.”
“Hey, Parker. You didn’t RSVP for the shower, so I’m just checking to see if you’re going to be able to make it.”
“I’m kind of on bedrest.”
“Oh, no,” she cried. “Is anything wrong?”
“My husband is protective.” I heard her sniff. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’ve just had several people back out, so I was really hoping you’d be there. My mom’s gone to so much trouble.”
I checked my watch. It was an hour before the party was due to start, and I was feeling pretty good. “Let me see what I can do, okay?”
“Oh my gosh, that would be amazing. Thanks, Parker.”
“See you soon.”
“Bye.”
We rang off and I pushed myself off the sofa. “Mom?”
“Yes, honey.”
“I totally forgot my friend’s baby shower was today,” I said, walking into the kitchen. “I’m going to put in a quick appearance and then head home. Can I please raid your gift room?”
She stepped out from behind the island with a frown. “Rabbit doesn’t want you going anywhere, sweetheart.”
“Only because he’s afraid of me going into labor. I’m so far away from that, it’s all good. I’ll be at her place for an hour, tops. I actually feel great today, well, other than feeling cooped up.”
She sighed. “Who is this friend?”
“Lila. She works down the street from the shop.”
“Does Rabbit know her?”
“Yes. He’s met her several times.” I sighed. “Mom, I’m a grown woman, I can handle a little party for a lonely friend.”
She patted my cheek.
“This is true. Yes, go raid the gifts.”
“Thanks.” I grinned and headed down the hall.
My mom was kind of a hoarder. But she was an organized hoarder and had a room that housed gifts for every occasion, along with a huge table to wrap said gifts. Since I didn’t know if Lila was having a boy or a girl, I chose a really cute teddy bear, finding a sweet new baby congratulations card and a gift bag to go along with it.
“I’m out of here,” I called to my mother, grabbing my purse.
“Did you text Rabbit?” she asked, walking into the foyer.
“I’m going to call him on my way,” I said. “The shower’s across town, so I’m running a little late.”
“Okay, honey. Have fun.”
I hugged her and fished my car keys out of my purse, then made my way to my car. I dialed Rabbit’s number, but it went to voicemail, so I left him a quick message, then pulled out of the driveway.
It took me nearly thirty minutes to get to the shower, but I made it with five minutes to spare. In fact, Lila came rushing out to meet me. “You made it! Come on in.”
I smiled, handing her the gift.
“Oh my gosh, this is awesome. The baby’s going to love it.”
We walked into the house and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. There was no one there. In fact, there were no decorations, nothing.
“Where is everyone?” I asked.
“Oh, it’s just you and me,” she said, and I felt a prick in my arm. “We’re going to have so much fun.”
Things got foggy really quickly and I started to feel like I might pass out.
* * *
Rabbit
“Rabbit!” Mouse yelled, rushing into Doc’s office. “Parker hit her panic button.”
I frowned. “What the fuck? She’s at her mom’s.”
“She’s not actually. She’s across town.”
“Fuckin’ hell,” I growled, pulling my phone out of my pocket. I’d set it to buzz, but had apparently silenced it completely, and now saw I missed a call from Parker.
I pulled up the voicemail, then put the phone to my ear.
“Hey honey, I totally forgot about Lila’s baby shower, so I’m running over there really quick. I feel great but I promise I won’t stay long. I’ll meet you at home. Love you. Bye.”
“Find her,” I ordered.
“Already did and Alamo’s over that side of town, so he’s checking it out,” Mouse said. “I texted you the address.”
“I see that,” I said. “Thanks, brother.”
I rushed out to my bike and hoped to god I reached Parker in time.
* * *
Parker
“Don’t fall asleep just yet,” Lila ordered, helping me over to a chair by the fireplace.
I fought the black and forced my eyes open. “What’s going on?” I rasped, my stomach tightening as I tried to find a comfortable spot.
“You’re a little early,” she said, dragging a mattress into the room and laying plastic on top of it.
I frowned, noticing just now that she was in scrubs, with no belly.
“Did you have your baby?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Come on, Parker, you’re smarter than that. Think.”
Fear flooded me and I wrapped my arms around my belly. “You were never pregnant.”
“You got it.” She tapped her nose with her finger. “But that’s okay, because you’re going to make all my dreams come true.”
“What do you mean, I’m going to make all your dreams come true?” I asked the question more to try and distract her. I was pretty sure I already knew the answer, but I needed Rabbit to get here, and he needed time to do that.
She pulled a scalpel from her pocket and grinned. “I’ve been studying up on C-sections. YouTube is a wealth of information, did you know that?”
“You learned how to do a C-section off of YouTube?”
Her head bobbed up and down. “I’m going to do everything I can to keep you alive, but, honestly, the odds are I won’t be able to do that. But your baby... no, my baby... is going to have such an amazing life and you can watch us from heaven.”
She approached me and I held up a hand. “Wait. Don’t do this, Lila. You can get a baby another way. Adoption. Sperm bank. Something like that.”
“I don’t want to wait that long. Not when the perfect baby, made by the perfect couple, is right here in front of me.”
Before she’d finished her sentence, the chair I was sitting on flooded and I pushed myself up. “Oh my god, I think my water just broke.”
Lila let out a crazy little squeal, and clapped her hands. “It’s beginning.”
“Will you put the scalpel away?” I begged. “Let me deliver naturally. That way everyone will be healthy. I’ll give you the baby. I promise,” I lied.
“I don’t believe you.”
A contraction hit, and I grabbed the fireplace mantel. “I promise, Lila. You’ve already drugged me with something, which is making me foggy and slow. Once I give birth, I’ll be in no condition to stop you from taking the baby.”
Rabbit will be, though, and he’s gonna fuck you up, you psycho bitch.
That part I kept to myself.
“You might have a point,” Lila said, just as another contraction hit and I groaned, gripping both the mantel and my belly.
“I don’t think it’s going to be long,” I rasped, another contraction rolling through me.
“Okay, Parker, just breathe,” Lila directed, rubbing my back.
I had to force myself not to slap her hand away.
Where the hell was Rabbit?
Once the contraction passed, I glanced around the room for something... anything I could defend myself with. Difficult to find when you didn’t know the layout and were currently in labor. Another contraction hit and I couldn’t stop from crying out. This one was harder than the last and I knew it really wouldn’t be long now.
* * *
Rabbit
I cut the engine on my bike as I approached the address, pulling over to the curb and seeing Alamo’s Harley parked a few feet down the street. He wasn’t close by, so I inched up the driveway, looking for cameras, but seeing nothing. Parker’s car, however, was parked in front of the door, so she was obviously still there.
I let out a birdcall, receiving a return from the side of the house, so I followed the sound, finding Alamo investigating a window. “The place is locked up tight.”
“Did you get eyes on Parker?”
“No. The blinds are closed all over the house.”
“Fuck!” I hissed.
“There isn’t a weak spot. We’ll need to break a window or shoot our way in.”
I scowled. “I knew this bitch was crazy.”
“You think she’ll hurt Parker?”
“Parker wouldn’t have hit her panic button if she didn’t think so,” I said.
“Jesus. Okay, let’s get in there.”
* * *
Parker
My phone pealed and I glanced at Lila. “That’s probably Rabbit. If I don’t answer, he’ll worry.”
She sighed, grabbing my purse and pulling my phone out. “Put it on speaker. No funny business.”
I nodded, taking the phone and answering it. “Hi, honey. You’re on speaker, so be polite.”
“Hey, baby,” he said. “How’s the shower?”
“It’s good. Lila looks so cute and the cake is amazing. You should see the family room. The fireplace is gorgeous,” I improvised, another contraction hitting part way through.
“Any idea on when you’ll be heading out?”
“Honestly, no. We’re having so much fun.”
Lila smiled, waving her hand for me to wrap it up.
“Um, I should probably go. We’re getting ready to play a game.”
“Okay. Alamo and I have a few things to do over that way, do you want me to swing by and pick you up?”
I closed my eyes and forced myself not to cry. They were here.
“
No, I’m good, honey, I have my car.”
“Okay, baby. I’ll see you at home.”
Lila snatched the phone from my hand and hung it up, throwing it back in my purse. “Good job.”
“Do you think I could have a little water?” I asked.
“Oh, ah, sure. I’ll get you some.”
She left me and I took a deep breath, my savior just outside, and a fireplace poker directly in front of me. I only needed one pain free moment, and Lila distracted enough, for me to use it.
Rabbit
“She knows we’re here, and she’s in a room with a fireplace,” I said, and led Alamo around the back of the house, trying the back slider to find it locked up tight. Alamo was right, there was no way to see inside, so we were blind. “Now we just need to get in.”
“The chimney’s in the middle of the roof,” Alamo said. “So, the room with the fireplace has to be dead center.”
“Yeah. There was a tiny window around the side that didn’t look like it would be too difficult to break.”
“But how are—”
Before Alamo could finish his sentence, a blood-curdling scream came from inside the house and I didn’t think. I pulled my gun out, shot through the slider and rushed inside, tearing the drapes down in the process.
“Rabbit!” Parker screamed, and I followed the sound.
“I’m here!” I bellowed, and she screamed again.
I rushed into the room and found her leaning on a bloody fireplace poker, Lila moaning at her feet, her face covered in blood.
Lila started to get up, but I was faster, shoving my boot on her head. “Stay down, bitch.”
“I got her, brother,” Alamo said, and I reached for Parker.
“I’m in labor,” she rasped, and I nodded, lifting her into my arms.
“We’ll call an ambulance.”
“No. I want out of this hell hole.”
“Where’s your purse?” She nodded to the sofa and I grabbed it, fishing her keys out of it, then turning to Alamo. “Gonna drive Parker to the hospital.”
“Okay, I’ve got this,” he promised, and I carried Parker out to her car, setting her gently inside.
I drove her to the hospital, confident Alamo would take care of everything else.
“What happened?” I demanded.
Hacking the Biker's Code Page 16