“The cuntasaurus?”
Yaz barks out a laugh.
“I think I’m going to get t-shirts of that made up, so we can sell those at the Treasure Cove. The thot that the two of your keep referring to is Evelyn or Emmaline Jones. She prefers to be called Demi, not like Davoto, even though that’s her ‘bitch.’ Her words, not mine. I’m probably never going to get her first name right since she doesn’t want anyone to use it. She’s a new employee here. She’s specializes in tattoo corrections. Sam’s old booth is now hers. Before you ask, that is Max’s doing not my own.”
“I guess that answers our other question, Cherry
Chapter
Atlanta, Georgia – inked to the Max
Trev
7 months pregnant
The best bitches know when to stuff a cock in their hole.”
“Interesting thought. Dudes in the know understand good pussy feeds the soul.”
“I have no master. I serve no man. Many have served and serviced me with aching knees. I’ve got witnesses who can attest to the truth of that statement. You might be surprised who I’ve had kneel before me.”
“Nothing too much surprises me anymore. I could care less who you’ve been feeding your wrinkled up cock to old timer. I care more about the reason I’ve been ... requested to be here. I have better things to do than stand around and listen to you go on about your sad, little conquests.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. The only reason I’m here ...”
“You want information about the pole rider?”
My fists are balled and flying well before the thought of “I’m going to kill this fucker” is formed. Two blows are landed to his eye and jaw before he can finish his chuckle. Throwing my elbow back, I feel it connect with the nose of one of the guys flanking the doors. Quickly turning, I pull my gun and put one in the kneecap of one of the other guys. All of this is done before I turn then put the heated muzzle of my gun to the center of this man’s forehead.
“Point taken, asshole. Not that it’s going to save your own ass today.”
“Not my concern. As long as I get the information I need I could give two fucks less about my life,” I lean forward, so only he can hear me. “Besides, I trust you less than I trust that asshole I called ‘daddy.’ Know that I go nowhere alone. You could have that fucker’s head bobbing off your dick right now and I would have a gun to both of your heads without any hesitation.”
Tilting my head, I smirk and watch as one of the men I once greatly feared takes in the room around him. I’m sure the smirk on my face prompted his sudden need to take his eyes off me.
The moment he knows the reality of this situation my expression changes. His shift of expression makes mine shift even more. He now knows he’s no longer the one running things. My shit-eating grin solidifies that factor for him.
“I must say it feels damn good not to cower in bone-jarring fear at the mere mention of your name anymore. I realized a while ago, like any other man, you have a tell or someone willing to tell all. It’s amazing how far a broken promise of a better future will get you.”
I enjoy every second of this moment. One guy behind me moves. I both feel and hear it. In the next second, he no longer has a face. I keep my eyes on the prize and enjoy the fear that begins to register in this man’s face. His eyes have some fire still, but it is tinged with a fear I love and recognize. He wants to speak promises of retribution. He could speak the words, but it would be all talk. The big man, the faceless one, was his head honcho. He was the vice president of the White-Knuckle Society and the one who tended to be the enforcer for WKS.
“Now that I have your undivided attention. Why the fuck are you coming after my family? If I don’t like the answer, then I’m going to put this gun in your mouth and make you pull the fucking trigger. The bullet goes in your head otherwise. Either way, you’re getting lead in your face today. No way around it.”
The sound of him stuttering out his response has me smile from ear-to-ear.
Vindicaition!
“I don’t get it. Why go after Zoie if this has something to do with Robbins and retribution for what he lost?”
“I think I may have an answer for that one, T.L. I may have found the connection between Zo ... Ms. Watson and Evan,” Davis responses but says nothing else.
I watch as Deck’s chest puffs out. He wanted to prove that his team was the scourge of the earth and served no purpose as his old man had said. The senator’s face fills a screen
Chapter
Oakdale, Georgia – The Parents’ House
Zoie
7 months pregnant
I
’m stuck in suburban hell until all of this mess that’s going on outside of this little space in time gets rectified. I have to remain in Oakdale, GA with the parentals until all of this boils over or Trevor and friends contain it.
I’m not hating on the city. I’m hating on my mother and the fact that she chose this area because she refused to live in the “melting pot of hell” called Atlanta.” Stephanie Nichols now Watson has always been too good for everything. Not one part of that statement is a compliment. My mother is snobby, bougie, small-minded, and downright rude when she believes the individual speaking to her is well beneath her. I love her to pieces, but she and I see the world in very different ways.
She sees everything that is wrong and wonders why people can’t live to her impossible standards. I see it for its possibilities and see the potential in everything and situation. I look around the house she finally settled on after dragging us all over the surrounding areas of Atlanta and see nothing but my mother. My father has a few pieces in a few of the rooms and in the space he claimed for himself. I roll my eyes now as I did then. I was seven years old and I knew, even then, that I wasn’t going to be anything like my mother. I’d seen several perfectly suitable houses for our family. My mother had not. The house she finally decided on is large enough to house two families within.
My mother refused to live in a city called Buckhead because it sounded too country and “Podunk, hick town written all over it.” The house had everything she and my father had wanted but refused the purchase because of the city name. she then turned down a house that was practically given to her for little of nothing because the city sounded like an “old folks home.” Morningside is gorgeous and where I have a three-bedroom home of my own. It’s considered my “weekend getaway.” My parents hoped getting me my own house would steer me towards marrying and having children.
I laugh then grab my dishes, so I can take them to the dishwasher. Jokes on them because I’m getting ready to start a family in my little one-bedroom condo in Marietta. If we have more children, Trevor and I have discussed moving to the Buckhead house. My mother is still irritated as hell that the house I used their money to purchase is in one of the places she determined unsuitable for her family unit. That makes me chuckle.
A pain shoots through my system and I double over at the same time the front door of my parents’ house is kicked in. I scream but it has nothing to do with the fear most would have in this particular situation. I’m afraid for my babies.
Chapter
Atlanta, Georgia – Corp Workout Facility
Trev
7 months pregnant
Zoie gets to go on a drive in a blacked-out vehicle to another state. Afterwards, she’s taken by the shop, so she can see the beginning phase of the second level. She has to fight the tears upon seeing the familiar place.
Chapter ??
Finally! Aruba (the beach) – A beach in Aruba
Zoie
7½ months pregnant
B
reathe. That’s what I keep telling myself. I need each and every breath that I am able to pull into my lungs. What stretches out before me has my breathing kicking up a notch and those lungs of mine working overtime. The amazing blue that surrounds me pales in comparison to the blue of his eyes. Eyes that seem to be boring into my soul as I wade in th
e water. Those aqualine colored eyes get me every time. They match the water I’ve been swimming in for the last half hour.
I watch as his body flexes and moves when he stretches. There are times when I look at him and his tattooed body. I’m in awe of the knowledge that this man belongs to me. He is mine and I am his. A possessive smile creeps over my lips. He’s not officially mine but I’m doing something no other woman can say she’s done. I’m giving him his firstborn children. He doesn’t know this because he wants the sex of the babies to be a surprise. The hell if I was! Anyway, I’m giving him his first son and daughter.
That’s right ladies and germs, momma is giving daddy one of each.
I didn’t expect to have twins the first time out. Maxie is carrying twins as well. She curses the day Deck pumped her full of his seed. Me? I’m excited. I can’t wait! His mother told me Trevor’s little brother was one half of a set of twins. Baby boy Dennis died at three weeks old from having a careless father. She never forgave Trevor’s father. I’m told that’s why they aren’t currently together, amongst other reasons. Trev either doesn’t know or doesn’t want to talk about that time in his life.
Watching him put lotion on that almost fully tatted body of his is instantly arousing. There are those who would consider his body unattractive and destruction of a perfectly beautiful canvas. I see him and see the artwork along with the masterpieces that are spread across his body. A few of them I did myself. I get so hot and bothered just looking at him. He is beauty personified in all of his manliness and I want him to want me the way I want him.
Leaning back, I allow my body to float on the water. The gesture surprises even me as all of my body including these babies drift for a moment as I get lost in thoughts of their father. I need him in my life, mainly in between my legs today because I’ll begin boiling the water around me soon if things keep internally heating the way they are.
My pregnant belly protrudes before me. When I feel movement, my hand automatically goes to the place where I felt it. I smile as rub the place where my ... our babies are nestled.
When I look up again, he’s less than a foot away. Everything locks up inside. I don’t think he knows the affect he has on me. He doesn’t understand how being this close sends me into over drive. I’ve been a horny cow for the last couple weeks. I have my appetite back and the sickness is gone. I finally feel like I’m cute again. His eyes tell me all I need to know.
He’s thinking about his babies. He’s thinking about touching me. I see the moment those thoughts change, shift in another direction. He wants me. It’s there but he refuses to tell me. It’s that fact and the fact that I’m a bigger coward than he is that we aren’t a couple.
Every two or three years—depending on how the shop is doing—Max shuts things down, we clear our books, and we all take a trip. This year was no different. Max and I being pregnant or not, we were going to Aruba. We’d planned this well before our buns were in the oven. These little miracles came into our lives as major surprises. I told everyone, I didn’t care how pregnant I was, even if I have to give birth here, I was making this “all staff” trip.
It’s weird being here without Sam. He was always ready to have a good time. Trevor and I have only been cordial for this last couple of months so I need a sparring partner. Sam left so abruptly, no one had a chance to say goodbye. One day he was here, the next he was gone. He’s missed. Maxie hasn’t said a word about it. I’m just happy things have dialed down so we can all enjoy ourselves. Still, we feel incomplete going anywhere as a group when he isn’t around.
One thing I made Deck and Max promise me was they wouldn’t spring a wedding on us while we were here. I don’t think they listened to my threats. I have a feeling I’ll be in a bridesmaids dress at seven months pregnant. They’re already married but there’s been talk of doing another ceremony while the crew is together on vacation. I will do bodily harm if it happens here. Maxie is only four months pregnant, so she can get away with wearing a fitted gown. I, on the other hand, cannot.
Chapter
Atlanta, Georgia – Corp Workout Facility
Trev
7½ months pregnant
Humming. That’s what I’m doing as I move around Zoie’s kitchen. I’ve been doing it a lot more often, especially after hearing how well mine and Zo’s voices blend together. This perfect woman has me doing things I never thought I’d do. I’m cooking and humming. Shopping. That’s one of m most hated pastimes. Yet, I will drop everything and do it if there is something that she or the babies need.
I do all of it because she is my everything. My life didn’t have meaning, Travis Dennis didn’t truly exist until this magnificent woman came into my world.
One thing I hate that I am unable to close out is knowing the bastard behind kidnapping my woman is ten feet under. He got his son released from jail and I’m pissed. Deck called to tell me that excellent news about an hour ago. I’m not telling her that bastard, Devin, is back on the streets. Deck and I agreed none of the women of Inked to the Max would be going anywhere unattended.
I want both father and son’s heads on a chopping blck. I need to know they are completely out of the picture. If it weren’t for my promise that I wouldn’t do anything to endanger myself to my mother and now my lady, I would be in the streets right now finding out everything I need in order to finish this thing out.
Chapter
Morningside, Georgia – Zoie’s Home
Zoie
2 weeks old
L
ittle Z and Trevor walk into the room just as I am working to get myself together. This has been a day from hell and it has only gotten worse as time has crept on. Hearing Max and Cherry’s voices helped me out a lot. Listening to the recording of my babies then seeing them on the screen did wonders for my spirit. I hate that they are away from me. I feel like I’m some form of drug mule this isn’t how I wanted things to go. It’s not what I expected when I thought about how things would go when I had a baby.
“All right. Whose ass are we kicking, baby?”
“Give us a name. We’ll do the rest.”
Just like that, my mood shifts. I’m no longer sad. I’m thrilled to know I have two men in my life who take my happiness this seriously. I know my other brother, Lucian, would be right along with them if he were here with them
I’m desperately trying to control my reaction to seeing my man. The last time we were physically in this man has my back and is doing all he can in order to secure my safety is mind-blowing. It suddenly hits me. the last thing he said to me when we were standing before one another.
He’d told me the next time I saw him he’d done what was necessary to make me safe again. Trevor said, “You’ll be able to have your freedom back once and for all. We can take a walk, stroll in the park, and bring our baby into this world without having to look over our shoulders.”
I’d been about to stand up before the realization hit me. I am free. I am safe. We can all go to our respective homes.
I’m finally standing in the shop again. I’m in my booth. Some things have been shifted around. That’s because I’ve been given a bigger booth down here. Max started her expansion which means the main floor is the tattooing area and the upstairs has begun to become the “extras” area. Treasure Cove 2.0 is up and running upstairs. I haven’t been up there yet, but Max did a virtual tour once things started to look like she wanted. She’d wanted my input on things. I thought nothing of it then because it isn’t the first time she’s asked me for my opinion.
As I stand staring at papers with Maxie’s signature on them, I realize I probably should’ve paid closer attention to things. She’s named me as co-owner. Deck’s name is there, but the note says his name is just a formality since they are married. She wants me to be part of this dream of hers in a much larger capacity and I hate her. I hate her for not being here to do this in person. She’s on some stupid second honeymoon, so I won’t get the chance to properly thank her for another three weeks.
Maxie: You know this. There’s a reason you were perfect for this position. You know me better than I know myself. Now, dry your face and sign the papers. Your keys to the office are at my station. There’s a file in the supply cabinet with everything you need. See you in four weeks.
Trev’s Lady: What the fuck?
Maxie: Caught that, did ya?
Trev’s Lady: Hell yes. When did plans changed?
Maxie: As soon as we arrived. I knew I wasn’t going to want to leave immediately. Plus, I have my 2nd in Command Bitch taking names and kicking ass.
Trev’s Lady: Damn! That was fast. How do you ... Yaz?
Maxie: You know it. She called me the second you started walking her way. Got to see the whole thing with my own eyes.
Trev’s Lady: Lol. Wow! Sorry. I couldn’t take it anymore. I might’ve broken her.
Maxie: Then out she goes. Be gone with her. I’m not running a day care. This is our business. You were right to confront her.
Trev’s Lady: Thx. Still, I feel bad.
Maxie: She still in the bathroom?
Trev’s Lady: Damn! Is she giving you a play by play?
Maxie: Yep. Sure is.
Trev’s Lady: She hasn’t come back passed my station. Maybe she slipped out the back.
Maxie: Bye. If getting checked by your boss has that effect on her then good riddance. Too much shit happens in that shop for us to have to deal with soft, pansy asses. No, that’s not a reference to Sam.
Trev’s Lady: Crap! I had a good come back for that one. Party pooper. All right. Enjoy the rest of your month away.
Maxie: That’s the plan. Love in three ways.
Maximum Velocity Page 7