“Church.” Prez yelled as I began eating my full english breakfast that Heather had made for me. Beauty was sitting opposite me, nibbling on a piece of wholemeal toast and sipping on her cuppa tea.
Rayna, Naomi, Tia, Becky and Sara were still here with us at the club. Rayna was keen to get out of here and moving on with her life, but the other girls were a lot more hesitant.
“Christ.” I complained. I took a long gulp of my coffee, gathered up my plate, knife and fork and headed to church. “Won’t be long sweetness.” I kissed the top of her head as I passed.
I sat in my usual seat and carried on eating my breakfast as the guys piled in.
Prez slammed the gavel down and the meeting started.
“Since when do we eat breakfast in here?” Prez asked me.
“Sorry, Prez. But it seemed a shame to waste it after your Old Lady made it for me.”
“Beauty keeping you busy?” Itch laughed. “She can’t leave you alone to let you have breakfast with the rest of us.”
“Shut it, Itch.” I was defensive when it came to Beauty. Everyone had just assumed we had become a couple because she felt safer in my room and I didn’t touch the sweet buns anymore. I didn’t correct anyone, as that was exactly what I wanted. I wanted her to be mine. But she kept fighting me on it. She kept telling me that there was no way anyone could love her after what she had been through. That she was damaged and she hated herself for allowing it to happen. No matter how many times I told her it wasn’t her fault, she wouldn’t believe me. No woman could fight off a man three times her size.
“So.” Prez got our attention back on him just as I ate the last mouthful of baked beans and eggs. “The Cornish Crusaders are heading this way. They’re going to stop in here.”
“Why they headed this way, Prez?” Ice asked.
“I don’t know all the details yet. But we’re to expect them in the next hour or so.” Prez looked at me. “I know Beauty isn’t great around strangers. So warn her that they are coming.”
“Prez.” I nodded my head.
“Skins has been shut since what happened with Beauty. Buzz has now sorted out new bouncers and bodyguards for the girls. Something like this will not happen again. It opens up again tonight. The back rooms have been closed down. The clients can pay for lap dances only from our girls. No extra special treatment.”
Prez slammed down the gavel and we all filed out of the room. I headed in the direction of the kitchen to clean up my plate.
“Hey, Riz.” Crystal smiled at me as she swished her way over to me. She was one of the sweet buns here and one I’ve fucked a lot. “Do you need me?” She batted her eyelashes at me as she wrapped her arms around my neck, her lips were closing in on mine. I was pushing her away when we heard the door open and close. We both looked to the side and Beauty was standing there.
“Sorry, hunny. We’re in the middle of something here.” Crystal told her.
“No, we’re not.” I pushed her off of me and stepped closer to Beauty. “You ok?” She smiled at me and nodded.
“Can you add this is to the dishwasher for me.” She handed me her mug and plate. “Before you carry on. Thanks.” She smiled at me once more before heading out of the kitchen. I was in a state of shock. I half expected her to go off on one. Did her reaction mean she didn’t actually care about me at all? She was happy for me to fuck the sweet buns?
I threw the plate and mug on the side and rushed out after her. I was stopped in my tracks by Buzz.
“The Cornish Crusaders are here.”
“Already? Shit, I hadn’t had a chance to warn Beauty yet.” I started to walk away when he shouted;
“Church will be in five minutes.” I waved my hand in the air so he knew that I had heard him. I stopped in my tracks when I saw Beauty was sitting on the floor with Liam, Prez and Heather’s son. She was playing cars with him and she looked happy. Like she didn’t have a care in the world. She’d make a great mum one day and I just hoped that I’d get to be the dad. What the hell was wrong with me? How did she manage to tie me up like this? She’s been pushing me away since she got here and I just can’t seem to move on. I want her and only her.
“Sweetness.” She looked up to me, gave me a tight smile and turned her attention back to Liam. “I need to talk to you.”
“I’m looking after Liam and Tegan while Heather does her Old Lady duties and greets the club that has just arrived.” Tegan was asleep on the sofa next to where Beauty was sitting on the floor.
“You know that the club is here?”
“Yeah, Heather told me. Incase I freaked out when I saw them.”
“I was coming to tell you too.”
“I get it, you got distracted by Crystal.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m ok. You can go and do your club stuff.” She turned her back on me and caressed Tegan’s head as she began to stir.
“Beauty, I…” She shushed me and waved her hand at me to leave her alone. I headed in the direction of church as the Cornish Crusaders entered the clubhouse.
“Hey, Riz.” Solar greeted me. I shot a chin lift his way as he slapped me on the back. We all sat down and Solar and Tat stayed standing at the back of the room.
Prez slammed down the gavel and started our second meeting of the day.
“Our charter brothers are here today as they need help. They need to find Parker Haines.” I sat up straighter in my seat and wondered what all this was about. Had he done it again? Hurt someone else? “Riz, I know you’ve had some dealings with him. Any ideas where he is?”
“Na, sorry Prez.” I shook my head.
“Speak to Beauty, she may…”
“No.” I cut off the Prez. “I don’t want her having to deal with his fucked up arse again.”
“I know, but this is very important.” Prez started to explain about what was going on, I was only half listening as I was thinking about Beauty and if I asked her this would it set her back to stage one again? She was finally starting to laugh and smile more.
“Ice, go and find Beauty.” Prez started.
“No.” I jumped to my feet. “Let me talk to her first.”
* * *
Beauty
I jumped when the bedroom door flew open and Riz charged in. He looked upset and stressed. He was rubbing his hand across his jaw as if he was trying to decide something.
“Sweetness. I have to ask you something and you’re not going to like it. I don’t want to have to ask.”
“Oh, do you want the room for you and Crystal? I can move back to my old room. I’m feeling much more relaxed now. I don’t need constant protection. I’m sorry, I should have thought about it.” I jumped to my feet and gathered the little belongings that I had. Prez still hadn’t let me or the brothers go to my apartment for clothes, so I was still borrowing Heathers.
“Beauty, stop.” He placed his hand on my arm. “I don’t know how many times I have to say this. You’re mine, I don’t want anyone else.”
“Riz, we’ve been through this. It won’t work. I can’t make you happy. I’m sorry.”
“I need to know if you may know of anywhere else that Parker may be?” She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.
“Why are you asking me this?”
“I can’t tell you. Club business.”
“I heard him on the phone. After it happened. I think he was talking to his wife or something. Then he ordered a taxi, I remember him saying Portland Drive. That’s all I can remember.”
“Thank you.” He gathered me in his arms and held me close. I wasn’t going to break down and cry, that’s all I had been doing for the last week.
Once he had left I sat on the bed to think. Why was I denying myself the chance of love? Why was I fighting love so much? Could I trust Riz? Yes, I believed that I could, but he could also be the one to break me and completely destroy me if it all went wrong.
Knock. Knock.
“Yeah.” I called out. Heather pushed the door open and stepped inside.
�
�Do you want some lunch?”
“I’m not hungry. But do you need some help? With the few extra mouths to feed.”
“I think they’ll probably head straight out after Church. Tea?” I smiled at her and nodded. She always knew she could get me with offering me a cuppa tea.
I followed her out of the bedroom and wondered if I should confide in her about my feelings for Riz. Just as we rounded the corner, the church door opened and the guys started appearing. I hurried into the club room and sat at the table the furthest away. Within minutes Riz was headed my way. I crossed my arms over my chest and refused to look at him.
“Sweetness, please look at me. I’m sorry I had to ask that. It was for the club. If I didn’t come and ask then Prez was going to send Ice.”
“It’s fine. I hope they find him and string him up.” I watched as Prez headed straight for Heather and encased her in his arms and devoured her lips. That’s what I wanted, a love like that.
A sigh escaped me as I watched them.
“We could have that you know.” Shit, how did he know what I was thinking? Did I say it out loud.
“What? Did I say…” Riz cut me off with his laughter.
“I know you Beauty. I know what you were thinking. Why won’t you let me love you?”
“I’m not ready. Sorry.” I stood up from the table and disappeared outside back to the summer house, that was my escape place. The club was still in lockdown for me, Anton and his family. But the rest of the club could come and go as they pleased. At least I was now allowed to go outside. I heard the rumble of the bikes as they started up and faded into the distance.
Beauty
I was sitting in the club house bar. I was nursing a glass of water while everyone else was outside enjoying the sunshine.
“Hi, we’re going to have a barbeque. You going to join us?” Heather asked. “The girls are already out there, enjoying the sun.” They had adapted well to the club lifestyle, better than I did. Did that make me a weak person? They had been through so much more than I did.
“Maybe. Do you need some help?”
“Na, I’m going to get the bunnies to do it, so I can enjoy some time with my family. Please come and join us.”
“Maybe in a minute. Is Riz out there?”
“I’m not sure where he is.” She shrugged her shoulders before rushing away.
The club door opened and shut again and this time a large guy with a beard and tattoos came in and headed for the bar. The prospects weren’t serving so he went around and helped himself. I saw out of the corner of my eye that he was looking at me before he came closer and sat down at the table.
“Hey.” He greeted me. “I’m Solar.”
“I’m… I’m not a club bunny.” I told him with a shaky voice.
“That’s good. Cuz I ain’t looking for one.” I just stared at him, wondering what he wanted. “You know Parker Haines?” I froze and my eyes widened as I nodded slowly. “What do you know about him?”
“Not a lot.” I mumbled as I looked down at my hands. Why did everyone want me to talk about him?
“Is he really this great family man?” I shook my head.
“He used to come into the club alot…”
“Club? Here?” He cut me off.
“No, Skins. I used to dance there and waitress. Until one day he demanded that I went into the back room with him. Some of the girls did that for extra money, I never did. I had fallen in love with someone else, but they weren’t interested in a relationship with me.”
“What happened?”
I re-told the story again for what felt like the hundredth time. Solar’s reaction was to swear and I quickly climbed to my feet and hurried out of the room.
I was stopped by a small little voice.
“Miss Belle?” Kelsey smiled at me. Ever since she found out my name was Beauty she called me Belle, I was sure she was convinced I was the real princess from Beauty and the Beast.
“Hi, Kelsey. Where’s your mum?” I looked around and couldn’t see Heather.
“Tegan was crying. She’s tired.” She pointed to the stairs and I assumed that Heather was putting Tegan to bed. A few seconds later Heather appeared at the top of the stairs with a baby monitor in her hand.
“I just hope this thing will still work outside.”
“I’ll go and look after her.” I offered.
“No, you don’t have to do that. Come and join us for the barbeque.”
“Yes, Miss Belle. Come and play with me.” Kelsey slipped her small hand into mine and tried tugging me away from the stairs.
“How can I say no to that.” I smiled at Kelsey as a feeling of unease flitted through my tummy.
“Yay!” She shouted, jumping up and down on the spot.
“Come on then.” Heather ushered us outside and I was glad to see that the guys had all taken up the space on the table and benches, leaving the children’s park free for us to play in. Naomi, Tia, Becky, Sara and Rayna were all laying on the grass soaking up the sun, they looked happy and relaxed.
“There’s my sugar.” Prez smiled as he sauntered towards Heather and started whispering in her ear. She giggled before he placed his lips on hers.
“They always doing that.” Kelsey giggled covering her mouth with her hands.
“That’s because they love each other.” I told her.
“Can you push me on the swings?” I smiled at her and nodded. Once she was sitting and held hold of the chains I pushed her gently. “Do you love Uncle Riz?” I froze in shock, why would she ask this?
“Ummm…”
“I heard mummy tell daddy that he loves you.”
“Did you?” My heart swelled and butterflies took off in my tummy.
“Yep. Push me higher.” She demanded. I did as she asked before looking around for Riz. Crystal was hanging off him again as he talked to his club brothers. He kept pushing her away and he looked like he was getting annoyed. Why wouldn’t she just take the hint?
A loud sob came from the baby monitor that Heather was holding.
“Oh, she’s awake already.” She told Prez.
“I’ll go and see to her.” I offered as Kelsey jumped off the swings and headed to the slide.
“Are you sure?” She asked.
“Yes. Besides it means I don’t have to watch the pathetic and desperate woman clinging all over my…” I hesitated. “Ummm, all over Riz.”
“Thank you.” She passed me the monitor and I hurried into the clubhouse, through the bar and up the long staircase. I inputted the code for the door and ran to the end of the hallway where Tegan’s screams were getting louder.
“Hey, hey. It’s ok.” I scooped her out of her cot and held her against my chest. I rubbed soothing circles over her back and paced in the small space.
“That looks good on you.” I jumped when I heard Riz’s voice.
“What are you talking about?” I screwed my face up in confusion.
“Holding her. Being a mum would suit you.” He smiled at me, reminding me of what I had already lost.
“I won’t ever be a mum.” I stated, turning my back to him and rocking Tegan in my arms.
“Of course you will. One day soon.” He placed his hand on my back and I jumped.
I took a step away from him and shook my head.
“I don’t want to have a baby.”
“And what about what I want?” He folded his arms across his chest.
“If you want kids go ahead and have them. I’m sure Crystal will be willing.”
“Beauty, I don’t want anyone but you. I’m not interested in having a family with anyone but you.”
I turned my back on him and looked out of Tegan’s bedroom window, it overlooked the summer house. I jumped again when his hands clasped held of my hips.
“All I think about and want is you.” He whispered as his lips found my neck and he kissed me softly. My body betrayed me, my heartbeat accelerated, my nipples pebbled and arousal flooded through my entire body.
&n
bsp; “Everything ok in here?” A deep voice asked. I spun around to see Prez standing in the doorway smirking.
“Daddy.” Tegan smiled and held her arms out for him. I passed her over and blushed that he caught Riz kissing my neck as I held his daughter.
“Ummm, she was a little upset when I got up here. But she seems ok now. Do you want me to change her?” I offered.
“Na, it’s ok. I’ll do it. Why don’t you two go and grab some food.” Riz grabbed my hand and started pulling me out of the room.
“Prez.” Riz said, nodding his head.
Riz
It had been several weeks since we made a visit to Parker and I was arrested. Things had quietened down, the lockdown had been lifted and ‘Skins’ was re-opened. Beauty had asked me several times if she could go back to work and I told her that she’d never have to go back. She argued with me as she loved to dance and that’s when I came up with a great plan.
“Morning, beautiful.” I whispered in her ear as she stirred and kissed her neck. A smile appeared on her face as her eyelids fluttered open.
“Riz? What are you doing in bed with me?” She held the duvet over her body and sat up in bed.
“I got tired of sleeping on the floor and wanted to be close to you.”
“You mean you want to fuck me?” She accused. My head fell forwards in defeat. Why couldn’t this woman see how I really felt about her, why did she have to fight me on everything?
“No. Though I’m dying to kiss you. To feel your soft lips against mine.” She offered me her cheek to kiss and I laughed before placing a soft kiss on her. “Now my turn?” I turned my cheek towards her and just as she was about to kiss me I turned my head and captured her lips with mine. She didn’t pull away straight away. When we did seperate I was expecting her to go crazy at me.
South Coast Brothers: Part One Page 68