by Erin Trejo
“Hey, Ghost. I’m glad you’re ok, man.” Nodding my head once, I think that has to be the first normal thing the man has ever said.
“Always, brother. They can’t stop us.” Smiling at him, he nods before walking away.
“You good? Nessa’s gonna shit herself when she sees your face.” Dragon says with a grin. She might.
“I’m good. Couldn’t believe that shit. Three of them wantin’ to take down a whole club. That’s some serious crazy right there.” Dragon chuckles, pulling a cigarette out of his pocket.
“That’s the truth. Wonder where they came from?” Shrugging, we didn’t get that far into a conversation to find out.
“Didn’t have such a good plan of attack,” I say, as Dragon passes me the cigarette, which I take, bringing it to my lips. Inhaling that nicotine seems to help calm the nerves that are bundled up inside of me, slightly.
“Sure as fuck, didn’t! Glad you’re ok though, brother. Look like shit, but that’s nothin’ new.” Dragon says, as he grins at me before turning to walk away.
“Thanks for that vote of confidence.” Calling out to him, he waves over his shoulder.
Asshole!
I finish smoking my cigarette, as I walk toward the door, I see Jordan crawling across the lobby. I snuff the cigarette out as I watch him through the window. It never ceases to amaze me that he’s mine. That I created him.
It’s a magical thing.
Nessa reaches down, scooping him into her arms with a smile on her face. That smile, it’s perfect. She must sense someone’s watching her. She turns her head to the side, catching my gaze with hers. An even bigger smile crossing that beautiful face of hers. My feet decide they can move now. Walking toward the door, she comes out quickly.
“You’re back,” She says with a grin. Her smile quickly fades when she takes in my face. I shake my head, not wanting to ruin the moment.
“Don’t say anything. I’m here.” Her smile comes back brighter than ever. She steps into my waiting arms. I pull the two most important people into my chest, savoring this moment in time with them. It replays over and over in my head, that I may not have made it home this time. In our world, we always know that in the back of our minds but until we have a reason to come home, it doesn’t register. I press my lips into her neck, feeling her body shudder against me.
“You’re so beautiful.” Her free hand tightens around my neck. Shit, I never want to let this go.
“I’m glad you’re back.” Her whispers send jolts straight to my heart. I never knew having a woman waiting like this would make me so fucking happy. Not even when I was with Melanie, did I feel like this.
“You keep talkin’ like that, I will have to fuck you right here.” The way her whispers tickle my skin, I can’t control the throbbing in my pants.
“Our son is right here!” She lightly slaps the back of my neck, making me laugh. Pulling back, I throw my arm around her shoulders.
Leading her inside, I see all the guys waiting. I know they were worried, hell, this isn’t the first time one of us has gotten fucked over.
“The Ghost is in one piece!” Roc laughs walking toward me.
“Always, brother. Gonna take more than those three to keep me down.” I release Nessa when Roc pulls me into a hug.
“Heard that! Glad you’re safe, man.” Slapping my hand on his back, he pulls away.
“Damn, they made you uglier.” He says with a laugh. Shoving him off, I laugh, too.
This is what family is all about. This, is why I love my life.
***
“What do you mean, you think your water broke? What the fuck is a water?” Staring Nessa in the eyes, I don’t have a fucking clue what she’s talking about.
“Just what I said, Ghost! I think it broke.” Is there some kind of meaning that I’m missing here? I don’t know what the hell she’s talking about. Shaking my head confused, she stares at me with a blank expression on her face.
“Are you going to do something?” Is she really yelling at me right now? I don’t know what the fuck she wants me to do.
“Like, what? I don’t know what the fuck you’re talkin’ about!” We look at each other for a long minute when she takes a deep breath.
“Your water is what your baby is in, inside of me. When it breaks, your baby is ready to come out!” Screaming the last words at me, I jump. Damn she is pissed!
“Wait, what? What do you mean it’s ready to come out?” Oh, hell no. I don’t think so. I’m not ready for that. Nope.
“You can’t do that right now, Nessa! No... No...” Shaking my head, I don’t know about this. I don’t think I’m ready. Walking to the door, I pull it open and yell.
“ARIA!!! ANGEL!” Nessa is doing something behind me, but there is no way in hell I’m turning around to look. The girls come running down the hallway looking at me like I’ve lost my goddamn mind. I think I might have.
“What the hell, Ghost?” Aria yells. Looking at me, I shake my head.
“She said her water broke.” Pointing over my shoulder with my thumb they both break into a grin. They shove their way past me into the room, in a fit of giggles and screams. I’m glad someone is enjoying this shit.
“Are you going to stand there like a fool, or go get the truck?” Aria snaps at me. I turn to face her before she snaps again.
“Go get the goddamn truck, Ghost!” Jesus, these women are getting out of control around here.
Giving her a look, I walk out of the room and down the hallway.
“Where you goin’?” Dragon asks when I get into the lobby.
“To get the goddamn truck! Nessa said her water broke.” Dragon’s face turns into a grin.
“You’re havin’ a baby today!”
***
Nessa pants in the back of the truck, with Aria and Angel holding onto her. I don’t know what the fuck is going on. I’ve never done this shit before. The guys follow us on their bikes but Roc stayed back to keep Jordan. This whole situation has my nerves on edge. Throw me into a gun fight, I can handle a bullet. Throw me in front of a knife, I’ve had plenty of stab wounds, but the screaming coming from that woman back there? Fuck, that shit.
“Why is she so loud?” Mumbling more to myself, I feel something hit the back of my seat.
“It’s your fault, asshole!” Nessa yells, making me smile.
“My fault? I don’t remember hearin’ you complain.” Another punch to the back of my seat and I almost lose it.
“Stop making it worse, Ghost!” Aria snaps at me. Damn, these women are lethal today.
“I’ve been shot four times, and all you’re doin’ is shovin’ out a tiny person. It can’t be comparable.” That was the wrong thing to say. I mean—way wrong!
“You stupid, son of a bitch! Your tiny little bullet hole didn’t weigh at least six pounds!” Nessa is on fire! If it was any other situation, my dick would be hard as hell right now.
Pulling into the hospital, I thank fuck, we’re here. Maybe they can give her something for her attitude.
I climb out, going around to help Nessa out. The look on her face guts me. She’s hurting, and I’ve been making it worse.
“Shit. Come here, darlin’.” I say, and Nessa looks at me before climbing into my waiting arms.
I lift her out of the truck, setting her on her feet.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you.” Her eyes fill with tears. Only she would apologize for being in pain.
“Stop. I was bein’ an ass. Come on.” Angel giggles off to the side as I help Nessa in.
Angel goes to the desk, while Nessa wraps her arms around my neck groaning.
“Is now a bad time to tell you, that those sounds are sexy as fuck?” Her nails dig into my shoulders.
“If you say the word sexy anymore today, I will kill you.” The growl that ripped out of her makes me smile but I don’t laugh. She might be serious.
Chapter 25
The Doctor has Nessa settled into a room. They checked her, what
ever the hell that means. They said she was at a nine. I don’t know what the fuck numbers has to do with this, but that’s what they said. They gave her medicine through her I.V. saying that she was too far for an epidural. After the Doc explained that one, I was almost glad she was too far gone for that. A fucking needle in her back? No, thank you. I hold Nessa’s hand, as tears slowly fall down her cheeks.
“Are you ok?” I ask softly. Her eyes come to meet mine and I’m lost in her.
“I just wish things were different for us. I wish our families were here.” The pain in her voice rips me apart.
“I’m your family, Nessa. Those people waitin’ out there, that’s your family. Your family is here, darlin’.” The slight smile that tugs at her lips is perfect. I’ve never wanted to kiss anyone so much, as I do right now.
I lean down, pressing my lips to hers. I’m surprised when she lets me.
“How many more of these do you think you can handle?” Whispering against her mouth, she bites my lip.
The laughter that erupts out of me doesn’t surprise her. She just smiles up at me.
“It hurts, Ghost.” I can see the pain in her eyes.
“I wish I could take it away, darlin’. What do you want me to do?” If there was something I could do to make it stop, I would. I hate seeing her in pain.
I hate that there is nothing I can do, to stop it.
“Just don’t leave me.” The look in her eyes is pained. She can’t really think that I’d leave her.
“I’m right here, Nessa.” Shaking her head, she looks back up at me.
“Not now—Not ever.” A tear slides down her face. I lean in, kissing it away before looking into her eyes.
“There is nowhere I’d rather be than with you. Don’t you ever think that I’d leave you.” Her smile is all I needed to see. I press my lips to hers once more, savoring the taste of her. This is all I need in this world. Of all the bullshit that runs through the club, this is the best of it all. Having these women, we’re lucky as hell.
***
“Hey! Don’t fuckin’ smoke around her!” Snapping at Trick, the idiot quickly puts out his cigarette.
The last few months have been peaceful, to say the least.
Devil and Angel, have come back around the clubhouse more often. Roc and Aria, are as happy as ever. Me and Nessa? Hell, we are in heaven. Things were hard for Nessa at first, but she held herself together like a champ. Looking down at Marissa in my arms, this world doesn’t seem so bad. She was born three months ago, looking like the princess that she is.
“You’re spoilin’ her,” Dragon grins, knowing he is the one that spoils her. Hell, I barely got to hold her the first week of her life. Uncle Dragon hauled her off every chance he could get. Still does.
“You can’t spoil them.” He laughs before pointing at Jordan.
“No, not at all.” Jordan climbs up the steps to his new little slide that Devil went out and bought. Roc’s next to him, building a fucking swing set. To say these kids are loved, would be an understatement. They are beyond loved.
“You’re doin’ a good job, Ghost. I’m proud of you.” Dragon smiles before heading toward Jordan.
“I’m proud of you, too.” Nessa presses her lips to my neck.
“You know I can fuck you now, right? The doctor said six weeks. It’s past that shit.” Grinning at Nessa, she laughs.
“I know how long it’s been. Trust me.” Her laughter is sweet. Something I’ve missed coming out of her.
“I should bend that sweet ass over right now.” My eyes travel over her body before she slaps me.
“I mean, look at those tits, darlin’. They are ripe.” Nessa’s face reddens but she knows I’m playing with her.
“Gimme!” Angel rubs her hands together before grabbing Marissa out of my arms.
When I see her walk away, I grab Nessa, dragging her into my lap.
I kiss her more than I ever have. When I thought I might have lost her, it took a piece of me.
It pulled off a scab that had long since healed. I didn’t want to compare her to Mel, but losing her would have killed me. Melanie was never meant to be just mine. She was destined to other things.
Nessa, though? She was made for me.
“Do you know how much I love you?” Nessa pulls back, her eyes searching mine.
“What? Say somethin’.” A small smile curls her lips.
“That’s the first time you told me that.” Capturing her lips with mine, I kiss her harder.
“Get used to it, darlin’. You’re gonna hear it forever.”
***
I sigh, as I run my hand through my hair. Marissa is crying like crazy, and Jordan is mumbling to himself. I roll over and look at Nessa, she’s sound asleep. I can’t help but smile at her. She’s been so good with the kids but so worn out. Shoving off the bed, I head over and make a bottle before grabbing a diaper.
“Mom’s gonna make me do it this time.” Unzipping Marissa’s pajamas, I pull the dirty diaper off before putting on the new one. Her little eyes beam up at me, looking just like her mom. She’s as beautiful as her, too.
“At least dad did it right this time,” I tell her. Getting her back into her clothes, I grab Jordan out of his crib and set him on the floor with his toys, before picking Marissa up.
Grabbing the bottle, we join Jordan on the floor. As bad of a routine as this is, the three of us have grown accustom to our three in the morning bonding time. Jordan checks out his sister while I feed her, before going back to his toys. It amazes me to see how he interacts with her. He’s always so interested in what she’s doing. He sits in front of me playing, while Marissa eats. As soon as she’s done, I lay her back in her crib, tucking her in tightly. Grabbing Jordan off the floor, he yawns.
“Such a good big brother already. You stay up with your sister, huh?” He does, too. Every night. He’s up at three in the morning with her.
Laying him down, he quickly snuggles under his blanket. It doesn’t take him any time to fall asleep.
He’s so easy going, that it amazes me he’s actually mine. I climb back into bed and snuggle up next to Nessa.
Throwing my arm around her waist, she backs her ass up into my dick. Fuck, she makes me hard with the slightest touch.
“I can feel that, and the answer is no.” Chuckling into her hair, I pull her in closer.
“You’re such a good dad, Ghost. I’m proud of you.” Her yawns are just as beautiful as she is.
“You’re the one that makes me better. I love you.” Kissing her cheek, her light snores let me know she’s already asleep.
This right here—is my perfect world.
TAMING DRAGON
Prologue
The world can be a cruel place to live. None of us know the real danger that lurks around the corner or hides in the dark.
I know it, though. I lived it.
Hell’s Fire MC has been my home, my refuge, since the day I was born.
When I came into this world, I was destined to become President at some point. Was I happy it was as soon as it was? Hell no.
I loved my family. I wasn’t raised like most of the guys. We were a family.
The day I lost them, was the day I lost myself.
You would think losing the ones you loved would change you into something better. Something decent.
It didn’t. I tried to move forward. I tried to live the best way I could but when death comes around again? There isn’t much left for you to do.
Living within this MC, death is always around. It’s always a possibility.
You take that chance when you become one of us. Some realize it, where others like to pretend it’s not a big deal.
I, on the other hand, know it all too well. I welcome it.
Of course, I don’t want to run out and get myself killed. I love these guy’s way too much to do that.
They all have families now, and people to love. My priorities have shifted.
My focus is no longer on myself.
It’s on keeping my club safe.
My family.
Chapter 1
I kick my feet up on the coffee table that the girls have brought into the lobby. I swear this shit gets more and more girly by the day. If the guys didn’t enjoy it so much, I’d make them stop, but I guess there’s still a soft spot in me.
“Don’t act like you haven’t heard a word I’ve said Dragon! This is serious.” Wiley, the cop we have on payroll, paces in front of me. It’s slightly amusing, too.
“What was the question again?” I ask in a cocky tone. Cocking my head to the side, Wiley’s face reddens. It’s hysterical. There’s a vein in the side of his neck that pulses when he’s pissed. I would know, I piss him off a lot!
“Do you have any idea how many bodies we had to clean up from your little alley adventure?” Alley adventure? That was a good one.
“Are we talkin’ a guess, or do you want straight numbers?” There it goes, that vein.
“Goddamn it!” I laugh as Wiley tugs at his hair. It’s funny to see just how much of a rise I can get out of that guy.
“Twelve. There was twelve. Feel better?” I ask, his eyes jerk to mine and hold there. Something’s off in them.
Wiley shakes his head when I ask, “What?”
There better have been twelve. I know there was when we left.
“There was only eleven,” he states. Plucking the cigarette from my mouth, I shove off the couch.
“Don’t bullshit me, Wiley! There were twelve there when I left. Now, unless the fuckin’ dead have begun to walk, you need to recount that shit,” I growl, my muscles jump as he looks at me.