by Sam Crescent
Preacher stared at his friend. Bear was the closest person he’d consider a friend, but right now, he wasn’t in the mood to deal with this bullshit from him.
He had shit he wanted to do, and it wasn’t talking about girls and sex.
“What about Robin?”
“You’ve not been right since you discovered she’s pregnant with your kid.”
“I wonder why that is.”
“I’m not trying to be a dick about this,” Bear said. “Has she changed you?”
“No. I’m not talking about this shit with you. Don’t try to analyze me. I don’t like it.” He returned his attention to Milner. He slapped him on the stomach. “Do you feel like talking yet, or are we going to keep on pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about?”
“Fuck you!” Milner spat the word out.
Blood dripped from his mouth, and Preacher stepped out of the way so he didn’t get splattered.
Taking one of the knives off the tray, he held the tip up to the light, and drew it down in one slice across the man’s stomach.
It wasn’t deep enough to spill out his guts, just to cut the skin and cause no end of pain. He liked to hear the man’s screams.
“You shouldn’t have run from me, Milner.” He tutted. “You should know right now that I don’t like it when you do shit like this. It makes me so upset. What could you possibly have to hide from me?”
“Please, Preacher. I know you don’t want to do this.”
“But you see, here is the thing, I really, really do. I want to fucking kill you, and I think it’ll be a whole lot of fun. In fact…” He sliced him three more times, the screams getting louder and the blood dripping down.
“I had no choice. They want to put you in jail and throw away the key. They hate you. Please, don’t hurt me. I can’t take anymore.”
Preacher stood. “Your lies are boring me. You don’t have a fucking clue as to why O’Klaren is here, Milner. You see, unlike you, I know the truth. Your little gambling problem, it never really went away, and I discovered you lost big. This has nothing to do with O’Klaren or anyone else.”
Milner whimpered.
“You know what I discovered when I started to look into your finances, Milner?” Another whimper. “You need this job and can’t afford to go into retirement. O’Klaren taking this job, well, it has taken away your steady income and the only leverage you’ve got over your creditors.”
Milner let out a sob.
“You’ve lied to me about a lot of things, Milner. You see, I know all about your little problem. Gambling debts, and you thought you could use your connection to me at the club to help your problems. Throwing my name and my club’s name around to make people afraid. I bet it started out fun, didn’t it? You liked the power it gave you. You knew I’d come after you. There was only so much you could take before I got a call. Knowing there wouldn’t be a chance in fucking hell of you getting away from me. You’d still risk it?”
“I don’t want to die. Please, Preacher, I can give you what you want and need. I admit the gambling, it got out of hand, but I didn’t mean for it to. I had it under control. We’re friends. O’Klaren is an asshole. I can help you. I can give you all the information you need. I can be your informant.”
Preacher threw his head back. “You really think I’m going to help you out? You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Can you believe this guy?” he asked, looking at his men, who were laughing.
He liked Milner, or at least he used to. Now, he was more of a liability than a friend.
“O’Klaren will use any means to get to you, Preacher. He’s got ways and knows how to find a weak link.”
He sighed. “Milner, O’Klaren isn’t the first person who has come after me. They’ve been doing this for years. You think I’m not used to having a snot check through my shit? I’d be offended if they didn’t.” He laughed. “You should have come to me, but you tried to trick me and I don’t like that.” Preacher slammed the tip of the blade into Milner’s eye.
The screams were deafening.
He’d lost interest now.
He wanted to get back home, check out his businesses. He didn’t doubt he had everything in the right place and was in control. Never had he left anything to chance.
Bored, he poured some gasoline onto Milner and set him alight.
Stepping back, he watched as the man screamed and thrashed around, trying to put out the flames.
It didn’t take too long for him to die, and when he had, Preacher gave Bear the order to bring in the cleaning crew.
Stepping out of the warehouse, he spotted Dog waiting for him.
“I want you to check out the offices and clubs. Make sure no one has been hired without my say-so within the past six months. I want a thorough background check on anyone who hasn’t had one.”
“You think we’ve got some rats in place?”
“I think they’re going to keep on checking to see for a weakness. We simply don’t give them one. It’s not the first time we’ve had cops breathing down our necks, and it won’t be the last.” He was used to having cops one or two steps behind him. It’s why he had guys like Billy and Ryan on the force. There were people in place to warn him in case they got too close.
“Do you think we need to worry?” Bear asked.
“Only if we leave something out and I’ve no intention of doing that. Don’t let pussy distract you. Be in control, Bear.”
“Will do.”
His cell phone went off, and he paused.
Bishop: Reaper was at the library. I’m with Robin. She’s fine. He’s sniffing around.
“Son of a bitch,” he said.
“What is it?”
“The Slaves need a message because I’m sick of them thinking they can come onto my turf.” Reaper had pushed, and now he was going to answer to him.
****
“Bishop, I’m fine.”
Robin tried to make him feel better, but he wouldn’t let her go. He helped her sit and rushed to quickly fetch her some water.
“It’s not fine. Fucking piece of shit shouldn’t have been in town. I can’t believe I fucked this up. Dad is going to kill me.”
“You have a life as well, and it’s not about taking care of me. Please stop worrying.”
“I’m not going to stop worrying. Not while that piece of shit is close.” Bishop paced the length of the sitting room. “Fuck!”
“Relax, will you? Nothing happened.”
“Nothing happened? Robin, your arms are bruised, and so is your neck. Dad’s going to kill me, and then he’s going to kill the librarian. Where did she go?”
“I don’t know, but no one is going to be killed. Nothing bad happened. We’re all safe. It’s fine.”
“No, it’s really not fine.”
She sipped at the water, leaning forward to get up. “Now you listen to me, Bishop Keats. I’m fine. You did nothing wrong.” She touched his arms, trying to get him to stop. “I’m fine.”
“When I saw those bikes, I nearly had a panic attack. I couldn’t believe he’d come close to you, Robin. I know I’ve not been the best husband right now, but I love you.”
“I know you do. You’ve got to stop feeling guilty. I’m fine. We made it out alive, and I know you’ve already told Preacher. We’re fine.”
Bishop cupped her face, pulling her in close. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Nothing is going to happen to me. I’m safe.”
She’d never been more thankful to see Bishop.
Reaper’s threats were very real, and she knew she wasn’t going to risk going to the library or anywhere in town on her own. He clearly felt he could use her to get to Preacher, and she wouldn’t allow herself to be used against the club, not ever.
As she held onto Bishop, he started to stroke her back. His touch was nice and sweet after the brutal holding of Reaper.
“I think I need to go and take a shower,” she said.
“Yes, you should
. I’m going to make us something for dinner.”
“You can cook?”
“No, I can’t, but I can order takeout.”
“Okay.” She kissed his head. “I’ll go and shower. Stop trying to beat yourself up. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
She went to leave, but Bishop captured her hand, pulling her close.
“My stomach is touching you.”
“I don’t care.” He tilted her head back. “I know I’ve fucked up so many times with all of this. You have no reason to forgive me, but I promise you, I’ll have my shit together for you, for us.”
Guilt threatened to crush her.
Bishop didn’t let her go.
She held her breath as he lowered, and as his lips touched hers, she kept on staring at him. His eyes were closed and he looked so into the kiss.
She didn’t have the heart to tell him to stop. Seconds passed before he broke the kiss.
“I love you, Robin.”
“I’m going to go and get washed.”
She pulled out of his hold and walked upstairs to her bedroom. Closing the door, she leaned against it, closing her eyes.
She felt like the worst wife. Bishop loved her, but her feelings were moving more toward his father.
“I’m a horrible person.”
There was no future for her and Preacher. What happened between the two of them had been a huge mistake, one she didn’t want to repeat.
No matter how he made her feel whenever they were together, there was no future there. The sooner she realized that, the better she would be. She had to get her feelings in check. She didn’t want to hurt anyone, not now, not ever.
“It will never happen with Preacher, and you won’t allow Bishop to have second best.”
She only hoped she knew how to implement her own thoughts. How could she turn Bishop down when seeing him hurt pained her?
It had to be a problem for another day.
****
“Do you like that?” Rebecca asked.
“Oh, fuck, that does feel good. Do it again,” O’Klaren said.
She was more than happy to give him what he wanted. He had a nice big cock, and Bear hadn’t come around for a few weeks and she was bored. She’d heard Bear warn her about O’Klaren, and she always liked to skirt around the edge of what the club demanded.
There was nothing wrong with sucking a cop off. He needed the relief, and so did she.
She was hungry for a dick, and all it had taken was a few choice words to O’Klaren and he’d brought her to this hotel room.
She smiled at how easy it was, but then, men were so easy.
As she choked on his length, O’Klaren groaned.
She stared up at him with tears in her eyes as he forced her head down onto more of his length. At one point she felt like she was going to choke to death, but he let up with a moan.
He was so close, and she smiled up at him.
“So, you were saying your daughter is special to the club,” O’Klaren said.
“Yes. She’s protected, but I can promise you, you want to get her on her own. You won’t be disappointed if you do.”
She licked the tip, and he began to pump into her mouth. She hated sucking dick, but this would be worth it. She had no doubt O’Klaren would find a way to get her daughter away from the club, and in doing so, she’d no longer become the center of attention.
“I’m working on getting her. I’m curious though, why would you help me, and use your own daughter to get it?”
“Nothing we do here can ever leave here. I’m helping you because it’s time for me to be in control. I’m tired of being turned away, but they won’t do it anymore.”
She intended to become the doting mother, and no one would doubt her. They certainly wouldn’t believe she’d sold out her own daughter so she could get the attention and love she craved.
Chapter Fourteen
“I’m the size of a tank,” Robin said, lowering herself into the dining room chair.
Bishop snorted. “You’re not.”
“Fine, a baby elephant.”
“You’re not that big,” Preacher said.
“I can’t see my feet. My boobs hurt, and I’ve got a backache. I’ve got a couple more months yet.” She had stopped going to school as well. Last week she’d had some blood when she went to the toilet, and to make sure she was safe, Randall had advised she finish her schooling from home.
She had hoped to keep on going to school, but Preacher arranged for all of her classes to be taken from home. Bishop took her homework in, gathered her assignments, and dealt with all the go-between stuff.
“You’re doing what every pregnant woman is. You’re beautiful,” Preacher said. “Right, Bishop?”
“Yes, you’re beautiful. You don’t need me to tell you that. You’re stunning.” Bishop gripped her hand.
She tried not to look at Preacher to see how he was reacting to this touch.
Pulling her hand away, she picked up her fork, spearing a piece of pancake. Any other kind of food made her feel sick. She craved pancakes and syrup.
“You think I’m beautiful. This is all I can fit into. All those clothes you bought me, they don’t fit. I’m too fat for them.”
Bishop laughed. “I didn’t realize how much you complain. Is this normal for you, or are you just moaning more lately?”
“I’m bringing a baby into this world. A brand-new life. I can’t go to the library or school. I’m forced to wait for you guys to be available. My dad, he struggles to be around me and tries to carry me everywhere. Who knew being pregnant could have such a huge impact on a girl’s life?”
“I’m free today. We’ll head to the mall. Get you some new clothes,” Preacher said. “We can’t have you walking around naked while we wash your clothes.”
“I can take her,” Bishop said.
“You’ve got school, and I need you to get whatever stuff she needs.”
“I have three assignments for you to hand in.”
“Of course you do.”
“You should have them as well if you did the homework.”
Bishop rolled his eyes. “I did the homework. I just don’t do extra work.”
“Extra work means extra credit for college.” She stopped with the fork pressed against her lip. “Oh, I don’t even know if I’m going to college anymore.”
“Of course you are.”
“But what if I don’t make it? What if I’m not good enough? I’ve got the baby. I haven’t thought about college. I haven’t even handled applications.”
“You’ll do a gap year until you figure out what it is you want,” Preacher said.
“Can I handle a gap year?”
“You mistake what you can do, sweetheart.”
“This is all nice and family-like, but I’ve got to head out,” Bishop said.
He got to his feet, finished his coffee and leaned down. “Love you and I’ll see you tonight.” He kissed her cheek. “Find something nice and hopefully not in elephant grey.”
“Ha, ha, very funny.”
“Bye, Dad,” Bishop said, leaving her alone with Preacher.
“He’s doing much better now, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, he is. He seems to be more together than before, you know?” She tucked some hair behind her ear. “We don’t have to go shopping.”
“We’re going shopping. Let me pack a quick snack in case you need some more food.”
“I don’t eat too much.”
“I didn’t say you did. I’m thinking if we get stranded or shit. Stop worrying. Get ready to go and wear a jacket. It’s cold.”
She got to her feet after finishing her pancakes. She took her plate to the kitchen before stopping to grab a jacket.
It didn’t zip up, and she growled.
Preacher joined her at the front door.
“You’re cute,” he said.
“Nothing works.”
He tried to do the jacket up, but of course, she was on the larger side.
> “I’m swollen.”
“We’ll get you a new jacket.” He opened the door, and she brushed past him.
Don’t think about being close to him today.
Just act normally.
Sitting in the front of the car, she looked out of the window as he got onto the road, heading toward the mall. It was a couple of hours’ drive from where Preacher lived.
This was the first time since the kiss they’d been alone.
“I saw what you did to the nursery. It looks amazing.” He’d finished the nursery painting.
He’d drawn a huge tree complete with dark green leaves, and a forest ground with deer and bunnies, cats, and dogs. She loved it.
“When did you finish?”
“A couple of nights ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We’ve both been busy, and I imagine avoiding me is a full-time job for you.”
“I … erm … I don’t mean to avoid you,” she said.
“Yeah, you do. It’s fine. I get it.”
“We shouldn’t have kissed,” she said.
“I know.”
“Bishop would be so heartbroken.”
“He would. We can’t have him hurt.”
She didn’t know if he was being sarcastic. Sitting back against the seat she stared out of the window.
Time passed.
Silence.
Neither of them reached for the stereo.
“I don’t blame you for taking care of him. Bishop needs someone like you, but don’t lose yourself to his bullshit.”
“I won’t.”
“You deserve someone who knows how special you are.”
“Preacher, I’m not special.”
“You are. You’ve just got to learn to see it.”
She released a breath. “I don’t want us to hate each other. I want us to be friends.”
“We will be, Robin. I promise.”
He finally turned the radio on, but there was so much she wanted to scream at him. she stayed silent, staring out of the window.
Rain had started to fall, and she looked up at the thunderous sky.
They arrived at the mall around lunchtime because of traffic and the roads. She was starving, and before they started to shop, Preacher took her for lunch. He’d kept his leather cut on, and she saw the women who paid him a great deal of attention.