by K E Osborn
Zero jerks his head back. “Who the fuck is Tinsley?”
Thayleah sits forward. “My best friend. I couldn’t have gotten through Stonewall if it weren’t for her and Koda. She’s gone to another club. The Brothers by Blood MC took her in.”
Zero raises his brow. “So now Koda’s going to patch in here, what do you want to do with yourself, Thayleah? You wanna enroll in a school in Houston somewhere?”
Sadie rushes past, knocking a plate off the table, and Thayleah’s hand reaches out catching it before it falls. Sadie’s eyes widen and glisten as she stands stock still.
Thayleah places the plate back on the table. “Hey, it’s okay. It was an accident. Nothing bad happened. But we have to learn from our mistakes, don’t we? Sadie… what have you learned?”
Sadie sniffles, standing taller, gripping onto her little purple dress like she’s trying not to spin around. “That running around plates is naughty.”
“It’s not naughty so much, Sadie, but it can be a little dangerous, and you and Lucas have to be a bit more cautious. We don’t want the plate breaking and cutting anyone.”
Sadie nods her head, biting her bottom lip. “If I break a plate, it can hurt me or Lucas.”
“That’s right, and we definitely don’t want that. We want you both happy, healthy, and strong.” Thayleah leans out tickling Sadie, and she lets out a booming laugh as she jumps up into Thayleah’s lap.
“Daddy…”
“Yeah, baby girl?” Kevlar asks.
“I like her!” Sadie replies.
Thayleah wraps her arms around Sadie and gives her a big cuddle with a little tickle. “I like you, too, Sadie!”
Koda winks at his woman as Zero narrows his eyes on her. “Thayleah, you were studying counseling, right?”
She nods. “Yeah, but with everything that’s happened in my past, I just don’t know if I can continue down that road.”
Zero glances at Cherry, then to Kevlar, and they all nod. “Have you thought about becoming a nanny?”
Her eyes light up as she cuddles into Sadie a little more. “Huh… no. I mean… I love kids. So, I guess that could be kinda cool!”
“What about being the nanny for the club? We have a ton of kids as you can see and more on the way.” Prinie’s hand falls to her stomach. “That way you’re here for Koda but working as well?”
Thayleah turns to Koda, and he shrugs. “It’s up to you, Rebel.” He calls Thayleah by the nickname he’s given her. Which, no doubt, once he is patched in and he claims her will become her Old Lady name. “If this is what you want to do, I think it’s a great idea. But if you want to do something else, I’ll support that too.”
She nods emphatically. “I would love to. I don’t have any formal training, though. I did a class in children’s psychology in college, but that’s all I’ve got.”
“The way you handled that with Sadie just now was all the proof we need,” Sunshine replies.
“Can we go make some rainbow cookies?” Sadie blurts out. “They’re my mom’s favorite!”
“Sure! Let’s take Lucas with us, shall we?” Thayleah suggests, standing up and taking Sadie and Lucas with her as she goes.
“Bye Mom, bye Daddy… I’ll save you some cookies!” Sadie calls out as the three of them head for the stairs.
Zero sits forward, shaking his head. “You got yourself a good one there, Koda.”
Koda grins wide. “I know, it’s why I risked everything to save her. Even faced the risk of being eaten alive by Shotgun from The Brothers by Blood. Goddamn! He was hard to win over.”
Zero snorts. “If he thinks my kid brother isn’t good enough for his girl, then we would have had a problem. He knew that. There was more at stake than just him giving his approval, Koda.”
Koda raises his brow. “You would have started something if Shotgun didn’t approve of me for Thayleah?”
“If you are so openly devoted to her as you say you are, and he said you weren’t good enough, then yeah, we would have had words, some pretty fucking strong words.”
Koda’s smile is wide like he finally feels he belongs here at the club. “That means everything, Zero.”
Zero, furrows his brows, shrugging it off.
Everyone laughs.
Koda exhales taking a look around the clubhouse. “So, now we have all the details out of the way… when can I patch in?”
Zero groans. “Straight to it, huh?”
“No point in waiting.”
Prinie shakes her head. “There’s every point in waiting, Koda.”
He reaches out, taking Prinie’s hand in his. “I’m a Walker, Prinie, this is in our blood. I’m meant to wear a patch, just like if your next baby is a son, he’ll be born to wear a patch. It’s just how it is…” He smiles at her. “I’m not the same kid you knew before I left for college. I’m a man, Prinie, you’re gonna have to stop seeing me as the kid who ran away with you to Chicago. As the boy who got into trouble with a gang and couldn’t handle himself. That’s not me anymore. You gotta give me some credit, I just fought the head of a secret society and won.”
Prinie exhales, her eyes droop as she tries to hide her sadness. “You’ve grown so much. I just… I just love you, Koda, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I can’t promise it won’t. Lord knows no one can promise that, but I’m better equipped now. I’m gonna be okay, Prinie.”
She pulls him in for a hug as the rest of us watch on.
“So as entertaining as all this smoochy crap is, I have something to talk to you guys about,” Chains barks out.
We all turn to him.
Chills looks disappointed as she lowers her head and sighs that he’s bringing whatever this is up right now.
“What? We’re gonna have to talk about it at some point. Everyone seems to be all about sharing and shit, so I figure now’s the perfect time, babe.”
Chills shifts her head to the side and huffs. “Fine! Go ahead.”
Zero turns to face Chains while he tries to tidy Kobe’s messy mouth.
“As you know, we exchanged clubs so Kobe could have his surgery at the Children’s Hospital here in Houston.”
“I’m more than aware,” Zero rebukes.
Chills sits forward attempting to take over from her abrupt old man. “We got a call this morning… they’ve scheduled Kobe’s surgery for two weeks’ time.”
Everyone raises their brows. “Shit! That came around soon,” Wraith states.
“Needless to say, we’re terrified. It’s a huge surgery and… I mean, there’s a chance—” Chills stops her line of thought, but we all know what she’s saying.
Prinie reaches out, taking Chill’s hand in hers. “Whatever you need, the club will do. We will all be here for you.”
“Exactly. You want round-the-clock vigils at the hospital, you got it!” Cherry adds.
Zero rests his hands on the table, folding them together into tight fists. “Chicago know this is happening?”
Chills and Chains both shake their heads. “No, we decided against telling them. They’re so far away. There’s nothing they can do from the other side of the country.”
“Well, if that’s your decision.” Zero inhales deeply. “What do you need?”
“Nothing right now. We just gotta keep the little man healthy until the surgery.”
Zero shifts uncomfortably, his eyes hesitating to meet Chains, like he does not want to ask this next question, but he does it anyway. “Have you thought about what comes next? After Kobe’s surgery?”
“What do you mean?” Chains furrows his brows.
Zero finally looks at Chains. “You came here to get Kobe’s surgery. Once it’s all done and dusted and is successful, which I know it will be, will the three of you go back to Chicago?”
Chains glances at Chills. “I love Chicago. Our parents are there. It will always be a special place to us, but this is where Kobe has settled. He loves everyone, we love everyone… I don’t want to leave. That’
s if you’re happy for us to stay, of course?”
Zero let’s out a sigh of relief, and I do too. Working with Chains as my joint SAA has been fucking incredible. We get the job done together as one unit, and it’s successful.
“You’re a part of this family… all three of you. Losing you back to Chicago would fucking hurt. Though, I would understand. But fuck I’m glad you’re staying!” Zero declares.
We all agree with simple nods of our heads—there are no words that need to be said.
“Thanks for your support. It means the world to us,” Chills states.
“Well, you are the best doctor we’ve ever had. We have to keep you on our good side,” Wraith jokes.
Everyone chuckles as Kobe starts to grumble. “Looks like I need to get someone off for his morning nap before I head into work. Thanks again, everyone. I’ll keep you updated with the surgery information as it comes to hand, Zero.”
“Yeah, do that. I wanna know everything. Don’t you fucking hold anything back, you hear me?”
Chills nods, picking Kobe up out of his booster. “C’mon, mister, let’s get you cleaned up.”
She takes off as Chains stands, dips his head, then takes off after his Old Lady and son.
Everyone sits in silence as we take the information in and process it. In two weeks, Kobe will either pull through the operation and be completely healed, or he won’t pull through it at all.
That’s a lot. The weight of the worry, too heavy.
“Well, that brought the mood down,” Koda murmurs.
Sunshine sighs. “I wish there was more we could do. Something to cheer them up.”
“I have an idea, but I don’t know if you’re gonna like it,” I say.
“I generally hate your ideas, Texas, but tell me anyway,” Zero mocks.
Steadying my shoulders, I say, “Okay, what if…”
TEXAS
Two Weeks Later
The past two weeks have been steady. Finley’s been sticking to her room mainly during the day decking it out like a makeshift office. Papers are strewn all over the room, but she swears they’re in some form of order, but to me, it’s a hot mess. I tend to steer clear, so I don’t fuck anything up for her. I know her work is important and being away from the office is a huge stressor for her. I think that’s what’s so good about having Sunshine here.
She goes into the office each day and brings back whatever Fin needs. It helps her to remain calm about not being there while also bringing back more work for her to carry on with. I know Fin’s also doing Zoom meetings with clients in her room, telling them she is out of town on business. I feel for her, knowing this can’t be easy. Being in hiding from an asshole who’s gunning for you never is.
While all that shit’s going on, Chains and Chills have been madly preparing for Kobe’s surgery, which is tomorrow. Everyone is on edge. He may only be little, but he’s mighty, and the kid’s grown on us all ever since his arrival here at the club from Chicago. They’re family, and we look after our own. Anything we can do to make this time easier, we’re going to do it.
While Fin’s busy working upstairs, I head over to Zero. “You heard anything?”
He grins. “Should be arriving any second.”
“You think Chills and Chains have any idea?”
Zero snorts out a laugh. “Not one fucking clue.”
“This is gonna be epic,” I say as the sound of Harleys roar down the street.
I turn back to Zero.
“It’s go time,” he tells me as the rest of the club looks at the door curiously.
“This something we should be concerned about, Pres?” Chains asks stepping up, as all the brothers make their way outside.
“Just another chapter dropping in on their way through,” Zero lies.
“So, I can open the gate?” Neon asks.
“Oh yeah. You can open the gate,” Zero replies.
All of us stand back as the gates swing open to nine bikes riding in, wearing Chicago Defiance MC cuts. The last time we saw these guys was when we rode out to the funeral of their fallen brother, Scratch, five months ago.
I turn my head to Chains. A wide grin crosses his face as he watches his original chapter pulling into the yard. He turns to Zero, shaking his head. “You do this?”
Zero shrugs. “I made the call, but it was Texas’ idea.”
Chains nods his head at me once. “Thanks, brother. This means… fucking everything,” he says, taking off for his brothers.
We stand back as Chicago Defiance and their old ladies jump off their hired rides and rush toward Chains. They slam into him in some sort of group hug.
Chills strides outside holding onto Kobe. “What’s all this racket out he—” She stops talking, her eyes going wide. “Oh my God…” She sniffles, her eyes not only welling but overflowing as Foxy, Torque’s Old Lady, takes off running straight for Chills and wraps her arms around her and Kobe. They cling onto each other like they’ve been separated for years, not months.
“Why didn’t you tell us his surgery was tomorrow, Chills?” Foxy berates.
Chills wipes the tears away from her face trying to calm her emotions. “You guys are so far away. I didn’t want you to worry and have to come this distance.”
Foxy pulls her and Kobe tighter. “We’re family, we’re supposed to worry and be here for you. You should have known we would get on a flight and get our asses over here.”
“But you have your own kids, your own shit to deal with.”
“We also have club girls who can handle looking after all our kids and can take care of the club for a few days. This is important. You are important. This little munchkin is important,” Foxy chides, running her fingers through Kobe’s hair as he snuggles into her like he remembers her, even though he’s spent more time with us than her.
“Fuck, I’m so glad you’re here!” Chills pulls Foxy into another tight embrace.
I make my way over to Chains and the Chicago brothers.
“You haven’t changed at all. You need to trim your beard, Chains, it is getting too long,” Sensei instructs as his Old Lady, Sass, stands beside him.
“Oh, lighten up, slick. Leave the poor guy alone. He has a kid whose going in for surgery tomorrow. Plus, I think the whole Viking look he has going for him is kinda hot.”
Sensei furrows his brows, and she snorts out a laugh, running her hand over his face. “Not as hot as you, though, of course, babe.”
“Still the same I see, Sass,” Chains mocks.
“Sass got her name for a reason. Good to see you, brother!” Ace pulls Chains in for an all-man back-slapping hug.
“How’s your Iron Man collection going? Still in one piece? Or is Trax still demolishing it every chance he gets?”
Trax pops his head around Sensei. “What the fuck! I’m not as angry these days. I’m the levelheaded one now.” He chuckles.
Ace snorts out a laugh. “Levelheaded? Do I have to bring up the incident regarding the maple syrup?”
“That shit was not my fault!” All the Chicago brothers laugh. “My baby girl, Grace, wanted the maple syrup, and Pyro was using it all on his damn bacon. My baby needed it for her waffles. I mean, what’s more important? A kid’s waffles or his damn bacon? Let’s face it I had to deal with the tantrum.”
Everyone laughs.
“I said sorry! Damn, brother, you need to move on from that!” Pyro calls out from the other side of the yard, his Old Lady and princess of the club, Lala, hanging off his arm.
“Damn bacon,” Trax mumbles under his breath.
Sparx giggles while trying to placate her Old Man. “I love the way you protect our baby girl.” She leans in, planting a kiss on his cheek, and he softens instantly.
It’s crazy seeing the way these big tough assholes melt when their old ladies are near them.
I spot Fox, our resident wise one, talking to Surge, Chicago’s version, and I smirk at how similar they look. Strong in stature, white hair, beard. Maybe there’s some sort of
criteria for being a wise one. But their old ladies couldn’t be more different. Bub, Fox’s Old Lady, is short, maybe a little more on the curvy side than we’re used to around here, but still gorgeous. It’s her personality that shines through. Freckles, on the other hand, Surge’s Old Lady, and also the mother of Torque, Trax, and Lala, is tall, slim, and has flowing red hair, much the same as Fin. Though, I am sure Freckles has a long line of Irish heritage that I’m relatively sure Finley doesn’t have.
Zero and Torque come together in front of the mass of bikers, gaining everyone’s attention.
“Okay, this was a surprise for Chains and Chills. These guys are gonna be here until we know Kobe is out of the woods. They’re here for moral support. So shit’s gonna be a little crowded for a while, but it’s nothing we haven’t faced before through lockdowns. If you can share a room with someone, do it to free up space. Some of our brothers will stay in the apartments across the road, but if we have room here, we want to keep as many here as possible. So, let’s find the fucking room.”
Everyone nods as we all head inside as clubs reunited.
The place is crowded, and I’m not sure how Fin is going to handle this, but I guess I will spin it to her that with another club here, it’s added protection. Even if we are all distracted with Kobe’s surgery.
Making my way upstairs, I head for her room, knocking on the door. I hear her mumble something unintelligible, so I open the door, then make my way inside to see her rummaging through a folder of notes frantically. “This is so fucking hard, Texas. Not all my notes are here, and it’s so noisy I can’t think. I don’t know what the hell I am doing half the time, and for the life of me, I can’t find my highlighter.”
Inhaling, I bend down on the floor at the edge of the desk and pick up the highlighter, handing it to her. Her eyes light up as she takes it from me. “Texas, you’re my hero.” She turns back to her files and starts frantically outlining something as I move over to the bed and take a seat.
“There’s a reason it’s so noisy downstairs.”
She places the highlighter down and turns to face me. “Is something happening?”
Nodding, I try to figure out how to broach what I want to ask. “Chicago Defiance just rode in... most of the brothers and their old ladies are here.”