Sean aka Diesel (Cocker Brothers Book 14)

by Faleena Hopkins

  Locking onto my girl I announce, “She’s got me wrapped around her pinky…and all the rest of her fingers.”

  Tyler cracks up, his back bending with the laugh. Grabbing her with his arm around her neck since he’s so much taller than her, he rubs knuckles into her head. “That’s my Celia working her magic! You bewitched the new recruit, eh Ceels?”

  “Stop it!” she laughs, trying to push him off.

  Sofia pretends to kick him in the balls and he lets go, covering his crotch. “Whoa now! Careful with the jewels! I might have more kiddos left in me!”

  “You have enough children,” Sofia smirks. “Where’s your lovely wife?”

  “Do I detect sarcasm?”

  “Oh, so you’re smart and handsome?”

  “I’ll give you smart!” he chuckles. The guy isn’t necessarily easy on the eyes but he’s got charisma to spare. “Inez is inside. We came down for Thanksgiving, the kids, too. We drove…wait for it…a fucking SUV here!”

  All of us react like we’ve been punched by a suburban image that doesn’t fit this club’s M.O.

  Luke laughs, “How the fuck did that happen?”

  “It’s weird,” Tyler says, eyes big like he’s never heard of such a thing but, “They rent these things out!” He grins and winks at us, turning on his heel to head inside. “I need to say hello to a few folks. I’ll see you all in there.” Walking backwards he points at me. “I said I wanted to be here for the vote and they didn’t wait for me. Heads will roll!”

  We sit back down as the door clatters behind Tyler. Celia explains, “He’s Melodi and Fuse’s son. The first of the kids in the house. So when I was growing up he was like my older brother. All of ours.” Her hand sweeps the air.

  Sofia nods from behind her coffee. “He used to be cute. Then he started looking more like Fuse.”

  Luke chuckles, leaning back in his rocking chair. “And yet he got as much ass as I did on the road.”

  “Not as much as me, though,” Soph shoots back.

  Luke’s eyes flicker to her. “Don’t bring that up.”

  “You started it,” she murmurs coming in for a kiss that he happily delivers. They separate and look toward the door as it clatters again.

  I turn at their expressions, to see who’s made them go still. My eyes widen and I leap from my chair. “Mom!”

  Her angel sleeves float behind her as she hurries into my embrace, eyes crinkled in the biggest emotional smile I’ve ever seen on her. “Sean! Oh Sean, It’s so good to see you!”

  “Mom! Oh my God!” I rock her in place, kissing her short hair. “This is amazing!” Grabbing her shoulders so I can see her face, I shake my head in shock. “Jett called you?”

  She nods, tears hovering. “You look so strong! Oh my gosh, your neck is so thick! Look at your hair! You have a man bun?! I love it!”

  Laughing with happiness I pull her in for another hug. “This is the best surprise of my life, Mom, I’m so happy you’re here!”

  “All the way on the plane I was telling everyone how my son had changed his life around. Don’t worry, I didn’t give them details! I said you graduated from M.I.T!”

  Laughing we pull apart so I can introduce the two most important women in my life. “This is Celia Lewis, Mom. Ceels, this is Santosh, my incredible mother. She’s the reason I’m here. Without her love, well…” My grin finishes the sentence.

  Celia has already stood up and her eyes are so soft, almost shy, as she extends her hand. But my mother says, “Oh I’m not so formal as all that,” and wraps her arms around my girl, bending her she rocks her so much. Separating she scans Celia’s face, holds her hands and spreads her arms up. “You are absolutely lovely! Oh Sean, she’s so beautiful. And look at these muscles!”

  Celia laughs, warm eyes glowing with happiness that my mom’s approval has been won over. “Now you know why I wore the dress,” Ceels grins to me.

  My eyes widen and I glance to Sofia and Luke, “Oh shit, you guys all knew this whole time and you didn’t let on?!”

  They stand up, walk around the table and hug my mom. “Hi Santosh,” Luke smiles. “Great to see you again!”

  As she pulls out of the hug, Sofia grins, “I told you we might see you again!”

  Mom corrects her, “I believe you said something along the lines of, I hope we never meet you again soon.” At my confusion she explains, “When they told me their biker club was confidential I said I’ve never met you.”

  “Ah gotcha! Here, let me grab you another chair.” I run to pick one up and bring it over to our circle.

  Luke asks, “You want some coffee, Santosh?”

  “Do you have tea?”

  “No, I’m sorry.”

  “Coffee with cinnamon?”

  He nods, “That I can do. Be right back.”

  We settle in, Mom between me and Celia. She flies up and motions for them to change chairs. “You sit by my son!”

  “Oh no, Ms. Khalsa, you sit by him!”

  “Nonsense. I’ve never seen him so happy in my life, and I want to look at his face without craning my neck. Arthritis!”

  As they change chairs Celia exchanges a look with me. “Does she really have arthritis?”

  “No.”

  “I didn’t think so.”

  “Alright you caught me!” Mom waves, angel sleeves billowing up from her dress. They’re the punctuation marks on everything she feels. She smoothes the colorful polyester fabric over her knees, informing us, “There’s a little known fact that whenever a man and woman fall in love, there’s always some other woman in the way. It’s like a test from the universe, whether it be a sister, an ex, a friend, a mother, it’s always someone! Well, I’m not going to be that type of Mom!” Her grin softens as her body stills, hands on her lap as she locks her eyes on mine. “Oh Sean, this worked out so much better than I thought it would.”

  “Yeah? I remember you said that my destiny was mine to make.”

  “And you did it.”

  Proud and humble I glance down, “I did.”

  Sofia tells Celia, “Diesel’s mom is a psychic. A real one.”

  “I know! He was telling me that.” Turning to Mom she asks, “You didn’t know the Ciphers would work out for him?”

  As my mom explains, the back door opens and Luke walks up with her fresh coffee, steam drifting over the cup, “Not everything is written. Oh, thank you, Luke. Our choices define who we become. Sean was given this opportunity but what I saw the day he left was that it would be up to him to take that brass ring on his own. He would have to work for it. Was I right?” Everyone nods. “But who’s this Diesel?” Her eyes are sparkling like she knows, but will enjoy hearing the explanation.

  Luke jogs his chin. “Hate to tell you, Santosh but you gave your kid a soft name. We picked him up, punched the fluff off of him and set him back down as the kickass fighter you see sitting here to my right.”

  Raking my hair back I laugh, “Jeezus, shut up.”

  “Make me.”

  I punch his arm and he throws one back, both of us laughing. But my mom’s eyes are on Sofia, who’s staring at her.

  “Your friend is still hurting, isn’t he?”

  Soph frowns, “I went to visit him.” Glancing to Luke she says, “Ben,” and he nods. Back to my mother she explains, “He’s in it too deep. I don’t know when he’ll wake up.”

  Mom nods, “Be there for him when he does.”

  Nodding, Sofia sips her coffee with a disturbed look. “My family—my blood family, the Cockers in Atlanta—they’re watching over Ben, too. He’s shutting them out. Actually his wife is shutting them out.”

  Celia frowns to me. “Like that Black Widow.”

  Soph argues, “It’s not as bad as that!”

  “I’m not saying she’s evil, but if she’s distancing him from his family…it’s like what that Corinne woman did.”

  “Well, now you’ve made me feel like shit, thank you.”

  My mom has closed her eyes. Everyone notices a
nd gets very still. She opens them and frowns, “The woman isn’t evil. She’s just very insecure. It’s still dangerous when that type of person has the control, though. Just not deadly.” Lightening up, she smiles at Celia. “But you’re lucky, nobody came in between you two!”

  Ceels and I exchange a look. “Actually, my mom wasn’t easy to convince.”

  “See! There’s always a woman in the way!”

  Sofia mutters, “Why can’t it be a man?”

  Mom sips her coffee and explains, “Since the middle ages we women have had to fight for what we have. We haven’t let that go yet. We protect our own sometimes to the point of suffocating them. When looser hands keep the water, not a clenched fist.”

  Luke raises his eyebrows. “You need to meet Tonk Jr.”

  Everyone laughs, except my mom, whose eyes are flitting around our faces. “What did I miss? Is there a hunk here my age? Is he single?”

  “Hang on!” Luke flies out of his chair, long hair flowing behind him. A few seconds later he’s produced Celia’s younger brother from the kitchen. “Are you a cougar, Santosh? Because if you are, this kid’s mind is going to rock your brain almost as much as his body could!”

  She purses her lips, “You think you’re really funny, don’t you?”

  “I do!”

  Junior is confused, but knows something funny is going on so his smile is genuine as he drags his fingers through his neatly trimmed hair, his taut body showcased well in grey slacks and a light blue button-up. “If you need a little lovin’ I’m down.”

  “Touch my mother and I’ll hurt you,” I grin.

  He eyeballs me, then flicks a glance to her. “This is your mom?”

  “Yeah.”

  Bowing he takes her hand and kisses it. “You’re much better looking than your son.”

  She blushes. My mom actually blushes. “Oh well, aren’t you a charming young man!”

  Sofia, Celia and Luke exchange shocked and silently-laughing glances as I point at them, “Don’t even think it!”

  CHAPTER 36

  DIESEL

  T hey rented tables for the dinner since Melodi insisted we eat together for this one night—and when Christmas comes, we’ll do the same. Artistic Sage designed flower arrangements as centerpieces. Shay and Mylar spread candles throughout, so many that we don’t even need to turn on the lamps. The air is soft in the grand parlor, cleared to make space for our celebration. All the old velvet chairs are pushed to the side, coffee tables paired with the sets. In the center of the room we are prepared to eat a Thanksgiving dinner feast that blows my mind and is sure to send my taste buds to heaven.

  Before we eat, Jett stands to say grace, and we all go silent to listen to him announce, “This holiday was born from the pilgrims and Native Americans coming together in what would later prove to be a betrayal. Let us take a moment of silence for that tragedy.” We bow our heads, the room silent until Jett continues, “And though our history cannot be changed, we can change the future. We now celebrate this holiday as a day of thanks, respect, and a promise that we will fight the wrongs of this world, and not close our eyes or look the other way when someone needs our help. We eat this feast, awake, thankful for our freedom, for the Constitution, for the rights people have fought to give us and the rights we fight to keep. For the friends we have made in each other. The family we have become. And the new members who have joined us.” He nods to me and Mom before scanning the rest of our club. “I’m proud to know all of you. Now enjoy Melodi’s cooking and drink up!”

  Everyone cheers and digs in.

  Mom is on my left, Celia on my right and the conversation flows easily. The feeling of pride in my chest is unparalleled as the night progresses to pies and coffee. Mel arrives with cognac, shouting in her southern drawl, “We’re livin’ the high life tonight! Touch any more beer and I’ll shoot you on sight! Hey, I’m a poet and didn’t know it!”

  Fuse strolls in carrying a large silver tray full of small glasses that makes me turn to ask Celia, “Where did those come from?”

  “Boxes in the basement where they keep the good stuff we don’t use except during the holidays. You should see how many ornaments we have!”

  “I can’t wait.” Giving her a kiss I whisper in her ear, “You look great in this dress, did I tell you that?”

  She eyes me. “Don’t get used to it.”

  “Never,” I laugh.

  Sofia is on her right, and pulls her into a conversation. Mom takes the opportunity to tap my leg under the table, whispering, “Here Sean.”

  I look down to discover she’s offering me a ring, hidden by the tablecloth. “What is it?”

  “This was the ring your father gave me.”

  My eyes shoot up. “Mom!” Motioning for her to come with me, we rise from the table as I tell Fuse, “We’ll be right back.”

  “Got you covered, kid,” he affably smiles, setting glasses down in front of our pie plates.

  With as much self-control as I can muster I casually stroll into the foyer with her right behind me. Mom pauses at the the enormous paintings, and her eyes close for a moment. “These aren’t their family.”

  “No, they came with the house.”

  “Mmm, I can feel their spirits are here, watching over what they think is still their house. They’re not happy with the new occupants.”

  Shrugging I eye the paintings for a second. “That’s because they’re a bunch of racist dinosaurs. And nobody cares. Now tell me what this is about.”

  She places the diamond in my hand, clasping it as her voice softens. “I spoke on the phone with Jett for a long time about how you’ve been doing. He told me about Celia. So I got very silent and well, you know what I do.”

  Nodding I feel my heart skip. “You saw how I feel about her, that it’s going to work out?”

  “I saw my grandchildren, Sean. I felt them. They’re waiting for you and your future bride to shepherd their good souls into this world. This ring…it was given to me by the only man I’ve ever truly loved. Your father’s heart was pure and it lives on in you. Your eyes are clear now, like his. You’ve found where you’re meant to be. Now you don’t have to use this if you want one of your own—”

  “Mom! No, I want it. This is more than I could…are you sure you don’t…”

  “It will give you good luck. A happy marriage like the one I had. It’s my gift if you’ll take it.”

  I gather her into my arms and croak, “This is amazing, thank you! It’s perfect.”

  Separating, her eyes are liquid as she smiles, “I really like her, Sean. I mean, Diesel.”

  Laughing I shake my head, “Call me whatever you want. I’m forever grateful for what you did here. I can never repay you.”

  “I just want you happy!”

  “Well, I’m going to do you one better.” Taking her hand I lead her quickly back into the grand parlor, calling out to the club. “Ciphers, can I have your attention?”

  The conversations hush and all eyes follow me and Mom. We stop at our chairs and I give her a look to wait here. Offering Celia my hand I guide her out of her chair. She’s frowning, confused, until I bend one knee and hold the ring out to her.

  Gasps spread throughout the group and people stand up so they can see better, as Celia’s free hand flies to her mouth.

  “My mom just gave me the ring my father gave to her, and I wanted to know if you would wear it, as my wife. Celia Lewis, biggest badass I’ve ever met who kicked my ass on day one, will you please kick my ass for the rest of my life? Will you marry me?”

  Tears hover in her eyes as she chews her lips, nodding, whispering over the lump in her throat, “Yes!”

  “Yeah? You’ll marry me?”

  “Yes! I will marry you!”

  I fly up, lift her into my arms and kiss her as the room explodes in cheers, boots stomping the hardwood floors so hard that the forks rattle against the pie plates.

  Setting her down I slide the precious ring onto her trembling finger. It fits
like it was made for her, and my mom makes us laugh by loudly muttering a comical, “I used to be a lot thinner. I only gave it to you because it no longer fits.”

  Celia laughs and Jett shouts through his hands, “Yeah right!”

  Tonk Jr. says, loud enough for everyone to hear, “You look pretty damn good to me.”

  The room goes nuts, all wide eyes, laughter and hoots.

  I point at him, “Don’t!”

  My mom smacks my arm, “Stop getting in the way of my fun.” She gives Celia a hug as Ciphers rise up to take turns congratulating us. “When you have a son, will you consider naming him after my husband?”

  Ceels is all smiles as she reaches for my hand. “Jack is a great name for a Cipher…at first.”

  I grin, “We’ll probably change it to Zeus when he turns eighteen!”

  Luke claps a hand on my back and I give him a manly hug. As we part he cocks an eyebrow. “Better than video games, huh?”

  “Oh I don’t know. I think The Ciphers would make an excellent video game.”

  His eyes widen. “From your mouth to God’s ears.”

  CHAPTER 37

  C ELIA

  P ulling him up the stairs I ignore Diesel’s questions about where we’re going, and tug his hand toward the shared bathroom where we shower. From downstairs Ciphers’ voices drift where in the kitchen people are helping clean up so that Melodi can enjoy a second cognac and all the gratitude we can give her.

  Inside I lock the door and rest my back against it, hiking my dress a little. His sapphires darken with lust as he smirks, “Oh you dirty woman.”

  “I’ve always wanted to fuck you in here,” I whisper, eyelashes growing heavy as denied arousal takes hold. I’d been waiting for this.

  My fiancé jogs his chin. “Touch yourself for me.”

  My tummy clenches as I slip my greedy hand into the silk panties that I just bought.

  He catches a glimpse of them and growls, “Oh shit, red?” Stepping closer he kneels down to watch as my fingers play with my pussy, sliding into the folds, my curly hairs damp. I was so turned on by the proposal, and how everyone has accepted us, that I couldn’t wait anymore.