by Erin Osborne
“Thanks. She thinks it’s mainly for protection. But, now she’s mine, I’m never lettin’ go,” I say.
The rest of the guys come over one by one and congratulate me. They’re used to a party after one of the women get claimed. That’s not the case for us. Vanessa isn’t ready to be exposed to all of the chaos just yet. Plus, I want to explain the parties to her before actually taking her to one. She’ll see things I’m sure she’s seen before, but I want her to understand everything is consensual. No one is there against their will and no one has to have sex if they don’t want to.
“We’re gonna head out. You got any ideas in mind?” Renegade asks.
“Nope. Just large enough for us with a few extra bedrooms. You design somethin’ and I’ll look it over. I’m sure it’ll be awesome,” I answer.
“Already thinkin’ ahead to kids of your own?” Smokey asks.
“Yeah, I am. And you’re not gonna get a fuckin’ show of me fuckin’ my ol’ lady. I’m not Psycho, I know how to keep it in my pants while wanderin' eyes are around,” I tell him.
Everyone laughs as they head back to their bikes. Psycho is never gonna live down fucking Hadliegh against a damn tree and Smokey catching them. It’s the funniest shit ever. At least I’ll say that while Hadliegh’s not around. I’m not gonna let her bust my balls over that shit.
The rest of the day is spent with the kids at the house. We hang outside for a while as the kids run around and get rid of some energy. When Vanessa says it’s nap time, we head in and watch a movie while they crash on the floor with their blankets and bears. I hold my woman as she continues to wear her rag. Pride and something akin to love fill me. This is how I want to spend the rest of my days— my woman by my side and the kids with us.
Chapter Fourteen
Vanessa
TODAY IS GOING to be my first day back at class. I’m nervous about going because I know Natasha isn’t going to be there. I don’t know who’s taken over teaching for her since she had the babies. Grave told me he has to leave early today because he hasn’t even seen them yet. So, when I get home, he’ll be leaving.
We’ve spent a lot of time talking about things I’ve been through with my parents and Ray. He keeps reassuring me he hasn’t changed his mind about me and I’m not getting out of being his ol’ lady. In fact, he’s told me that being his ol’ lady is for life. It’s not the same as being married because you can’t get divorced. Other than an ol’ lady doing something to get her out bad with the club, I’m his for the rest of our lives.
I’m also going to be talking to an attorney Cassidy has come in once a week. I have to do that before the class this afternoon. It’s nerve-wracking to know someone else is going to know about my life and what I’ve been through, but I want to get the divorce done and over with. So, I finish getting ready so I can head over for my appointment at the office building.
Grave won’t be there with me because he’s going to watch the kids. Renegade will be though. He’s assured me Renegade already knows what’s going on and he’ll be there strictly to make sure I’m not getting roped into anything I don’t want. Plus, he wants me to go for a restraining order against Ray. Not my parents just yet because I’ve had no contact with them.
“Nessa, you ready?” Grave asks, calling out to me from the living room.
“Yeah. I’m ready to go,” I answer, walking out to find Renegade already here.
“I’m gonna walk you over. We haven’t seen anythin’, but I don’t want to take any chances with you goin’ up that close to the gate,” Renegade tells me.
“Okay. Thank you,” I tell him.
I walk to the kids and give them a kiss goodbye before giving Grave a tentative kiss. It’s the first time I’ve made a move on him and I can tell he’s shocked. He looks at me with a tender look in his eyes.
“I’ll see you soon, baby,” he tells me.
Grave follows us to the door so he can lock it behind us. Even though he’s here, he still makes sure the door’s kept locked because he knows that’s what I do. It’s the little things like that which make me fall in love with him a little more every day. Yeah, I can fully admit I’m starting to fall in love with him. He’s been showing me every day the kids and I are a part of his life. And it’s the things he says, does, and remembers about us that show me how much he cares about us.
Renegade and I are walk to the office building in silence. We get to the office and he leads me to an office that’s usually empty. I’ve been in here a few times for my mail and I know the offices are usually empty when the lawyer or counselors aren’t here.
He knocks on the door and we hear a muffled reply. Renegade opens the door and lets me enter the room before him. I sit down in front of the desk while Renegade takes the chair next to me.
“Miss Tomlin, I’m Mr. Ripley. It’s nice to meet you. What can I do for you today?” he asks, picking a pen up so he can take notes.
“Um, I’m here to see what I can do about getting a divorce and restraining order against my husband,” I tell him.
“What’s his name? And why would you like a restraining order?” he asks.
“His name is Ray Tomlin. I’d like a restraining order because he’s been abusive to me since the day I met him. He beat me on several occasions while I was pregnant with our three-year-old twins so I would lose them. I did not lose them, thankfully. When I finally got help to get away from him, I thought we were safe. Now, I’ve received a note from him stating he knows where we are and that he’s coming for us,” I answer him. “I know, Mr. Ripley, if he gets his hands on us, we won’t live long.”
“Have you filed police reports against him before?” Mr. Ripley asks.
“No. He manages to get out of everything, so I knew there was no point in ever filing one against him,” I tell him.
“I see. So, he has someone in the judicial system he works with that pulls strings for him,” the lawyer states.
“Yeah. I’m not sure who it is though. I just want to make sure he can’t touch my babies. They’re the only ones important to me.”
“I’m going to file this restraining order today against Mr. Tomlin. And we’ll work on the divorce. Now, are there any assets that need to be split up between you?” he asks me.
“No. We were renting a house, though he told everyone we bought it. And anything else he can have. My kids and I weren’t really allowed to have anything. All the money went into his body,” I say.
“Okay. That should make it easy to get through the divorce as well. And, we’ll be filing for the restraining order here so he won’t be able to get out of it. Are you aware if he’s in the area currently?” Mr. Ripley asks.
“If he’s saying he’s coming for us, then I’d be willing to say yes he is,” I tell him, looking at Renegade.
We spend the next half hour going over everything and I sign what I have to for the restraining order. Renegade walks me over to the community building for the class before heading out for the day.
“Thank you for going with me,” I tell him.
“You’re welcome. You’re part of the family now,” he tells me. “We’ll always have your back.”
I nod my head and walk into the classroom for cooking and baking. The room is already filled with the women of the compound, but I don’t notice anyone here to teach the class. So, I take my spot at one of the stations and wait for our instructor to come in. At the same time, I listen to all the women around me talking.
“I’m not sure who’s going to be here. It’s our first class back since Natasha had the baby,” one of the women say.
Before anyone can respond, Cassidy comes into the room. She looks around and smiles when she sees me. Walking directly to me, she stops and says the last thing I expected.
“Vanessa, Natasha wants you to take over the class until she can come back,” Cassidy says.
“What? I can’t do that,” I tell her.
“Yes, you can. You know more than enough. She says you’ve been printing off
recipes and you have everything you need here. Natasha made sure the Prospects got what you’d need. Just pick a recipe and get it done,” she says before turning around and leaving the room.
I stand in shocked silence for a minute. Grabbing my purse, I head to the front of the classroom. The women all stand at their stations and wait for me to give them direction about what we’re going to cook today. I pull out my notecards to find something easy. We can make stuffed shells with garlic bread if there is any.
“Would you guys like to make stuffed shells today? It’s kind of like lasagna, but in shells instead,” I ask.
“Yeah. It’s something a little different,” one of the women answer.
Walking to the refrigerator, I pull out enough ingredients for everyone here. One of the women help me pass everything out before I go to make sure we have the sauce and garlic bread. As soon as it’s all passed out, we head to the stove to start browning the hamburger meat.
I walk them through all the steps of making the dish and we all clean up while waiting for everything to be done. When the shells are done, I pull them out and we add the cheese on top before sliding them back in. I’ve made three pans so I can make sure Natasha, Renegade, Cassidy, Hawk, and Chains get some too. The third pan will go home with me so I can feed the kids dinner. Maybe even make sure Grave takes some back to the clubhouse with him.
Before I know it, the class is over with and I can head home for the day. After dropping off the other two pans of course. I deliver the pans off in Cassidy’s office and don’t stay to chat. She’s busy with Hawk before he takes over the financial class. Today, I’m not going to that one because Grave wants to go spend time with Renegade and Natasha.
As I walk in the door of my temporary home, I hear all sorts of laughter and commotion going on. I walk to the living room to find Grave on the floor with both kids climbing all over him. He’s trying to grab their feet or hands in order to pull them off while they continue climbing and laughing their little heads off. It’s the happiest I’ve seen them in the longest time and it makes me happy that Grave is the one giving them this joy and sense of freedom.
“What’s going on in here?” I ask, setting the pan of food on the counter before making my way to the trio.
“I think I’ve been turned into a human jungle gym,” Grave answers, trying to grab Kayla’s foot.
“I see this,” I say, walking closer. “Let’s let Grave up guys. He’s gotta head out.”
The kids pout and get off Grave. Tyler watches him put his boots back on while Kayla tries to see what’s in the pan on the table. She always wants to know what we’re having for dinner. And she likes watching me cook. I think she’s going to cook and bake just like me and I’m going to enjoy teaching her everything I know.
“What did you make in class today?” Grave asks.
“Stuffed shells. I was kind of put on the spot. Natasha wants me to take over the class until she comes back. So, I have to figure things out. Including if I want to take it over,” I tell him.
Grave gives me a smile and I know he knew this was coming. He didn’t tell me because he knew I’d freak out, and he was right. Damn him. I smile at him to let him know I’m not mad or upset by this revelation.
“Proud of you, baby,” he says. “I’ll be back later on. Sorry I won’t be here to help with the kids. We got church, so I’m not sure what time I’ll be back.”
“Here, take these then,” I tell him, handing over my keys so he can get back in when he’s here.
“See you guys later. Be good for your momma,” he says, ruffling the hair on Tyler’s head and giving Kayla a sweet hug.
“Bye, Grave,” they say in unison.
I watch as Grave leaves the house before going to get the kids’ dinner for them. Once we have our plates, we sit down at the table and I listen to my children chatter on about their time with Grave. For a man who’s only been in our lives a short time, they are enamored with him. And I can’t say I feel any differently about him. It’s going to be hard if we have to end up walking away from him. I won’t put him, or the club, in any danger because of Ray.
Chapter Fifteen
Grave
GOING TO RENEGADE’S house is time I need. After I see the twins, we’re going to go over the plans for the house and I have to choose where I want it. It’s a good thing Renegade’s house is already built on the land set aside for any member who wants to have a house behind the clubhouse. Plus, I want Vanessa to have time for herself to think about taking over the class for a few weeks.
Cassidy and Natasha let me know what the plan was after they heard I claimed Vanessa. They asked me not to say anything to her because they understand she goes in her head about things sometimes. Hell, her reaction after getting the note from her ex proves their point. So, we all agreed not to say anything to her. And the guys in the club approved her taking point.
I ride the long way from the compound to the clubhouse. Instead of taking my bike out back to Renegade’s house, I park in my spot in the front and walk around the clubhouse. I can hear the music playing from inside and I’m guessing the guys are cutting loose after working and before we have church. We need to get on finding Vanessa’s douche canoe of an ex and that’s going to be on tonight’s agenda.
Hawk has been working his magic on the computers to figure out what Ray’s plan is. I haven’t even talked to him to find out what’s going on. Instead of me sitting on information I can’t do anything about without the club’s approval, I told him to keep it to himself. After hearing Vanessa’s story, I’ll kill the fucker if I get my hands on him and that’s not going to do anyone any favors. So, I’m keeping my distance.
I’m not a good man. I’ve got more blood on my hands than anyone I know in the club. Everyone comes to me for help because they know I can shut down to the point I become a sadistic and twisted fucker. No one wants to cross me who’s heard of the things I do to an asshole’s body when they’ve betrayed the men and women in my family.
Vanessa doesn’t know this part of me and I hope to God she never finds out. I don’t want her feeling some type of way because of the blood staining my hands and soul. Each and every life I’ve ever taken has been deserved. Including my own father’s life. I killed him when I found him beating on my mom because she found him touching my little sister.
The pain I carry around for my sister is something no one knows about. Yeah, the guys all know I had a little sister, but no one knows where she is now or what’s happened to her. Less than a year after I killed my dad, my sister took her own life. She couldn’t live with what he had been doing to her. Or the aftermath of his choices. See, she was worried I was going to go to prison, but no one ever found his body or knew he was dead.
My mom made it look like he packed his shit and took off in the middle of the night. In reality, he’s buried where I bury all the people I kill. He was the first in a long line of assholes I’ve killed, buried, and don’t regret doing it a damn bit. Vanessa would run far away from me if she knew that’s really how I got my road name. When I walk into one of our torture rooms, our victims tend to find their early graves once I get my hands on them.
It’s why I’m called Grave. The old timers we’ve taken over for named me that after my first kill for the club. It was a guy who was molesting his younger foster sister and fucking random girls who were most definitely underage. The man was almost thirty when I killed him. When we found him in a warehouse, he was fucking a girl who was thirteen. And he had been for some time because she was pregnant with his child. Sick fuck!
Walking up to Renegade’s house, I knock on the door before walking inside. Music is playing softly from the living room and I see Renegade, Natasha, Kora, and the babies on the floor.
“What’s goin’ on everyone?” I ask so I don’t sneak up on them.
“Grave, how have you been?” Natasha asks.
“I’m good. I think Nessa did good with the class today. Can’t wait to get home and taste the stuffed she
lls she made,” I answer.
“That’s great! Come meet Bo and Tabby,” she says, a smile on her face even though she looks exhausted. “I’m gonna have to talk to her and find out how the hell she does this with twins. Renegade and his damn super sperm.”
“Eww! Tash, I’m in the room,” Kora exclaims, covering her ears.
We all laugh at her as she turns her attention to her little brother and sister. She already loves them. It’s written all over her face. They all love the new additions to their small family.
As I walk around the couch, I get my first look of the twins. Already, Bo looks just like his dad. I’m not sure about Tabby just yet, but she’s going to be a knockout. Renegade is going to have his hands full between the two daughters he has now. We’ll all be on alert when they get old enough to date. Even if we’re in nursing homes when that happens because I don’t see them being allowed out with a boy until at least then.
“They’re adorable,” I say, taking Bo from Renegade’s arms.
“That’s a good look for you,” Natasha tells me. “You two planning on having any of your own?”
“Tash, they’re not to that point yet,” Renegade admonishes softly.
“I know he’s already thought of it. It’s written on your face, Grave,” Natasha says, ignoring her man.
“I’ve thought of it. But I don’t even know if she can have more kids honestly. It’s her story to tell and I’m not goin’ to spill anythin’,” I tell her.
“Has she opened up at all to you?” she asks.
“Yeah. I know the bare minimum details of her past. It’s not pretty. But she saw a lawyer earlier, as you know, and she’s ready to go to counselin’. So, I hope she learns she can open up to the rest of you, not just the ol’ ladies but the other women at the compound too,” I answer her honestly.
“I’m so proud of her. I can’t wait to see her fucking shine and be the woman she was always meant to be. If I can be a part of that journey, I’ll count myself lucky,” Natasha says, taking Bo from my arms as he starts to fuss.