by Katie Ball
Oh fuck.
Did anyone know where his hand was right now? I don’t think so. I just did my best to ignore his hand placement. Not paying attention to the way his fingers massaged my inner thigh.
Finishing my mouthful, I just nodded in agreement.
“Yes…erm…love it.” Grabbing my wine glass, I necked the rest of it when I felt Talon’s hand start to creep further up my leg. Sending sparks rippling within me. He wouldn’t dare, not right now.
“I can cook Hazel.” Here we go again. Gunner had found a new avenue to try and win me over. “I could cook for you sometime. Dinner, my place?”
Talon’s grip on my thigh tightened. I didn’t need to look at him to know his eyes would be murderous. Gunner was lucky Talon considered him one of his brothers. I think he would be dead by now if he weren’t.
“I’m assuming that invite extends to me too brother.” Gunner just shook his head, enjoying this way too much. Winding Talon up was one of his favourite pass-times, but it was a dangerous game to play.
“Nope, just Hazel.”
“There’s no way she’s going to your place on her own, arsehole.” Winnie winked at me when she filled up my glass again. No wonder I was well on my way to being tipsy.
“You boys never change, do you.” The three of them started arguing then. Something I imagine they had done many times before. I couldn’t help but smile, I liked this. I had never had this before. This felt like family. Something I had longed for since I was a little girl. Wishing she had a safe haven to run to, escaping all her monsters.
Talon leaned closer, whispering next to my ear.
“You ok, love?” Picking up on the shift in my emotions. Reading me like a book he knew off by heart.
“Yeah.” Kissing me, for him, it was gentle and chaste. Keeping it tame since we were at a family dinner.
“Your just jealous because Cindy wasn’t interested in you.” Gunner was having a full-blown argument with Cole.
“Oh please, she felt sorry for you and your scrawny arse.” I don’t know who this Cindy was, but I guess this was a topic that was often brought up.
“Yeah, she felt so sorry for me, that she let me-” Winnie’s voice cut him off.
“Gunner Carson. Don’t even think about finishing that sentence at the dinner table.” She went all mama bear within the blink of an eye. Both Cole and Gunner stopped in their tracks, well aware what that tone meant.
“I wasn’t going to say anything.” Arching an eyebrow at him, not buying his bullshit.
“I know exactly what you were going to say. I’ve heard that story for so many bloody years, I feel like I was damn well there that night.” Trying my best not to laugh. I may not know Cindy or the situation between her and the guys, but it was obviously something that didn’t need to be shared around the dinner table. Though, it had been shared a lot over the years by the sounds of it.
“Welcome to the family Hazel.” Talon mumbled; I couldn’t help but grin at him. I loved this.
“Now on to more important topics of interest.” Winnie caught everyone’s attention. Though she seemed focused entirely on me and Talon. “When am I going to get me some grandbabies?”
My eyes went wide, tensing up. Thankful I wasn’t eating or drinking at this moment in time. I definitely would have choked to death after that question.
“Mum, we already had this discussion. Now, I deem this another topic not to be spoken about at the dinner table.” Talon was taking the lead on this, thank god. Resting his arm along the back of my chair, gently caressing my back. Soothing me. Could he feel my panic?
It’s not like I was against the idea or anything. It was just something I hadn’t thought about.
But now I was thinking about it…I mean, me and Talon weren’t careful. We had never used any kind of protection. Always lost in the heat of the moment. For all I know, I was already pregnant. Oh god, do not think about that right now.
Would it be the worst thing to have his babies? Hell no. God, imagine them? Having mini-Talon’s running around, my ovaries were more than happy to make this thought a reality. Being here with Talon, seeing his family, I realised how much I wanted this. Maybe a little family of my own one day. Our kids running around our feet, it didn’t sound so bad.
“But I just think-” Winnie started but Talon cut her off before she could continue.
“This is between me and Hazel, no one else. So, end of discussion.” I could kiss him right now.
“Fine. Dessert anyone?” Winnie shot to her feet. Clearing the table, annoyed she had been shut down. Trigger helped her, of course. I noticed they were whispering in hushed tones about something. Trying to be discreet. The guys were oblivious, but I wasn’t.
“Hey you ok?” Talon was worried about me. Did he think his mum was going to scare me off or something? She hadn’t but she did bring up an important topic that maybe we should talk about.
Maybe not right now but…at some point.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Trying my best to reassure him I was ok. Gunner spoke up then.
“If he doesn’t want to give you babies Hazel, I’ll happily volunteer.” Talon kicked him under the table, making Gunner curse under his breath. Serves him right.
“Not going to happen.” Glaring at one another. Again, not getting involved in this.
“Where’s the bathroom?” He stilled.
“Down the hall on your left.” I made a quick escape out of there. Needing a five-minute breather. Plus, I really needed to pee, I blame all the wine.
Stepping inside, I locked the door behind me. Quickly relieving my bladder. I washed my hands, gripping hold of the sink then. Taking a few deep breathes.
I wanted this. I wanted the dinners and all the arguing. The craziness that came hand in hand with it. I wanted the laughter and the love. The silly stories that lead to more arguments. I yearned for a family. Looking around that table out there, I felt like I had found one. One that I wanted to be a part of. One that would surround me with unconditional love. Always looking out for me and protecting me from anything that wished me harm.
What would it have been like though? To grow up in a household like this? To have a loving and devoted mother? To have a father figure who protected you with everything they had. To have brothers, older and younger. There would be no way I would have dated anyone. They would have kept me safe though. Watched out for me and always had my back.
Yet, what did I have instead. A dad who died before I could even get to know him. A mother who couldn’t be asked, one who didn’t want me. Probably wished for me dead many times. No siblings. No one to help me. Just a stepfather who abused me at every turn. Who took advantage of a scared little girl, who was all alone in this world.
I jumped out of my skin when someone knocked on the bathroom door.
“Hazel?” Talon’s voice came from the other side of the door, gentle and soothing.
“I’ll be out in a second.” I wiped the tears away that I didn’t even realise had fallen. Thankfully, my eyes weren’t red or puffy since it was just a few tears.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door.
There he was, leaning against the doorframe. Gazing down at my with his pale green eyes. Could he tell I had shed a few tears?
“You ok?” Trying to play it off.
“Fine.” He arched an eyebrow at me. Moving into my space now, hands on my hips, ushering my back into the bathroom. Shutting the door behind him. Eyes locked onto mine.
“Is it what Gunner said? I’ll have a word with him if need be.” Shaking my head at him.
“No, it’s nothing.” Cupping my face in those large hands, making sure I couldn’t look away from him.
“Talk to me Hazel, it’s something.” Seeing right through me.
“I was just…thinking about your family. How different it is to mine. What it would have been like to grow up here instead of where I did.” His eyes softened, tugging me towards his body, embracing me so tightly.
“I’ve
got you Hazel.” Softly kissing the top of my head. “I wish I had known you back then. Fuck, Hazel I would have done anything to get you away from your mum…away from him. I would have brought you back here with me, kept you hidden. Protected you from anything that wanted to hurt you.” How different my life would have been.
“I wish I known you too.” Kissing me…so slowly, with such tenderness. Clutching onto his shirt, bringing him right against me. Needing to feel him. With his arms around me, I felt safe. Protected. More than anything, I felt adored by him. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep me safe.
“You’re with me now Hazel and I will kill anyone who hurts you.” I knew he would, I could see the promise in his eyes.
“You’re my home Talon.” I knew everything I had been through, every place I had ran to, every time I hid, it had led me here…led me to Talon.
Another gentle tap on the door.
“Everything alright in there?” Winnie had come to check on us. Talon just sighed.
“We’ll be out in a minute mum.” We heard her soft footsteps as she left us to it.
“We should get back out there.” Talon stopped me before I could move away from him.
“But before we do, I’m sorry about my mum bringing up the whole baby talk. I told her not to.” Winnie wasn’t the kind of woman who would ever be told what to do. She was a fierce lioness. I wish I were more like her.
“She did bring up something we should probably talk about.” Frowning down at me.
“You want to talk about it?” Biting down on my bottom lip.
“It made me think about us. I mean, we never use protection. Maybe it should be something we talk about.” Realising what I was saying.
“Shit. I didn’t even think about it.” Running his fingers through his ruffled dirty blonde hair. “You should know I always used condoms, before you.” I arched an eyebrow at him.
“Then why not with me?”
“From a young age we’re taught to protect ourselves. We’re surrounded by club girls who would do anything to trap us. So, it’s a rule we’re all strict with. I was anyway…until you. I guess, maybe I like the idea of you having my babies.” Seriously? Was this something he really wanted?
“I like the idea of it to. I want a family Talon; I want a family with you…one day.” Smiling at me, sheer joy at hearing that. He kissed me; I couldn’t help but melt against his touch.
“I love you Hazel.” Brushing his lips against mine.
“I love you too, my King.” Nibbling on my bottom lip, I giggled as I tried to avoid it.
“We are your family now Hazel, and when the time is right, we’ll add to it. Ok?” Nodding in agreement. When the time was right, it would happen. One day, I would have his babies and we would begin our own little family…one day.
“Ok.” I’m glad we we’re on the same page.
“Right, let’s go get some damn dessert. I’m starving for one of your cupcakes.” Laughing as we wandered out of the bathroom. Arm around my shoulder, tucking me perfectly into his side.
“There you are. Did Gunner upset you? If he did, I will slap him upside his head.” Winnie shot him a look, more than ready to follow through on her threat. Gunner looked me way.
“My bad Hazel.” Shaking my head at him.
“It’s not you, don’t worry about it.” When we sat down, Talon pulled my chair closer to him, so I was pressed right against him. Cradling me close once more.
“We can be a bit much sometimes.” Winnie was worried that they had overwhelmed me.
“It’s not that. It’s just…it made me kind of wish I had this kind of family when I was growing up, that’s all.” Suddenly self-conscious, my eyes dropping down. Avoiding eye contact with them. Winnie reached out and took my hand in hers.
“You have us now.” Holding back the tears, I really didn’t want to cry right now.
“To be honest though Hazel, probably best you didn’t have any of us as older brothers. We would have killed any boy that came near you.” Cole raised his beer to me. Overprotective brothers doesn’t even begin to cover it.
“I always wanted a little girl.” Winnie mumbled next to me, her eyes scanning over me. A serene smile appeared on her face then. “I have one now though because that’s what you are Hazel, my daughter.” Squeezing my hand. Talon brushed his lips against the side of my head. I had a family, a damn good one.
“Thank you.”
“No thanks needed sweetheart. Now dessert?”
After we all finished dessert, we sat around the table just casually chatting. This was lovely, I hope we got to do it more often.
“Well since your all here and we’ve had a wonderful dinner, I’m sure you are all curious why I asked you here.” Winnie was looking around at us all. The guys just looked confused. All apart from Trigger, he looked like was sweating bullets.
“Is everything alright?” Talon asked her.
“I’m fine, more than fine. I just, I thought it was about time I told you boys about what is going on with me. Well, we thought it was time.” They all frowned at her, not sure what she was talking about. I just picked up my wine glass, taking a sip. No one else had any inkling what was going on. It was obvious to me.
“What’s going on?” I was praying this went well.
“I hope you boys can be happy for us.” Talon tensed then. Reaching out to him, I rested my hand on his thigh. Letting him know I was right here.
“What are you talking about?” She looked to Trigger.
“Well, me and Trigger have been seeing one another. He makes me happy and we are serious about each other. So, we thought it was about time we tell you.” Silence fell around us then.
Well, fuck.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Peeking at Talon, then Cole, then Gunner. They were all so still. I could feel the rage radiating off of each one of them. Shit. This was bad.
“How long?” Talon asked. His voice was so deep, grinding his teeth as he spoke.
“About six months.” Wincing when Trigger dropped that bomb on the guys. He looked nervous, so he should, he was in the wolf’s den right now. At any moment they could lunge at him, ready to rip out his throat.
“Why the fuck are we only just finding out now?” Cole snarled at him.
“Cole Robert Kennedy.” He didn’t even look at his mum, he was focused completely on Trigger.
So was Talon.
Gunner was the only one not looking his way. Sipping his beer, though I could see the disappointment in his eyes.
“I’m serious about your mum and I didn’t want anything to mess it up.” That was the spark that ignited the explosion. It all happened so fast.
Cole was out of his chair, flying at Trigger. Throwing punches left right and centre. Trigger never threw one back. Didn’t raise a fist to him. No, he took every hit.
“Stop it right now!” Winnie was hoping to get their attention off of Trigger, but it was pointless. They were locked onto their target and they wouldn’t be deterred.
Gunner was the only one who could break this up.
“Gunner, do something.” Our eyes locked. He sighed, not wanting to end it but he didn’t want to disappoint me. So, he went over to Cole, dragging him off of Trigger.
I figured it was better to get him to stop Cole, rather than Talon. I had a feeling he would just take over from his brother.
“Easy brother, you made your point.” We were all too wrapped up in making sure Cole calmed down that no one noticed Talon move. I heard the punch, cringing from the sound of bone cracking. Glancing over my shoulder, I found Talon had taken over from Cole, just like I thought he would.
Shit.
Gunner was holding Cole back. Winnie was pleading with them to stop. Only one option left then. God, he was going to kill me for getting involved.
Oh, fuck it.
Rushing towards him, I grabbed hold of his arm. Trying to stop him. Needing him to stop hitting Trigger before he killed him.
“Hazel, do
n’t get involved.” Trigger murmured behind me. My only focus was Talon right now. Putting myself in front of him. Standing between him and Trigger. My hands on his chest, keeping him back as best I could.
His emerald eyes were so dark, rippling with fury. He was pissed off, I understood why. They had blindsided him. Kept it secret from him. One of his club brothers was seeing his mum and he was only just finding out about it. After six months of them being together. No wonder they were furious.
Winnie was at Trigger’s side now, checking him over. He had taken one hell of a beating. Bruises already forming. A split lip with blood trickling from it. His eyes were already swelling up from the black eyes he had been given. Christ how was he still conscious.
“You should have fucking told us, she’s our mum.” Talon growled out. He was shaking with rage and I was the only thing holding him back right now.
“I’m not a child. Who I fuck is not something I have to share with you if I don’t want to. I’m your damn mother.” Winnie was shouting at them now, drowning in her own anger.
“He’s our club brother though and there’s rules, you know that.” Talon yanked me into his arms, crushing me against his body. “Come on, we’re going home.”
I didn’t fight him. I just let him guide us towards the front door. Needing to get him away from this whole situation before it could escalate any further.
Even when we were outside, I could still hear shouting coming from Winnie’s.
By the time we reached home, Gunner and Cole were close behind us. Stopping next to my car while they caught up to us.
“What a fucking joke.” Cole was furious, he was suffocating in his emotions.
“I think you need to blow off some steam brother.” Gunner patted Cole on the back. He just nodded, knowing his brother was right.
“Damn right I do. I need some fucking tequila and a woman to suck my-” He stopped himself then, looking my way. “Sorry Hazel.”
“Its fine Cole.” He locked onto Talon now.
“You coming brother?” Would he go with his brothers? Would he need copious amounts of alcohol to help calm him down? Maybe take his frustrations out on one of those club girls while his at it? Maybe I wasn’t what he wanted tonight.