DEFY: The Kings Of Retribution MC ( Novella )

by Sandy Alvarez

"Why don't you take the day off work. Go to the hospital and talk with Emerson and see if she can help you figure out what steps you need to take when it comes to the baby."

  "Breanna," I tell him.

  "Who?" He asks with a confused look.

  "I've secretly given her the name Breanna," I tell him sheepishly while looking down at my feet. "It means strong. Because she is strong and she's a fighter. I hated referring to her as Baby Doe."

  Placing his finger underneath my chin, Logan forces me to look at him. "Breanna is a beautiful name." Standing up, Logan pulls me into him and I wrap my arms around his middle. "Come on, babe. You call Emerson, and I'll let Jake know you won't be in today. Okay?"

  With a nod, I kiss him one last time before he heads out the door. Once I hear his bike roar down the driveway, I walk over to the kitchen sink and splash cold water on my face. After taking a couple of deep breaths I walk over to the kitchen table and pick up my phone so that I can shoot off a text to Emerson.

  Me: Hey, you at home or work?

  Emerson: Home. What's up?

  Me: Can I come over. I need to talk?

  Emerson: Of course. Everything okay?

  Me: Yes. I'm on my way.

  I'm not sure where to start with the adoption process, but hopefully, Emerson will be able to lead me in the right direction. I would think working at the hospital she would at least know what happens to children in situations where the parents abandoned them. She did tell me they are turned over to the state and placed into foster care. Maybe that is my first step. Becoming a foster parent.

  Twenty minutes later I'm knocking on Emerson's apartment door. When she opens the door, the first thing I notice is how tired she looks. "You okay?" I ask when she motions for me to come in and I toss my purse on her sofa.

  "Yeah, I'm fine. I just got off shift."

  "Em! Why didn't you tell me when I texted you?" Shit, now I feel bad.

  She waves me off. "Don't sweat it. It always takes me an hour or two to wind down enough to go to sleep. I'm not one of those people who can fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow." She assures. "I was just about to have some coffee; you want some?"

  "No thanks, but I'll take some juice if you have any."

  Walking over to the refrigerator, Emerson pulls out a bottle of orange juice and pours me a glass. Setting my glass down on the coffee table in front of me, Emerson sits next to me with her mug and tucks her legs underneath her. "So, what's going on?" She asks.

  "How are you doing after what happened at the clubhouse over the weekend?" I ask her. "I hope you didn't get turned off by what that piece of shit did. I want you to know none of the guys wouldn't ever let anything happen to you. Especially Quinn." I say with concern. I hate that some asshole was able to drug her and take her outside of the clubhouse. I hate even more that I wasn't paying close enough attention to her. My stomach turns at the thought of what happened to her could have been much worse. Thank God Logan found her in time. Just not soon enough. Emerson still carries a faint bruise on her cheek from where that son of a bitch slapped her. The guy is lucky he's still alive. Logan told me Riggs handled the prospect. But he also said Quinn disappeared from the clubhouse not long after the prospect was sent away, and when he returned an hour later his knuckles were busted up. One guess as to what he did. "I know the guys are feeling like shit about the whole situation too. The club would never stand for a woman to be treated such a way," I continue.

  "Seriously, I'm fine. And I know the guys would never allow something like that to happen. I promise I'm okay. It's not the first time I've had to deal with scum, and it won't be the last. Now enough apologizing and let's talk about why you're here." she chides. Though I want to question her further by what she means when she said she's had to deal with scum before, the look on her face tells me she doesn't want me to press.

  Deciding to bite the bullet and just come out with it, I tell her. "I want to adopt Baby Doe.” I wait for a second to see what her response is going to be, but when I look over at her, she has a big smile on her face. Emerson does not seem to be the least bit shocked at my statement.

  "I knew by the second day you spent with her this was going to be the outcome," she tells me.

  "What? You did?"

  Emerson smiles behind her cup. "I did. The second day you visited her, I snuck up to the NICU to check on you. You didn't see me, but I watched you. When you were holding her, the way you were looking down at her and she was looking up at you, I knew that you two belonged to each other. You two meeting was meant to be. Her mother abandoned her, you were lost, and you both found each other."

  For the second time this morning I'm crying. Emerson sets her cup down on the table and inches closer to me on the sofa hugging me. Pulling away from her, I use the sleeve of my shirt to wipe my eyes. I'm thankful I decided to forgo makeup today. "Do you have any advice as to what my first step should be?" I ask.

  Standing, Emerson walks into the kitchen and over to the counter where her cell phone is. "I have a friend that works with Social Services. I'm going to call her and see about getting the ball rolling on you becoming a foster parent. The adoption process could be lengthy and if you were able to foster, then at least the baby would be able to stay with you and Logan during that time."

  Suddenly feeling nervous about my chances of being accepted, I ask, "What about the club? No way will the state approve us with Logan being a member of an MC."

  "Don't you worry about that. My friend owes me big time. She will come through for me on getting you accepted." Sagging with relief, I wait and listen as Emerson makes her call.

  Later that evening I'm preparing dinner and waiting for Emerson's call. When I left her apartment, she assured me her friend was going to pull some strings and get Logan and I accepted. Hearing the front door open, I look over my shoulder and smile when I see Logan walking through. Striding into the kitchen, he takes his cut off and hangs it on the back of the barstool then walks up behind where I'm standing at the stove and wraps his arms around me and kisses my neck. His touch sends shivers down my spine.

  "Hi, Angel," he rasps into the crook of my neck.

  "Hi," I whisper back just before his mouth claims mine.

  "You get things sorted out today?"

  "I hope so. I went to see Em this morning, and she called in a favor. She said our best bet is to become foster parents first that way Bree could live with us while we file for adoption."

  "That's good, babe. When will we hear something back?"

  "Em said she'd call me soon. I'm nervous Logan. What if they say no? I can't stand the thought of Bree getting shuffled from one foster home to the next, or her ending up with bad people." I choke out.

  "Don't let those negative thoughts creep inside your head. Everything will work out." Blowing out a breath, I allow my body to relax back into Logan's frame.

  "You're right. No need in me getting worked up until there something to be worked up about." Glancing around the kitchen and in the living room, Logan asks. "Where's Sofia?"

  "She's staying the night with her friend Lucy. They're working on a history paper." I tell him.

  A moment later we both turn our heads towards the door when we hear the bell ring. "Can you let your dad in while I finish dinner?"

  Logan strides to the front door and greets his father. I'm pulling the enchiladas out of the oven when they both walk into the kitchen. Taking the oven mitts off and setting them on the counter I turn to greet Demetri. That man is a sight. His dark hair with the slightest touch of grey on the sides and those trademark green and blue eyes. I love my husband, but I can appreciate a good-looking man. "How are you doing, Demetri?" I ask kissing him on his cheek.

  "I am well, Krasavitsa beautiful," He says giving my arm a gentle squeeze.

  "Why don't you two go sit out on the deck, and I'll bring you a beer. Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes."

  "Thanks, babe," Logan says and kisses my temple before leading his dad out to the deck
.

  An hour later and nearly a whole casserole dish of enchiladas gone, Logan, his dad and I are sitting by the fire pit with full stomachs while drinking beer. I'm sitting in Logan's lap with my head resting on his chest and enjoying the rumble of his voice as his and Demetri's conversation flows freely. I'm brought out of my daze when I hear my cell phone ringing from inside.

  Sliding off Logan's lap, I make my way inside to answer my call. Seeing Emerson's name on the screen, I respond immediately. "Em?" On the other end of the line, I hear her deep sigh and my gut is telling me she has bad news. "Just tell me Em." I urge.

  "You and Logan were accepted."

  Closing my eyes, I let out the breath I was holding. "Thank God," I breathe.

  "But, it's going to take at least six months for all the paperwork to process," she states next, dropping the bomb.

  Just like that, my hopes are shattered. "Six months!" I nearly shout, and seconds later Logan is by my side.

  "I'm sorry, Bella. My friend was able to get you accepted, but she still has to go through her supervisor. She did try everything she could." Emerson's voice sounds pained.

  "It's okay, Em. I know you did everything you could. I am grateful for your help."

  "We'll figure something out, Bella."

  I don't want her to feel even worse than she already does. "You've done enough Em; seriously, you're a good friend. I'll talk with Logan, and we'll see what happens next."

  I let out another deep sigh, "Okay, I'll call you tomorrow."

  Hanging up the phone, I turn to Logan and bury my face in his chest. "We were accepted as foster parents but will have to wait at least six months," I say through muffled sobs.

  Logan runs his palms up and down my arms trying to comfort me, "We'll figure something out, Angel."

  "Son? Is everything alright?" I hear Demetri ask.

  When I look up at Logan I see him silently ask me if it's okay he tells his father what's going on, and I give a slight nod allowing him to confide in his dad.

  "Bella and I have decided to adopt. As I was just discussing with you earlier, Bella has been volunteering at the hospital. She has been visiting a baby girl who was abandoned by her mother. The baby has come to mean somethin' to Bella, and we have decided to see about making her ours." He says.

  "That's wonderful news, yes?" Demetri smiles.

  Shaking his head, Logan continues. "It is, but adoption can take a while, so Bella's friend pulled some strings and got us accepted as foster parents, only it could take up to six months for everything to be finalized."

  "I see," Demetri remarks understanding our dilemma. Reaching into his suit jacket, Logan's father pulls out his cell phone. After taping on the screen, he holds it up to his ear. A second later he begins to speak. "Donovan, find out who the head of Montana Social Services is. Logan and his wife have some paperwork that needs to be pushed to the top of the pile by the end of the day tomorrow. Call me when it's taken care of."

  Demetri ends his call, and I'm standing here stunned while Logan has a huge smile on his face. What the hell just happened? "Wh… what did you just do?" I ask barely able to find my words.

  "Helping my son and daughter-in-law make me a Deda grandfather."

  Unable to hold back my sobs, Logan scoops me up into his arms and whispers into my ear. "You see, Angel, I told you it would all work out."

  Chapter Nine

  LOGAN

  Prez showed up this morning looking like he'd been through hell. He briefly pulled me to the side just before church letting me know about a text he received from an unknown number claiming to be Grace. She was letting him know she wouldn't be coming back to town for awhile, if at all. He didn't disclose any other details except for the fact it's not settling too well with him. Therefore, we have another issue on our hands to investigate.

  The Louisiana chapter ended up staying an extra day longer than expected to make sure there wouldn't be any fall out from the asshole who tried to harm Emerson. However they did come here for more than a good time, we're all heading in to church so they can get on the road today.

  "Jake, good to see ya, brother. You missed a good party the other night," Riggs stops just before entering the room and shakes Prez's hand.

  "Riggs. Sorry, I had to miss it," Jake replies his tone tired and a little scratchy.

  "No worries. Next time you come down south, I'll make sure you don't miss out." Riggs places his hand on Prez's shoulder telling him.

  "I'll hold you to it, brother," Prez tells him. And they walk into the room.

  Once everyone files in, the meeting starts. We run over the usual bullshit before Riggs, and his other officers fill us in on matters down south. It turns out they are having a bit of a problem with a couple of local gangs starting turf wars in the area, and one is pushing some heavy shit. Things sound like they are starting to get bad just as Riggs stated yesterday.

  Leaning back in his chair Prez asks, "What do you need us to do?"

  "I'm aware you’ve gotten out of the gun trade, but I need to get my hands on a few things. My list of items is particular to my style and my taste." Riggs tells him.

  Prez drums his knuckles on the table a few beats as he thinks. His eyes cut to mine. "You think your old man could help us out?"

  I bob my head. More than confident my dad will make good on anything, I reply, "I can give him a call."

  Pulling a piece of paper from his pocket, Fender slides it across the table. Jake unfolds and reads it before handing it to me. It’s a list of materials and supplies. Military grade equipment mostly. Shit. Riggs was serious about being particular and hard to get.

  M40A5/6/7 Sniper Rifle

  NVDs (night vision goggles)

  M4A1s

  Just to name a few.

  I lift my eyes from the paper. With a raised eyebrow I look at him.

  His shoulders shrug, "I'm a bit of a prepper. I like being ready for anything. Including war," he admits.

  "The moment you need our presence you let me know. We'll ride down and help clean house," Prez tells him.

  "Good to know, brother. For right now I think watching them is best. I don't want to make them jumpy. Not yet anyway."

  I fold the paper and slide it back to Prez. I'll let him and my dad sort out the details like they used to. The rest of church is hashing out plans for a run and sparking interest in the club. Gain a few recruits throughout the rest of the year. See if we can build our numbers. When it's over, we gather outside.

  Riggs, Fender and Kiwi gear up to head out, minus one prospect.

  "Had a good time. You come on down when you get the chance, and we will show you how we do it in Louisiana. Ya?" Riggs announces as he throws his leg over his bike and slides his shades over his eyes.

  "You got it," I tell him.

  "You bring dat pretty woman of yours too," he smirks.

  Aside from the incident with Emerson, the weekend went well. Everyone had a good time and took care of business at the same time. Once they’ve cleared the property line, the guys and I head back inside. I pull my phone from my pocket and check the time. Gabriel walks up and plants his large hand on my shoulder, "Today is the day?"

  He's referring to the first day I'll be meeting Breanna. I'd like to say I'm fine; the truth is I'm nervous as fuck. Bella has had more time to bond with her and get to know her little personality. I've watched her settle into the mom role, and it looks so beautiful on her. I want that too. I want to feel what she is feeling. I want the baby to connect with me. What if she doesn't? What if I don't feel the connection Bella talks about all the time? I want kids more than anything. I don't care how that comes about, but what if I've missed that crucial time where we can form our bond. "I meet Bella at the hospital in an hour," I tell him.

  "It's the best feeling ever, brother," Gabriel confesses. One last pat and he walks away. Walking into the kitchen, I head to the cabinet and grab a coffee mug from inside. Pouring the coffee into the cup, I carry it to the table and take a seat next
to Reid whose nursin' his own as he types away on his laptop. Whatever he's doing he has an intense look on his face.

  Curiosity getting the best of me, so I ask him, "What up?"

  Pausing he picks up his coffee and takes a drink, "Prez asked me to see what I could dig up on Grace."

  I guess he isn't entirely convinced himself Grace wanted to leave. I'm not entirely convinced myself. I rub and stretch my neck trying to work the tension out of it. I feel Reid studying me. With a raise of my brow, indicating he needs to speak whatever it is that's on his mind, he finally spills.

  "It was unexpected. The connection I have with Ava. She may be a part of my brother- my blood, but I wasn't there for the first four years of her life. We were strangers, but she accepted me- loved me just as I loved her from day one. Hearing her call me daddy for the first time was one of the most defining moments in my life," he tells me.

  I don't say anything. He wouldn't have said a thing if he couldn't have read me right. The whole club knows everything at this point. Our loss is now their loss. Our goals, dreams, and determination mingle with their support as they do everything they can to help them become a reality.

  I gulp down the last of my coffee and stand. "I'll see ya later," I tell Reid as I keep my thoughts and emotions in check.

  A short drive later I'm pulling into the parking lot at the hospital. Bella is sitting on a bench located near the entrance of the hospital waiting on me and scrolling through pictures on her phone as I stride up behind her.

  She looks up from her phone. Standing, she tucks it into her back pocket and wraps her arms around my waist, burying her face into my chest. Her scent fills my senses and her touch instantly easing my nerves. I run my hands through her hair. Tilting her head back I lower mine and kiss her lips.

  Licking my taste from her bottom lip, she peers at me through her lashes, "You ready?" She asks as she runs her fingers through my hair.

  "I'm ready."

  Heads turn as we make our way down the hallway before stopping at the nurses station.