DEFY: The Kings Of Retribution MC ( Novella )

by Sandy Alvarez

  "What do you guys think about having the family over today? Bree has been home a week, and I know everyone is anxious to come see her." Bella says.

  Sofia is the first to speak up, "Sounds like fun. Can I invite Leah and Sam?"

  "Of course," Bella agrees. "I want to invite everyone. Can you call the guys Logan?" she asks.

  "Yeah, Angel. I'll get everyone here. How about you write down what you want to cook, and Sofia and I will run to the store."

  Thirty minutes later after calling the guys and telling them to get their asses to my place in two hours, Sofia and I are on our way to the grocery store. When she asked Bella earlier if she could invite Sam over, I decided to have her ride with me, so we could have a little talk about what was going on with the two of them. Don't get me wrong, I like Sam and he's a good kid, but protecting Sofia is my job. She's been through so much in her life already, and I don't want to see her go through anymore. I clear my throat, "I've noticed you've been hanging out with Sam a lot lately." I watch Sofia's cheeks turn pink, and she ducks her face. Pulling into a parking spot, I turn my truck off then turn towards her. Placing my finger under her chin, I coax her to look at me.

  "We're just friends," she answers softly.

  "But you like him more than friends?" I ask.

  She shrugs her shoulders, "It doesn't matter what I feel. Sam doesn't see me that way. Probably because I'm not good enough for him." Her statement and low opinion of herself pisses me off.

  "Sofia, look at me," I demand. When her innocent brown eyes meet mine, I see sorrow, uncertainty, and unshed tears. "He's not good enough for you. There isn't a bastard out there who will ever be good enough to deserve you. I'm positive Sam sees you. He sees you a hell of a lot more than I would like." I grind out. "And fair warning, when he mans up and makes his feelings known, he will have a long line of men ready to beat his ass if he breaks your heart. If Sam is the decent guy I think he is, then he's just waiting for the right time, sweetheart. Now, let's go in this store and get what we came for before my woman starts blowing up my phone asking me what's takin' so long." Sofia lets out a watery chuckle. Opening the passenger door, she turns and looks over her shoulder at me.

  "Thanks, Logan."

  "Damn brothers, would you look at this shit," Quinn says with his arms raised and motioning around my backyard at all the activity going on when he walks up to me, Reid, and Gabriel. "Two years ago, we would've had a pool full of strippers. Now wherever I look I see kids and toys every fuckin' where."

  Reaching up, I slap him on the back of the head, "Shut the fuck up, asshole."

  "Alright, alright, I was only jokin' man. Seriously, I'm happy for you. Kids are fuckin' great. I can't wait to have me some. I want at least five." He declares.

  "Good luck with that," Reid tells him. "You have to find a woman to put up with your ass first."

  "Not a problem, brother. I already have the perfect baby momma in mind," Quinn tells us as his eyes cut over to Emerson who is sitting across the yard with the women.

  There is one thing I know for sure about my brother, he is persistent. Like the rest of us when he wants something, he goes after it and won't stop until he gets it. Quinn comes across as a goofy motherfucker, and he is, but he's also all heart. Quinn will lay down his life for anyone he cares about, and put a bullet in your head if he sees you as a threat to his family.

  As the evening winds down and the sun begins to set, I sit in my chair and look around at my family that surrounds me. Jake, Gabriel, Quinn, Reid, Nikolai, my father, Bennett and his wife Lisa, Bella, Alba, Emerson, Sofia, Leah, and Sam, Gabe and Ava playing in the yard, Val who is in her momma's arms and my daughter who is asleep in Bella's. This is the fucking life. At that moment, my brothers and I all meet each other's eyes, and at the same time we all lift our bottles towards each other in a silent, hell yeah.

  Chapter Twelve

  BELLA

  It's hard to believe four months have gone by. Four entire months we have been a family of four. As I drink my coffee, I watch Breanna sitting in her stationary walker while she swings a plastic teether ring in the air. So far except for her being a little below average on the growth scale, her development is on schedule for her age. The doctors don’t seem to think she will have any lasting effects from being born with drugs in her system. I can't begin to express how relieved Logan and I both were to hear that little bit of news last week when she had a follow-up appointment with her developmental specialist. To top it off, we got the call yesterday we have been waiting for. In a couple of days, our daughter will legally be ours.

  Just like most days since bringing Breanna home, I'm spending time with my sister. I've stopped working at the shop for now, so I can completely devote my time to being a stay-at-home mommy. The choice not to work was much harder than I thought it would be. I've worked hard since I was sixteen and enjoyed what I was doing at the shop. Spending my days watching our daughter grow and discover the world around her has been so worth it.

  "How you are feeling?" I ask my sister as she sinks back into her chair holding my sleeping niece in her arms. I know she has been up late into the night trying to finish graphics for authors the past week. I'm proud of her. Alba has made a name for herself and has started to obtain quite a few clients since starting her cover design business.

  "Like I need a vacation," she answers with a yawn.

  "I don’t see how you do it. You have two little ones and still manage to do everything you do." I respond. I admire my sister. She is such a good mother.

  "You look tired today, long night?"

  "Bree slept all night. Has been for a couple of weeks now, but I do feel tired. To top it off I put on my favorite pair of jeans this morning and couldn't button the damn things. I'm getting fat." I tell her. To be honest, I can't fit into any of my jeans. I've been living in leggings for a month now. Taking Bree from the walker, I place her on my lap. Reaching behind me, I retrieve the diaper bag and grab a cloth to wipe a little dribble from Bree's mouth. When I'm through fussing over my baby girl happily playing in my lap, I look up. "What?" I inquire because Alba has a look on her face I can't decipher.

  "Could you be pregnant?"

  "What? No."

  Standing she bends and places her sleeping daughter into the pack 'n play, "You say you're tired and you can't fit into your clothes. Have you felt nauseous at all?"

  I think back, "No."

  "Then how do you know. You could be. I know you’ve had irregular menstrual cycles since the miscarriage," Alba's eyes soften as soon as the word leaves her lips and I feel a physical squeeze on my heart, "But you can still get pregnant."

  I haven’t given it much thought. She's right about my cycle being off since. The doctor said it was normal to experience cycle changes due to the stress of losing the baby, so I haven’t attributed it to any other reason.

  "Are you and Logan still trying? Are you preventing it from happening?" she asks.

  My body tingles all over. Could I be? Alba walks to her purse which is sitting on the kitchen table, then walks back towards me holding out a package I know all too well. A pregnancy test.

  "Here. Only one way to know for sure, right?"

  "Should I even ask why you have one of those in your purse?" I raise my eyebrow at her.

  She shrugs her shoulders, "I'm content with the two we have for the moment, but the man is determined."

  I can't do anything but shake my head and smile. I swap Bree for the test and walk to the bathroom. I take care of the deed and set the stick on the counter. A soft tap on the door reminds me to breathe again. Opening the door, I let my sister in.

  "I laid Bree down with Valentina, she was starting to fall asleep. Gabe is sitting in his playpen playing with his toys,” she peers past my shoulder, "Well?" my sister inquires about the test sitting on the counter behind me.

  "I'm afraid to look. What if I am? What if I miscarry again? What if I'm not?" I confess the mess of emotions stirring inside of me. I'm scared to l
et myself hope.

  "You want me to look first?" Alba asks.

  Holding back tears, I nod my head. She brushes past me and picks up the pregnancy stick and looks down at it. I do my best to judge her expression. She has none. My stomach sinks.

  Exhaling she turns and faces me, "You're pregnant," she flips the stick so that the digital window is visible.

  'Pregnant'

  For a moment I can't form a coherent thought. Not until my sister touches my arm. I blink and look at her. Tears pool in my eyes and I blink them away. "Oh my god." I murmur and have to sit down on the edge of the tub to keep from falling. I'm pregnant. I'm going to have a baby.

  She walks over and sits beside me. "Don't let yourself go there. You need to be positive about this. Let's go call the doctor and get you in to confirm everything."

  I lean my head back and steady my breathing. Repeating over and over in my head, everything will be okay. Getting up, I walk back into the living room and retrieve my phone. The living room is silent. All three kids fast asleep.

  A few minutes later, due to a cancellation, I have an appointment this afternoon in two hours. Sofia soon appears around the corner shortly after hearing the front door open and close. Perfect timing. "Hey, Sofia. Can you watch the kids? I need my sister to take me to the doctor," I ask her.

  Placing her bag on the chair beside her, she gives me a concerned look. "Is everything okay?"

  I drop my phone into my purse before sitting down on the couch joining Alba. "I need to have a pregnancy test done," I confess. "But I don't want to go alone."

  A broad smile spreads across her face, "Of course I'll watch the kiddos." She plops down on the couch next to me, "This is crazy. So, you think you might be pregnant?" she questions hopefully.

  I shrug my shoulders worried and unsure about everything. Repeating what my sister said before Sofia tries to comfort me. Think positively.

  "If it's meant to be, it will be," Sofia says.

  Now I'm sitting in the exam room with Alba by my side, doing my best to stay positive. Maybe I should have called Logan, but I want to know for sure before I tell him. I don't want to get his hopes up.

  "Mrs. Kane, your test came back positive, so let's look at you and baby and see just how far along you are," my doctor says after entering the room. The nurse who follows her begins preparing me by applying the cold gel to my stomach, then turns off the light as the doctor takes her seat. My sister can't stop smiling beside me. I won't allow myself to get excited just yet. I hold my breath.

  "Okay," she says as she places the ultrasound wand onto my lower abdomen and moves it around, "There he or she is," she points to the computer screen.

  I stare at the image, "I'm pregnant," I bring my hand to cover my mouth and fight the urge to cry.

  "No doubt that you are indeed pregnant, and almost four months along by the looks of things."

  "Holy shit!" I loudly whisper. I look down at my stomach which is a little pudgy. I thought I was overeating because I'm at home all day. "What about the spotting I've had the past few months?” I ask her with worry.

  "It's normal to have some spotting early in pregnancy. You'll be monitored closely due to your history, but as far as I can see you and baby look good. Congratulations!" she smiles.

  After cleaning the gel from my abdomen, I sit up as the doctor turns and hands me the pictures.

  "Here's the baby's first selfie and a prescription for prenatal vitamins and some extra iron since your blood work showed your levels were a bit low. If you want to schedule a 3d sonogram call the office and we'll get you set up."

  I'm still at a loss for words while she continues to talk, and my fear still very present.

  "Bella," she addresses me personally, "Everything looks perfect. You've made it past the mark of your last pregnancy. Go home. Share the good news with your husband."

  I can't believe we are going to have a baby. I reach down and place my hand on my belly and leave it there on my drive home.

  "How do you plan on telling Logan?" Alba inquires as she drives us back to my place.

  A smile spreads across my face, "Tomorrow after we legally become Breanna's parents."

  Still in bed, I stretch and moan before strong arms pull my body close, wrapping me in a warm hug.

  "Today's the day, Angel," Logan's breath dances across my ear causing my skin to prickle. Today is the day we legalize the adoption. Today is also the day I give Logan his surprise. He knew I was hiding something from him when he came home last night. He tried to pry it out of me. Even used sex to try and make me cave. I stayed strong and told him I had a surprise for him, and he would have to wait until today. "Forever. She will be ours forever," I snuggle further into his embrace.

  "How much longer you gonna make me wait for this surprise of yours?" he rubs his hand down over my hip before slipping it under my shirt and palming my breast. He starts to pepper kisses down the back of my neck.

  "You have to wait a little while longer," I moan when he lightly rolls my nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Moving, he hovers his body above mine. Without thought, I spread my legs letting him settle between them. Before things get any further, Breanna makes herself known with her jibber playing through the baby monitor sitting on my nightstand. Logan smiles. She has stolen his heart. She has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. He presses his lips to mine.

  "I'll get her. Why don't you go start some coffee," he says playfully.

  Mornings have become his time with our daughter. I often lay and listen to the monitor while he sits and talks to her. Already telling her she can't date until she turns thirty or that he will beat any boy who breaks her heart. I lift my head from my pillow and give him a soft kiss. Breanna having waited long enough starts to fuss. Putting aside the want for one another, Logan climbs out of bed.

  Soon after eating lunch we load up and head towards downtown. In less than an hour, we will go before the judge in family court. Logan reaches over and grabs my hand. We've been riding in silence with only the occasional babble from Breanna as Sofia plays with her in the back seat. Several Harleys fall in behind us. Twisting, I look through the rear window to see who I already knew I would see. Our family. Jake and the rest of the guys along with my sister behind them in her truck followed by Mila in her vehicle.

  Standing outside the courthouse when we pull into a parking spot is Logan's brother Nikolai. He walks toward us while I try to unload Breanna.

  "Glad you could make it," Logan says closing the car door behind him.

  "Wouldn't have missed your and Bella's big day," Nikolai says. Slinging the diaper bag over my shoulder, I snuggle Breanna in my arms, and we walk into the building along with everyone else.

  Logan and I sit at a table before an older, grey-haired judge and our lawyer stands. After going through the swearing-in process, we run through stating our names, address, and occupation before our lawyer speaks.

  "Your Honor, we're here today in the matter of the adoption of Breanna." Our lawyer addresses the judge.

  "I see we have a room full," the judge smiles, then addresses Logan and I directly, "Are you two prepared for what lies ahead? Are you prepared to take care of her until the legal age of eighteen?"

  "Your honor, we'll take care of her for the rest of her life. She'll never want for anything," Logan declares.

  The judge looks down at the papers he's shifting in his hands before picking up a pen he begins to write, "Mr. Kane, I have no doubt she will be well loved and cared for. Your caseworker has had nothing but good things to say about you and your wife." Lifting his head, he asks, "Mrs. Kane, could you please tell the court the full name of your daughter to be recorded."

  My stomach flutters as excitement takes over. "Breanna Rose Kane, your honor," I say proudly. Reaching for her daddy, I pass Breanna to Logan. Logan's mom meant the world to him, so Breanna's middle name honors that love.

  Rising from his seat, the judge makes his way to us, "Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Kane." He h
ands Breanna a fuzzy brown teddy bear, which she eagerly grasps hold of in her hands. The room erupts in applause from our family. Reaching out, my husband and the judge shake hands.

  "I wish your family all the best," he proclaims.

  We're in the middle of taking a few pictures with the judge when I whisper to Logan, "Are you ready for your surprise?"

  He pulls me into his side, "Surprise me."

  I glance around the room to catch my sister and Sofia eagerly waiting for me to reveal my secret. I lean on my tiptoes and whisper in his ear, "I'm pregnant."

  Chapter Thirteen

  LOGAN

  It takes me a minute to process what Bella said when her warm breath whispers in my ear, and now, she is patiently waiting for me to react to the news.

  "Logan? Did you hear me?"

  Still holding my daughter, I focus my attention on my woman, "Are you sure?" I ask her. Swiping a tear from under her eye, she nods.

  "I'm four months pregnant." She clarifies.

  Holy shit. Just when I thought my life couldn't get any better, Bella proves otherwise. Placing my palm on her cheek, I lean in and claim her mouth, kissing her. Everything I ever wanted or needed in my life is right here in one room. My woman, our daughter Breanna, Sofia, my father and brother, and my club. And now I'm going to be a dad again in another five months. My life has come full circle. Nothing in my life feels unfinished. I'm over the fuckin' moon in love with the beautiful woman standing in front of me and our daughter whom I'm holding in my arms. Not being able to contain what I'm feeling I look towards our family still gathered at the back of the room. "We're having a baby!" I shout, and the courthouse erupts into a fury of cheers.