by Erin Osborne
For several minutes, neither man says a word. They stare me down. I’ve seen this tactic from them before. Each man is trying to intimidate the fuck out of me because they don’t know if they can trust me when it comes to her. Not yet, they don’t.
“You know everythin’ she has goin’ on. You sure right now is the time to make a relationship try to work between you two?” Torch asks me.
“Yes, I do. She knows I’ll have her back. I’m goin’ to start attendin’ Al-Anon with you both while she’s in her meetin’. She told me she loves me and wants to be with me. We’re not jumpin’ right back into havin’ sex or any of that. Instead, we’re goin’ to take each day as it comes at us. Yeah, we’re gonna fight, argue, and everythin’ in between. I’d rather fight with Victoria than fuck anyone else. Especially the bunnies around here,” I honestly inform them.
“You hurt her, we’ll gut you. Slowly. With a dull fuckin’ blade. You’ll suffer, and then we’ll play with fire. You got me?” Pyro asks, standing up and leaning toward me over the table.
“I got you.”
“Good. Welcome to the family,” he says, a grin splitting his face as the glare disappears. “Now, let’s go have some fuckin’ fun, boys!”
We leave the room, meeting Satan in the hallway. He asks if everything is good, and we all nod our response. With that out of the way, I let him know when Vic is ready, I’ll be claiming her. Satan only nods, reminding me of what has to go down. That’s the only reason I’m waiting to claim her. I already know who will be in the room— Wrath and Grinder. They’re usually the ones we pick because they’re extremely discreet and know how to keep their mouths shut. No one will even know a claiming is happening. Not that the rest of my brothers would talk about it. None of us do.
Every single guy here walks down to the basement where Axel is being held. He’s hanging from a beam in the ceiling, naked. Tears are streaming down his face while he’s already pissed himself. Bruises are forming on his face and side too. I can’t help the laughter flying free as I take in his appearance— the rest of the guy’s smirk.
“Sorry. He fell, and we had to help him back up. Clumsy fucker!” Wrath declares as we all form a circle around him.
“You ready to answer some questions?” Satan questions Axel as he lifts his head.
“I don’t have to tell you a damn thing,” he responds.
“You’re right, you don’t,” I say, my voice deceptively cheery as I stalk toward him. “Just like we don’t have to take our time with you. We can gut you right here, now. We’ll eventually figure out what Scott’s up to, and we’ll get our hands on him. For now, I’d like to play. You know, make sure I’ve still got my skills.”
Picking up a knife, I begin to slice Axel’s torso. The cuts aren’t deep, just enough to sting as he hiss’s through each slice. After I’ve placed several cuts on him, I set the knife down, picking up pliers. If I didn’t need to leave something for Torch and Pyro, I’d just fuck him up right now and end his miserable fucking life. I can’t do that, though.
“Ready to talk?”
“What do you want to know?” he asks, looking down in defeat.
“Really? A couple of cuts on you and you pussy out. Glad we’re findin’ that shit out now instead of patchin’ your bitch ass in,” Torch laughs. “How do you know Scott?”
“He’s my cousin. Our moms are sisters. That’s why no one could make a connection. Different last names,” he proudly informs us.
“That’s why you leave my sister alone today? Was he gonna try and get to her?” Pyro asks him, stepping forward and landing a punch to his ribs.
“I don’t know what his plan was. He just called me and asked if I was the one on babysittin’ duty. He’s been in town since just after she got here. Scott knows everythin’,” Axel tells us.
“He doesn’t know everythin’,” I inform him.
“Yeah, he does. Includin’ where you live. I filled him in on that piece of information,” he proudly states.
I lose my shit. Landing punches, kicks, grabbing a knife, I begin stabbing him repeatedly. I’m not sure how many men pull me from him. By the time I’m done, he’s laughing while coughing up blood. They think they’ve won. Scott hasn’t won a fucking thing.
“I’m sorry,” I finally mutter as I compose myself. “I won’t touch him again.”
“If it weren’t you, I would’ve let him have it,” Pyro announces.
We hear a cough, wheeze, and then nothing from Axel. I lost my shit and killed the fucker. Now we don’t know where the fuck Scott is hiding out. Hanging my head, I wait for Torch, Pyro, and Satan to let me have it. I’m about to be the next one hanging up there while they beat the fuck outta me. I deserve nothing less.
“Well, fuck,” Satan says. “Get the Prospects down here to clean this mess up. We’ll figure somethin’ out to get Scott out of hidin’. For now, Victoria has to stay here. There isn’t goin’ to be a safe place for her. I say we let her out on a limited basis for her appointments. Raine has already been talkin’ about goin’ to lunch. We’re gonna let her go. If it draws Scott out, we’ll get him then.”
“I don’t like it,” Torch states.
“Me either,” I follow him.
“No other choice. Not sure Axel would’ve given us the information if he didn’t die. We’ll make sure they’re all guarded. You think I’m gonna let my woman go anywhere near this shit without havin’ plenty of guards on her?” Satan asks us.
“We hear you. We’ll talk to her and see where her heads at with it,” Pyro responds as we all head out of the basement. “Go to my room and get cleaned up. We gotta leave soon for our meetin’.”
Nodding my head, I take his keys and make my way there. I’m cursing myself the entire time for killing the fucker. He was goading us, and I took the fucking bait. Fuck!
I quickly get washed up, change into clothes Pyro brought in for me. After getting Victoria, we all head out. She wants to get dinner while we’re out. Somehow we manage to convince her to get something to bring back to the clubhouse so the four of us can spend some time together. That’s how we spend our night. As a family. She doesn’t even put up a fight when I let her know we’ll be staying here for the foreseeable future.
Chapter Twenty-One
Victoria
WE’VE BEEN AT the clubhouse for almost a week now. Things are tense to say the least. I know something has happened since being here because Axel is nowhere to be seen. No one will answer where he’s been either. I’m not sure what that’s about; I don’t think I want to know either. There’s usually only one reason for a guy in the club to go missing. They messed up to the point they’re no longer going to be heard from. Ever.
Tags and I spend as much time together as possible. I’m still going to my appointments. The only change is Tags now goes with my brothers to Al-Anon while I’m at my own meeting. Then, we all go out to dinner or hang out at the clubhouse without everyone else. Those meetings take a lot out of us. Whether we talk or not, it’s still hard to hear others stories.
True to my word, I did stand up at a meeting and share my story with the other individuals in the group. There were tears shed from multiple people in the room. One gentleman even stood up after I was done sharing and gave me a standing ovation. After the meeting, he let me know not all men are scum sucking assholes like Scott is. Things happen which are out of our control. It’s a fact of life. Nothing could’ve been done about me losing my baby. He then went on to share the loss of his own child when his wife had a miscarriage. If nothing else, he gave me hope about the little peanut I’m carrying now.
Dawn was so proud of me for standing up and sharing. We’re more than a counselor and patient; she’s a friend of mine. While no one else can understand exactly where I’m coming from, she can. I’ve also been opening up more about things with Tags and my brothers about everything. If I’m feeling bad about things, we talk. One of the three of them are always willing to talk to me one-on-one about things no matter what’
s going on. Dawn is still my go to though.
We spend our time talking, hanging out, and learning about one another. Movies and music are a big part of what we do when we’re hanging out alone. I love music and have forgotten that while I was drinking. My only concern was shutting the voice up in my head instead of using music to get through my emotions. There is always a song out there relating to something everyone is going through. Instead of turning to music, I made some bad choices. Choices I won’t make again.
Tags and I also spend time talking about the baby. It’s good considering I get out my fears with him. He also understands I don’t want to tell anyone until I’m at a certain point in my pregnancy. To the safety point as some people call it. I know I’m not going to be able to hide a pregnancy forever; I’m not dumb. However, I’ll start to show soon, and my brothers have eagle eyes when it comes to me.
While we talk about my fears, I also listen to Tags’ fears too. He has them. He’s worried he’s going to be a shit father or that he’ll hurt the baby somehow. That we’re not going to be able to make it as a couple because of his fuckups. We spend time reassuring one another the best we can.
I love getting to know Tags. Before we started doing this, I loved the man he is. He’s kind, caring, loving, loyal, and extremely protective. Now, I know where he’s come from and why he is the way he is. Tags didn’t have a loving family growing up. His childhood was spent bouncing from one foster home to another. I hate that for him. He has so much love to give and I’m ready to take it from him. Just like I’m ready to give all the love I have to give to him.
Today, I’m actually being allowed to go out of the clubhouse. I haven’t even been allowed to leave to go to work in the last week. Raine, Hollie, and I are going to lunch in town. There’s a small diner they want me to go to with them. So, here I am getting ready to head out for a while this afternoon.
I’ve showered and dressed in a long, maxi dress. My dress is black, so I pair it with a pair of red wedges and a red belt around my waist. I leave my hair down and brush on a light eye shadow with my favorite lip gloss. I’m ready to head out. So, I leave Tags room, making sure to lock the door since the house bunnies are assholes and try to sneak in the men’s rooms when they get the chance.
Raine and Hollie are already in the common room when I get out there. I’d have already been out there, but morning sickness is starting for me and it’s a bitch. I hate getting sick. Now, I have no choice in the matter. Hopefully it’s not as bad for very long and I don’t have it like I’ve heard some women do; their entire pregnancy.
“You ready to go?” Raine asks me, standing up from the table they’re sitting at.
“Yeah. Sorry I took so long,” I reply, walking out behind them.
“We weren’t waiting for very long,” Hollie assures me. “Had to find the guys to stay with the kids.”
I offer a small smile in return and fight the urge to place my hand over my stomach. One day I’ll be having to look for Tags so he can watch our little one while I go out somewhere. Or to work. I want to shout it out to the world about being pregnant. At the same time, I’m nervous to jinx it, so for now this is a secret Tags and I share. Another one we share.
Raine leads us to an SUV. I climb in the back while the sisters sit up front. They talk about the latest things their kids are doing as I sit back and listen to them.
“We’re dominating the conversation,” Hollie says, turning around to look at me. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s nice listening to you guys talk about your children. Not many people know, but I had a miscarriage a few months ago. Now, my ex is stalking me and causing me some grief,” I inform the sisters as we make our way into town.
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Raine says, looking at me in the mirror. “Looks like our babysitter caught up with us.”
I turn so I can see out the back window. Two bikers are pulling up to the ass end of the SUV we’re in. Even with helmets on, I can see the rigid posture and tight grip on the handlebars. These two are not happy in the least we left without them. While I know I should’ve been thinking about it, I forgot about having a Prospect out with me. If I leave the clubhouse it’s usually one of my brothers or Tags with me. Since they aren’t around today, I’d have to have a Prospect with me. Oops!
It's not long before we pull up to the small diner in town. Raine parks her SUV along the curb in front before we get out. I love this diner because it has outdoor seating. I’m hoping we can sit outside and soak up the heat. I’ve been inside too long and am ready to let the sun warm my skin and the fresh air fill my lungs.
“Can we sit outside?” Hollie asks, almost reading my mind with her question.
“Sure. Is that okay with you?” Raine asks me.
“Absolutely.”
We pick a table close to the door of the diner and take our seats. I’m sitting with my back to the building so I can watch everyone around me. A waitress quickly comes out and we order our food. I order a grilled chicken sandwich with fries, gravy on the side, and a lemonade. The sisters order grilled cheese sandwiches, fries, and shakes to complete their lunch.
“Um, see those bikers sitting on their bikes?” I ask the waitress. “Can you get their order too? I’m buying lunch for them.”
“Sure.”
The three of us watch as she makes her way over to the Prospects on babysitting duty. After flirting with them for a few minutes, she walks back inside with a huge smile on her face. Our babysitters give me a chin lift in acknowledgement and appreciation for lunch. As I go to turn my head toward Raine when she begins talking, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye.
Turning my head fully, I realize I’m looking at Scott. He’s standing at the end of the long building with the diner and another storefront in it. A sinister smile covers his face as he winks at me before disappearing. My breath catches and I can’t get air into my lungs. I’m beginning to sweat, my heart is racing, and every sound surrounding me becomes distorted.
I don’t realize anyone is talking to me, trying to figure out what’s wrong with me right now. My gaze is locked on the corner of the building where my ex was just standing. There is no way in hell I imagined him watching us. Hell, I even think he was taking pictures with his phone since it was out and pointed directly at us.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tags
I’M JUST PULLING into Blazing Ink when my phone begins going off in my pocket. The shrill ringtone grates on my nerves because I know the girls are out having lunch today. Everything in me is on edge because we don’t know what’s going to happen. I already know they left without the Prospects following them. Satan and I went off on the fuckers before making sure they caught up to the women before they got in town.
“Baby,” I answer the phone when Victoria’s name pops up on the screen.
“It’s Raine. Something is wrong with Victoria. We were sitting here talking and now she’s just staring at the corner of the building furthest from us. Tags, I think she needs you. None of us can bring her out of whatever trance she’s in right now,” she informs me.
“On my way. Call Satan and Torch. They’ll let Pyro know,” I order, knowing we need to show a presence at the diner.
Only one person would get my woman to react like that. Her ex. She’s seen him and withdrew into herself. If it’s the first time, she wouldn’t know how to keep her wits long enough to ensure the Prospects knew to go after him. Once I know she’s okay, I’m going to spend the day looking for the fucker. I won’t be the only one, we’ll all be out. I’ll have to get Millie and Trevor to reschedule my clients for now. This is more important.
It takes me a matter of minutes to get to the diner in town. Blazing Ink isn’t far from there. By the time I fly up, park my bike, and race to Victoria’s side, I hear the rumble of my brothers flying toward us. My only thoughts are for Victoria.
I get to her and pull her into my arms. She grabs onto me like a spider monkey, not wanting to let g
o as she breaks. Her entire body is trembling in fear, Vic’s breathing is shallow, and tears are starting to hit my neck and shirt, soaking me. I couldn’t give a shit about all that. She’s the only thing that matters to me as I begin to murmur soft words in her ear.
Torch and Pyro are at our sides in seconds. Instead of ripping her from my arms like I know they’re dying to, they let me keep her wrapped up in my arms. Neither man leaves our side as they keep their backs to us, looking out. They know like I do what’s happened to make their sister like this.
“Baby, can you tell me what happened?” I ask when I feel her body begin to relax.
“S-S-Scott was at the end of the building. He was staring at us. I think he was taking pictures of us too. I’m not sure though. I’m sorry, I didn’t say anything and now he’s gone again,” she apologizes. “If I had been able to speak up, they could’ve caught him. Now, he won’t show his face again.”
“We’ll get him baby. You didn’t do anythin’ wrong. It was a shock and your body did what it had to. Let’s get your food and take you back to the clubhouse. I’ll be right outside the SUV until you’re at the clubhouse,” I state as Satan walks back out of the diner with bags of food in his hands.
Both Prospects are also carrying bags. Looks like we’re all eating lunch and then searching for the fucker. Not what I want to see, but it’s the best and only option at the moment. I’m not leaving her until I know she’s calmer than right now. We’ve got more than just her to think about.
“Are you feelin’ okay?” I ask, letting my eyes drift to her stomach so she understands what I’m asking.