by Vera Quinn
“Do the Irish family know about Charity and Faith.” Brody asks.
“There were some communications between Alice and the family, but no one knows what was discussed. Alice hates those sisters and will do anything to destroy them. She has Samson as her right-hand man and he wants to make Charity suffer and he wants Faith for his.” Shine finishes.
“We were already making arrangements to do it the day after tomorrow. I will find a priest and get him to officiate. What about Faith? She says she is your ol’ lady but she didn’t mention this.” Good girl, Faith, you listened. She is learning like an ol’ lady should. “She is going to lose her shit when she finds out you are playing her even if it is for her own good. The plan that Shine and Rebel came up with is not going to protect Faith from her relatives.”
“I am going to marry Faith. How do you feel about a double wedding?” All eyes are on me.
“You can’t marry that girl. You will devastate her when she finds out why you married her. She is a very proud woman. Where is your head?” Brody looks half shocked and a lot pissed.
“All of you can bitch moan and groan but I don’t want anything happening to her. She has accepted my claim. I did exactly what Shine and Rebel asked of me. She bought it all and I feel like a piece of shit for doing it but at the end of the day she will be alive. I explained to her there would be no physical relationship until after she is eighteen and that is going to be a fucking show of my restraint. That woman is hot, and my body wants her, and she wants me, but I am not someone that will take advantage of her that way. This needs to end and soon, but if she is married by a priest she will also be safe from her other family. I know when this all comes out she will never talk to me again and I can live with that if she is safe, I need to keep her safe.” That’s the only way I can explain it.
“Con, will you answer a few questions for me if I go along with this?” Brody asks me, and I know he is up to something, but I nod my head anyway. “Do you have a need to be the one to keep her safe?”
“I guess so. I just want to make sure it is done right.” I answer.
“Does Faith distract you from your everyday thoughts, like I don’t know, the club girls and which one you are fucking next?” I have not had any time to think of fucking. We have been busy trying to keep everyone safe.
“Only because I don’t have free time.” That’s a safe answer. Everyone doesn’t need to know that Faith consumed my thoughts even if I was fucking another damn woman. Brody nods his head.
“What if another man decided he really wanted to claim Faith, could you walk away from her?” Hell, to the naw! No one else is claiming my woman. Wait no, she’s only my ol’ lady until she is safe. I hear Shine laugh under his breath. I don’t answer that last question.
“That’s what I thought, maybe you should take a few minutes and think about that before you lose your chance at real happiness. If you hurt Faith, she is going to run in the opposite direction than you and I know this from dealing with Charity. Think about it and if you are sure, then alright, I can’t fault a man in trying to keep his woman safe, pretend or not. I just want you to know that I will be helping her get as far away from you as she can, when the shit hits the fan and if any of this causes a problem between Charity and me, there will no place for you to hide.” I thought Brody would care more about Faith. Even if Faith never speaks to me again, she’ll be alive. When the smoke settles she’ll realize she dodged a bullet. She’s young and needs a chance to live before she ties herself down. The thought of another man touching Faith is not one that I can think about. All I see is red.
“I know what I am doing, I don’t want Faith to know about this until it happens. I know someone at the courthouse that can help me with the marriage license, he owes me. You may deal with Charity, but I am dealing with Faith. She just wants to be heard and I can listen. I got this.” I know this is going to be more about preparation and timing, so I’ll just make it happen.
“Brother, you don’t have this and tell me what female doesn’t want a choice and a voice. Faith is a bit flighty, but she is a good person. She’s got this.” Rebel says with a laugh.
“Cooper and Sean are going to let us know about the time and place for us to get retribution for the people we have lost and the hell we have all been through. I don’t know how much time we will have to prepare so we need to make sure we have the firepower that we need, ready.” Shine tells everyone. “Anyone have any other secrets lurking around? We are going to need to go over what it means to be a member of the Demented Revengers MC. Loyalty and honesty go hand in hand with brotherhood. It’s the only way it works.” Shine looks directly at Cap. “Let’s get some grub so we can do this again later.” I open the door, and everyone walks out and we walk back towards the smell of food. When we walk into the area where we eat the place has pink and blue streamers everywhere, but my eyes seek Faith’s out and when I see her there standing beside Charity and the big smile on her face almost knocks me to my knees. Faith is always beautiful, but it has been a while since I got to see her with a genuine smile on her face. Faith turns her head towards me and that smile widens on her face and I find myself smiling back at her. What the hell is wrong with me?
“Alright, everyone, settle down. We will feed you in just a few minutes. With everything that has been going on there has not been an appropriate time for the preggies to announce, officially, what sex the babies will be, so we decided now is the time for a little good news.” I never take my eyes off Faith until I am next to her and I pull her into me and kiss the top of her head and hug her to me. I turn Faith, so she can watch this with me. Her back is to my chest and it feels so damn right. “Katie, you have the floor.” Shine steps up beside her and his eyes are only on her.
“Shine, I know the doctor has been back and forth about a girl and then a boy. Today the 3D sonogram found his penis. It is a boy. Our son decided today was the day he would quit being shy.” Katie hands Shine the photo to Shine and I swear there are tears in Shine’s eyes. I am happy for him. I hug Faith tighter. I never thought I would have a pang of jealousy when it came to my brother, but it is there. I can imagine Faith round with our child. No, no, that picture should not be in my head. “Gracie, your turn.” Katie doesn’t get another word out because Shine scoops her up and I think he might squeeze that baby out of her.
“I am so fucking happy, but it didn’t matter if it was a boy or a girl, just so you both are healthy.” My brother is happy. Rebel has stepped over to Gracie and Brody to Charity.
“Rebel, I know you don’t care if this child is a boy or a girl. We have one of each after all but this time we are having one of each.” Rebel looks shocked, but it soon turns into a big smile. Damn, twins.
“Damn, babe, twins!” I think this is going to take a little getting used to by Rebel, he’s speechless but he takes Gracie in his arms and hugs her like she is a fragile child. Brody breaks the ice.
“If you are telling me that we are having twins then I need a chair.” Brody laughs and then everyone joins in. Charity playfully hits his arm. “Isn’t it too soon for us to find out. I thought they said a few more weeks.”
“You are not the only one who can keep secrets. I had the blood test and they will check again later to make sure like with Katie.” Charity looks in Brody’s eyes and I see a tear roll down her cheek. “We are having a girl and I have thought about it, and I want to name her Jillian.” The entire room goes quiet and Brody pulls Charity to him and closes his eyes while he hugs her and then pulls back a little, so he can bend down and kiss her.
“Thank you, Charity, that would mean a lot to me and our entire family.” Brody bends down and kisses the streak the tears left behind. Naming the child after Brody’s cousin and first love is a bold move by Charity but it shows how big her heart is and that she would do anything for the man she loves. That gets my respect. Lil steps back in front of everyone with Cap by her side.
“Alright, we have food, so everyone congratulate the couple
s and grab a plate.” I know this must be hard on Lil. She would have been the best mom, but then again, she was a great mom to Shine and me. I am surprised when Faith turns in my arms and goes up on her tiptoes and puts a kiss on me and it was no little smack. I bring her closer. Hell, I want to climb inside this woman, but she pulls back and I know I am going to need to step up my game if I am going to be able to resist this woman. Faith moves away from me and I instantly miss her in my arms. Someone comes up behind me and I turn, and Zig is standing there.
“Oh yeah, you got this handled.” The bastard is smirking. Then he grabs my hand and I feel something hard in my hand. “That flash drive has some surveillance from the community, mostly of Faith. Watch it to get to know your woman better and understand what she has been through. That’s from Cooper and it is need-to-know information.” Before I can say anything, Zig is gone, and I put the flash drive in my pocket. I need to get some air. I look around the room and Shine is in the corner talking to Chief and Sarge. I watch, and it is not long before Chief leaves. I know he is headed home, as he should be. He has a club and a family to protect. Sarge stays and talks with Shine some more. I feel someone approach me from behind and I turn to see who it is, and Faith is standing there with a plate.
“Lil told me what you liked so I thought I would bring you a plate.” It is hard for me to look Faith in the eyes. This woman is trying to make this work and makes me feel about an inch tall.
“Thank you, babe, but I don’t expect you to wait on me. I could have got my food.” I say without thinking and Faith’s face falls into a frown.
“I’m sorry, it’s what was expected from the women at the community. I just thought you might like it.” I am an ass. I take Faith’s hand and we find seats at a table and sit down.
“Do not ever apologize for just trying to help me. I just don’t want you to think that I expect you to wait on me. I do appreciate it. It was very nice of you. Where’s your plate?” I ask.
“I was waiting for all the men to eat first. It’s how I was taught growing up. Men, children, and then the women could eat.” Faith says looking at her hands.
“Well that is just fucking whacked. We all eat at the same time. I will get you a plate just sit still.” It is going to take some time to get Faith to change some things in her head, but I am the man for the job. I get up and head for the food.
Chapter Seventeen
Faith
I am helping all the women clean up after the big meal we ate. It was sweet of Con to make my plate for me. That is something I could get used to. This relationship thing is all new to me, but it feels natural. Con told me that he would be late since all the brothers are in their meeting, I think called church. This biker language is hard to get a handle on and every time that Con holds me in his arms feels like me coming home. I know Con said to take this one day at a time, but I can’t help to feel hope for our future. He asked me to be his ol’ lady, that must mean something.
I can’t believe that I am going to be an aunt to a niece. I just want her to get here so I can give her kisses and love on her. I wasn’t sure of Charity saying she wanted to name the baby Jillian. I know Jilly was Brody’s cousin and I know they had a connection that wasn’t very family like, but then when Charity explained that Brody was adopted and that he would have never crossed that line, it calmed my nerves. Charity had explained this before but with everything going on it was hard to keep everything straight. I should have known that Brody is an honorable man. I know he loves my sister and their baby. I am happy Charity has that kind of security in her life. I’m glad they have each other.
I have avoided most of Charity’s questions about me being gone. I don’t want her to worry. She needs to concentrate on her pregnancy and keeping that baby healthy. I just hope to have that kind of relationship with Con, like Charity and Brody have. In the future I can see myself carrying his child and I want it, I need it, and I know I have fallen in love with the man that may never return my feelings, but I can't help it, I can't just turn the feelings off. I just want him to want me. I need him to love me. I sound desperate even to my own ears and this is not me, I need to find a way to put a barrier between Con and myself, so I can get some perspective and figure out how this is going to go down. I know I am giving him all the power right now, but I can’t stop myself. I think I fell in love with Con the first time I saw him. Nothing has been the same with me since that day. Did he infuriate me, yes, but I loved it?
I see everyone is going to the private rooms, the brothers are going to be talking into the wee hours of the morning and there's no use to staying up. I approach Charity and she jumps when I touch your hand. “Do you want to come to Con’s and my room to get some rest until Brody is ready to go? I’m sure he’ll figure out where you have gone.”
“Yeah that sounds great. I need some rest, I've been on my feet most of the day since I have been here. The doctor ordered rest and I don’t want Brody going caveman on me.” Charity answers and I can see she is tired by her eyes. “Then you can tell me how Con convinced you to agree to be his ol’ lady. I told him I was only on board with it if you agreed.”
“I agreed. I want this with Con.” I only half lie. I would never have agreed without a couple of days to think it out without Con telling me it would help put protection on Charity. She has protected me my whole life and it is time that I repay her, and this is a way for me to do that. I decide on a change of topic is the way to go.
“We have a lot to talk about like are you ready for your big day and then we need to discuss the awesome baby shower I am going to give you.” I know both will distract her or I hope anyway. We are in front of our door and I open it and Charity walks into the room and goes straight to the bed and flicks her shoes off and climbs in the middle of the bed.
“Come here little sister and we will talk, but don’t think for a minute that I don’t know that you are avoiding any talk of you and Con. I know it takes a little bit for you to adjust to change, so I will give you a couple of days to come to terms with it before we talk, but we will be having that conversation.” My sister knows me so well. “I have your dress for the wedding and you are going to rock that baby. I can’t believe that by this time in two days I will be married to Brody.” My sister is gushing with happiness. “You are still my maid of honor and don’t even bother to argue. I know you don’t like crowds, so we are keeping it small, but I am not doing this without you.”
“I will be honored. I can’t wait to see your dress.” My sister has a strange taste in clothing, so I can’t wait to see what dress she went with.
“Oh, it is going to surprise everyone.” I bet it does. I take my shoes off and climb in the bed with my sister and I hear the words coming out of Charity’s mouth, but my mind is on Con and then I hear nothing, but my dreams are full of one sexy biker.
Chapter Eighteen
Con
We have been over most everything that we talked about in Shine’s office, and the conversation keeps going back to the things that Cap did behind the club's back and believing what Sean and Cooper have told us. We haven’t discussed the dossier on the traitors yet, but that part is planned. We want Sin to squirm. Sin looks uncomfortable and he should be. I look to Shine, and he has his eye on Sin, so does Rebel, and they are about tired of this bullshit, They want it over, so they can get to Sin. I know there's a problem with having two chapters of the club here in the small area, but everybody is heated and tired of the killings. We all just want our normal lives back. Sin is the one that's putting up the most resistance of believing anything that Sean and Cooper have given us. It's time to take this meeting back over.
“Okay brothers, we’ve talked this thing to death. We have all the proof that we need and we're not going to question Sean and Cooper anymore. They will be here soon, and we will get the answers here in front of us all. They have helped us by keeping Faith safe and they gave us a dossier which we are going to go over. They've given us a chance so we’re going to be able to br
ing this to an end, there will be no more bloodshed, no more family loss, and no more debating who's a friend and who's not. Red Cap, I know we kept you knocked out after you were shot, and you have a right to be pissed. We have been losing family members, we have been losing brothers, we have been losing respect. It is time to take our shit back. Shine, you have the floor brother.” I know all attention is on the things at hand and not stuck on the past.
“Everybody doesn’t like the way that Cap handled his situation and I agree. A brother should always trust the club to have his back. He was in the middle of mourning the death of his sister and he made a fucking wrong decision. It did not blow back on the club until years later and you know that every one of us has something in our past that could come back on us. None of us are boy scouts. He took care of the situation the best way he knew how to. Do I agree with it, no? Am I going to judge him for it, no? He’s not the President anymore. That man right there, taught me how to be a man and he has stood by each one of the brothers. I know this is going to take a vote and I understand that's the way our brotherhood works, but all the good that he’s done, does this outweigh it? One bad mistake changes it all? I'm not trying to influence anybody, you each have your vote. Do with it as you see fit. I'm standing beside Cap the way he has always stood beside each of us. The money he paid out was his own. Not one penny came from the club and we have the records and bank statements to prove it and anyone can look at them. He gave his daughter up for adoption. He has no contact with her, he had to watch his ol’ lady cry about it. I think anything else that we could do would only be beating him when he is down. Think about it and the vote will be before we leave here. On to the next thing.” Shine takes a breath and glances at Sin.