by Sam Crescent
Entering his home, Saint knew instantly that he wasn’t alone.
He glanced into the sitting room, and once again Big Ricky was in his house.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“What do you want to know?” Big Ricky asked.
“I don’t have a clue what you mean.”
The other man tutted. “I’m insulted. You and I both know that tonight was a ruse. Did you find out what you were looking for?”
Saint folded his arms, and then glanced upstairs.
“She’s alive. Unlike you, I happen to keep my word.”
“I didn’t give you any word. You’re in my town, and so is a young girl. My club matters to me. The safety of my woman, and the town, means everything to me. When someone abuses my trust, I like to find out why.” He stared at the man, waiting.
Big Ricky was sitting, drinking a glass of scotch. “I don’t like that you brought Prudence into this. She’s a complete innocent.”
“Why are you asking her on a date then?” Saint asked.
“She’s everything that I don’t deserve. She’s beautiful inside and out. To the world, she’s plain, but not to me. Don’t ever use her against me again.”
“Noted,” Saint said. “Who is Autumn?”
Big Ricky finished off his whiskey, and stood up. “Autumn is the bastard child of the Lorenzo family. As you probably already know, the men must marry to further their bloodline, but like always they take mistresses. Some women who just want the money and rep of fucking the bad guy. Autumn’s mother was … different.” Saint listened intrigued. “Her mother owned a ranch out in the sticks. One of my bosses, and no, you don’t get to know which one, fell in love with her. She was everything the Lorenzo family wasn’t, and for a long time, she didn’t know the man she’d given a child to was first married, and second, a member of a vicious crime family. Six months ago, Autumn’s mother was discovered raped and murdered as retaliation while Autumn was at school. My boss loved that woman more than anything in the world. He doesn’t want Autumn to suffer the same fate.”
“So he put you on babysitting duty?”
“Yes. I will not let any harm come to that girl, Saint.”
“You used my town as cover.”
“I used your name as cover. Everyone thinks I’m a monster, that I’m capable of the worst things in the world, and you know what? To the people that deserve it, I am their worst nightmare. But to innocent people of this world, the Autumns, the Prues, fuck, even the Mels of this world, they’re innocent, and they have nothing to fear from me. She doesn’t deserve to die because of who her father is. You above everyone should understand.”
Saint gritted his teeth. Big Ricky was speaking the truth. “Next time, come straight to me. I’ll talk to the club. Don’t keep her a secret. It’ll make her stand out more. Get her to join in and be part of the town. It’ll hide her more.”
“You’ll help?”
“Of course. I know why I’m helping now. All you needed to do was ask.”
Chapter Nine
“My jeans don’t fit,” Mel said, walking downstairs to the kitchen where Pea was trying every different brand of tea that she’d purchased. “What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m trying to make the mornings easier for you. Do you have any idea what it does to a man when his woman is spewing up first thing in the morning?” Pea winced at one cup, and shook his head. “I was reading in one of those books that coffee can set you off. I’m trying to find an alternative drink in the morning.” He moved to another cup. “That’s fucking fruity. What kind of girls’ drink is that?”
She giggled. “Orange and cranberry. Very nice, Pea.” She could tell that he liked it.
“There’s no way I’ll ever get away with drinking this shit.” He took another sip with a sigh. “Your jeans.”
He glanced down at where her stomach had begun to round, and her jeans were open. “There’s no way I’m getting these on. My beached whale days are coming.”
“I’ve always wanted to sleep with a whale. They’re meant to be lovely creatures.”
She rolled her eyes and spun. “I hate this.”
“If you take them off and do it, I can admire you even more. I’m thinking a shopping trip is in order, with some G-strings or thongs?” Pea held his hands up in the air. “I want to see that glorious ass wiggle as you walk.”
“You’re worse than I am.”
Pea was making her laugh as he walked out from behind the counter, his arms in the air, and he was shaking his ass. “You’ll do it better than me.”
“This is not making me feel well at all.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “You know this means we have to go shopping, and seeing as you hate spending money more than anything else in the world, I’ll come with you, babe.”
“I don’t want to shop. I want to fit into my old clothes.”
“This is a rite of passage for all pregnant women. You’re going to get nice and round, and we get to buy you new clothes. We’ll do it once, and you can use them every time you’re pregnant.”
She pouted. “I don’t like wasting.”
“Babe, you better not throw these clothes out, because you’re going to be in them again. Now, have a sip of your girly tea, and then we’re going shopping.”
Mel did as he instructed, and he was right. It was so fruity and delicious. After some toast to help settle her stomach, she and Pea were heading out toward the mall. He was doing all the driving.
“Will you be in the room with me?”
“In the room for what? You changing clothes?”
“No, when I give birth.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Erm, I saw the video you sent me. I don’t know if I can handle that.”
“Men do this, like, all the time. I don’t know why you’re worrying so much, but if you can’t handle it, I understand. I totally get it.”
“You’re doing the guilt thing again, aren’t you?”
“I just want my husband, you know, the guy that gave me a child, to be there for me, but if he can’t handle it then fine.” She glanced out the window, smiling.
“Fine. I’ll be there. I’ll hold your hand, and then I get to hold our kid first. It’ll be me that places either her or him in your arms. You got it.”
She turned toward him. “I knew you would.” She leaned over, and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Did I tell you recently that I love you?”
“You don’t tell me enough.”
“Well, I love you, Pea.”
“Who is the best husband in the whole world?”
“Erm, let me think. You?”
“Best answer you could have given me.” He took her hand, and kissed her knuckles. She couldn’t stop smiling.
Her love for Pea was absolute.
****
Pea made a note to himself. Shopping for maternity clothes was an emotional ride. Mel was crazy because she had to have elastic in the waistband, and then of course the colors. Expecting mothers were all in pastel or floral, and neither of them sat well with Mel. She was … not feeling it.
“I look like a pink pudding!”
“You don’t look like a pudding,” he said, standing up, and moving toward her. Pulling her against him, he stared at her reflection over her shoulder. “What exactly is the problem?”
The shirt fanned out over her stomach, and the white pants looked sexy. The shirt dipped near her cleavage and gave a little glimpse of breasts, which he found utterly appealing.
“I don’t like it.”
He rested his hands on her stomach. “Our baby is growing here, Mel. Jeans are not going to cut it, and I think you look sexy.” He moved close to her, and pressed his dick against her ass. He was already hardening. “I’m going to look forward to getting these off, and I’ll do it, too, because they’re a lot easier for me to get my hands on you.”
“You like them?” she asked, biting her lip.
“Yes, I do. Now, try som
ething else on and give me this outfit.”
“Why?”
“I’m going to buy it, and let the kind women allow you to wear it out. I want only comfort for my wife.”
“You’re so perky,” she said.
“Good.” He gave her ass a little slap. “You can make it up to me later.”
Pea made the final decisions in all of her clothes. She wouldn’t take any of them that made her look too frilly, or too girly. Of course, she stood out against him as they made their way through the mall. He found himself taking as many pictures as he could. He was the leather-clad biker, and she was his beautiful princess.
****
“It’s a girl,” the doctor said.
Mel stared at the image of her baby on the screen. “You’re sure?”
She held onto Pea’s hand as he squeezed her tightly. That was their baby on the screen. The doctor was running the device over her stomach, and it showed a little person inside her.
“I’m positive. This is a baby girl.”
“Holy crap,” Pea said. “What are we going to do when she grows up and wants to go on dates? Not happening. Can you tell me if she’s going to be a nun?”
“I’ll give you a couple of minutes.”
The woman froze the screen for them to see just before she left the room.
“We’re having a baby, Pea.”
“You make it sound like you didn’t really believe it.”
“I kind of didn’t. I just … wow … she’s so real.” She reached out and touched the screen. “My little girl.”
Pea kissed her cheek. “You’re going to be an amazing mom.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I don’t want to screw this up. I want her to know that she is loved so much.”
“And she will. We’ll both do this.”
She turned to him. “You’re going to spoil her rotten, and be the best dad in the world.”
“I’m going to try.” He cupped her cheek. “We’re going to have a baby.”
It was more real now than any other time for them. The first scan hadn’t seemed real to them. In this one though, Mel could see the outline of her baby.
“You gave up so much for Penny. She doesn’t know the extent of the stress you went through. I know without a doubt that you’re going to be the best mom in the world, Mel.”
“I’m not afraid anymore, Pea. I want her so much.” She looked toward him, and placed his hand on her stomach. “This is our future.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I told you, Mel. I’m here for life. No more fighting, no more women for me, or men for you. Just each other.”
It was a vow they had made, and he reaffirmed it.
“You’re my family, for the rest of our life.”
He took her lips in a possessive kiss, and she loved his touch, gasping for more.
This man was her soulmate. She’d been the one fighting the truth for so long, and she was just thankful she’d not lost him before realizing it.
****
The heat was driving Mel crazy, so Pea had set up a blanket in the shade in the local park. Kids were running around, and several of the club brothers were there. Time had passed, and in a few weeks, Prue was going to get them to raise money for the repairs on the library. For the single men, it was offering kisses for money. The ones that had a woman, they were offering bike rides. Then of course they were volunteering at the bake sale, and other stuff like that.
Prue was really making them all suffer for the date she’d been on. From what Pea heard, it had gone really well.
Mel collapsed on the ground. “I’m dying.”
She was wearing a skirt and a long shirt that helped to hide her very round stomach. There were only a couple of months left to go until they saw their little girl. Pea couldn’t wait. Every time they went shopping and he saw something cute like a teddy bear, or some baby clothing that he thought would look cute, he’d buy it. Mel had asked him not to in case there was some kind of bad luck.
He had a closet full at his club. There was even a lock on the closet door so Mel couldn’t sneak a look. He told her it was full of crap she didn’t want to deal with. She’d left it alone, and he was thankful. The brothers had also promised to keep his spending spree secret.
“This heat is a killer.”
“Are you offering rides on your bike to help raise money?”
“Yep. I was thinking of charging fifty dollars to cop a feel as well.”
She burst out laughing. “You’d crash your bike.”
“Have you seen how bad the library is? Prue wants to keep her job, and I want our kid to be well-read. I’m going to offer bike rides, nothing else.”
“I didn’t think you would.” She held onto the back of his head, and tugged him close. “I love you.”
“Babe, we’re going to need to get home soon.”
“Why?”
“Because the way I feel about you is not appropriate to show the park.”
He loved making her laugh, and he’d do it all day long. The musical sound of her voice always calmed him.
When Mel needed to use the bathroom, he packed up the blanket, and the small picnic he’d brought, and glanced around the park. Something didn’t sit right with him, and as he looked at each person, he tried to make sense of the fear that suddenly gripped him.
Without wasting a second, he made his way toward the bathrooms, and there were several kids milling around.
Mel came out with a hand on her stomach. He pulled her into his arms, kissing her head.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” Several months ago, Saint had told them about the conversation with Big Ricky. The club Prez wanted them to keep an eye on any potential visitors that didn’t necessarily stand out, but gave them a weird feeling.
He couldn’t see anyone that he didn’t recognize, and he took Mel to the car. “Did you see anyone you didn’t recognize?” he asked.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. I really needed to pee. I’m sorry, Pea.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m sure it’s just in my head. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
She took his hand. “I’m fine, Pea. Really, I’m fine.”
Pea was going to make sure of it.
****
Prue loved the turnout, and was grateful for the donation that Big Ricky had given her. “You didn’t have to do this,” she said.
“I wanted to. I was also wondering if you’d like to go to dinner with me again?” he asked.
She glanced down at the check, and then up at the man. He’d not asked her out in several months. He was always at the library with Autumn, and she took a deep breath. “I’d like to,” she said.
“You would?”
“Yes. I’d like to go on another date, and it’s not because of the check. It’s because I want to go without anything hanging over us.”
This made him smile. “Autumn adores you. She told me I shouldn’t quit on you.”
“I like her. She’s a good kid.”
She was shocked that Autumn was only eighteen years old. One day at the library, she, Autumn, and Mel had talked for hours, catching up, learning about the young girl.
“She’s wearing me down on high school.”
“What are you thinking?” Prue asked.
“She’s not going to high school, but the local college may be an option. Of course, it’s not up to me, but her father.”
She nodded. Prue never asked questions. Ricky lived in a world that was full of them, and she didn’t want to put a strain on him to get the answers.
“I better be getting back. Call me, Ricky. We can arrange a time for you to pick me up for our date.”
Against all odds, she liked him. Behind the ruthless exterior, there was a man she believed she could fall in love with. It was dangerous, scary, but she couldn’t say no. Not anymore.
Chapter Ten
Mel laughed as a large guy sat on the back of Pea’s bike, and off they went. An
yone could pay for a ride on an MC bike, and half of the town wanted the opportunity.
“You’re having fun,” Penny said, standing beside her.
Leonardo was with the other kids, enjoying the playground. She saw that Elena was watching them all.
“I am. It’s funny to watch Pea.” She rested a hand on her stomach. Their family was going to be along any day, and she found her patience was decreasing with every single day that passed. “Did you get impatient?”
“Toward the end? Hell, yeah. I couldn’t handle the baby being inside me. I wanted him to be born.” She turned toward the park where Leonardo was walking around, having fun with some of the other club children. He would be in nursery school soon. Time was flying by so fast.
“I can’t believe that not so long ago he was just a little baby,” Mel said. “Now he’s a big boy.”
Penny chuckled. “I know, right? I love him so much. Rage and I are trying for another one.”
“Congratulations.” She hugged her sister tightly.
Past Penny’s shoulder she saw Autumn standing alone, and she didn’t like to think of the young girl by herself. She’d lost her mother, and what life she had known. “I’ll be back, and we’ll talk soon.”
Leaving her sister, she made her way toward Autumn, who had turned to leave.
Picking up her step, Mel followed her.
“Hey, Autumn, what’s up?” Mel asked. The young girl stopped, and she saw the tears in her eyes. “Oh, honey.” She went to her, wrapping arms around her.
“I’m sorry. Just seeing everyone, it’s like a fair, and it brings back a lot of memories of my mother, and I thought I could handle that, but I can’t. I’m sorry.”
Mel pulled her away and wiped the tears from under Autumn’s eyes. “You’ve got nothing to apologize for. She was your mother, and I can tell that you loved her very much.”
Autumn did. “She was the nicest person in the world.”
“I lost my parents some time ago. I had to take care of Penny, and it was hard. Life is hard. No one ever tells you what to expect when you lose someone you love.”
Moving away from the chaos of the fair, Mel found them a private spot so that Autumn could weep without questions. Sitting beside her, she rubbed her back and tried to offer her comfort.