by Mara McBain
The front door opened, shattering the serenity. The wind sent fall leaves skittering across the worn hardwood, and their new guest found himself facing a barrage of steel as the Lords surged to their feet, weapons drawn.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” he cried.
Ginny scrambled on hands and knees to the end of the counter and peeked around the corner. The Lords of Mayhem cut and blond horseshoe mustache confirmed her suspicion even as Zeke greeted their club brother.
“Still have a death wish I see.”
“Jesus. The pilgrims welcomed the Indians with more open arms,” the wiry blonde said, accepting a back-thumping hug from Zeke as the rest of his brothers put their guns away.
Ginny thumped the back of her head lightly on the cabinetry before pushing herself to her feet as the other women and children slowly came out of hiding. Spotting her, Eddie held out large tin.
“I made my baklava.”
“I guess we will let you stay then,” she said, stepping forward to accept the tin and a hug. “It’s good to see you, Eddie.”
“Good to see you, Gin. Is this because I didn’t RSVP?”
“A lot of shit has gone down since you were here,” Zeke said, his serious tone making even the joker take heed.
“I guess I have some catching up to do,” Eddie said slowly, then glanced to the door. “Rain is with me. I don’t know what she’s doing.”
“I’ll see what trouble she’s gotten into,” Rhys said, his handsome face splitting into a smile as he headed for the door in search of his childhood playmate.
“She is her daddy’s girl,” Eddie said with a crazy grin.
Heading back into the kitchen, Ginny caught sight of Crux cuddling and reassuring Kat near the ladies room door. Her stomach twisted. They would never be free. The bullshit with Kramer had sent shockwaves through their little family that would affect them forever.
Rhys scanned the street. Nothing. The hair on his nape stood up. Turning slowly, his hand found the butt of his Glock. A woman stepped from the alley, trying to finger-comb riotous brunette waves. His jaw dropped. She was no longer the gangly fourteen-year-old with braces and freckles. Well, some of the freckles were still there in the form of a perfect golden dusting across her nose and cheekbones. Gangly had turned into willowy with legs that just didn’t stop, and she had certainly grown into her tits.
“You done staring?”
Rhys felt himself blush and cursed under his breath as Rain glared at him. Her bright blue eyes narrowed, jaw jutting aggressively, so maybe not everything had changed about her. He cleared his throat.
“Good to see you, Rain.”
“Well, if it isn’t the crown prince all grown up,” she said with a little smirk.
“I could say the same thing about you.”
“Do you mind if we play catch-up inside? It was a long ride and I really need to piss.”
“Come on. Dinner’s almost ready.”
Ginny engulfed Rain in a hug the moment she came through the door.
“There’s my baby girl! Damn you look good!”
“Damn, I’ve missed you,” Rain whispered into Ginny’s ear as she clung to the older woman.
“I’ve missed you too, baby girl,” Ginny said, easing back to smooth hair out of the girl’s face. “Just look at you. My little heathen has turned into a real knockout.”
“Never as beautiful as our queen,” Rain said, pulling her back into a crushing hug to hide the tears that threatened.
Ginny laughed out loud, turning heads in the room. Smiles lit gruff faces at the joy returning to their queen. Zeke clamped a hand on the back of Eddie’s neck and gave him a squeeze.
“Thanks, brother. She needed that.”
“Nothing to thank me for. The jobs dried up out west and my little girl said she wanted to come home. I hope the club will take me back and fill me in on what’s been going on.”
“We’re glad to have you back, and as to the other, in due time. This isn’t the place. My bad-ass bride will have my ass if I ruin her Thanksgiving celebration.”
“Good to see some things never change. Long live the queen,” Eddie said with a fond smile in Ginny’s direction.
Ginny laughed again and pointed Rain in the direction of the ladies room.
“Over there, as long as prego isn’t in there again.”
“Not this time,” Kat said, snapping Ginny with a hand towel.
“Holy shit, Kat! Congratulations!” Rain cried, rubbing her hands over Kat’s round belly before being drawn into a hug.
“So good to see you,” Kat mumbled into her hair as she rocked the girl back and forth in joy. “You just made Gin’s Thanksgiving.”
“I’m glad to be home. Trinity Falls will always be that to me, and Gin’s as close to a mom as I’ve ever known,” Rain said softly.
Kat gave her another squeeze and nudged her toward the bathroom and teased, “Better go now before I have to go again.”
“The birds are ready to come out. Can I get some muscles in here?” Amber called.
Hooking arms with Zeke and Murphy, Ginny lead the way to the kitchen. Eddie followed close behind.
“She said muscles not mustache,” Murphy said, shouldering the lanky blond out of the way and flexing a bicep.
“I’ll just hang around in case she needs something off the top shelf then, junior.”
The stocky Beantown brawler grinned, taking the insult in stride.
“If you want to eat, no fighting in the kitchen,” Ginny said, her giggle taking any bite out of the words.
“Do you think we’re going to have enough?” Eddie said as the two turkeys were joined by a couple of hams and a smoked brisket Taz brought in from the smoker.
“The family has grown a bit while you were gone,” Ginny said with a little smile.
As if to illustrate her point, an adorable little girl raced into the kitchen to dance around Taz’s legs.
“Whoa, baby girl. I’m using a knife and this is hot. Go see your mommy until I’m done,” he said in his gravely growl, but dropped a hand down to stroke the little girl’s sun-kissed hair before she darted away.
“Kennedy Lee! I told you to stay out of the kitchen,” Tamara said in exasperation. “Sorry, baby.”
Taz gave his old lady a nod and a little smile before turning back to his work.
“The Taz I remember would’ve added her to the cutting board,” Eddie said, eyes dancing in merriment.
“I’ve mellowed, and I’ve never eaten children,” Taz grumbled.
“They never used you for pole dancing either.”
“Their mother obviously didn’t look like Tamara, and careful what you say about my baby girl, perv.”
Eddie backed off at the glint in Taz’s eyes as he ran his knife over the whetstone.
“Understood,” he said slowly. “I, of all people, get being a protective daddy.”
“You need to get out of the kitchen before you get hurt,” Ginny said, pushing Eddie around the counter with a grin. “Start in the kiddie pool. Go catch up with Sambo and Tech.”
Zeke gave her a wink when she turned back.
“The family’s all home.”
Ginny gave him a hug, smiling into his chest.
“This is the best Thanksgiving in a long time.”
Seated to Zeke’s left at the head of the table, Ginny swallowed the lump in her throat as she looked down the line. Despite her husband’s boorish suggestion to use paper plates, the women had set a table worthy of the celebration. A bolt of gorgeous burnt-orange fabric with an embossed leaf pattern had been fashioned into an elegant table cloth to cover the trio of tables. Kat had created centerpieces by putting floating candles in frosted bowels and placing them on a bed of fall foliage. Amber’s crystal twinkled under the lights, and with her china, the table was perfection. More importantly, the whole family was there.
Bowie cleared his throat at the other end and heads bowed, hands joining.
“It has been a long year, but through
God’s grace and a lot of strength, our family has prevailed. We welcome new members, ones returning to the fold, and even a little one on the way. Rocky roads and heartaches aside, we have a lot to be thankful for. We should remember that. As we head into the holidays and the next year, love and protect one another because at the end of the day, family is what you have. Thank you to the ladies for a day dedicated to what’s important and for the impressive spread before us. In God’s name we pray, amen.”
‘Amen’ echoed around the table and a few tears were dashed away as the dishes started to pass. Ginny’s head jerked up as Zeke gave her hand a squeeze. She beamed at him. She had a lot to be thankful for.
Chapter ~ 3
Mox kicked the truck’s defroster up on high. Sleet pelted the windshield. An early season storm had held Trinity captive for a couple of days now. It had started out as snow before turning to rain and then ice. Now a treacherous glaze coated buildings, tree branches, and power lines, locking the town in a pristine wonderland.
He wasn’t surprised to find The Lantern dark, the contractors nowhere in sight. Everyone had thought him crazy for leaving the house, but the sooner he finished sanding the drywall, the sooner he and Rhys could move in. Stepping gingerly from the truck, he grabbed a bag off the front seat and skated across the parking lot.
Pausing with the key in the lock, he cocked his head. A frown twisted his features as he heard the whimper again over the wind. Scanning the evening shadows, he took an uncertain step away from the steel door. Something was out there. Sleet pinged off the new dumpsters as he waited. The next whimper was weak. The sound was small and sad, a puppy maybe. Whatever it was, he couldn’t leave it out in this cold. Hanging the supplies on the door handle, he trudged back to the truck for a flashlight.
The ice cracked under his feet. Squatting, he swept the light under the dumpster, watching for the glint of eyes. Seeing nothing, he circled around the metal monstrosity. Catching his boot, he stumbled. The soft cry was louder this time and distinctive. Whirling, he shone his light on the huddled body.
She covered her head. Thin arms were a pitiful shield against attack or the biting cold. Sleet stood out like diamonds in the dark waves of her hair. A soft ivory sweater and leggings molded to her slender curves. Her body shook with the force of her fear and chill. Reality smacked him in the back of the head. She was freezing while he gawked. Heat flooded his face.
“Shh…it’s going to be okay. I’m not going to hurt you. We just need to get you inside where it’s warm,” he murmured, easing into a crouch beside her. She shrank from him, but he kept talking in a low, reassuring tone. Gathering her in his arms, he ignored her weak struggles and hurried for the door.
Cradling her against his chest, he fumbled with the outside door. Yanking on the plastic bag, he tore it from the handle and jogged up the dark steps, hearing the door slam shut behind him. He cursed, struggling to hit the key hole on the apartment door. Finally shouldering his way inside, he settled her on the plastic covered couch.
She curled into the fetal position, her blue eyes wide with fear. Bruises stood out starkly against her pale face. Her teeth chattered behind a split lip. His stomach churned. The plastic rustled as shivers wracked her tiny form. Shrugging out of his coat, he laid it over her. His hand shook as he swiped it over his head. He had to get her warm.
Wetting his lips, he looked around. Other than the new furniture, they hadn’t moved much because of the drywall dust. The water was on, but he didn’t have dry clothes to change her into. His gaze landed on the space heater he had been using before they’d had the heat turned on. Dragging it over, he put it as close as he dared and cranked it up.
Her lips were blue. Kneeling beside the couch, he eased her heeled boots off. Her socks were wet. Peeling them off, he rubbed her dainty feet between his hands. She hitched his coat higher under her chin, but didn’t protest. Shucking out of his hooded-sweatshirt, he wrapped it around her icy feet.
“I have an emergency blanket in the truck. I’ll be right back.”
Eyes closed, the girl’s only answer was the chatter of her teeth. Her pallor worried him. Heading for the stairs, Mox dug for his phone. This was beyond him.
Voices woke her. Her heart hammered. She flinched away as a woman leaned into her field of vision. A gentle touch stroked hair off her forehead. Tightening her grip on the blanket, she tried to sit up. The room spun. Fighting the tug of darkness, her eyes darted from one stranger to another. Eva shrank back in the cushions as the woman tried to soothe her.
The gentle giant from her dreams moved to stand at the foot of the couch. Worry lined his handsome face. An older man stepped up beside him. The resemblance was strong. Instead of the younger man’s smooth shaved scalp, he sported a sharp, silver flat-top. His craggy features and bullish build exuded an air of authority. Suspicion lurked in narrowed blue eyes. She shivered.
“We need to get you in a bath to bring your body temperature up, honey. Can you walk?”
The endearment, as much as the question, caught her off guard, and her attention swung back to the statuesque beauty beside her. Understanding and a shimmer of tears lit hazel eyes. Eva bit her lip in confusion. Why would this woman cry for a stranger?
“You’re safe here. Come on. Let’s get you warmed up.”
Something in the woman’s voice made Eva trust her. There was a strength about her that belied the flicker of pain in her eyes. Nodding, Eva tried to sit up again. Something tangled around her feet, and she remembered the gentle giant rubbing her cold feet and wrapping them in his body warmed sweatshirt. She blushed, hastily retrieving it from the floor.
“I’m sor-sorry,” she whispered, her chattering teeth making her stammer.
He smiled, a hint of a blush coloring his ears as he accepted the sweatshirt from her hand. Standing, she swayed. The woman caught her.
“Mox.”
The young man stepped forward and Eva found herself swept up into his arms again and carried to the bathroom. Mox? Was that his name? She pressed closer to his chest. Another man stood next to the tub. How many of them were there?
Of a much slimmer build than the other two men, the latest bordered on beautiful. Eva could picture his angelic countenance and lanky form on a jeans billboard. His gaze was friendly and curious. The woman stroked his blond hair in thanks as he stepped out of her way. She leaned down to trail her fingers in the running water.
“Just set her down on the toilet lid, baby. I’ll get it from here.”
The door closed behind them. Eva missed his warmth.
“I’m Ginny. What’s your name, honey?”
“Eva.”
“Let’s get you out of those wet clothes, Eva.”
A moment later, Eva found herself obediently raising her arms. It seemed everyone did what this woman told them to do.
“Beautiful cashmere sweater.”
Eva swallowed hard. The simple comment opened up a world of questions she wasn’t prepared to answer.
“It was a gift.”
The older woman merely nodded and took her elbow as she stood to strip out of the rest. Eva sucked her breath in with a hiss when she stepped into the water. It felt like a million tiny needles pierced her frozen skin.
“Take it slow,” Ginny murmured, wincing in sympathy.
When she finally lay submerged to her shoulders in the deep tub, Eva let out a little sigh. She could feel Ginny’s eyes on her, hear the wheels turning as she tried to figure out her story. It said something that she didn’t ask. Eva scooped handfuls of bubbles from the steaming surface, pulling the suds over her breasts.
“Whose place is this?” she asked softly.
“It and the pub below belong to my husband and me, but our sons, Mox and Rhys, are getting ready to move in here,” Ginny said, still watching her. She must have seen the questions lurking because a smile curved her lips. “The bubble bath I brought with me along with a few other toiletries and some dry clothes for you.”
“Wh-why woul
d you do that?” A tremble marked Eva’s voice.
“Because I’ve been where you’re at.”
The knowing look in the older woman’s eyes panicked her. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I might not know you, honey, but here’s what I’ve gathered so far. You tell me if I’m wrong. You’re running. He has money. His obsession was flattering at the beginning, and now it’s smothering and scaring the shit out of you. The beatings are escalating, and you’re afraid he’s going to kill you if you don’t get out.”
Eva closed her eyes, swallowing against the lump in her throat. What chance did she have? Fear wrapped around her chest like steel bands. Was she that transparent? “How?” she whispered.
Ginny grimaced. “I wish I could chalk it up to twenty years of being married to a detective. The sad truth is I recognize the bruises and the haunted look that comes from fearing someone you love.”
Eva sank lower in the tub. She ran her hands over her biceps, subconsciously trying to wash away the finger-tip bruises she knew marred her pale skin. She bit her lip. Her eyes darted to the closed door.
Following her gaze, Ginny shook her head.
“My old man has had to knock some sense into me a time or two, but he’s a good man. My father was abusive.”
The woman’s matter-of-fact tone didn’t fool Eva. There was an undercurrent of pain. Worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, she studied the suds. What did she say to such a confession? I’m sorry? Why would Ginny share something so personal with a stranger? For that matter, who scooped trash up from beside a dumpster and took it into their home?
“Will he look for you?”
Eva’s head jerked up at the soft question. Fear stole her breath. Searching Ginny’s face, she fought to form an answer that wouldn’t result in being tossed back out in the snow.
“You don’t have to answer that. Just know that you’re safe here.”
Silence hung between them. Finally Ginny stood.