Chicago Defiance Box Set Part One

by K E Osborn

  He grins the widest I’ve seen in so long as he leans in planting a giant kiss against my lips. I smile, kissing him back. The kiss isn’t heated or lustful, it’s warm and loving.

  I hear a throat clearing, and we pull apart to see Kline walking in. “Sorry to interrupt, but I’m glad to see you’re awake and doing okay.”

  I glance down at my lap. “I’m still a little concerned about it all. But I am sorry I went all crazy on you—”

  “You had a reaction, and it was perfectly normal in your condition. Though it doesn’t change the result of the blood test, so I need to know if you want me to follow up. Would you like me to run some further tests to see how the baby’s doing, or make… other arrangements, if you’ve had this discussion yet?” she asks.

  Trax tenses slightly beside me, but I take a deep breath steadying myself even though my heart’s racing. “Can you book in some further tests, please? I would like to see how our baby’s doing.”

  Trax beams so wide, pulling me closer to him, kissing the top of my head as he relaxes beside me.

  “Of course… now, in this case, would you also like for me to call for your physician or psychiatrist. You might need to have some discussions.”

  “Yes, please. I think this is something I need to have all the facts about. Umm… Dr. Kline, as for the meds I’m on now, do I need to stop them right away?”

  “I think we wait for your treating psych to get here. He can fill you in on the best practices regarding weaning you off the meds if you need to, but for now, keep taking them. I’d like to point out how lucky you both are that the baby survived your accident. I’d call that a little miracle.”

  Unease washes over me. It’s only now just dawning on me that we could have lost this baby before we even knew about it. The idea of staying on my meds doesn’t sit right considering we have this little miracle inside me. I wish I could stop immediately. I don’t want any harm to come to our baby, but I know there’s a process. And before I see my specialist, I need to make sure I do this right. All I want is to get through this without any hassles. But with the threat of Everett still out there, and now the idea I have to tell Dad what’s going on, things are only going to get harder for us both not easier.

  “Thank you, Dr. Kline, for everything.”

  “You’re welcome, Mylee, it’s my pleasure. Any Old Lady of the club is a friend of mine.”

  Trax has obviously told her he was going to claim me while I was asleep. Either that or she figured, but either way, being claimed by Trax brings a new set of drama to deal with my dad. The idea that his little girl will be permanently staying in Chicago is going to grate on his very last nerve, not only that but the fact Trax has knocked me up, I know he’s going to blow a gasket.

  Kline walks out as I look to Trax raising my brow. I sigh. “I guess we should call Dad?”

  Trax rolls his shoulders. “I should do it. I need to man up—”

  “I don’t think that’s the best idea. He might lose his shit at you.”

  Trax raises his brow and gives me his lopsided smirk. “Oh yeah, that shit’s inevitable. I need to take responsibility for this. I’m not really asking at this point, I’m calling him. End of discussion.”

  I like his determined tone, so I weakly smile. If he’s brave enough to take on the typhoon that my father’s going to rain down on him, then have at it.

  The Hunger Games catchphrase seems appropriate here…

  May the odds be ever in your favor!

  TRAX

  She hands her cell over to me as I sit on the edge of her bed. Tension barrels over my shoulders making them the tightest they have ever fucking felt. Knowing this will probably be the hardest call I will ever make is making it difficult to press the green button against his name, but I do so making sure not to put it on speaker. I don’t want Mylee overhearing if he says shitty stuff because she’s right next to me hanging on with bated breath.

  He answers, his voice chirpy which makes me grin. “Mylee, my sweet girl, I miss you. How are you?”

  Clearing my throat, I ready myself. “Crest, this is Trax.”

  “You’re calling from Mylee’s number, I thought it was her. Fuck! What’s going on?”

  I rub the back of my neck swallowing down the nerves. “She’s fine, but there are some things I need to discuss with you.”

  He’s quiet for a pass but then continues, “Okay, is she having an episode?”

  “No… we were, ah…. out on a ride and got into an accident—”

  “Jesus—”

  “She’s okay. Just some cuts to her leg. I brought her straight to the hospital. We’re here now.”

  He exhales sounding annoyed. “Thanks for taking care of her, can I talk to her?”

  “Sure but there’s a little more you need to know.”

  He exhales. “Trax, I’m not fucking liking the tone in your voice. What the fuck’s going on? Was it Everett?”

  I’d almost forgotten why Mylee was even here. This Everett guy hasn’t even been a damn problem. I need to look more into that, but one problem at a time. “No, we got caught up in a high-speed chase, collateral damage, but Crest, when they ran some bloodwork on Mylee, they found something.”

  “What the hell do you mean? Spit it the fuck out! Now!”

  Mylee takes my hand for support. I look at her as she bobs her head giving me the go-ahead to tell her father he’s going to be a grandfather. “Mylee’s… pregnant, Crest.”

  I scrunch up my face waiting for the imminent yelling match, but there’s nothing.

  Just deafening silence.

  It sends a chill through my entire soul as I look to Mylee, my breathing increasing in intensity. “Crest?”

  “Is she keeping it?” His voice is quiet, and it’s not the Crest I know.

  “We’re looking into that option, yes.”

  He lets out a heavy sigh. “She never wanted this. She must be going through hell right now. Jesus Christ, my poor girl…” He sounds broken, sad. Not the anger I was expecting, more like grief is taking over, and it’s shocking me. I glance to Mylee noticing she’s watching me intensely.

  “Crest, I know Mylee didn’t want to have children. We both know it. We didn’t plan this. Fuck knows we didn’t. But the idea we created a life together, something that’s part of the both of us… that’s gotta be some kind of fucking miracle. I know the fears that come with this baby and pregnancy, but I’m with Mylee in this. You know me. You know my love for her. We’ve created a life, and that life is your grandchild, Crest.”

  A tear rolls down Mylee’s face. I move in wiping it away from her cheek with my thumb. She nuzzles into my hand as I smile at her. I hope she knows how honest my words are. Crest sniffs like he’s having a hard time keeping himself together. “Fuck. I need to come down there. Be with you two, help sort all this shit out. Now is really crap timing for the club, but my girl comes first. How is she really, Trax?”

  I look to her seeing a sparkle in her eyes, the fear, the anguish I’m sure it’s still there, but there’s also a spark that wasn’t there when she first found out. That spark is what’s making me sure we’re doing the right thing. Keeping this baby is the best option for the both of us.

  “She’s scared, but she’s doing fine. Do you want to talk to her?” Mylee looks a little apprehensive. “She wants to talk to you,” I add.

  Crest exhales. “Okay, but don’t take this non-reaction as a non-reaction, Trax. I’m in pain for my girl’s broken dreams. Dreams you’ve damn well shattered. I won’t forget you did this to her. I might sound calm, but once I’ve dealt with Mylee, we’re going to be having some serious fuckin’ words you and me.”

  I let out a long breath. This is more like what I was expecting, and I know it’s going to be a hard slog when Crest gets here, but I’ll put up with whatever he throws my way because Mylee’s worth it. Our baby is worth it, and I would put up with anything for them.

  “I hear you, Crest, and I’m all for a chat, but right now, I th
ink Mylee needs to talk to her father. She needs support, do you hear what I’m saying?” I warn, but he lets out a small laugh.

  “You think I’m going to talk her out of this baby? Trax, all I’ve ever wanted is to see her happy, to see her with a brood of kids, and to make me a grandfather. I want that for her. I want that for me. I want that for you, but sometimes we don’t always get what we want. If Mylee tells me she doesn’t want this baby, I will support her in that, Trax. I’m on Mylee’s side, whatever she chooses… remember that.”

  I exhale handing Mylee the cell. She takes it from me as I let out a heavy breath. The idea Mylee could still turn around and not want to keep our baby weighs heavily on me as she lifts the cell to her ear. I stand up from the bed moving over to the window looking out at the gray, overcast sky.

  “D… Dad,” her voice cracks making me shudder hearing her sound so vulnerable. “No, I’m okay. I promise. Trax’s doing a great job looking after me. He’s been amazing, Dad.”

  I turn back to look at her. She smiles as I take a breath walking over to the bed then sitting on top. I only needed a second, just a second to gather myself from Crest’s words, but now I’m back, and I’m here for my girl. I bring my legs up on the bed beside her, sliding right next to her wrapping my arm behind her shoulders and pull her to me. She nuzzles into my side continuing to talk to her father while I try to tune out letting her have some time as I take a moment to just think about this life-changing event.

  Mylee’s pregnant.

  With my child.

  And from here on out everything’s going to be different.

  ***

  Crest is on his way. It’s been a couple of hours since we called him, so he should be about halfway here by now. It takes four hours to ride from Grand Rapids to Chicago, but knowing him, he’s probably breaking the land speed record to get here.

  Mylee’s psych, on the other hand, has been in and discussed all the options with us. He talked us through the risk factors weighing up the pros and cons of staying on her bipolar disorder tablet regime. Dr. Prescott advised that the medication she’s on doesn’t tend to have risk factors, but there’s always some risk associated with taking any medication during pregnancy. So, basically his recommendation is for Mylee to stay on them. In the long term, the advantage of Mylee’s moods being stable is of a far greater benefit to her and the baby than her being off her meds. If her moods are unbalanced, it could cause stress and possible dangers which come with bipolar episodes which could, in turn, be more harmful than the medication itself.

  Standing to lean down, I plant a chaste kiss on Mylee’s temple. “I’m going to talk to my brother about club business and see how far away Crest is. Won’t be long,” I tell her squeezing her hand.

  Turning, I walk from her room glancing over to Foxy giving her a sly wink. She winks back, and I know she’s going to look after my woman while I’m out trying to calm down my raging emotions.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  MYLEE

  Smiling as Trax leaves, Foxy walks in taking a seat next to my bed, she sits back, the plastic on the chair squeaking with her movement. “Wow, this is so much to take in,” Foxy says.

  I snort out a laugh. “You should take it in from my end.”

  She chuckles leaning forward resting her arms on the bed as she looks up at me. “Mylee, I’ve been at the club long enough to know these men. Long enough to know how they work. Long enough to know that when they mark their territory, they fight tooth and nail to make the people they love happy.”

  “I get that. I’ve been around clubs long enough to see how it works.”

  She smiles. “Then you know Trax claiming you is a big deal. He’s been so… broken, so… alone, until you came back. He was waiting for you.”

  “I think I always knew I’d find my way back to him.”

  “He needs you, and with this baby comes a new challenge, but I will be here, Kline will be helping you, too. You’re always going to have access to the club, and everyone there’s going to be helping as well. We’re a family, family sticks together, no matter how hard it gets. We’ve got your back, Mylee, don’t you worry.”

  “Thanks, Foxy, this means so much. I know I’m kinda new around here, but it’s lovely the way you’re all taking this on… taking me on.”

  “You’re family, Mylee. You’re a part of this club now. You’re the VP’s Old Lady. No matter what, we will take care of you. We’re basically sisters you and me.”

  Foxy stands up leaning over taking me into a tight hug. I feel nothing but a sisterly embrace from her. I’ve never known what it’s like to have a sibling, but right now, I feel about as close to Foxy as what it might be like.

  “You’re amazing, you know that?” I ask.

  She pulls back from me with a small smile and giggles. “Thanks, and I mean everything I say. You’re one of us now.”

  “I feel that, and I’m so glad.”

  Having this moment with Foxy is just what I needed. Not a doctor coming in telling me the ins and outs of how things are going to run. Not Trax and my father telling me I have their support because I know I have it no matter what. But having the other members of the club backing me, this is what truly makes me feel welcomed into the Chicago Defiance, and being welcomed by the club’s first Old Lady, well, it can’t be any better than that.

  I glance at the doorway and notice the handsome older face of my father looking in. My breath catches, a sudden wave of anxiety flows through me at the sad look in his eyes. His broad frame steps inside the room as Foxy turns to see Dad, and she smiles.

  “I’ll let you two have some time. I’ll be right outside if you need me, just call,” Foxy beams.

  “Thanks, Foxy, for everything.”

  She pats my shoulder as she lets Dad stride in to take the seat she was occupying. He reaches out grabbing my hand, his warm fingers feeling like leather as my eyes instantly well up with tears.

  “Daddy,” I murmur.

  He weakly smiles, his white beard looking a little longer than it did just over a month ago when I last saw him. “Oh, baby girl, I had no idea bringing you here would result in this.”

  I look down to our joined hands, his weathered from age and too much sun. I shrug. “It wasn’t planned—”

  “No, of course not, Mylee. I’m worried about you, about what this means for you.”

  “I know, Dad. It’s going to be hard, especially because you have to stay in Grand Rapids while I’m here. You need to be with the club, you can’t leave them to look after me. You gotta let me do this with the help from Trax and his club, Dad.”

  He grits his teeth shaking his head. “I got you into this mess, Mylee, I should be the one looking after you. You have to come back home, so I can take care of you. I know how to handle it best.”

  I look at him trying to muster all my courage to tell him what I need. “Dad, I can’t leave Defiance.”

  “You can, and you will, Mylee.”

  Slowly shaking my head, my heart pummels in my chest. “I can’t, Dad. I’m a part of their club now.”

  His eyes shoot open, he flares his nostrils like he’s getting angry with me. “The only way you would be a part of their club is if—”

  “Trax claimed me,” I blurt out.

  His eyes bulge as the vein in his thick neck pulses. His jaw strains as he tilts his head like he’s trying to reign in his anger. “Shit! Little fucker. I’m gonna goddamn kill that son of a—”

  “Dad, this is what I want. Me, him… our baby.”

  Dad looks to me his eyes glistening like he’s on edge.

  “We’re going to be a family. It’s going to be fucking hard to get there, but I have so much support here, Dad. And I know you’ll come to see that and support us, too.”

  He clears his throat. “I know you have support, Mylee, I saw it in the corridor out there. I saw it when I walked in here. I just… I hate the idea of you going through this and me not being by your side.”

  I tighten my hand
in his. “I know, but you’ll only be four hours away, and I’ll call you every day if you want me to. I will probably do it anyway knowing me. So you won’t be missing out, Dad, not at all.”

  “I don’t think I’ll be missing out, Mylee. I’m scared I won’t be there when you need me.”

  “I will always need you, Dad, always… but Trax and Foxy, hell even Torque, and I’m sure Neala, will be watching out for me. Trust me, I’m going to have so many people watching me I’ll probably be begging to come home.”

  He laughs. “Okay…” He tightens his hand in mine.

  I look at him wondering why he looks so disheveled. “What’s happening with the club? Is everything settling down?”

  He snorts out a laugh. “Hardly. We have trades happening, but with the fucking senator breathing down our necks, everything’s blocked at every angle. It’s making running things damn hard for us. Those Scotts are a pain in my fucking ass. The minute we find something on them, to take them out, will be a good day in my book.”

  I weakly smile thinking about Everett and all the shit he’s caused my family and me. “I have a guy at Defiance, Ace, who’s doing some digging, but he can’t seem to find anything so far that could do any damage to the Senator’s career, or even in regard to Everett for that matter. They seem to be covering their tracks too well.”

  “Yeah, the Senator’s doing a great job of hiding the fact his son is completely deranged. I mean I know he has an illness, but there has to be some kind of evil in him to say the kinds of things he was saying to you.”

  I shudder, remembering when he cornered me in the psych hospital and the conversation that took place.

  My mind never truly felt clear there. Everything smelled stale. I was never sure if it was mold or more of an old shoe smell mixed with antiseptic. But either way, the smell was everywhere. In my bedroom, in the hall, in the dining area. It seeped into your pores and made you feel even crazier than when you arrived. Not that I was crazy, I was so deep into a bipolar episode that I couldn’t crawl my way out. That’s why I was there in the psych ward of the hospital. My depression so uncontrolled I couldn’t keep myself from thinking horrible thoughts. From wanting to curl into a ball and think of ways of ending things. From thoughts so dark they scared not only my family, my friends, but me too.