by Sam Crescent
****
Two days later
Chloe stepped out of the car. She glanced across at Lily and Eagle as he helped her out of the back of the car and into the waiting wheelchair. She’d still not asked her mom, but Alfie had told her about his conversation with his dad.
She wanted her mother to be the one to tell her, but each day that passed, she figured her mother was waiting for the right moment, only, she didn’t know which time it would be.
“You’ve brought us to the clubhouse,” Chloe said.
At breakfast this morning—with Ian and Riley as they were permanent breakfast guests—Alfie had taken the application form for the diner and torn it up. She had no desire to work there, nor to open up a restaurant in an attempt to compete for business. The diner was part of Satan’s Croft, almost an institution in itself.
“This is for a real special occasion,” Alfie said.
He’d been so happy the past couple of days. She couldn’t exactly put her finger on the why of it, but she followed him as he flung his arm across her shoulders. There were several club whores hanging outside, smoking.
Chloe noticed the looks they threw Alfie’s way, but not once did he look in their direction.
“Those women want you,” she said, whispering against his ear.
Alfie laughed. “Babe, they want every single man. Their mission is to have the title of banging every single clubman they can. Some of them want to get the whole set.”
“Ew.”
“They’re going to be sadly upset. I’m not banging anyone.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Have you got your period yet?” Alfie asked.
She had warned him she was a couple days late. With the stress of her mother and coming home, she figured it was late because of that.
“No.”
“We need to get you a test.”
“Tests can lie.”
“We’ll take one test and then get it confirmed by the doctor.”
“You really think I’m pregnant?” she asked.
“I’m hoping for it.” He smiled. His lips brushing across her neck. “Aren’t you?”
“I don’t know.”
She allowed herself to possibly daydream of a small baby.
Alfie let her go, and she went to stand beside her mother. She gripped the wheelchair as Alfie and Eagle both opened a lock on the old warehouse. She’d never been here as a kid as it was always locked up. They pulled the stiff doors open, and she couldn’t help but admire the sheer bulge of Alfie’s muscles. The man worked out constantly. He had weights in the apartment, and she spent so much time simply drooling as he pumped them.
“What do you think?” Eagle asked, dusting his hands off.
He moved her out of the way, pushing her mother toward the door.
“What do I think of what?”
“The space?” Eagle entered the warehouse and flicked on a light.
She moved up to Alfie’s side.
“I don’t know. What am I supposed to think? Are you guys planning on renovating it?”
The scent of mold was heavy in the air.
“You shouldn’t work at the diner. It’s not why you trained at a culinary school. Your mom was showing me all these food blogs, and the kind you can create your own show and stuff.”
“Yeah,” she said. “I know about them.”
“This is your chance to set one up. The guys will stay out of the way, and we’ll help you film and get set up. You’ve got complete design control.”
“You’re saying this place is mine?” Chloe asked, pointing at it.
“It’s not a lot, but it’s a start. We can get some cupboards installed, a pantry, stove, sink. Get everything hooked up, and you can go live within a month, I reckon. I’ve got several favors owed to me, and well, you can have this place.”
Chloe’s mouth was open. Shock filled her.
“You’re serious.”
“Yes.”
“I think it’s amazing, sweetie,” Lily said. “I can see you right now doing your thing. Singing and dancing as you cook.” Lily clapped her hands. “It will be wonderful.”
“I think it’s crazy,” Chloe said. “What do you want for it?”
Alfie tensed beside her, and even Lily looked uncomfortable.
“I don’t want anything, Chloe.”
“I wasn’t raised stupid, Eagle. You don’t just give this stuff to people for free.”
“Chloe!”
“No, it’s okay. I’m impressed you asked.” Eagle smiled. “Your delivery needs some work, but you’re right. I don’t give shit like this for free. There’s always a price.”
“What do you want for it?” Chloe asked.
“You to stay in town. To give Alfie a chance, the club a chance, and me and your mom a chance.”
“Eagle?”
“I told you Alfie already knew, and I know he got that little nugget of information from you,” Eagle said, nodding at her. “There are no terms and conditions with this, Chloe. I’m hoping we can all be a family and learn to get along without all the bullshit lies or sneaking around. I love your mom more than anything in the world, and I know my son loves you. I don’t know what you think or feel, but I’m willing to bet it’s pretty strong to move in with him. This is a second chance. That’s all.”
Chloe nodded. “I’m sorry. I’m … nervous. My dad always said the club didn’t do anything without payment.”
“You’re not just anyone, Chloe. You’re family, and from what I’ve tasted, you’re talented. I know we’ve all got a lot of history to work through, but I’m willing to do it, if you are,” Eagle said.
The space was amazing, and she could really put her touch to it.
“What do you think?” Alfie asked, coming toward her.
“I think … it’s everything I could ever want.” She let out a giggle and threw her arms around Alfie’s neck. “Thank you.”
“It was all Dad’s idea,” he said.
“Thank you both, and the club.”
“Technically, I’ve done this for selfish reasons,” Eagle said.
“How come?”
“You’ll be feeding us. Nothing will ever go to waste, unless it tastes like shit.”
She chuckled. “You and Mom, are you two going to be making this official?”
“If your mom will have me,” Eagle said, taking hold of Lily’s hand.
“Yeah, I’ll have you. We’ve wasted enough time as it is.”
Chloe rested her head against Alfie’s shoulder as she watched Eagle and Lily. They’d been apart for too long, and now it was just good to see them together.
Chapter Nineteen
One month later
Alfie was very much aware of how long it had passed since he and Chloe had been together. He also knew she hadn’t gotten her period. The test he’d bought was in his jacket pocket, but as she was getting hugs and words of encouragement from the club, he didn’t want to spoil her day.
They needed to know if she was pregnant or not.
The old warehouse had been converted into a cooking studio, one she could be more than proud of. He’d helped with the decorating and installing. They’d gotten electricians, gas men, and builders to make sure the structure was sound, and now, after four weeks of hard labor, she was finally able to get started cooking.
Eagle had even given her a thousand bucks to start her pantry, and Alfie saw the tears in her eyes as he moved past the guys and pulled her into his arms.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said.
“Hey, you. I can’t believe all of this has been done for me.”
“Why? You’re worth it.”
“I can’t believe it, in all honesty. This, coming back to town, you, us, it’s all a little surreal.”
He knew it hadn’t been easy. Several guys in town had tried to bring up the fair fuck, but he’d dealt with them, and seeing as his dad was currently her number one fan, he had a whole club at his back.
Ian and
Riley, well, they were her fans as well. Her food did that to people. It made them want to protect her, not that he saw a problem with that. She was worth protecting and loving.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he placed his palm flat on her stomach.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve got in your pocket,” she said, whispering against his ear.
“I don’t have anything.”
“You’ve got a pregnancy test.”
“How do you know?”
“Someone told my mom they saw you buying one and asked if I was knocked up yet.”
He chuckled. “Okay, so maybe I bought one because we can’t keep putting this off.”
“But I feel fine.”
“I know you want to wait until you start throwing up in the morning, but not all of us are like that. We want answers, real answers.”
“I know you’re right.”
“Good,” he kissed her cheek. “There’s a bathroom in the clubhouse. Let’s go.”
Alfie didn’t give her time to argue. Without another word, he marched her out of the warehouse and to the clubhouse.
A couple of the club women quickly jumped out of his way, clearly not wanting to anger him. He couldn’t blame them. None of the club women held a patch to his girl. The bathroom was all clear, and the moment they were inside, he pushed the bolt home.
“You’re going to watch me pee?”
“No. I’ll give you the privacy, but you will be peeing and I’m going to stay in the room.” He pulled the test out of his pocket. “Here you go.”
“What if it says no?” Chloe asked.
“Then we carry on as we were.” He’d try to not remember condoms. He wanted her knocked up, and he knew it made him a really bad person. But he didn’t give at shit what others thought of him, only that, he really, really wanted to be with her, and only her.
“And if it says yes?”
“You marry me.” He’d been waiting for this opportunity, and he wasn’t going to squander it.
“You’re crazy,” she said.
“Am I, or am I just madly in love?” he said.
“You keep saying those words.”
“They’re the truth. You’re everything to me, and I’m going to keep on saying them until you realize I mean business.”
“I know you mean them.”
“Good because I regretted not saying it to you before you left. I’m not going do that to you again. I’ve changed.”
“I can see that.” She started to tear up, and he pulled her into his arms. “I’ll marry you,” she said.
“You don’t have to sound so sad about it.”
“I’m not sad. I’m really happy.”
“You have a weird way of showing it.”
“Alfie, I’ve been really scared to say this to you in case it doesn’t ever work out, but I do … I do love you. I know I don’t say it as much as you, but please, don’t break my heart.”
“I won’t. I promise.” He stroked a finger down her cheek. “I’ve learned my lesson. This what you’re giving me now, being part of my life, it’s more than I could have ever hoped for.” He kissed her again. “Please, take the test.”
She chuckled. “This is crazy.”
“I know it’s crazy, but this is our life and I want to live it to the fullest with you. Kids, no kids, lots of kids. All I want is you.”
“Okay. Let’s do this. No baby, we carry on. A baby, we get married.” She let out a breath, and gave him the signal to turn around.
“You know I’ve licked and sucked at your pussy more times than I can count,” he said.
“And you think this is going to make me feel better when I’ve got to pee on a stick. I want you to have some sexual desire intact.”
“I was reading women sometimes shit while in labor.”
“Ew, gross, what are you reading?” she asked.
Alfie laughed. He had given her his back so she could pee, but he liked to tease her, even if it did make her uncomfortable.
“Just a few things on pregnancy. I figure I better start getting all the information now when we’re ready.”
“This is insane.”
“We’ll make it work.”
“I know we will.” Seconds passed. “I’m ready.”
He turned around as she put the test down and washed her hands.
“Now we wait,” he said, staring at the stick.
“It’s not going to go any faster with you glaring at it.”
“I’m making sure it knows what to do.”
“By glaring?”
“Yes.” He wanted to know if he’d finally made her his.
He knelt down, arms, crossed, chin resting on his hands.
Chloe stood beside him after drying her hands. She stroked her fingers through his hair, humming.
“This reminds me of high school,” she said.
“How does it?”
“You were always impatient for me to finish. I know this isn’t the same thing because hello, it’s a test, but it kind of is.”
“I don’t know how much I can handle,” he said. His nerves were only increasing the longer they waited.
“Just give it a couple of minutes. It’ll surprise you.”
“I’m not ready to be surprised yet.” He stood up, running fingers through his hair, banding his arms around her, squeezing her ass. He loved her curvy shape more than anything. “What time is it?” he asked, giving up with his patience level.
She checked her watch and smiled. “It’s time.”
He picked up the test and saw the answer.
“Well, what is it?” she asked.
Alfie smiled. “You better get used to being called Mrs. Alfie Pace. Your ass is mine.”
“We’re pregnant?” She let out a squeal as he picked her up and twirled her around.
“We’re pregnant,” he said, yelling.
He didn’t know if he was ready, but he’d make it work. The two of them together could face anything, and that’s how he knew they were both ready.
Just as he was about to kiss her, he heard gunshots ring out in the clubhouse.
Acting on instinct, he pushed Chloe down to the floor.
She let out a scream, but he wasn’t having anything happening to her.
“What is that?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Don’t move,” he said.
Several more gunshots went off, and then there was silence.
Chloe was panting.
“Please tell me you’re fine,” he said.
“I’m fine.”
Alfie heard screaming. A man was shouting.
“Who is that?” Chloe asked.
“You don’t leave this room. You understand me?”
“You can’t leave me here.”
“I’m not having you go out there,” she said, grabbing his arm. “You can’t leave me, Alfie.”
“No, I won’t leave you, but I’ve got to go and see who it is.”
“Please.”
“Chloe, I’m no coward. I will be back, and I will protect you. I’m not about to have a madman charge this fucking room and hurt you.” He grabbed her face, kissing her hard. “I love you, Chloe, but stay here.”
Alfie opened the bathroom door and came to a stop as he saw Eagle on his knees, Lily on the floor, blood pooling beneath her hand that covered her chest. She looked pale.
“You think I’m a coward. I’m looking you in the face right now, Eagle, and I don’t see a coward. You’re on your knees before me.”
“You’ve just shot Lily,” Eagle said.
“The slut had it coming. I figure she had learned her lesson in getting fucked by this club, but after seeing the two of you together, I had to put a stop to it. She was just walking on by as if she didn’t have a single care in the world, and you know what? I want her dead.”
“No!” Eagle yelled the word trying to draw Kurt’s attention back to him. “You let her go.”
“You think I gave up everything and I�
�d be happy for you to take my place? Do you think I’m that fucking stupid?” Kurt spat at Eagle and then landed a blow. All the time, the gun in his hand was pointed at Lily.
She was pale, shaking, and Alfie couldn’t have anything happen to them.
Kurt hadn’t seen him. Keeping to the shadows, he tried to get as close as possible.
“We can talk about this,” Eagle said. “You don’t have to kill her.”
“You don’t think I know what killing you means? I will kill every single motherfucker here. Anyone who comes through that door will end up dead, just like Stallion.” Kurt sneered. “You always did think you were better than me. You never were. You’re evil fuckers. Why would I stick around to get my ass shot at while you guys were more than willing to take the bullet?” Kurt shook his head. “Lily’s mine. She was always mine. You don’t think I didn’t see how much you wanted her? Every single time she’d come to the clubhouse I’d see you panting after her like a little puppy dog. But I had her first. I gave her a daughter, not that it did me any good. Until Chloe was too fucking stupid to keep her legs closed.”
Alfie frowned.
“Then she proved to be very valuable indeed. The tape that little fucker made, Danny, Duke, something or other. It had my daughter on it, and he tried to blackmail me with the tape, threatened to expose my daughter to the town. I figured I could use it for myself. I don’t know, I found it, and made sure you didn’t get what you wanted, Eagle. You got everything. You got the club, the respect, but I got the one thing you always wanted. I got the woman, and I knew it killed you inside to know you’d failed and I had won.”
“You didn’t win,” Eagle said.
“I won. You’re the loser, not me. I’m the winner. I won.”
“You’re the reason the tape was played,” Alfie said. “You’re the one responsible for showing the entire town everything.”
Kurt jerked, and Alfie had caught him by surprise. He’d lost the shock element though, and now there was no way of sneaking up on him.
He didn’t care.
“That little fucker came to me. He thought I should see my daughter and this little asshole punk screwing. He thought I was a cowardly fuck and would go to your father, and deal with it. The tape scared him, the little pussy. Well, as soon as I saw it, I had another idea, so I used him, but he didn’t like it. Wouldn’t think of playing it, not even at your graduation. So, I took it and whatever better way of separating Lily and Eagle, and pushing my daughter out of the equation than learning the truth.”