by Harley Wylde
“I did knock.” He snarled at me. “You said you were bringing her home. You didn’t say a fucking word about treating her like a Goddamn whore!”
I lifted my hands, hoping to placate him. “Griz, it’s not what you think. And I’d never treat her like a whore.”
The ex-Pres took a swing at me, his fist connecting with my jaw hard enough I saw stars. I shook it off and blocked the next blow, but he landed a solid hit to my ribs. “She’s my daughter! I ought to kill you.”
“Dad, stop!” Shella stumbled from the bed, the sheet wrapped around her. She stood at my side and I reached for her, putting my arm around her waist, ready to move her if Griz came at me again. I knew he wouldn’t hit her, but I didn’t want her getting between us.
He let out another roar and charged me. I pushed Shella out of the way right before her dad hit me with the full force of his weight. I went down to the floor and tried to block most of his blows. The fist to my stomach knocked the wind out of me for a moment, and he clocked me along my jaw again. I knew I’d be bruised as fuck later, but I understood. He needed this.
Shella screamed and I saw tears streaming down her face. I needed to end this. Griz had his shot at me, got to feel like he was protecting his kid, but I’d never fucking hurt her.
“I’d never treat Shella like a whore,” I said, my voice calmer. “She’s my wife, Griz. I married her.”
He stood and staggered back a step, seeming to deflate as he looked at her uncertainly. “You married Slash?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I did. And he’s been great to me.”
Griz glowered at me, not bothering to help me up. “You didn’t say anything about marrying her.”
I stood and winced at how tender my ribs felt. I reached for Shella and pulled her against my side again. If Griz lost it, I’d shove her out of the way, but I hoped he was calm enough to be reasoned with. And maybe I should have given him a heads-up before now.
“Dad, you know I used to have a crush on Slash. Is it any wonder I’d want to marry him someday?” Shella asked.
She’d had a crush on me? I didn’t dare look at her. If I did, I might give away how I felt hearing those words. It made me feel ten feet tall, knowing she’d always had a thing for me.
“He didn’t force you?” Griz asked, focusing on his daughter. “Or did he do the caveman thing and just tell you to marry him?”
“I want to be with him,” she said softly, leaning her head against my arm. “Please, Dad. Don’t hurt him.”
“Fine.” Griz swung his gaze to me. “Welcome to the family. You hurt her, I’ll fucking bury you.”
“I’d never hurt her,” I said. “In fact, I’m doing my best to knock her up. You ready to be a grandpa again?”
A smile ticked up one corner of his mouth before he scowled at me again. “She’s just a kid herself. Only twenty! She has plenty of time to start a family.”
“Maybe. But I don’t. I know I’m twenty-five years older than her, and maybe you have an issue with that, but I will protect her with my life. I want a family with Shell, and I hope you can learn to accept that.”
Griz sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Fine. You have my blessing, as long as she’s happy. The second she comes crying to me about you fucking up, we’re going to revisit this. And I won’t hold back.”
I wouldn’t expect anything less. I ushered Griz from the room so Shella could get dressed, stopping only long enough to grab my jeans. I slipped them on and went downstairs with him. He didn’t seem quite so agitated now, even though I’d hardly say he was calm. It had to be a shock to find me fucking his kid. If I’d walked in on some guy with my daughter, I’d have wanted blood.
Griz sat in the living room and I sprawled in the chair by the couch. He scanned the room, looking everywhere but at me. Couldn’t blame him. He’d just seen far more of me than he ever wanted to. I only hoped he didn’t get too big an eyeful of Shella. I heard her racing down the stairs and I shot up, hurrying over to her.
“Slow down! What if you tripped and fell?” I asked, reaching for her. I held her hand as she walked down the last three steps, then led her into the living room. I should have let her sit by her dad. Instead, I tugged her down onto my lap in the chair.
“You’re already coddling her,” Grizzly said. “I was the same way with Mae, even from the beginning. It’s clear you have feelings for my daughter, and this wasn’t just out of the blue.”
The way he eyed me made it clear he wondered exactly when I’d started noticing Shella. As much as I wanted to set him at ease, if I wanted everyone to believe this baby was mine, the less I said the better. I simply held his stare until he shook his head and looked away.
“You talked to your sisters yet?” Grizzly asked her.
“No. I don’t even know if they realize I’m home. I saw Badger when we first got here, so it’s possible he told Adalia,” Shella said. “And Dragon…”
She trailed off and I knew she didn’t want to finish that sentence. Dragon hadn’t reacted well to seeing her again. I’d had a talk with him, and I’d hit him hard enough he’d eaten dirt. I could only hope I’d made a big enough impression he’d back the fuck down.
“No doubt. He doesn’t keep anything from her, unless he thinks it will upset her. She’s pregnant again, and after losing two babies Badger’s ready to tear into anyone who so much as breathes too heavy around her,” Grizzly said. “We honestly thought she couldn’t get pregnant again. It’s what the doctor said. Seems he was wrong.”
“Did he say she couldn’t have another baby or shouldn’t?” Shella asked.
Griz rubbed his beard. “Maybe it was the second one, in which case, Badger is probably going to come unglued until the baby gets here.”
Just what we needed. Our Pres focused on his pregnant woman. Shit. It meant I’d probably have to take up the slack, except with Shella under my roof, I knew I’d be distracted too. With so many of my brothers starting families, it was a wonder the club hadn’t fallen apart. We were turning into a bunch of pussywhipped men.
“I’ll call her tomorrow,” Shella said. “I think I just want to get settled into my new home tonight. Besides, I don’t think a lot of people will be happy to see me. The ones at the clubhouse weren’t thrilled I was back.”
Grizzly twisted his wedding band. He’d never taken it off, even all the years after Mae’s death. I could tell something was weighing on him and I hoped like hell he wasn’t about to ask why she’d been so bratty before she’d taken off. It wasn’t a conversation I thought she’d be up for right now.
“You were a bit wild before you left,” Griz said. “I never intended for you to stay gone, Shella. I loved you. Still do. You might not be my blood, but you’re my daughter just the same.”
“Dad, I know I screwed up. It’s why I stayed gone. I figured no one really wanted me around here. Thought it best if I kept my distance,” she said.
I tightened my hold on her, knowing she was thinking about why she’d been acting out. Griz would find out soon enough. The entire club would. There was no fucking way I’d let them treat her like shit, or make her feel bad, when it was us who’d failed her. I knew the moment I told them what she’d been through, it would be like setting off a bomb in the middle of Church.
I still needed to find out the names of the boys who hurt her. Then I’d have Outlaw figure out if they still lived in the area. Their lives were about to be hell. Whatever was left of them, because I had no intention of letting any of them live. Once I got my hands on them, it was only a matter of time before they drew their last breath.
The doorbell rang, and then I heard the door open. “Slash? I’ve got your grocery order.”
“Then get in here and put the shit in the kitchen,” I said.
He peered around the door, saw Shella in my lap and Griz on my couch. He gave them a slight wave, then darted toward the kitchen with a handful of sacks. It took him two more trips to get everything into the house, and I heard him putting it awa
y.
“You need anything?” Grizzly asked, looking at Shella.
“I’ll be buying her some new stuff. She’s not your financial responsibility anymore, Griz. She’s my wife and I’ll see she’s taken care of,” I said.
“Not trying to step on your toes, Slash. She’s my daughter, even if she’s married to you. Do you honestly think I don’t still buy shit for Adalia and Lilian? Because I do.”
“Just sayin’, I can take care of my woman.” I patted her thigh and she stood up. I leaned forward, holding his gaze. “She’s my wife, Griz. I have no idea if the club will accept her as my old lady. You want to do something for her? Make sure they vote yes when I take it to the table. She’s worried they’ll ask her to leave.”
Grizzly puffed up. “They better not fucking dare.”
I just stared at him until he nodded. With him on my side, there was a better chance of Shella being accepted. Even before I told everyone how badly we’d fucked up. Whatever it took, she was staying right here with me. Now that I had her under my roof, and in my bed, I wasn’t letting her go. Not now. Not fucking ever.
“Then let’s get it over with now,” Griz said. He pulled out his phone and sent a message to someone. Badger most likely. Within two minutes, my phone chimed.
Church in five.
“Let’s go,” Griz said. “Why don’t you ask Matt to stick around in case Shella needs anything while we’re gone?”
“I’ll meet you at the clubhouse.” Griz hugged Shella, then left. I pulled her into my arms, kissing her. I could feel the tension in her body and knew she was scared. “It’s going to be fine, butterfly. You’ll see.”
I kissed her once more, then went to tell Matt he needed to stick around. If Shella didn’t want him in the house, he could sit on the porch. Either way, I’d feel better knowing he was here. After I had everything arranged, I got on my bike and went to the clubhouse, ready to do battle for my woman.
I was one of the last ones in the door and took my seat. Badger looked tired as fuck, rubbing his eyes. Several other brothers didn’t look too happy to be here either. Mostly the ones with families. Seemed I wasn’t the only one with other plans for tonight. After the last of us had taken our seats and the doors to Church had closed, Badger slammed his fist on the table.
“We’re meeting for one reason only. Slash brought Shella back to the compound,” Badger said.
A few men groaned, and I wanted to pound them into the fucking ground.
“He wants to claim her as his old lady, so we’re going to take it to a vote,” Badger said.
“No fucking way,” Dragon said. “Not after the shit she pulled with Lilian. My woman may have forgiven her, but I sure the fuck don’t.”
“I’d have to agree,” Cobra said. “She’s trouble.”
I leaned over to whisper in Badger’s ear. “There’s something the club needs to know. It’s not pretty and Griz is going to flip the fuck out when he hears what I have to say.”
Badger eyed me. “About Shella?”
I nodded. He waved for me to say whatever needed saying. I stood and looked at each of my brothers.
“I know Shella caused problems when she was here before, but I have a question for you. Most of you remember when she came here. How sweet and shy she was. Then it seemed like overnight she went wild. Anyone ever ask her why? Or wonder about the change in her?” I asked.
Grizzly tensed, his gaze laser-focused on me. Yeah, he knew I was about to say something that would change everything. I could almost see the gears grinding in his head as he tried to figure it out.
“Are you saying something happened to make her act like that?” Outlaw asked.
“Yeah. It’s exactly what I’m saying, and every last one of us fucking failed her. We didn’t notice, or didn’t bother to ask why she’d changed. Myself included. Before you decide she’s not worthy of being my old lady, or being part of this club, you need to hear what happened,” I said.
I glanced at Badger and he gave me a nod, then stood and went around to Grizzly, standing just behind his chair. I knew when the old man went ballistic, Badger would keep him under control. Best he could at any rate.
“When Shella was in high school, something happened. Something bad.” I swallowed hard, my hands fisting at my sides as I remembered what she’d told me. “She was gang-raped. They held her down and took turns. When she came home, Lilian had been having a bad day. Shella didn’t tell anyone because she didn’t want to upset her sister even more. She cleaned herself up, went to stay with a friend, and kept it to herself.”
Grizzly roared like the bear he’d been named after, his fists pounding on the table. I heard the wood crack and his chair fell as he stood. Badger tried to hold him back, and two other brothers jumped up to help.
“It was our job to keep her safe. We failed.” I looked at each of them. “If you don’t accept her as my old lady, I’ll walk. I can’t be part of a brotherhood who would turn their back on my wife after all she’s suffered. You can do whatever the fuck you want with me, but I won’t stay if she can’t.”
Badger held my gaze. “No vote. None needed. Congratulations, Slash. You have an old lady. I’ll have a property cut made for her. And for what it’s worth. I’m sorry. Should have fucking noticed something was off.”
Grizzly openly wept, the big man falling to his knees. I’d known it would hit him hard. It’s why I hadn’t wanted to say anything in front of Shella. The last thing she needed was seeing her dad fall apart.
Dragon came to me, his head hung. “I’m sorry, Slash. So fucking sorry. I had no idea. None of us did.”
I rammed my fist into his jaw, knocking him to the ground. He worked his jaw back and forth and stood up, accepting the hit.
“I know you’re sorry. Just think before you open your mouth around her. She’s strong, but inside she’s still a bit broken. Your words hurt her more than you realize. She didn’t want to come back. I had to force her. She knew damn well no one wanted her here.”
He nodded and walked off. The others gave me a wide berth, but I saw the looks on their faces. Each pitied Shella and felt sick over not realizing she’d been hurt. It would take time for them to accept their part in all this, just like I’d have to learn to accept mine. I left Badger to deal with Grizzly and went home to my woman. It was time to give her the good news. I’d just leave out the part of how the club reacted when I told them what she’d suffered. Some things were better left unsaid.
Chapter Seven
Shella -- Two Weeks Later
Lilian sipped some tea and eyed me over the rim of her cup. “I’m glad you came home. And I’m sorry I haven’t been by to see you before now. The babies haven’t been sleeping well, which means I’m not either.”
“It’s fine. I’ve been trying to get my bearings around here anyway.”
Lilian spun the cup on the table. “So. Dragon told me what happened. In high school. I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t tell anyone because of me. And for the record, I’m glad Slash punched him for being an idiot. I’d have done the same. In fact, when he told me and admitted what he’d said to you when you arrived, I threw a plate at him.”
I tried not to laugh at the image of her throwing dishes at Dragon. “It’s not your fault, Lil. I never blamed you.”
“Maybe not, but…” She shrugged. “You needed help. Our support. Instead, you dealt with it on your own. I don’t know how you survived that, or healed without anyone being wiser about what happened. You’re stronger than me, Shella.”
I took a swallow of my sweet tea, then nearly gagged before it went all the way down. With my hand clamped over my mouth, I bolted upright and ran from the kitchen, heading for the half bath. I hit my knees and threw up in the toilet, something I’d done every day for the last week. Thankfully, no one had witnessed it. Until now.
If there’d been any doubt that little test stick had been right, there wasn’t now. Morning sickness was a bitch.
Lilian hurried after me
and gasped in the bathroom doorway. “Shella, are you all right? Should I get Slash? Take you to the doctor?”
I flushed and stood. I rinsed my mouth at the sink, then splashed some water on my face. “I’m fine. I don’t need a doctor.”
Her eyes went comically wide. “Are you pregnant? Because I can’t think of another reason you’d puke your guts up and not want to see the doctor.”
Shit. I wasn’t ready to tell anyone yet. I’d only been with Slash less than three weeks. Of course, as far as the club knew, we could have been together the month he’d been gone when he’d searched for me. I nodded, knowing I couldn’t lie to my sister. “Yeah, I’m pregnant.”
She squealed and bounced on her toes. “Does Slash know?”
“He knows, but we wanted to keep it quiet a while longer.”
The excitement dimmed in her eyes. “Why don’t you want anyone to know?”
I hated lying to her, but I couldn’t exactly tell her the truth either. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt Lilian. If I told her what I’d done, how I’d hooked up with random men as a way to prove to myself I was in charge of my body, she’d never understand. And then she’d wonder who the father of my baby was, instead of accepting Slash was the dad. I needed to think fast and give her a plausible reason.
“What if I can’t carry the baby to term?” I asked, thinking of Adalia. “Besides, I haven’t been to the doctor. A home test and an upset stomach doesn’t mean I’m pregnant for sure. Those things give false positives all the time, right?”
Lilian sighed. “All right. I won’t say anything. Just promise you’ll see the doctor soon. If you are pregnant, you’ll need prenatal vitamins. You should also restrict your caffeine intake and watch what you eat.”
I rolled my eyes and smiled at her. “Okay, Mom. I get the point. I’ll talk to Slash about setting an appointment soon. I don’t know if I’m on his insurance or not. I know Dad got the club a health plan when he took in Adalia, but I figured he’d dropped me after I left and didn’t come back. We haven’t discussed it.”