by K E Osborn
She sits up facing me and smiles resting her hand on my knee and squeezing. “If you’re ready, I think there’s a phone call I really need to make.”
My lips turn up in a smile, and I nod. “Yeah, I think I’m ready.”
She takes a deep breath leaning over to the phone on the side table and dials a number. My chest tightens and I wonder how he’s going to take the news. It’s not every day someone comes back from the dead.
“Hey, it’s me… no, I’m fine. I’m really good actually. But there’s something I need to talk to you about. It has to be done in person or you won’t believe me.”
I half smile because I wouldn’t believe Hannah if she said it over the phone either.
“Yes, I know I’m being cryptic… Yes. If you could come over now, I have something to show you… I think you’re not going to quite believe it when you see it, so be prepared.”
She laughs and rolls her eyes. “No I am not pregnant, you idiot. You know I haven’t been seeing anyone. Just come over, and quickly… Okay, bye.” She hangs up, and I raise my eyebrow as she looks at me and shakes her head. “Before you start… no, I haven’t been seeing anyone—”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you had, Hannah. I was… dead.”
She winces and purses her lips. “Not to me you weren’t.” She moves her fingers to her left hand and rotates her wedding ring on her ring finger.
My throat chokes up, I hadn’t even noticed she was still wearing them, and my eyes flood with salt water as I clear my throat. “You’re amazing you know that?”
She smiles and leans in pressing her lips to mine, and I kiss her back still feeling that undeniable pull of electricity flowing through me that I always get with my beautiful wife. I look in her eyes as I pull back, and she looks at me bringing her hand up to caress my scarred cheek. I wince slightly because I hate that she has to look at such deformity.
“Don’t! Don’t do that,” she whispers.
Raising my eyebrow, I shake my head. “Do what?”
“Wince when I touch your scars. I know you think they’re ugly, but to me they’re a part of you, and I love every part of you, Adam. Every single part, no matter what. I don’t care what happened to your face, I only care that you’re here in my arms now and that I have my husband back. I know it won’t be easy, we won’t slip straight back into things the way they were before you left. We’re both different now, but we can grow and change together, and I know we can make it through this. Hell, if I can live through thinking you’re dead, I can certainly make it through anything with you alive, it’s so much easier with you by my side. I don’t even care that people will stare at you when we walk down the street, I will still hold your hand and tell every single person you’re my man because I’m proud to have you as my partner. You’re stuck with me, buddy.”
Sniffing, I shake my head with a smile. “How the fuck am I so lucky? Most women would run screaming when they see this face.”
She leans in kissing my scars. “There’s just more character to your face now, I think it makes you more interesting.”
Exhaling, I look at her, her brown hair cascading over her shoulders and flowing down her chest sitting right in the middle of her breasts. “I love you.
“I love you, too.”
We sit cuddled on the lounge waiting for the front doorbell to ring. Hannah looks at me as we stand up. “I think maybe you should wait in the hall, and I’ll tell him that someone’s here and then you can walk in or something. That way he doesn’t just walk in and is like bam… shocked on his feet?”
Nodding, I take a deep breath and make my way to the hall. I wait, but I can still hear everything. The creaking of the wooden door opens, and then his voice chimes through loud and clear making my heart rate quicken. I haven’t heard his voice in so long and I’ve missed him so much.
“Hannah, you’re kinda freaking me out. But you’re smiling, so I’m guessing the news isn’t bad?” he asks, and she giggles.
“No Hudson, the news is strange and something to wrap your head around, but once you do it’s amazing.”
“Well, I’m intrigued.” A female voice echoes through the lounge room as the door shuts, and I furrow my brows wondering who Hudson, my best friend, has brought with him.
“Good to see you again, Violet. And my God, no offense, but you’re so big!” Hannah says, and I jolt my head back wondering what the hell that means.
They all laugh, and I furrow my eyebrows—to me that seems like a rude thing to say, not something to laugh at and certainly not like my Hannah.
“Yeah, I’m just about ready to pop. I’m nervous as hell, though can’t wait for this little Angel to make her way out of me, finally.”
“You and me both,” Hudson says.
I open my good eye wide and huff. Hudson has a missus called Violet and she’s pregnant, and by the sounds of it, very pregnant! The things you miss while you’re dead, hey.
“So Hannah, stop keeping me in suspense, have you found a man or something? What’s so urgent?” Hudson asks, and she takes a deep breath. “Shit! Must be serious,” he murmurs.
“Maybe you should take a seat.”
I hear movement as my palms sweat and my heart races frantically.
“Hannah, you’re scaring me.”
“Okay, well, I’m not really sure how to tell you this. It’s a huge shock to get your head around, and you won’t believe it at first. I know I didn’t until I really saw him, but then I knew.”
“Han, you’re being cryptic again,” Hudson says as the darkness in the hallway seems to get blacker encroaching all around me.
She exhales as I swallow hard. “Oh shit! Maybe it’s best just to show you. I think you should come out now,” she calls out.
My heart lurches into my throat as my feet feel heavy. I have no idea how he’s going to take this, but I move one foot in front of the other and slowly step out of the shadows and into the doorway of the lounge room. Hudson glances over to me, my good eye meets with his and he opens his eyes wide, jolting back like he’s scared of what he’s seeing, and then it’s like something in him clicks as Violet next to him holds her breath with her hand over her heart looking at me.
“Jesus Christ,” Hudson murmurs.
I take another deep breath stepping into the room further. As he looks me up and down, his brows furrow as his chest heaves uncontrollably. He suddenly stands from the seat as he stares right at me. “It can’t be?” he whispers.
I’m physically shaking at seeing him so distressed, and I nod my head and half smile. “It is… it’s me, Hudson.”
He gasps and throws his hands into his hair as he turns around panting out harsh breaths like he’s in utter denial. “You’re dead,” he calls out as he paces the floor his breaths becoming harsher and harsher.
My chest hurts watching him piece the puzzle together. “I’m alive. Mad Dog shot me in the face, but somehow I survived. Chief found me and covered it all up. Made it looks like I died. The Savages never knew the difference. I went into hiding and—”
“No, you’re dead.” He turns back around facing me, his nostrils flaring and his chest heaving with utter confusion. “I went to your grave with Violet not that long ago, near the anniversary of your death. You’ve been dead for sixteen months, and I’ve mourned you. Hannah, the kids, we’ve all mourned you. This is a dream, this can’t be happening…”
I stride up to him and grab his hands in mine which forces him to look at me. His breath catches as he takes in my scars, and his bottom lip trembles as he really stares at me taking in all my features. “This is me, Hudson. Now that Mad Dog and Chops are out of the picture and Virginia is disbanded, I’m able to come back and live again. I can come out of hiding… I’m free.”
He slumps his body, and a small sob escapes him as he shakes his head. “Chief knew you were alive this whole time?” he asks, and I nod.
He pants hard looking at me and winces looking right at my scared face. “Mad Dog did this to your face
?” I let go of him and nod as he exhales and looks over to Hannah then back to me. “You’re really here?”
I smile and nod. “I’m really here.”
A silent tear runs down his cheek. He shakes his head suddenly rushing forward taking me in his arms and holding me to him tightly. Hannah and Violet both sniff behind us and I wrap my arms around my best friend and hug him as he cries into my shoulder.
“I missed you, mate,” I say.
He chuckles, but it’s more of an I can’t believe you said that kind of chuckle. “I’ve fucking missed you, too.”
EPILOGUE
STEEL’S POV
3 YEARS LATER
It’s the one year anniversary of our wedding, and we’re celebrating at the club in style. The party is in full swing. The music is playing and everyone’s gathered having a good time. The Devil’s Debutants are here. They’ve been a great sister club to us since they first arrived, and we realised they had absolutely nothing to do with Adam’s threats toward my family. It was just a coincidence they showed up at the same time.
Walking over to the bar, I see Trigger dancing in the corner with Rhia from the Debutants. They’ve been taking things at a snail’s pace having both been hurt in the past, but they seem good for each other, and Rhia is awesome with Trigger’s kids.
Mooch and Kat on the other hand, they’re so hot and heavy they practically dry hump in front of us every chance they get. But somehow her domineering attitude works with his feeble mind. They’re a great couple, and it’s nice that Mooch mooches off the debutants more than the Savages now. They just give in to his tattooed muscles.
Meli and Gator are doing exceptionally well. They’re engaged, and Meli is pregnant and expecting the first princess of the club. Other than Petunia of course. When Jackson turned seven, we couldn’t resist and we bought him his own pet tea cup piglet. A boyfriend for Petunia, who Jackson called Percival. So now there’s two pigs that own this joint.
Techie and Shay are doing well. Shay’s working as a forensic analyst for the same police department that Chief Thomas and Hudson Stone worked for. It’s kind of strange, but she’s doing so well, Techie and Shay fit so perfectly together. They still have no kids, but they’ll get there in their own time and when they’re ready.
Lookout took a long time to come to terms with the loss of not only his best mate, but his girl too. He lost his spark and the fun edge he had to him. But with time he’s pulled through and is now almost back to the fun loving and slightly oddball character we all know and love. His strange way of talking has returned, and I’ve even seen him eyeing off some of the Debutants, so maybe he is ready to get back on the saddle. Either way, we’re all here for him, and it’s just good to have him back to his old self. Even if it did take three years.
Taking a seat next to Jock, he looks up at me and smiles. “Hey Laddie, you having a good night?”
I nod. “I sure am, just wish my wife would sit down, you know?”
He chuckles. “You can’t keep that woman from running the show.”
“Tell me about it!”
“Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask ye,” Jock says peaking my interest.
“Oh, yeah?”
He nods and swallows hard. “It’s about your ma.”
I stiffen and nod. “Go on.”
“Well, you know we’ve been seeing each other for a couple of years now, and I was wondering about asking her to move into the club?”
“Seriously?”
He nods and frowns. “You don’t like it?”
I shake my head. “No, I’d love it. I just don’t know how lucky you’ll be. She loves her independence, and she hated the thought of being at Virginia. But this is a different club, and you’re an entirely different man. Your luck might be… different.”
“So, I have your blessing to ask her?”
“Yeah, of course, brother. Good luck, just don’t scare her away. I love that she’s finally happy again.”
He smiles wide and tilts his head. “Aye, Laddie. I’m glad I can make her happy.”
Flame walks over, her usually slim belly protruding slightly and I shake my head. “Will you sit down!”
She laughs and rolls her eyes. “I’m fine. Honestly. I’m only just sixteen weeks pregnant. We find out the sex tomorrow. I’m not even that tired.”
Thunderous footsteps come running in from outside as Jackson and our twins Byron and Tyson storm up to us. “Mama, Dadda, Jackson want to talk,” Byron says. Flame leans down picking up Tyson, and I lean forward picking up Byron.
“Jackson, what’s he talking about?” Flame asks.
Jackson swirls from side to side on the spot and chews on his bottom lip. “I was talking to my brothers, and they call you Mum and Dad and I was thinking… would it be okay if I started to call you Mum and Dad too?”
Flame’s breath catches as she pulls him to her and lets out a sob. My heart flickers with pride, and even I’m having trouble holding back the tears.
“Fuckin’ oath it’s all right, kid,” I say taking a deep breath, trying not to cry like a girl.
“Oh Jackson, you don’t know how happy you’ve made me,” Flame chimes as Jackson cuddles into her.
“Well, I fucking love you both, and Mum and Dad just seems right now,” he says.
“Well, we fuckin’ love you too, kid,” I say back to him with a sniff.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Byron calls out, and I wince as Flame glares at me.
Jock walks over to us with Mum in tow, and she’s smiling so wide it instantly makes me feel good.
“Steel, how would you feel about me moving into the club?” Mum asks.
Flame looks at me as the kids yell out, “Yay,” in excitement.
“Yeah Grandma, you gotta fucking be here more,” Jackson says.
“I’d love it, Ma. As long as you’re happy, that’s all I want.”
She cuddles into Jock, and he leans in kissing her temple. “I am Steel. Finally I am.”
I lean in wrapping my free arm around Flame, and as I look around the clubroom I know my family all under one roof is going to be amazing.
The club is safe. And with baby number three on the way, life’s going to get a lot more hectic.
I love my club.
I love my wife.
I love my family.
And I couldn’t imagine a life any different to this.
THE END
… FOR NOW …
Next in the Series
Read Violet and Hudson’s Story in The Shattered Heart Series
(Next page for blurbs)
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Shattered: The Shattered Heart Series #1
Click here to purchase
Healed: The Shattered Heart Series #2
BLURBS
Shattered: The Shattered Heart Series #1
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I was a wife.
I was a mother.
Now... I’m a Madam.
I had a loving family. A husband and son who I adored until they were tragically ripped from me. Something inside me died the same time they did. My heart stopped beating. I had to become stronger, tougher. I had to close down my emotions and become someone entirely different to who I was before.
I became the Violet Widow.
Now, I run a high-class escort and sex worker agency. To my staff, I’m known only as Boss. No one knows my past, and I don’t have a future. That was until he walked into my life.
I'm Hudson Stone. Meeting someone like her was never part of my life plan. My life is my work, and I put everything I have into my career choice. I'm strong willed, passionate and loyal, but cross me or the ones I love, and you will pay. Vengeance is in my blood, and I'm out to seek it. Until she stepped into my world--beautiful, sassy and confident, she had the power to destroy me.
Will their paths collide or will their secrets explode, leaving their hearts shattered and lives in tatters?
Healed: The Shattered Heart Serie
s #2
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I'm being hunted.
I am trapped.
Now... I'll be tortured.
I had everything again, after losing it all. When Hudson found out I was a madam, I lost him and my will to function. Something in me died when he left. My heart stopped beating... again. After losing Danny and Caiden, losing Hudson too was a whole new world of hurt. Violet Dyson was closing herself off to the renewed pain, and The Violet Widow was slowly resurfacing.
With all fight gone, Violet's courage will be tested when the unrelenting Satan's Savages MC show up on her doorstep and turn her world into utter chaos. They will stop at nothing to annihilate her, and without Hudson—her rock by her side—can she withstand the enemies she is facing? When Hudson is thrust back into her life, can their love conquer the evil that lies ahead, or were they doomed from the very beginning?
Playlist
STEEL
Black Dog – Led Zeppelin
Blue Monday – Orgy
Jigga What / Faint – Jay Z & Linkin Park
Kashmir – Led Zeppelin
Tear You Apart – She Wants Revenge
Locked Away – R.City
Joker and the Thief – Wolfmother
Babe I'm Gonna Leave You – Led Zeppelin
Keep Talking – Pink Floyd
Du Hast – Rammstein
FLAME
Hello – Adele
Dirty Little Secret – The All-American Rejects
Digging In The Dirt – Peter Gabriel
New Beginnings – Luminate
STEALTH
Battery Acid – Queens Of The Stone Age
Animal – Chase Holfelder (Original by Neon Trees)
Lick – Joi