I feel him tense up slightly before he nods. “Y’know that Braxton adopted me when he married my mom, right?”
“Yeah,” I say, my voice a bit cautious because I can’t identify the vibe that’s radiating off him right now. It’s not anger, annoyance or frustration, it’s something on the other side of the spectrum, something I’ve never felt before.
“Well, my mom was a widow. My biological father died when I was a little kid. My mom’s parents are still alive, but they live near where we used to, as does my uncle, although he comes and visits when he can. Anyhow, my ‘biological father's’ parents, they treated my mom like shit. When she got involved with my dad, they felt that they could do so much better and they tried to take me from her. What they ended up doing was nearly killing me, Lily and Ralynn when they hit us all with a car.”
“They tried to steal you?” I can’t believe someone would think Cara was anything but wonderful and I’m equally parts horrified at what he’s already said and angry at how people I don’t know treated someone I’ve come to care a great deal about. “What...what happened to them?” My voice is barely above a whisper. My heart hurts for what he, his sister and his best friend went through at such a young age.
Chapter Ten
Luca
I can’t believe I’m having to talk about this bullshit. I haven’t thought about those people since the day they hit us. In my eyes, they are dead and never existed. My parents made me do some therapy, I have no idea why; the event never affected me in any negative manner. I told the therapist; I told my parents and now I’m gonna tell my old lady. “I have no feelings whatsoever when it comes to the Jensen’s. They were nasty, cruel, stuck-up pieces of shit that I never cared for. I had amazing parents, a sister that I adored, a best friend that I still think of as the closest person to me in my life. I love them all and felt all of that back ten-fold. As far as what happened to them, the stupid fucks are exactly where they belong. Mr. Jensen is in the ground, and the only way I’d go visit his grave is to spit on it. Mrs. Jensen, last I heard, she was in a comatose state in a hospital. Someone in the joint didn’t appreciate her attitude and beat the fucking shit out of her. Well-deserved if you ask me. Now, I know that I should be boo-hooing here, but that’s not me. It may seem cruel and unusual for you to hear that they never cross my mind, but it’s the God’s honest truth. As far as I’m concerned, Nan is my father’s mother.”
“It sounds like they brought what they got onto themselves. I’m glad you have Nan and Gino, as well as your mom’s parents, even if you don’t see them all that much.”
“You know Gino’s really my step-grandpa, right?” Not that I give two shits if he was a ‘real’ or a ‘step’, because ever since he came into Nan’s life, he’s acted like he’s been there since the day we all were conceived, treating each of us as if we are his.
“Never would have guessed that by the way he treats all of y’all.” I’ve been pretty damn lucky in the family department. I couldn’t ask for a better dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings. It makes me sad for my girl that she’s an only child. Having my sister Lily so close in age, then the twins, I never felt alone.
“That’s Gino. He loves all of us because we’re Nan’s, and honestly, that’s what all adults should do for the kids that are in their lives because nitpicking it to death and saying shit like someone’s a step-this or adopted-that is fucking ridiculous. Trust me, baby, our family is huge and is made up of biological, married-in, and adopted kids, and not one of the adults in our lives treated us as if we were anything but ‘blood born’ so know that your family has expanded by leaps and bounds.”
“I bet it was fun when y’all were little.” The storm ramps up yet again and she jumps, snuggling even closer to me. I don’t mind because having her in my arms is fucking awesome.
“Well...we couldn’t get away with shit, that’s for damn sure. Regardless of who saw it, we got corrected if needed and let me tell you, having my Aunt DJ give me a lecture, to tell me that she was disappointed in something I’d done, made me toe the line. Our uncles had no problem correcting things, although they might use an alternative method. That’s not to say we were physically disciplined all the time because we weren’t, only if we really and truly needed it. Again, that didn’t happen too often because they preferred us to endure ‘natural consequences’ to whatever it was that we’d done wrong. Said it was far more effective for us to learn the hard way instead of them punishing us. Just saying, Gypsy, we’ve all turned out good, so I plan to do the same with any kids you and I have down the road.”
“Kids?” she squeaks out in astonishment. “Luca, we haven’t even...you know, done the deed yet, and you’re talking about having babies?” She sounds so shocked that I have a hard time keeping a straight face. I’ve told her she’s mine, I’ve said I’m not going anywhere. To me, it seems like a natural progression of the direction our life and relationship is headed. Her doubts in me, in us, is starting to grate on my nerves. At some point here really soon, she needs to get on the same page as I am and believe in what I say to her.
“Not right away, of course,” I reply, leaning down and kissing her nose. “I want you to myself for a few years first because I suspect that it’ll take that long to go through the list of everything I wanna do to you.” And boy oh boy does that list grow by the hour, hell who the fuck am I kidding, it changes and expands by the minute.
“Luca, I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but I swear to God, a man, kids, a good life...none of that was something I ever dreamed of or anything.” Well, I also wasn’t around to help her make new dreams and work to make them come true. Not to toot my own horn here or anything, but she needs to recognize that I’m her man, and as her man, I won’t allow her to have anything less than perfection in her life. Her days of struggling and low self-esteem are coming to an abrupt end. I won’t let her sit around and pity herself or the life she’s had. From this point on, it’s one foot in front of the other and a life full of love, respect, honor and faithfulness.
“I told you, baby, that I’d get you there. I haven’t lied to you yet and I don’t intend to start tonight. So you need to start dreaming because this is your life now.” I make a mental note to talk to my mom because I might have been a kid, but I remember how things were before my dad came along. I know Mom struggled with believing in what Dad was offering so maybe she’ll have some suggestions. Or, maybe I should go to Dad instead. Yeah, I’ll give him a ring. Because if I call Mom, she’ll tell Aunt DJ and the next thing I know, I’ll have all my aunts up here, all up in my business, and God knows, I don’t need or want that headache. I have enough of a fight on my hands with Gypsy, I don’t need the added stress of the aunts telling me how to get her down the aisle and pregnant with my baby. They’d even offer their words of wisdom on which positions provide you with which sex you’ll end up with.
Trust me, I know because apparently, according to Ralynn, Aunt DJ had that particular talk with her and Jaxson, who then banned DJ from his house for an indefinite period of time. That was a year ago, and according to Rae, Jaxson still hasn’t lifted the ban. He is the one brother who is not scared of her trusted pliers. I on the other hand, enjoy all of my body parts exactly where they reside. Everything is still intact, and I plan on keeping it that way.
“I do, Luca. Please don’t give up on me.” She’s barely speaking, and I can tell from her tone that she’s feeling embarrassed. I hate that after everything I’ve said to her and shown her, she still has insecurities about how I feel.
I roll so that we’re now both on our sides, face-to-face, and lean in to cup her cheek with my hand. “Won’t happen, Gypsy. You’re stuck with me. Even if I get fat, go bald, or develop warts on my nose.” My words have their desired effect and she starts to giggle.
“Luca?” she whispers. I kind of like that this storm brought her to me tonight because it feels like a lot of shit has been opened up and talked about. I’ve told her about myself, now, I nee
d to get her to the point where she’ll open up to me. I’m ready for her to rid herself of her demons and start living her life for herself.
“Yeah?” I say around a yawn. It’s been a long day, and the break in sleep has been great and all, seeing as my woman is wrapped in my arms, but my eyes are heavy lidded and just do not want to stay open so I can enjoy this moment for just a little bit longer.
“Just saying,” she says and my lids pop back open, I can’t help but want to hear every word that leaves her mouth, “but if you get warts on your nose, we’ve got a helluva good insurance policy so you can get them removed.” And just like that, she has me cracking up with deep chuckles.
“Goodnight, Gypsy.”
“Night, Luca.”
Gypsy
My mind is a whirl of activity. Luca basically bared his soul for me, told me about the most tragic moment in his life, and I held on to the one thing that I’ve held tight to my chest...the entire reason I went to Texas in the first place.
To confront my father.
To find out where I came from.
To find out why no one has ever wanted me.
Only, I happened upon the best man I’ve ever met in my life. And now, I get to claim him as my own, just as he proclaims I’m his. I feel like a giddy teenager once that thought enters my mind. Then the guilt sets in and I have to get up and get away from him before it eats me alive. Slowly, I slide myself from under his arms. Knowing I need some time, but not wanting to disappear from him completely today, I decide to go get breakfast to show him appreciation for his compassionate nature he opened up and shared with me, once again, last night. I look over at Lucy, who just raises her head, lets out a doggy breath, and lays back down to sleep. Completely dismissing me, and since I’m not trying to wake Luca, I decide to let her be...for now. Rushing over to my room, I get some ‘appropriate’ clothes for in town running around on and fast walk out to my car. Looking up at the sky, it’s still dark and the smell of rain still lingers in the air.
Not paying attention to where I’m walking, I end up planting a foot in a slick rain puddle and find myself slipping and landing on my back end. “Son-of-a-bitch!” I curse my luck. As I lay there on my back contemplating my luck and lack of finesse, I notice a shadow lingering over me.
“What are you doing on the ground?” Luca asks as he leans over, sleep still evident in his voice and features. His hair is tussled, the short locks on top all laying in different directions.
“Hey there, Luca. I’m just enjoying the cool breeze on my skin.” I go for humor since I don’t like to admit how clumsy I am.
“Oh yeah? How is it from your position?” He tries to hide the chuckle forming in his throat from me, but I have to admit he’s not being very successful at doing so.
“Are you making fun of me, Luca Callahan?” I inquire with a quirk of my eyebrow.
“Who, me? Never.” He finally lets a laugh free as he holds his hand out to help me get up. As I go to take his hand, Lucy thinks we’re playing and jumps on top of my chest and begins licking my face.
“Lucy!” I try to scold her but end up laughing so hard that my body shakes with it. Luca leans down and scoops her up, then once again holds his hand out to me to help me up. Now that I’m standing, he tugs me close and gives me a smacking kiss on the lips.
“So what are you really doing up this early?” he asks as we make our way over to the pet ‘potty’ area where he puts Lucy down and she starts her early-morning stroll.
“Thought I’d go grab us some breakfast,” I admit. He has me wrapped in his arms, my back to his front and I lean into him, sighing.
“Uh, Gypsy,” he says as I wiggle closer. I’m a bit chilled since the storm that rolled through dropped the temperature. It has cooled off significantly and falling on my ass didn’t help the situation.
“Yeah, Luca?” I close my eyes and enjoy his warmth as it seeps into my skin and bones.
“You’re wet. Again.” Well fuck. I try to pull away and he tightens his hold. Leaning down, his lips brush the shell of my ear and he whispers, “I don’t mind you being wet, baby, but would rather it be for a more pleasurable reason.” I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to his bluntness.
Shoot me now. How in the hell do I keep doing this to myself? His chuckle and the firmness I feel pressing into my lower back and ass let me know he’s serious about how I affect him. It makes me feel sexy, wanted, needed and like one of those heroines in the books I read about. Deciding I want to see how far I can go without his control ultimately snapping, I wiggle a little bit, he’s definitely endowed, and I hear him growl as he buries his head in my shoulder then nuzzles my neck. “Keep that up, baby, and we’re gonna be going someplace that I don’t think you’re ready for, yet.” I may be ready; I mean I’ve had several wet dreams with him as the star of each one of them.
He’s right on the mark with that comment. I know as hot and sexy as he is, he’s probably had scores of women and the stupid, insecure part of me that seems to be taking center stage right now worries that I’ll be found lacking somehow. “Get out of your fucking head, Gypsy.”
“How do you do that?” I question. “How are you in my head like that?”
“I pay attention to you, baby. You’ve got some definite tells that let me know you’re thinking stuff that has no place in our relationship. You’re beautiful, smart, sexy as fuck, and the best thing of all? You’re my old lady.” Where compliments go, that one wasn’t bad if I say so myself. The words cause me to preen a little under his praise.
Well, alrighty then. Diversion tactics won’t work on him, obviously, so instead, I ask, “What made you come out here? I was really quiet.”
“Lucy. She made some huffing noise and it woke me up. When I realized you weren’t just in the bathroom, I decided that she must need to go outside and use the restroom. I knew you’d be back, since I had your dog. But let me tell ya, those noises she makes when she wants your attention are adorable.”
“I don’t know that I’d use the word ‘adorable’ to describe her attention seeking noises, Luca,” I giggle. They sound like nails on a chalkboard to me and always cause me to cringe. But I love the little bitch, so I just accept it as one of those annoying things you can’t change about the ones you love.
Chapter Eleven
Tig
Last night I came back to my room and noticed what appeared to be an abandoned car that I brushed off as nothing. But this morning I went for a ride and noticed the car still parked across the street. I found it odd but brushed it off since this time I noticed a woman sitting in the driver's side. She was looking down at something, which I presumed to be her phone. I assumed she’d had a night with a tenant at the motel. But what catches my attention, is it’s three hours later and the bitch is in the same clothes, and the car is in the same position as it was previously. Not liking the look of it, I drive by and as I do, I notice that this lady has binoculars glued to her face. I follow the line of direction to which they’re pointed and see my president and his old lady out in the parking lot.
That has the hair raising on the back of my neck and my blood boiling. My president is not available to be someone’s personal public attraction, especially some bitch that ain’t his woman. He’s had no one-night stands since he returned home, since he waltzed in the clubhouse doors with a woman on his arm. He practically laid claim to her that day and hasn’t done anything that could hurt that potential relationship in any way. I circle the block and park my bike to where it can’t be seen. In an attempt to be inconspicuous, I trespass through a few yards and scale a few fences. I want to find somewhere to sit and observe this trespasser of ours in an attempt to figure out what it is she’s after. Is it Luca? Or could it possibly be his woman? I don’t know what to think, she’s a mystery at this point. One I intend to solve.
Finding a bush that I can hide in that gives me the perfect vantage point to scope out the bitch, I squat and hide, all while keeping my vision zeroed in on her and he
r current actions. I deal with the binoculars without losing my shit, but when the dumb fuck pulls out a camera with a zoom lens, I finally relent and let the beast within me come out to play. I stand up from the bushes and stomp my way to the car. I have a one-track mind and that is to interrogate this person who feels threatening where my family is concerned, and no one fucks with what is mine. I’ve been used and fucked over by a stupid conniving bitch before. She hurt me and tried to destroy my family and I vowed then that I’d never let another woman have that much power in any of our lives. I fully plan to keep that promise I made to myself.
When I reach the driver’s door, I pull it open with all of my strength, practically ripping it off the hinges in the process, I grab her by the back of her neck and haul her out of the car. I pin her body to the side with mine, we are chest-to-chest, toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose before I finally roar out, “Who the fuck are you and why are you so interested in my president?”
“Wh-who um, is your president?” the bitch tries to play innocent.
“Don’t fucking play games with me, woman, I’ve had someone teach it to me years ago. I won’t fall for you batting your eyes and pretending to be ignorant to what I’m talking about. Spill now, or I’ll take you somewhere you’ll never be found and force you to talk. What sounds better to you, plan A or plan B?” She smirks at me which angers me further. I’m not in the mood to have some bitch think she can laugh in my face when I’m as serious as a heart attack.
“Hmm...I thought the Rebel Guardians didn’t believe in hurting women,” she happily responds, thinking she’s got one over me.
“We don't. That is, we don’t as long as one of our members, family or club, aren’t being fucked with or threatened in any way. See those two you haven’t taken your eyes off of for nearly twenty-four hours now? That is my best friend, my president, and his old lady. They are protected at all costs no matter who the threat stems from. Male, female, cat, dog, unicorn – it doesn’t matter to us. Understand what I’m trying to say to you here?”
Reviving Luca: New Beginnings Page 8