“We can do that, my gypsy-girl.”
Chapter Thirteen
Gypsy
When Tawny and Tig leave the room, Tig more reluctant than Tawny, I grab Luca’s hand and walk him over to the chair that sits in the corner of my room. It’s comfortable, and big enough for two. I want to be in his lap, comforted by his touch, while I tell him my deepest, darkest secrets. He’s my security blanket of sorts.
“Luca, this is gonna be hard,” I tell him as I snuggle deeper into him.
“Take your time, there is no rush, baby girl.” I love the way his sentimental terms of endearments are constantly changing. It’s almost as if he knows something inside of me needs that, needs to be cherished, adored, wanted, protected and most of all...loved. I’ve always been called names...usually by my mother, and most of them consisted of; you’re a mistake, you’re a whore, you’re stupid, my favorite, however, was how I was a waste of space and good sperm. According to her, I stole the best parts of her and my dad and turned into such a disappointment.
“Once I begin talking, could you do me a favor and just let me get it all out, please? I don’t think I will be able to keep going if you interrupt to ask questions, you can do all of that once I get the whole sordid tale out, okay?”
“You talk and I’ll listen, Gypsy.” He wraps his arms around me, and I lay my head on his shoulder, my fingers plucking at his shirt.
Taking a deep breath, I begin, “My mom should’ve never had a child. Ever. She got pregnant after a party she attended at a biker rally. She knew who he was, but she said he never wanted kids. Anyhow, she dreamed of going to Hollywood and becoming an actress but according to her, she lost that chance when she found out about me. It’s why she named me Gypsy, because they’re known as thieves and she claims I stole her youth and dreams. My earliest memories are of her yelling at me about how I ruined her life. Honestly, if it weren’t for my aunt and uncle, Tawny’s parents, I’m not sure I would’ve survived my childhood. They’re the ones who took me to the doctor when I was sick, made sure I got my vaccinations, took vitamins, and ate. Plus, they ensured I didn’t look like a ragamuffin when I started school.” The memories washing over me have tears slowly leaking and he reaches up with his thumb and gently swipes them away. I think it may be futile since there’s still so much more to share. I’m going to be a complete weeping, soggy mess, by the end of this conversation with Luca.
“So many times, I wished that they’d just let me live with them, but Tawny told me she heard them once and apparently, my mother told them no, that I deserved what I got. They didn’t want to take a chance of losing me to the system, so they chose to keep their mouths shut and do the best they could by me. When I got older, she would tell me that I was stupid and that I’d never amount to anything. All I’d ever be good for was a one-night stand, if that. Life was...shitty, to say the least. I was lucky that a few of my teachers helped me realize that I wasn’t dumb because I ended up graduating at the top of my class. My mother didn’t bother to come to the ceremony so she had no clue I received a scholarship to the local technical college and once I graduated, I moved as far away as I could. That’s one reason why I haven’t seen Tawny in so long because she stayed in our hometown. I couldn’t, though, because my uncle died, and he was a huge part of why people didn’t treat me as a pariah.” Losing him was like losing a piece of my soul. He was the only father-type figured I’d ever known. The only person who I felt loved me with his whole being.
I stop for a minute, take a deep breath, and gather my thoughts. “Everything I’ve accomplished, I’ve done so despite my mother. And while I enjoyed what I was doing, I finally decided it was time to locate my father. I know why my mother despises me; now I need to find out if what she said was true or not. It’s why I came to Texas, Luca, because I found out where he was living.” Taking a huge breath, I tilt my head so I can see his eyes and continue, “This next part is important, Luca, because he doesn’t know about me. Can you promise if I tell you who it is, you won’t say anything? I don’t want to come between him and his wife, or anything like that.” And if I were being honest with myself, I’m not ready to find out his true feelings or if his wife would be willing to accept me.
“I’ll keep your secrets, Gypsy, all of them. The only time I won’t is if doing so will put you in danger because it’s my job to protect you. Always.” His voice is gruff with emotion and I notice that his hands have been constantly rubbing me since I started talking. My badass biker is so damned protective, I can practically feel it oozing from his pores. He reminds me of a grizzly bear, he’s soft, fearsome, strong and all alpha.
“That’s all I can ask, Luca. For the record, even with all the shit that messes with my head, I’ve never felt safer or more whole than I do with you in my life. You’ve brought a piece of me to life that I wasn’t aware even existed. And that’s all I was doing before you, existing. I want you to know that.” Another deep breath and then another before I say, “It’s Chef. He’s my biological father. My mother told me he didn’t want kids and wanted nothing to do with me.” Of course, she’s lied so many times over my life that she may have lied about that as well. But if I put it on a weight scale, I’m afraid it would tip to the side that says, ‘not wanted’...story of my life. The only one who’s tipped the scale the other way was my uncle and now I can add Luca to that as well. Tawny has always been somewhere in the middle. She wanted me, cared about me, but was always immersed in her own life. What else would you expect from a little girl turned teenager? My aunt, well, she died of cervical cancer when I was seventeen years old. That’s the first time I ever felt true loss. Then my uncle a few years later, it was as if I lost both of my parents in a small span of time.
I watch as his eyes widen when it sinks in who my biological father is. He looks at me then appears to get lost in thought as he looks up to the ceiling. He breaks his vow of silence by saying, “I can see him in you, Gypsy. Same hair color except yours is slightly lighter, same eyes, same smile. And while he and his wife, Lulu, don’t have any kids, I don’t think it’s because they didn’t want any. I think they weren’t able to have them. Knowing how he was with us growing up, I can pretty much guarantee that if he knew about you, he’d have been in your life, sweetheart.” He says this, but can I bank on it being true? That’s something I still need to work through. I just don’t think emotionally I can put myself out there...at least not yet.
“I’m not ready to say anything to him, Luca. And you promised!” I hear the fear in my tone. He nods his head at me in submission which is a first for me and I never saw it coming from him, but I appreciate the sentiment of that sign of acceptance.
“I’m not saying a word, baby. It’s your story to tell. Just to say, your mother is full of shit about you. If it takes until my last breath, I’ll show you just how wrong she was about you. Consider this me accepting that as a challenge, and just to let you know, I’ve never backed down.” He leans in a little closer and kisses my nose. “Because there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to help you see how amazing you truly are, Gypsy. Nothing.” For the first time, tears break free not because of fear or sadness, but because someone truly accepts me for me.
“Luca, I’ve spent my life building walls to protect myself. You need to know that where you’re concerned, your wall has windows in it as you have been breaking it down, it’s crumbing for you. I suspect that one day, while some of them may still be standing, the rest will be nothing but ruins. Thank you for that, for showing me that I can trust someone.”
Luca
Her mother better pray I never come face-to-face with her. She is the true definition of a bitch, and I have no problems informing her of that fact. I suspect that if my parents or my extended family ever finds out, this woman’s days will be numbered. My Aunt DJ will use her trusty pliers to wreak havoc, then somehow spin it into one of her books. She tends to do that with everyday things and at this point, nothing in my life surprises me. Of course, that’ll have to come from
her because right now, I see nothing that she’s told me that warrants me breaking that confidence.
“Gypsy, I plan to eradicate every single thing you’ve built to protect yourself. And you need to know, it’s humbling that you entrusted all of this to me. How do you feel now that you’ve shared?” I need to see where her head’s at right now because I want to spend some time showing her what she means to me. Whereas I hope that she decides to tell Chef that he’s her father, I understand her apprehension. But he’s a brother, an uncle, and it feels like I’m betraying him by keeping her secret. But I have to say, there’s no way in hell I’d turn my back on the promise I made to her. I feel like I’m in a catch twenty-two situation.
“I’m glad that at least you know. I mean, Tawny witnessed some of it, but she has no clue how it’s impacted every part of my life. Even the guys I dated before were never around long because they bailed before we ever really got into anything too deep.” I growl a bit when she mentions other guys, but I’m not pure and innocent and I hate people who hold those double standards for others. What matters is she’s mine now.
“How do you feel about going and grabbing something to eat? We’ve had a rather eventful morning so far,” I ask. Hopefully, I can get her out of this room and put some food in her belly.
“I could eat. Do you think Tig and Tawny would wanna come with us?” God, I hope not because I suspect the two of them together are like oil and water. I can see claws never being retracted, they butted heads the second they met.
“We can ask them.” If she must, I’d do anything to make her happy.
“Then let’s do it, Luca,” she states. I hear her stomach growl and chuckle when her cheeks flush. She turns such a beautiful shade of red, she’s beginning to remind me of a rose when it blooms. Fuck, Tig would accuse me of having a pussy if he heard all of the sweet thoughts that run through my head where Gypsy is concerned.
“Kinda normal thing, baby,” I tell her. She needs to get that as a biker, growing up around other bikers, there’s not much that truly bothers me when it comes to bodily functions. Hell, I’ve had to run and grab feminine products for Lily before when Mom was tied up at work. Talk about hell; I had no clue what to buy and I called Dad who decided he didn’t wanna know that his little girl needed those things, so I ended up calling Mom. I got an education that day, one that I’m sure Gypsy will appreciate at some point. For one, count me surprised to find out those things came in different sizes and for different times of the month. I’ll be prepared though if I am ever blessed with a daughter. Points for Dad!
Chapter Fourteen
Luca
It’s been two weeks since Tawny made her surprise arrival. She and Tig went head-to-head but have become fast friends. They spend a lot of time in the ring sparring, it’s good to know that it’s not only their mouths that are capable of that action. I got the call from Maddox yesterday that the clubhouse is complete, so my plans are to take Gypsy for a ride, feed her the picnic I’ve got ordered, then show her around. Maddox took mine and Tig’s suggestions for the officers’ quarters and ran with them and I know she’ll be happy with our upcoming living space. It’s almost like a mini-apartment and I plan to spend countless hours with her, breaking in every available surface.
Thoughts of her have me adjusting my dick, a common occurrence that I don’t bother to hide when she’s around. At first, she would blush and stammer but lately, I’ve noticed a gleam in her eyes whenever she catches me doing my thing. Soon, baby, soon I silently promise her and my overly excited libido. When I told her last night that I planned on spending the day with her, she squealed, clapped her hands, Lucy danced while barking up a storm, and Tawny rolled her eyes in our direction. We’ve both been so busy lately it’s been difficult to spend more than the time we’re eating together. Plus, she’s had her cousin around and they’ve been ‘reconnecting’, according to the women, so I’ve backed off, begrudgingly, but I’ve done it. She’s got the warehouse organized and we’ve started doing small, local delivery runs. The businesses are all ahead of schedule and things seem to be running smoothly. I couldn’t ask for a better crew and group of men. I can’t wait until we’re expanding our numbers. We voted and decided we wanted to be steady and have our clubhouse complete before putting the word out that we’re looking for members. But I can’t always seem to contain my excitement.
Thinking about it further, I grab my phone and text Tig.
Me: I think it’s time to put the word out, brother.
Tig: I thought we were keeping that in the closet?
Me: What the fuck are you talking about now, Tig?
Tig: You know, you. That way Gypsy doesn’t get upset that you swing both ways?
Me: You’ve got jokes today I see. You do recognize you aren’t as funny as you think you are. Right?
Tig: I’m fucking hysterical, motherfucker.
Me: Go back in your closet and leave me the fuck alone. First, put the word out that we’re looking to expand.
Tig: Brother! I told you not to say shit like that to me. I’m innocent and shit over here.
Me: I’m scared to ask, but what are you talking about now?
Tig: EXPANDING! The size of your ass is your business, man.
Me: I’m done. Do as your told.
I swear he’s like a toddler in a grown man’s body. Always looking to make others laugh, only he’s nowhere near as funny as he thinks he is. My phone pings and I roll my eyes, scared to see what he’s saying now.
Tig: Are you mad at me?
Me: Yes. Now leave me the fuck alone.
Tig: Fine, my lips are sealed. Your closet secrets are safe with me.
Me: Tig!
Tig: What?
Me: We are no longer friends. Have a fantastic day.
Tig: My heart is wounded. I’m your bestest friend and you know it.
Me: Go spend time with Tawny today. I feel the need to know you’re getting your ass kicked.
Tig: She would never!
Me: She has every time you two have gone between the ropes, dude.
Tig: Liar, you’re full of lies today, bestie.
Me: I don’t have time to stroke your ego, Tig.
Tig: That’s fine, I’ll let Danika stroke something later.
Me: Maddox is gonna kill you if he finds out you’ve been sneaking around with his sister. You need to talk to him.
Tig: I will, when I’m ready.
I hope that’s soon. Maddox is just as protective over his younger sister as I am mine. I hope my VP lives through the entire ordeal. I sorta need him, the club needs him.
Now that I’ve given him his task, and dealt with his nonsense, I head out to get my old lady. We still haven’t had sex, something my dick complains about daily. I just want her to be fully comfortable with what we’re building because it’s forever. Once at her door, I knock and can hear her fussing at Lucy through the door. “Dammit, Lucy, give me my shoe!” she yells as she opens the door. “Hang on, Luca, Lucy apparently likes some smell on my shoe and she’s under the bed with it.”
I laugh because she looks so flustered and is waving her arms around before she points to the bed where I can just barely see the tip of Lucy’s tail. “Lucy,” I call. I see her tail wag and her ass end is wiggling so hard I know she’s about to come out. Maybe not with the stolen shoe, but if she comes to me, then Gypsy can grab her shoe. When she waddles over to me, drooling and barking at me in excitement, Gypsy rushes over and crawls under the edge of the bed. When I hear an, “Oh no,” I pick up Lucy, thinking I may need to run with her to keep her from being skinned alive.
“Lucy, my shoe has slobber all over it and inside of it. I can’t wear these, and I own nothing else that will work on the bike, and I really want to ride on the bike today. I’ve been looking forward to it all night,” she whines.
“I’ve got a pair of boots that would go perfect with the outfit you're wearing, and they’re designed to ride,” Tawny helpfully interjects.
“I wouldn’
t mind trying them on.” Gypsy lifts her thumb up and begins chewing on the side. Tawny walks up to her, smiles and removes her finger from her mouth.
“You’ve always done that when you worry over something. If you don’t like them or don’t want to wear them it’s not the end of the world, Gypsy,” she reassures her cousin.
“It is if I was looking forward to being on the back of Luca’s bike tonight,” she fires back.
“Baby, see if Tawny’s boots fit. If they don’t, we’ll take your car. Did she ruin the boots or just get them slobbery?”
“Just wet but I can’t wear them like that.” She stubbornly places her hands on her hips and attempts to glare at me. I find her adorable so her looks don’t faze me as much as they used to, I can read her, and her emotions better than I could back then.
“Go dry them off and put them up so she doesn’t get them again. We better grab her some chew bones or something. Tawny, let her see if your boots will fit.”
“Do you know how to say please, Luca?” Tawny mimics her cousin’s stance.
“Sometimes, but we’re in a bit of a hurry, Tawny. Instead of demanding I use my manners, could you please get them.” See, I still used my manners my mom taught me, but it wasn’t exactly as Tawny deemed I use them. For some reason, I love to get underneath her skin. Maybe it’s because I’m still a bit put out at the way she came back into my woman’s life. She’s like a damn tornado causing all kinds of destruction in her wake. She reminds me a lot of the stories Dad used to tell me about my Aunt DJ.
Gypsy
I see the two of them teasing each other escalating and a true standoff happening if I don’t interfere and do something to separate the two. “Okay, Tawny, boots please?” She gives me a sideways look then stomps off to her suitcase. “Could you please be nice to her, Luca?”
Reviving Luca: New Beginnings Page 10