by Becca Lee
I made my way over to the exit to give Sutton’s hand a final shake. Despite my anxiety while waiting for Mace, today was a pretty bloody awesome day. We’d closed the deal, despite the drama McKenny had thrown our way, and were a damn sight more comfortable as a result. We may actually be able to have a vacation this year. Looking at Jo’s rounding belly as she closed the door behind Sutton, I backtracked. Maybe a vacation wouldn’t be happening. It would rather mean Jo could take some decent time off to be a mum for a while. That was what I was assuming she would want to do, anyway. We hadn’t even discussed what to do once the baby came. We’d been too caught up with the pregnancy, the deal, and the other crap, which had cemented itself in our lives, namely David.
“All good?”
Jo nodded and threw her arms around my neck. “Yes, indeedy.” She planted a kiss on my waiting lips. “Bloody fantastic. We need to celebrate.”
I liked the idea of that. Jo knew how to party. Alcohol was not needed to spur my spitfire into party mode.
“Do you mind if we invite El and Preston? Perhaps we can have dinner out? Preston’s on day shifts this week.”
“Go for it.” A night out with El and Preston would be just what we needed to kick back and relax. Jo pulled away from me, and I smacked her arse lightly as she turned to walk away.
“Hey, buster.”
“What?” I asked innocently.
“Maybe later.” She laughed.
I joined her laughter until my phone rang. Turning, I grabbed it from my desk and headed outside before answering. I needed space. “Mace.”
“He’s out.”
While not a surprise—it was, after all, the call I had been waiting for—my breath still left me, making me light-headed before the nausea and anger set in once more.
“He’s staying at Alain’s. He hasn’t been to see Mum. Do you still want me to take care of this?”
What I wanted was for the bastard to curl over and die, or to rot away in prison and be castrated. “Yes, but keep it to words and then walk away. I want it over.”
“Done.”
The phone line went dead.
I looked at the phone gripped in my hand, my knuckles white. I brought it to my forehead and closed my eyes. There was nothing else I could do. I had to trust Mace to take care of it. The opening of the door pulled my attention away and my eyes sprang open.
“You okay?”
I took in the crease between Jo’s brow and hated seeing it there. “I sure am. Today is a good day.” Her frown lines eased at my words. Despite David’s release, it was a good day. We were going to have a perfect life, and the shit from the past would not mar our future. No way would I let that happen. I’d move hell and high water before I allowed our happiness to crumble and disintegrate around us.
A sexy smile lifted her lips. “It is, isn’t it?” She stepped back through the open doorway before pausing and turning back once more. “I love you.”
I turned to face her fully, still a few metres separating us. “I know.” I plastered a smug smile on my face, knowing she hated it when I responded that way. Just as she went to no doubt tell me to rack off, I jumped in and closed the distance between us. My mouth sealed over hers, a light kiss to keep her quiet and make her smile. “I love you,” I said once I pulled away. “Now, go get your crap together and we’ll head home.”
Standing on tiptoes, she pressed her lips against mine for a brief moment. “Okay, babe. Almost done.”
I held the door open as she disappeared inside. Glancing at my phone once more, I switched it off and placed it in my pocket. I didn’t want any more calls, none that could ruin my good day.
I was right. Jo never really needed alcohol to get her acting like a crazy chick. All she needed was Ella, and the two of them became wildcats. At that moment, Jo was bouncing up and down on the spot in desperate need of a pee, a normal sight when the pair of them were together. Admittedly, since being pregnant, however, she appeared to need to pee every thirty minutes. Christ knew what she’d be like heavily pregnant or after the baby came. I’d heard horror stories about that. If Jo ended up pissing on me while we were having sex, I know for sure I’d freak the crap out. I’d have to broach the delicate subject of those pelvic muscle exercise thingies for sure.
Ella was laughing hysterically and not helping with the whole pee situation, while Preston looked on mildly amused before glancing at me and shrugging. He was right. A shrug indicating we had absolutely no control over our women was spot-on.
“Jo, get your arse out of the chair and pee already. I want to pay and get out of here.”
She took deep, calming breaths—what she always did when she was close to the rim. The amount of times over the years I had to be her cover while she squatted behind a tree, car, or building were countless.
“Okay. I’m ready. I’m in control.” As she stood, her hand brushed against her glass, knocking it over and spilling the contents. Water flooded our table and the glass banged down, hitting the empty plate before her, drawing the whole goddamn restaurant’s eyes in our direction. “Shit.” She sat down quickly, no longer in control.
Ella laughed some more. She was pissed on the champagne we’d ordered, celebrating our deal. With Jo’s pregnancy, Ella had drank Jo’s share, and both mine and Preston’s, too.
“Oh, God, no!” Ella squealed, also bobbing up and down in her seat. “Now I need to pee. Damn you, Jo!”
“Me?” Jo laughed, still bouncing. “How am I responsible for you needing to pee?”
“I don’t know. It’s just…bloody hell, I need to pee but don’t think I can stand.”
At the same time, both Preston and I were standing and mopping up the water spillage, shaking our heads at their antics.
“Jo, get your arse up now, and go pee, for Christ’s sake.”
She glared at me. “Don’t you bloody tell me what to do and get shitty with me, buster.”
“What?” I said. “You don’t want me to tell you to pee in the toilet?”
She huffed. “You know what I mean. Just because—”
I lifted my brows at her, effectively cutting her off. She knew she was being ridiculous. She also knew if she didn’t get control of her bladder, she would piss herself.
Without a word, determination crossed over her features. She stood and waddled to the toilet. I laughed as she walked, her legs virtually crossed and traveling at a fast walk.
“Okay,” Ella interrupted. She also stood and chased after her.
Watching them, I signalled to the waiter to bring our bill and leaned back in my seat. “So how are things between you and El?”
Preston’s wide grin was enough of an answer. I was pleased for him. I’d spent a fair bit of time with Preston over the years, and we’d become good buddies. With him now dating Ella, it meant we saw each other a little more often. “Excellent, Liam. Life’s calmed down, so we’re all good.”
I nodded and returned his smile. “Good to hear, man. Is she still coping all right after the accident?” At the end of the previous year, Ella had been unlucky enough to be caught in the crossfire of a psychopath who was looking for some messed-up revenge against Preston. She’d ended up in a bad car accident. Ben, the psycho dude, had died. Fortunately, Ella had lived to tell the pretty messed-up tale.
“Yeah,” Preston answered, a frown forming. “She’s still having nightmares, but they’re becoming less frequent. She’s finally reached a point where she can talk about it without breaking down, though, which is a relief.” He picked up his glass and drained the contents as the waiter arrived with our bill. “How’s the whole being-a-dad preparation coming along?”
It was now my turn to wear a shit-eating grin. Handing my credit card to the waiter, I pinned in my number and nodded my thanks. “It’s awesome. When we saw him at Jo’s appointment and heard his heart, it was bloody amazing.”
“He?” Preston raised a brow in question.
I laughed. “There’s no way it’s a girl. There’s no chance
I’d be able to cope with a mini-Jo running around. Damn, I can barely keep up with your sister. A girl, Christ, it’d ruin me.”
Preston released a belly laugh. “I don’t think you have much choice in the matter, Liam. It’s going to definitely be a girl now. Someone’s gotta keep you on your toes.”
I scoffed. “As if your sister doesn’t.”
“As if his sister doesn’t what?” Jo asked, heading toward the table.
Grinning, I pushed my chair out, stood and pulled her to me by her growing waist. “Keep me on my toes, babe.” I kissed the top of her head and placed my hand on her belly.
“Too bloody right. Someone has to. God knows what mischief you’d find yourself in if I wasn’t here putting you in line.”
I laughed. “Says the woman who’s either up to no good or nearly peeing her pants. It was a nearly, right?” A firm elbow bashed into my side. “Oomph,” I groaned, rubbing my waist.
Preston stood when Ella returned to the table and we then headed out to our cars.
As we said our goodbyes, the roar of a Harley hit my ears. Every bike had a unique sound, and a Harley’s was a deep, guttural growl. I looked in the direction of the headlight of the Harley as it travelled toward us and slowed. It was Mace. Ella and Preston paused from entering their car and made their way back to where Jo and I were standing. Pulling up behind us, Mace cut his engine, removed his helmet and dismounted.
Jo gripped my arm, drawing my attention to her face.
“Why’s Mace here?” She raised her brow in question. While Jo knew I’d been in contact with him over the last few weeks, she had no idea it was about our dad situation. Mace knew this, which begged the question about why the hell he was there just as we were leaving for home.
Mace dipped his head in greeting. “Jo.” His eyes were rooted firmly on hers, just as they always were whenever he first saw her. His guilt over her rape remained tangible, and he was never quite sure if, when they saw one another, this would be the time she decided to lash out and call him out on his inability to protect her.
On the contrary, I knew she never would. Jo was the epitome of fair and rational, despite her general day-to-day crazy. All blame lay at the feet of David, our dad. And while she knew Mace’s one job that night was to protect her, which he had unequivocally failed to do, not once had she blamed him. Mace admitted to me once he wished she would, because it would help stem some of his guilt. I’d laid him out in response. He took each hit without defence. He knew I needed to strike out to save myself from finding a way to kill David with my bare hands. That night, when Mace allowed me to kick his arse, did us both some good, if only for the ten minutes it lasted. It was the ten minutes afterward that I’d cried. Mace hadn’t said a word. He knew the pain I was dealing with. It was just after Jo and I had taken some time out from our relationship. I’d let her go knowing she needed the distance, but it pretty much destroyed me to let her leave without a fight.
I would have eventually fought for her and gone after her if I’d needed to. Thank Christ, she came back on her own, once she’d had the space she’d needed.
“Hi, Mace.” Jo gave him a tentative smile.
He indicated toward her stomach. “Looking good. Everything okay?”
Her free hand moved to her rounded belly and her smile relaxed, lighting up her face. “Bloody brilliant. Thanks, Simon.” Mace’s eye twitched at the use of his real name. I laughed inwardly, knowing Jo was the only one able to get away with it. “Not much longer before you’re an uncle.”
Mace’s eyes shot up from her stomach to her face, before he looked at me and swallowed what I assumed was a lump of emotion away. I got it. Every time I thought of being a father, I did a similar thing. A grin appeared. “Uncle Mace. I like the sound of that, darling.”
“So,” I interrupted. “Were you just riding by and saw us?”
His face shuttered at my words and his attention fixed firmly on me. “Yeah. I was just heading to Kid’s house and saw you guys, so thought I’d stop and say hi.” He looked toward Jo and smiled. “Thought I’d take a good look at your little lady here and her growing belly.” He leaned casually against his bike. “You heading home?”
“Yeah, that was the plan.” I eyed him warily, knowing there was no way he just happened to ride by. Kid’s place was on the other side of town.
He nodded. “Got any beer?”
“Of course we have. You going to stop by?” Jo interrupted, her voice light. Relief that she had no idea what Mace and I were up to filled me. She would blow a bleeding gasket if she knew. Mace needed to see me for a reason, so there was no way I’d be stopping him. He never acted without reason or thought. Well, not these days anyway.
“Is it okay if I give Kid a buzz, for him to come round, too?”
“Yeah, sure thing. We haven’t seen him for an age.” I glanced over to Jo. “That okay with you, babe?”
I noticed the deep breath she released. She was on the cusp of making some sort of decision. She’d been uncomfortable around Mace for so long, or at least she’d seemed to be. That was one of the reasons why I kept my distance from him. I wondered what decision was playing through her mind. “I’d love you to come by. You should stop by more regularly. You’re going to be an uncle soon, and this little one is going to need family around to spoil her.”
“Him,” I corrected.
Preston’s laughter drifted over. “Yep, you’re so screwed, man. When your daughter arrives, you’re not going to know what’s hit you.”
“Come on then. Let’s get this party started. We’re coming, too,” Ella added a little too loudly, still tipsy from the champagne. “There’s no way I can abandon you with all of that testosterone.” They headed back to their car. “See you in a few.”
Mace had climbed back on his bike and was making a phone call. I needed to find out why he wanted to see me, or, more specifically, come by. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what I heard.
I watched on as Mace finished his call, fastened his helmet and started his engine. He gave me a chin lift indicating he was waiting for me to get my arse into gear.
Once in the car and strapped in, we headed home, Mace on our tail. A few moments later, Kid joined him, overtook and rode a few metres ahead. The ball of anxiety sitting in my stomach grew as we drove home in convoy, with Jo and I protected between two men who had a reputation for kicking arse and taking no shit. Sometimes it paid off to have friends, or in this case family, who were badasses.
Chapter Nine
Jo
After giving the boys a beer each, I headed inside to throw on my pyjamas. Stuffed from my meal and the multitude of cookies I’d piled away, I needed to veg out. Even though we had company, they didn’t count. As family, they had to put up with my house and with me, minus the airs and graces.
Voices drifted through the open window from the veranda. Ella was drunk and giggling at something Kid was saying. He had a reputation for being a bit of a ladies’ man. I grinned, wondering how Preston was coping with Kid’s endless flirting.
The gentle whispers of Liam and Mace were too low for me to hear, but it was clear they were in deep conversation. Smiling, contentment washed through me. This was what family was about. I had my amazing parents, and friends; I recognised how lucky I was, but Liam’s family was a whole different ball game.
Since that night, the already strained relationship with his parents—which had been teetering on collapse, thanks to Liam having a drunk drug addict as a mum and a meth-head as a dad—collapsed irrevocably. I remember the first time I met his parents for a manic five-minute introduction before Liam dragged me out of there. I was left mortified and a little heartbroken knowing Liam never had what I had. A loving family was something I took for granted; I was naïve to the situation of many before I met Liam. That brief meeting was all it took to not only re-evaluate how fortunate I was for my own upbringing, but it also cemented my love for Liam.
I knew it was Liam’s hard work, perseverance, an
d the support of his brother, which had helped him turn out to be the man before me today. Yet, once faced with the reality of his home situation, a deeper respect for him blossomed. He was amazing. All the way through uni, we had heaps of fun and I fell for him hard, but despite the partying and make-out sessions, not once did he lose sight of his goal, his dream to become an architect.
It was after meeting his parents when Liam explained that Mace was the reason he was able to go to uni in the first place. When Mace left home at eighteen, he took Liam with him. Ensuring he attended school, Mace also instilled in Liam the need for him to be successful and happy. This was also the reason why I could never blame Mace for what happened with David.
Without Mace, Liam would have possibly been a very different man, but because of him, Liam was amazing, and mine.
As soon as Mace’s eyes landed on my bump, my decision was made. Despite my hesitancy, brought on by the guilt radiating from him every time we saw each other, I knew it was finally time to stop with the bullshit. I hated that Mace cowered from me. He was a big hulk of a man, plus I knew of his reputation in the area, but I knew him as nothing more than family I loved, who was also a bit of a softie at heart. It was definitely time to mend some bridges and welcome him back into the fold. I wanted him to love my child as fiercely as he loved Liam.
I just hoped he’d be able to leave the demons behind and let go of the past. I could be pretty stubborn when I wanted to be, and with my own family growing, there was no way Simon Mason was breaking free from our family any longer.
Tastefully clad in my Little Mermaid PJs, I headed out to join the others, glass of milk and cookies in my hands. When Liam saw me approaching, he smiled and leaned back in his seat, Mace mirroring him. After placing the cookies on the table, Ella looked at me sceptically.