by Emily Minton
He raises a hand and takes a small step back. “I didn’t mean anything by that. I swear. My father has had ties with the club for years. I don’t have a problem with Renegades. I just didn’t think you looked like one of their girls.”
Yeah right. “Who’s your Dad?”
“Kaleb Wells.”
“Homer’s your dad?” I’m sure he can hear the shock in my voice. No way. There is no way in hell that this guy is related to Chief Homer. He’s been the police chief in town for years. He’s a nice guy and a friend of the club, but he looks like he got beaten a few too many times with the ugly stick. How could he have produced someone that looks like God’s gift to woman?
His smile returns as he takes in my reaction. “I’m adopted.”
I cover my mouth to muffle my laugh when I realize that he knew where my thoughts were. I struggle to come up with a response that will make up for my lack of manners. “Homer’s a nice guy.”
“Yeah, I got lucky. Both my parents are amazing.”
Somehow, we end up spending the next thirty minutes talking about our families before moving on to our jobs. Before I realize, I know his whole life story, and he knows most of mine. Our conversation is cut short by the sound of his phone dinging. A second later, he’s shaking his head. “I finally meet a woman that I enjoy talking to, and duty calls.”
I can’t hold back my smile. “That’s okay. Now that you know where I am, you can stop by for lunch sometime.”
“Well, I was thinking dinner instead.”
“We’re not gonna serve dinner, at least not at first. The town is just too dead at night. We’re gonna close right after lunch.”
He chuckles. “I meant you and me going to dinner, preferably somewhere you don’t work at. It wouldn’t be much of a date if I brought you to a place you go to every day.”
When his words finally worm their way through my muddled mind, my hand flies to my stomach. I can’t go on a date with him while I’m pregnant with Preach’s child. All of sudden, it hits me like a ton of bricks. I haven’t thought of Preach since the moment Rick walked in. “I’m not sure if that would be a good idea. I got a lot of things going on right now.”
His eyes follow my hand, which is protectively cradling my unborn child. My baby bump is barely noticeable, but I can tell the second he realizes it’s there. He’s quiet for a second. I assume he’s trying to figure out the best way to get out of this politely, so his next words shock this shit out of me. “As long as all those things you got going on don’t include a boyfriend or a husband, then I’d still like to take you to dinner.”
Chapter Eighteen
DAISY
I walk into the diner, but barely make it through the front door before Ice grabs my hand and marches me to her car. She doesn’t even tell me where we’re going, but I already know. My time is up. I’ve got to tell Preach about the baby. I told her I was going to last night, but I chickened out again.
We’re both quiet as we drive to the clubhouse. I’m not sure what Ice is thinking, but I’m scared shitless. I have no idea how Preach will react. I really don’t think he’ll be angry. I’m not even worried about him being mad. My biggest fear is that he’ll be indifferent. What happens if he just doesn’t give a shit?
As soon as we pull into the parking lot of the clubhouse, she climbs out of the car. I step out and follow her to the door. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. The action draws Ice’s attention.
“You ready for this?” she asks, as we walk.
“No, but it needs to be done. I’ve put it off for too long. Come hell or high water, I’m telling him tonight,” I say as I rub a hand over my growing baby bump. It’s small but noticeable. “I’m already starting to show, so I’d rather tell him myself than have him find out on his own.”
She grabs my arm and laces hers through mine as we walk into the clubhouse. “I’ll be here, and Kidd will too. If he’s a dick to you, we both know he’ll get his ass kicked.”
She admitted to me that she told Kidd about the baby. I don’t blame her, because if I were in a relationship like theirs, I wouldn’t want any secrets between us either. My man would know everything. Watching my mom and dad through the years, I know what secrets and lies can do to a relationship.
She didn’t really have to tell me she told him though, because I already knew. When I heard about Preach being covered in bruises the day after I told Ice about the baby, I figured out what had happened. Being the President of the Renegade Sons, Kidd did what he does best. He used his fists to punish Preach.
I hated seeing him hurt, but a part of me thought he deserved it. The funny thing is, everyone keeps speculating about why Kidd beat the hell out of him. Even Preach has no idea what the hell he did wrong. Reese told me that Preach doesn’t even remember the beating; he just passed out and woke up beat to hell.
I do kinda hate that Kidd whooped his ass, because once everyone finds out about the baby, he’ll get another beating. A part of me doesn’t think it’s fair that he has to take two, but there’s nothing I can do about it. The club has rules. I don’t know them all, but I do know that you don’t screw around with another member’s family. Getting one of the daughters pregnant is definitely going to earn Preach a round from the brothers. Even so, he has ripped my heart and soul to shreds more times than I can count, so it only seems fitting that he will feel a little bit of my pain.
As soon as we step into the common room, the sound of loud music hits my ears. Of course, there is another party going on. It seems like there is always a party going on here lately. We make our way halfway through the room before spotting Kidd.
Jenna walks us over to him, standing at the bar. “Where’s Preach?”
His fists are clenched, and he nods his head toward the couches in the back of the room. I turn around and see Preach sprawled across the couch with one of the new girls Skittles hired. As soon as I take in the sight, my stomach starts to churn.
I squeeze Ice’s hand. “Oh my God!”
His head is laid back against the back of the couch, and a red-headed club whore is clinging to him, her hand on his jean covered cock, working his zipper. I look to Ice and shrug, trying to look unaffected by what Preach is doing. I can’t let anyone know how bad I hurt inside. “I’m going to tell him now.”
I start to walk toward Preach when Kidd stops me to ask, “You want me to clear out the room?”
I shake my head. “No, everyone’s going to know about everything sooner or later. Might as well let the shit hit the fan now.”
He nods. “Whatever you want, Daisy.”
“Honestly, I just want to say what I need to say and then get the hell out of here. But, please Kidd, if he tries to follow me when I leave him, don’t let him.”
“I can do that,” he says as he kisses my forehead. “Good Luck.”
When he lets go, Ice follows behind me, over to the man I once thought I loved. Shit, the man I still love, but at the same time hate.
“Garrett, we need to talk,” I say loudly, hoping the girls will scamper off.
As we get closer, I realize Preach is either passed out or as close to it as a person can be.
The girl turns her head to look at me with an angry scowl plastered on her face. “Fuck off, bitch. This one is taken.”
“Excuse me,” I say, gearing up to tear into the bitch. Before I get the chance, Ice steps between us.
Ice reaches down and grabs the skank by her hair. “Your fucking mouth just cost you your job. Now take your skank ass out of this fuckin’ club. I’ll let Skittles know your ass is gone.”
The girl doesn’t take the hint. “You can’t do that to me,” she says with more attitude than is healthy at the moment.
The music screeches to a halt, and the place goes quiet, everyone wanting to hear what Ice says next.
“Really?” Ice says, her eyebrows going up, and a mischievous smile spreads across her face.
The ignorant bitch sticks out her breasts and says, “Really
. Skittles is in charge, not you.”
“I’m the Pres’ Old Lady, cunt. What I say goes. Not one bitch in this place has more power than me.”
The whore’s eyes seem to double in size. “I didn’t know.”
“I don’t give a fuck what you know or don’t know. My advice would be to keep your mouth shut, unless you want to die before you make it off of this fuckin’ compound.”
She nods, but doesn’t utter another sound. Guess the girl isn’t completely stupid after all.
Ice’s body is still vibrating with anger as she steps closer to the redhead. “If I ever lay eyes on you again, I promise to put a bullet between your fuckin’ eyes. You get me?”
More nodding, again no sound.
Jenna takes another step toward her, but Kidd pulls her back. “Baby girl, let her go. We don’t need to be hiding any more bodies.”
A few members laugh, but everyone knows Kidd’s words aren’t meant to be funny. Ice may have calmed down, but every so often, the Ice Queen still comes out to play. She may have handed the reigns over to Skittles, but there are still times when Ice is called in to put a bitch in her place.
“Just fuckin’ go!” she shouts, letting out a frustrated breath. Then she turns to Kidd and pouts. “You never let me have any fun.”
He pats her on the ass. “We’ll have fun later, but first Daisy has to take care of her shit.”
I look back to Preach and realize he’s just starting to wake up. He looks around trying to figure out what in the hell is going on. When he looks down and sees his junk nearly hanging out, he shouts, “What the fuck?”
His eyes are blood shot, and his skin has a yellow tint to it. Watching my dad drink himself to death for the last twenty years, I know that Preach is heading down the same path, and it breaks my heart. “We need to talk.”
“About what?” Preach slurs out, trying to focus on me.
“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just gonna lay it out for you. First, I want you to understand that this doesn’t change shit between you and me. I don’t expect anything from you, but I thought you had a right to know.”
I take off my coat and pass it to Ice. I place my hands on my growing stomach. “I’m pregnant, but you don’t have to be part of the baby’s life if you don’t want. If you don’t want to be a daddy to him or her, I’ll have the papers drawn up, and you can relinquish your rights.”
His eyes go to my stomach as he takes in my words, and his face begins to lose color. A few moments pass before he stands up and tries to come closer to me. “Flower,” he whispers out, sounding shocked but also pleased. “We’re having a baby?”
He takes another step closer to me, but I back away. I shake my head and say, “No, don’t touch me.”
I can’t have him touch me, because I know one touch is all it will take. I’ll forget about Leah and all the pain he has caused me. The sight of him passed out on his bed will fade from my mind, and I will run back into his arms.
“Daisy, please,” he whispers again, sounding as if he’s in pain.
“I told you this doesn’t change anything. There is no us. There never really was. It was just all a stupid dream. I can’t keep letting you hurt me, or use me again, but I’m not going to stop you from seeing your child if you want to. Take some time and think about what sort of role you want to play in the baby’s life, and then come talk to me,” I say as I take my coat back from Ice.
Once I put it on, I turn to walk toward the door. I’m pulled backwards, my back colliding into Preach’s front. “Please, don’t leave,” he says hoarsely.
The pain in his voice causes tears to well up in my eyes, but I blink them away. I’ve cried enough over him. I’m done wasting my tears on a man that does nothing but hurt me and destroy himself.
“Don’t touch me,” I whisper, jerking away.
I rush to Ice and grab her hand, needing her strength and support to keep me moving. I keep my head held high as we walk out of the clubhouse. As soon as we step outside, I look back, thinking he would be right behind me. He’s not there, though. He’s not coming after me. Part of me is sad for that, but the other part is relieved.
PREACH
I watch as Daisy rushes out the door with Ice right behind her. I start to move forward, but a hand stops me. I look to the side and see Kidd shaking his head at me. “I made her a promise. You’re staying put.”
It’s at that moment I realize he already knew about the baby, which would explain me waking up a few weeks back, all busted the fuck up. “Pres or not, I’ll fuckin’ beat your ass if you don’t let me go,” I growl out, trying to hide the pain I feel inside. Here I’ve been drinking myself to death, killing myself over something that may or may not have happened, and she’s been all alone carrying my child.
“You could try, but you’d just get even more of a beating than what I already gave you.”
Thinking about the beating makes something in my brain click. That’s when it hits me. She’s been pregnant all this time, ever since the night at the club. That’s what she’s been trying to tell me, over and over, but I kept putting her off. Fuck!
“So, that’s what that was? You knew I was going to be a father, and you kept it to yourself,” I shout, anger coming off me in waves. “What’s that say about brotherhood?”
He shrugs, a smug smile on his lips. “I did it for the brotherhood. I did it for Maker and Wayne. Hell, even Holt, he’s damn near her grandpa too. Most of all, I did it for Daisy. She’s been treated like shit her whole life. Her bitch of a mother does all she can to shit on that girl. She deserves better than to be used by you.”
I grab the sides of my head, having to fight the urge to pull my own fuckin’ hair out. “I didn’t use her. I just fucked up, man. Fucked up bad.”
“Yeah, you fucked up with my family. Daisy and I may not share blood, but she’s a Renegade by birth. You hurt her, so I hurt you. I fucked up your pretty boy face and few of your ribs, but that ain’t nothing compared to what you got coming.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? You planning on taking another go at me?”
His smile grows before he answers. “I wouldn’t worry about me. I’d be worrying about the rest of the boys getting a hold of you. Now that everything is out, they’re all gonna want their turn, especially Holt and Wayne. Who knows, maybe Maker will even sober up long enough to join in on the fun.”
Fuck! If my brain wasn’t drowning in alcohol, I would have known this was coming. I fucked with a member’s family, so now I got to pay. I’ve already paid that cost more than once, and this time is gonna be a hell of lot worse.
“If I find out you actually hit her, there’ll be another beating after the one you got coming from Wayne and Holt. You, my brother, have got a lot of pain to look forward to.”
Shit! “If I hit her, I deserve all that you can give me.”
“If you did, we’ll give you a week or two to get your shit straight. You go into this after a bender, your ass won’t make it out alive. Use your time wisely.”
They should just take me now. It’s what I deserve. Hell, it can’t hurt any worse than this. Knowing the woman I love is hurting because of me is the worst kind of pain.
Kidd takes a step closer, the sneer gone from his face. “I’ll do my best to make sure you keep your cut though. I don’t want you to be eighty-sixed. If you are, you’ll never see your kid. You may be a fuck up, but you’ve been a damn good brother.”
I can do nothing but nod, thankful that I have a chance at watching my child grow up.
“I need to go to her,” I say, trying to walk past him.
“Sorry, man. I can’t let you. I promised her you wouldn’t follow her.”
“I don’t give a shit what you promised. I’m going after her.”
“Daisy needs some time, man. You gotta let her go for now. She’ll contact you when she’s ready.”
“Would you have done that with Ice?” I ask him.
“Yeah, I fuckin’ did. If I r
emember correctly, and I know I do, you’re the one that told me to let her have her space. For six damned years, I watched her fuckin’ around with my brothers. It tore me apart, watching her with them.” He shakes his head, lost in the past. “But you were right. I couldn’t go after her right away. She needed time. She needed space. I know if I had pushed it, I would have lost her forever. Sometimes, I think back to all things we missed during those six years and get mad as fuck, but she needed that time.”
“I’m not you, Kidd. Daisy is mine, and I’m gonna make her fuckin’ see that.”
“I’m gonna tell you the same thing you told me six years ago. You need to back the fuck off, brother. Daisy needs space, and if you don’t give it to her, you’re gonna lose her forever.” He lays a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it tight. “Before you go after her, you gotta be sure you didn’t take a hand to her. Until you find out, that shit’s just gonna keep eating at you. Take the time to let her deal with her shit, and use it to look for the answers you need.”
Fuck! Kidd’s right. I swipe a hand over my face. I don’t want him to be right. I don’t want to live one more day without her. “I got to find out the truth, I need to fix this shit, man.”
“Yeah, you do. We’ll find out the truth. Then you can go after her. I’m telling you now, you need to be prepared. This shit’s not gonna be easy for you. You’ve hurt her for years.” He shakes his head. “And just now, what the fuck were you thinking’? You were so fuckin’ drunk you didn’t even know a club whore was on top of you?”
I hang my head. “I don’t fuckin’ know. I swear I couldn’t even tell you my name twenty minutes ago, but as soon as I saw the little bump of Daisy’s stomach, I sobered up right away.”
“You’re lucky that Skittles keeps all these bitches up to date on STD tests and all the boys wear condoms, or you’d be the one going in for testing. I doubt you even know where your dick has been the last few years,” he says, sounding disgusted at me, but I don’t blame him. I’m disgusted in myself.
“I’ve never been so drunk that I forgot to wrap my shit up.” It’s the truth. Only once in my life, I went bare. That was the last night I was with Daisy. I wasn’t drunk. I knew exactly what I was doing and why. I wanted to mark her, make her mine. Having my cum on her, in her, seemed like the best option.