Chief: Rebel Guardians MC

by Liberty Parker

  “I just feel so out of sorts about this all, I just wish I could understand how this could happen to me, to us.”

  “I know you do, baby, and I wish I had those answers for you. I asked Dr. Peters but even she said they don’t know why it sometimes happens.”

  “So it wasn’t something I did wrong then?”

  “You did absolutely nothing wrong. This happens to women, there is no scientific explanation, if there was they could fix it before it ever even happens. We need to mourn our baby, and move on, for us, for Claree and Shelby, for any future children that come into our lives, however they come to us. Whether they’re ours biologically, or we save them the same way we did our girls.”

  “Should we tell them?”

  “Maybe when they’re a little bit older, but eventually, yeah, I think we should.”

  “Turk?”

  “Yeah, baby.”

  “I’m really hungry and suddenly very tired. Can you go get me something decent to eat while I close my eyes?”

  “You nap, sweetness, and when you wake up, I’ll have our girls and some good food, okay?” He kisses me gently before getting out of the bed. My last thought as he walks out the door is how lucky I am that he still wants me in his life.

  Chapter Ten

  Trinity

  I’ve been home from the hospital for three weeks now, and I’m fixing to be put in jail for homicide. These people, whom I love dearly, are driving me to need a stiff drink or to run as far away as I possibly can.

  My phone rings and I grab it when I see it’s Deanna. Bless her heart, she’s been coming over and getting the stuff done that I’m supposed to be doing. “What’s up, Dee?” I ask.

  “Oh, God, Trinity...oh, God,” she starts, “I know...I know you’re still healing but I need you here, can you come? It’s...fuck...it’s bad. Worse than your girls.”

  “Text me the address, I think I can slip out. I’m okay to drive and as long as I don’t have to lift anything, I should be good,” I tell her, going into the closet and grabbing something to wear. I’ve been in either pajamas or a nightgown since I got home, so wearing ‘real’ clothes will feel good. “I should be there in about twenty.” Thank goodness I took a shower this morning with Turk. Granted, there was no fun going on, but still, being able to touch him...well, it would have to do for a few more weeks. Knowing that I’ll be in nine shades of trouble if I get caught, I decide to take advantage of Shelby’s bath time and go out the back door and sneak around the front. I feel like I’m a spy in a James Bond movie with the slick moves I’m having to use.

  “Where are you going, young lady?” I jump and grab my chest from the fear of her coming up behind me. Dammit, she caught me. Nan is a damn ninja, I swear.

  Turning around, I say, “Just grabbing something out of the car.”

  “Dressed? With your purse and keys? Tell me another one, honey, and this time, make it the truth.”

  “Nan, I’m perfectly okay to drive. I have to go. Deanna just called and it’s bad. Nan...there are kids involved.” Yeah, I’m playing on how much she loves kids right now but dammit, I know Dee wouldn’t have called me unless she needed me. The old shrew gives me a look with her eyes slanted, crosses her arms over her chest and I’m not sure if she’s going to let me leave the house without tattling on me to my old man.

  “And what am I supposed to tell Chief when he gets home and you’re not here?” she asks.

  “I imagine he’s already there if it’s as bad as Dee made it sound. Nan, she cursed! Dee, sweet Dee, who has never said a curse word in her life, actually said one...out loud!”

  “I should probably drive you and save Chief the trouble of tracking me down and killing me,” she mutters.

  “This is my job, Nan. Turk knew what he signed up for the day he decided to make me his. He loves me for it, and if he doesn’t he’ll get over it.”

  “He’s going to kill us both.”

  “No, he won’t, but I don’t have time to argue. There are kids who need me tonight.”

  “Fine, using kids against an old woman is very nice of you, but give me a second to grab Shelby and we’ll leave.” I smile at her retreating back, Nan is a big softy. Gotta love that old woman, even if she’s trained with a ninja or two.

  I arrive at the address and can see nothing but red and blue lights everywhere. Taking a deep breath, I park and get out of my car and make my way to Deanna, who is standing off to the side. “Dee, what happened?”

  “A domestic violence situation. The dad shot the mom and then killed himself. All three kids were in the house at the time. Trinity, it’s not good. They’re trying to figure out how to get the kids out without them seeing their parents.”

  “How old are the kids?”

  “Ten, seven and five, all boys.”

  “Why don’t we get a firetruck with a ladder and have the firemen get them out through the window?”

  “Or,” Turk comes up behind me scaring the life right out of me, “I can have my deputies carry them out and we can place blankets over their faces.” He turns and glares at me, “And you, I think we need to have a little chat when I get home about what you are allowed and not allowed to do at this time, the doctor said no work for you for at least another week!”

  “Turk! Not here,” I say, between my gritted teeth. “This is important! These kids need me!”

  He leans in close where no one but me can hear and says, “I really should spank that ass, sweetness. Maybe if you had my handprints there and couldn’t sit down, you’d remember that as far as I’m concerned, you’re the most important thing next to those two girls we’re raising.”

  “I get that,” I grit out, “but I have a commitment to these children too. I’m not doing anything wrong, she said no lifting but didn’t say anything about not working you Neanderthal.”

  “And just how did you get out of the house anyway?” he asks.

  “I don’t wanna talk about it.” I stubbornly say, still sore at Nan catching me sneaking out like a teenager. He smiles at me, and I know he has figured out that I wasn’t as slick as I wanted to be.

  “Oh, we’ll be talking about it later, sweetness. Bet your ass we will,” he states as he walks away toward my car. Guess he’ll see Nan and Shelby soon enough. Fuck my life.

  “Where I can be one to appreciate the sexual tension coming off of you two, can we get back to the subject at hand? We need to get these kids out and placed,” Dee states once I’ve turned back toward her.

  “I still like my idea best. Is anyone in there with them now?” I ask Dee.

  “Yeah, a couple of officers have them in their room and they’ve been playing games with them.”

  “I think it would be more traumatic to carry them out with blankets covering their face, but have no clue what the protocol is around here.” Like I want to talk to that hard-headed Neanderthal again in the next century! Making my way over to him, stomping my feet as I eat up the ground between us I ask, “Can we have the fire department?”

  “No, sweetness. It’s a great idea in theory, but that’s a resource we can’t use even for something like this.” Well, that’s just stupid, I can’t help but think.

  “Then, I guess we need to go with your suggestion,” I tell him. “Even though it's the most asinine thing I could think of during this kind of situation.” Can’t help but get that jab in there at him, it gives me a great sense of satisfaction at the look he gives me.

  “Sweetheart, I can understand your passion where it comes to these kids, I can appreciate it, truly I can. But the city has to pick up the bill for it, and it’s something that isn’t in the budget unfortunately. We’ll make sure the scene is secure and protect them the best way we can...I promise.”

  “Fine. I need to get with Dee and see if we have anyone we can place them with. I want them together, especially given the circumstances, until we can determine if they have any family.”

  “Sweetness, there are grandparents, but they won’t get here until tomorrow.
Why don’t we take them home with us for tonight?”

  “I appreciate that, I would like to make sure they have people who care while we wait for them to show up and pick the kids up. Turk?” I ask as he turns to go give the order.

  “Yeah?”

  “Can you have your officers help them pack a bag with some things in it, so they have familiar items? I know this is a crime scene and all, but they’re going to need some stuff.”

  “They’ll take care of it, sweetness. Now, you go wait in my cruiser since I sent Nan back home with Shelby while I get them out. And by the way, neither Nan or you are out of the dog house.”

  “Fuck my life,” I say, slapping my hands on my legs and causing him to chuckle at me.

  “And, sweetheart, your sassy mouth does nothing but turn me on, so please, do continue cursing me out.” Of course, it turns him on, the Neanderthal. DJ often compares them to cavemen and I can finally see it. Then again, when Turk’s behavior toward me changed, it was noticeable as well. Wonder what I can do to get us out of the doghouse?

  While I was happy to take the three boys home for the night, Dee nixed that plan saying that I was still on medical leave. She took them home with her for the night. My heart clenches remembering the tear-streaked faces that I helped her get into her car. Understandably, the youngest had no clue about what had happened, but the older two had heard their parents arguing and wisely closed and locked their door when they heard their father telling their mother that she’d be sorry she asked for a divorce, he would take the three things she loved most away from her. The oldest had pushed a dresser in front of the door then hid them all in the closet. Now, unfortunately, it’s time for me to face the music. I’ve been home and back in bed for nearly thirty minutes when Turk comes in and closes the bedroom door. The look on his face is one I’ve not seen before and I’m a little nervous about the talk that’s headed my way.

  “Sweetness…” he begins, “I know you wouldn’t have gone out tonight if you didn’t feel well enough, but dammit, woman, I nearly lost you three weeks ago! I respect your desire to make sure those kids were safe, fuck, that’s what you did for our girls not too long ago, but you had no clue what the situation was when you pulled up. And not only did you put yourself there, you brought Nan and Shelby into it as well. What if he had still been holding his wife at gunpoint? What if the scene had not been contained? You didn’t think tonight, Trinity, and that disappoints me more than anything.”

  By now, my head is down, and my tears are flowing. He didn’t yell. He didn’t scream. Hell, he didn’t even throw anything. He just talked, but hearing that my actions disappointed him, crushes me. I’ve got no words I can say right now that will make it better. Everything that comes to mind sounds like an excuse at best. “I’m sorry, Turk,” I whisper out, my throat clogged with the sobs I’m trying to hold back. I can’t stop the tears, but I can keep the wails that want to break free from escaping. I feel the bed dip down and I’m hauled into his arms, where I finally lose my precious hold on the sobs that are now choking me. Crying, sobbing, and making a hot mess on his shirt, I let it all go, his large hands rubbing soothingly down my back. He’s practically lulling me to sleep, my eyes seem to be closing on their own. Not being able to keep my eyes open any longer, I fall into a deep sleep, missing how he whispered, “I love you, Trinity,” as he held me close.

  Chapter Eleven

  Chief

  My phone wakes me from my fitful sleep. “Hello,” I answer.

  “Hey, man,” Law says, “wake up, I have some information that you’ll want to hear.”

  “I’m up,” I say, sitting up rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. “What’s up?”

  “You wanted at least a week’s notice, I’m giving it to you. You are on the dockets in one week from yesterday.”

  “From yesterday, huh?” I chuckle at him.

  “Yes, sir. The judge also wanted me to relay to you that he can marry the two of you in his chambers thirty-minutes before the hearing. It will be quick, and he’ll only have enough room for a few witnesses. You need to get your ducks in a row and have everything ready to go. You need to get to the courthouse at least forty-eight hours before and get your license filed.”

  “Not a problem, I have the afternoon shift, so I’ll get Trinity up and moving and we’ll head down there this morning.”

  “Sounds like a plan, catch ya later man, I’ve got a few more things to wrap up so I can hit the road for my leave of absence.”

  “We’re going to miss you, man,” I tell him, feeling a bit nostalgic with everything he’s done for me. There is no greater feeling for a man than that of having those stand beside you through all walks of life. And Law has definitely gone above and beyond where we are all concerned. He’s one of the club’s biggest assets and I hope we don’t come across any trouble while he’s away. With Smokey and Bandit around, there’s always something coming up. Those two bozos have kept us young and, on our feet...but we wouldn’t trade them for anything in this world.

  “Wake up, baby.” I lean over and slide Trinity’s hair over her shoulder.

  “What? What’s happening?” she asks, and she looks as cute as a button. Damn, now I sound like a damn pussy. What is my world coming to?

  “We need to get down to the courthouse this morning and file for our marriage license, we meet the judge in one week to adopt the girls and he’s fitting us in for a quick wedding.”

  “Quick, what I always wanted when in the same sentence as my wedding,” she says sarcastically, I guess we’re still in a snit from last night.

  “Sweetness? You okay?” I ask, my tone cautious.

  She looks at me and I can see the apprehension in her eyes. “Turk, I’m sorry I’m a disappointment.”

  Wait, what? “No, Trinity, you’re not a disappointment to me. What you did yesterday disappointed me but there’s a huge difference and we’re not getting out of this bed until you realize that fact.”

  “I don’t see the difference.”

  I sigh before pulling her so that she’s nearly in my lap while I’m leaning against the headboard. “There’s no way that you, my beautiful, stubborn, woman, could be a disappointment to me. Ever. You’ve healed my heart and soothed my soul. You’re giving me a family with you, the girls and that crazy-ass cat who insists on sleeping on my side of the bed. I was disappointed that you put your own health on the back burner. I get that your job requires you to be about the kids who need help, but sweetness, right now you’re still healing, and I couldn’t believe that you would risk yourself like that.”

  “My recovery has gone like it’s supposed to, I wouldn’t have lifted or done anything that would have jeopardized that in any way. The doctor said just the other day that I am a textbook recovery statistic, I am right on schedule and healing nicely.”

  “Well, we’re not taking any chances since I’ve got a wedding night with you in a week’s time,” I tell her, smoothing her hair back. I swear, she goes to bed with her hair braided to keep it in check and by the time we wake up the next morning, more hair is out of the band than in it. But I love her curls and don’t mind one bit. Bed head looks good on her, she’s a wet dream rolled into one package. My perfect match, and I wouldn’t get rid of her hard-headed ass if someone offered me all of the money in the world to do so. I scoop her up and carry her into the bathroom. We may still be in the no-sex part of her healing, but I enjoy this part of our day and won’t be denied. Plus, if we hold off until our wedding night, the anticipation and work up from this week will make it ten times more explosive when we do come together.

  Trinity

  Gah, this man of mine is driving me crazy, rubbing himself along my body then moving away when I reach out to reciprocate his touch. He better be ready because he created a monster the first day we made love and other than those few days of the month, I anticipate being very active. Note to self, we may need to investigate soundproofing the room, especially now that Claree and Talon have taken an interest in one an
other. Lord knows I don’t want to be the one to blame for them wanting to explore and take things further than what is age appropriate. Holding hands is about all I feel they should be doing at their tender ages. I don’t want to even catch a peck on the cheek at this stage of the game, and oh my, Turk would have a heart attack if he even heard my thoughts thus far! I’m broken out of my reverie when he takes my hand and leads me out of the shower. Guess I had to get into a different mind zone to keep from jumping him like a starving animal. “We’re going to have to take Shelby,” I say, as he dries me off. Why he feels the need to do this when I have two capable hands is beyond me, but the feel of his calloused hands on me is wonderful.

  “Let’s get the girls up and ready and we’ll grab breakfast, drop Claree off at school then hit the courthouse. You need to call Nan as well because she was organizing the reception for us at the clubhouse.”

  “Okay, that works. Turk, I think I’ve got it from here,” I tell him as I grab my toothbrush and the toothpaste. He’s standing right behind me, both of us naked, with his arms wrapped around my waist. Seeing his darker skin against mine sends a shiver through my body. Then again, it could be his hard-on that’s pressed against my ass and lower back too. One night, we were lying in bed and I asked him if he’d ever take us to the reservation to visit his family, I know he’s got a tough relationship with them and I’d love to help him mend fences. But his resounding ‘absolutely not’ ended that conversation before I even had a chance to discuss it with him. One day I’m going to break down those walls he has built up where they are concerned. Maybe I can enlist Nan and secretly invite them to our wedding reception. If there ever was an ice-breaker this could be it. They can see and meet his new family, and hopefully we can all come together as one. Once we’re done dressing and getting ready, I go in to wake up the girls, only to find Claree already dressed, with her bed made, and sitting there combing Shelby’s hair.