by Sarah Osborn
“Yeah. He gave the same bullshit story as Jez. Reckons Moretti ain't to be trusted, and he's got enough firepower to fight his own battles.”
“You still planning on bringing this to the table?” Tiny already knew the answer. He'd known his President for a long time, and over the years had seen a change in him. The man that had always put the needs of the club above everything was being replaced with someone who cared more about money and power than the well being of his brothers. Tiny loved Bay View, he'd always considered it his home chapter, and he'd known most of the older patches all his adult life, but the chapter he'd returned to wasn't the same as the one he'd prospected at. The new guys were hungry – they wanted to earn big and party hard – while he understood that, the small chapter where he'd earned his top rocker was growing and flexing its muscles.
“Could be good for us. Give us a presence in San Diego.”
“Or it could come back and bite us.” Tiny shook his head. “San Diego has always been Serpiente territory. You sure you wanna rock the boat? The last war with them didn't turn out so good.”
“That wasn't a war. That was what happens when you take the eye off the ball. Wolf should've seen it coming and stomped on 'em.”
“Reckon we stomped on 'em pretty good, boss. Taking Samson's ol' lady cost 'em their President an' VP. They've been quiet as a mouse since then.”
Vince shrugged and walked towards the clubhouse. “We got half an hour before we to hit the road. I'm gonna get a beer.”
Tiny followed his President, trying, not for the first time, to shake the feeling that this move would be something he'd live to regret.
EIGHT
After persuading Beth that the kids didn't need feeding, Emma had thrown her out of her kitchen and begun to make dinner. Tiny wouldn't be home till late – if he made it home at all – and Deke had crashed out while putting Lottie to bed, so she decided that she and Beth would be okay with the salad left over from the previous day's barbecue with some olive bread and cheese she'd picked up on the way back from the zoo.
She was worried about Beth. Her friend had seemed so in control when she'd first met her, but since even before the twins were born, it seemed that she was struggling to cope. Emma wasn't surprised; having four kids under seven – one of whom faced an uncertain future – would challenge anyone, even without moving twice in two years and settling in a small tight-knit community full of strangers, with a husband who spent all his time either working or or taking care of club shit. It looked to her, like Beth was drowning and Tiny was oblivious.
She turned and frowned as Beth hovered in the doorway. “Go and sit down. The kids are all asleep, and I've got this. All you need to do is kick back and let someone take care of you for a change.”
“I'm okay, Emma. Really, I am.”
“I know. But that doesn't mean you don't need to take a break sometimes. I've only got one kid, and have days when it all gets on top of me.” Emma smiled. “Just sit your ass down.”
“You sound just like Samson.”
“Yeah, I think he's rubbing off on me.”
~ oOo ~
It made no difference how many times she told him not to, Deke always ended up putting Lottie in their bed and falling asleep with her. Emma now was faced with the dilemma: put Lottie into the crib and risk waking her up, or try to squeeze into the tiny space they'd left for her. While it drove her nuts, they were both so cute, cuddled up in the middle of the bed, that she couldn't bring herself to get mad at him. She glanced at her watch. Lottie would probably wake soon, demanding a boob, so she may as well head back downstairs and watch TV. Unlike her ol' man, who got crabby if he was denied his beauty sleep, she could manage on very little, and had learned to take naps when her daughter slept during the day.
She had only been downstairs for half an hour when she heard Tiny's bike pull up outside. She hoped he'd go straight up to bed. She loved him, but his apparent indifference to Beth's plight was beginning to piss her off.
“Hey, little one. Thought you'd be in bed.” She could smell bourbon on his breath as he threw himself next to her on the sofa, but he appeared sober. “How was the zoo?”
“The zoo was great, but it wore Deke out. Him and Lottie have taken up all the bed, which is why I'm down here.”
“My kids are hard work, huh?”
“Surprised you're around enough to notice.” Oh, well done, mouth. You go right ahead and piss off Tiny, cuz he's just a big fluffy pussy cat.
“I take it, by that little remark, you think I ain't doing enough.”
“Are you?”
He shrugged and put his arm around her shoulders. “Probably not. An' before you say anything, I do know Beth's not having it easy right now.”
“I'm worried about her, Tiny.”
“I know you are, little one. Luke starts school this year, an' I got a new guy starting at the garage next month, so I can be home more. I got this, Emma.”
“And the club?
He didn't answer – he didn't need to – the club was always going to come first.
NINE
Trying not to break his neck as the cats weaved around his ankles, Samson crossed the yard to the bright pink Airstream that Emma planned to turn into a playhouse for Lottie, but for now made perfect accommodation for the prospect. “Prospect! You better get your sorry ass out here and explain to my ol' lady why the fucking goat is in the middle of the vegetable patch.” He pushed open the door and wrinkled is nose as the stink of skunkweed hit him.
Seattle's latest hopeful opened his eyes and blinked. “Shit. Samson! I... I'm sorry man. It was locked up, I swear.”
“Well it sure as shit ain't locked up now. This is gonna get you on cleaning duties till you're fucking sixty. An' you better not have been cropping my plants. I counted every one of those fucking buds.”
“Shit. No, boss. I... I wouldn't do that. I'll catch the goat.”
“Yeah, you will. Then you'll clean out the chicken run before my ol' lady sees it, cuz if she does, she will kick your lazy ass all the way back to Seattle.” He leaned on the doorframe as the hapless prospect hunted for his boots. “Now, prospect.”
“I can't find my boots.”
“Not my problem. Get out there 'fore I set the dog on ya.” As threats went, that one was pretty feeble. Genghis might have been the size of a small horse, but unless it was possible to drown in drool, the stupid dog posed no threat to anyone. For some reason, though, the kid was terrified of him, and, as far as Samson was concerned, that alone was grounds to deny him his top rocker.
“Why is that prospect running around, barefoot, after the goat?” Emma slipped one hand into his back pocket and with the other, stole his cigarette.
“Because he let him escape an' lost his boots.”
“They're just there.” She pointed to the step. “I told him to take them off before going into the princess house.”
“I know.”
“Deke!”
“Stupid fuck got shit-faced and left the goat out.” He grinned. “Reckon he thought taking care of our place was beneath him. He's gotta learn. An' it's my job to teach him.”
“By making him run around in his bare feet?”
“By any means necessary.” He retrieved his smoke. “Go on in. I'll stay here an' make sure he realizes that when he's told to do something, I expect it to be done.”
“At least give him his boots back. He's going to get crap all over his socks.”
“Then he should've made sure the goat was secure.” He looked down as Genghis touched his thigh with his nose. “Wanna piece of the prospect, boy? Go get him.”
Genghis clearly wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing, so he jumped up at the prospect a few times before running away from the now extremely angry goat.
There was only so much entertainment to be gleaned from watching a barefoot man chasing a goat, and his woman was inside. Emma looked up from spooning green gloop into Lottie – he still hadn't figured how she managed to do
that – “Is Sammy locked up?”
“Not yet. I'll let you take pity on the grunt when she's fed.”
She smiled. “You're an asshole, sometimes.”
“Only when I need to be, baby girl.”
“You going to the clubhouse later?”
“Yeah. I'll ride back with the grunt. Might be a late one. I'll let you know if I decide to crash there.”
“Okay. You going to eat first?”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “You'd better do some for that loser out there. I don't want him passing out with hunger. I really hate scraping prospects off the asphalt.”
“You really are a big softy – deep down.”
“Yeah. But don't tell him that.”
He never tired of the feeling of her mouth on his. “It'll be our secret, big guy.”
~ oOo ~
She'd known that he would need to take a ride as soon as he got home. Apart from when they'd snuck off on Tiny's bike, it had been seven days since he'd ridden, and after two days trapped with her, Lottie and the dog in her car, he was desperate to get back on his bike. She'd also known that he'd be expected in church, and there was no way he'd miss that. Emma pushed the resentment that had been bubbling under the surface for the last few days aside. He wasn't Tiny, and she knew that if it came down to the wire, she and Lottie would come first... She was sure they would – well, she was pretty sure.
Something was bugging him. It had been brewing ever since the barbecue. Every so often he and Tiny would disappear into Tiny's den or have heated discussions out back. And when he wasn't talking to his brother, he'd be on his cell. Emma had no idea what it was, but she knew it had something to do with something the Bay View President had said. And whatever it was, it wasn't good. She knew better than to ask – he wouldn't have told her anything if she did – she just had to trust him to never let her or Lottie ever get hurt again.
Sometimes she hated that cut. She watched as he shrugged it over his shoulders, hated what he became when he was wearing it. Deke would spend his days building bikes or playing with his daughter. Deke would watch TV with the cats curled up on his lap, and talk to the chickens as they scratched around their run. Deke was hers. Samson belonged to the club.
He bent and kissed her. “I'll call if I ain't coming home. I love you.”
“I love you too. Ride safe.”
TEN
She hadn't intended to invite Felix over, but when Deke had called and said he wouldn't be home until late the following day, she'd just needed someone to talk to, and one thing had led to another.
They didn't get shitfaced like they'd done before Lottie was born, but chocolate and a cheesy movie always lifted her spirits. And no one made her laugh quite like the young artist who was currently massaging her feet and berating her for turning into a Walmart mom for not painting her toenails. She smiled and wiggled her toes. “Is Walmart mom a thing?”
“I'm pretty sure it is. It starts with not painting your toenails, then you stop shaving your legs. Before you know it, you'll be slouching around Walmart in your PJs.” He grinned. “It starts at the feet and works its way up.”
“Never going to happen. Firstly, because you are going to paint them for me. Secondly, I never shop in Walmart, and thirdly, I don't own any PJs.”
Felix chuckled. “And of course your wonderfully stylish bestie would never let it happen.” He rummaged through the box containing her bottles of nail varnish. “So what color do you want?”
She grinned. “All of them. And then when you've done my toes you can do my fingers.”
For a while he worked in silence, then looked up and his eyes met hers. “How was California?”
“Good. It was nice to see Tiny and Beth.”
“So why do I get the feeling you're getting anxious again?”
“I dunno. It's probably me being paranoid.”
“I know you, sweetie. Something's up.”
“Well, whatever it is, Deke isn't sharing.”
“Have you asked him?”
“That's not how it works, Felix. If Deke thinks I need to know something, he'll tell me, but mostly, I stay out of club shit.” She shrugged. “And it probably really is nothing.”
“Well, I'm here if you want to talk.”
“I know. Thank you.” She held up her hand and smiled. “And thank you for making my fingers pretty.”
“Which of course is a complete waste of time. We both know you'll be grubbing around in the dirt tomorrow.”
“Well, they're pretty tonight.” She leaned against him. “Don't say anything to Deke about me fretting.”
“My lips are sealed, sweetie.”
~ oOo ~
When Deke pulled onto his driveway the following day, Emma's car was nowhere to be seen, but Felix's Mazda was parked in its place. He hung his helmet on the handlebar and pulled out his cell. “Hey, baby girl. Where you at?”
“Having a picnic with Felix. We won't be out long, your daughter's cutting a tooth and is determined to share her misery.”
“In that case, stay out for as long as you like.” He laughed. “And she is your daughter, too.”
“Don't I know it.” He loved her laugh. “I'll see you later.”
“Yeah, later.” He swallowed. He'd wanted her here. Wanted to hold her – just for a while – to bury his face in her hair. To... “I love you.”
“Are you okay, Deke?”
“Yeah, I'm good. I'll see you soon.”
ELEVEN
He was in his workshop, stripping down his Harley, when they returned. Really, he should've been working on the Triumph, as he already had a potential buyer for it, but he had a feeling he could be on the road a lot in the coming months, and she needed a service.
The door flew open and he turned around. “Felix. Where's Emma?”
“Back at the house, changing Lottie's diaper.” He screwed up his nose. “Your daughter's crap is toxic.”
“Tell me about it.” Deke straightened up and stretched. “You want something?”
“Emma thinks something is going down. Is she right?”
“She say something to you?”
“Not really. She's worried, though.” Felix folded his arms. “She walks a fine line, Deke. What happened to her... It changed everything.”
“You think I don't know that?”
“No. I'm sorry, I know it was tough on you, too. But after... After what happened, the world changed for her. She's good now – strong – but if you think that she doesn't battle every day to stop herself from retreating back into her shell, you're deluding yourself.”
“I'm the one who holds her till the nightmares stop, Felix.”
“Then you must know that you cannot do anything that puts her or Lottie at risk.” Felix sighed and shook his head. “I know you'd never do that – not knowingly, at least – but sooner or later you are going to have to make that call. Your club or your family.”
“This is bullshit. You need to back off, my friend.”
“And you need to talk to Emma. Reassure her that everything's fine. She might buy it, even if I don't.”
“You don't know shit.” Felix was really starting to push his buttons now.
“I know your old lady was kidnapped and raped as a direct result of your actions. I know that she hates the club.”
“Emma doesn't hate the club.”
“Of course she does. The club is responsible for what happened to her. You're damned lucky she didn't just turn tail and run. I sure as hell would've.” Felix pulled himself to his full height. “You owe her, Deke. Be straight with her.”
“I've never lied to her.”
“You haven't been honest with her, either.”
“I think you should get outta here. Now, Felix.”
“Or what?”
“You really wanna find out?”
“Yes, actually. I think I do. C'mon, Samson. How about I get to see the Freak in you.”
While Felix was tall, he was stick thin and weighed next to noth
ing. Deke grabbed the front of his shirt and lifted him off the ground before dumping him on his ass on her grass outside. “I don't wanna hurt you. But if you don't stay outta mine and Emma's shit, I will.”
“I'll stay out of yours and Emma's shit when you pull your head out of your ass.” Felix scrambled to his feet. “She loves you, and I know you love her. But if you're not very careful, one of these days, you're going to come home and find her gone.”
He had to hand it to the little faggot. He had some balls. But he was wrong. Emma and him were rock solid.
~ oOo ~
“Hey. Where's Felix?” Emma stopped pacing the kitchen and leaned against the table, as Lottie's wails turned into sobs.
“He just left.” His eyes, when they met hers, were cold. “Take her upstairs. We need to talk.”
“She won't settle, I've just...”
“Now, Emma.”
She knew better than to argue. He was pissed – really pissed – and although she trusted him not to ever hurt her, he was an intimidating guy. “Okay, I'll be down shortly.”
“You'll be down straight away. Put her in her crib and get your ass back down here.”
Emma could count on one hand the amount of times he'd spoken to her like that, and it usually resulted in a blazing row. This time, though, she complied without a word, even though it broke her heart to leave her daughter alone when she was so obviously upset.
Deke was leaning against the kitchen sink, drinking a beer, when she returned to the kitchen. “Do you hate the club?”
“What?” She'd been wracking her brains trying to figure out what she'd done to piss him off, and that hadn't even crossed her mind.
“You heard me. Do You Hate The Club?”
“Did Felix say something?”
“Felix said plenty. Now answer the goddamned question.”
“Did you hurt him? Jesus, Deke. He was only looking out for me.”
“No, I didn't hurt him. Answer the question, Emma.”
“No.” She couldn't bring herself to look at him. “Is that what Felix said?”