Capone_Rebel Guardians MC
Page 13
“That works for me,” I reply.
“She doing okay?” Bandit asks. Fuck my life...I’m gonna have two brothers-in-law and I’m not quite sure how to handle it.
“Yeah, she’s settling in at the salon, therapy’s going well, and she didn’t freak when I told her we were building a house.”
“Well, there’s our first big project,” Jaxson says, grinning.
“Sounds good to me, the sooner the better, I feel like I’m living in a matchbox,” I implore.
“Yeah, that apartment is kinda small,” Chief muses. “Still not sure how the hell you got a king-size bed in there.”
“Determination, brother, sheer determination.”
“Jaxson, there’s a reason we asked you to be part of today's meeting. I know I led you to believe it’s due to the construction company, and needing your involvement...but, we actually wanted you here to take that fucking cut off your back.” Jaxson turns white and I fear he may pass out. Axe stands up along with Twisted and they go and stand behind him. “And replace it with this one.” I see Jaxson let out a breath that he’d so obviously been holding in and his color returns to his face.
“Looks good, brother,” I state once he’s got his new cut on and has sat back down. Well, more like collapsed, but he’s trying to put on a good front, so I’ll let it slide.
“Now he needs a woman like the rest of us to keep him in line,” Smokey says, grinning as he stares at Hatch. We all know that Ralynn has a huge crush on Jaxson, and it’s funny as hell to watch Hatch growl whenever she’s around him.
“He’s young yet, let him be,” Twisted announces. “He has his whole life ahead of him to find the right one, settle down, and create a family.”
“So, we ever get signed up for that fucking festival?” I ask. I really really hate them, but I know it’ll be good for us as a club and for the salon.
“Yeah, Cara’s overseeing that project. She’s got one tent for us as a club to get more prospects, and another for the salon so they can let folks know what all they do.”
“As long as their tent’s next to ours, I’m good with the women being separate,” I say.
“Protective fucker, huh?” Bandit asks.
“We know the Devil’s Demons are likely not done with my woman. Not taking chances where she’s concerned. You should be worried too, brother. They were gonna sell Hannah as well.” I see when that reminder hits both men because they both start glowering.
“Fuck, we were doing so well, too,” Axe mutters. Law just grins because he knows we can’t stay on task. Sometimes, I think we’re worse than women, but then I reach down and feel that yep, I’ve got a dick attached. Good to know, since he craves action from his woman.
Ten
Bridget
Thankfully most of the women are preggers so no drinks are flowing. I’m still recovering from the last time, even though it’s been a bit. I like to be in control of myself, and when I’m drinking I seem to lose all inhibitions. We’re planning Nan’s bachelorette party, without her being here, which is unusual, but how can we surprise her if she’s here and helping? With a plan in place we begin talking about random things happening in our lives. Paisley looks jittery and I’m wondering what’s up with her. Yes, she’s involving herself in conversations around her, but I can tell her mind is elsewhere.
“Paisley, are you alright?” I ask worriedly.
“Yes, um, I’m fine...it’s just that. Well, fuck it, it’s like ripping off a bandaid right, just say it?”
“What aren’t you telling us?” DJ asks her.
“I’m pregnant...with twins,” she states, holding two fingers up in the air. We all excitedly jump up from our seats and rush her. Her eyes are comical with the way they widen when we all come at her like a stampede. Next thing I know, we’re all hugging and laughing and I see her body lose the tightness it’s been carrying since we all sat down earlier. I’m so grateful for Dr. Rawlings right now, because even though I’m sad about what was done to me, I’m able to be excited for my friend. Definitely progress and I can’t wait to share it with her at my next session.
“Pais?” Cara softly questions. “This is a good thing, right?” We all know she miscarried and that it sent her into a depression, so maybe this isn’t good news.
Paisley blows out a breath before nodding. “It is, it really is. But...because of the miscarriage, I’m considered high-risk. Especially since Twisted apparently has super sperm and I’m lugging around two babies. I...I’m just scared, y’all. What if it happens again?”
Trinity, who I’ve noticed seems to be the voice of calm ninety-nine percent of the time, speaks up, saying, “What restrictions has the doctor given you? Do you need to stop working? Can we help you with Tig?”
“I can still work, but just in the office. Cara, that’s why Twisted asked you to hire a few more part-time warehouse workers. No more inventory or lifting. And...no sex until after the babies come.”
“So...Twisted knocks you up and then can’t reap the benefits from the pregnancy hormones,” DJ muses. “Sucks to be him, honey, but we’ve got you. He’s a big boy and can handle that himself. Other than that, we’ll all help you.”
Paisley starts to laugh as she looks at us. I mean, she’s kinda got a point because Trinity, DJ and Cassarah all have baby bumps of varying sizes due to being in different stages of their pregnancies. How much help can they possibly be?
“No, I mean, we can do things, just no penetration,” Paisley adds, her face a lovely shade of red. “Besides, three of y’all are in the same boat as me, preggers, so I’m not sure how you can help.”
“We can do anything for you that our doctors allow us to do for ourselves. I’m not personally on any restrictions, neither are Trinity, or Cassarah,” DJ informs her.
“This is true,” Cassarah says, “I am allowed to do everything aside from lifting anything heavy. No pregnant woman should, at least that’s what Elijah tells me anyways.” We laugh, because these men are protective on a good day, but add their women carrying their children and that protectiveness doubles...no, triples.
“Whatever it takes, Paisley. We’ve got your back,” Cara states. I grin because I’m finding that coming here to find my sister was the best thing I ever did, hands down.
We end up talking babies, what to expect while being pregnant, and it makes me in no hurry whatsoever to find myself walking even a mile in their shoes.
With a plan in place to help Paisley out around her house, we decide to take shifts around our work schedules. She won’t be needing much but some housecleaning and help with her laundry and some light grocery shopping. Piece of cake! We’ve got this. We make lunch for us and make extra for when the guys come out of their meeting, it’s nothing fancy just some sandwiches and chips. We just sit down and begin eating when the men all pile out of the room.
“Your sandwiches are in the fridge,” I tell them. They all give their thanks and get their plates made. I get up and sit in Kade’s lap, knowing instinctively that he’d just pick me up and place me there anyway. He pats my leg in acceptance. It causes me to hold my shoulders high and proud, from the approval he’s given me with that simple touch of his hand.
After we eat lunch, the guys all leave us and head to the game room while the women settle in the main room to talk more about Nan’s upcoming bachelorette party. I have been wanting to talk to Hannah alone for a while now, so I pull her off to the side.
“What’s going on, Bridget?”
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you alone for a bit, but I’ve never had the chance to get you alone. Now that the men are otherwise occupied, I figured this would be a good time,” I respond to her question.
“Okay, let’s sit down, because you’re worrying me now.”
We walk over to the corner where there’s two chairs tucked away in front of the windows. Once we’re settled, I inhale deeply, because there are some things Hannah’s not aware of that happened to me. “When I was nineteen, I ended up pregnant
from one of the ‘clients’ our brother hooked me up with. When he found out I was knocked up, he took me to some back-alley doctor to have an abortion. I didn’t fight him on it, I know that makes me a bad person,” I rush out, because I still to this day feel guilty for not fighting harder to save the life of my unborn child. I deliberately didn’t give her all the gory details that I shared in therapy. There’s no need for her to have that hell in her mind. It’s bad enough I carry it with me. She grabs my hand in hers and tears are streaking down both of our faces. “I didn’t fight, because I couldn’t image bringing an innocent baby into the life I was forced to live. I loved that kid enough to not want to expose him or her to our brother. He would have ended up selling it, which is the threat he used to get me to agree to his terms. I didn’t want to, but what choice did I really have? That’s all I could think about is what monster would end up owning my kid? So I gave in, and now, well -- now we aren’t sure that I can even have kids because there was a complication after the procedure.” By now, my sobs are wracking my body, and I don’t even notice the other women are standing next to us.
She pulls me closer as I sob over the life I lived. “Shhh, Bridget, it’s okay,” she murmurs over and over. I’m so lost in my thoughts I don’t even realize when the others’ arms are surrounding us both.
“No, it’s not okay. I want to be able to give Kade everything,” I choke out.
“So, we make an appointment to get you checked out,” she advises.
“There’s more...I’m scared about other things too,” I admit. “What if...what if one of them gave me something that hasn’t shown up in my previous blood work?”
“Then you keep getting tested,” DJ replies. “I’m sure your man realizes what he’s getting himself into, right?”
I glance at her and nod. “He said...he said he’d wear condoms for the next twenty years if that’s what it would take for me to feel comfortable.”
“Did any of your clients use condoms?” Trinity asks.
“Yeah, all except that one.”
“And that’s been over ten years at least, right?”
“Not quite, it’s only been eight.”
“So, the likelihood of it being anything like that is slim and none,” Trinity states. “Talk to Capone and see if he’s okay with using them until you’re one hundred percent sure. It sounds like he is from what you’ve said, so let’s help you get rid of some of this worry you’re carrying around.”
“Does Capone talk? He mostly grunts at me when I talk with him. He’s so laid back with all of us that I can’t see him being a ‘conversation’ type of man?” DJ asks me.
I start to giggle at her words. “Laid back? He’s got you bitches fooled. I should record him at home so you see the side of him that I have to live with.” With that, we all laugh, and it feels good to have another emotion other than sadness.
“I’m not a bitch. I’m the beotch. Get it right next time,” DJ informs us all and I roll my eyes, because that woman is crazy as hell.
“So you go this week for your licensing, right?” Cara asks. I’m thankful for the change of subject and nod.
“You’ve got this in the bag and it’ll be another reason to celebrate,” DJ states. “Speaking of, guess what, y’all? My latest book is holding its own in the rankings!”
“You’re gonna get one of those ribbons, aren’t you?” Cara questions. “Then I can say I knew you when.”
“Hey, those reviews, and that orange ribbon, as you say, tells others who are looking for a new author and new book to read, that It’s a bestseller. You don’t have a clue what that does for a hard working author’s career. It gets us recognized and marketed and makes all of our time, effort and tears all worth it.”
“Wow, that’s a lot of statement right there, woman,” Cara says, bumping hips with DJ.
“Explain that ranking thing that you were just talking about.” I’ve always been curious how things work in their world.
“Okay, so I spend hours, upon hours, creating my characters, getting to know them in here,” she says, pointing to her temple. “Then I need to insert myself into their make-believe world. “Once I’ve finally gotten a rough draft done, I send it to my editor who gives me not only grammar and spelling checks, but also helps me with filling in plot holes...etc. Then I go back through it, fill in the things that she feels need more explanation, fix the errors she’s found then I send it off to what we call beta’s. Which are a group of individuals who go over the final product, looking for things that were missed by myself or my editor. Once I go through their notes, I send the final product back to my editor to make sure it’s polished off, and then I can submit my work. Then the fingers get crossed and nails get bitten, because my success comes from those who are willing to take a minute or two to write a review of the book, because a lot don’t feel like they have the time or just don’t think about how it affects their authors. Anyways, the more books sold, the more reviews and the more sharing of the book you receive, the more exposure you get and bam, next thing you know you get that orange tag and have the possibility of getting on the New York Times list and so on.”
“Well, I think you’ll manage to do it with this series,” I state. “You’ve created the perfect place I’d love to visit, and there’s enough of everything I enjoy in a book to keep me glued to my ereader. In fact, I need the next one!”
“You like it? I wasn’t sure about setting something up in a shipping town, but those men were calling to me.”
“Hell yes,” I reply. “They’re alpha enough even though they don’t ride Harleys or run around shooting shit. And man, the patriarch? If I were into older men, I’d want one.”
“You trying to get rid of me already?” Kade asks.
“Uh, no, honey. Talking about book boyfriends.”
“You’ve been crying. Why have you been crying?” he questions, lifting me up and examining my face. I’m sure the tear streaks are still showing because they were fresh not too long ago.
“It’s all good, Kade. I promise.”
“That didn’t answer my question. I want to know why, woman.”
“I told the girls about what happened when I was younger,” I whisper so the other men don’t hear me.
“And your girls told you not to worry, didn’t they?”
“Yeah, and...can I just wait and tell you the rest later?”
“No, I want to know now.” Fucking bossy ass biker!
“Fine!” Leaning in closer, I whisper, “Trinity said I’m nearly at the safe point in case that one person gave me something. And they’re all pretty damn impressed that you’re willing to wear rubbers forever if that’s what it takes.”
“Baby, I told you, whatever you need for you to feel comfortable, I’ll do it,” he replies, his voice low. “Let me guess, you want Hannah to take you.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“Whatever it takes, Bridge.”
I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding at his words. Stroking his cheek, I lean in and say, “I love you, Kade.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
“Okay, I take it back. He does know how to talk without grunting. And maybe, he’s not as laid back as he’s been convincing the rest of us he is,” DJ practically swoons.
“Stop drooling over one of my brothers, woman,” Hatch tells her, drawing her into his arms. “It makes me need to take you home and prove to you who it is you belong to.”
“Wowza, I feel like we’re in the beginning of a porn, someone pass the popcorn,” Cassarah says, and Law growls.
“You’re not watching live porn! Get over here, woman, and get your hormones in check,” and the energy of the group is changing. I’m waiting for the music to begin and clothing to be removed. I feel like I’m part of a freaky Friday gone wild, and need to get everyone’s minds outta the gutter, because it makes me want to do very dirty things to my old man.
“C’mon, Trin, we’ve got some time,” Chief states, picking h
er up and heading toward the members’ rooms. I see her face turn deep red as her eyes bug out and give her a little finger wave. She’s so prim and proper sometimes and seeing her badass biker man carrying her away for a little something something has me giggling.
“You laugh but we’re headed to my room,” Kade murmurs low. A shiver goes through me at his words and I grin.
“Lead the way, old man of mine, lead the way!”
Capone
Jaxson came over to our apartment to go over plans for our new house with us. She wants an old style Victorian home with a wrap-around porch. The design Jaxson and I come up with is a modern style of that type of home. It’s a mix of the past and present, and my woman’s face lights up when we get the plans drawn up. Jaxson leaves to go and get estimates on materials and labor while Bridge heads off downstairs for work. As I pull out my laptop to see about getting things going at the gun range and finding out all the procedures and measures that need to be taken, my phone rings. When I see Silas’ name light up I almost send it to voicemail not really wanting to deal with his brand of crazy today, but decide against it. Silas never calls unless it’s important, so I pick it up and swipe the screen to answer.
“What’s up, man?”
“Wanted to give you a head’s up, your woman’s safe now. The Devil’s Demons have been eliminated...every one of them bastards are on their way to their own version of hell.” That’s it? That’s all he’s going to tell me?
“So…” I start, hoping he’ll give me more.
“That’s all you’re getting. Plausible deniability and all that shit.”
“You been talking to Law?” Silas’ laughter comes through the phone and I want to reach through the line and throat punch him.
“No, man, we turned them in. Seems that a lot of them had warrants out and none of them will ever leave their respective prisons except in a pine box.” My heartrate calms knowing that Bridget will never have to worry about them again.