by Carol Lynne
“You sonofabitch!” Gypsy growled. “When I came down to Texas to pick her up, I couldn’t fucking believe you’d twisted yourself up so much over a fucking cunt, but after spending hours with her alone in the truck, I got it. Now, I’m wondering why the fuck she’d do the same thing over a bastard like you.”
“Fuck you,” Stake spat. “She’s my fuckin’ life, and I’m not about to lose her to you.” He was seconds away from jumping on his bike and going to Santana when he heard Gypsy’s laughter. “What the fuck’s so funny?”
“You,” Gypsy replied. “You’re so goddamn jealous, you don’t even trust her.”
“I trust her,” Stake argued.
“Evidently not, or you wouldn’t be afraid of me making a move on her, which I would totally do if I didn’t care about you, asshole. But I do care, and I wouldn’t do something like that.”
“Just send the fuckin’ papers.” Stake hung up before he said something else he’d regret.
* * * *
Santana picked at her salad. She was grateful Gypsy had come back into town to take her to dinner, but she wasn’t good company. “Did the realtor say how long it would take?” she asked, searching for something to say.
“Two weeks minimum. You have to have an inspection, and then there’s all the bank paperwork.” He shrugged. “Takes a while.” He ate another bite of his burger. “The repairs to the house will probably take another week, at least. Will you be okay in the motel that long? I’d offer you my spare bedroom, but I think Stake might slit my throat for that.”
She grinned for the first time since her phone call with Stake earlier in the day. “Don’t take it personally. He’s jealous of Tiny, too, and I’ve never had a sexual attraction to Tiny.
Gypsy paused in the process of lifting a fry to his mouth. “Are you telling me you’re attracted to me?”
Shocked at what she’d said, she dropped her fork and covered her mouth with her hand. It wasn’t that she thought of having sex with Gypsy, but there were times when she looked at him and could convince herself it was Stake at her side. Several times, she’d barely caught herself before reaching for his hand as they walked through town or rode in the truck. When he’d pulled up in front of the motel on his Harley, she’d adamantly refused to ride on the back of his bike because she wasn’t sure how the proximity would affect her. They’d ended up walking to the restaurant because she’d told him Stake wouldn’t like the thought of her on someone else’s bike.
“It’s understandable if you are. It doesn’t make you a bad person. I know how much Stake and I look alike.”
She shook her head. “It’s not that I’m attracted to you, it’s that I’m attracted to the parts of Stake that I see in you,” she said.
“It’s the same thing,” he argued.
“No, it isn’t.” She was starting to get angry. “I love Stake.”
“Right, but you think he’s sexy, therefore, it would only make sense that you think I’m sexy, too.”
When she noticed the mischievous smirk on his face, she groaned. “Are you fucking with me again?”
“Yeah,” he admitted. “You’re fun to tease.”
She picked up her fork and began eating. “You can be a real bastard.”
He chuckled. “That’s what they tell me.”
* * * *
Two and a half weeks later, Santana stared at her packet of birth control pills with dread. Her period was late. At first, she hadn’t given it much thought, believing the new prescription had messed with her cycle, but it had been eight days and still nothing.
Stake had made his feelings quite clear on the subject of children, and whether she wanted to admit it or not, their differences of opinion had affected their relationship. She’d been so busy simply trying to survive before Gordon attacked her that she hadn’t considered the possibility of a husband and children. It hadn’t been until she saw their new house that she’d begun to truly believe in a future with Stake. Naturally, marriage and children were the next step in their relationship. Boy, had she been wrong.
Although she’d tried to broach the subject several times over the phone, he shut down each time she mentioned it until she’d convinced herself that she could have a full life with him regardless of whether or not they had children. She sank to the bed.
She had no idea how long she’d stared at the wall before a knock sounded at the door. Sick at heart, she stood and unlocked the door for Gypsy.
“You ready?” he asked, excitement in his voice.
It was to be their third day to work on her and Stake’s newly-purchased home. “Almost,” she replied, refusing to look at him. She hadn’t cried much, but Gypsy always seemed to pick up on her distress, similar to the way Stake did. She grabbed her purse. “I need to stop by a drug store on the way if you don’t mind?”
“Don’t mind at all.” He blocked her exit before she could get out of the room. “What’s going on? You and Stake have another argument?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine.”
“No you’re not.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
Telling Gypsy about her period wasn’t an option. “I just wish Stake were here to help us,” she lied.
“Soon.” Gypsy started to reach for her but dropped his hand. “You sure that’s all?”
“I’m sure.” She plastered on a fake smile. “I’m ready.”
* * * *
Eying Jack’s SUV, Stake parked in front of the club. He’d only spoken to the Texas Ranger twice in the three weeks since Gordon’s murder and still couldn’t get a read on how the investigation was going. Stepping inside the club, he was surprised when the usual blast of hard rock didn’t assault him upon entering. He spotted several brothers sitting around the room with worried expressions.
“What’s going on?” he asked the prospect who was tending bar.
“The Ranger’s in a meeting with Prez. You want something to drink?”
“Beer’s fine.” Stake turned on his stool to stare at the closed door of the meeting room. “Any indication of what it’s about?”
The prospect sat a bottle in front of Stake and shook his head. “They’ve only been in there for about ten minutes.”
Tiny got up from the table he’d been sitting at and joined Stake at the bar. “How’s Santana?”
Stake nodded without taking his eyes off the door. “Good. We got the house, and she’s been working on the yard.” He didn’t tell Tiny that things between him and Santana had been strained since the discussion of children. As hard as he’d tried, the idea of sharing her with anyone else simply couldn’t excite him. Tiny was different because Stake could always tell him to take a hike if he wanted to be alone with his woman, but he couldn’t do that with kids, especially when they were little.
The door opened and Jack walked out alone. “Be right back,” Stake told Tiny as he crossed the room. “Any news on when I’ll be cleared to move to Arkansas?”
Jack motioned for Stake to follow him out of the club. Once in the parking lot, Jack headed for his vehicle. “The investigation has officially been put on the back burner. We know someone in this club is guilty, but we don’t have a strong enough case against anyone to press formal charges.” He opened the door to his SUV. “You have an address in Arkansas, yet?”
Stake nodded. “We just closed on a house outside Fayetteville.”
Jack pulled a small pad of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Stake along with a pen. “As long as you let me know if this address changes, you’re free to go.” He leaned his forearm against the door. “I know why you sent Santana away, but I have to tell you, it looks suspicious.”
Stake handed Jack the pen and pad. Staring he straight in the eyes, he answered, “I did not kill Pete Gordon. I’m not sorry he’s dead, but I didn’t do it.”
Jack continued to study Stake for several moments before giving him a sharp nod. “I’m glad to hear that.” He glanced at the address and phone number Stake had scribbled down before cli
mbing behind the wheel. “Good luck to ya.”
“Thanks.” Despite being on opposite sides of the law, Stake respected the Ranger. He went back inside the club and clapped Tiny on the back. “We’re good. They’re shelving the investigation for now due to lack of evidence.”
Tiny let out a long breath. “Thanks for telling me.”
“Church!” Cecil yelled from the meeting room doorway.
“You planning to bring up your transfer?” Tiny asked as he finished his beer.
“Hell, yeah. Mad Dog’s adored by the whores, so getting the okay from the cops was the last roadblock between Santana and me. Can you get away for a couple of days to help me move?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to ask Cecil because I’ve already scheduled time off for the Bikes, Blue and Barbeque thing next month,” Tiny replied. “If I can get both weekends, I will, but otherwise, pussy and barbeque has to win out.”
Chuckling, Stake pulled out his phone. “Go on in, I’m gonna give Santana the good news before I have to drop the phone off.” He hated the strict no phones in church policy, but it had always been that way. When her voicemail clicked on, he groaned. “Hey, it’s me. Thought I’d call before things get busy. I’ll try ya again later.” He set his phone on the table outside the meeting room along with all the others, excited by the notion he’d be with her within a day or two.
* * * *
After a hot shower and pulling on one of Stake’s old T-shirt, Santana climbed into bed. The combination of a full day of yard work and the positive pregnancy stick on the bedside table left her a snotty, sobbing mess. Although she’d somehow managed to stop crying, she had no doubt her eyes would be swollen in the morning. She picked up her phone and called Gypsy.
“Everything okay?” he answered. It had taken him four rings to pick up and from the sound of the bitching woman in the background, Santana had a pretty good idea what she’d interrupted.
“Sorry to bother you. I’m pretty sore, so if it’s okay, I think I’ll sleep in tomorrow.” She rolled to her side and brought her knees up, curling into a ball.
“It’s fine. I can run by and get the floor crew started. No problem.” He didn’t say anything more, and she was about to hang up when he finally sighed. “You’ve been crying.”
And, just like that, the damn broke again. She’d spent the majority of her life refusing to give into tears, so where had her willpower gone when she needed it the most?
“Santana? What’s wrong, hon?” Gypsy asked, sounding incredibly worried.
“I’m pregnant,” she managed to say between sobs.
“That’s good news. Why the hell’re you crying about it?”
“Because Stake doesn’t want kids,” she confessed. “I didn’t mean for it to happen, and now I don’t know what to do.”
The woman in the background said something Santana couldn’t hear but she definitely heard Gypsy’s response to her. “Then get the fuck out, bitch.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry about that, Santana.”
“I should let you go,” she said, drying her tears. “I’ll figure this out somehow.”
“What is there to figure out? You have to tell him.”
She knew Gypsy was right, but how could she? Stake had already given her more than she’d ever dreamt of, asking him to care for a child he didn’t want would be pushing their relationship too far.
“Santana,” Gypsy growled into the phone. “You have to tell him.”
“I know, but what if…” She couldn’t finish the sentence, couldn’t even think of living without Stake.
“Don’t,” Gypsy warned. “Don’t borrow trouble. Tell him. Don’t automatically assume you know how he’s going to react. That’s not fair to him.”
“Okay. I’ll call him right now.” She blew out a breath. Gypsy was right. She had to get it over with and deal with the fallout afterward. “Thanks for listening.”
“Call me after you talk to him. I’ve run off my pussy for the night, so I’m not busy.”
“I will.” She hung up and started to call Stake when she noticed he’d left a message while she’d been in the shower. She quickly listened to the message before calling.
“Hello?” a sultry voice answered.
Santana pulled the phone away from her ear and glanced at the display to make sure she’d dialed the right number. “Is Stake there?”
“He’s in the shower. Is this Santana?”
Santana swallowed the bile working its way up her throat. “Yes. Who’s this?”
The woman let out a soft giggle. “Rachel. I’ve been meaning to thank you for leaving town. It’s been so nice to have Stake back in my bed, and I just wanted to tell you, expecting him to come to your rescue like that was a really shitty thing to do to him. You used his loyalty to your father against him by tricking him into taking responsibility for you.”
The breath froze in Santana’s chest as she threw her phone across the room. It hit the mirror over the credenza and fell down the wall in pieces, cracking the mirror in the process. “Damn him!” she screamed as she jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. She fell to her knees in front of the toilet as her life fell apart.
Sometime later, she heard the sound of the room phone ringing but ignored it. She was too numb to move or speak to anyone. Nothing in her lifetime had ever hurt her more than knowing Stake had already replaced her. She couldn’t help but believe that’s why he’d been so distant on the phone lately.
She heard her door open and come up short with the rattle of the chain lock. “Santana!”
“Go away, Gypsy!” she screamed even though her throat felt raw.
“Open this fucking door before I break it,” he warned.
It took her a few minutes to get to her feet. Once she was finally up, she forgot what she was doing until she heard a loud crack. She blinked several times, looking around the bathroom for the source of the sound.
“Santana,” a soft voice said her name.
She turned to find Stake standing in the doorway. “You’re here.” She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his chest. “Rachel told me you were in the shower. She said you were fucking her.”
Strong arms wrapped around her, and she closed her eyes, happy it had all been a dream. She inhaled deeply as she always did when Stake held her. She froze when she smelled spice rather than citrus. Jerking back, she stared up into a face that wasn’t Stake’s at all.
“Gypsy?” She reached out for the vanity when her legs began to buckle, the horror of the phone call flooding back to her.
“Fuck,” Gypsy said, sweeping her up into his arms. He carried her to the bed and gently laid her down before pulling the covers over her. He sat on the edge of the mattress and brushed her hair away from her face. “What the fuck happened?”
She stared up at Gypsy, willing her lips to move. “Rachel answered Stake’s phone.”
“Who the fuck’s Rachel?”
“A pretty girl that Stake likes to fuck, evidently.” She buried her face in the pillow. “I’ve been a fool. She told me that he was only taking care of my because of my dad. I should’ve known. How could I have been so stupid, so greedy?”
Chapter Twelve
After church, Stake hung back until the rest of the brothers filed out. He’d been given permission to transfer with the understanding that Mad Dog could handle the girls. “I just wanted to make sure you’ll talk to Digger on my behalf?” he asked his uncle.
“Already done,” Cecil said, getting to his feet.
Stake held out his hand, but Cecil surprised him by pulling him in for a hug. “I’m back to being your uncle now, boy,” Cecil bellowed in his ear.
After nearly twenty years in the club, Stake wasn’t sure how he could be expected to forgive everything Cecil had done and accept him as his uncle again, but he didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize his transfer. He patted Cecil on the back twice before pulling away. “I’m going to pick up a moving truck tomorrow. I s
hould be out of here the morning after that. Can Tiny take a few days off to help me move?”
“Sure,” Cecil agreed. He speared Stake with his gaze. “One more thing before you leave.”
“Yeah?” Stake held his breath, wondering what hoop he needed to jump through next.
“Did you kill Gordon?”
“No, but I wish I had,” Stake answered honestly.
“You know who did?” Cecil asked.
Stake didn’t trust Cecil with that kind of knowledge. “Nope,” he lied. He left the room and stopped off at the table to retrieve his phone, noticing he had three messages all from Gypsy. His heart thudded as he listened to the first message.
“What the fuck have you done? Sananta’s…fuck, I don’t know what she is, man, but I’ve never seen a woman break down like she has. It’s one thing for you to screw around on her, but you’d better tell that bitch of yours not to answer your fucking phone next time.”
While he tried to work out the first message, Stake continued to the second.
“I’m worried. I don’t know whether I should take Santana to the hospital or just wrap her up and take care of her my way. You’d better fucking call me, you bastard.”
He started toward the door as he played the last message.
“How fucking long does a shower take, motherfucker? I finally got Santana to sleep, but I’m worried about what this is doing to the baby.”
Stake stopped in his tracks. “What the fuck?” He called Gypsy, something he should’ve done right away instead of listening to the string of incoherent messages.
“’Bout fuckin’ time,” Gypsy answered.
“What the hell’s going on?” Stake asked, climbing onto this bike. He felt like his heart was about to beat through his chest. All he knew was he was leaving immediately to ride to Arkansas. Fuck his shit, nothing in his house was more important than Santana.
“Santana called you earlier, and your little whore Rachel answered. I still haven’t gotten the whole story out of Santana, but evidently your piece of ass on the side really laid into her.”
“I’ve been in fucking church for the last three hours, so I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about as far as Rachel, and I really don’t know what fucking baby you’re worried about.”