by Erin Osborne
“It’s simple. I want your territory and your contact in the cartel,” Terror responds.
“You think I’m gonna give that to you, why?” he asks.
“Because you’re too old to run a club and everyone else in the club are too fucking pussy whipped. They only care about the women and kids. No way to be when you’re in a club,” he answers.
“So, you think I’m too old and we’re all pussy whipped because we got love and respect for our women? Women who support us, take care of us, give us beautiful kids who will continue the club, and have our backs more than anyone else on Earth. You’ve got it all twisted,” Slim tells him, getting in his face to show him exactly what he thinks of Terror’s train of thought.
“That’s why this dumbfuck lost his shit when we went after his woman?” another man questions. “Yeah, we saw it.”
“Fuck you, bitch,” I spit out, looking at the man closer. “It seems you’re the one who likes to put his hands on property that’s not yours. You come near my ol’ lady again and I’ll gut you where you stand.”
“You’re right, I did. And, it’s only a matter of time before that bitch is mine,” Rancor says, trying to taunt me because they think we’re outnumbered.
“Now, Terror, you know my boys and me aren’t givin’ up shit. So, what’s this really about?” Slim asks, turning his attention back to the so-called President.
“I just told you what it’s about. Why the fuck would I put in the work to make something happen when it’s already all set up for me,” Terror says.
“And what makes you think the cartel is goin’ to work with you fuckwads?” I ask. “He can’t stand so-called men like you.”
“Slim, you better get your boy on a fucking leash before I put a bullet in his fucking head,” Terror threatens me.
“Fuckin’ try it,” I growl out.
Terror raises his gun and points it directly at my head. I take a step toward him and show I’m not afraid of his fucking ass. These men are just playing at being men and I know he’s not man enough to pull the damn trigger.
I never once take my eyes from his as everyone surrounding us don’t move or breathe at this moment. As I stare into his eyes, I can see the fear Terror is trying to hide. He knows he’s going to lose and it’s just a matter of time before he’s sent to the reaper curtesy of the Phantom Bastards. A smile breaks out on my face as I walk until the gun is pressed up against my skin. Terror knows I have his fucking number and he’s pissed as hell about it.
“You’re fucking crazy,” Terror finally says while lowering his gun. “You have twenty-four hours to make the right decision or we’re going to take everything you love away. Starting with making a trip to Clifton Falls for your women. Yeah, we know you shipped them all out, dumb fuckers.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow then,” Slim says, as Terror turns his back on us.
He’s really not a smart man to turn his back on my dad after just pissing him the hell off. He may not be showing how pissed he is right now, but my dad is ready to snap Terror’s neck with his bare hands. Terror is going to meet his maker before he gets close to our women.
“Let’s head back. We need to get ahold of a few people before tomorrow,” my dad says as we walk the few steps to our bikes. “And don’t ever pull a fuckin’ stunt like that again.”
“He’s scared shitless, dad. If he weren’t, I wouldn’t have done it,” I respond, putting my helmet on and straddling my bike.
“Don’t give a fuck. Never. Again,” he tells me again, turning on his bike so I can’t respond to him.
We pull out and make our way back to the clubhouse. The rest of the guys will meet us there and then we’ll formulate a game plan. I’m tired of dealing with these pussies.
I want my woman and son home. And, I want to be able to see her belly growing with our children and feel them move in her. These are the things I’m missing out on. And I miss Caleb and his crazy antics. I can’t wait for them to come back to me so I can wrap them in my arms and hold them close.
Dad and I are sitting at the bar when the rest of the guys walk through the door. It took them a lot longer because they had to walk to the hidden van from their spots and then drive back. They all join us and the Prospects run behind the bar to start filling drinks and get them what they want so we can talk.
“Goin’ to church?” Stryker asks.
“Nope. Gonna talk right here. No one’s here to hear us. Fox, do your thing,” my dad replies.
Fox heads to his room and comes back a few minutes later with some device in his hand. While we finish our drinks, he makes his way around the entire room to make sure there’s no bugs planted in here before we start talking. The second he’s done, he smashes five bugs that were placed around the room and then places a second device on the top of the bar. Once he hits a button, he looks at my dad.
“All clear now,” he states.
“What’s that?” I ask him.
“It’s a signal jammer. No one will hear anythin’ if I missed one or there’s somethin’ else in here that can’t be picked up by this,” Fox answers, holding up the first device in his hands.
“They know the women and kids are in Clifton Falls. I’m not gonna bring Grim and his guys into this war when they’re not a part of it,” my dad says, picking his beer up to his mouth. “I’m callin’ for them to come home. No sense in them bein’ there if Terror and his pussies know they’re there.”
“Want me to call Grim?” I ask him, already pulling out my phone.
“Yeah. They’re stayin’ in the clubhouse so they’re all together. No one is stayin’ in their homes on the compound,” my dad says as I walk away. “I’ll call our contacts tomorrow when we’ve had some time to think about our next move. I want all ideas and plans ready in an hour.”
I place the call to Grim and let him know the women and kids need to come home. What he tells me, has me pissed even more than our meeting with Terror and is bitches.
“Dad, need to talk,” I say once I’m off the phone. “Seems Kareena, the new house bunny, started shit with Bailey and Grim threw her out of the clubhouse. Went so far as to threaten her after Bailey punched her for not listenin’ and puttin’ her hands all over Grim.”
“Don’t need that fuckin’ bitch here then. Didn’t like or trust her from the beginnin’,” he answers.
Nodding my head, I agree with him. Her timing here just doesn’t make sense. She showed up just before the Devils Rule made a move and we knew they were in town. I’ve been keeping an eye on her, but I’m not always here. So, she can kick feet and get the fuck out. She’s not hitching a ride back with our women. Not to mention that no one should know where our women and kids were taken. Fucking bitch!
“Grim, Tank, Cage, and Rage are gonna head out in less than a half-hour. They’re only givin’ the women time to get their shit around so they can head out,” I inform my dad.
“Got it. Make sure shit’s ready. Prospects, make sure everythin’ is stocked. I want two of you goin’ out to get whatever we need. Valor, you go with them,” he says, fully in President mode right now.
For the next hour, I go into my room and make sure everything is ready for when Sam and Caleb come home. I change the bed, clean up the room, make sure extra pillows are on the bed for Sam, and make sure Caleb’s things are ready too. He’s going from being surrounded by kids, to not having very many around. It’s going to suck, but we have no choice in the matter right now.
Chapter Thirty
Sam
WE WERE ALL sitting outside around one of the fire pits when Grim gets a call and takes off from our circle. He doesn’t look at anyone, but Tank and Cage follow him and make sure no one else gets close. I’m not sure what’s going on as my heart begins to race and I can’t take my eyes off him.
“Everything will be okay,” Shy says, leaning over closer to me.
I nod my head to let her know I heard her, but still don’t move a muscle. My attention is firmly on Grim and the facial e
xpressions he’s making. Or rather the lack of emotions or expressions on his face. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing right now.
My fear level ratchets up several notches as I try to calm myself down for the babies I’m carrying and the kids running around the yard. It’s not working, though, as I sense the other women moving around me to close in on me and make sure I’m okay while we wait to find out what’s going on.
The only time I take my eyes off Grim, who’s still on the phone, is to look at Caleb playing with the rest of the kids. When I notice them surrounding my son, I take a shuddering breath and slowly release it, turning my attention back to the man on the phone who knows something is going on with my man and the rest of the men in the club.
Finally, Grim’s off the phone and he takes a minute before talking to his men surrounding him. At some point, every member of the Wild Kings surrounded their President and now they’re having a conversation while I’m sitting here and dying to know what’s going on.
After several more minutes, Grim and his men walk back over toward us. His eyes bore into mine and the fear I was feeling before skyrockets. The only thoughts running through my head is something happened to Playboy. Dread fills me and I can fill myself slinking back into the chair I’m sitting in.
“No,” I begin to say as tears silently fall down my face.
“Sam, sweetheart, you need to calm down. Playboy’s okay. I’m just pissed as fuck right now and I’m sorry for scarin’ you,” Grim begins. “That was Playboy on the phone. You ladies need to pack up your things and get the kids around. We head out in less than a half-hour.”
“W-w-what?” I ask, not understanding what’s going on right now.
“The assholes who already put their hands on you once, know where you are,” Grim informs us. “They want you back home. So, we’re going to head out as soon as you’re ready to leave. I’ll have Sky and Bailey get your things around while you go to the bathroom and whatever else you need to do. We’re goin’ to try to ride straight through.”
“Is it safe to go back?” Jennifer asks as Gwen sits down right in front of me.
“You’ll have to stay in the clubhouse. Your men won’t let anythin’ happen to you. They just don’t want to get us mixed up in the same shit as they’re dealin’ with,” Grim responds.
We all nod our heads as my heart starts to come back under control and my breathing isn’t as labored as it was. The only thing I know for sure is Playboy is okay and I’m hoping the rest of the men are too. Grim didn’t say anyone didn’t get hurt, he just said Playboy’s okay; it’s not the same thing.
Grim and Cage help me up from the chair as everyone else leaves to pack their things up. Caleb runs over to me.
“Mama, where we going?” he asks.
“Well, buddy, we’re going home. Skylar and Bailey are packing our things up so we can leave,” I answer him as we walk inside the clubhouse.
“Yay!” he says excitedly.
“Why don’t you spend a little more time with your cousins and stay close so you’re here when it’s time to go,” I tell him.
Caleb nods his head and runs back off to find Tank and Maddie’s triplets and the rest of the boys. I know he’s going to miss them, but I’d rather be home with my man right now. We’ll just have to make visits a more regular thing from now on as the kids get older and head off into the world on their own. Not that I’m looking forward to that at all.
We’re all loaded up and almost home. I think we have a little over an hour left until we’re back. It’s enough that we have Grim, Tank, Rage, and Cage from the Wild Kings with us and now I hear the rumble of several more motorcycles coming up on us. As I look out the window, I see men from the Phantom Bastards mixing in with them and surrounding the three SUVs we’re currently in.
“Mama, it’s Daddy,” Caleb says, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“How do you know?” Gwen asks him.
“Because he’s right here,” he says, pointing out the window.
I look and can barely make out his blonde hair sticking out from under the helmet. Caleb is right, Playboy is riding next to his window.
“You’re really smart, buddy,” Gwen tells him.
Instead of going to sleep like he was going to, Caleb now has his eyes glued to the window watching his Daddy. The only thing that would make it better is if Slim was here too. And he might be, but in a different spot. Maybe closer to the SUV Shy’s riding in with their kids.
“You’re not gonna sleep?” Gwen asks Caleb as they sit in the back of the SUV.
“Nope. Gonna watch my Daddy,” he answers matter-of-factly.
“Well, okay then,” Gwen responds to him laughter filling her voice.
“Look, it’s Uncle Killer,” Caleb says, pointing out the other side of the SUV.
Turning our heads, we see Killer riding on the opposite side of Playboy. I can feel the shift in Gwen as she realizes the man she’s in love with is riding next to us. She sinks back into the seat and as I look at her, I see the sadness and desperation on her face. Gwen is in love with a man who loves her and won’t follow his heart. I don’t know what I can do to help her.
I pull out my Kindle and begin to read a book. It’s an MC book and I hope the rest of the ride passes by quickly. I’m getting uncomfortable and I’m more than ready to be in bed where I can lay down and stretch out a little bit. And, I want to curl up next to Playboy and make sure for myself he’s truly okay.
“Mama, we’re home,” Caleb says, his voice laced with sleep.
Looking up from my book, I see that we’re pulling up to the clubhouse. I put the Kindle in my purse and sit up a little straighter in the seat. Tank pulls up to the door and I know it’s because of me, especially when he doesn’t leave much room between the SUV and Slim’s bike.
As we’re unloading from the SUV, Slim comes and stands in the doorway of the clubhouse.
“Papi!” Caleb shouts and jumps out of the SUV to run to his Papi.
Slim scoops him up in his arms and hugs him close for a few minutes while the rest of us get out and make our way to him. When Shy gets up to him with Kinsliegh and Rayven, Slim sets Caleb down on the ground so he can run over to Playboy. I watch as Slim pulls his wife and daughters into his arms and leads them inside. They’re perfect for one another.
“Hey baby,” Playboy says, walking up and pulling me into his arms. “I missed you so fuckin’ much.”
“I missed you too,” I say before he leans down and kisses me soundly.
“Let’s get inside and to bed,” he says, leading me inside.
“I’m ready for bed,” I tell him honestly. “It’s been a long day.”
“I know, baby.”
Playboy and I bypass everyone as Tank and Caleb follow us to the bedrooms. Tank sets our bags down once we get inside our room and does that whole man hug thing with his brother-in-law before saying goodbye and leaving. Caleb jumps on our bed and thinks it’s playtime because we’re back home and he hasn’t spent any time with Playboy for a few days.
“It’s time for bed, Caleb,” Playboy tells him.
“No, I don’t want to go to bed. I want to stay with you,” he responds, sitting down in the middle of the bed and beginning to cry.
Playboy looks at me helplessly and doesn’t know what to do. I shrug my shoulders already knowing what he’s going to do; Caleb will be in bed with us.
“Just tonight, you can sleep in here,” Playboy says, seeing me not giving him any help.
Caleb looks up and I lean over the bag to get him a pair of pajamas he can change into. Once I have his things out, he heads into the bathroom and shuts the door behind him. I grab a tee-shirt and pair of pajama pants while he’s changing so I can go in after him.
Playboy pulls me back into his arms and one of his hands falls to rest on my expanding belly. After placing a soft kiss on my lips, he kneels on the floor and lifts my shirt up. He places another kiss on my stomach and I feel the babies move as he looks up
at me. A smile lights up his face and it’s the same expression of wonder and awe he gets every single time he feels them move in my stomach.
“This will all be over with soon,” he assures me. “How are you feelin’?”
“I’m tired and feel like I’m the size of a house. Or the clubhouse at this point,” I respond.
Before we can say anything else, Caleb is rushing from the bathroom in his pajamas and jumping on the bed. I laugh at him and make my way in to get changed and brush my teeth, seeing Caleb’s toothbrush on the counter, knowing he already took care of his teeth.
By the time I finish getting ready for bed, Playboy and Caleb are relaxing in bed with a movie on the TV. It’s one of Caleb’s favorites and I know he’ll crash out soon with it playing softly in the background.
I climb in bed on the other side of our son and Playboy helps me get the pillows around me. Once I’m settled, he pulls the blankets up around us and wraps an arm around Caleb and me. I can’t stay awake any longer as my eyes flutter closed and sleep claims me.
Chapter Thirty-One
Playboy
IT’S FIRST THING in the morning and I’d rather still be in bed with Sam and Caleb. Well, with Caleb awake because he likes to kick and hit in his sleep. I’m sore as hell, but at least my family is home and I got to sleep with them wrapped in my arms.
We’re all gathered in church so dad can call Butcher and let him know what’s going on before calling Jose. Jose needs to know what’s going on and that this Terror bitch wants him to work for his club. Because essentially, that’s what he wants. He may word it as he wants to work with the cartel, but that’s not how he means it. Terror honestly thinks he can make the cartel his bitch and that’s not how this works. Especially not with Jose.
“Yeah?” Butcher asks, answering his phone.
“Butcher, got some shit goin’ down here and want to give you a heads up,” my dad says.
“What’s goin’ on?” he asks as I hear the noise in the background begin to fade.