She responds by wrapping her arms around me and burrowing into my chest. I’m curious what she has on her mind. I hope she’s not regretting coming back here with me.
I bend my head closer to her ear and whisper, “Like what?”
She draws away from my chest, just enough to tip her face up to meet mine. She meets my concerned gaze, and then studies my face while she shyly shares with me what’s going on in her head.
“I just…I mean, umm…where are we going to live? We can’t stay here with a baby. I don’t want you to stay here without us either.”
I squeeze her a little and place a kiss on the tip of her nose. Of course we aren’t going to be staying here. I want my son and ol’ lady to myself. I can’t believe she’s been worrying over this. She needs to realize I’ll take care of us.
“I’m actually working on that. I was looking at some places today. I like one that’s a few miles down the road. It’s not too big but has some land. We could always add onto it or something in the future. I like that if you needed me, I’d only be a few minutes away if I’m at the club.”
“If it’s our own place for just our family to grow in, then I don’t really mind the details. I can make a smaller house work for us with no problem. Can we look at it, please?” She smiles and it’s full of excitement, like she’s going to sprint to the car.
I peer at her sternly but can’t hold it. She’s excited and her like this makes me happy. I grin, “Of course. I told the realtor lady that I’d think about it and probably show you if we were interested. But, babe? Before you start stressing over shit, you need to know I’ll always take care of us. I promise, baby, you have nothing to fret over—ever.”
Her mouth turns up shyly before she leans in a kisses me full on the lips. I think I answered her biggest worry just now.
“Okay, come on!” she bursts out, grabbing my hand to pull me toward the door, and we’re off.
****
Well, she loved it, and it looks like we’re now the new owners of a nice little three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. It’s too small for all the babies I want her to have with me eventually. However, I can get my brothers to help me make it bigger when the time comes.
London’s kept me busy painting and picking out furniture ever since we signed the papers to our house. My brothers are enjoying every moment of giving me a hard time for settling down, too. They don’t realize that I’m the lucky one having her, not them, being alone.
Epilogue
About 4 1/2 months later…
“You know, sweet cheeks, when we leave this hospital you’re finally getting my ink,” I remind her as I smile down at my perfect baby boy.
I can’t believe I have a son! I’ll be getting inked, too. I’m going to get this little guy’s name and birthdate on the right side over my ribs. It’ll be across from where I have his momma’s name already tatted, as well as a picture of a realistic heart.
I’ve been counting down the days 'til my son was born so I could meet him and she could get my ink on her body.
She peers over at me like I’ve lost my mind. “My lord, Cain. I just popped out a kid. We can’t just make a stop by the club to get a tattoo. I would like to actually sleep in my own bed and rest from being in labor first, if that’s okay with you,” she replies sarcastically.
Smirking, I fill her in on my plan. “Nah, baby, I know we can’t. I called Spin already and he’s meeting us at the house instead of the club.”
I’m pretty smooth, if I do say so myself. She stares at me like she may strangle me, and it’s hard not to laugh.
I don’t mention that Emily and Tate are there waiting as well. They flew in early from their honeymoon to spend some time here before they have to head back to Tennessee. Emily wanted to get some groceries and clean up the house a little so London wouldn’t worry about it with a new baby. I’ve learned with time that Tate’s not so bad either.
We’ve become sort of friends over the past few months with them visiting and with us going to their wedding. I thought London was going to pop at the wedding. I never wanted to drive to Tennessee, but she was determined. She let me know that she was going with or without me. She was not missing Emily’s wedding under any circumstance.
Emily offered to change the date but my girl held strong. I explained to her it was definitely better for me to go with her versus her being alone if something were to happen and she needed me. I wouldn’t have let her drive alone whether she was pregnant or not, but kept that bit to myself.
The Prez is happy about me and Tate’s budding friendship. I guess it’s good for business being friends with the Boss of the Russian Mafia.
****
We get the car all loaded up and make our way to the house. London wanted to ride in the back with the car seat, so she doesn’t even notice the extra vehicle in the driveway.
I pull my other baby, Loretta, into the garage and help London out before grabbing the car seat, diaper bag, and her hospital bags. She smiles gratefully at me and slowly makes her way into the house.
My poor woman is so damn worn out. The baby has barely arrived and she already looks exhausted.
I hear happy screaming as me and my mini-me make it through the doorway. London’s mom got here a few minutes before we did so she’s excited about seeing Emily, too. I think London might sprint when she realizes it’s Emily that’s standing beside her mom.
“Ohmygod! Are you really here right now?” London shrieks when she sees Emily, and I can’t help but smile widely.
My baby is so happy to see her best friend.
They embrace each other tightly and she starts to pepper Emily with questions. “What are you doing here? I thought you were on your vacation! How did you know?” She pulls away and glances at Emily for answers.
Emily grins mischievously, her gaze falling to me.
London turns and sputters, “You-you did this for me?”
She’s shocked and excited, and I couldn’t have asked for a better surprise. I nod and pull her tight to my body when she comes to me.
Emily walks over to steal my son from me to have her moment with him. She’s very eager to meet her new nephew, Jamison Cade.
I bend down close to London’s face so I can kiss her tenderly. After, I nose the tip of hers with mine gently. “I just called to let them know you were about to have the baby and to get here quick. 2 Piece helped out and got them the house keys and everything. Babe, you two have been spending time with each other forever. I couldn’t have Emily miss one of the most important things in your life. I know you need your best friend. She’s come to stay a few days and give ya a hand.”
Her eyes fill, and I continue, “I love you so damn much, London, you have no idea. I want things to be as easy as possible for you. Now you have me, your momma, and Emily here if you need anything at all.”
I would give my baby the whole world if I could, anything to make her happy.
She gazes up at me through her tears full of love and grins, “I am so getting that tattoo now, honey bun.”
Common terms in this novel-
MC - Motorcycle Club
Prez - President
VP - Vice President
SAA - Sgt. at Arms
Ol’ Lady - Significant Other
Chapel - Place Where Church is Held
Clubhouse/ Compound – MC home base
Church - MC ‘Meeting’
Original Oath Keepers MC:
Prez – President
Ares – Enforcer, SAA
Cain – Club Brawler
2 Piece – Gun Runner
Twist – Unholy One, Clean up
Spin – Treasurer
Snake – Prospect
Smiles – Road Captain
Shooter – Prospect
Scratch – Prospect
Relinquish: (verb)
Give up, surrender, release, yield, abnegate, cede, resign, forgo.
Dedicated to-
My grandmother, without her
&nb
sp; I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
Chapter 1
2 Piece
Church…
“Brothers!” Prez booms out and peers around the table. “It seems we have a reptile problem. Apparently, my son, Brently, hooked up with some female named Seraphina. Guess this bitch is the sister to a brother in the Twisted Snakes MC. Once this clown found out who my son is, he started giving him shit about me. Now, not only are they harassing Brently, but they’re trying to sell in our fuckin’ territory. Y’all know what happened to the last little roach that tried selling in our territory.”
Everyone nods and replies, “Yes.”
“Cain, call up the Russian; see if he has dealings with them and what you can find out. It’d be nice if this could be handled easily and we don’t have to kill anyone this time,” he growls, irritated.
“Sure, Prez, no problem,” Cain replies, and Prez waves his hand to the side.
Cain gets up to go make that phone call. When Prez tells you something at the table and waves toward the door, it means ASAP, no fucking around.
Ever since Tate found out what was happening when we were in Tennessee, he’s been in charge of the Russian Mafia back there. I’m not sure what happened to his father, Gizya. Knowing the Mafia though, I’d say he’s floating in one of the many lakes around Knoxville. That is unless Tate and Viktor decided to show him some mercy and let him leave the business with his tail between his legs.
Sneaky old bastard tried to get the club hooked on his fucking drugs. If we were that spun out on drugs all the time, Prez would kick our asses out. We try to keep that kind of thing out of our area. The less of that shit around, then the fewer problems we have to deal with close to the club.
“Besides that, it’s business as usual, brothers. Stay out of jail, party, and enjoy the pussy.” He slams the gavel down and we are dismissed.
Our church is always short and straight to the point. Prez tells us to enjoy the pussy, but he rarely partakes in that luxury himself.
I’m not so much of a saint however. My dicks on a schedule and the club whores all know it. I’m not ashamed of the fact I’m a hoe myself. I’ve come to terms with it and have embraced it. I don’t do any fucking drama, and regular pussy is a must.
Cain’s sitting in the usual booth with a bottle of Jack and lemons. Reckon I’ll head over to join him. There’s nothing like a rich shot of that amber colored liquid after discussing business.
Cain’s a newer member to the club, but is fitting in well. He’ll probably become an Enforcer with Ares one day. Those two enjoy messing up some fools and fighting whenever they get wound up. We’ve become close friends since I found his ass out in Cali. Poor kid seemed a little lost.
That Cali trip was chill. I got to visit my younger sister, Sadie. I hadn’t seen her in six months. It felt good to catch up with her.
I feel like a shitty older brother letting us drift so far apart. We’ve always been close—physically and emotionally. I wish she’d just move around here so I can check on her more. She isn’t motivated to go anywhere yet, unfortunately.
I don’t understand why she stays; maybe there’s a man or something. I didn’t see anybody when I was there though and I stayed damn near two weeks. She’s my sister and I love her, but fuck is she stubborn.
I learned real young to stay out of her way and let her be independent if she chose to. In the end, if shit didn’t go her way, she’d eventually come to me. It worked out for the best like that.
Our home life sucked and we had to adapt quick. Sadie learned to depend on me for a bit of everything at an early age. I enjoyed helping with her when she was a baby; it made me feel like a good brother to get her a bottle of milk or find her a toy to play with. Then my role evolved into being the older sibling who taught her the simple things, like how to tie her shoes and how to catch worms when it rained.
Dad took off on our family after Sadie was born. According to Mom, he didn’t want the responsibilities. I don’t get how one kid was okay, but two became ‘responsibilities.’ What the fuck do you call one kid?
I’d enjoy seeing the dick now. I’d give him a piece of my mind after what we went through growing up.
Sadie’s always rationalized that he left because she wasn’t a boy. She has it in her head he would’ve stayed. She’s crazy; that bastard was going no matter if she was a girl or a boy.
He never visited, called, or sent anything either. Well, he couldn’t call after a while because the phone got shut off, along with the cable. Food became slim pickings and if they hadn’t owned the house prior to, then the electric and water would’ve been shut off as well. They did get shut off, eventually.
Mom, she was just vacant. Once Dad took off, she quit caring. If it wasn’t for Dad’s disability checks, we never would’ve made it as much as we did.
I can still imagine Sadie running around with her blonde pigtails and wearing my hand-me-down T-shirts. She was such a pretty little girl growing up, but drowned in my clothes that were far too big for her. We were poor, so we didn’t have a choice. Hell, we didn’t know any different.
I didn’t realize it back then, but I’d always made sure she had snacks out to eat and her room was cleaned up. I was a neat freak, so I guess I did it out of habit. I liked everything in a certain place, so it came natural to fix things in the house that got messed up.
Sadie grew bigger and I became more protective of her. I sat with her on the bus each day and walked her to her class. Then I’d meet her at the end of the school day and walk her to our bus to come back home.
I’d help her with her homework and teach her everything school related that I knew. She picked up on stuff quickly and did well with her grades. I was always a proud brother having her show me her report card when she brought it home. I’d already done the same schoolwork myself, so it was easy for me.
The first time I knew things were changing, I was fourteen. I attempted to cook Sadie a grilled cheese sandwich after school and the stove wouldn’t work. I freaked out, thinking I’d broken it. Nope, that dumb bitch hadn’t paid the bills. She’d been doing it more and more frequently, skipping payments.
That’s when shit started to get worse. I found out she was doing heroin. We were dirt poor, and mix in heroin, there’s no room for anything else. I became angry inside, worrying for my sister’s safety and how we were supposed eat every day.
I started to pick up any odd jobs I could find, to help as much as possible. The old Ace Hardware store owner knew me from stopping by and trying to learn how to fix things myself, since we could never hire anyone. He eventually gave me a job and it helped me pay for food and the utilities. I mowed lawns and picked weeds when I had free time.
Once Sadie was old enough to work, she started helping at Ace on the weekends during the busy hours. Thankfully it gave her enough money for the things she’d needed. I was a young boy, how was I supposed to know girls needed more shit than boys did?
She hit twelve years old and I had no clue what to do with her. I knew if a boy looked at her funny though, he’d get his ass beat. If a girl was malicious towards Sadie at school, I’d spread a rumor that she was a whore. Eventually people caught on and Sadie had a pretty decent time in school.
Things didn’t get much easier from there on out. It was difficult to try and work, plus finish high school. Sadie wasn’t going to quit, no matter how hard I had to struggle. I made a pact with myself when I found Mom doing drugs. I wouldn’t let Sadie go down that same path.
When I was seventeen, Mom split as well. She’d needed a fix so bad that she started breaking shit and tearing the house apart. She came at me with a knife, and I’d told her to get the fuck out. I’d kill her before I let her put us through more shit.
I didn’t ask for this life, and neither did Sadie. We didn’t deserve the hand we were dealt, we made it work though. We fought and struggled, but I’d be goddamned if I let my sister sink and pay the price for our parents’ stupidity.
Once S
adie graduated and could work as a receptionist for a local doctor, I was finally able to live my life a bit. Moving away from her was hell for a while. Not only was I her older brother, but I watched out for her as a quasi-parent, too. I had to move though. I needed to get away from the constant reminder of what life was like growing up.
Sadie believes one day Mom or Dad will return to the house. I pray for her sake, it never happens. I changed all the locks and eventually made sure the windows were replaced as well. I figured it would at least help keep them out, if one of them were to ever show up.
I stop by and visit her whenever I have a run up in that part of the country. I need my freedom now that she’s grown. I guess you can call it making up for lost time or some shit. I don’t like to feel any strings attached, holding me down, besides my sister.
Joining the club was a tough-enough decision for me. I wasn’t sure I could handle more roots until I got to know them well.
I was about to head back home to Texas when I’d run into Cain. He was on his piece-of-shit bike. I could tell when I first saw him he’d had a rough life, same as me.
The club has a lot of stragglers, so I knew he’d be welcomed. Most of the members had rough lives growing up as well. We’ve all dealt with some dark shit at some point in our lives, and some of us still fight with it.
I count myself lucky; all I dealt with growing up was missing parents. I’m still fucking jaded though. I’ll probably never have children of my own. I had to grow up too fast.
It’s all good though; I got Sadie out of the whole mess and she’s worth it. I may not give a shit about my own life, but I’ll always be proud of my little sister.
***
I love going on runs all over the country too, not just Cali. It’s like I can hop on my bike and ride away from any problems I may have. You also never know what you may find or who you may meet—like Cain, for example.
Oath Keepers MC: The Collection Page 17