Later that evening, Beth and Derek arrived at her parents’ house, right on time. Derek ran straight to his grandfather when they entered the living room, and started telling him all about his last day of school. But as always, Jonathan Andrews completely ignored him. He had no need for children interaction.
“Derek, come with me. Let’s go find your grandmother,” Beth called.
Derek came running back to her and they headed to the kitchen, certain that was where the house matriarch would be; and Beth was right. Her mother was in the kitchen ensuring last minute preparations were completed.
“Hello Mother,” Beth said, giving her mother air-kisses. It was forbidden to even touch her mother’s face once her make-up was in place. That had been the rule for as long as Beth could remember.
“Hello dear. Derek,” her mother was the picture of upper-class money. Dressed in Armani and not a hair out of place. Always the debutante.
Derek said a quick hello, but stayed quiet. She hated that her son disliked coming here. All children should want to spend time with their grandparents, right? Maybe if her parents weren’t so cold and distant, but Beth doubted that would even matter. Her parents lacked love, but she would never allow that to affect Derek. She had enough love for him to make up for what her parents didn’t. Even so, Beth knew it was going to be a long night.
Dinner and conversation flowed for the next two hours. Beth put on a fake smile and talked politics; something she hated. She often found herself looking over to where Derek was sitting with some of the other children. She would have much rather been sitting at that table. It wasn’t until she heard the mention of the Devil’s Henchmen that caused her focus to shift back to the adults in the room.
She knew the name. It was Devin’s motorcycle club. After he retired, his unit plus a few more ex-military men started an organization that worked with the state law enforcement on sensitive cases. For the most part, the group handled operations that the government legally couldn’t touch, at least not without causing a backlash of some kind. Devin functioned within the boundaries of the law, but mostly in the darker areas.
“The group just finished conducting an assignment along the border. The Mexican Cartel had a shipment planned to come through El Paso. The Henchmen were able to intercept it. They kept millions in unregistered firearms off the street and over three million dollars in drugs. Probably saved thousands of lives,” said one of the men at the table, but Beth couldn’t remember his name. She felt that all too real warmth in her chest. She was so proud of Devin. Even out of the military, he was still protecting the country he loved. Conversation of the Henchmen dropped as Frederick, the butler, entered the room and whispered into Beth’s father's ear.
“Excuse me for a moment. Frank, John - we have a visitor who would like to speak to us regarding another matter.” The other two men exchanged looks, and with Jonathan Andrews, they walked out of the room.
Beth glanced at the clock on the wall for the hundredth time. It was getting late and she could tell that Derek was sleepy. Beth tried to wait for her father to return, but he had yet to reappear. It had been hours since he left the dinner table. She had no idea what could be keeping him, but whatever it was must be important. Image was everything to her parents, and leaving his guests for such a length of time was very unusual for her father.
Deciding she would just go find him, she walked toward his office in the back of the house. Hearing a loud noise coming from outside near the gardens, Beth changed directions. Nobody should be out there at this time of night. Making her way to the glass double doors, she quietly pulled it open. She was immediately met with the sound of angry voices, mainly her father’s.
“I don’t care what problem you had. You were told to deliver the shipment and you failed,” her father raged. Beth had never heard him sound that angry before. A chill ran down her spine.
The man he was talking to started begging for another chance, saying he would get the shipment back. Beth had no idea what he was talking about. Shipment of what?
“No you won’t,” her father said. Just then, Beth heard the distinct sound of a silencer and watched the man fall to the ground.
“Oh my God!!” she screamed in her head. Her father just shot the man. He killed him. Beth frantically started walking backwards into the house. As she reached the door, her foot hit a planter and it crashed to the ground.
“What was that?” one of the other men said.
“Go find out,” she heard her father say.
Beth turned and ran into the house and down the hall, making it back into the dining room before anyone could see her. Just as she sat in her seat, the man her father had called Frank walked into the room looking around.
Beth kept her gaze on Derek, trying to pretend she had been in the room the entire time. Frank exited back out of the dining room and Beth breathed a sigh of relief.
She had to get out of here. She had to take Derek and run. Her father would watch the security tapes and know it was her outside, he would know she saw him kill a man. Beth knew her father had no love in his heart for her. She wasn’t delusional. The only thing he loved was money and politics. Beth felt like she was living in a bad movie. This crap didn’t happen in real life.
Beth calmly walked over to Derek and knelt down beside him. “Are you ready to head home sweetie?”
“Yes ma’am,” he yawned.
“Okay. Come on.” Beth pulled out Derek’s chair, then pushed it back in under the table.
After saying goodnight to the others in the room, Beth grabbed Derek’s hand and went to find her mother. Locating her in the kitchen, Beth quickly said her goodbyes and left the house without looking back.
She drove home as fast and as safely as she could. What would she tell Derek? Where would she go? Beth could only think of one person who could protect her from her father’s reach, but if she arrived on his doorstep, would he help her? Or would he take one look at their son and slam the door in her face? So many questions, but no answers. All Beth knew was she couldn’t stay in the home she had built for herself and Derek anymore. She had to run. The entire drive home, she anxiously searched her rearview mirror, praying that she wasn’t being followed.
Arriving at the house, Beth and Derek went inside. She locked and bolted the door behind her and turned to her son. It was time to tell him the truth. Just showing up at Devin’s would shock Derek and she didn’t want to do that.
“Derek, I need to talk to you for a minute. Come have a seat,” she told him as she sat on the couch and patted the cushion next to her.
For the next hour, she told her son about his father, about why he and Beth were not together. Derek asked questions and Beth tried to answer them the best she could, considering he was eight and some situations were hard for him to understand.
“Will I ever get to meet him? Will he ever know about me?” he asked with tears in his eyes. Beth’s heart was breaking. She did this. She hurt the two men in her life she loved more than anything - first Devin, and now Derek. But, she could make it better, she hoped.
“Actually, what do you say, we pack a few bags now and go see him?” she asked.
Derek’s entire face lit up. He jumped off the couch, “YES!!!” he screamed, “Get up! What are you waiting for mom? Come on! Let’s pack!”
Beth got up from her seat and they both rushed to their rooms. She needed to get them both out of here. Her father wouldn’t think twice about killing her or Derek. He hated her son because he was Devin’s. Her father was the reason she spent the last eight years alone, raising a little boy without his father. But, not anymore. Beth prayed that when she arrived at the Devil’s Henchmen clubhouse, Devin would help her, and once she told him why she was there, he would keep her and Derek safe. Guess there was only one way to find out, she told herself as she and Derek loaded back into the car with their bags; and drove away from the only home she had truly ever had.
Chapter Three
Sledge
Sledge
looked around his house. Everyone was here. The place was packed. His sister Amber and his best friend and VP, Reaper just got married. He was happy for them. He really was. His sister deserved to have a good man in her life, and Reaper was one of the best.
Walking over to Reaper, he placed his hand on his shoulder. “What’s up man?” Reaper said, never taking his eyes off his beautiful wife.
“Congratulations Brother! I’m proud of you. I just wanted you to know that,” Sledge told him.
Reaper smiled, glancing his way. “Thanks man,” he said, moving his eye immediately back to Amber.
These two were like two lovesick puppies. Sledge couldn’t help but laugh. He watched as Reaper excused himself and walked over to Amber. Reaper took her hand and walked to the makeshift dance floor they had set up for tonight. His mouth about hit the floor when he witnessed Reaper and his baby sister grinding on each other. Good grief! Those two needed to get a room - ASAP!
“Hey Sledge, there’s some chick at the door for you,” Diesel said. Sledge was happy to see him back at the clubhouse after he was shot trying to protect Amber a few months back.
“For me?” Sledge asked. Who the hell would be asking for him, he wondered as he made his way through the clubhouse.
Pulling open the door, he came face to face with the last person he thought he would ever see again - Beth. The woman who took his heart and walked away from him eight years ago, without so much as an explanation.
“Beth?” he couldn’t believe it. “What are you doing here?” he demanded. He knew his voice sounded harsh, but he couldn’t help it. This woman destroyed him, and now she was standing on his doorstep!
His mind flashed back to the last day he saw her. She was beautiful then, but she was even more so now. Before she was lean, yet curvy. Now, she was filled out in all the right places, a perfect hourglass. Hips that were made for a man to grab ahold of, breasts that were heavier and more than a handful. Her heart shaped face was still the same though. She still had the ability to take his breath away. Shaking his head, he cleared the images in his mind. That was the past. It would never be his future. Not again.
“Devin... I... I...” she stammered. “We need your help.”
“We?” he asked. It was only after the question left his lips, that he noticed she wasn’t alone. Standing behind her was a young boy. A young boy who was his exact image.
Sledge felt the world tilt. He looked from the boy to Beth and then back to the boy. Could it be? Why didn’t she ever tell him?
Sledge turned away from the door. He couldn’t do this. He could walk for days through enemy territory. He could dodge bullets and not blink an eye. But this? This, he couldn’t do. One look and he knew the kid was his. It was like looking in a mirror.
“Please Devin!” she pleaded. “We need your help.”
“Come inside,” he said, but as he turned to allow them to enter, he heard the little boy’s voice ask, “Mom, is that my dad?” and Sledge felt his heart jump to his throat.
“Yes buddy, it is. But remember what I told you before we got in the car,” Beth asked and the little boy nodded his head.
What had she told him? Did he think Sledge never wanted him? Did he know that Sledge didn’t ever know he existed?
“Well, just like you learned about your dad yesterday,” Beth said glancing at Sledge, “He is just learning about you right now.”
“I know,” he replied quietly.
Beth kissed the boy’s head and grabbed his hand, leading him into the living room. He watched as the little boy took a seat in an overstuffed chair. It swallowed him, dwarfing his already small size. Beth turned towards Sledge and he saw the tears in her eyes. Once, that look would have brought him to his knees, now... now, he didn’t know how to feel. A part of him wanted to wipe them away and promise to make everything better. Another part wanted to kick his own ass for even thinking that thought.
“I know you need answers and I promise I will give them to you. But, please Devin, when I said we needed your help, I meant it,” Beth said, wiping the tears from her own face.
“Is he mine?” Sledge asked, even though he already knew the answer. There was no way he could deny the kid. He watched as Beth turned to look back at the little boy. Sledge didn’t even know his name.
“Yes,” she said quietly. Then louder she introduced father to son for the first time. “Devin, this is your son. His name is Derek. Derek, this is your dad. His name is Devin.”
“Hi De...” he stopped. “What do I call him?” he asked his mom, then looking at Sledge,
“Well, that is up to your dad. Why don’t you ask him?” Beth instructed.
“Can I call you Dad?” he sounded so hopeful.
“Absolutely.” Sledge’s voice was so thick with emotion, he barely got the single word past his lips. He watched as Derek’s face lit up and a huge smile spread across it.
“Hi Dad!” he said and ran to Sledge, wrapping his small arms around his leg. “I always wanted a dad. Now I have one, just like the other kids.”
Sledge reached down and picked him up, hugging him to his chest. He had a son. So much he missed out on, eight years’ worth of moments and memories - stolen from him. It wasn’t Derek’s fault. No, it was Beth’s. Sledge needed answers, but not in front of Derek. Some things were adult only.
“Are you hungry Derek?” When his son said yes, he called Diesel into the living room.
“Diesel, this is my...” Sledge cleared his throat and tried again. “This is my son, Derek. Derek, I want you to meet my Sergeant at Arms. His name is Diesel.” Sledge watched as Diesel’s eye grew wide, but he shook his head. He would explain later, after he figured out what the hell was going on.
“Diesel will you take Derek into the kitchen and get him something to eat? Keep an eye on him and don’t let anyone crowd him.” Sledge turned back towards Beth, but hollered over his shoulder, “Oh, and don’t answer anyone’s questions yet. I’ll handle that later.” Diesel inclined his head, leading Derek towards the food.
“Will he be safe?” he heard Beth asked, bring his attention back to her.
“He’ll be safe anywhere in this compound. Now, talk,” Sledge demanded. “You owe me several explanations, Beth. How could you have my child and never contact me? Never say a word? How could you do that?” He was pissed. She stole eight fucking years from him. Eight years!
“I don’t even know where to start...” Sledge watched as she picked at her fingers. Same Beth, same nervous habit.
Oh, Devin knew where she could start. How about at the part where she ripped his heart out and left him for no reason? Or, how about the part where she never returned his calls or text messages; after he tried to contact her for over a week, hoping she’d change her mind. Or, how about the most important part, how about why she kept his son from him?
“At the beginning would be fucking nice! Why did you destroy me? Rip my Goddamn heart out! And then you can explain to me why you are here now? And, while you are finally being generous, care to explain why you never bothered to tell me I had a child?” he wanted answers, and he wanted them now - all of them. This time, he wouldn’t allow her to just run away. She was in his world. And in this house, Sledge was King. One way or another, he would get what he wanted.
Chapter Four
Beth
Beth knew Devin was angry. She could feel the tension and anger flowing from him, and he had every right to be livid with her. She broke his heart, and kept his son from him. But she had to make him understand. She didn’t have a choice and then she found out she was pregnant, and after hurting the man she once loved, she was too much of a coward to reach out to him. She was afraid of what her father would do if he found out she had made contact with Devin.
She owed him an explanation though. Actually, she owed him so much more than that, but telling him the truth now was the least she could do. Maybe he would understand. She prayed he would understand. Prayed hard.
“I never meant to hurt you, Devi
n. Breaking things off between us was the hardest thing I had ever done. I didn’t just destroy you, I destroyed myself,” she started to explain but was interrupted.
“You destroyed yourself? Do you honestly expect me to believe that?” he demanded. “I called you! I sent you probably hundreds of text messages. And nothing. I got nothing in return!”
Beth felt like she was reliving that horrible day all over again. The pain was still a living, breathing thing in her soul. She hated her father. He destroyed her for his own personal gain, and thought nothing of it. How could she explain that to Devin? Get him to understand that what she did, was to protect him and the career he loved.
“You know what, fuck it. I don’t even want to know.” She looked up into Devin’s face. The face she loved. The face that for the last eight years, she had only been able to dream about. “What are you doing here Beth? Why now?” he sounded so tired, even to her ears.
She looked around the room. She didn’t want anyone to overhear what she was about to say. Turning she walked to the chair her son... their son, had sat in, and she let out a long sigh.
“Two nights ago, I was at my parent’s house for another of their damn dinner parties,” she started. Devin already knew about the parties; they had talked about how much she hated them before when they were together. “I wanted to leave, but I had to tell my father good-bye first. He would have a shit fit if I left without telling him. When he hadn’t returned to the dining room, I went to search for him. Derek was tired, and I wanted to go home. Anyway, I heard a noise outside coming from the garden area. So I walked out the door,” Beth paused, she could still see the flashes of images in her mind. Like a movie playing in slow motion. “I saw my father outside with three men. One was begging my father for another chance. Saying something about losing a shipment and promising to get it back. I don’t know what he was talking about, but the man was scared...” her voice trailed off. Again, the images came. She tried to block them, to force them out of her head, but they refused to leave. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she looked into Devin’s eyes. “My father shot him. Just shot him. I stood there while the man fell to the ground, blood pooling from his face. He shot him...,” her voice broke.
The President: Devil's Henchmen MC, Book Two Page 2