Love That Defies Us

by M. N. Forgy

  “This is my fourth time babysitting for you, I know,” she smarts. I give a tight-lipped smile and grab Zane for a cuddle.

  “Hey, bitch, I’m here,” Cherry greets, walking into the apartment. She has on tight jeans, a black sweater, and big fuzzy boots. Sassy and beautiful.

  “Language,” I scorn Cherry. Cherry covers her mouth and smiles.

  “Shit, I’m sorry,” she responds. Sara rolls her eyes, smacks her gum, and walks to the kitchen.

  I shake my head at Cherry; she’s a mess.

  “All right, buddy, I’ll be back.” I give him a big kiss on the forehead and grab my purse.

  “Why do you have that bitch babysit for you?” Cherry asks once we’re in the hallway.

  “She’s good with Zane. Plus, Vera recommended her,” I inform. Vera is one of the ol’ ladies of the club; she wouldn’t suggest Sara if she had a bad rep.

  Walking outside the wind blows hard, making me grab the sides of my jacket trying to protect myself from the chill.

  “Man, I hate winter,” Cherry whines, climbing behind the wheel of her bug.

  “I agree,” I admit, placing my hands above the car’s vents to warm them.

  She looks in her side mirrors before pulling onto the street fast.

  The woman cannot drive. I keep thinking every time I climb into the car with her she will get better, but she doesn’t.

  “How are you and Phillip doing?” I ask, looking out at the road. Phillip is Cherry’s man who was sent to prison some years back for taking the heat for the club. He was supposed to get out about two years ago but was attacked by a gang a week before his release. Phillip killed a guy, extending his prison time. The club’s lawyer is working on Phillips’s behalf, claiming it was self-defense, but I guess it’s a little more difficult than that.

  “We are doing great, actually. Things were a little difficult with him still in prison, but I am stoked for the conjugal visit he is allowed on Valentine’s Day.” she explains, nodding.

  I smile. “That’s great news, Cherry.” She has a rough history like Shadow and me, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at her. She’s bright, cheery, and always seems to look at the glass as half-full, instead of half-empty. I don’t know many people like her.

  “How are you and Shadow?” she asks, turning into the mall. I notice there are only a few cars here and there; the curfew which is in effect has the town in a frenzy.

  “Things have been kind of distant since he was made VP. Having Zane and also getting pregnant has put a strain on the sex,” I reply honestly. Cherry looks over and gives a sympathetic smile. I turn my head away, because I don’t want that look. Shadow and I will get through this; we can make it through anything.

  “Well, we will find the most drop-dead sexy lingerie, and bring back that spark,” she responds, patting my shoulder. I give a tight-lipped smile. It’s not that the spark isn’t there; it’s everything else getting in the way of us exploring it.

  Cherry turns into a parking spot and gets out, pulling a fuzzy hat down on her head to keep warm.

  She squeals in excitement and grabs my hand, walking at a fast pace toward the mall.

  “Where are we headed?” I question, walking inside the mall. The smell of food is inviting, and a couple people wander here and there. She ignores me and pulls me past the food court and a few shops lining the walls. She stops, looks at me, and smiles a vicious grin.

  “What?” I ask, tilting my head to the side nervously.

  Cherry looks up, making me follow her lead.

  “Victoria’s Secret,” I read aloud. I look at her and narrow my brows. “You seriously think I am going to fit into anything they have in there?” I question, my hand pointing toward my belly, emphasizing my point. Cherry rolls her eyes and huffs.

  “You are the skinniest pregnant woman I have ever seen. The only place you have gained weight is in your stomach. You’re lucky; I have seen women blow up like a balloon from one end of their body to the next,” she explains. “Do you have stretch marks? Is that what you are so embarrassed about?” She grabs at my shirt trying to lift it, but I smack at her hands and push her away.

  “It’s lingerie, Dani; what did you expect? To wear a maternity bra and supportive panties?” Cherry asks, her tone sarcastic. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t Victoria’s Secret. “You’re the hottest pregnant chick I know, celebrities included. Embrace it.” She whispers the last of the sentence, a smile spreading across her face.

  “Fine, we will look,” I reply exasperated. She is the most convincing person I know, or maybe the most annoying—I’m not sure.

  “Good,” she responds, grinning.

  I slide my fingers through the rack of purple silk nighties, their touch caressing my skin. I look up and see a mannequin with black stockings and tiny panties, with an even tinier bra. I curl my lip in refusal; I am not feeling the color black.

  “Not digging the black today?” Cherry observes, walking up beside me.

  “Nah, not today,” I admit, walking to the next rack.

  “Oh my, Phillip would go crazy over this,” Cherry cheers, slapping hangers together. “I’m going to go try it on!” she yells, walking toward the dressing rooms.

  I sigh and look into the racks, my eyes landing on a white babydoll piece. I pull it from the rack to get a better look at it. The cups are embroidered with white lace, the rest of its material a white mesh with white panties which are ruffled along the backside. It looks innocent and angelic.

  I take it and head to the dressing room, praying it fits.

  I slide it over my head, the straps falling along my shoulder perfectly, and the bottom hem caressing the tops of my thighs. It fits, and I actually look great in it. I feel sexy in it.

  “Dani, you in there?” Cherry yells from the stall next to me.

  “Yeah” I respond, still eyeing myself in the mirror.

  “Come check me out,” she requests. I open the stall door and poke my head out. Cherry is walking in a circle, her hands held out as she displays herself for all in the store to see.

  “What do you think?” she questions. She’s wearing a pink and white bustier falling just above her belly button, showing a good few inches of her toned abs. There is black lace stitched around the breast cups and she’s wearing a pink and white striped thong with the hem colored black, garter straps falling freely against her thighs.

  “I’ll have to grab some stockings, but does it look good on me?” She glances down at herself then back up at me, waiting for my reply.

  “You look stunning; it suits you,” I respond. Cherry smiles big and nods.

  “I think so, too. Let me see what you picked out,” she suggests, pointing at me. I look both ways and after seeing nobody is around, I open the door slowly.

  “Hot damn!” Cherry yells, making me grab the door to close quickly, laughing.

  “Shadow is going to love that!” she continues, walking back into her stall.

  I shake my head and grin, then hear my phone chime in my purse.

  I’ll be home late.- S

  That’s ok. Just doing some shopping with Cherry. Sara has Zane. – D

  I don’t want you out tonight. Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving the house?- S

  I didn’t realize I needed permission. – D

  My phone starts to ring in my palm, making me jump.

  “Yeah?” I answer.

  “You should have told me,” Shadow snaps.

  “Why do I need to ask you to leave the house?” I question, my tone angry.

  “Where are you? The town has a curfew, for fuck’s sake!” Shadow yells into the phone. I inhale a sharp breath, his tone pissing me off.

  “I’m going home now, so calm the hell down!” I yell back, hanging up.

  “That sounded like it went well,” Cherry remarks from outside my door, now waiting on me.

  “He gets in these moods where he is the most controlling ass I have had the pleasure of knowing,” I respond,
taking off the lingerie.

  “Ha, Phillip does the same thing. It doesn’t last long, not after I put him in his place,” Cherry informs, following with a scoff.

  We pay for our things and head back to my place, cursing the cold the entire time.

  “Thanks, Cherry,” I say as she puts her car into park right outside my apartment. I lean over and give her a kiss on the cheek before grabbing my bag and purse and heading inside. I pull my bags and coat against me as I make my way through the cool wind and inside the building.

  “Fucking Shadow,” I mumble, going to the elevator, still angry at the way he talked to me.

  “He’s going to hear from me,” I continue to talk to myself.

  The elevator dings, opening the doors, and letting me onto my floor. I step out, and my eyes widen in shock. I drop my bags and cup my mouth. Sara is crawling along the hallway floor, blood staining the carpet behind her. Her face is smeared with blood, her clothes tattered as she pulls herself along the floor with her trembling hands. The elevator dings as the doors shut behind me, catching Sara’s attention. She looks up and her dull eyes spot me, widening with recognition. Her body wracks as she begins to sob loudly.

  “Dani, help me!” Sara yells. My heart thumps against my chest, and I feel light-headed. I grab the wall, trying to stop my episode.

  “Not now,” I whisper to myself, my own body trembling in fear.

  I push off the wall and go toward Sara. She is crying uncontrollably, blood staining the carpet all around her.

  “Dani, run! Call for help,” Sara cries. I slap my hand across her mouth, trying to shut her up.

  “Shut up, Sara. If they find me, I am not going to be much help to anyone,” I whisper harshly. “Where is my son? Are you hurt badly?” I question. Sara’s eyes widen, her body suddenly wracking uncontrollably. “What?” I ask, fear stiffening my limbs. Her eyes stare wildly at something behind me. I turn slowly to look but am smacked in the head with a hard fist, causing me to collapse on Sara.

  ***

  I open my eyes, everything blurred and hard to make out. The side of my head throbs and stings. I move my hand to touch where the pain is coming from but can’t move my arm. I try the other arm, but it doesn’t move either. I blink rapidly, trying to wash away the blurriness plaguing my vision. I look down and see I am sitting in one of my kitchen table chairs, my arms pinned behind me. Moving my wrist, it feels like twine binding them. I move my legs to see if they are free, but they are tied, as well.

  “Well, it’s about time you came to.” I try to look behind me, trying to see who is speaking but my head won’t turn that far. I look around the room, trying to find Zane, hoping he didn’t witness what happened to Sara and praying he isn’t hurt. The only thing I see is the front door across from me, the TV next to me, and toys, along with blood, spattered throughout the carpet. My eyes fill with tears, terrified something bad has happened to him.

  “I’ve been watching you, Dani,” the voice says eerily, making my blood run cold. It sounds familiar, but I can’t make it out.

  “You took so much from me, took the only family I had,” the guy continues. I shake my head; he’s not making any sense. I haven’t taken anything from anyone.

  My head falls forward and I sigh, irritated. I need to get out of this chair and find Zane. I need to make sure my son is safe.

  “Remember me now?” I look up and my head swims with lightheadedness, my vision spotting with little white dots.

  The guy has blood staining a white Devil’s Dust shirt. His blue jeans are stained in blood, as well. His brown, familiar eyes stare at me with a vengeance. My eyes travel upward to his sandy-colored hair which is cut into a Mohawk. Do I know this guy? I tilt my head, trying to get past the pain throbbing in my head. He looks like Charlie. Charlie was a prospect years ago who didn’t get patched in.

  “Charlie?” I whisper. His cruel eyes smile as an evil grin spreads across his thick face. It is Charlie, and he’s blaming me for not making it into the Devil’s Dust brotherhood.

  “Where is my son?” I scream, my head exploding from the sudden exertion. Charlie chuckles, the tone sounding maniacal.

  “Oh, don’t worry; he’ll be dealt with. Your whole family will meet their maker,” Charlie replies, lifting his broad shoulders and lowering his head, his eyes staring at me with promise. I close my eyes tightly, my heart pacing so rapidly I fear I may faint. I have to get ahold of myself; I need to find my son and get Sara to a doctor quickly. Charlie threatened my family, he threatened me; I need to be strong and push through this terrifying ordeal to defend my family. I can feel my anger bubbling, the darkness I have fought so hard to keep buried surfacing, and I pray Zane is not watching. I open my eyes and inhale deeply, mentally prepping myself for the darkness which will fog my mind and will save me and my family. My lip curls and my brows furrow inward, pinning Charlie with a deadly promise.

  “I’m going to kill you,” I whisper, my voice low and husky.

  Charlie laughs, wiping the blade of his knife on his jeans.

  “Yeah, go nuts,” he taunts, knowing I can’t move. I lay my head back on the chair’s headrest, trying to calm my temper. I still have to think of my unborn child; I can’t do anything to put her in danger.

  “The Devil’s Dust doesn’t know the word ‘family’. When you were kidnapped, I was kicked to the curb like I was nothing. Like I hadn’t given the club everything I had and even after all that, Shadow was out to kill me. If it weren’t for a little birdy telling me, he would have. I am taking out every one of you Devil’s Dust and anyone associated. I’m going to rip the club apart from the outside in,” he informs, his tone not wavering as if what he is saying is completely normal.

  “Why are you doing this if the club meant so much to you? Why hurt them?” I question.

  “If I can’t be with my family, then nobody can,” Charlie explains, his tone confident. I bite my cheek and glare at him. Fucking with my family will mean dire consequences for Charlie.

  “Oh, shit, look at that,” Charlie remarks, looking down at his hand. I follow his gaze and find a huge gash sliced across his palm.

  “That babysitter was a hell of a fighter.” He looks at the front door which is barely open.

  “She’ll bleed out eventually,” Charlie continues as he walks past me heading into the kitchen. I look around the room again, curious where Zane is hiding. Charlie said Zane would be dealt with, not that he was dealt with. Hope blossoms in the pit of my stomach, causing Delilah to give me a violent kick. Being as far along as I am, she doesn’t kick very much, running out of room and all. I wish I could put my hand on my belly, let her know Mommy is here. She must sense my unease.

  “I see you’re pregnant again!” Charlie yells from the kitchen, his words holding a menacing energy which is making me tense.

  I see movement from the front door, catching my attention. Please tell me Shadow is here to play alpha male. Strawberry-colored hair followed by a wide-eyed Cherry pokes through the door. My skin rises with goose bumps; she can go get help. I tilt my head toward the kitchen, showing her where Charlie is, letting her know it’s not safe. She nods and slowly walks in. I shake my head no, my mouth parting in disbelief; she needs to run, call for help. She tiptoes over to me and pulls a large pocket knife from her boot before she looks at me and winks. My eyes widen even more than before. How the hell does she walk around with that thing stuck in her boot?

  “When I free you, run,” Cherry whispers, walking behind me. I feel the blade tug and grind on my restraints, cutting them. My heart picks up from the anticipation, and I bite my bottom lip.

  “Come on, come on,” I silently chant, wanting her to get me out of these damn things faster.

  I hear Cherry scream, making me clench in response. She walks in front of me where I can see her, the knife gripped tightly in her hand ready to strike Charlie. He strides forward quickly, grabbing Cherry by the wrist, and causing a struggle. Charlie and Cherry start wrestling, falling against t
he entertainment center, and tripping over toys on the floor, fighting over the knife in Cherry’s hand.

  “Kick him in the nuts!” I yell at Cherry. If she can get a good shot in, it will give her an advantage. Charlie is much bigger than she is, giving him the upper hand. He lets go of Cherry’s hand holding the knife and quickly backhands her, the sound echoing through the room. She drops the knife and grabs at her face, cursing. While Cherry isn’t looking, he grabs her by the throat and flings her into the air as if she weighs nothing. She lands on top of an end table, making it collapse, its four legs sticking out on all sides.

  “Shit!” I curse, trying to pry my wrists from the restraints, and my hands finally spring free. I bend down and pull on the twine around my feet and chair legs. I kick my legs out as far as I can and move them back and forth, rubbing the twine against the legs of the chair. I look up and see Charlie walking over to Cherry, the knife in his hands above his head ready to impale her.

  I have to hurry, or he is going to kill her. I twist my ankles faster, the twine starting to fray and snap. Charlie laughs as he stands over Cherry’s motionless body.

  I look back down at my restraints and kick my leg forward as hard as I can, snapping the remaining rope. I walk up behind Charlie, rear my leg back, and kick him the balls as hard as I can. He instantly wails in pain and grabs his junk.

  I place my foot on what’s left of the end table and pull at a leg sticking out. I give it a violent tug, splitting the wood, and the leg breaks free from the collapsed table. I palm the wooden leg to get a better grip of it and walk toward Charlie.

  “I’m going to gut you, bitch,” Charlie mumbles, grabbing at his dick.

  “Yeah, go nuts,” I respond, repeating what he said to me before. I raise the table leg above my head and plow it into Charlie’s head, making him fall to the floor with a loud thump. I straddle his limp body and smash the wooden leg onto his head again, blood spitting out from the impact. My body vibrates with fury, my hands slipping on the broken piece of table in my hands. Ready to hit him again and again, I raise it above my head.