by Harley Wylde
“Something bad happened. Another club…” I shook my head. “I’d rather not talk about it, if that’s okay. Kraken saved me. But to answer your question, no I’ve never been shopping with friends before.”
“Then I’m honored to be the first.” Aurelia smiled widely. “You hungry? We could eat first, or just get some coffee before we start shopping. Do you have anything special you need to get today?”
“I hadn’t really thought about it. Kraken gave me his card and some cash, but I don’t want to make him go broke either.”
“How about some sexy stuff to tempt that hot husband of yours?” she asked.
“All right. But if I do, then you need to buy some to model for Titan.” I nudged her with my elbow when she blushed. “I know you like him.”
“Yeah, I do. I’m just not sure his world and mine will mesh very well. If something bad happens, like the day we met, I can’t exactly just leave the hospital and go on lockdown because he’s worried about me. And Titan doesn’t seem like the type to let me do my own thing. He’ll want to be in charge.”
I nodded. “Kraken is the same way, but I know he’s trying to protect me. After the things I’ve been through, I appreciate that about him. In fact, it’s one of the things I love.”
“And for you, it’s probably great. I’d feel suffocated, and angry. It wouldn’t take long before I’d lash out at Titan, or any man who did that to me. I just don’t see it working long-term, but I admit to being curious enough to at least attempt to date him. Maybe I’m wrong and it would work out fine.”
She steered me into a boutique with lacy nightgowns and bras on display in the window. I’d never been permitted in this sort of store, and part of me was excited to go inside. There were so many textures and colors. I was nearly overwhelmed by it all. Aurelia talked me into nightgowns, scraps of lace and silk. They wouldn’t cover much, but that seemed to be the point. I also grabbed a few bra and panty sets. The total astounded me, and my hand trembled a little as I handed over Kraken’s card. I hoped he didn’t get pissed I’d spent so much. We hadn’t discussed a spending limit, but I wished we had.
I followed Aurelia into a few other stores before we had lunch in the food court. I couldn’t seem to stop smiling and laughing, and couldn’t remember the last time I’d enjoyed myself so much. I’d had friends in high school, but things were different then. My father was a preacher and I’d been expected to act a certain way. I’d followed the rules and they’d still tossed me away like I was nothing. Just trash they needed to get rid of. I hoped the roof of his church was worth it. No, actually, I hoped the entire building burned to the ground. It would serve him right.
“We should do this again,” Aurelia said.
“Definitely.” I smiled. “I had a great time today. I’d never realized shopping could be so much fun.”
“You have my number. Call whenever you want to hang out. We’ll just have to plan around my shifts at the hospital.”
“What’s it like being a nurse? I know you went to college, and you talked about your job a little at the diner. Was there ever a time you wanted to do something else with your life?”
She shrugged. “My father was a doctor. A heart surgeon. He died when I was little and my mother brought one loser home after another once he was gone. Becoming a nurse made me feel closer to him, but I really do enjoy my work. I like making a difference. I get yelled at by the hospital staff and the patients, but at the end of the day, I know I made a difference even if it was just a small one.”
“I think I envy you.” I twirled my cup on the table. “The bad thing I mentioned happened before I graduated high school. I know I could get my GED and maybe think about college, but I have everything I could ever want or need. Kraken loves me, and I love him.”
“As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters,” Aurelia said. “There are plenty of women who enjoy being stay-at-home moms. I don’t think I’d be one of them. I love the chaos at the hospital, even on the days I bitch about it or want to rip out my hair over the political crap that goes on. I don’t think I could give it up. Not anytime soon.”
She gave me a quick hug goodbye and I carried my bag out to the parking lot. The hair on my nape prickled and I stopped just outside the mall doors, keys clutched in my hand. I scanned the area, but I didn’t notice anyone paying me undue attention. It was possible I was only feeling paranoid, but the churning in my stomach said it might be more.
I briskly walked to my car, popping the locks as I got close. Practically jumping inside, I threw my stuff onto the passenger seat and locked the doors. I started the car and backed out, then drove straight home. The entire way, I glanced in the rearview mirror a hundred times, worried someone might be following me. I couldn’t shake the feeling, even as I pulled through the gates.
I saw Kraken’s motorcycle parked in front of the clubhouse, along with several others and a few cars. I didn’t know who was watching Ember, but I knew he’d never leave her alone. Instead of going to the house, I stopped to talk to Kraken. If there was someone watching me, he’d need to know. I didn’t have proof but I hoped that didn’t matter.
Getting out, I walked up the steps and pushed the doors open. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim lighting, and when they did, I wanted to fuck a bitch up. My teeth ground together as I made my way across the main floor and didn’t stop until I stood directly in front of the whore shoving her ass in my husband’s face. To make things worse, she only wore a thong.
I didn’t say a word, just reached out and grabbed a handful of her hair, then yanked her until she fell to the floor. She shrieked and came up swinging, but I was prepared. I balled up my fist and let it fly, hitting her right across the cheek.
“Who gave you permission to shove your ass in my man’s face?” I demanded.
“Kraken! Help me,” she cried out pathetically.
“Help you?” I kicked her legs out from under her, sending her ass back to the floor. “Help you? You honestly think my husband is going to help a whore over his wife?”
The woman launched herself at me, but Kraken wrapped his arm around her waist and hauled her back. “Enough!”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “If you’re taking the side of that… that…”
He shoved the woman aside and took two steps toward me, the heat of his body pressing against mine. He reached out and tipped up my chin, forcing me to hold his gaze.
“Baby girl, I wasn’t taking her side. There’s a chance you’re pregnant, and if she hurt you, I’d have to fucking kill her.”
“There a reason you were letting her shove her ass in your face?” I asked.
His lips twitched. “I wasn’t paying the slightest bit of attention to her. She doesn’t do a damn thing for me. Most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen is in my bed every night. Why would I want anyone else?”
I sighed and pressed my forehead against his chest. I felt his silent laughter as his arms came around me. I didn’t want to bring up my fear over being followed, not right this moment, but I didn’t want to wait either. What if something happened before I got a chance to talk to him?
“We need to talk,” I said. “It’s why I came in here to find you.”
He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“I felt like someone was watching me when I was out with Aurelia. It might be nothing.”
He sighed and pulled away, staring down at me. “But it could be something. You were right to tell me. I’ll tell the Prospects to keep an eye out, and I’ll have a chat with Titan. Until then, I don’t want you to leave the compound alone. If you meet with Aurelia somewhere, take a Prospect with you, or one of my brothers. I want you protected at all times.”
I’d forgotten about the club whore until she pressed against Kraken’s side. “You really preferred that scarred freak over me?”
I sucked in a breath and tried to keep my face impassive. I didn’t want the bitch to know her words had hurt me. Before I could p
rocess what was happening, Kraken had spun and backhanded her across the face, sending her crashing against the table. I’d seen him smack a club whore once before, but not as hard as he did this time.
“You do not ever talk about my woman like that again.” He advanced on her, fury rolling off him in waves. He fisted her hair, pulled her head back, then slammed her face onto the table. She screamed as blood spurted from her nose. “You’re just a whore. You may be here voluntarily, but you’re not an old lady. The only place you have here is as easy pussy. You’re a wet hole and nothing more. That woman is my wife, my old lady, and you will show her the fucking respect she deserves or you can get your ass out of here and never come back.”
Boomer pushed past me and placed a restraining hand on Kraken’s shoulder. “Easy, brother. Know she insulted your woman, and you had a right to deal with it, but I think she’s learned her lesson. Let her up.”
Kraken backed off, but growled at her like some sort of feral beast. I went to him, trembling at his show of temper. I didn’t think for a moment he’d ever hurt me or Ember, but it still left me rattled that he’d make a woman bleed.
“Phoebe felt like someone was watching her while she was out shopping,” he said, drawing Boomer’s attention. “This may not be over yet.”
Boomer nodded. “We’ll discuss it. I’ll get Wizard on it and call Church whenever he’s dug up some shit.”
I tugged on Kraken and he let me lead him from the clubhouse. He helped me into my SUV, pressed his lips to mine, then shut my door. He gave me that sexy wink I loved so much as he walked to his bike and started it up. He followed me to the house and I saw Pretty Boy’s bike out front again. Somehow, the club’s Treasurer had become our babysitter. It didn’t bother me, and I knew Ember loved him, but I found it slightly strange. Didn’t the man have better things to do?
I stepped through the front door and heard singing. My feet stuck to the floor as I listened to Pretty Boy sing to my daughter. His voice was deep and rich, and surprisingly, he could carry a tune. Kraken came in behind me, giving me a nudge, and I went into the kitchen where Pretty Boy walked the floor with Ember.
“Quit flirting with my daughter,” Kraken said, taking Ember from him. “She’s too young for you.”
Pretty Boy smirked. “In eighteen years she won’t be.”
“Don’t even think about it,” Kraken warned.
“Thanks for watching her,” I said. “I feel like we’re taking advantage of you.”
Pretty Boy shook his head. “I love sitting with her. Makes me miss my nephew a little less. He and my sister are in good hands, though.”
I didn’t press for more. Since his sister didn’t live here, she’d obviously not paired off with one of the club members. Wouldn’t he have wanted her close? Or did he feel like his brothers weren’t good enough for his sister?
Pretty Boy made his farewells and put Ember down on the living room floor with her toys. Kraken had his phone to his ear, but he murmured so low I didn’t hear what he said. I figured that meant it was club business. Even though I’d had lunch with Aurelia, I needed to figure out a plan for dinner. If Kraken got called away, I wanted to make sure he’d eaten. I wasn’t the greatest cook, but I liked taking care of my little family.
I dug through the fridge and cabinets, then decided to make pork chops with mashed potatoes and green beans for dinner. I’d looked up some recipes on the phone he’d given me, but I wasn’t brave enough to try something as adventurous as making rolls from scratch. Instead, I bought some from the bakery at the store and just warmed them in the oven while I put the finishing touches on everything else.
Kraken ended his call and came closer, pulling me back against his chest. He kissed my cheek, then my neck. “Love you, baby.”
“I love you too. Pork chops okay for dinner?”
He nodded. “Sounds good. I’m going to go play with our girl while you do your thing in here. Just give a shout if you need anything.”
I waved him off and got to work mixing the ingredients for the homemade marinade I’d found online. It was the first time I’d tried it, and I hoped it turned out okay. With some luck, the pork chops would be flavorful.
I heard Ember giggle in the living room and smiled. Kraken was so good with her. For such a tough-looking guy, he was an amazing dad, and so sweet to the both of us. I’d be forever grateful he’d walked into the Sadistic Saints clubhouse that night.
Chapter Thirteen
Kraken
The news wasn’t good. It wasn’t the Sadistic Saints with their eye on Phoebe. It was worse. Her parents had hired someone to bring her home. I didn’t know why, but I’d damn sure never let them have her. They didn’t deserve Phoebe, or Ember. I wasn’t entirely sure they wouldn’t sell them both the first chance they had. Wizard’s words still rattled around my brain. The phone call hadn’t gone the way I’d hoped. Another club would be easier to take on. But a preacher and his wife? What the fuck was I supposed to do with that?
Ember chewed on the ear of her bear, babbling at me. I wasn’t sure when she would start talking in a way I could understand, but I had to admit she was just too fucking cute for words. I hoped one day we had a house full of kids. Although we’d need more rooms. Right now, I only had two bedrooms other than the one I shared with Phoebe. I’d always sworn if I had kids, they wouldn’t have to share a room. Sharing a closet-sized bedroom with two other siblings had been hell.
I heard Phoebe humming softly in the kitchen as she cooked our dinner. If anyone had ever told me I’d be playing on the floor with my daughter while my wife made dinner, I’d have laughed in their faces. I’d never thought of myself as the settling down type, but Phoebe had needed me, and just maybe I’d needed her too.
My phone rang and I pulled it from my pocket, answering it while keeping an eye on my daughter. “Kraken.”
I heard a snort and glanced at the screen. Wizard. “No shit. Listen, I’ve been trying to follow the paper trail from the parents. Looks like they used part of the money from the Sadistic Saints to hire a P.I. He either lost her trail, or learned what the parents had done and refused to help. So where did they turn but to another club. One we’re a little familiar with.”
“Who’d they call?” I asked.
“Reckless Kings. I can promise you Beast doesn’t know a damn thing about how Phoebe came to be here. I’m betting the parents spun some sob story about you snatching the girl. Need to call him and nip this shit before it gets out of hand.”
“I’m on it,” I said, then disconnected the call. Son of a bitch.
I shot off a quick text to Titan to give him a heads up, then dialed the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Reckless Kings. Forge answered on the fifth ring, right before I was about to give up.
“What the fuck do you want?” Forge asked.
“Nice greeting, asshole. Heard your club is watching my woman.”
I heard him shift and something rustle on the other end of the line. “Phoebe Whitlow?”
“Not Whitlow anymore. She’s not just my old lady but my wife. Don’t believe me, check the marriage records.”
“Well, fuck. Why the hell are the parents paying us to find their kid if you have her? They’re claiming she got snatched or some shit. When my guys said they’d seen her drive into your compound earlier, I didn’t believe them.”
“They sold her to the Sadistic Saints. No clue why they’re suddenly so concerned, but I’ll be damned if they’ll get their hands on her or my daughter. I don’t fucking trust them.”
“I’ll call my guys off, but, Kraken, you need to handle this shit. Those people aren’t going to back down. If we won’t do the job, they’ll hire someone else. I can put the word out their money isn’t good, but you know some stupid fuck somewhere will take the job just the same.”
Yeah, I knew it. Didn’t like it one damn bit either. “Thanks, Forge. Next time, instead of lurking around our fucking town, come knock on the damn door. You’ll be lucky if Titan doesn’t bust some head
s.”
“Shit,” he muttered. “On it. I’ll call your Pres and my guys. We’ll sort it all out.”
I shook my head and hung up the phone. At least I knew they wouldn’t be taking Phoebe, but he made a good point. Her parents wanted her back for some reason, and I doubted they’d stop just because the Reckless Kings decided to back out. No, they’d find someone else. Someone as unscrupulous as the Sadistic Saints had been, and there’d be no reasoning with them. My woman and kid were in danger every second those sorry sons-of-bitches were breathing. Preacher, my ass. The man was no better than… Damn.
I pulled up Wizard’s name on my phone and shot off a message. Find me proof the parents sold her to the Sadistic Saints.
They’d either see reason, so they didn’t see the inside of a prison for trafficking their own underage kid, or I’d fucking kill them. As much as I didn’t want Phoebe to know I’d gotten her parents’ blood on my hands, I’d do whatever was necessary to keep her safe. I had to wonder just how rotten the preacher was if he could sell his own kid. What would stop him from doing the same to some other girl, or Phoebe’s sister?
My phone rang again and I saw the Pres’s name light up the screen. “Did the Reckless Kings call you?” I asked.
“Yeah. Spoke with Wizard too. He can’t find any sort of communication between the parents and the Sadistic Saints, and the money deposited was cash. He’s going to keep digging, but there’s a chance they were smart enough not to leave a trail.”
“I can’t let this lie, Titan. She’s not safe.”
“I know,” he said. “Spend some time with your family, Kraken, but later tonight I want you to ride out. Go visit her family. They have another daughter. Younger than Phoebe.”
Right. So if money got tight, they’d find a way to earn some easy cash again. I didn’t know what the hell to do with Phoebe’s sister. I really didn’t want her in my house underfoot, but I wouldn’t abandon her either. If they had other family, it would make sense to send the girl to live with them. Unless the others were as bad as the preacher.