by London Casey
“Do you?” Owen asked. “I don’t think you fucking do.”
I swung my hand again and slapped Owen. He fell to the right and actually off the couch. I jumped up and gasped. Was I that strong?
Owen reached back and grabbed the bucket and started to throw up again. It made my stomach do a backflip and next thing I knew I was charging to the bathroom so I could get sick.
It took both of us about ten minutes or so regain our stomachs. We were ill for two different reasons. Owen was hungover and I was pregnant.
I took my seat back at the coffee table and acted as though nothing happened. Owen was on the floor, on his knees, a hand on the couch, the other hand on the table.
“Dad arrested guys like Slade,” Owen said. “And Dad was killed by someone like Slade. How could I like him for you?”
“That’s your reasoning for this?”
“Yes,” he said. “Yes.”
“And you sent Danny...”
“Yes.”
“You told Danny that you would get me and him together?”
Owen looked back. “Yeah. Okay? Danny was a pussy. I used him. Is that what you want to hear? Fine. He got drunk and said he loved me. I told him to prove it by going up to the ridge and getting rid of Slade. I said he could then have you. That he needed to figure his shit out. We could be friends but nothing more.”
So everything Slade had said to me was true. Complete truth, finally.
I slowly stood up. “I’m hurt, too. I miss Dad everyday. I get angry when I think about it. I get really angry, Owen. Okay? You’ve never given me the chance to show that anger and get over it all. I lost my father, my protector. I found a man I love in Slade who would do anything for me. But you’re going to judge him?”
“I wanted to protect you, Olivia,” Owen said.
“You didn’t do that. You hurt me. And now I have to face Walker and break his heart. I never loved Walker. Not like you wanted me to do. Not like he loves me. He sent me a diamond ring. He thinks this baby is his. I felt forced into lying about a pregnancy. That’s what you gave me.”
“I’m sorry,” Owen said. He started to climb to his feet. “I’m sorry, Olivia.” He grabbed the bucket and walked to the bathroom.
When Owen emerged from the bathroom, his face was ghost white. I went to the fridge and poured him a glass of orange juice. He chugged it, along with two ibuprofen pills to help with the headache.
“What do you think Dad would do today?” I asked. “Seeing me like this?”
“I get it,” Owen said. “I’m afraid of Slade’s life. Of his world. Where he came from. I know what his father did to him and his family. What if that shit is hereditary.”
“Are you serious?” I asked. “You think Slade would hit me?”
“Look at him.”
“Look at you!” I yelled.
Owen winced and rubbed his temples. “Okay. Fine.”
“All Slade has ever done is care for me. You cuffed him and let Walker punch him. You tried to run him out of town again. It’s not going to happen, Owen. You either...” Then it really hit me. What I needed to say. “You need to make a decision. Accept Slade as the man I love and the father of my baby... or I’m going to cut you out of my life.”
Before Owen could answer, the door opened and in came Slade, holding two bags of food.
We all stood there in silence.
Slade was at my side, a hand on my back.
Owen then nodded. “Walker is coming back to town later today. I want to be here when you all talk to him.”
“Why?” Slade asked.
“Just in case things go south,” Owen said.
“I’ll break his neck,” Slade said.
“Exactly my point,” Owen said. “Just let me talk to him first and then we’ll go from there. I’m going to take my breakfast to go. How much do I owe?”
“I’ll give you a police discount,” Slade said. “Five fingers.”
Slade reached into the bag and took out two individually wrapped, greasy sandwiches. He tossed them at Owen.
“Thanks,” Owen said. He grabbed his stuff off the counter and then paused. He looked right at me. “You’ll never lose me too, Olivia. I’m sorry. I mean that.” Then Owen looked at Slade. “I owe you plenty of apologies. And thanks for last night. You saved my ass, my career, and the lives of anyone who could have been on the roads with me driving like that.”
“You know me, Owen, I’m all about safety and public concern,” Slade said.
Owen grinned. “You’ll always be a fucking asshole. But if you take care of my sister, I can live with that.”
“Good. Then go live.”
Owen left the apartment and it was just me and Slade. In my apartment. Again, like we were playing house.
“Everything okay?” he asked me.
“Now it is,” I said.
I grabbed at him and put his arms around me.
“Say something,” I whispered.
“I have an idea.”
“What?”
Slade kissed the top of my head and grabbed the bottom of my shirt. “Let’s take all of this to the bedroom. We start with sex and end with breakfast. Then a shower together.”
“I can live with that.”
“Good,” Slade said. “You’re going to live with it for the rest of your life.”
I was standing in the kitchen when I heard the knock at the door. I left Slade in the bedroom as he was getting dressed and going to call and check in with Lael. Part of the club rules and all that stuff. It still bothered me that he was affiliated with the motorcycle club. But if he felt safe there, then so would I. We would make everything work.
I walked to the door and figured it was going to be Owen returning.
I opened the door and stood there, losing all feeling in my body.
“So... what’s the answer?”
I shook my head, staring at Walker.
No.
“Olivia, what’s wrong?” he asked as he pushed into the apartment.
It took me a few seconds to regain my breathing.
“Walker. What are you...”
“I’m back in town and I’m here to get my answer. I sort of hoped you were going to call me and tell me, but I get it. We can do it in person.” He grabbed my hand. “You’re not wearing the ring. Do you want me to get on one knee and ask you? I will.”
“No, Walker. No.”
“Okay. So... why don’t you get dressed? We’ll go celebrate. Tell the world.”
“I am dressed.”
Walker snickered. “These aren’t the kinds of clothes you should be wearing. I just locked down another deal. I’m going to buy you a new wardrobe. No matter what you say.”
I pulled my hand away. “No, Walker. Stop this. No.”
“No what?”
“I’m not marrying you. Never. Ever.”
“Olivia... don’t be stupid. You’re pregnant. Of course I’m marrying you.”
“That’s not how this works.”
“Don’t make me call your brother.”
“Call him, I don’t care. Because the truth? I was never pregnant.”
I stepped back. I was afraid of Walker. I wanted Slade to come save me.
Walker’s lip curled. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I made it up to keep you away.”
“The ultrasound...”
“I am pregnant right now,” I said. “That’s true. Yes. But it’s not what you think.”
“Then why don’t you explain it to me,” Walker said. “Because I’m really fucking confused. And I’m really tired and I have no patience, Olivia.”
I started to take another step and Walker jumped at me. He grabbed me by both arms and squeezed too tight. I yelped in pain as I saw the rage in his eyes. It was like he already knew the ending to this story.
“Let her go,” a voice said.
That’s when Walker turned his head and there was Slade standing in the doorway to the bedroom.
There was no
chance this was going to end peacefully.
(SLADE)
“I won’t say it again,” I said.
Walker let Olivia go and turned to face me. There was too much distance between us.
“What the fuck is this?” Walker growled.
“This is the truth,” I said. “Liv is mine. Her baby is my baby. You’re out of this picture, Walker. So get out before I throw you out.”
“No,” Walker said. “I refuse to believe that. I’ll take you to court, Olivia. I’ll demand a paternity test.”
“Do it,” Liv said. “We haven’t had sex in how long?”
“We’ve...”
“Yeah, right,” Liv said. She made a fist and stroked the air. “You can’t get pregnant from that, Walker.”
I laughed.
I regretted it a second later when Walker swung his hand.
I jumped forward and ran, but not before Liv took some of the backhand to her mouth. She had tried to get out of the way but it all happened too fast.
As I ran at Walker I dropped my shoulder and buried it into his gut. He let out a groan as I hit him. I lifted him up and drove him into a wall. The thud was like thunder, but I was far from done. I wrapped my hands around Walker and threw him back and to the floor.
“You hit a woman,” I growled, just picturing my mother and father.
“Slade!” Liv yelled as I fell to one knee before Walker.
He started to swing at me and I blocked his weak ass punches. I slammed my fist into his gut, forcing his hands to grab there, leaving his face wide open for me. I landed two hard punches to his face before I grabbed his throat and lifted him up, bringing him to my nose.
“Listen to me, you fuck,” I said. “You ever touch Liv again and I will kill you. You are nothing to her. You want to fuck someone? Go fuck Owen. He did all this. Right?”
Walker clawed at my hands. “I... can’t...”
“Yeah,” I said. “Think about how this feels. Because that’s what you’ve done to Liv for years. You ever come near her again and I swear on my life, Walker.”
“Fine,” Walker said in a hoarse voice. “Please.”
I let him go and he fell back to the floor. He clutched at his neck and started to cough. I stood back up and stared down.
“I’m sorry, Walker, but it has to be fair,” I said.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” he asked.
“When you attacked me. You hit me and kicked me.”
“Fuck you,” he said. “I’ll sue...”
I swung my right foot and blasted him in the ribs. Walker rolled to the side and let out a cry. I lifted my foot and brought it down into his ribs again. Then I kicked his back, wanting to break him.
Behind me I heard Liv call my name again.
That’s when I stopped. I looked back and she was reaching for me. I turned and grabbed for her, pulling her into my body. On the floor, Walker was groaning and whimpering.
“Shit, Liv,” I whispered. “I want to hurt him.”
“I know you do,” she said. “Don’t. Let him suffer on his own.” She touched my face. “Slade, there’s no more lies. It’s all truth now. Everyone knows the truth.”
The door then opened and Owen came rushing into the apartment.
“Holy fuck!” he yelled when he saw the scene.
“Where the hell were you?” I yelled. “You said you were going to take care of this.”
Owen looked at Walker. Walker pointed and said, “Arrest him! He assaulted me!”
“He hit me,” Liv said. “Walker did. I was talking to him and Slade didn’t do a thing. Walker then swung and smacked me in the face. So Slade defended me. He took him down.”
“He kicked me!” Walker yelled. “I think my ribs are broken!”
Owen looked at me.
“He hit her, Owen. I couldn’t stand for that.”
“Shit,” Owen said. “Slade, turn around. Hands behind your back.”
“No,” I said. “Fuck no, Owen. You’re not doing this to me.”
“Do what I say, Slade.”
“Owen!” Liv cried out. “You can’t do this! You said...”
“Olivia, stop it,” Owen said.
“That’s right,” Walker said. “Arrest him, Owen. Let me have a minute with him.”
“Shut the fuck up, Walker,” Owen growled. “You’re next. You swung at my sister? You hit a woman?”
Walker’s eyes went wide.
“What is this?” I asked.
I felt the cuffs slapped to my wrists. Liv stood just feet away, tears in her eyes.
“Owen!” she cried out.
“Stop,” Owen said. “Slade, I have to take you out and read you your rights.”
“Tell me what the hell is going on,” I said. “I had to hit Walker, Owen. Come on, man...”
Owen grabbed the chains and tugged at them, sending pain through my wrists.
“Dammit,” I growled.
“Dammit is right,” Owen said. “There’s a warrant for your arrest, Slade. I’m taking you in so I can watch you.”
“A warrant?” Liv asked. She looked at me. “What did...”
Then her face dropped.
The Savage Viper’s MC.
“For what?” I asked.
“The murder of an auto garage owner named Rocky. And you’re wanted in the questioning of the explosion of the garage he owned. So come with me so I can call this in and see where this ends up.”
I shook my head. “Liv...”
She covered her mouth and tears fell from her eyes.
My heart twisted and felt ripped from my chest. Each step away was a step away from Liv and my unborn child.
Owen put me in the back of the SUV I had been driving just earlier that morning, saving his drunk ass from killing himself or someone else.
And just like that I went from hero to criminal.
(OLIVIA)
It all happened so fast.
I looked to my left and saw Walker climbing to his feet. He wiped blood off his face with his sleeve and then grinned at me. “That’s what you want?”
“Shut up, Walker. We’re done. I don’t want your fucking roses. Your ring. Nothing. I never have. I’m sorry things got this far.”
“Right,” Walker said. “Well, you enjoy criminal life. I’m sure the baby will have fond memories of seeing Daddy in an orange jumpsuit. You’ll do well organizing all the visitation rights.”
Walker scoffed at me.
Then I lost it.
I ran at him, screaming. All the fear I had for him was suddenly gone. Seeing him beaten and bloody, begging Owen for help, it all proved how weak he really was. I ran at him and then swung, punching him right in the nose. He started to bleed some more. He grabbed his face and let out a yell.
I felt someone grab me from behind. “Olivia!”
It was Owen. I shook Owen away and pushed him. He stumbled and put his hands out. He was sweating and looked pale. It was obvious his hangover was in full effect still.
“Everyone stand down,” he ordered. “I had one of my guys take Slade in. He’s safe for now. Walker, get out of here. You’re done.”
“I’m done?” Walker asked. “Are you fucking kidding me? After all I’ve done for you, Owen.”
“My sister isn’t a pawn,” Owen said. “If I dangled her as that, that was my wrong and I’ll deal with any punishments that come. As for you, Walker, get the fuck out. If you contact her, look at her, anything to do with her, I’ll have you arrested. Then I’ll bring in a forensic accounting team to go through every goddamn dollar you’ve ever dealt.”
Walker’s eyes went wide. “I helped you build...”
“I don’t care,” Owen said. “Out!”
Walker nodded. He smiled a bloody smile. “It’s been fun, Olivia. I expect my diamond ring back. I have someone else in mind who would wear it.”
“What?” I asked.
“Please. Did you think you were the only one? I have plenty of acquaintances. I need someone to
marry for appearances now.” He tugged at his sleeves. “Owen, next time you need investors for your little shit hole town, call someone else.”
Walker gave us the middle finger and left the apartment.
That’s when I set my sights - and anger - on my brother. I lunged at him and he grabbed my shoulders.
“Olivia, stop,” he yelled. “The baby! You’re going to hurt yourself and the baby!”
I sucked in a breath and stepped back. My hands touched my stomach and my eyes filled with tears. In all the chaos I had let it slip my mind that I was still pregnant. What if Walker had hit me in the stomach? Or thrown me against a wall?
“You said you were going to help,” I said.
“I tried,” Owen said. “Goddammit. Listen to me.”
“What.”
“I went to the station. Chief pulled me into his office to let me know an APB was going out for Slade. Something happened with that motorcycle club, okay? He’s part of it.”
“I know,” I said. “He’s a member.”
“Jesus Christ,” Owen said. “I can’t believe this. Well, I don’t know what’s going to happen then. But there’s some kind of confession and witness going around that puts Slade at an auto garage. The owner, Rocky, was tied to a chair, beaten with a wrench, and then blown up.”
My heart raced and my stomach felt sick again.
I couldn’t defend Slade. I wasn’t there for it.
“You have nothing to say,” Owen said.
“No.”
“Fuck,” Owen growled. He turned and punched the door. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”
“What do I do now?” I asked.
Owen glanced at me. “Do you love him?”
“You know I do.”
“Do you honestly think he’ll be a good father to that baby?”
“Yes,” I said. “I don’t doubt it for a second. He’s everything to me and this baby, Owen. You set all of this into motion. You set up Danny. You chased Slade away. You brought Walker into my life. And what did Slade do to you that was so wrong? Nothing. He helped you when you needed it. You cried to him, Owen.”
Owen punched the door again. Then he opened it. He looked at me. “And you know what, Liv? He’s a criminal. He’s in custody for murder. Because he chose to run with that motorcycle club. That’s what I was protecting you from. So I did my goddamn job.”