Spec pulled Candy into his arms in a crushing embrace. “Her mom was having an affair with my father. They have been seeing each other for years now and I had no idea. I’m such an idiot. How could I miss something like that?”
“You weren’t looking for it. Does it change anything?”
“I don’t know. I want to blame them. I want to say Elise should have paid more attention to her daughter. If she had been home maybe…”
“Hush now.” Candy pressed her fingers over his lips. “Life is filled with maybes. You can’t do that. You have to move on. Let’s finish that story and put it to bed.”
Spec nodded and Candy sat on his lap as he read the pages. When he hesitated Candy turned the page and began reading. He picked up and they read the last few pages of the book together.
Candy felt Spec relax against her and knew that something inside him had let go.
They sat there for what felt like hours and just breathed. When the door opened they both looked up and found a woman standing in the doorway with her hand over her mouth and tears streaming from her face. Her eyes seemed glued to the last page of the book where it lay opened at the foot of Taylor’s bed.
“Elise…”
“You finished it.” She looked up as tears ran in rivers down her pale cheeks.”
“I finished them all.” Spec said quietly and Candy knew he meant more than the books.
“Thank God.” The woman closed her eyes as if she were praying. “Do you hate me now Adam?”
Spec made an anguished sound deep in his throat as he walked to her and pulled her close. “I could never hate you Elise. You have been my mother all my life.” He kissed her head. “I’m so sorry you felt you had to hide this from me.”
“Your father doesn’t know all of it. I couldn’t…”
“It’s over Elise. We can let it all go now. She’s safe.”
“You were always her prince Adam. She always loved you.”
“I will always love her too Elise, all of you. I just wish Danny had known the truth.”
Elise took Spec’s damp face in her hands and looked him in the eye. “He knows now. It’s all out in the open now. Danny knows and you can let go of that betrayal too. You made it all right again. You did that.”
“I had help.” He turned and offered his hand to Candy who stepped to him. “Elise this is Candace Knight. She has become my strength. Candy, this is Elise Archer, the mother of my heart.”
Both women cried like babies at his beautiful words and embraced.
Elise pulled back and ran her thumb under Candy’s eyes. “Oh you are so pretty. Adam, you have done well for yourself and maybe, just maybe I can pretend to have a daughter again.”
“I think that would be really nice Mrs. Archer.”
“Elise and it will be my pleasure.”
Thirteen
Candy stood in her apartment and looked around to see if anything was out of place. Mina was due to arrive any minute and Candy wanted everything to be perfect.
Spec had agreed to give her the weekend with her friend, reluctantly. He had kept her close since their turbulent night of discovery. He seemed less haunted, but at night, when he loved her she could feel his intensity and his unwillingness to fail her as he had the young girl from his past. He observed her until she thought she would lose her mind, but that was his way.
“I will be at the clubhouse. Call me for any reason.”
He placed his big hand against Candy’s soft tummy and pulled her against him. He nibbled at her neck and she turned her head to give him more access to her skin.
“I’ll be fine honey-pie. I promise.”
“I want you.” He growled against her neck.
The doorbell dashed their hopes of a quickie all to hell, but the promise in his eyes made her shiver. As much as Candy wanted Spec, she was excited to show Mina everything about her life. Mina especially wanted to see the tattoo studio Ink owned.
Spec grumbled when Candy pulled away and answered the door. She introduced Mina and Spec and he took his leave, but the look in his eyes made Candy want to squirm.
“Oh he is as hot as an oven burner on broil! Holy shit Candy! No wonder you were so bummed. Looks like things are all worked out now though.” Mina said with rounded eyes.
“Yes. Things are turning out to be just fine.” Candy said and hugged her friend tight. “I’m so glad you’re here! I can show you around my world for a change.”
“I’m not all that sure I’ll fit in here. Ink has never wanted me to come visit before. He always said I was too much of a good girl to even be in this town.”
Candy laughed. Mina was a good girl. She Had big blue eyes that were so wide that they looked like a cartoon character, but they were filled with an innocence Candy wondered if she had ever had even as a child. Mina kept her hair pulled back in a braid that reached to the middle of her back and only took it down to bathe and sleep. She was certainly not the sort of woman who usually hung around with the club, but she was about to have a wild weekend and Candy was going to watch her like a hawk.
“Come on silly goose. Let’s get you ready to paint the town red.”
Candy was determined to doll Mina up and show her how fun it could be to just let go, but she would be right there beside her to make sure nothing too serious happened.
They dropped by the tattoo studio first since it was just downstairs and Candy marveled at the way Ink frowned when he looked at his cousin.
“Shorts are too damned short Mina. What were you thinking?” Ink frowned.
“Ink let her have some fun! Those aren’t nearly as short as what Angel wears all the damned time.” Candy rolled her eyes and laughed.
“That’s different.” He grumbled.
Mina dropped her head and looked like she might cry. “I can go change.” She whispered.
Candy was furious. “No. You look hot! Why would you change?”
Mina looked up at Ink with her blue eyes awash with tears. “Do I look that bad?”
Bad? She was beautiful! Her shorts weren’t all that short and she was wearing a conservative top by club standards. Her cowboy boots were a nice touch too. Her hair was pulled away from her face and secured by a clip so it fell in inky waves down her back. She was stunning.
Candy watched Ink’s jaw work. “You are beautiful Mina. I just don’t want you getting into trouble. These men aren’t used to dealing with a real lady.”
Well that slapped Candy right in the face and by the look on Angel’s face she felt the sting too. Before either girl could speak up the door opened and Tommy walked in. His eyes about bugged out of his head when he saw Mina.
Ink exploded. He shoved Tommy against the front door and got in his face. “You don’t fucking look at her that way. You don’t get that privilege. You fucked up the one time anyone trusted you with a woman and I’ll be damned if I trust you with Mina.”
“Mina.” Tommy breathed as his eyes strayed to her again. She seemed to find him just and interesting because her wide blue eyes were glued to him.
“Fucking no Tommy.” Ink moved so Tommy couldn’t see Mina anymore.
“Damn it get the fuck off me Ink. When am I going to live that shit down?”
“When you prove to everyone that honor means more to you than pussy.”
“Fuck you man.”
Tommy shoved Ink away and jerked open the door. He met Mina’s eyes before they closed and Candy could almost feel the sparks that flew between them. This wasn’t good.
“Come on Mina. Let’s party. Don’t worry Ink, I’ll watch her.” Angel said as she shot Ink a look that said he would be hearing a thing or two when she got home. “I’m just the sort of woman who knows how to handle the guys.”
“Damn it Angel don’t do that shit.”
Candy pulled Mina from the room and they piled into Angel’s car. They headed to Tease with the plan of showing Mina how to dance her ass off and keep her clothes on.
Fourteen
Tease was a str
ip club owned by the Defenders. It was a way for them to have available pussy and make a profit from the community. The brothers didn’t have to abide by all the rules and when they told a girl to head upstairs that girl knew what was expected of her. It was just part of the job for the girls and most hoped to turn one of the brother’s heads and get him to make her his old lady. That was the golden apple around Tease and most of the brothers took advantage of it.
Candy had worked exactly one night at the club. Toothpick had pulled her off stage and straight upstairs. After that he hadn’t let her out of his sight, until he’d gone to prison. Candy wondered if she had ever really loved him or if she had just been grateful to him for saving her from becoming another dead eyed girl that shook her ass and spread her legs to make ends meet. She doubted she would ever make sense of that time in her life so she tried to let it go.
“What are we doing at a strip club?” Mina asked as we pulled into the gravel parking lot.
“We are going to dance!!!” Angel shouted.
Candy knew Ink hated it when Angel danced at the club and that this was probably payback for his earlier remark. Candy knew he hadn’t meant to be insulting, but he would certainly pay for the slight.
“I don’t know about this. I don’t think this is a good idea.” Mina was digging in her heels.”
“We won’t be stripping! We can use the side stage and just have fun. Some of us do it from time to time. Nikki is coming and I think I have Lindsey and Lizzie convinced too. This is going to be a party!!”
Candy looked around and saw several of the brothers’ bikes and felt a little better. She always felt safer when they were around and they would keep Angel from going too crazy.
By the time they made it to the stage all the girls had arrived, even Marty who was sporting a nice baby bump. They had all donned costumes that they had pilfered from the gift shop and they were all strutting their stuff as the brothers hooted and hollered at them.
Candy was laughing at Marty as she spun around the pole only to turn green and step back taking several deep breaths. Mike stepped to the stage and Marty let him lift her to the ground and curled up on his lap. Mike looked like a man who would kill anything that threatened his woman, but morning sickness was taking a toll on him.
Candy lifted her eyes from the loving couple and found herself captured by a pair of blue eyes so cold that her skin broke out in chills.
Toothpick stood just out of the light. The shadows made him look sinister and his expression promised retribution. Mina laughed and bumped Candy’s hip.
“What’s the matter with you?” Her eyes followed where Candy was looking. “Who is that? Damn Candy he’s a scary dude.”
Candy broke eye contact. “Yeah. Yeah he is that.”
Candy tried to have a good time and for the most part she did, but Pick disappeared. He just vanished. For some reason it made Candy feel more uneasy than she had when he had been staring at her dancing half naked in a strip club.
The brothers burst out laughing and Candy looked up to find Mrs slung over Preach’s shoulder as he made his way to the door. Angel’s mother hadn’t dressed the way most of the other women had, but she had given the boys more of a show because damn, that woman could dance her ass off. Preach had watched like a predator until Mrs had opened her legs and slid her back down that pole. Then he had stood so fast his chair had hit the floor and claimed his woman. Mrs lifted her head and winked as he slapped her ass and stalked away. That woman would be getting lucky very soon. Candy looked around, but never saw Spec, she was a little disappointed. She did see Ink and the look he wore was volcanic. He was pissed and Candy had never seen him lose his cool before. It looked like the whole world was about to get to see him erupt.
Angel bent over and wiggled her ass and he exploded, but he didn’t grab Angel the way Preach had, he just turned and walked out the front doors. Angel stood up and paled. She turned and mumbled an excuse that Candy didn’t understand before she disappeared backstage. The other women were being pulled from the stage by their men and the looks they shared threatened to burn the place down.
“Well we might as well get dressed and head out. I’m getting hungry. How about a pizza?” Candy asked Mina.
“Sounds perfect! I’m starving and my feet are killing me.”
They dressed and Mina picked up a few things lying around in the dressing room. Candy laughed and tried to explain what everything was and what they did, but she could see that Mina was shocked. Ink was right, Mina didn’t belong in this world.
They ended up begging a ride from Marty and Mike and called in a pizza order on the way. Marty chatted animatedly about her upcoming wedding and made Mina promise to attend. Mina wore a wide grin that Candy had never seen on her before.
“Why did Spec leave so early?” Marty asked while looking at Candy in the visor mirror.
“I didn’t know he was there tonight. When did he leave?” Candy’s heart raced. Had he watched her dance? Why had he left?
“After you danced. I looked up and he was gone.” Marty shrugged.
“I don’t know. Maybe he didn’t like what he saw.”
Mike snorted. “Yeah. No. Had to be something else. You’ve got nothing to worry about there Candy Cane. Had to be business or he would be taking you home instead of me.”
Candy couldn’t help the smile that curved her lips.
“Shit look at that face! I’ve seen that look before.” Marty crowed.
“Where?” Mike asked as he reached over and rubbed her belly.
“It started the first time you crawled into my window and now I see it every day I get to wake up with you.”
Mike smiled and looked away like it embarrassed him. He slammed on the breaks when a car swerved into their lane and Marty grabbed the handle above her door.
“Shhh its ok baby. I’ve got you.”
The look he gave Marty was full of love and Candy wanted it. She wanted to be loved that much. She wanted the fairytale kind of love.
Mike left Candy and Mina in front of Just Ink and pulled away. They walked up to the second floor and Candy unlocked the door. She reached in and flipped the switch, but nothing happened.
The door slammed plunging the room into darkness and Candy knew what hell was when a familiar voice whispered.
“I’m home Candy. Did you miss me?”
Fifteen
Something was off and Spec had been on edge all evening. He’d caught sight of Pick in Tease, but couldn’t get to him before the bastard disappeared. Spec had promised to give Candy time with her friend, but he wanted nothing more than to rush to her and make sure she was alright. He watched as Mike pulled away and he told himself he would just run up and check on his girl real quick, but no lights came on inside the apartment and that had him slowing his steps as he became more cautious. Caution hit the wind when he heard Candy scream.
“Mina run!”
Spec broke into a sprint and pulled his phone from his pocket. Mike picked up on the first ring.
“Something’s wrong at Candy’s place. Heard a scream.”
He hung up knowing Mike would make calls and get back to him as quickly as he could. Mina ran down the stairs. Her face was as white as a ghost.
“I think it’s the man from the club. The scary one. He’s got a gun.”
“Fuck. Ok Mina. I need you to get the hell out of sight and tell Mike what you just told me when he gets here.”
She nodded and Spec made his way silently up the stairs to Candy’s door. He cursed himself for making sure all the windows were locked tight before he left. How the hell had the man gotten into Candy’s apartment?
He listened for movement and heard nothing. Then a scream pierced the night and his heart stopped.
Candy saw the insanity in Pick’s eyes when he pulled her into her closet and shut the door. His lips crashed down on hers as his hands filled with her breasts.
“Mine. You fucking cunt! You are mine. I own you and you go to bed with that fucking
loser? I will cut his dick off and feed it to him. You are my old lady and I will teach you what I do to women who try to make a fool out of me.”
He drew back and slapped her hard and she let out a scream. He moved a piece of the floor and shoved her through it. She hit the floor hard and crumpled. She found herself in the back room of Just Ink. Pick had gotten into her place through the ceiling. Shit.
“How did you get in here?”
“There are still a few or those fuckers who know what brotherhood is all about.”
“One of the brothers let you in here?” Candy was horrified. Pick had no business in Just Ink.
“Look at your face. Fucking bitch. Loyal to that pussy Ink. Only way he made brother was by fucking Preach’s little girl. Let that bitch beg for him too. I was there when Preach caught him with his head between those thighs. Right in this place. Almost pissed his fucking pants. That’s who you’re loyal to? You belong to me!”
She heard voices and looked up in horror when Pick stalked to the back door and opened it wide. He reached out and grabbed something and Candy heard Mina scream as she was hauled through the door.
“Thought you would get away bitch?”
His laugh was cold as ice.
“Now then you two. This is what we are going to do. Candy is going to walk out that door and climb on my bike. She is going to ride away with me and nobody will stop us or I will put a hole through this little whore’s head. Neither of you will make a sound and when we are gone you will count to a hundred before you do a damned thing.”
Mina’s eyes were huge as she nodded. She had no idea what to do in a situation like that. Candy reached out and held her hand.
There was a knock on the door and Pick opened it a crack, but it was enough for her to see Choo-Choo handing him a set of keys.
“Here man. Seems fine to me, but I checked it out. Hope you didn’t get too bored in here.” He looked up and his eyes met Candy’s. “What the fuck man?”
Spec (Defenders M.C, Book 6) Page 8