Raising Riker (Hells Saints MC)

by Paula Marinaro

  Someone had opened a window and released the thick odor of industrial cleanser that had been trapped in the hospital room. The cool breeze danced through the room as if in celebration. Its fingers rippled lightly through Gia’s hair and nudged her gently awake again.

  “Feeling better?” A deep voice growled close to Gia’s ear while strong hands lifted the back of her head, ever so carefully, and arranged the pillows comfortably into a sitting position. The eyes that held Gia’s were deep, dark and patient. Riker looked formidable, exhausted, tough and determined. He looked like something strong enough for her to hold on to.

  “What’s wrong with me, Riker?” Gia swallowed around the lump in her throat. She put her hand on her stomach in the universal protective move of pregnant mothers everywhere. “Is the baby alright?” Fright, in its purest form, swept through Gia like a tidal wave.

  “The baby’s fine, Gia. You? You ain’t doing so good, but the doc’s gonna get that under control. No worries.”

  “Is it serious? What’s wrong?” Gia repeated as she searched Riker’s face for signs of deception. She couldn’t believe that she could feel this bad and not have caused harm to the pregnancy. Gia was filled with remorse and guilt for not having sought out prenatal care. If she was going to become a mother, she had better step up.

  As if on cue, the door opened, and a doctor walked in.

  “Hello, Gia, I’m Dr. Gideon.” He smiled at her. It was the kind, tired smile of a man who had seen it all. “I was just about to go home, but when I saw Riker almost single handedly take out a whole floor of medical professionals, I thought I’d check in.”

  “Doc…” Riker began to explain. “Fucking people need to get their priorities in order. My woman is obviously sicker than a damn dog and that bitch in scrubs…”

  But Dr. Gideon stopped him with a wave of his hand. “I know the process can be frustrating, but we have rules for a reason. And no matter what the provocation— telling a medical student to go F* herself while you crash through restricted areas and bellow through the halls is never a good idea, Riker.”

  The doctor gave Riker a long- measured look and Riker’s voice held a note of contrition when he said, “I was only trying to get Gia some help, doc.”

  “Well, that mission has certainly been accomplished.” The doctor sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “And, while I understand that you have only the best of intentions, you’re damn lucky that I still have enough clout around here to convince security not to get you thrown out. So, no more heroics. We clear?”

  “As a damn bell, sir.” Riker answered without hesitation.

  “Good.” Doctor Gideon turned his attention to Gia. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better. Do you know what’s wrong with me?”

  “Not only do I know what’s wrong with you, I know how to fix it.” He took her hand and patted it in a fatherly gesture. Gia found herself staring into a pair of surprisingly bright blue eyes. The doctor’s forehead was covered with a thick shock of white hair and his nose was slightly crooked—as if it had been broken at one time or another. His smile, though weary, was honest and sincere. Doctor Gideon’s hands were both smooth and strong. His posture was straight, his voice was soft and the air of authority that surrounded him was undeniable.

  “You have something called Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Gia. HG is a condition characterized by extreme nausea, severe vomiting, weight loss, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Mild cases can be treated with diet and antacids. You, my dear, are not experiencing a mild case. We are treating you with an infusion of anti-nausea medication, vitamins and something to rehydrate your system — all of which are going to make you feel much better and none of which will harm your baby.”

  “What causes it? Is it something I did? Is this my fault?” Gia asked tearfully. “Is it because I waited too long to see a doctor?”

  “No. Of course it’s not your fault, Gia.” Riker interrupted. “Shit like this just happens sometimes, am I right, doc?”

  “Yes, Riker, you are quite right.” Doc Gideon nodded and spoke again to Gia. “This condition is certainly not caused by something you did or did not do. Although not seeking prompt pre-natal care is risky, you actually would be surprised how often it happens. But we are going to rectify that, yes?” He gave her a stern look. When Gia nodded in vehement agreement, the doctor continued. “Let me repeat, the development of this condition cannot be predicted and is no one’s fault. The whole horrible mess is caused by a rise in hormone levels, but that is as much as we know. If you should have another pregnancy, however, we would certainly be on the lookout for a reoccurrence.”

  “I was sick in the beginning but not like this.” Gia moaned. “Why is it getting worse?”

  “Timing is a key factor. The symptoms begin earlier in the pregnancy, but they usually peak about 9-14 weeks.”

  “We’re at about 13 weeks.” Riker, who was glued to the doctor’s every word, blurted out.

  “That would be just about right, then.” When Gia turned a bright red and suddenly found something very interesting about a thread on the hospital blanket, Doctor Gideon stood up. Then he patted her hand once more and said, “We are working to get your system regulated and the nausea under control. You’ll be here a few more days. I’d like to see you as soon as possible after you’re released, call my office and I’ll make sure we get you in. I’ve been delivering Saints’ babies for years now. I keep promising my wife that I am going to retire, but then I walk into a situation where one of Prosper’s boys is giving the hospital staff hell and everybody else is scrambling out of the way.” He gave Riker another look of fatherly disapproval.

  “Yeah, well, like I said, maybe not one of my finest fucking moments.” Riker gave in with a small grin and offered as way of apology. Then he extended his hand. “I can’t thank you enough. Sorry for causing such a ruckus.”

  “Apology accepted.” Doctor Gideon shook Riker’s hand. “Now, Riker, your job from here on in —as my granddaughter would say—is to chill out. This young lady deserves a pregnancy as joyful, comfortable and stress free as possible. I’m depending on you to see that is exactly what happens.”

  “So…uh….” Riker scrubbed a hand over his face. “If you’re up to it, I guess we should talk.”

  Despite the doctor’s words of reassurance, the deep concern and worry in Riker’s dark eyes remained.

  Seeing that look on Riker’s face filled her with remorse.

  “Yeah, I guess so, too.” Gia hesitated. Then she weighed her words carefully. “Listen, Riker, I know even without all this hospital stuff, this is a lot. And I know that I kind of blindsided you with all of it. But I was blind-sided too. This was the last thing I expected, but now that it has happened, I need to see it through. I know there are options that I can take. And one of them is not dragging you into this…”

  “At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious here, babe, I’m already there.” Riker interrupted her. “Hook, line and sinker.”

  The answer and the look of determination on Riker’s face sent a surge of relief through Gia that warmed her. Because really, she didn’t want to go this alone.

  “Thank you for getting me to the hospital, Riker. I feel so stupid and guilty for possibly doing harm to the baby by just being…well…dumb. I should have known something was wrong. No excuses, but like I said, it’s just been a lot to handle by myself.” Gia hesitated for a minute, but then she figured what the hell, might as well get it over with.

  “You haven’t asked, but you have a right to know. I haven’t been with anyone else…I mean…” Gia stammered. “If you want a test or something. I’m okay with that…”

  Awkward conversation times a million. Gia wanted to rip the IV out of her arm and head for the hills.

  Riker looked at Gia for a long moment. “Nah, I’m good.”

  Another awkward pause.

  “So, someone explained my…uh…situation to you?”

  “Yeah. It was Prosper. Like I s
aid, I’m in.” Riker paused. “But…”

  Immediate tension filled Gia and she made a tight fist under the hospital blanket. She had figured that there might be a but and she was guessing that, considering the circumstances, it could be a big one. In truth, she was ready to agree to almost anything. She would not marry Julian under any circumstances. So, if Riker’s but came with a condition that she just wasn’t able to provide or agree to, then that was that. She would go on and have this baby on her own and Uncle G would most certainly go through with his threat to disown her.

  “The boss said something about some guy who’s in the picture. What’s the deal with that? With you and him?”

  “Julian.” Gia spat out the name with distaste. “And the deal with him is… there is no deal! I’ve known him since I was a kid. His family lived in my father’s province and every summer when we went to Italy, he’d be there. Like a lot of young men, Julian saw the influence, the power and the money that the lifestyle provided.”

  Gia paused for a moment, trying to find the words. “I hope you can understand this, Riker. My father died in federal prison and I am fully aware that my Uncle Gianni is the head of one of the most violent and dangerous organizations in the world. However, when I think of them, I only think of the love they gave me. I know of the evil, but I choose to see the good. There is a sort of loyalty—an integrity that La Familia lives by. Their code is their bond and, in many ways, that code is an honorable one. But there is a different side to that truth and I am not so naïve as not to recognize that. That truth exists in a world where men like Julian are necessary to the organization. Men like him feed on the violence, corruption and intimidation of the darkest side of that world. Their trademark, their value to La Familia, lies in the fact that they are masters at hiding their true nature. They can charm the skin off a seal. Julian is that kind of man.”

  “The Eddie Haskell syndrome.” Riker nodded. “Only a hell of a lot darker.”

  “Sorry?” Gia frowned in confusion.

  “You don’t know who Eddie Haskell is?”

  “No clue.”

  Riker scrubbed a hand over his chin and murmured, “How do I explain this?” After a slight hesitation he began. “So, there’s this old school television series. The show is pretty cool and really dorky at the same time. It teaches a lot about traditional family values. Anyway, there’s this real asshole kid called Eddie Haskell. He’s a slime ball friend of the older brother, Wally. Eddie, the sneaky bastard, used to torment the little brother, Beaver, and Beaver’s friends. Then Eddie would ingratiate himself to Wally’s parents —sucked up to them all the time to get what he wanted or to cover up something he had already said or done. The parents, Mr and Mrs. Cleaver, didn’t buy it, but you could definitely see the genius of Eddie’s deception.”

  “Yeah. That’s just like him.” Gia nodded emphatically. “That’s Julian. He’s the mobster version of Eddie Haskell. And he’s got that slimy suck- up thing down cold. So much so, that even I was sucked in at first. I was only ever with Julian in small doses over the years, which made it much easier for him to fool me. Then we got engaged and slowly but surely the curtain lifted and what was left standing there was someone I couldn’t live with. So, I broke off the engagement.”

  “And your uncle would make you marry this guy now? Doesn’t seem like Gianni would be the type to force you into marrying this asshole.”

  “Uncle Gianni only sees Julian for what he’s useful for. Like I said, men like him are necessary in my family’s world. Uncle Gianni knows Julian would never hurt me and I guess that’s good enough for him. And Uncle Gianni would do anything not to see me dishonored. He would think he was protecting me.”

  “And this fucker would marry you? He’d take on a woman carrying a baby that ain’t his? Raise it as his own?” Riker was skeptical.

  “Oh, Julian wouldn’t care about that. The position he’d be elevated to in La Familia by marrying me would more than compensate for his pride.” Gia answered without hesitation. “Julian would jump at the chance. But, he’d make my life and the baby’s life hell in all sorts of subtle ways. Marrying Julian is out of the question.”

  “What about your mother, wouldn’t she interfere on your behalf?”

  “My mother would not think to cross my uncle.” Gia shrugged helplessly. Then Gia looked carefully at Riker. “So that’s it for me. Your turn.”

  Riker got up and paced the floor. “I’m not gonna pretend that this doesn’t knock the shit right out of me. I have no fucking clue what to think— I’m not much of a thinker. And I am definitely not much of a planner.” Then he stopped pacing the floor, looked right into Gia’s eyes and gave her an honest grin. “But, I guess not being a good planner is kind of what got us here in the first place.”

  “Well, there you go, see? We already have something in common.” Gia gave him a grin back—because really, what the hell? It felt good to release some of the tension, and honestly, Gia could not believe that she was having this conversation at all. Let alone having it while sitting in a hospital room wearing a gross johnnie that, underneath the blanket, was riding up her ass. The situation could definitely use some humor.

  Riker looked at her with frank admiration. “Just so you know, Gia, I think you’re one hell of a woman. Thought so before, and definitely thought so after you shared my bed. But damn, the fact that you can make jokes while you’re lying in a hospital bed with a monitor stuck to your belly and an IV in your arm—puts you in the Wonder Woman category in my book. I’m just not so sure you know what you’re getting into with me. It’s still a little hard to believe that I’m your best bet.” Here Riker hesitated again and all the warmth building up in Gia froze instantly.

  Was this the point where Riker was going to give her the “you’re too good for me” speech or the dreaded “It’s not you, it’s me” line? Every woman knows that there are dozens of bullshit sayings that a man uses when he wants to be rid of a woman, but he doesn’t want to look like he’s the one bailing.

  Gia steeled herself for the worst as he continued. “I want you to know that I plan on being in the baby’s life, so you don’t ever have to worry about that. I don’t have much, but what I have I’ll give, and I’ll do whatever it takes to provide for my kid. You don’t have to tie yourself to me to get that, if you want to do this any other way, I’m down. I’ll even go talk to your uncle about this asshole Julian if you want me to.”

  Riker waited on pins and needles for Gia’s response. Because even though Riker knew the right thing to do was to give Gia that out, for reasons that even he didn’t fully understand, he really hoped she wouldn’t walk through the door that he had just opened.

  Gia sighed because it sounded to her like Riker was trying to bargain his way out of this. She gave it a desperate last shot.

  “Riker, I know that tons of single women raise babies alone all the time, and they do an excellent job at it, too. But that’s not the world I live in. Everything you’ve just said, I’ve thought about. A million times over. It’s not easy for a woman in my position to go to a guy like you...”

  “A guy like me?” Riker interrupted and felt his whole-body tense.

  So, is this where she tells me I’m not good enough for her but she’s willing to settle for the sake of the kid?

  “Yeah, a guy like you.” Gia blushed. “All hard body and smoking hot with that dark, brooding, badass biker vibe you’ve got going on…”

  Gia thinks I’m smoking hot… Riker’s chest puffed out and he had to stop himself from fist pumping the air. Swallowing down a wide grin, he forced himself to continue to listen to what she had to say.

  “I know marrying me will be a sacrifice to your lifestyle, but I’m not asking you to give up anything. Not your friends, or your free time, or your club…or anything else. For Uncle G’s sake we’d have to show at least an outward respect for the sanctimony of marriage, but outside of that, I’d be willing to negotiate terms.”

  Riker remained silent. His ey
es riveted to hers.

  Gia was desperately afraid she was screwing this up.

  “Look, Riker, I’m about as close to begging as a woman can get and that’s not easy. I need this. As archaic as it seems, and as ridiculous as it sounds, I need this. And what I just said about appearances? You can forget that too. This isn’t a life sentence for you. Once we’re married and a reasonable time has passed, you can bail.”

  Gia sat back on the pillows, humiliated and exhausted.

  This was it.

  Either Riker was going to go for it or he wasn’t. A sudden and powerful surge of weariness hit her. Whatever happened from this point on was out of her hands, and if the worst happened, Gia would deal with it. The most important thing was that the baby was alright, and the paralyzing nausea was being treated. Anything else she figured she could find a way to see herself through. It had been a rough few weeks and she was truly wiped out, emotionally and physically.

  Riker had been watching Gia intensely and he saw the exact moment when the exhaustion hit. Without even realizing what he was doing, Riker reached out and smoothed the hair back from Gia’s face.

  “Rest up, darlin’. We can talk more about this all tomorrow.”

  Gia nodded sleepily and the last thing she remembered was Riker walking out the door.

  When Riker left the hospital, it was pretty safe to say he had a lot on his mind.

  A lot more than he was used to having, that was for sure. Riker was a pretty simple man who worked hard at living a simple, carefree life. On the rare occasion he made a commitment, he took it seriously. He was never late for a shift at work, he never missed a club meeting, and when Riker gave his word—he kept it. But that was pretty much the extent of it. The beginning and end of any obligation that he felt.