Raising Riker (Hells Saints MC)

by Paula Marinaro

  “What did I do to make you want to leave me, Gia?” He asked softly.

  Riker watched on in fascination as her lower lip began to quiver and her lashes grew wet. With one big gulp of air, she steadied her breath, straightened her spine and looked at him in the eye.

  “It was you who left, Riker. You left me first.” She told him.

  “What?” He looked at her incredulously. “Baby, I was gone about two hours.”

  She sniffled. “We were in the middle of an argument, an argument about my father, an argument that was going nowhere. An argument that contained a deal breaker— and poof—just like that you left me.” Her tone was accusatory, her hands like ice in his.”

  “First of all, Gia, there is no deal-breaker. This deal is done, and I don’t know how many more times I have to say it.”

  “Action speaks louder than words,” she said. Then she narrowed her eyes at him, the kitten baring her claws.

  “You left. Without a word.”

  “I said good-bye.”

  “No. What you said was later babe and before I could even respond your bike was roaring down the driveway. I didn’t know if you were going out for cigarettes or heading for the hills. I had no idea what had happened but considering how you went ballistic at my Uncle’s offer, I had a pretty good idea you wouldn’t be coming back any time soon.”

  “Yeah, well about that.” Riker scrubbed a hand over his face. “I haven’t changed my mind about taking that money.”

  “And I haven’t changed my mind about not taking it.” Gia tried to pull her hands away again. So I might as well keep on packing, if I hadn’t had a bunch of clothes in the wash I’d be gone already.”

  “You ain’t packing nothing. And if you left I’d find you and bring you back home where you belong.”

  Then Riker reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small business card. He pressed it into her hand.

  “Gia, look at the card.”

  “I don’t understand. You went to see a family court lawyer? Riker are you suing me?”

  “What? NO!” He scrubbed his hand over his face. “Where I went was to a club meeting. I was so into what you and I were talking about I forgot—until I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Then—my bad—I just took off. One reason is because there’s a big fine if you’re late and every five minutes after that, the fucker doubles. The other reason that I didn’t tell you is that I guess I’m just not used to having to explain my comings and goings.”

  “And the lawyer?”

  “The club has one on retainer.” Riker explained.

  “Why would a biker club have a family lawyer on retainer? Criminal, I can see, but family?”

  “Guys wanting to get custody, father’s rights, all that kind of stuff. You would not believe the shit that goes down…” Riker paused. “I talked to him and explained our situation just to see if he could come up with a compromise, I mean the guy deals with this kind of shit all the time.”

  “And did he?”

  Riker nodded. “He did. How about we put that money into a trust for the baby? The lawyer can set that up easily. We can meet with him as soon as Thursday.”

  Riker watched as Gia chewed her lower lip in thought.

  “And if that don’t work for you, if it makes you feel better, or happier, or more secure or whatever the fuck…then just keep the damn money and do whatever you want with it. I don’t give a shit. I just wanna see this work, and for this to work you have gotta be happy.”

  Gia nodded her head and said softly, “For this to work, you have to be happy too, Riker. And I think it’s a perfect solution and one that even Uncle Gianni will like.” Gia smiled at him then. Really laid one on him and not only was it sincere, it was filled with admiration. “Wow, that’s brilliant! You’re brilliant! I’ve been sitting here racking my brains and it never occurred to me!”

  They just stood there smiling at each other for a moment. Then Riker’s gaze dipped down.

  “Is that my Eagles shirt you’re wearing?”

  “This? No. No…I don’t think so.” But Gia looked uncomfortable when she said it. She pulled at the bottom where it skimmed her mid-thigh. “Like I said, half my clothes were in the laundry. I just grabbed this out of the drawer. I think Hal might have left it here.”

  “Hmm. Really? Because my favorite Eagles jersey, my lucky Eagles jersey has a rip in the collar right there.” He ran a strong calloused finger inside the worn neck-line right where it sloped off her shoulder. He leaned in close and whispered into her ear, “Why are you wearing my shirt, Gia?”

  He could feel the heat from her body as she flushed a deep pink and shook her head slightly in response.

  “I’m outgrowing everything I have…and that style where the fat pregnant lady walks around with a tight shirt and her belly hanging out? Yeah…well, not so much. This shirt was sitting in the dryer all warm and so soft, I just couldn’t help myself.” Gia attempted a thin smile.

  Riker didn’t smile back but began to circle her.

  “You know, the Eagles are having a hell of a year and I do believe that me….and only me…wearing that jersey for every game since I was eighteen years old has something to do with that. The stars have finally aligned. The numbers add up. Me being eighteen when I got the jersey and this year being 2018. Yep. Our year for sure.” Then Riker stopped and leaned into Gia. “They’re in line for the championship this year, and now you’ve messed with that, baby.” His hot breath tickled her ear and made her pulse rate rise.

  “How?” Gia managed to squeak out as his eyes swept her body from the top of her head to the tips of her painted toe nails and back again. They lingered with obvious appreciation on her baby belly and full breasts on the way back up.

  “You messed with my mojo, babe.” He sighed. “No one. And I mean no one wears my game day shirt. Take it off.”

  “You’re serious?” She looked at him.

  “Serious as a damn heart attack. We need to restore the juju.” Riker tugged his vest off then grabbed the back of his Tee shirt and pulled it over his head. “You need to take it off and I need to put it on.”

  Faced with a half-naked Riker, Gia’s breath hitched and her already very active hormones suddenly raged out of control.

  “Riker Devlin, you are one beautiful man.” She sighed.

  “Take off the shirt, honey.” He whispered.

  When she turned to walk away he grabbed her arm gently. Where are you going, Gia?”

  “To take off the shirt.” She tried to move but she was mesmerized by the hungry look on his face.

  “Honey, I can’t let that shirt outa my sight.” He shook his head. “You’re gonna have to take it off right here, and right now.”

  Riker shot out and pulled his wife into his arms. Then he wrapped his hand around the back of Gia’s neck and moved it up until it was buried in her thick soft hair. He held her eyes as his hand lightly trailed her collarbone. It lingered on the soft spot on her neck where her pulse was jumping wildly.

  “You nervous, Gia?” His eyes held hers.

  Then he began his tender assault leaving a trail of warm, gentle kisses along the soft curve of her neck. Time seemed to stand still while Riker waited for Gia to relax against him and welcome him in. When she leaned into him, he felt like he had won the lottery. Her body arched and responded to his touch. His rough palms reached under her shirt and skimmed across her swollen belly up to her full breasts and teased her nipples until they were hard peaks against the soft fabric of the jersey. Her soft mouth met his in a dance that went from gentle to demanding and then back again.

  “Riker…” She pulled her mouth away and breathed in hot little pants against his neck. “The last time we were together…I was…my body was…”

  “What are you trying to tell me, darlin’?”

  “My body is…uh…now …” Gia sighed and closed her eyes as she felt her cheeks heat up. “Let’s just say I’m not a size four anymore.”

  He gave her a kiss that w
as sure to leave her panties wet and her toes curling. Then he pulled away and laid his large palms on her baby belly. “Gia, whenever I look at you. And in case you haven’t noticed, I do that a lot. I see your body changing and I think to myself I did that to her. Gets me hard every single time.”

  “Every time?” Her eyes danced, and a dimple popped out in her cheek.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He grinned back at her. “Besides, before I put that baby in you, I’d say you were a pretty solid perky B-cup. Now, I’m guessing you’re moving fast towards a D. That means titty- fucking is suddenly on the table. So, you see babe, win-win.”

  Riker smiled into her eyes and thought he would never get tired of seeing his woman turn that pink color. Who would have thought that he would have settled down with a woman who actually blushed?

  “Gia, nothing that has happened between us has made any sense. We fucked one time and from that point on we were set on this crazy roller-coaster ride. I used to give Hal shit about looking down at his wedding ring a million times a day and now, I find myself doing the exact same thing because I can’t believe I am that guy. That I am lucky enough to be that guy. You and this baby turned my world upside down, and in a very good fucking way. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to feel your body changing every day. And maybe I’m being selfish but I want you, Gia. I’ll go slow because I’m not sure what’s gonna feel good to you now, so you’re gonna have to help me with that.”

  “I think I can help you with that. I think I can definitely help you with that.” Gia told him.

  And she did.

  “Hey asshole, you want to wait a minute?” Riker yelled out to Gunner.

  Gunner gunned the engine, leaned out the window and shouted. “Come on lover boy, let’s go!”

  Riker gave Gunner the finger.

  “You should get going.” Gia told her husband. She gave Gunner a little wave. He returned it with a grin.

  “Fuck him, not like he hasn’t kept my ass waiting a million damn times. You’re gonna be okay, yeah?” Riker asked her for the millionth time. “Jesus, Gia, don’t roll your eyes at me like that, I’m trying to do the right thing here.”

  “You are doing the right thing, Riker. I’m pregnant not made of glass. You’re only going to be gone a few days. I’ll be fine. Sometimes I think you forget whose daughter I am.” She told him.

  “Yeah, maybe.” Riker gave her a sheepish grin. “But I never forget whose wife you are.”

  Riker Devlin is one complicated man. Gia thought and not for the first time. He was about to leave for what amounted to an extended weekend on club business and he had made out lists and numbers and emergency contingency plans. He was acting as if he might never see her again.

  It was that and not the trip itself that made Gia nervous.

  But then again, a lot of things about Riker surprised her. The more she learned about this man, the less she felt she knew. It seemed to Gia as though Riker was two different men. There was the arrogant, tough, badass biker she had first met. The one who got into bar fights and who had had women fighting over him outside his bedroom door. And then there was this incredibly, sweet, guy who stood before her stumbling with uncertain determination towards fatherhood. The first man she could definitely do without. The second one was a much different matter.

  “Just don’t be afraid to reach out if you need anything. I programmed the clubhouse number into your cell on speed dial.” Riker gave Gia a long, hard kiss that made her want to cling to him and beg him for more, and then he was gone.

  It was a couple of days later that Gia was sitting at the kitchen table with Dolly and Glory having lunch.

  “The place looks great.” Glory looked around with appreciation. “I miss cooking in this kitchen. Did you know that I designed it? When I first came to stay at the lake house, it was with Raine and Claire—long, long story there. But anyway, I started up a catering business and it did pretty well. I had this kitchen put in with the profits.”

  “What happened?” Gia was fascinated.

  “Oh…well, that’s about the time my brother got hurt and I left to take care of him. I honestly never thought I’d come back. And when I finally did — well I guess you could say my priorities had changed.” Glory shrugged. “It was rough going for a while, but in the end it all worked out.”

  Gia and Glory didn’t know each other very well, but Gia wanted to change that, so when she invited Dolly to lunch, she had asked her to bring Glory along. After all, Glory’s brother had married Gia’s cousin and that made them family. Although she hadn’t known that Glory had run her own business, she wasn’t surprised. It seemed that the Saints women, at least the ones she knew, were a pretty accomplished bunch.

  Raine had a nursing degree, Claire was working towards her master’s in psychology, Glory and Dolly were entrepreneurs, and Pinky seemed to be the wind underneath the great Prosper Worthington’s wing’s. Impressive bunch.

  “Oh, I almost forgot.” Dolly bent down and reached into the large tote purse. “We bought you a little something for the baby.”

  Gia smiled when she saw the green gingham gift bag with the little giraffe on the front. Her first baby gift! She was just about to dig into the package when there was a knock at the door.

  “You want me to get that?” Glory asked her.

  Gia waved her hand away dismissively. “No, it’s okay. It’s just the delivery guy. I’ve been ordering some things online. He usually knocks once then leaves the package.” Gia went back to rustling through the tissue paper.

  After a slight pause there was another knock at the door, this time louder and more forceful.

  “Maybe it’s something you have to sign for. Open your gift, I’ll get it.” Glory told her.

  While Gia held up and gushed over the pretty handmade baby quilt, the sound of footsteps and a tense kind of silence filled the room.

  “Oh boy.” Gia heard Dolly mutter in dismay.

  She dropped the quilt instantly and what she saw made her smiling countenance crumple like a house of sand. She felt a shock go through her body from the top of her head to the tip of her toes. Glory was standing at the open door and her face had paled to chalk white. Next to Glory stood four men that Gia had never seen before. One was in a suit and the others stood behind him with ATF windbreakers on. Now they circled the table like jungle cats stalking prey.

  “Special Agent Kennedy.” Dolly nodded to the man who stepped forward.

  “Mrs. McCabe.” He nodded back to her.

  “Dolly, what’s happening?” Gia whispered.

  Dolly kept her eye on Agent Kennedy. “Honey, I believe the house is getting raided.”

  The agent focused on Gia.

  “Mrs. Devlin, we have a warrant to search the property.” Then he put down a piece of paper in front of her.

  “A what?” Gia asked weakly.

  “It’s a warrant for search and seizure, ma’am.” Officer Kennedy’s eyes, though steely gray, were not unkind. He was a tall, fit man in his early sixties. He wore his salt and pepper hair cut short, military style. His jaw was square, his teeth were white, and he carried himself with an air of authority. The sight of the badge he was wearing made Gia dizzy. A flood of memories came rushing towards her.

  As Gia looked at the FBI agent, a forgotten punch list resurfaced and flashed through her mind like wild fire. Unfortunately, special visits, as her mom used to call them, were nothing new to her. Although, it had been a while, acts of search and seizure had been an integral part of Gia’s childhood. They were such a common occurrence in fact, that Gia had thought that they happened in every family.

  By the time Valentina and Gia were ten years old, they didn’t even pause in playing their board game as the officers pulled out drawers and searched through the bookshelves all around them. Once the girls became old enough, there was a list posted inside the kitchen cabinet of what to do if a visit occurred on the off chance they were home alone.

  Do not talk to any of the men except to give y
our name. They are not here to help you.

  Give the man in the suit Uncle Santino’s card (there’s a stack in the left hand drawer) and tell them he is the family counselor. Then you call Uncle Sal.

  While you are waiting for Uncle Sal, ask for a copy of the paper called a search warrant. If they take anything out of the house not on that paper, write and down and keep an ongoing list.

  Write down the names of all the officers in the house.

  Sit down, stay calm and wait for Uncle Sal.

  “Ma’am?” He was closer to her now. Gia could detect the faint scent of tobacco and expensive aftershave.

  “Yes, sir, I’m fine." Gia responded frostily. “I will need a copy of the search warrant and names of all the officers present.”

  Special Kennedy took a long look at Gia then. His gaze lingering on her obvious pregnancy.

  “Sounds like you’ve been through this before.” He said with resignation.

  Then he looked toward Glory who hadn’t moved from her place at the threshold of the door—her face was a picture of composure, but her fists were clenched slightly at her sides. Next, his gaze volleyed to Dolly who had just finished placing a call on her cell phone. “You know, Dolly, we’ve been doing this same dance for years. These women and you? You all can do a hell of a lot better.”

  Dolly kept her lips tightly closed, but her eyes looked back at him with a mixture of defiance, sadness, and resignation.

  Then Kennedy turned his back on her and barked out an order to his men. “Only what’s on the warrant. And don’t make a damn mess.” He ran a weary hand through his hair and muttered, “Waste of time. We’re not gonna find anything here anyway.”

  While the officers began foraging like hungry ants at a picnic, Dolly surprised Gia by moving to the kitchen counter. There she began to make a pot of fresh coffee.