Duke (Aces MC Series Book 2)

by Foster, Aimee-Louise

  I started to laugh, “Yeah he’ll love that.” Amy smiled knowing that we would be hard pushed to keep him here.

  Amy sat next to me fidgeting in the chair, I smirked as she amused the life out of me. You could always tell if she was lying or had something on her mind because she couldn’t sit still or make eye contact, something that she’d done since a child.

  “What’s up Ames?”

  “Apart from the obvious with Duke nothing, why?”

  I raised my eyebrow staring directly at her. “Really? We don’t have secrets Ames.”

  “I know, I know. It’s just that…” she let out a loud sigh, “I’ve contacted Taylor. She’s on her way home.”

  “Well that’s a good thing isn’t it?” I asked confused not understanding her reticence.

  I could see her ponder something before she leant over and whispered, “I think she’s pregnant.”

  I let out a low whistle as I took in the information as I slouched in the uncomfortable chair. “What do you mean think?” I asked rubbing my chin.

  “She hasn’t told me she is but when I was on the phone to her earlier in the week she was sick. She’d been unwell for a couple of days.” Amy must have seen that I was unconvinced. “She’d been taking antibiotics because on an ear infection.” I was still none the wiser and could see Amy getting annoyed with me. “Antibiotics can affect the contraception pill.”

  “Why didn’t you just say that? Blokes don’t know about that stuff, we just ask if they’re on the pill not, ‘are you also taking any form of antibiotics?’” I said taking the piss.

  She shook her head obviously disgusted with my comment.

  “Water!” We both looked at each other and then at Duke. Shit! Had he heard us?

  Amy quickly ran to the bedside cabinet to pour Duke a glass of water. She gently put one hand at the back of his head and lifted it, so he could drink the liquid from the position he was in.

  “Thanks.” He looked around the room. “What are you two doing here?” He asked still a little groggy.

  “We’re not leaving you on your own. Because of the circumstances, one of us will be with you at all times until this situation is sorted out.”

  That was easier said than done. At this moment in time, I didn’t know who was responsible and why there was a hit out on Duke? It was at this moment that my phone started to ring.

  “I’m gonna take this outside, otherwise I’ll get thrown out.” I smiled briefly as I stalked out to the corridor and followed a sign for a fire exit. I pushed on the bar that released the door and stood on the stairs of the fire escape.

  “What’s up Bear?” I answered eagerly.

  “Don’t panic VP. We’ve caught up with Tyler, Buster and Woods and the meet went as planned.”

  I blew out a huge sigh of relief, “That’s great.” This was fantastic news and meant that the club could continue on its quest to becoming legit.

  “And Locke?” I asked concerned about his welfare.

  “Not as yet. We’re gonna go and look for him now. Any news on Duke?”

  “Yeah, he’s fine. They’re gonna keep him in for a couple of days.”

  “Yeah, good luck with that!” He stated as we both chuckled. Everyone knew what an arse Duke was and that it would be near on impossible to keep him in once he knew he was okay.

  “Keep me posted Bear.”

  “Yeah, will do.”

  Where the fuck was Locke? When Duke was knocked from his motorcycle, it was pure instinct for us to all pull over to make sure he was okay. I remember looking round to see Locke accelerate and take off down the road following the Jeep. I shook my head, I just hoped he knew what he was doing and for what side.

  Taylor

  I was in bed when I received the frantic call from Amy. She’d informed me that Duke had been run off the road by a vehicle and as a consequence suffered a minor concussion. Once she’d calmed down, she explained that his injuries weren’t life threatening, which was a relief but they’d taken him to Queen’s A&E in Romford.

  I had explained that I’d try and get on the next available flight to the UK but I hadn’t told her that I was already home.

  After speaking to Amy on Tuesday night, I had made the decision to come back home. I’d let myself down by running away from the situation when the going got tough and had found out very quickly that it didn’t matter where I was in world, I was still yearning for Duke.

  He’d laid his feelings on the line and although I so badly wanted a relationship with him, I had revoked his advances making it clear that I couldn’t handle a life in the club through fear of getting hurt. I made out that it was from fear of being hurt physically from things outside of the clubs control but who was I kidding, it was from fear of getting my heart broken.

  During my time in New York I’d thought about Stoney’s girlfriend and tried to consider what it may be like to be a civilian. But Duke couldn’t have a civilian partner, he needed to be supported and have someone that he could confide in, not someone that wouldn’t pay an interest in his business.

  I had contacted Sophia’s husband and he managed to get home early. I’d given it to him straight, to make him realise that Sophia needed help and support and to give him his dues, he came straight away to take care of his wife and children. He explained that Sophia had never expressed that she needed him, she was always so independent and just got on with things. This was something they needed to sort out together and learn how to communicate better.

  I made it clear that I didn’t mind staying but Sophia insisted that I go home. Because of this I was able to get the next available flight home late Wednesday evening which I was now truly thankful for.

  I was now sitting in my living room contemplating my next move. I wasn’t in such a hurry to see him now, knowing that he was on the mend and in capable hands because the longer I sat here, the longer I could believe that everything was going to be okay.

  I’d rejected him last week and been disrespectful. When I saw him next, he may even be rude or worse than that, turn me away. I wanted him and I needed him now more than ever.

  I placed my hand lightly on my tummy and rubbed it trying to reassure myself. Rejection would be hard to deal with if it was just me but it would be devastating if he rejected the both of us.

  “Right Taylor, stop feeling sorry for yourself and get on with it.” I said aloud as I stood. I took a deep breath and tried to prepare myself for what was about to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

  “Hi Diesel.” I said greeting him outside Duke’s room.

  “Well hello stranger.” He stepped forward giving me a light kiss on my cheek. “How you doing?”

  “I’m doing okay. I had a lot to think about.” I said with a tight smile.

  “I bet you did.” Diesel stated raising his eyebrows. What the hell did he mean by that? “I thought you wouldn’t be here for a day or two. Amy said she called you after the accident!” His confusion was evident.

  “I was already here. I arrived this morning.”

  “So what does that mean?” He asked with a smile on his face.

  “I just couldn’t stay away.”

  Diesel continued to grin as I walked past him to open the door to Duke’s room.

  I felt self-conscious as both Amy and Duke turned and stared at me.

  “What you doing here? I only called you a couple of hours ago.” Amy said as she jumped out of the chair to give me a hug.

  I held her close, “I came back early this morning. I had to take care of some unfinished business.” I looked over at Duke as he sat in bed assessing me.

  Amy smirked, “I’m gonna go and grab some teas and coffees. I’ll see you in a little while.” She said excitedly as she rushed out of the room.

  “That wasn’t obvious much!” I stated as I walked over to sit on the chair next to Duke.

  “That’s our Ames, ever the diplomat.” Duke plumped his pillows so he could sit comfortably, “So what unfinished business
do you have to deal with?”

  I sat quietly. I’d gone over this conversation so many times in my head but now that I was here in front of him, I just didn’t know how to start.

  “Us!” I blurted out. I continued to sit, wringing my hands together, still looking for the right words. “I’ve been thinking over the past week, covering all types of scenarios but what it comes down to Duke is that the pain of not having you, is worse than any feelings I may have by being involved with you. I don’t want to be a civilian, I want to be involved in the club to live and breathe your world. I want to be there when you’re happy and elated and also when you’re upset or even depressed.”

  He raised his eyebrow at me, understanding what I was saying.

  “I want to be with you Duke and I’m hoping you still want to be with me too?” I could feel the tears prick my eyes as I tried to keep them from falling. He continued to stare with a brooding expression on his face. I started to feel that all was lost but slightly hopeful as he hadn’t immediately kicked me out.

  “And what about the baby?”

  I let out a cry of shock and covered my opened mouth with my hand. I could feel my tears stream down my cheeks as I contemplated how he knew.

  “When were you gonna tell me Ash?”

  I still couldn’t read his expression. No, this wasn’t going how I’d planned it in my head. He was supposed to take me into his embrace, to kiss me and tell me everything was going to be okay.

  “I have the symptoms but I still don’t know for sure. I haven’t taken the test yet, I was too scared.”

  “Is this why you’re back Ash?”

  “I don’t understand, what do you mean?” The tears continued to stream down my face.

  “Have you come back because you’re pregnant?” he asked sternly.

  I could feel the panic rise up in my body and my breathing started to become laboured. I was losing him, I could feel it. “No! I came back because I love you!” I shrieked as I jumped to my feet.

  Duke leaned forward and opened his arms wide encouraging me to go into his embrace. I didn’t need to be asked twice. I went willingly into his arms and continued to cry in the crook of his neck. He rubbed my back and took stray strands of hair out of the path of my tears, comforting me as I became a blubbering mess but I didn’t care, this is what I wanted, this was home right here in his arms.

  I don’t know how long we sat there but I had the urge to use the toilet. I pulled away from Duke, “I need to go to the bathroom.”

  “Have you got the test with you?” He said almost hopeful. I nodded my head slowly as I frowned. “Do the test now Ash and we can find out for sure.”

  I took a deep breath before pushing off the bed, collecting my handbag from the chair and turned back to look at Duke anxiously.

  “It’s gonna be okay Ash. Please do the test.”

  I walked into the bathroom and locked the door behind me, resting my back against the cold bathroom door as I slowly prepared myself. I had a combination of feelings bubbling around inside me, apprehension even excitement sprang to mind. Once this test was taken there was no going back. Was I prepared for what was to come?

  I walked back into Duke’s room holding the pregnancy test that was firmly wrapped in tissue. I couldn’t face it alone, I had to be with him when I found out the results.

  “Well?” He said excitedly as he sat upright.

  “I couldn’t look, I wanted to be with you when I found out.” I stated still full of apprehension.

  “Come here Ash.” I walked over and sat perched on the edge of the bed next to him. He grabbed my hand and placed a kiss on my palm, “We’ll work it out either way.”

  He grabbed for my other hand which contained the pregnancy test and quickly turned it over to see the two dark blue lines.

  “What does that mean Ash?” He asked looking at me confused.

  “It means you’re going to be a daddy.”

  Diesel

  “What the fuck is that?” I asked Amy as we both rushed into Duke’s room.

  Duke was out of bed and had Taylor up against the wall dry humping her. If we’d been a little longer I’m sure we would’ve caught them at it.

  “I think the nurse instructed that you weren’t to get over excited. Now I know that you haven’t seen her in a week but…”

  “We’re having a baby!” Duke shouted as he continued to kiss Taylor.

  “Fucking hell! Who’d have thought?” I slowly turned to an overly excited Amy, who was jumping around clapping.

  “I told you Ethan and you laughed at me as if I were crazy.” Amy stated quickly changing her tune.

  “James said I could’ve been a detective.”

  We all started to laugh at her comment.

  “I hate to break up the party but Bear’s just called, can I have a word?” I looked over at Duke and Taylor, who was now rearranging her clothes.

  “I’ll leave you guys to it. Come on Amy, let’s go for a walk.”

  “Is there a prospect outside?” Duke asked sternly.

  I looked at him confused, “Yeah Ramsey’s outside. Why?”

  “Tell him to go with you Ash.”

  “And so it begins!” Amy giggled as they walked out of the room linking arms.

  I was pleased that they’d bonded as Taylor was gonna need a lot of support adjusting to club life and now that she was pregnant, there was no way Duke would let her out of his or another club members sight!

  “I haven’t had a chance to speak to you properly man but you had us all worried for a while.” I walked over to the chair and pulled it forward so that I could rest my arms on the bed.

  “Do you know who was involved?”

  “I don’t know the details as we were on an unsecure line but Locke finally caught up with Rev and his VP and finished the job.”

  “Fucking hell!” I sat there taking it all in. “I’ve waited so long to hear that. You’d think I’d be a little more excited. Why would he want me dead?”

  “I don’t have the answer to that yet but Bears on his way back.”

  “What about Locke?”

  “No one’s seen or heard from him since he contacted Bear earlier. But we now have a problem as the Kent charter doesn’t have a President or a VP. I’ve been going through the guys available down there and to be honest, none of them are up to the job.”

  “We’re gonna need someone strong and this is our perfect opportunity to get it legit. I can’t afford to let many guys go down there. Who do we have available?”

  “Bear, Justice, Woods, Hound, Skinner…”

  “Skinner! How about we give him a shot?

  “Good choice. His military experience will come in handy.”

  “What about sending a prospect down as well? I can’t let Buster go, that would break Chanel’s heart.”

  “You’ve grown fond of her, haven’t you?”

  “She’s a great kid. I can’t wait to tell her that she’ll have a little brother or sister soon.”

  “Fucking hell, she is part of the family.”

  Duke nodded at the realisation of what he’d just said.

  “So that only leaves Tyler or Ramsey.”

  “Let’s give Tyler a go. He’s got the making of a good leader someday and this experience will do him good. He’s impressed me lately. Make arrangements to get him patched in this weekend. I want to make it official, I also want Bear to go down there for a couple of weeks until the guys have settled in and implemented changes.”

  “Are you done with me now?”

  “You eager to get home to Ink?” he asked with a grin.

  “Don’t even try that game with me. You’re in no position to take the piss out of me now Romeo.”

  “Fuck off!” He shouted playfully.

  “I need to get home as Ink’s feeling a little apprehensive about her cast coming off next week.”

  “Fucking hell, has it been nearly six weeks already?”

  I nodded my head slowly at the realisation tha
t it had nearly been six weeks since the death of Jimmy. It was a little sombre as I stood there contemplating. That’s why I had to make the most of my life because you didn’t know just how long you’d be around for.

  “When you coming home?” I asked remembering the present we’d bought him.

  “They want me to stay until tomorrow, just to keep an eye on me. I wasn’t gonna stay but Ash thinks it’s for the best.”

  “That’s a shame I’ve got something to show you. Put your dressing gown on.”

  Duke looked at me confused and gingerly put on his navy dressing gown. It was now late so there weren’t many people around which he looked thankful for. I took Duke outside onto the fire escape.

  “That my friend is your new ride.”

  After the first incident when Duke was shot at, I’d ordered him a new Harley. He said that his was okay but it was fucking battered. It was also club rules to have a new motorcycle when you become President which he’d turned down five years ago so he was well overdue a new ride.

  “What? When did you get that?”

  “I ordered it after you got shot at.” I stated bluntly. He’d probably have a shit attack about wasting money but he needed a ride now anyway as his was mangled. “It came earlier today.”

  “Where you going?” I shouted as he started to go back into the building.

  “I aint fucking staying here now that I’ve seen that.”

  “I’ve got news for you.” I dangled the keys in front of him as I ran down the fire escape. “I’ll let you know what it feels like!”

  “Get off my fucking ride!” He shouted, “I mean it Diesel this aint funny anymore…”

  I put on my helmet and started to ride out of the alley to the profanities coming from Duke’s mouth. I knew two things for sure, one, that I’d get my arse kicked tomorrow and two, Duke was feeling much better.

  Epilogue

  Duke

  “Did you remember the candles? She’s gotta have candles on her cake.”

  “Ash calm down!” I grabbed her at the top of her arms to hold her still. “I remembered the bloody candles. Now you either calm down or I’ll pull the plug on the whole fucking party.”