A Family Man

by osborne, Sarah

  He was just starting to drift off, when he was startled awake by a loud knocking. Hating the fact he had no gun, he crept to the door. "Who is it?"

  "Joe, it's me. Open the door."

  Sliding off the chain, he pulled open the door. "M."

  Joe stood back as she walked into the dingy motel room. "What are you doing here?"

  "I had to see you before you left." Maria took a step closer to him.

  "Where's Rob?" Joe stepped back.

  She shrugged. "Sleeping. I slipped a couple of pills into his cocoa."

  "Okay, let me get this straight. You've left your eight-year-old daughter with a man that you've knocked out with sleeping pills. Shit, Maria. You really are a piece of work."

  "Amy will be fine. Rob's sleeping, not unconscious." Maria touched Joe's chest. "I just need five minutes. Please."

  "Five minutes." Joe sat on the bed. "Talk."

  "I keep getting the feeling I'm making a horrible mistake."

  "Go on."

  "I thought that I would learn to love him. That as time went on I would love him like I love you." She reached out and touched his cheek. "I still love you, Joe."

  As her hand ran down his chest, he could feel his muscles jump under her fingers. "Maria." He croaked. "What are you doing?"

  "I want you."

  Joe jumped to his feet as if he had been shocked. "Jesus, Maria. You have got to be kidding me. You got a husband. You will not put me in this position. You want out of this marriage, you leave him. But you do not involve me." He started to pace up and down the room, desperate to put some distance between them. The last thing he needed was his body betraying him. "Go home to your husband and daughter, M."

  "Joe." Maria stepped in front of him, halting his pacing. "Look me in the eye and tell me you don't want me." She laid her hands flat against his chest.

  He swallowed and closed his eyes. "Don't."

  Standing on tiptoes, Maria kissed him softly on the lips, her hands snaking up around his neck and pressing her body up against his.

  Groaning as she pressed herself against his hardening cock, Joe's hands found their way around to the small of her back, pulling her closer still. He deepened the kiss, forcing her lips apart with his tongue.

  Who was he kidding. There had never been a time that he could resist her. Joe wasn't perfect, but he was a man of principles, he would never fuck another man's woman. Even if the guy was a complete douche.

  They pulled apart and Maria gave a tiny, cat like smile. "You never could resist me."

  Using every last ounce of his self control, he roughly pushed her away. "Well, I'm resisting you now. I want you gone, Maria."

  "You send me away, and I swear you will never see Amy again. OH!"

  Joe slammed her hard into the wall. "In all my years I have never beaten a woman. But as God is my witness, I promise you. If you try to come between me and that kid, I will kill you with my bare hands."

  "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She slid down the wall as Joe released his grip. "I didn't mean it. I'm just so desperate to get away from him."

  "He hurt you?"

  She shook her head. "No."

  "Amy?"

  "No."

  "So leave."

  “I can't."

  "Why not, M. Just jump on a plane and go home."

  "Just like that?"

  "Seems simple enough to me. The guy is clearly an asshole. Amy hates him."

  "So help me."

  "I've been helping you your entire life, M. It's time you learned to stand on your own two feet."

  "I will Joe. I just need you to help me this one more time."

  "Ain’t nothing I can do for you here, darling. You get back to Fillmore and you'll get all the support you need."

  "I don't have any money."

  Joe barked a short humorless laugh. "Maria, you are wearing at least a grand's worth of gold. Use your imagination." He reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. "I will always love you, Maria. But I will not be treated like a fool. Don't ever forget who you are fucking with." He opened the door. "Go home and take care of your kid." He watched as she walked slowly to her car. Only Maria could get away with the shit she did. If anyone else had pulled the stunts she did, he would kill them, without question.

  THIRTEEN

  Joe packed his saddlebags in preparation for the following day's run, trying to shake off the feeling of impending disaster. He was twitchy most of the time these days, and no longer felt he could trust his own judgment. His brothers, too, seemed edgy round him, not that he blamed them. He had always had a reputation for being pretty laid back, despite his role as enforcer. It was rare for him to lose his temper, but as the weeks turned into months and there was still no sign of Maria returning to Cali with her little girl, he found himself lashing out more and more, and it was usually his brothers in the firing line. As he carried his bags though the clubhouse and out towards his bike, he could almost hear the collective sigh of relief from his Bay View brothers as they watched him prepare for a short stay in Seattle.

  Spike wandered over to Tiny's bike. He was one of a few brothers not giving him a wide berth. Partly because he understood why Joe was behaving the way he was, he was the same when his old lady took his girls away, and partly because he wasn't intimidated by anyone, not even a pissed off Joe. "Hey bro. You leaving in the morning?"

  "Yeah, first thing." Having secured the saddlebags to his bike, he straightened up and turned to go back to the clubhouse.

  Spike reached out and placed his hand on his brother's shoulder. "You hear from the kid?"

  "Yeah, occasionally. She don't wanna talk much these days. Says she's okay, though."

  "Maybe she's settling in, starting to find her feet."

  "Maybe, hope so."

  "What about her mom?"

  Joe shrugged. "Don't talk to her." He would never be able to shake the feeling that he should have helped her to get away from the douche. He should have known she wouldn't do it on her own. Maria had never stood on her own two feet, but if her weakness caused Amy to suffer, he would never forgive her. Or himself.

  Despite telling himself that Amy was okay, he still felt uneasy. Fuck it, as soon as this short secondment was up, he would use some of the cash he'd saved up and fly out east to see her. Amy's well being was more important than a new bike.

  He followed Spike into the clubhouse for a beer, before heading to his dorm to get an early night. He had a long day ahead of him, so he'd best get as much sleep as he could.

  It was dawn when Joe, Samson and Dog set off for Seattle, where they would be joined by Barney and Bugs before heading over the border to Winnipeg to help oversee the setting up of a new chop shop. Winnipeg was a small chapter that was more legitimate than outlaw, but they owned several properties that were off the grid and were ideal. Bay Transport and Seattle shipping both had regular trips across the border, so moving the car parts in and out of the States shouldn't be a problem, and it kept them away from Seattle—and, more importantly, the mother chapter while the Feds were sniffing around. It was a temporary fix, and Joe couldn't think of an argument as to why it wouldn't work, other than what his gut was telling him.

  Two days later, he found himself in Seattle, sitting dockside watching as the container loaded with car parts was unloaded from a ship heading out of Vancouver. There could be no denying that this was an expensive way of doing things, port officials needed bribing and shipping costs were high. On the plus side, they could transport higher volumes in one hit, minimizing the risk and increasing the return. In theory, anyway. As Joe pulled out a wad of cash and approached the fat official, he heard the familiar sound of a gun being cocked.

  "Freeze motherfucker."

  Shit, shit, shit. This was not good. Not good at all. Joe lay on his front, his legs splayed as the cops frisked him and his companions and the container doors were opened. He looked over to where Samson was lying. "Looks like we've been set up, bro."

  Samson said nothing. He a
nd Joe were going to do a long bid for this. They weren't going to see freedom for at least four years.

  ~ oOo ~

  Amy sat out back, her feet dangling in the pool. Joe was in prison and wouldn't be coming out for a long time. No matter how she tried to approach it, she couldn't wrap her head around it. Joe wasn't a bad man, despite what Rob said. How could the man she loved more than anything in the world be in jail? Her mom had said that he would be able to phone her and they could write to one another, but she wouldn't be able to see him. She sniffed as the tears ran unchecked down her cheeks and dropped into the water below. In three days time it would be her ninth birthday and she was having a huge party. Amy sighed. She had really been looking forward to it. She had just started to make friends with the local kids and things were even getting better at school. But right now she really didn't want to celebrate. She just wanted to cry and cry.

  Beth sat in the visiting room, waiting for Joe to come through the door. He was only eight months into a four year sentence, and she had no idea how you dealt with something like that. She had thought telling Amy that he was locked up was tough, but what she was about to tell him could push him over the edge. She had debated with Sophia whether they should say anything to him. But in the end they knew that one way or another he was going to find out. She just prayed that he didn't lose it; he needed to hold on to his privileges, and Amy needed her weekly phone calls. She looked up as he walked through the door. He had obviously spent his time inside working out, and even under the shapeless gray suit, she could see how he had bulked out even more. Shit, he looked magnificent.

  She stood and kissed him gently on the lips. "Hey."

  "Hey." Joe sat at the table and she took a seat opposite him. "You okay?"

  She nodded. "You?"

  He shrugged. "Trying to stay out of trouble."

  Beth nodded again and took a deep breath. There was no way of sugarcoating this. "I've got something to tell you, and I don't think you're going to like it."

  Joe frowned as she fell silent, steeling herself. "Shit what is it? Amy? Ma? C'mon, Beth, just fucking tell me."

  "Amy and your mom are fine. Missing you, but they're okay. It's Maria." She looked up, and her eyes met his. "She's pregnant."

  “Oh.”

  Beth took his hand. "Joe? You okay?"

  He nodded, his jaw clenched. "Yeah, I'm fine."

  He wasn't, she could see that. Even after all these years, all the shit Maria had put him through. Joe still loved her. She squeezed his hand. "Stings, huh?"

  He looked up again and their eyes met for a second time. "Reckon I fell in love with the wrong sister." He brought her fingers up to his lips. "I always was a dumb fuck."

  Blinking away the tears that threatened to fall, she touched his cheek. "You look after yourself, big man." She smiled. "I don't think Maria ever appreciated what she had."

  "I ain't exactly much of a prize, Beth." He looked up as the bell rang. "Thanks for coming, watch out for Ma for me." They stood and he kissed her briefly on the cheek, before turning and walking back out without a backwards glance.

  FOURTEEN

  Dear Joe

  Thank you for your letter and the drawing of the unicorn. I put it on my bedroom wall mom says you was always a good artist. I hope you are ok and don't get mad again so you can call me. I don't like it if you can't call. I went with mom to the hospital to see pictures of her baby its going to be a boy. Rob says if I am good and don't get put on repot this term he will by me a pony. That is cool. I am being good at school now. I am going now cuz I want to play with my friends. I have drawn a picture of the pony for you to put on your wall. I miss you. Love you lots. Amy xxxxxxxxx

  Hi Amy,

  Thank you for your letter and the picture of the pony, you're a pretty good artist too. I'm sorry I got mad and wasn't allowed to call you, I'm an idiot sometimes. I will call you next week, I promise.

  A baby brother, wow. That's pretty cool, huh? I hope you're going to help your mom take care of him.

  I'm glad to hear things are going ok at school now, keep it up. I always knew you were a smart kid. I reckon that getting a pony should stop you getting into trouble. It sounds like things are going ok for you now. I'm really pleased for you Amy, I really want you to be happy.

  I miss you too sugar. More that you'll ever know.

  I'll speak to you soon, give your mom a kiss from me.

  Love you lots, Joe xxxxx

  Joe lay back on his bunk and closed his eyes. He really hated himself right now. All he had to do was keep his head down and stay out of trouble and he couldn't even manage that. Not only did he get solitary for a week, but he dragged Samson down with him. It wasn't like him to lose his cool, and smashing some jerk's head into the floor for bumping into him was inexcusable. He looked up as the door swung open and a warden stood waiting to escort him back onto his block. "On your feet, Taylor." Joe dragged himself to his feet with a grunt of pain. He guessed he deserved the beat-down he got. His ribs hurt like a bitch, though. Once shackled, he stood waiting as his president was brought out. Samson grinned at the expression on his brother's face as he shuffled through the door. "It's all good, Tiny. I'll be back to my normal handsome self in no time."

  "Silence!" The guard pushed him hard in the back, causing Samson to growl. Joe clenched his fists. One day that nasty little shit would get his.

  Once back in their cell, Joe eased himself carefully onto his bunk. "I'm sorry, man."

  Samson chuckled. "It's cool. Would appreciate it if you could refrain from any more shit kicking between now and the next parole hearing, though. I really would like to get out of here."

  "I'll do my best." Joe gave a rueful grin. "Pretty keen on getting out of here, myself."

  Samson sat on his own bunk and watched his cell mate. This wasn't the first time they'd done a bid together, and it was unlike Joe to lose his cool. He figured that it had something to do the mother of the kid he was writing to. Since finding out she was knocked up, he had been walking on a knife edge, and it was only a matter of time until he really lost his shit. He sighed. Tiny wouldn't be the first to be brought to his knees by some gash, and he doubted he'd be the last. He glanced at the bunch of kid's drawings stuck to the bulletin board. "Kid doing okay?"

  "Yeah." He gave a small smile. "She's a tough kid. Ain’t much keeps her down."

  Samson nodded but said nothing. He couldn't imagine loving a kid that wasn't his own, the way Joe did. There could be no denying, though, Joe did love that little girl, as much as if she was his own.

  Finally, they had a release date. In two weeks' time, after serving two years of a four year sentence, they would be going home. Joe walked back from the payphone with a huge grin on his face. His mom had cried at the news, and Amy had screamed with delight, especially when he had promised to fly out to see her as soon as he could.

  He knew that until his parole was up, he was going to have to act smart. The Feds had only been able to make the bribery charge stick. Both Joe and Samson had denied knowing what was in in the container, where it had come from, or where it was headed. They both stuck to their story about being approached by a stranger in a bar. And despite the fact it was obviously bullshit, without any physical evidence to tie either of them to the stolen car parts, the smuggling charges were dropped. It did mean, however, that the Feds would be watching them like hawks. One little slip-up and they would be back in the slammer before their feet touched the ground. Luckily the little fat port official who had double-crossed them had been taken care of while they were inside, giving them an airtight alibi.

  Joe had already decided that as there were no travel restrictions tied to his parole agreement, he would spend the next two years traveling as much as possible. Maybe spend some time on the east coast and the midwest. But as soon as he'd visited his ma, he would head out to Miami. He needed to see with his own eyes that Amy really was okay.

  He stood on the parking lot of the Harley dealership, gazing at the gleaming
Dyna. It was perfect, pure outlaw. He grinned as he approached the sales office. He would never be able to thank Beth enough for lending him the shortfall. His credit rating was nonexistent, and there was no way he'd be able to get financing. Although he knew she earned good money as a legal secretary, it must have been a stretch for her to find six grand, just like that. He'd pay her back, every damn penny, with interest. She'd laughed when he told her that. Just kissing him on the cheek and saying he'd earned it by looking out for Maria and Amy all those years.

  They'd always been close, ever since they were kids. He'd always looked on her like his baby sister. But during his latest bid they'd grown even closer. She was a lovely girl, open and honest, with a generous nature. He really hoped one day she would find a man deserving of her.

  Now he had a decent bike, he decided against flying out to Miami. Instead he would travel east from chapter to chapter, picking up jobs here and there. He wouldn't rush. Amy was doing okay, full of talk about her new pony and baby brother, and he needed to earn. Even if he took his time, he could be with her by the end of the month.

  Amy pulled the saddle from her pony's back and hung it over the fence, before removing his bridle and turning him loose in the paddock. She waved to her mom, who was leaning on the hood of the jeep with baby Jack in her arms.

  Life in Miami hadn't turned out to be so bad—although, despite his generous gift of Sparky, the little dapple gray pony, she still didn't like Rob. Most of the time she managed to stay out of his way. His job was quite important and he was often busy, and she always found ways to avoid being alone with him. Although recently he was becoming more insistent that they spent time together. Amy really wasn't happy about this. He always made her feel uncomfortable.

  Maybe when Joe came, she would talk to him. Even though he wasn't as perfect as she first thought he was, and despite their long separation, she still trusted him more than anyone. He might not always be able to be with her. But he was always honest, and she knew he would do whatever he could to keep her safe. She sighed. She missed him so much.