Quieting the Biker's Rage

by Piper Davenport

  “Exactly,” Olivia retorted.

  “That’s why,” Willow said, and even though no one else had any idea what she was talking about, I did.

  I shook my head, turned on my heel, and walked back out the door.

  * * *

  Lyric

  Where are you? Why the fuck aren’t you home?

  Well, so much for ‘have a nice life.’ God, I was so over his alpha male bullshit. I texted him back, because I was polite, then turned off my phone and headed downstairs to see what I could make for dinner.

  Harmony was in her office going through a suspect’s books trying to find the smoking gun in his accounting records. She’d been at it for three days while Jaxon worked on my case from the FBI office downtown.

  “I found it!” Harmony squeaked, and came out of her office doing a little dance. “I found the missing money, I found the missing money. The bastard’s going do-ow-own,” she sang.

  I giggled, then everything went black.

  “…I don’t know, Jax, she went down. Hard. Yes, I’ve called 9-1-1.”

  “What happened?” I rasped and tried to sit up.

  “Don’t move,” Harmony ordered. “I’ve called an ambulance.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Jax, I’ll call you back.” She hung up and leaned over me. “Don’t move, LiLi. You might have a clot. We need to get you to the hospital.”

  “God, I’m so sick of this boot.”

  “I know, honey. It comes off in three hours.”

  “Well, maybe not now.”

  The ambulance arrived within six minutes and I was loaded into it and driven to the hospital, where I was poked and prodded and left to stare at a semi-white wall while they interpreted the tests.

  Harmony had called Cassidy who’d promptly come over and taken care of the kids, then came with me in the ambo.

  “I think this is total overkill,” I said, with a sigh.

  “Humor me,” Harmony said, staring at the magazine she’d been flipping through for an hour.

  “I heard someone decided to play damsel in distress and faint.”

  I looked up and smiled. Macey Stone walked in and gave me a hug. She was married to Dallas, one of Jaxon’s FBI partners and was a nurse, apparently a nurse at this hospital.

  “Hi, Macey,” I said.

  Harmony stood and hugged her. “Are you here to cut through the red tape?”

  She chuckled. “If I can. I’m going to see if I can get Alec on it.”

  “Okay, Mace, thanks,” Harmony said.

  I’d met Alec Stone once. He was Dallas’s brother and a doctor. Head of ER, if I remembered correctly, so he was a good person to know.

  Fifteen minutes later, he walked in with Macey behind him.

  “Hi Lyric, it’s good to see you again.”

  I smiled. “You too. Can you please tell my sister I don’t have a blood clot?”

  “Lyric does not have a blood clot.” He turned back to me. “But…you do have a baby.”

  “Right.” I laughed, sitting up. “Cute. Okay. So, why did I faint?”

  “You’re pregnant.”

  I felt the prick of tears and looked at Harmony, begging silently for help. She jumped up from her seat and grabbed my hand. “No, Alec, there must be some mistake.”

  He pulled the chart up on the monitor. “The bloodwork clearly shows a high level of the pregnancy hormone. I’d like to do a vaginal ultrasound just to be—”

  “No,” I said, swallowing convulsively. “You don’t understand. NiNi, help.”

  “Alec, she was stabbed. Twelve years ago. The doctors said her uterus was damaged beyond repair and she’d never be able to conceive, let alone carry a child. This just isn’t possible.”

  “Let’s do this,” he said. “Let’s do a quick vaginal ultrasound. If I don’t see anything, then we’ll figure out what else is going on.”

  “Is that okay, LiLi?” Harmony asked me, and I nodded, but I honestly wasn’t sure what I was agreeing too, I was in so much shock.

  “Okay, I’ll let you get changed and Macey’ll prep the room. I’ll be back in a few.”

  Alec left and I moved in robot fashion, Harmony directing while Macey got the room ready.

  There was no way. None.

  Alec returned and pulled a chair up beside me. “Ready?”

  I nodded and he slid the probe into me, the image popping onto the screen and I squinted in an effort to figure out what I was seeing.

  Alec smiled. “That’s a baby.”

  I gripped my sister’s hand like a talisman and burst into silent tears as he pointed to the screen. “I’m picking up a definite heartbeat. I’d guess you’re about six weeks along.”

  I did the math and realized I’d gotten pregnant the first night I was with Doom.

  Oh my god. I’m having the baby of a man who wants nothing to do with either one of us.

  * * *

  Doom

  I walked into the restaurant where I was meeting Dalton, and headed to the bar. He was on his phone, but gave me a chin lift and waved to the stool next to him.

  “No way. Jesus, is she okay? Okay, yeah, no problem. We’re working on it. You got it. Okay, Jax. Talk to you soon, bye.”

  “Everything okay?”

  Dalton nodded. “Yeah. Jaxon’s sister-in-law was rushed to emergency.”

  “Melody?” I asked hopefully.

  “Have you met Melody?”

  “I have,” I said, starting to relax. “I’ve met all three sisters, actually.”

  “Oh. No, actually, it was Lyric. I think she’s fine. But Harmony was freaked.”

  Fuck, fuck, fuck.

  “I can imagine.”

  The bartender walked over, giving me a moment with my thoughts while Dalton ordered a beer. I ordered the same, then tried to make small talk, all the while trying not to look like I was worrying about a woman I wasn’t supposed to care about.

  Thankfully, Dalton got called away, cutting our night short, so I headed back to the compound and up to my room to pack a bag. Before I could even make it to the stairs, however, Willow called my name.

  Goddammit.

  “Will—”

  “Before you say anything,” she said, interrupting me. “I booked you a flight to Portland.”

  “Come again?”

  “I emailed you the confirmation number and itinerary. It leaves at six a.m. tomorrow.”

  “Will—”

  She raised her hand and cut me off again. “I know you don’t want anyone to know about Lyric. I won’t say a word, but you care about her and you’ve obviously done something really stupid. This is your chance to make it right.”

  “Jesus, woman, why the hell aren’t you afraid of me?”

  “Why would I be?” She smiled. “You try to show a hard outer shell, but anyone willing to see you, knows you’re all squishy inside.”

  I reached out and pulled her against me, hugging her tightly. “Fuck, Willow. You scare the shit out of me.”

  She hugged me back. “I know, Doom. It’s because I can see your squishy bits.”

  I released her, cupping her face. “Does Dash know how lucky he is?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Thanks, sweetheart.”

  “Anytime, buddy. Seriously.”

  She turned to walk away, but I called her name. “How did you know about my family?”

  “I had a dream. I don’t know all the details, but I know you lost them.” She gave me a sad smile. “I’m really sorry, Doom.”

  I gave her a chin lift, then headed upstairs.

  Lyric

  I SLEPT IN on Saturday, unusual for me, but I think I was still in quite a bit of shock. It might have been because I’d had my boot removed yesterday, so nothing was tugging at me. It was total freedom and I loved it.

  “Shh, Sky, let Aunty sleep,” Harmony whispered outside my door.

  “But she never sleeps this late.”

  “Move away from Aunty’s door, Peanut,” Jaxon ad
ded, and then all was quiet.

  I slid my hand to my stomach and closed my eyes again.

  A baby.

  It was almost too much to hope for.

  “I don’t know if you’re real, Lil’ Blip, but if you are, I’m going to love you so, so much. I promise,” I whispered.

  I took a deep breath and forced myself out of my cocoon of fantasy, taking a quick shower and walking gingerly downstairs where Skyler wrapped me in a bear hug. I still had to be careful, wear flats for at least six months, and avoid being on my feet for too long.

  “Careful of your Aunty,” Harmony warned.

  “I’m okay,” I said, and hugged Skyler back. “I’m always up for hugs from my Sky.”

  Jaxon and Ares walked in a few minutes later, and Ares set his baseball cap on the island.

  “No practice, huh?” Harmony asked.

  “Rained out,” Jaxon said, kissing her gently, then kissing my cheek. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m good, Jax. Thanks.”

  “Cap in the mudroom, buddy,” Jaxon instructed and Ares obeyed immediately. “Who wants waffles?”

  “Me,” three feminine voices resounded, along with a little boy voice.

  Jaxon grinned and pulled the waffle iron out of the cabinet.

  Harmony pulled me off the stool I was sitting on and guided me into the front room. It was sort of private and I could tell she wanted to talk.

  We sat facing each other on her fancy sofa and I smiled. “What’s up?”

  “So, what’s the plan?”

  I chuckled. “I don’t have a plan. I’m still not convinced any of this is real.”

  “Have you told Wes?”

  “Wes?”

  “Hello, the guy you’ve been dating?”

  Oh, shit, Wes.

  I bit my lip. “Um, Wes isn’t the father. We haven’t even slept together.”

  “What. The. Hell?” Harmony squeaked.

  “Mom? Are you okay?” Skyler came rushing into the room, sitting in between us, and handing her a jar with money. “You said hell, you need to put a dollar in.”

  “Yeah, baby, we’re fine,” Harmony said, pulling a dollar from her sweats pocket and dropping it in. “Aunty was just telling me something surprising.”

  “Oh, what was it?”

  “Sky!” Jaxon called. “Come help with the waffles.”

  Skyler wrinkled her nose, but did what her father told her.

  “Who’s the father?” Harmony whispered.

  I dropped my head in my hands and shook my head. “It doesn’t really matter. He wants nothing to do with me, so he’s not going to want anything to do with the baby.”

  “Oh, honey, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine,” I lied as I burst into tears.

  “Oh, LiLi, what happened?” she asked, wrapping an arm around me.

  “I have no idea! It was all supposed to be really casual and that was my rule. It was good. But then I fell in love with him and I didn’t realize it until the second he called to say he didn’t want our arrangement to continue.”

  She kissed my temple and sighed. “I’m sorry, honey.”

  “It’s fine. He’s been very clear from the beginning that he has no interest in having kids and I refuse to be a liar.”

  “But you’re not a liar.”

  “I know, but he won’t see it that way. He’ll see it as me trapping him into something he didn’t want.” I pulled away from my sister. “It’s fine. He doesn’t need to know. The odds of this pregnancy actually lasting is a crapshoot, so there’s no point in saying anything anyway.”

  “Who, LiLi?”

  “I will tell you, but I swear to God, if you tell anyone—”

  “I would never.”

  “Even Jaxon.”

  She bit her lip. “I can’t keep it from Jax, honey.”

  “Then I can’t tell you,” I whispered.

  “Honey, just give it up. Jaxon won’t tell anyone. You know he won’t.”

  “Doom.”

  “Holy fucking shit!”

  Skyler appeared with the jar again and thrust it toward Harmony. “Ten dollars. You said two of the bad ones.”

  “I think we need to get your hearing tested for supersonic abilities.”

  “You did kind of yell, sweetness,” I pointed out.

  “I don’t have my wallet. Tell Dad I’ll owe him.”

  “Did Aunty tell you something else surprising?”

  Harmony smiled at Skyler. “Honey child, I love you. I love how inquisitive you are, but right now, what you’re doing is bordering on nosy, which is rude. Aunty and I are having an adult conversation that contains subject matter that isn’t appropriate for you, but I promise, you’re not missing out on anything, and we’ll have time together, just the three of us where we’ll be able to talk about whatever you want. For the moment, though, you need to go hang with Ares and Daddy in the kitchen and not interrupt us again. If you do, you’re going to lose some privileges. Understand?”

  “Yes, Mama,” she said, and walked out of the room.

  “Good job, Mama,” I said.

  “I’m trying to beat the precociousness out of her without breaking her spirit,” Harmony admitted. “God, I hate precocious children. They give me the creeps.”

  I chuckled. “Remember Melody at that age?”

  “Why do you think I want to raise a confident girl who isn’t creepy?”

  “You’re doing an amazing job, NiNi.”

  “Thanks, honey.” Harmony smiled. “Now, tell me about Doom.”

  “He and Alamo were the ones who kind of rescued me after the accident and Doom pulled all of my stuff out of my car and brought it to me at the hospital. It was really kind. I can’t imagine where my laptop, purse, and case notes might have ended up if left in the hands of some random tow truck driver.”

  “Seriously.”

  “We kind of kept bumping into each other, and I made the mistake of telling him I ran that background check on him, which really pissed him off.”

  “Jaxon told you,” Harmony said.

  I sighed. “I know.”

  “I found out where his compound was and took everything I had down there. I still have no idea what Shawn found. I gave it to Doom and apologized and he fucked me quite thoroughly, boot and all.”

  “Oh, my.”

  “Yes. Oh, my indeed.” I licked my lips, the memory coming back and making me want him all over again. “That’s the night I got pregnant, I think.”

  “What about Wes?”

  I shrugged. “We’ve gone out on a few dates, but he says he doesn’t want to rush things in the sex department. He said he was willing to wait for the boot to come off.”

  “Which is sweet and gentlemanly, but you’re not really looking for a gentleman, right?”

  “Not after having Doom, no, not really. Doom got creative.”

  “I get it.”

  “But he’s had some really bad breaks, Harmony, so I’m not going to add to his trauma. If this baby is for real and if I can bring this pregnancy to term, I will raise him or her the best I can, but I’ll have to do it without Doom.” I leaned over and squeezed her arm. “You cannot tell Jaxon’s family, NiNi. Promise me. If Aidan or Carter let it slip, Doom will feel obligated to do the right thing, and I will not start a relationship like that.”

  “Okay, honey, I promise.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Waffles!” Jaxon called, and we headed into the kitchen.

  * * *

  Doom

  The plane touched down just after ten a.m. Portland time, and I was dog tired, but all I wanted to do was get my arms around Lyric and apologize. I figured I should probably wash the stink of plane and desperation off me first, so I headed toward the taxis.

  I ran into Hatch on the way, however. Hatch Wallace was the newly patched president of the Portland chapter of the Dogs of Fire, having been the Sgt. at Arms before that. He was as OG as it got, and he was respected by every one of us.


  He smiled as I approached. “I’m the welcoming committee.”

  “Thanks, man. You didn’t need to come out.”

  “You feel free to tell Maisie that. I’ll take you to the compound where you can clean up, but Maisie has asked that you join us for dinner at least one night while you’re here.”

  I grinned. “I’d be honored.”

  “That is the correct answer.”

  I chuckled and followed him to his truck.

  “How’d you know I was comin’?” I asked as we drove.

  “Willow called Maisie.”

  “’Course she did.”

  “You wanna fill me in?”

  “Not really.”

  “Is your shit gonna bleed into the club?” Hatch asked.

  “No.”

  “Well, if that changes, I’m gonna need you to divulge, but otherwise, whatever you need, consider the club your home while you’re here.”

  “Thanks, Hatch.”

  “We got a family night tonight. It’d be good if you join.”

  That wasn’t really a request, so I nodded. “I’ll be there.”

  “Good.”

  The Portland compound was located behind Ernie’s Auto Body and it was like a fortress. He led me through a couple of doors and a foyer before we entered a large great room with pool tables, sofas, a TV, and chairs.

  “Darling, is that you?”

  I recognized Maisie’s sweet, British voice calling from the kitchen. I’d met her the few times she’d accompanied Hatch to visit Savannah.

  “Yeah, Sunshine.”

  She walked out of the kitchen and smiled. “Hi, Doom.”

  “Hey, Maisie.”

  She opened her arms.

  “I stink like plane,” I warned.

  “I don’t care,” she said, wrapping me in a hug. “How are you, love?”

  “I’m good, thanks.”

  Hatch grabbed a key from a drawer and handed it to me. “Top of the stairs, second door on the right.”

  “Thanks, brother.”

  “There’s fresh bread and lunch meat, so if you’d like a sandwich, let me know and I’ll be happy to make you something,” Maisie offered.

  “Thanks, Maisie, I’m good,” I said. “I’m gonna go take a shower.”

  “Okay, love.”

  I headed upstairs and closed myself in the room, pulling out my cell phone and calling Lyric. It went to voicemail.