by K E Osborn
“The guys and I produce a tablet called Snow White out of the pharmacy once a month. We’re in business with the Militia, and they get a cut to keep the peace between us. We sell it on our side of town, them on theirs, and it works. Problem is, it’s hard making such large quantities in a tiny workspace. It’s hectic, but we get by. Just wish we had a better place for manufacturing, that would make shit a lot easier.”
I let out a small laugh. “Never pictured you as this lady crime boss.”
Cherry smiles. “They don’t call me Cherry Bomb for nothing. So, if I can come from being beat-up every day to running an underground drug ring, Jovie… you can do anything you put your mind to.”
“You’re kinda badass Cherry, but I gotta go tell Kevlar that Anna thinks I was trying to hit on Neon. I don’t honestly know what she was thinking…”
“Kevlar will understand you weren’t hitting on Neon. Everyone knows what Anna’s like, trust me.”
Bonnie slides my slammer across the bar, and I pick it up, saluting to the girls. “Here’s hoping.” I throw it back, the sting punching me all the way down as I turn to find Kevlar. “Because if there’s something I don’t want to fuck up right now, it’s the good thing I have with Kevlar and the kids. Goddamn, and it’s all because I was trying to be fucking nice.”
Cherry and Prinie chuckle.
“Don’t worry. Kevlar’s easy-going, you’ll see.”
I bob my head with a newfound respect for the queen bee around here, then spin to go in search of Kevlar. The main room is overcrowded with all the families, but I find him sitting with Ethan and Lou. The kids are with Bub and Fox right now as they sit discussing something. I don’t really want to have this chat in front of Ethan and Lou, but that slammer has given me the little bit of courage I need.
Striding over to them, I go to blurt it out, but Kevlar pats the seat beside him. “Neon came to see me.”
I tense, then sit. Shit. “I’m sorry. I tried to make friends with Anna, and she took everything out of context—”
“Jovie, stop!” He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to him. “I love that you tried, but honestly, Anna’s a lost cause. No one has been able to get through to her. The only one who can make her do anything is Neon, and even then, it’s at a bare minimum.”
Leaning into him, I relax. “So, you believe me?”
“Anna makes everything into something it’s not. Don’t let her get into your head.”
“Okay. I was so worried about how you’d react. I didn’t want anything to ruin this… us.”
Ethan and Lou keep quiet on the other side of the table as Kevlar leans in, kissing the top of my head. “I’ll tell you now, anything Anna says is not going to ruin us. Got it?”
“Okay, enough about that. How are you guys settling into the club? It must be difficult coming into a lockdown?”
“Not gonna lie, I’m not thrilled. I don’t know what Hammond is going to say when I tell him I’m here,” Ethan states.
“He doesn’t know?” Kevlar asks.
“I told him I was taking some annual leave… taking a trip to Hawaii.”
Kevlar exhales. “Ethan…”
Lou sits a little taller. “The main thing is… all our family is here under the one roof. We’re together and safe. We can protect each other.”
“They’re gonna think you’re switching, Eath. If you don’t tell them you’re here, your job will be on the line. Your career. Your image.”
Ethan groans. “Can we not deal with this tonight? I know how this comes across, Liam. I’m gonna look corrupt. They’re gonna presume I’ve turned like you. I’m gonna lose my job. We won’t make payments on our house, not on only Lou’s salary. We’ll have to move further out of the city, away from you and the kids. Don’t think I haven’t thought about this… I have. But we need to be here to help. And to keep us alive.”
Kevlar’s face scrunches. “You won’t lose your jo—”
“I will—”
“I’ll plead with them, tell them it was extenuating circumstances. You can’t move away, Eath, it will break the kids’ hearts. I’ll give you the mon—”
“I’m not taking dirty money from you, Liam, even if it’s given with good intentions. I still live by the code, even if it’s the code kicking my ass right now.”
I grip onto Kevlar’s knee to let him know I’m here for him. “We’ll find a way,” I tell them.
Lou smiles at me as Ethan turns to face the kids who are sitting quietly with Fox and Bub. “I don’t want to be a disappointment to them.”
“What the hell, man? You could never. Not to them, certainly not to me. You’ve gone above and beyond for us. You’re a fucking hero, Ethan.”
His eyes fall to the table between us as Lou wraps her arm around his shoulders. “Thanks for letting us take your room, Jovie. We really appreciate it.”
“It’s no trouble, honestly. I’ve been bunking in with Kevlar most nights anyway, so it’s not much of a change.”
“Having the kids in with you, though, that must be a mood kill.” Lou grins.
“Lou, you can’t say shit like that.” Ethan widens his eyes.
“We don’t mind. As long as the kids are happy, we’re happy. Plus, we’re resourceful. There’s plenty of people to watch the kids during the day.” I wink at Lou as Ethan smirks cheekily.
“Well, it’s good that your new relationship isn’t suffering under the weight of all… this,” Lou adds.
“We’re doing just fine, aren’t we, sunshine?” Kevlar pulls me closer, kissing the top of my head.
“Absolutely fine.”
“Speaking of the kids, they should be getting to bed. Do you guys need anything?” Kevlar asks.
“I’m gonna stay up a little longer and make sure everything’s okay out here. I think I got a handle on where everything is, but I know where your room is if I need you. If not, I’ll text you,” Ethan advises.
“Sure. Night, guys. I’m glad you’re here… we’ll sort out all the rest of the shit later, okay?”
“Sleep well,” Lou offers.
We stand, Kevlar grabs my hand, and we make our way over to the kids. “I can’t believe Ethan could be giving everything up to be here,” I whisper.
“He’s not giving up shit. I won’t let it happen. Not on my watch.”
We make our way over to Fox and Bub, their eyes lighting up when they spot us.
“It’s nice to see you two looking so cozy,” Bub states as we approach.
I smile, and Kevlar grins, tightening his hand in mine. “We’re just here to say good night—”
“Oh no, not so fast. We haven’t had a chance to properly talk to Jovie. So, pull up a seat,” Fox offers, and instantly I tense.
Fox and Bub are Emma’s parents, and I know I have a lot to live up to. I will always live in the shadow of Emma’s image in their eyes when it comes to Kevlar. I just hope they see me as worthy of him.
Kevlar hesitates, but I pull out a seat and sit. He exhales, taking the seat next to me.
“Actually, I’ve wanted to talk to you both, too. I know me being here, being in the kids’ lives, in Kevlar’s life must be… well, strange… but—”
“On the contrary, my sweet. We think it’s great. Seeing the way Kevlar lights up around you, the way the kids adore you, it’s all we could ever have hoped for.” My entire body clenches in excitement. “But…” Oh shit. “We know what’s coming is going to be terrifying for you. Lockdowns are the catalyst to something bigger, and I hope you’re prepared for the fight that’s inevitably headed the club’s way,” Bub states, but her tone is kind and caring.
“Bub!” Kevlar warns.
“No, it’s fine. I may not know what’s coming. I might not be fully prepared for it, but I promise you my sole priority will be looking after those two kids when the time comes. I wasn’t born into club life, but I know a thing or two about how the evil of this world works, and I don’t want them anywhere near Sadie or Lucas. I will take a bul
let for them if I have to. If I have to take one for Kevlar, I will do that, too, so they keep their father in their lives.”
Kevlar’s eyes shoot to me, a longing expression on his face like he didn’t expect me to say that. He tightens his hand in mine.
I turn back to Fox and Bub. “I know we haven’t spent a lot of time together, but I’d love to get to know you more as the grandparents of the kids I love. As the parents-in-law of the man I adore. In this short time, I’ve grown to appreciate this club and everyone in it. I’m so glad I’m here, and honestly, I want to thank you for accepting me into your family.”
Fox relaxes back into his chair, folding his arms over his chest. Bub smiles as Kevlar remains completely silent.
“Well, that’s all I needed to hear. You got yourself a good one, Kevlar,” Fox chimes, now sporting a bright smile.
Bub rests her hand on my forearm. “You remind me of myself at your age. The fire in your eyes, the fight in your belly. And look at me, still an Old Lady all these years later.”
“Bub! Don’t go throwing Old Lady around like it’s a casual thing. Let the kids move at their own damn pace.”
Kevlar swallows hard, his eyes not meeting mine. The mood between us shifts slightly, and I can instantly tell that Kevlar is thinking about Emma. It doesn’t hurt me, just makes me sad. I wish I was able to take his pain away fully for him. Maybe one day, I will be able to help him, so he knows I have no problem with sharing his heart with Emma.
“Anyway, we should try to keep the kids in their routine,” I attempt to break the tension.
Bub weakly smiles and turns to face Sadie and Lucas. “Kids, I think it’s time for bed.”
“Aww,” they both whine.
I bend down to grab Lucas as he yawns. He clings to me, his little tired eyes giving him away.
Sadie, on the other hand, is still full of beans. “Daddy, just five more minutes with Grumps and Mimi?”
Kevlar exhales. “How about no more minutes… it’s already way past your bedtime.”
Bub leans in, kissing Sadie’s cheek. “Go on… off to bed now, darling. No arguing with your father.”
Sadie pouts her bottom lip out but nods her head. “Okay, I guess I can do that.” She reaches up grabbing Kevlar’s hand, then waves to her grandparents. “Good night, everyone,” Sadie yells loudly.
The entire club turns to Sadie with a smile. “Night,” they all call back.
Kevlar’s smiling at his brothers as we make our way for the stairs. Even though Sadie is six going on sixteen with her attitude, she can still get a room full of bikers and their families to fall at her feet. She’s going to be a heartbreaker when she’s older, that’s for sure.
“Daddy!” Sadie asks as we make our way up the stairs and to the bedroom.
“Yeah, baby girl?”
“I like having everyone here. It’s fun.”
Lucas snuggles into me further, his breathing heavy like he’s already asleep as we walk inside the bedroom, closing the door behind us.
“So, you like being back at the club?” I ask.
Sadie rushes for Moo. She picks him up and jumps into bed seeing she’s already in her pajamas. “It’s my favorite place.”
Kevlar puffs out his chest with pride, shrugging out of his cut and placing it neatly inside his closet. “So, you wanna stay?”
Sadie sits up on her knees, bouncing on the mattress excitedly. “Forever and ever!”
Laughing, I move Lucas over to the bed, lying him down in the middle. He’s sound asleep, curling into a ball. I pull the covers over him, Sadie finally calming herself down enough to slide under the duvet beside her brother. She pulls Moo up under her chin as Kevlar and I get ready for bed, then slide in either side of the kids.
Sadie’s still awake, fighting her fluttering eyelids. I turn on my side facing Kevlar.
I love this.
Our happy little family.
“It’s crazy down there right now,” I whisper.
“Lockdown is normally like this. Families everywhere. General chaos.”
“Does this happen a lot?”
“More than we care for.”
I exhale, running my fingers through Lucas’ hair softly as he sleeps. I check on Sadie, her mouth is wide open, a slight snore as she breathes heavily with her slumber.
“I get it now… I was angry at Ethan for holding the kids hostage. But now, I get it. I mean they’re still safer here with us, but I understand when shit like this happens why Ethan would be terrified for them.”
Kevlar tilts his head like he’s deep in thought. “I never saw it that way. All I saw was my brother’s vendetta against me because I left the force. I never thought of the emotion behind Ethan’s actions. I told Ethan I forgave him, but maybe I can truly let go of some of the anger and resentment I hold toward my little brother, knowing he was only trying to protect the kids.”
Smiling, I reach over, grabbing his hand, threading my fingers with his. “Just like you’re doing now.”
He nods, and I exhale. “Are you okay after our chat with Fox and Bub?”
Kevlar’s eyes meet mine. “Sometimes I fall back into a trap, of wondering… what would Emma think? But then I see you with the kids. You hold my hand, and my chest squeezes. I get torn, but then you pull me right back in.”
A slow smile crosses my lips. “I think that’s only natural to feel that way, Kevlar. You lost someone. Someone you loved. Someone you cared deeply for. That doesn’t go away. You didn’t have a choice in moving on, you just have to, and it’s hard. Fuck, it’s hard! But, I’m so glad I’m the one to be here to help you every time you’re struggling.”
His eyes glisten. He’s not going to cry. He’s simply feeling the emotion of the moment. “I want to kiss you so bad right now.”
I laugh, pursing my lips in a gesture of a kiss. He does the same as I wrap my arm over my family and cuddle into them tightly.
There might be a full house tonight, but right here, the people in this room are making my heart as full as it can be. I never thought I would ever get to a place like this.
I just hope lockdown doesn’t take it all away.
KEVLAR
The Next Morning
I hardly slept last night. Having my family all under one roof, while easy to handle them and watch out for them in one respect, it’s also far more concerning. If something happens at the club, they’re all here, and anything could happen to any or all of them. So, I spent most of the night waiting for an imminent attack which never came.
I figure the Baron and Damir are gathering forces. The idea that both men have ample allies on their side, with the Triglav clan, and who knows who the fuck the Baron could get on his side, is a fucking concern. Honestly, the more time that goes by, the worse this is going to be, and the bigger the threat, I believe.
Right now, I’m walking into church. Zero’s obviously concerned just like me. He has shit on the line just like I do. So does Wraith. The three of us are tied up in this Baron and Damir bullshit, and we need to have it dealt with. Taking my seat next to Fox, to be honest, everyone looks tense.
Zero slams the gavel on the table with a sour expression on his face. “I don’t know about you fuckers, but I didn’t sleep much last night.” Everyone nods in agreement as Zero continues, “Way I see it, we need to discuss our options. What intel we have. Kevlar, we need to bring Ethan in on this.”
My eyes widen, along with everyone else in the room. I clear my throat sitting forward. “You really think that’s a good idea? Bringing a cop into church?”
Zero grunts under his breath. “No. I don’t think it’s a good idea. I fucking hate it. It goes against everything this club stands for… but, honestly, what else do we have right now? Ethan has inside knowledge. He chose to be here instead of letting the cops guard him. It means he trusts us. Now, we need to fucking trust him.” He puffs out a long breath. “Fuck, that was hard to say.”
I hesitate.
After what Ethan told me last
night, the last thing I want to do is make shit harder for him, but I can’t turn my back on my club either.
Proverbial rock and a hard place.
“Bring Ethan in. But, pres, go easy on him. He’s in a tight spot.”
Zero grumbles under his breath. “Kevlar, do you want to help the club get out of this? Do you want your fucking kids safe?”
“You know I do!”
“Then we need to talk to your brother. I’m fully aware of the shit this puts him in. We will deal with it if and when the time comes, but don’t go telling me what I can and can’t do when it comes to the safety of this club and my family. Slick, go grab Ethan.”
I slump back in my chair as Fox glances at me and dips his head in support. Fox always has my back. I understand Zero’s looking out for his family, but I’m just trying to do the same for mine.
A tense silence fills the room as the chapel door opens, and Slick walks back inside, followed by Ethan. He stands tall, he needs to be strong right now.
A cop in a room full of bikers—I just hope he can handle this shit.
Fox slides his chair out, standing, making room for Ethan.
“Take a seat,” Fox offers.
Ethan sits next to me at the table. Everyone is quiet while Ethan makes himself comfortable. “Never thought I would see this fucking day,” Ethan breaks the tension with a joking tone.
Everyone smirks, and Zero sits forward with his fists on the table. “This isn’t easy for us either, lieutenant.” Zero isn’t as light-hearted as my brother.
“Sticking to formalities, hey? I’d pull that stick out of your ass, Zero, if you need help.”
Zero clicks his tongue to the roof of his mouth, sitting back in his chair, his hands resting on the back of his head. “There’s a cop… in my chapel… you think I don’t have a reason to be a little… tense?”
Ethan chuckles. “Technically, there are two cops in your chapel, but you didn’t seem to have a problem with one of them.”
“Okay, enough. I’m not a cop anymore, and this pissing contest is fucking pointless. While you’re here, Ethan, your badge stays at the front gate.”