by Erin Osborne
Tucking the kids in my bed, I walk through the house to ensure the windows and doors are locked before I go lay down. I know I won’t be sleeping more than a cat nap or two while my man is away. Especially with him not having a good feeling about things. I’ll be a nervous wreck. Walking back in my room, I grab my pajamas consisting of a pair of lounge pants with one of Blood’s shirts, and head to the bathroom to change. After taking care of business, I make my way back to the bedroom where I stare down at my boys for a minute.
The second I climb into bed, Logan’s little body snuggles into me and the dam breaks. Tears slide down my face as I think of my man. I haven’t heard from him since he let me know earlier they were leaving ahead of schedule. I’m concerned as hell because usually he would’ve checked in with a message by now. At least saying they were stopping to get gas or something like that. It’s been radio silence for hours now. I feel as if I’m jumping out of my skin with the fear coursing through my body right now.
Keeping my sobs silent, I let the tears fall while I hold my babies close to me. Eventually sleep claims me, but it’s not for long as I wake up with a start. Silently, I lay completely still trying to figure out what’s going on and what woke me up. I barely hear the alert on my phone as I receive a message. Quickly, I reach behind me without disturbing the boys to grab my cell phone.
Blood: We’re stopped for a bit for gas and food. I love you. I should be home in no more than a day or two. Stopping at the clubhouse for a minute when we’re done and heading home. I love you, always.
Me: I love you always. Please be careful.
Blood: Please get some sleep, baby. Don’t worry. Nothin’ out of the ordinary has happened.
Me: You still got that feeling and I’m gonna worry. Worry every single time you go out, I’m nervous and scared as hell for you. I love you and will kiss the boys for you.
Blood: Please try to get some sleep and make sure you rest up. Your ass is mine when I get home.
Me: That’s why I love you while I lay here getting kicked by boys and laughing at your words.
Blood: Time to go. I’ll check in again when I can. Love you.
Me: Okay. Love you and you know the rest.
Setting my phone back on the nightstand, I lay my head back down and pull Logan in closer to my body. Colt is right next to him away from the edge of the bed. Just in case, I get up and fold a few extra blankets to put along the edge. Grabbing the pillows from the floor, I line them up on top of the blankets. When Colt reaches for something, even in sleep, he stops. It’s as if his body knows his boundaries and won’t cross them. At least in this area. So many others he already tries to push. I blame his father for crossing boundaries because Blood pushes them on a regular basis. That’s part of the reason I love him so much, he’s always trying to reach for what else is out there in life without fear, at least until he had me and the kids to worry about. Now his only fear is he won’t have done right by us, I don’t know how to show him that the only way he could fuck that up is by not being here with us. I don’t give a shit about the safe full of money or the important papers and I know our boys wouldn’t either if they had to choose between that or their dad.
Climbing back in bed, I try to get comfortable as my boys have stretched out taking up most of the bed. I swear these two little bodies take up more room than Blood and me together. It’s laughable unless I want to actually lay down. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world though. These boys and Blood are my entire life, I’d do anything for them, including lay down my life for them. Without any hesitation whatsoever. That’s how much I love them. Martha, Maddox, and Emersyn are included in that list too.
Finally, I get into the bed. Logan drapes his body over mine once again and I hold him close. I love when I get to snuggle him. Colt is already getting too old for snuggles according to him. He’ll give me hugs and let me kiss his cheek. If we’re in the house that is. When we’re in public, I can’t do that at all. He’d rather fist bump or some shit like that. I always shake my head and pull him in for a quick snuggle. He’s growing up way too fast. Soon, Logan will be the same exact way and I’ll have no one to snuggle. Then they’ll start school, find girls, and every other thing boys get into as they grow and become men.
It’s been two days. I’ve been being kept busy by Martha. As soon as she gets up, she’s messaging me to let me know she’s on her way over. We spend the days baking, cooking, and simply talking while enjoying the kids. I get my cuddle time in with Emersyn while the boys hover over her. They never go very far when Emersyn is here. Even Logan has started it. Maddox has made several comments about it to me over the last few days. He loves it the same way Blood and I do.
Today, I’ve been cleaning the house extra, making my man’s favorite foods, and taking extra time in the shower while Martha looks after the boys. I’m ready for him to be home. Martha’s even leaving a little earlier than normal so we can have family time when Blood gets here. It’s already almost dinner time and he’s not home. I haven’t heard from him either. My worry level is spiking, and I have no clue what’s going on with him.
I try to keep my worry and fear at bay while I’m around the boys. While I prepare their plates, my mind wanders to what could be going on with Blood. Shaking my head, I paste on a fake smile, I’m getting pretty good at them, before turning to face the boys. As I place their food in front of them, the boys smile at me before digging into the chicken nuggets, French fries, and peas I made them. Blood and I will be having chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes, and peas. He loves that meal.
Sitting down with the boys, I finally hear the rumble of his pipes. Yes, I know what Blood’s bike sounds like as it’s coming to our home. I especially know the sound when it’s travelling away from home. I don’t leave my seat at the table because the boys are eating, and I don’t want to risk them choking or anything. Looking down at my outfit, I make sure I still look good for him.
I’m wearing a black skirt that barely reaches my mid-thigh with a blood red halter top. My hair is left down with curls throughout it. I don’t have any make-up on as usual other than some barely there pink lip gloss. It won’t last long because I plan on kissing my man the second he steps close to me.
Blood’s bike shuts off and I count the seconds until he comes in through the door. Turning in my seat, I keep an eye on the boys, my attention is also on the door so I can see my man to try to gauge his mood. Hearing the key in the lock, I hold my breath as I wait. The temptation and need to see Blood is overpowering me more than I thought it would. Finally, the door opens as Blood walks through it. His bag is slung over his shoulder with a smile on his face. My jaw drops as he’s whistling a tune I’m not sure about.
“Baby, it’s good to be home. Let me take a quick shower and I’ll join you guys. Haven’t had one since I left. Be back in less than ten,” he says. Walking over he places a gentle kiss on my forehead. “I missed you guys so damn much.”
“We missed you too. I’ll warm your plate up so it’s hot when you get out here,” I tell him, standing up and going to the stove.
“You ate already?” he questions.
“No. I was waiting for you.”
“Make sure you have a plate then when I get out here. Don’t you realize I know you don’t eat much, if at all, while I’m gone?” he states before heading to the shower, still whistling.
Things must have gone better than he thought they would. It’s great that nothing happened to him. At least this time. Hopefully later on he’ll let me know what’s going on. For now, I simply concentrate on getting our food ready. The boys chatter on amongst themselves as I keep looking back at them. I’m smiling so big, that it’s beginning to hurt my face. It’s what always happens when my husband comes home. I can’t stop it and there’s no way in hell I’d ever want to. I’m happy as hell with my family and that’s the way it will stay until I die. I wouldn’t ask for anything more than what I have right now.
Epilogue
Blood
14 years later
THE CLUB HASN’T needed me as much over the last few years. I’m still a member and attend church when we have it. If I’m needed on a run, I go. When it comes to my time for a run, about every other month now, I’m in charge of it. For the last thirteen years, I’ve made them so much money, my father actually started to listen to me and value my opinions on things. That’s one of the reasons they finally got rid of selling pussy.
My boys know who I am and how much I love them. Tonya, my wife is the rock I lean on when I need to. She’ll never know what it means to me to have her by my side after all the shit over the years. Hell, she didn’t even make me wait to marry her. We had a small, intimate ceremony with only Martha, Maddox, and their newborn baby girl there with us. Afterwards, we had dinner and cake with them since they’re our family. Tonya didn’t want to go anywhere for a honeymoon because of the boys. One day, I’ll take her somewhere special.
I’ve tried to lead my boys down the right path. Colt is easier to manage than Logan is. Logan is a chip off the old block and refuses to listen to reason. He’s already having sex and running through the girls in his high school like fucking water. I only pray he doesn’t make Tonya and me grandparents any time soon. Colt is holding out for a special someone. I know who it is; Emersyn. He loves that girl with everything in him. My son just doesn’t realize that’s what he feels for her yet. She worships the ground he walks on, has since she started walking and following my boys around. I’m not sure who kept who out of trouble with that trio. I love them with all my heart though. Emersyn is the daughter we never had, and she always will be.
Lately I’ve been thinking about my sister a lot. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her. Pulling out my wallet, I find her picture and remove it. The picture is worn and rough from me looking at it so much. I miss my baby sister with all my heart. Some days it hurts to breathe because I have no clue where she’s at or if she’s doing okay. I tried the best I could with her, and I’ll never forget the look in her eyes the last time I saw her. They were filled with pain, while lacking the life she used to exude from every pore. Her eyes were dull, lifeless, and haunted to the point I was afraid she’d kill herself to get rid of the feelings from her tragic attack.
As I sit outside our home, listening to the kids talk and laugh about random topics while Tonya’s at work, my phone pulls me from my head. Looking down at the screen, I see the clubhouse’s number flashing.
“’Lo?” I ask, not sure who’d be calling me from there.
“Blood, we need to talk,” Slammer’s voice comes through the phone.
“Got nothin’ to say. If Grifter needs to talk to me, he knows how to get a hold of me,” I inform him, ready to hang up.
“That’s what I need to talk to you about. It’s time for you to come home,” he states, taking a deep breath before moving on. “Your dad died on a run. Had a fuckin’ heart attack while he was ridin’. There was no savin’ him. He made us promise months ago to call you and make you President of the club. So, again, it’s time for you to come home.”
“Fuck,” I breath out. “I’ll let Tonya know and let someone know when we’re on our way.”
Hanging up the phone, I hang my head. I’d love to say I shed some tears for the fucker who helped create me. That would be a lie though. I’m not going to miss him at all. Even though he started to clean the club up, it was never enough for me. The men under him were still out of control and using. If they weren’t going on a run, everyone was fucked up. A few of the members started selling pussy on the side, thinking they were hiding it from the club. A few runs I wasn’t on got messed up and our contacts were pissed. Plus, because of the hell he put Victoria and I through when we were growing up, I’ll never forgive him, especially for Victoria’s treatment by him and the men he called brother.
Looking at the time, I see Tonya will be home in less than an hour. I’ll just wait until she gets here to talk to her. It’ll give me some time to sort the shit out in my own mind before I put it out to her. If we do this, it’s gonna have to be quick as fuck. Our boys are gonna hate us for pulling them away from Emersyn and the rest of their friends. They’re seventeen and fifteen now. Old enough to know what’s going on because we’ve never hidden my oath to the club from them. We all knew this was gonna happen one day.
Walking in the house, I hear a car pull in the driveway. Looking outside, I see Tonya’s home early. Sitting on the couch, I wait for her to come inside. The kids won’t be around. They were making plans to head to the beach. As soon as she walks in the door and sees me sitting on the couch, my ol’ lady knows what I’m about to tell her.
“It’s time,” she states simply. “When do we have to be there?”
“As soon as possible,” I respond, not lying to her.
“What happened?
“Had a heart attack or some shit while on the run. Crashed his bike and there was nothin’ they could to. Slammer called,” I respond, still not caring about the loss of my father.
“Okay. I’ll let the salon know. Where are the boys?” she questions, looking around the front of the house for them.
“Goin’ to the beach with Emmy.”
Tonya nods her head, walks over to me and gives me a kiss. She walks over to the shelves and sets her purse down before walking to the closet. We’ve been gathering boxes to move for a while now, so we were ready. I stand up, taking the boxes from her so I can put them together while she begins pulling things down. When I have more than enough made, I grab more from the closet and make my way to the kitchen. We pack for hours, ordering pizza and wings for dinner. Tonya called the salon to let them know what was going on while I called Tom to fill him in. I feel horrible for leaving him like this, but he knew the deal when I started working for him so long ago. Hell, most days I don’t know how he’s still kicking and working the way he does.
Around dinner time, the boys come through the door. As soon as they see all the boxes stacked around, they realize what’s happening. Nodding their heads at us, they grab dinner before they begin helping us pack up our home. For the rest of the night, that’s all we do. There’s little to no talking as we move from one room to the next. Just before one in the morning, I make everyone stop packing so we can get some shut eye. It won’t take us long to finish up tomorrow and then I’ll go get the U-Haul to move us.
Pulling up to the clubhouse, I see almost all the bikes around, still not parked in a line by the front of the building. It’s simply haphazard and chaos all over the parking lot. I’m sure inside will be no better. Tonya found us a house to rent for now. We made the payments necessary to move in. That’s where my family currently is so I can handle the shit at the club. This is long overdue and I’m about to get rid of the fucking garbage killing the club from the inside out.
Parking my bike, I walk in the clubhouse. Members are sitting all over the common room and the sweet butts are trying to service them. Every single one of them are naked as fuck. It does absolutely nothing for me.
“Church. Now!” I yell out, not stopping in the common room. “Girls, I’ll deal with you soon.”
Everyone piles into the room church is held in. I take my father’s seat where the gavel and my new President patch are waiting for me to claim. Once everyone is sitting around the table, I pick up the gavel and slam it against the table.
“First of all, things are about to change around here. I’m gonna be cuttin’ out all the rotten shit right now. There will be no drugs at all. If you don’t want to get clean, drop your cut on the table and walk out now. Those of you sellin’ pussy on the side, yes I know who you are, drop your cut and get the fuck out. If you think it’s okay to rape women, steal, or do any of the other bullshit Grifter let you all get away with, get the fuck out. This is your one and only chance to leave with no blowback,” I state, looking around the room.
For several minutes, each man stares at me as if they don’t believe what I’m saying right now. When I don’t back down, every sin
gle officer except for Slammer stands, takes off the cut, and leaves the room. They’re grumbling and cussing up a storm. I could give two flying fucks what they think of me or what I’m doing.
“Slammer, you’re out,” I growl when he doesn’t leave with the rest of them.
“The fuck?”
“Not only are you dealin’ pussy on the side thinkin’ no one knows, you tried to rape my woman when I was still a prospect. Remember how I got my road name? Yeah, I didn’t fuckin’ forget that shit. Don’t want you anywhere near the clubhouse. I see you, you’re dead,” I growl out, not leaving my seat or taking my eyes off the fucker.
“I’ll leave your pussy club. You’re gonna fuckin’ ruin this club and everythin’ your dad built. I’ll be back when you least expect it,” Slammer threatens, tossing his cut in my face.
“I look forward to it, twatwaffle,” I respond, laughing at him as he trips over the chairs on his way out the door. “Alright, we’re gonna clean this club up. In fact, when I get our finances under control, we’re tearin’ this place down and buildin’ brand-new. If you’re not hooked on drugs, know how to respect women, and want to follow my lead so we can begin to bring our ol’ ladies and families around here, pull up a fuckin’ chair.”
The remaining men sit down around the table. Three of them are prospects. For the next two hours, I go over how I want the club run. We’ll still do the runs with Andrews and Marcus, but that’s as illegal as we’ll be. The bar and garage will be redone to how we want it. I also want to start a strip club. It will be called Legacies because that’s what we’re about to fucking build here. These guys are excited to help me build Kings Vengeance MC up and ensure it’s a place we can all be proud to be a member of.