There was a very scary reason why I wasn’t my usual self. With everything that had been happening I hadn’t realised that my period was late. And I was never late.
It was how Sparrow had known I was pregnant before I even knew. He had been so in tune with my body, when my period was a few days late he had informed me I was pregnant. And half scared me to death. Sparrow had been ecstatic from the first.
And now it was way more than a few days. It was more like weeks. By my calculations almost eight freaking weeks in fact.
It was most probably the stress of the last few weeks that had delayed my period. I prayed. And with the way I was feeling and the tears that was so near all the time it had to be on its way. It just had to.
Anything else was just too horrifying to contemplate. Ice Walker was the last man on earth I would pick to be a father to a child of mine. Plus he had a woman. And he had been with me while he was with that woman which meant he was a lying cheating scum-dog. A man like him would not be a good role model for an impressionable child.
Oh God. If I was pregnant Dagger was going to kill him.
Nope. Not going to think about it. I wasn’t pregnant. It was stress, most probably.
I got back to work and ignored the huge freaking elephant in the room staring me in the face.
DC and I were stretched out on the couches in my living room eating chocolate and watching a really bad death and destruction movie. We had been giving blow by blow commentary and cackling with laughter right throughout the movie. DC wasn’t a big drinker and she was happy drinking juice. My excuse for not drinking? I had to work in the morning.
Lame. So very lame.
The movie ended and I looked at DC and she looked at me and we both raised our eyebrows.
“That had to be the crappiest cops and robbers movie I have ever seen. It sucked so bad it became a comedy.” DC said with a grin.
“Those chase scenes were hilarious. They were so obviously sped up to make it look like they were driving fast. They didn’t even use a green screen. This one is going into my crappy movies file for when I need to laugh.” I grinned. “Want to watch another one?”
But DC went from laughing to serious in the blink of an eye.
“No, I don’t want to watch another one. I want to know why my friend is swinging from one extreme to the next. I might not have known you for years, River, but I can see something is burning you up inside. I swear you can tell me and I won’t tell a soul, you have my word.”
I so badly needed to confess my fears to someone but I didn’t think it was a good thing to tell DC. She was too close to the cause of my troubles.
“I can see you thinking about telling me but you’re not sure. I promise you, I’m like a vault, whatever you tell me stays here, between you and me.”
Closing my eyes I drew in a deep breath then whispered my suspicions. “I think I might be pregnant. And I’ve only had sex with one man since Dylan.”
She immediately sat up and reached for my hands. They shook as she held onto them, her thumbs stroking over my knuckles soothingly.
“First thing we need to do is get a test. Once we know if it’s yes or no we can decide on a plan of action. By my calculations it’s around eight weeks since the deed was done so let’s get that test done, okay?”
Withdrawing my hands from hers I clasped them over my mouth staring at her then dropped them to my lap.
“If I’m pregnant this is going to cause so much shit, DC. Dagger is going to lose his mind. He’s super protective of us and I have no idea what he might do when he finds out who the father is.”
Grabbing my hand DC squeezed it tight. “We’re not going to worry about it now, River. Let’s approach this one step at a time, okay? We have to find a reason to get you to your gynaecologist without rousing any suspicions. Have you had your yearly check-up yet?”
“No, it’s only due in August.”
“Change it. Make an appointment so you’ll have an answer. Then we take the next step.”
“What will that be? The next step?”
DC growled angrily. “Cutting fucking Ice Walker’s nuts off and stuffing them up his ass.”
I couldn’t help it, I started laughing and couldn’t stop and soon we were rolling on the couches giggling and snorting. Every time we looked at each other it set us off again. The front door opening silenced us but only for the few seconds it took Jinx to walk inside, then we started off again.
“What the hell are you watching? It can’t be that funny.” He grumped as he walked through to the kitchen and turned on the kettle.
“We just watched the worst cops and robbers movie I’ve ever seen.” I quickly explained through my laughter.
He leant against the short wall between the kitchen and lounge with his ankles crossed and his hands in his pockets as he watched us with narrowed eyes. Those narrowed eyes settled on me.
“You know I’ve had an old lady, right? So I know shit about bitches I wish I didn’t but I know it anyway. Right now I know you’re blowing smoke up my ass but I’m not going to push. You come to me when you need me, Rivzie, and I’ll help. Okay?” He said softly before he turned and walked back into the kitchen.
Who knew the hard as nails SAA of the Sinner’s Sons had it in him? Not me.
And just like that the damned tears were threatening to spill over again.
“Would you ladies like some tea?” Jinx called from the kitchen.
“I’d like some Rooibos tea, Jinx. It’s in the green tin on the…”
“I’ve got it. And you, DC?”
“Not for me, thanks, Jinx.”
She made big eyes at me and I blinked furiously then made eyes back at her and grinned. And thankfully the tears disappeared.
“Where are the cookies mum made, Rivzie? I can’t have tea without cookies.” Jinx mumbled in the kitchen as I heard him going through the cupboards.
“It’s in the blue and white tin on top of the cupboards where my boykie can’t reach.”
“Got it.”
There were sounds in the kitchen and then Jinx came walking through with a tray set up with a mug of tea, a plate of my mum’s cookies and a glass of juice. Without a word he set it on the coffee table then walked out again. We silently watched as he came out of the kitchen with a mug and a plastic zip lock baggie filled with cookies and left without another word.
“He’s a nice guy.” DC said softly and I nodded.
“He was Sparrow’s best friend. Those two together were trouble with a bit T. They got into so many scrapes pulling pranks on their brothers. They were always laughing, but Jinx hardly ever smiles now and only when he’s around Duncan. He’s one of the best men I know.”
“The way he acts around you I can see he’s a good one.” DC agreed.
Yes he was, and so were the rest of Dagger’s brothers. We were family and they made sure I knew it. No matter what.
This pregnancy thing was going to blow my comfortable life right out of the water.
Would they ever forgive me for disrespecting their dead brother? Or would they blame the entire fiasco on Ice?
What was I thinking? Of course they were going to blame Ice and then they were going to beat him to a pulp.
Laying a hand over my tummy I looked at DC with wide eyes. “This is going to cause so much trouble when it gets out.”
DC shrugged. “Maybe at first but babies should always be good news, River. No matter how they were made. And anyone who disagrees will have an up close and personal meeting with my fists. This baby of yours is going to have a very big job on her little shoulders.”
“Stop it. We don’t know if I am or not. And if I am there’s a very good chance it will be another boy. And what is this job you’re talking about?”
“That teeny tiny little fishy swimming around in your tummy is going to be the bridge between two clubs, River.”
She was being so very serious and River just had to stop this baby talk.
“No, not my fishy and
we don’t even know if there is a fishy. It might just be stress or there might be something wrong inside or I’m having very early menopause or…or…or”
DC burst out laughing and I couldn’t help it I laughed with her.
“Now I’ve heard everything. Early freaking menopause? Are you crazy?”
“Yes! Yes I am and I’m scared. I am already raising one child on my own and now I’m most probably adding another one. It is so difficult already how will I cope with two?”
“Stop. Just stop, River.” DC urged softly. “I do know how difficult it is because I helped to raise Deena. You have a lot of support, you know you do. Your mum and dad, your friends, me, and let’s not forget, both clubs. You know and I know the brothers from both clubs will take care of you.”
“Shit, okay, okay, I just need to get my mind off this. Let’s watch another mindless movie.”
DC gave in without another word and we watched another movie but if you asked me which it was I won’t be able to give you an answer. It worked though. I fell asleep on the couch and only woke up when Jinx moved me to my bedroom and put me to bed clothes and all.
Hidden behind the cold rough exterior was a warm heart. His old lady had been a very lucky lady, it’s a pity she hadn’t treasured his heart and had left him for another man. Loving a biker wasn’t easy but I would never regret loving Sparrow. He too had hidden a warm heart behind cold eyes.
On that thought I slipped deeper into sleep.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Ice
Laying his stinking kutte and t-shirt down on the bar Ice grabbed the waiting shot and downed it. The whiskey burned all the way down, chasing the taste of the bitch from his mouth. He fucking hated this. And after every single date with the bitch he had the headache from hell because of her fucking perfume.
“Sam.” He called the prospect over. “Take my kutte and get the stink out of it.”
“No problem, VP.” He picked Ice’s kutte up and wrinkled his nose as he sniffed. “Jesus, that’s a horrible perfume. What does she do, bath in it?” He muttered as he walked away towards the kitchen.
Ice didn’t say anything because he had nothing to say. And yes he’d had the same thoughts about the perfume. It was as if the bitch injected herself with the stuff and it leaked out of her pores to hang around her like a damned heavy cloud.
“Ice.” A cold voice intruded on his thoughts and he glanced to the side only to look into DC’s cold dark eyes. He had no idea when she had sat down next to him. “How close are you to finishing it with this bitch?”
Narrowing his eyes he stared at her, trying to see past the blank stare. Why did she want to know?
“It’s club business, DC. You know this.”
“Not when it threatens my friend and her little boy. I warned Hawk and now I’m warning you, get this done before I step in and finish it for you.” She slid of the stool and started to walk away then stopped and spoke over her shoulder. “And please, do us all a favour and go shower, you freaking stink.”
He glared at her and then saw the small pack on her back. “DC, where are you going? You know Hawk is on an overnight run to the Bloemfontein chapter, you need to stay here.”
Swinging all the way towards him Ice saw absolute rage fill her face and eyes as she stalked back to him. Her voice came out in an ice cold rage filled hiss.
“I will only stay here over my very dead body. I’m sick and tired of being disrespected and treated like I don’t have a right to be here by your whores and some of your brothers. When Hawk gets back tell him I’ve moved out. I gave him time to sort this shit out, he hasn’t. I’ll be staying with River. At least there I’m not being targeted by nasty whores informing me how my old man ate out their diseased twats the night before. And I’ll be protected. Jinx has stepped up and he is an amazing man, he totally has control of the situation around River. And he’ll protect me, so no worries.”
Without another word she swung around and left.
Ice was stunned silent. His brothers and the fucking bitches had done what? And Jinx was doing what? What the fuck was Jinx doing at River’s house?
But more importantly they had dropped the ball where DC was concerned. Hawk had given the whores a warning but that was all. There had been no consequences for their actions and they used it to cause more shit. Instead of the whores being kicked out the door it was DC who was walking out the door.
This was not right. And with his brother not home he had to fix it. He was so sick and tired of the games the whores played, they were not going to be happy with his decision. But he didn’t give a shit. This should have happened a long time ago. Right when Hawk brought DC here he should have laid down the law. He did, to some extent when he kicked them out, and then he brought his ex bitches back into the clubhouse for their own protection. And now shit had once again escalated.
Fuck. He was going to have to call his cousin. But before he did, he had a little justice to dispense.
“Prospects! Gather up all the bitches. I want a list of their names on this bar in front on me, you have five minutes.” He looked around at the stunned faces. “Fucking move! Get it done, right the fuck now!” He snapped angrily.
Fifteen minutes later the common room was filled with chattering bitches, most of them posturing and flirting with the brothers on the other side of the room. There were seventeen of them.
“Sam, turn on the main lights, all of them.” Ice ordered as he read through the list Terror had put down in front of him. When he wanted to move away Ice ordered him behind to bar with a notepad and a pen. Bright lights came on and immediately the scuffed up and stained furniture and the barely dressed whores were glaringly laid bare. He was never going to put his ass on one of those couches ever again, they were disgusting. And why the fuck were they wasting their time with these worn out bitches? Surely they could find better out there than the bitches with the bleached and teased hair and overblown bodies in front of him.
“When I point at you, you will come forward and hand your ID to Terror, you will get it back once we’re done here.”
“I don’t have it on me, Ice. I’ll just go back to the room and fetch it.” One of the women called out.
“No, you won’t. Prospects, go through their shit and find their ID’s and bring them and their phones to me.”
There was shuffling feet and shocked expressions from the whores as well as some of the brothers. Only Rider was smiling wide, very, very wide. Of course the bastard would fucking smile, unlike the rest of them he never touched the whores.
“Rider, you take over from Terror over here. Terror, ask Ziggy to come out here then join your brothers in their search. Anything look suspicious you bring it to me.”
Crossing his arms over his naked chest Ice stood before the whores and looked them over. Some were worried others not at all. It made him wonder. Why weren’t they worried? Did they think someone was going to step in and stop what was about to happen?
“It has come to my attention you bitches think you can do and say as you please in my club. And as I stand here and look you over I’m wondering why the fuck we agreed to have you here in the first place, none of you are worth the aggravation. You cause trouble and piss off the old ladies and our female family members with your attitude and lies, we don’t need this crap in our lives.”
He looked around as feet shuffled and a few of them looked worried and guilty.
“This shit ends right here, right now. Today you will know exactly why we have tolerated your fucking presence. Today I will very bluntly tell you what you are worth to us.”
He silently looked them over before he continued.
“You’re a hole to fuck. That’s it. Just that, nothing more. Not a potential old lady or girlfriend.” Ice pointed at the brothers silently watching. “And if you think one of them are going to step up and save your ass, think again. None of them will go up against me. Not a single fucking one.”
And as he had anticipated Laney stepped forward, he
r hand on her cocked hip. “That’s bullshit. Hawk wants me here. His word is the only one that matters here. You’ve got no say in who stays and who goes.”
There it was, the source he was looking for. “Bitch, pull you head out of your fucking ass. I’m the Vice President of this club. You’re a whore, nothing else. When did Hawk supposedly tell you he wanted you here, specifically you, not any of the others, just you?”
She threw her bleached blonde hair back with a little head toss. “Yesterday when I sucked his cock before he left on the run.”
“Are you sure he said that?” Ice asked just to give her an opportunity to retract her statement.
“Of course I’m sure. I’ve sucked him off and fucked him plenty of times when that bitch of his wasn’t available to take care of him.” She claimed with a toss of her fucked up hair.
Turning to the bar Ice caught Ziggy’s eyes and nodded. “Get me the footage and put it on the big screen.” He turned back to Laney.
“You tell DC your fucked up lies?”
“They aren’t lies. She needed to know she wasn’t important to him. He’s just with her to get the Road Warriors on our side. He told me. It’s like an arranged marriage for the good of the club.” The whore smirked.
Ice nodded. “So the sneak attack on DC, was that one of your plans as well?”
Laney preened at all the attention. “It was a joint effort between me, Lizzy and the other women and Hawk told us to do it. You know he did, if he didn’t we wouldn’t be here.”
Ice pointed at the corner of the common room. “Everyone who was with Laney move over there.”
Laney, Lizzy and six other women moved to the corner. Then Laney pointed at the group still standing in front of Ice.
“You bitches can stop hiding and get over here, right now. You know you were there as well.” Two more women hesitantly joined the group.
Nodding Ice turned back to the bar. “Rider, put their names on a separate list.”
Lost And Found In Blue (Iron Dogz MC Book 2) Page 11