Shit! I can’t believe I’m okay with this.
A tiny voice inside Liam urged him to leave. This wasn’t his fight, not what he came for. Staring at the back of Finlay’s head, he folded his arms across his chest and planted his feet.
“Now, Fin,” Pauly said, steady as radial tires on blacktop. “None of that is necessary. There’s no challenge here. We rode all the way down here to support you and represent Mayhem, ’cause you fuck with one Mayhem, we bring the Mayhem to you.”
A course of ayes rose in the room. The hoots and hollers reminded Liam of the hooahs he’d bellowed a few thousand times while serving. A rallying cry for whatever smoke the command decided to blow up their soldiers’ asses.
“Now that’s what I wanted tae hear.” Finlay slammed the gavel down again, bringing the meeting to order. “Someone bring me up to speed.”
Snoop cleared his throat and glanced at Liam. “I know he’s your son, Fin, but he ain’t a member, and this discussion is for members.” A murmur went through the room then quieted.
Liam went stiff as a board. Not much love for being put on full blast in front of the hierarchy of two clubs. “You got something to say?” Liam cranked his head around to stare at Snoop.
“I just said it. You ain’t one of us, regardless of the tattoo on your back.”
A pin could’ve dropped in the room, and he felt that same tattoo from shoulder to shoulder as if it were freshly inked.
“My son isn’t a member. Correct. He doesn’t belong here.” Finlay nodded as if in understanding. “Goes against the club rules.” He nodded again, up and down methodically. “Without my son, I would be dead. He saved me. Saw me bleedin’ out and got me tae the hospital at death’s door. Grim Reaper, that bastard was perched right on his shoulder, saw it with me own eyes, I did. No hallucination. He was real. I was too weak tae shit myself, I tell yae.” This time he chuckled, a dry raspy sound, followed by a hacking cough. Everyone braced for a lung to flop on the table.
Chest tight from too many emotions, Liam had no idea where this speech was going and cared way too much.
“I’m thankful for him being there when I needed him,” Finlay continued, his voice gruff.
A few cleared their throats, looked away, or looked at him. Liam caught their attention out of his peripheral. He remained focused on Finlay, stunned by the praise and confession.
Finlay cleared his throat. “Yae right, Snoop. He’s no member. As such, he got to go.”
Yeah. I’ll go, but first. He turned his attention to Snoop. They were friends once. They started as lowly patches together. However, as Liam gained a conscience, Snoop lost his. He helped Finlay skin a member who stole from the club and when that wasn’t enough, helped cut up the body and bury it all over town. The flayed skin hung in this very room for a month, Mack told him in a letter.
A past friendship hadn’t stopped Snoop from showing up at construction sites, doing drive-bys while Liam and his men worked, demanding the members he employed leave for club business during business hours.
Liam kept the peace because it wasn’t him. Because of parole or a family, the men he employed needed the job, and they made up whatever time they lost during the nine-to-five grind by working late nights, early mornings, weekends, whatever it took. They didn’t screw him, and he didn’t screw them. He wasn’t a part of the club, that didn’t make the men any less his family. Everyone but Snoop.
“You have a problem with me?”
Snoop eased into a slouch that no one with eyes would buy. “Other than you being here at Church, nah. We good.”
Liam rubbed a hand across his whiskered chin. “We good? Okay. Since we so good, you stay the fuck away from my businesses. No drive-bys, no passing through.”
That got Snoop’s shoulders back and his hands fisted. “So now Mayhem ain’t welcome? That’s what you saying?” He took a step closer.
“I’m saying you ain’t welcome.” Liam took a step, putting him in striking distance.
“Let’s do this right now. No need to wait.” Snoop took a swing and missed Liam by a mile. By the time he corrected and tried again, three men had him by the throat, chest, and waist, pulling him to the other side of the room.
Liam patted Finlay on the shoulder. One speech didn’t make up for all the shit his father had served up, but…he’d see what Finlay’s next step was before making any judgments. “Nite, gentlemen. Pleasure meeting you all.” He passed a frothing Snoop. “Remember what I said.” And walked out the door. Mack lounged close to the door and hopped up when he spotted his boss. On his right, a man cursed and handed Mack a wad of cash. He palmed the money, gave the guy a fist bump and broke away.
Mack met Liam halfway to the exit. “You won me a grip.”
Liam shook his head. “You bet on my death?”
“Nah, I bet you wouldn’t have a scratch on you.” He laughed. “Me and Jay won some money tonight. These bastards don’t know who you are. We do.”
That caused him to stop and give Mack his attention. “And just who am I?” He wanted to know. Around them, others stopped to stare. Some with open hostility. Most with open arrogance. Shoot your shot.
Mack slapped Liam’s chest with the back of his hand and a wry grin slanted across his mouth. “You are the motherfucker who told the future president of the Mayhem MC to suck his cock. Then went into the Army, served two tours in fucked-up Afghanistan, came home with a Purple Heart, and your dick swinging like an M16. You, my friend, are not one to fuck with. You know it. I know it. Now, they know it.” He hiked a thumb at the crowd behind them.
Yeah, Liam grinned. He had told Finlay to suck him, then hopped on his bike and tore out of the garage before his father killed him. “I’m just your boss. Nothing more.” He kept moving toward the exit with Mack keeping pace beside him.
“Yeah, okay. Whatever, boss.”
“Work tomorrow. I need to finish up the vet’s house. I want him in there sooner, rather than later.”
Mack saluted, all wrong but Liam didn’t correct him. “Aye, aye, sir.”
“Aye? Aye?” Liam shook his head. No matter how many times he told Mack, he refused to get it right. “Soldier, man. Not a squid. No ocean near Afghanistan.”
“Whatever.” Mack waved him away and hiked a thumb behind them. “Who d’you leave bloody in there?”
“No one.” Yet. “I killed ’em with me charm.” He pounded Mack on the back hard enough for him to lose a step. “Work tomorrow, asshole, or you’re fired.” The guy at the door got out of his way as did everyone else. He hit the parking lot, breathed in a clean breath of air and headed for his truck. It was where he left it, unmolested in a sea of bikes.
Memories he forced himself to forget, stirred. The good memories of Finlay teaching him how to ride. Going on long hauls on his father’s right, not in the rear of the pack like a regular patch, because he wasn’t a regular member. He was the son of the enforcer, future president of the club, groomed for leadership from birth, the rumor went.
Was it too soon to admit he missed it? He’d found a brotherhood in the service, similar to the one he had with the club. Both demanded loyalty, and when necessary, blood. He loved his service to his country yet… He stared at the square brick building and yeah, he missed the cut on his body and the look in his father’s eyes when he wore it. He missed the cheap beer, and the cheap shots, in the glass and on the chin. They partied hard, long and loud. He missed it. It was the illegal shit he couldn’t stomach. Didn’t then, still couldn’t now.
Didn’t stop him from missing it, though. Not at all.
Liam peeled out of the parking lot, his mind on home and Sabrina. Once more, he put all thoughts of Mayhem MC in his rearview. Where it belonged.
Chapter Seventeen
“How’re you doing?”
How did he think she was doing when they’d been here for two hours? This was what she got from an appointment at the clinic and not a private office. “I’m fine.”
“No. You’re not.”
Elbows on his knees, Liam sat next to Sabrina, his head craned her way.
Right now, she couldn’t take the prying. “Well, if you know I’m not, then stop talking and leave me alone.” It had been an exhausting day, especially after yesterday’s stress of Razor showing up. Vivi was sick, again. She hadn’t slept all night, despite having medicine. She was exhausted and cranky and whiny, and so was Sabrina. She suspected another ear infection. Good thing they were at the pediatric ENT.
Liam slouched in his chair and did as she asked, he shut up. Asleep in her stroller, Vivi let out a soft snuffle, followed by a weak cry. She rolled onto her side and let loose a wail. Liam picked her up. He cradled her against his chest, humming softly. Vivi settled immediately.
“How did you do that?”
“I figured her out,” he said mighty proud of himself. “She likes my voice, the way it rumbles in my chest. That’s why she always has her ear to it.”
Stunned. “You figured that out?”
He looked over Vivi’s head to glare at her. “What are you trying to say?”
She shrugged. “Nothing. I didn’t know you were the baby whisperer.”
He smirked, so cocky. “From birth to old age, chicks love me.”
“Ugh! Has that line ever worked for you?”
His brow quirked and he snorted. “A few times.”
Men are pigs.
Vivi opened her eyes, blinked a few times, like an owl being in unfamiliar surroundings, until her gaze found Sabrina. Her face screwed up into a halfhearted cry and she reached for her mother. Sabrina took her daughter into her arms and brought her to her chest. She cradled her body, rocked her back and forth.
What if… What if… What if… She clutched Vivi tighter as a sob tore from her throat. Liam draped his arm around her shoulders and brought her against his chest.
“She’s going to be all right, Sabrina,” he whispered in her ear.
“What if she’s not,” she cried, tears flooding her eyes. “She’s all I have.” Vivi started to cry. She was holding her too tight. “I’m sorry, sweetie.” She kissed her little forehead. “Mommy’s sorry.”
“I promise you, she’ll be fine.”
She rounded on him. “Don’t!” she gritted between her teeth. “Don’t promise me what you can’t deliver.” The concern in his eyes broke through her borderline hysteria. Or, maybe it was the pity, she was still too upset to figure it out. “If something happens…” Her voice broke on the last word. “I don’t want to hate you for breaking your promise.”
Liam cupped her face and kissed her wet cheeks. Such a simple act, yet it gave her so much comfort.
“Vivian Wilkins and parents.” A nurse called.
Sabrina jumped and pulled away. “Finally.” She grabbed the diaper bag and met the nurse at the door. “We’re here.” She glanced behind her to find Liam still in his seat. What was his problem? She waved at him to hurry up and waited for him at the open door.
They followed the nurse into a private room where Vivi was weighed, measured, had her temperature and history taken. “You didn’t want to come?” Sabrina asked after the nurse had left.
He gave a vague shrug. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted me here.”
She guessed it was a valid statement. “I want you here. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let you drive us.” And she needed the support, especially if the doctor said something she wasn’t prepared to hear. Vivi whined despite Sabrina rocking her.
“I’m glad I’m here, for both of you.” Three steps and he crossed the room to plant a soft kiss on her lips, which she desperately needed. Vivi didn’t appreciate being squished between their bodies. Her whines turned into an outraged wail just in time for the doctor to knock and enter the room.
“I’m Dr. Koella,” she greeted them. A female doctor. Middle-aged, petite, short dirty blond and gray hair artfully mixed. Her presence put Sabrina at ease as she quickly went over Vivi’s history again.
“Dad. I want you to take Vivian and sit on the exam table with her in your lap. You need to hold her tight so I can get a good look at her ears and throat.”
Liam didn’t hesitate to obey. He did exactly as directed and held onto Vivi. Sabrina swore Vivi knew what was up and tried to escape. One arm slipped free and she almost scooted off his lap.
“Use those muscles, Dad.” The doctor chastised. “You’re not gonna hurt her.”
He gave the doc a skeptical glance, but he wrapped Vivi tight and held onto her squirming body. “I’ll never think babies are weak ever again.” He laughed; however, Sabrina could see the fear on his face. It should be her holding onto her daughter. She just couldn’t do it. Right now, she could barely hold on to herself.
Vivi was up to date on all her shots and wellness check-ups. She was a good mother yet had to look away when Vivi screamed as the doctor peered into her ears and down her throat.
“All right, Vivian. The torture is over.”
Sabrina rushed over and snatched Vivi out of Liam’s arms. She cradled her enraged daughter to her chest and made a silent promise to never let her go. A pair of muscular arms surrounded her from behind and, God, she needed it.
After a moment, the doctor cleared her throat. “Everyone all right?”
“Do you need another moment, babe?” Liam whispered into her ear.
She turned in his arms. “Good to go. Sorry about the breakdown, doctor. I’m a wimp when it comes to anything medical.”
“We all have our kryptonite.” Her smile bolstered Sabrina’s confidence. “Vivi’s left ear has forty percent blockage and her right ear has seventy percent blockage.”
Hearing the numbers had Sabrina trembling.
The doctor glanced at Vivi’s chest. “She has a history of ear infections starting at two months. Five, counting the one she currently has.”
“Yes,” Sabrina answered.
“She’s eleven months. Is she walking on her own yet?”
“No.”
“Walking while holding on to something?”
“Not really?” Dread squeezed Sabrina’s heart. “She is standing while holding on.”
The doctor gave a noncommittal nod. Sabrina couldn’t tell if she was pleased Vivi was standing or not.
“How many words can she say?”
“Only dada.” Sabrina looked at Liam.
“Well, that’s not unusual for her age, but with her hearing impaired, her language skills will suffer, as well as her learning ability,” the doctor said gently.
Liam stood beside her, his hand on her shoulder, lending her his strength. Sabrina clutched Vivi’s warm body to her, waiting for the other shoe to drop. “So, what do we do?”
“We place tubes in her ears, surgically. Tubes will keep her ears open while she grows, and they’ll fall out naturally when they become too small.”
Surgery. She said surgery. Sabrina took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Well Medicaid pay for this?”
“Yes, it will. This is a medical necessity and we’re affiliated with the public hospital.”
At least she didn’t have to worry about a bill. “How long is the surgery?”
“Usually fifteen minutes, but every child is different. I don’t want you upset if it takes longer.”
She nodded, rocking herself and Vivi back and forth. She looked at Liam. “Sounds good, right?”
Liam dropped to his haunches. He touched her knees and leaned in. “Sounds good, babe.”
She looked at the doctor and nodded.
“Okay. Now, I’m not trying to rush you, but I do have an opening tomorrow morning. Otherwise, my next available is two weeks away.”
Two weeks with Vivi miserable. “Do you do this surgery often?” Sabrina asked.
“I’ve been an ENT doctor for twenty-five years. I’ve done hundreds of these surgeries, all successful.”
But surgery… “Okay,” Sabrina squeaked and fought passing out.
The doctor collected Vivi’s paperwork. “I will talk to my nurse, and she’ll come
in and go over all the pre-op requirements. Hang tight.”
The second the door closed behind her, Liam pulled them into his arms. “You did the right thing. Vivi will be fine.”
“You don’t know that,” she said into his shoulder.
He smoothed her hair back from her face and stared into her eyes. “I do know that. Vivi’s a badass. She’s gonna come out of surgery better than new.”
Hearing him say that made the reality of surgery tolerable. “Thank you for being here. I couldn’t have gotten through this without you.”
“You would’ve, because you are a badass. Vivi gets it from her momma.” He kissed her forehead as a nurse walked into the room. Liam took Vivi while Sabrina filled out the paperwork and received instructions.
An hour later, after Vivi had bloodwork done, they were back in the truck and headed home with a very irate child. She’d had enough and let everyone know it.
“Have you eaten today?” Liam asked.
“Not hungry.”
He ignored her. “Chinese or Mexican?”
Sabrina gave in. “It’s been a while since I had a burrito. Chicken. Extra cheese with guac on the side.”
He chuckled. “That was the easiest arm-twisting ever.”
She was too stressed to fight over anything. “I kept you from work.”
“I was where I needed to be.” He pressed the phone app on the dashboard and the number to a Mexican restaurant came up. He ordered while she studied the landscape. Behind her, Vivi drifted into a fitful sleep. Every few minutes of sleep was punctuated with a whine.
What if something goes wrong? Don’t think like that!
Liam’s hand stretched across the console to land on her thigh. His warmth seeped through the fabric of her skirt and grounded her. Her hand landed on his and his fingers closed around hers, once more lending her his strength. No words were needed as he got them home, and parked in her driveway.
Plain Jane and the Bad Boy (Plain Jane Series) Page 13