by BE Kelly
“Great, so how about you two announce Remi as your woman tonight? The last thing I need around Reckoning is you both having to bust some heads because another biker is making moves on your woman,” Tank grumbled. He wasn’t wrong. If anyone even thought about laying a hand on Remi, he and Texas would rip the guys hand off—brother or no brother.
“Judging from that mean look on your face man, I think Tank might be onto something,” Texas said. “How about we make it official tonight after church?”
“Done,” Jag agreed.
“Great,” Tank said. “I’ll text Lyra and tell her to get her ass back over here later. First, we handle business and then I plan on giving my wife her MC name.”
“Wow,” Texas said, “That’s great. What prompted this?” Usually, when a club member introduced his ol’lady to the rest of the guys, he’d give her a name. Beth became “Seer”. Reaper gave her that name when he made her his.
“I know she’s been wanting a name,” Tank said. “I see it every time we call her sister, “Seer,” I just hope she likes what I came up with.”
“I’m sure she will, man,” Texas said.
“You guys come up with one for Remi?” Tank asked. Jag and Texas both looked at each other and smiled.
“Raven,” they said in unison.
“We haven’t really discussed it with her though,” Texas admitted.
“It suits her,” Tank said. “Let’s get this meeting over and then we can call the women back over,” he said. “Everyone listen up,” he shouted over the hum of guys drinking and playing pool. It wasn’t quite a full house tonight but there were still enough guys there to hold a meeting and if necessary, take a vote.
“We’ve got trouble again and this time, Remi needs our help. Her cousin has been taken and we have intel that whoever has her is bringing her back to New Orleans.” Tank paused and looked around the room and Jag found himself doing the same. As VP, he was supposed to have his Prez’s six and right now, that included looking out for the traitor who seemed to stay one step ahead of them. They had a plan in place and if it worked, they’d finally know who their mole was. Jag, Tex, and Tank met after they landed, out at the airport. Tank agreed to pick them up and that way, their little meeting could remain a secret. It was the only way they could be sure that no one had ears or eyes on them. It sucked that they couldn’t trust their own guys, but taking chances with their women again, wasn’t an option any of them wanted to entertain. Tank had almost lost Lyra and he knew the score. If they didn’t find a way to bring down their mole, they’d never find a moment's peace. It was time to end this crazy cycle and shut down whoever wanted to hurt them.
“We believe that Remi and Nena’s cousin is going to be delivered to Tito’s bar tomorrow night,” Texas said. The three of them had decided to feed the club just enough information and hopefully, they’d be able to weed out the traitor. Tito’s housed another area club—the Perdition MC.
They had a small handful of guys that Jag knew they could trust with not only their lives but Remi’s too. We’re working with the local authorities to bring down this new ring of traffickers that has popped up. Seems like Reap’s old boss wasn’t the only game in town.” Jag watched the room as the muffled curses rang through the crowd. He felt the same way about having to deal with scum bag traffickers and potential club traitors. He was ready for a little bit of normalcy after everything the club had been through—first with Beth, then Lyra and now, Remi and Nena.
“We need a few volunteers to go with Texas, Jag and me, over to Tito’s to talk to their Prez. I don’t want any trouble between our two clubs but if they’re a part of this trafficking ring, that’s exactly what we’ll give them. We can’t stand by and allow scum like that in our town; especially now that it’s touching our women,” Tank said. He was right. If the traffickers were after Native American women, Remi and Nena might never be safe and that wasn’t something he could stand by and let happen. He’d do just about anything to keep Remi safe and Jag knew that Texas felt the same way.
A few of the guys raised their hands, volunteering to help out and by the time the meeting was over, they had a plan in place that would keep Remi safe and find her cousin. He also hoped that the club’s mole would take the bait and run to snitch. That was where Reaper would come in. Tank had convinced everyone that Reap was out of town and wouldn’t be back for a few days. Reaper was hiding out, waiting for whomever their rat was to show his true colors and try to sneak over to Tito’s. Once they figured out who their snitch was, they would be able to hopefully find Aylen. Jag knew that they were playing a dangerous game but what choice did they have? He knew his woman well enough to know that she wouldn’t rest until they found Aylen. Jag just hoped like hell that they weren’t too late.
Remi
Remi sipped the wine that Beth handed her. She wanted to be out looking for Aylen, not having girl time with her closest friends. The only silver lining in all of this was having front row seats to watch how uncomfortable Hawk could still make her sister. Nena had been through so much with him and Remi knew that her sister wasn’t quick to forgive. She’d especially have trouble forgiving the man who was the cause of her trust issues. Nena spent most of her adult life chasing the relationship she had found with Hawk, only to turn down every man who offered her more. Remi wasn’t sure if her twin sister was truly disinterested in every man she crossed paths with or a masochist—waiting for Hawk to beg her for another chance. Either way, he was here now and if Remi was reading the signs right; he wasn’t planning on going anywhere any time soon. And, even though Nena had thrown up her walls and looked like a complete sour puss about it, Remi could swear that her sister was happy to have Hawk tagging along.
Nena sighed and took a sip from her own wine glass. “Please stop looking at me like that Remi,” she begged. Nena turned to look out the front window to where Hawk stood like a sentry, guarding the four of them.
“How am I looking at you, Oryana?” Remi taunted.
“Like you are enjoying all of this way too much,” Nena spat.
“Well, since we’re talking about the hot guy you guys brought back with you,” Lyra started.
“We aren’t talking about him,” Nena hissed.
“Oh, but I think we are,” Beth agreed with her sister. “Listen, this is my first time out of the house in weeks. I need the details,” she begged. “My entire life has become deciding which breast pump I need to buy; which stroller is the easiest to open and which car seat is the safest. I’m up to my eyeballs in baby stuff and I need a break. I literally have about two more minutes until I’m going to have to pee again and I demand to know more about the handsome guard dog out there. Have pity on this new mama-to-be and spill it.” Lyra giggled, palming her own enormous belly and Remi knew that Nena was doomed. There was no way her sister was going to win this argument.
“I can’t wait to meet him,” Remi said, patting Beth’s belly, hoping to change the subject for Nena’s sake.
“No,” Beth said. “No belly rubbing for you. Not until I find out who the hottie is and why Nena keeps giving him the stink eye.” Nena groaned and dramatically rolled her eyes, causing them all to laugh.
“Being pregnant has made you mean, Beth,” Lyra chided. “But, I’m with my sister on this—spill the details, Nena.”
“Fine,” Nena said. “I dated Hawk in high school and it didn’t work out. End of story.” Remi barked out her laugh and Beth and Lyra looked at her like she lost her mind.
“That is not the end of the story,” Remi chided. “He put you through hell and you let him.”
“Please, Remi,” Nena begged. “I don’t want to rehash this now.”
“Fine, but you need to decide what you want, Nena. He’s not the same man he used to be. Hawk has changed and maybe you should give him a chance. You deserve to be happy.” Hawk walked into the kitchen from the porch and stopped when he realized all eyes were on him.
“Everything alright in here, ladies?” he asked.
>
“Yep,” Remi said. “We were just talking about girl stuff,” she added.
Hawk winced and shuttered, “Well, Jag just called my cell and he’d love for you all to join them, back at Reckoning. Apparently, the meeting is over.”
“Church,” Beth corrected. She stood from her chair and grabbed her purse. “And, if you fucking hurt our girl Nena again, you’ll have to deal with me.” Beth pointed her bony little finger into Hawk’s chest as if driving her point home.
Lyra giggled and shook her head, “Yeah—you’re definitely meaner since getting pregnant.” Remi laughed and tagged along with Beth, wanting to check in on Lyra’s daughter, Delilah, before they headed back to Reckoning.
“We’ll check in on Lil and tell the babysitter we’re leaving,” Beth called back to her sister.
“Thanks,” Lyra said.
****
Hawk drove them back to the bar and Lyra filled them in on her news—she and Tank were going to announce that they were having a boy tonight. Remi felt a bittersweet joy for her friend and her happy news.
“Reaper and I are going to name our little one Chris,” Beth announced, rubbing her belly.
Lyra giggled, “Tank and I aren’t half as prepared as you and Reap,” she said. “I’m not sure if this kid will have a name by his first birthday, at this rate. It took forever for Tank to agree to know the baby’s sex. I explained to him that as a seer, I already knew. When he realized that it’s nearly impossible for me to keep a secret, he reluctantly agreed to let me tell him. Now, the big oaf is over the moon at the idea of having a son. He said that I’ve already given him a daughter, so a son feels right.”
Hearing Beth and Lyra talk about what they were going to name their sons made Remi’s heart flip flop. They went on about newborn babies—their little wiggles, smells, and squeaks. Remi realized that she had forgotten what it felt like to hold a newborn baby and she wondered if she would ever hold one of her own again. Being with Texas and Jag made her want things again that she hadn’t for so long. The thought of having another baby both terrified her and felt right, all at the same time. Remi wondered if the guys had ever given a family much thought. The three of them were all so brand new to each other, bringing up the topic of relationships and babies, might be too much.
By the time they got back to Reckoning, she was feeling all the self-doubts creep back in and Remi knew that her next step would be to put her walls back up. As soon as she walked into the bar, both her guys were by her side.
“Hi,” she squeaked.
“Hey,” Texas drawled. He kissed her like it had been days since they saw each other and not just hours. Jag did the same thing as soon as Tex finished with her and when he lowered her back down his body, she could feel every delicious inch of his erection.
Jag framed her face with his big hands and the way he looked at her; Remi knew he could tell exactly what she was thinking. “Don’t,” he growled.
“Don’t what?” Remi questioned, although she knew exactly what he was warning her against.
“Don’t put your fucking walls back up, Baby.” Jag ran his thumb over her bottom lip and she could feel it tremble.
“I—I can’t,” Remi stuttered and ran from the bar. She noticed the stares of disapproval and pity as she walked past the other bikers. That was the last thing she wanted—letting them see her cry, but she couldn’t seem to control her fucking emotions.
“Shit,” she heard Texas curse over the hum of guys drinking and having a good time. Remi wasn’t stupid, she knew she wouldn’t be able to run far and that sooner or later, Texas and Jag would catch up to her and demand answers. But, she needed these few seconds as her reprieve to get her emotions under control.
Remi found a quiet spot in the corner of the dark parking lot and wiped at the hot tears that spilled down her face. “Fuck,” she shouted into the air.
“My thoughts exactly,” Jag barked, rounding the corner from the front of the bar. Remi looked around, trying to find some retreat, but there was none. She was going to have to face her guys, like it or not.
“Want to tell us what that was all about?” Texas questioned. Remi stared the pair of them down and shook her head.
“Come on, Remi,” Jag taunted. “You changed your mind? I thought we went through all of this, already.” The last think Remi wanted was for either of them to believe she had changed her mind. That just wasn’t possible now. She wanted them both too much and maybe that’s what this was all about—her fear. She was afraid of letting them in and afraid of losing them, all at the same time.
“I’m scared,” she whispered. There, she could give them some pieces of the truth and hope that would be enough for now.
“Of us?” Texas asked.
“No, of course not,” she said. “You would never hurt me—physically.”
“You’re worried we will hurt you, though. Aren’t you, Remi?” Jag asked.
“Yes,” she admitted. She wiped at her wet cheeks again, hating that they were seeing her this way. She never let anyone see her vulnerability. It was her rule and one she hated breaking.
“I’m afraid of giving you both that power over me, but I think it’s too late,” she said. “I’ve already let you have my power and my heart.”
“And, you’re worried that we’ll break it?” Jag asked.
“Yes,” she said. Admitting that was the hardest part.
“Would it help if I admitted that I’ve fallen in love with you, Remi?” Jag asked. “And that I’m just as scared as you are?” Jag pulled her against his body and she hesitantly let him.
“How about if I admit that I’ve done the same, Baby?” Texas asked. He framed the other side of her body, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Because I have. I love you, Remi. I think I have since the night you walked into Reckoning to warn Lyra.”
“Really?” she whispered. Sobs racked her body and she wished she could get the crying under control. Remi sniffled and let out the breath she didn’t know she had been holding.
“Yep,” Texas agreed.
“How about you start trusting us a little, Honey? I promise your heart is safe with both of us,” Jag said. Remi smiled through her tears and nodded.
“I think I want more kids,” she blurted out. Yeah, that wasn’t really the way she planned on springing that on them, but there it was, out in the open. She would forever miss her little girl, but she wanted to find a way to free herself from the burden of guilt she was carrying around with her. She’d never be able to find a way forward with Tex and Jag if she held onto her past and let her grief and guilt consume her. They were right, she deserved more. She deserved a chance to be happy with them both. It was time to grab for the brass ring and hold onto it with both hands.
“How many more are we talking?” Jag asked.
Remi shrugged. “I haven’t given that much thought. But, just watching how happy Beth and Lyra are, I think I’d like to have another baby.” Remi swiped her hands through the air as if trying to erase her words when neither guy made a move to agree to her crazy plan. “Never mind—just pretend I didn’t say any of that last part.”
Texas turned her to face him and smoothed back her unruly hair with his big hands. “I’d like kids too, Baby,” he said.
“You would?” she stuttered.
“Yep,” Texas admitted and kissed her.
Jag spun her around to face him and tugged her back up his body, kissing his way into her mouth. “Same, Honey,” he said after he broke their kiss. “So, you agreeing to be ours, officially then?” he asked.
Remi didn’t hesitate, nodding her consent. “Yes,” she said. “I’m yours Jag. And, yours, Tex.”
“Great,” Tex said. “Let’s get this part over with so we can find your cousin and start making babies.” Texas hoisted Remi over his shoulder, placing his big hand on her ass when she protested and tried to get him to put her down.
“I’d hold still, Honey,” Jag ordered. “Tex is on a mission and you never stop a man with
a plan.” She looked up to find Jag following behind Texas, grinning like a damn lunatic. Texas carried her into the bar and stood her between him and Jag. All eyes were on them, from Tex’s whole caveman routine, and Remi felt like she wanted to run and hide again. This time, Jag kept a hold of her, as if he could read her mind.
“Hey guys,” Jag yelled over the crowd and everyone grew silent. “Remi is with us, now.” There was a cheer that rang through the bar and Remi bit back her giggle.
“Jag and I are sharing her and she’s agreed to marry us—both of us,” Texas said, smiling down at her.
“I did not,” she loudly whispered int his ear.
Jag swatted her ass, causing her to yelp. “Sure you did, Baby. Just now, in the parking lot. You told us you were ours and that means, you agree to marry us.”
“Jag,” she said. “I can’t marry both of you.”
Jag shrugged, “Maybe not legally, but we can work all that out later. You’re ours now, Remi.” He pulled her in for a quick kiss and the cheers grew louder. When Tex did the same thing, the guys held up their beers to toast the three of them. “We’ve also decided on her name,” Jag yelled over the crowd.
“What is it?” One guy called from the bar.
“I already have a name,” she insisted.
“It’s customary for us to give you your MC name,” Texas offered. Remi crossed her arms over her chest and Texas laughed. “Yeah, this whole giving up control thing is hard on you, isn't’ it, Baby,” he teased.
“Raven,” Jag breathed, kissing her forehead.
“You like it?” Texas asked.
“I do,” she admitted. Her grandmother used to call her that. It felt right that her guys gifted her that nickname too. “I love it.”
“Good,” Texas drawled. “This is Raven,” he said. The club members cheered again. Tank and Lyra stood beside them and Tank hugged Remi.
“Raven’s one of us now,” Tank said. “Welcome to Reckoning, Raven.” She nodded and hugged Lyra, feeling her friend’s sadness. It was something that they could do with each other. Whenever she touched Beth or Lyra, she could tell exactly how they were feeling and right now, her friend was feeling rage and so much sadness, it almost made Remi’s heart hurt.
