by E. C. Land
“Where the hell did that crashing sound come from?” I ask them just as the front door slams open with Momma B rushing through it.
“What the fuck are you thinking, woman, coming in here like that?” Bear growls as he strides over to her.
“Oh, shut it, Bear. You all need to get outside quickly,” she says in a panic. It’s a rare sight for her to be this worked up.
Leaving Bear to keep his ol’ lady safe inside the confines of the clubhouse, I head outside with the rest of my brothers following.
“Holy fuckin’ shit,” Neo says from behind me as we all take in the culprit of the noise. “Who the fuck would run a truck into our clubhouse?”
“I don’t know, but it looks like the asshole is still in there,” Blaze says, pointing toward the front of the smashed truck.
“Shit, come on, let’s see who is trying to fuck with us,” I growl as I round the back of the truck. Glancing through the windows of the back seat, I realize this person isn’t alone. “Blaze, grab the kid on that side while I get this one. Neo, I’m gonna hand the baby to you. Follow Blaze inside and get Ranger to check these two out.”
“You got it, Prez,” Neo says. Out of all the three Prospects we have right now, he’s the only one I trust at my back. The other two either need to grow the fuck up some more or kick rocks.
“What sick fuck would put their kids in danger?” Blaze growls as he pulls a screaming baby out of the back. “At least whoever it is has their car seats locked in right.”
Moving to the front, it takes Tracker and myself to pry the door open. Soon as it’s open, Tracker curses when he gets a glimpse of who the person or I should say the woman is.
“Fuckin’ hell, Rachel,” he says in a panic.
Wait a minute . . . Rachel? His cousin Rachel, who moved away for college?
“Come on, let’s get her out,” I say, pulling out my knife and cutting through the seat belt. I don’t know what it is, but something about this woman has always had me in knots even when she was a snot-nosed kid. I remember this woman, and I honestly don’t know how I feel about seeing her this way.
What I do know is she’s got a lot to answer for.
2
Rachel
Pain courses through my body as I try to open my eyes. Shit my entire body throbs. What happened? Last thing I remember is Lucien beating the crap out of me. . . Everything starts coming back to me full force of what happened.
Oh, my God. Corinne and Luca.
I shoot up off the bed only to fall right back down on it. Fuck that hurt.
“Easy, Doll.” A familiar male voice that has always sent shivers up and down my spine says from the other side of the room.
Turning my head, I find the man who has filled so many of my sexual fantasies. Stoney. He was my childhood crush back before I moved away. And damn if in the last five years he still looks as good if not hotter. With his dark hair and tattooed covered muscular arms. I used to dream of him wrapping those arms around me. I never worried about him being older than me or the fact I’m younger than his son. I simply wanted the man for who he was.
Yeah, don’t go there. Men are all the same. Unless they’re family. Family are the only ones you can count on. Otherwise, men be damned.
Shifting my gaze away from Stoney, I try to get up again by bracing my hands on the bed.
“Rachel, you can’t get up,” Stoney says firmly as he moves to the side of the bed.
“Don’t tell me what to do. I’ll get up if I damn well please. I need to find my children. Where are they? In fact, why are you in here, and where in the hell is my cousin, Tracker?” I snap.
Stoney’s eyes narrow on me as he sits on the edge of the bed and leans into my face putting his so close to mine, I swear if he said anything, our lips would meet. “I’ll let that one slide considering you just woke up, and you’re injured, but talk to me like that again, and I’ll spank your ass red,” he growls.
Did he just say that? Yep, he sure did. Nope don’t even think about it.
Narrowing my own eyes on him, I lift up my hands and push against his chest. Of course, it was pointless since he wouldn’t budge.
Damnit, why does he have to be so damn muscular? I could feel his muscles flex under my fingertips
Get it together, woman. You just escaped a horrible man who treated you like shit. Besides, you have two babies who need you.
“You won’t be doing anything to me. Now move and let me up so I can find my kids. I need to make sure they weren’t hurt,” I say through clenched teeth.
“Doll, you’re not in any state to be going anywhere. Your son and daughter are fine. Momma B has them with her. They’re fine even after you crashed into my clubhouse, which I’d like to know what compelled you to do that in the first place. If you wanted our attention, all you had to do was call your cousin.” Did he really just say that? Seriously he thinks I meant to wreck a vehicle with my children in it.
“You’re a grade-A asshole, you know that. I wouldn’t have put my children in danger by wrecking my truck on purpose,” I scream. For some reason, I can’t help but raise my voice at him.
“That’s me, baby doll. I’m a world-class asshole who doesn’t put up with bullshit from women who do dumb ass shit for no damn reason,” he grinds out, still leaning over me.
“God, why did I think I could come back here? Or even think I could ask for help,” I mutter under my breath.
“What was that, Rachel?” Stoney asks sarcastically. “Were you just about to explain what the fuck you were thinking.”
“No, I wasn’t. Just go get my cousin,” I demand.
“You Doll are seriously working your way into getting that sweet ass of yours a nice shade of red. Now, if you say please, I just might be willing to go get your cousin and see if Momma B will give up your kids,” Stoney states as he comes even closer than he already was. His eyes holding mine and oh boy, if he were to get any closer, our lips would touch.
Shut up. Shut up. Just shut up and keep quiet. I need him to leave the room, and then I can go find my damn kids. After that, I’m getting the hell out of here. They are not gonna want to help me. Not after what I did.
Shit, how am I even gonna get out of here considering my only transportation is wrecked. For that matter, where will I go? Tracker’s the only family I have that gives a damn. All I was to my mom was a check that she got and a verbal punching bag for when she got drunk. It’s why I left this damn town in the first place.
“You gonna say please?” Stoney asks, and I’m unable to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
“Oh, mighty one, will you please get the fuck away from me and go get my cousin? You can also send my children to me since I’m not allowed up,” I retort sarcastically.
“Fuck, I forgot what a smart ass mouth you have,” he chuckles as he stands.
“And I forgot what a condescending asshole you could be,” I say, crossing my arms.
Stoney throws his head back and laughs at my words as he leaves the room.
I have to admit Stoney has one incredible laugh. I shouldn’t be surprised considering how gorgeous he is. Even staring at his backside, which I must say looks damn good in his jeans, is drool-worthy. I remember the last time I was here before leaving for college when I walked in on him as he was fucking some clubwhore in the kitchen. I don’t think he saw me, but I know the whore did. Still, I was unable to move from my spot as I stood frozen, staring at his bare ass while he thrust into the woman.
I might have felt some form of jealousy. I wanted to have him plowing into me instead of the red-headed bimbo. But being the ripe age of eighteen, there was no way that would have happened. That and the fact I was this plain Jane girl. It’s why I stayed a virgin until Lucien.
Shit, don’t go there. Don’t think of that dickwad right now. We’re far away from him. I only hope he doesn’t decide to send anyone after me and the babies. He might not care for either of our children, but I have no doubt he’d use them as leverage.
That’s the million-dollar question right there since it’s been fucked for longer than I can remember. And it’s only gonna get worse before it gets better.
3
Stoney
Closing the door behind me, I finally take a full breath. I hadn’t expected that. Then again, I never expected to have a woman lying in my bed that I hadn’t just freshly fucked. Shit, don’t go there. Rachel is Tracker’s cousin. Yet the way she got sassy with me, I’d barely been able to keep from kissing her. Which is something I don’t do, but I’d wanted to kiss the sass right out of her. I know she’d felt the sexual tension between us.
It was unlike anything I’d ever felt. Maybe that’s why I’d refused to allow Rachel to go to one of the spare rooms when we got her out of the truck. With the way she hit the clubhouse, I’m surprised she wasn’t hurt any more than she is. However, according to Neo, he’s ninety percent sure most of her injuries didn’t come from the wreck. Like the one on her rib cage and then another one on her leg. Oh, then there’s the one on her face that says it all.
Rachel has been beaten, and when I find out who had the nerve to take their hands to her, I’m gonna put a bullet in their brain.
Whoa, hold the fuck up. Where are these feelings of possession coming from?
Shaking my head, I walk down the stairs and straight toward the couch where Momma B, Bear, and Tracker are sitting.
“How is she?” Tracker asks, not even glancing in my direction as he continues to stare at one of the two babies he’s holding. “I didn’t even know she was pregnant.” He admits.
“She’s awake, pissed, and wants her kids,” I say, shrugging my shoulders as I sit in the chair next to him.
“Did she say anything else?” Tracker demands finally glancing in my direction.
“Not yet, just demanded to see you and to have these two brought to her,” I state, nodding to the babies.
“I’m not letting that girl have these two sweet babies until I know why she just rammed a truck into the side of the clubhouse,” Momma B growls.
“Rachel would never hurt her kids,” Tracker says in defense of his cousin.
“How do you know? When was the last time you talked to her or even saw her?” Momma B snaps. “Five years is a long time to be away. For all we know, she turned out just like her momma and thinks she’s better than the rest of us.”
“Then why would she be coming to us?” I ask. I, for one, would love answers to these questions myself.
“I’m betting it has something to do with her kids’ dad,” Nerd says as he sits down next to Bear.
“What do you mean?” I demand as I furrow my brows.
“I mean, the father of these two is none other than Lucien Raleigh.” Fuckin’ hell, Nerd did not just say what I think he did.
“Fuck, tell me there’s more than one Lucien Raleigh,” Tracker yells, startling the baby he’d been holding.
“Nope, ‘fraid not. I checked,” Nerd states nonchalantly. “This means Tracker’s cousin is the ol’ lady to the VP of the Lucifer’s Heretics.”
“Motherfucker,” I growl as I jump out of my seat. “Tracker, give the baby to Bear and come with me. I’m not getting this club mixed up in a war without answers. Rachel is family, but she just fucked us by coming here without a heads up.”
Walking out of the room with Tracker right behind me, I take the stairs two at a time until I get to my room. I’m fuckin’ livid right now and trying to determine if it’s the fact she belongs to someone else or if it’s due to the war heading our way.
The minute I open the door to my room, I instantly become furious at the sight of Rachel on the floor.
“I told you, you weren’t in any shape for getting out of the fuckin’ bed,” I growl as I make it over to her and lift her up off the floor.
“Yeah, well, you were taking too long, and I want to see my babies for myself as well as my cousin,” Rachel snaps.
I could strangle this woman with that sarcastic mouth of hers. That or shove something down her throat to keep her from talking. “What did I tell you about speaking to me that way?” I growl.
“I don’t care what you said, now move along and let me speak with my cousin since you can’t seem to do a simple task of bringing my children to me.” I swear, a weaker man might bend to her will with the way she’s glaring at me.
“Alright, you two, back to your corners,” Tracker barks, gaining both of our attention.
Gently, I place Rachel on the bed and step away. I need to put as much space between the two of us as possible yet still be in here to hear what she has to say. Well, that and this is my fuckin’ room.
“Now, if you two can get along for a couple minutes, we can get to the bottom of this,” Tracker says, irritable as he glances between the two of us before focusing on Rachel. “Rach, I know you rarely got to spend time around the club growing up; however, you need to show respect.”
“Okay, Tracker, I’m sorry. I just need to make sure Corinne and Luca are okay,” she says softly.
“That’s their names?” Tracker asks as he sits next to her.
“Yes, Corinne Ann and Luca James.” The smile that crosses her face is one that only a mother who adores her children would have.
Pulling out my phone, I send Bear a text to bring the babies up here.
“You gave your son my name?” Tracker says quietly.
“Of course, I did,” Rachel whispers. “I need your help. Well, more like I need you to take care of the twins. I screwed up.”
“Back up and start from the beginning. You can explain to me how you got involved with the VP of Lucifer’s Heretics,” Tracker demands.
4
Rachel
Tracker’s demand for me to explain how I got involved with Lucien makes me feel like a traitor to my family. I mean, I didn’t realize what I was doing until it was too late.
“I’m waiting,” Tracker says.
Sighing, I close my eyes, might as well start from the very beginning. “I met Lucien after my sophomore year at ECU. Several of the girls from the softball team wanted to go out and have some fun. Normally, I didn’t go with them, preferring to stay in and study. I was taking a summer course to get ahead of the game. Anyway, they dragged me along with them. I didn’t know we were going to a motorcycle club until it was too late.
“Worse was they all ditched me when they found someone to either dance with or to go somewhere to fuck them. I was getting ready to leave when Lucien came up to me. He played all his cards right. Made me fall for him before I realized it. I thought everything about our relationship was normal. I mean, he took me out on dates, came to my softball games. He even supported me when I graduated with honors. I’d already moved in with him, and I was a fool for thinking a guy like him would be faithful to someone like me.
“I mean, who wants plain Jane when you can have a sea of women at your beck and call. The day I found out I was pregnant with the twins, I was so excited. It was the day I found out he was never faithful to me. Goes to show how naïve I’ve been considering it was the day he first hit me.” I go on to explain the rest of it to my cousin, all while trying to ignore the fact that he’s not the only one in the room.
Stoney’s in here as well. What is it about him that causes me to not think before speaking? I’m so used to watching my words with Lucien that I should know better, especially since this man is the President. Yet I can’t stop myself from snapping at him.
As I finish telling them everything, including what happened right before I ran with the twins, I can almost taste the tension in the room. Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and meet Tracker’s. “This is why I need you to take Corinne and Luca. You can keep them safe, and I can clean up the mess I made by being foolish and getting involved with the wrong man,” I say before lowering my voice, “I’m not my mother, and I refuse to be like her.”
“Why would you be like her? You are two totally different people,” Stoney demands.
Glancing in his direction, I take a brief second to let my gaze wander up and down his body before meeting his gaze. “Because my mother was a lowlife bitch who would have sold me to the highest bidder if it weren’t for my uncle. Yet when he offered to take me off her hands, she refused because I was her meal ticket. I don’t want my children to have that life, being a pawn in someone’s game. I won’t allow Lucien to use them against me. I’ll die first,” I say.
“You’re not gonna die, Rachel,” Momma B states as she strolls into the room, carrying Luca in her arms with her husband Bear right behind her. I’d know her voice anywhere, even if I haven’t heard it in so long. I used to think of her as my fairy godmother growing up.
“That’s not what I’m planning to do, but all the same,” I say, shrugging before holding my hands out to take my baby as she comes closer.
“Rach, why didn’t you tell me about any of this before?” Tracker asks as he grabs my daughter out of Bear’s arms.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I suppose I feared rejection. Shit, I still do, but I’m not asking for protection for me I’m asking for these two. They’re innocent in all this,” I whisper.
“Rachel, I wouldn’t ever reject you. You’re family. But I gotta say, you’ve put us in a bind with this shit. And I’m not talkin’ something that can be fixed easily. This will start a war. ‘Cause I’m not gonna let you handle this on your own. We’ll have to figure something out,” Tracker says.
“The club will have to vote on this, but I know my brothers are gonna want to know if you have Lucien’s ink on you. Considering you’re his ol’ lady . . . ” Stoney growls.
“I’m not his ol’ lady, nor do I have his ink,” I say, interrupting him.
“What do you mean you’re not his ol’ lady? You were engaged to the motherfucker.” Furrowing his brow, Stoney moves closer to the bed.
