To Awaken a Monster

by Sam Crescent

  His artwork was personal to him.

  After their food, she looked onto the dance floor. Some of the couples had gotten up to dance.

  “You ever danced?”

  “Like a crazy person all around our house. You know that, right?”

  “Ah, yes, always dancing around. I remember. You trashed one of my vases a few years back with your and Bishop’s dancing.”

  “That’s us.”

  Preacher stood, holding out his hand.

  “What?”

  “Dance with me. It’s your birthday. A lady should have the right to dance on her day.”

  She didn’t see a reason to deny him. Taking his hand, she followed him onto the dance floor. Her heart raced as she put her hand on his shoulder and his other went to her waist.

  “Relax, I won’t hurt you.”

  “I know. I’m not afraid.” The music was a classical piece, slow, sexy.

  Preacher pulled her close, and she tilted her head back to look at him.

  “This is nice,” she said.

  They didn’t move fast, swaying from side to side.

  “Good. I hope I’ve improved your day.”

  “You really have.”

  The restaurant fell away as she looked into Preacher’s eyes. She knew firsthand this man was a monster. He’d terrified her growing up, but he’d been nothing but tender and kind to her.

  Their time together had been tainted by what Milly had done.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “For what?”

  “For making this a really good birthday. I was only going to light a candle and make a wish.”

  “I know you only got to spend it with an old-timer like me, but I tried my best.”

  “You’re not that old.” She giggled. “Stop putting yourself down. You’re fine. I really enjoyed myself. Besides, shouldn’t I be worried about how immature I am? You’re surrounded by women of experience, and I’m not. They know your life and understand it. I’m on the sidelines. I’m Bear’s daughter. You could be having a really bad time.”

  “Those other women mean nothing. They are nothing to me. They’re club pussy. Every single guy has slept with them. Even my son has had his fair share of the women. They don’t matter. They’re there for pleasure, nothing more. I enjoy your company. You’re different. You’re sweet.”

  “What if I don’t want to be sweet all the time?”

  What the hell are you doing, Robin?

  Are you flirting with him?

  Stop being a crazy woman.

  She quickly pulled her hands away.

  “Dessert?” Preacher asked.

  “Yes, I’d love some.”

  She’d also like some distance between her and Preacher.

  Crazy, crazy, crazy. What the heck is with you?

  Sitting back in her seat, she stared out at the dance floor and figured it would be best if she and Preacher didn’t dance again. It messed with her head.

  Preacher returned to the table carrying a single cupcake with a candle already lit.

  “Don’t forget to make a wish,” he said.

  She looked at the cupcake and then at Preacher. “Did you ever sleep with Milly?”

  “Is that your wish?”

  “No, I just want to know the answer.”

  “To if I screwed Milly?”

  “Yes.”

  “Haven’t we covered this already?

  “I don’t know.”

  “No, I’ve never been with Milly. I never wanted to be with Milly. Why?”

  “I … I don’t know.”

  She blew out the candle and made one simple wish, she wanted to be happy.

  ****

  “Are you being serious right now?” Robin asked.

  “I’ve got to go and do a couple of things. Dad will be by to be with you.”

  “You promised me you’d be with me for this one. I’ve been looking forward to us hanging out.”

  Bishop gripped the back of his neck. Guilt filled him as he made no end of excuses to her. His dad had already yelled at him and gotten him to do some of the worst jobs for a club prospect. He wanted to earn his patch, and he’d been put on toilet duty at a couple of the clubs.

  He couldn’t blame his dad for teaching him a lesson. Preacher asked him to stay with Robin, to keep her company, especially on her birthday, and instead, he went and did what he wanted to, without a care for her, or what she wanted.

  “I know. I will make it up to you.”

  “Why do you have to keep making things up to me? I don’t get it, Bishop. You’re my best friend.”

  “I know. I’ll be for the next one.”

  “Are you seeing someone?”

  “You want to know if there’s a girl waiting for me?”

  “Isn’t there? I’m not a fool. I know this is only on paper, but if you really want to be with someone else, then I don’t want to be in the way.”

  “You’ll never be in the way.” There wasn’t another girl. He didn’t want to go and sit in a room, staring at the screen to tell him his girl had another man’s baby.

  Yes, he wanted to pretend he was the higher person, that he knew more, and he was doing the best he could, but it was all lies. Every single little part of it.

  “You better go, Robin. You don’t want to miss the appointment.”

  “If it’s not some other girl, it’s this, isn’t it? It’s the baby.”

  “Robin, I love you. You know that, but there are some things I can’t handle. This is one of them. I’m sorry. I wish I could say something different, but I really can’t. Give me time. It’s all I ask.”

  She nodded, opening the door. “I get it. I do.”

  He watched her as she walked across the parking lot. He sat for a couple of minutes as she disappeared inside the building.

  “Go in there, asshole. She’s your best friend and was with you whenever you needed her. She was by your side, and she didn’t ask for this but is doing the best that she could. Your dad is handling this shit. Just get in there.”

  He didn’t move.

  Instead, he started up his car, and pulled out of the parking lot.

  There were some things he couldn’t do.

  ****

  Robin wiped the tears before they fell. When she was no longer pregnant, she would be happy from the reprieve of struggling with her emotions. She hated crying, and it felt like she’d done so for no reason.

  Sitting back in the chair, there was no mistaking the larger stomach. She would be getting bigger, but she could still get up and sit down without any assistance.

  Picking up a magazine, she flicked through the pages, not seeing any of the pictures or words.

  Randall was busy, and his assistant said he’d be back soon. He was fixing up the machine.

  She turned toward the door to see Preacher enter. He didn’t say anything as he approached, taking a seat.

  “Bishop didn’t want to come in,” she said.

  “I know.”

  “Did he tell you?”

  “He texted me before he drove you here. I had to cut my meeting short, but I wouldn’t miss this.”

  She tried to hide her sniffles, but he heard. He held out a tissue, which she took. “Thank you.”

  Next, he took her hand. “You shouldn’t be crying for him.”

  “I’m not.”

  “You are.”

  “I … I miss my best friend.”

  “He’ll come around.”

  “What if he doesn’t? We spend time together, but he always looks ready to take off at the nearest chance. I don’t know what to do anymore. It’s so exhausting.”

  Preacher turned to her, his large, muscular frame filling her senses.

  “What you need to do is stop worrying about Bishop or what he thinks. None of this is his business. It doesn’t have to be. If Bishop can’t get his head out of his ass, he has no right to be here.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. Listen to me. He has no right to make
you feel miserable.”

  “He is my husband.”

  “And I’m starting to think it was a mistake making you two get married.”

  “It’s fine.”

  He took her hand. “Don’t let him in, Robin.”

  “Preacher, Robin, would you like to come through?”

  He didn’t let go of her hand, and she didn’t fight for it back either. They followed Randall into the back room, and Preacher helped her up onto the bed.

  Leaning back, she lifted up her shirt.

  “How are you feeling?” Randall asked.

  “Okay.”

  “The morning sickness?”

  “Comes and goes. Today was a good day.”

  “That’s good. Some women experience morning sickness throughout their pregnancy, but others only get it in the first trimester.”

  “Let’s hope I’m the latter,” she said.

  He chuckled. “How are you feeling overall?”

  “I’m finding myself getting tired more. My clothes are too tight, which is making me miserable.”

  “I’ll have some clothes sent to my house,” Preacher said.

  “It’s fine.”

  “No, you need to be comfortable.”

  He was already tapping on his cell phone, and she didn’t have the energy to argue.

  “Let’s see what we’ve got here. Do you want to know the sex of the baby?”

  “Yes,” they both said in unison.

  She turned toward Preacher. “You do?”

  “Yeah, I want to know how to decorate the nursery. I want to be prepared for everything.”

  See, it was the little things he took care of which made her feel so many different things.

  Her heart racing, she stared at the screen as Randall put the gel on her stomach. Her hands shook a little, but she ignored them.

  She could handle this. No matter what this was, she could handle it.

  “How does the baby look?” she asked.

  “She is looking beautiful,” Randall said.

  “She?” Robin asked.

  “Yes. Congratulations, you’re going to be parents of a beautiful baby girl.”

  Randall pointed at a few blobs on the screen, but she ignored him. All she cared about was seeing her little girl.

  He printed out the picture again, handing it to her. He wiped the gel off her stomach, and she pushed her shirt down. He took some measurements, her weight, and did an overall check.

  “I want you to take it easy. If you have any fears or concerns, call me. You have the number.”

  “Do you think there will be complications?” She didn’t want anything to happen to her baby.

  “The human body is an amazing thing, but it does like to cause a few troubles. We can handle most things, but I want to be on the safe side. This is your first child. Everything looks good right now, Robin. You don’t need to worry.”

  Preacher led her outside, and she found he’d taken the car this time.

  “I figured you wouldn’t appreciate walking. You’re feeling tired?”

  “It’s not too bad.”

  “You’re going to have to rest. I’ll talk to your principal.”

  “I’m still going to school.”

  “If you’re tiring yourself out, you can’t.”

  “I can go to school. There’s no way I can stay at home all day doing nothing. It will drive me crazy.”

  “Nice,” he said.

  “I don’t mean to be mean. It didn’t come out right.”

  “You’re freaking out about our impending parenthood?”

  “A little. I don’t even know what to expect. Just ignore me.”

  “It’ll be fine.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes. I have no doubt.”

  She let out a breath. “I hope so.” She looked down at the picture. “A girl. We’re going to have a little baby girl.”

  He took the picture, and she smiled as he pressed a kiss to it. “See, no harm done. Let’s go and get something to eat.”

  This time he didn’t take her out of town. He took her to the diner in town.

  They didn’t go for a private booth but sat at a small table for two. She ordered a burger with all the trimmings while he opted for a steak. She glanced around the diner and saw they were being stared at.

  “Why are people staring?” she asked.

  “I’ve taken my son’s wife out to dinner. I’m guessing they’re being nosy bastards.”

  “I wish they wouldn’t look.”

  “Turn your eyes away. Go back to your dinner,” Preacher said, getting to his feet. She reached across the table, trying to stop him.

  People averted their gaze.

  “Did you have to do that?”

  “You didn’t want them staring. This is the only way to do that.”

  Their food arrived, and her hands shook a little.

  “I’m thinking the room next to you will be the perfect nursery. It has a lot of space. I’ve already put an order in for a crib. When it arrives, I’ll put it up.”

  “Can I decorate it?” She thought about the plain cream walls. She’d love to add a splash of color.

  “Are you going to turn it pink?”

  “Not completely. Just a little bit. It’ll look good. We’re going to … it’s going to be a girl.” She looked around to see if anyone had been listening to her slip-up.

  No one was paying them any attention. She breathed out a sigh of relief.

  “You need to stop stressing about the small stuff, sweetheart. You can decorate. Let me know what it is you want, and I’ll get it for you.”

  “Can I see your drawings?” she asked.

  “No.”

  “Come on. It could be good for us.”

  “What are you wanting me to do? Draw something on the wall?”

  “Why not? She’ll have some artwork from her dad.”

  “What if it’s a naked woman?”

  “Is that all you draw?”

  “No.”

  “Then let me decide. Come on, it’ll be good.”

  She noticed him tense up as he looked past her out the diner window.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Stay here,” he said, getting to his feet. He handed her his cell phone. “Get Bear and a couple of guys.”

  “What’s going on?”

  He didn’t answer but walked out of the diner.

  There were a couple of bikers. She didn’t recognize their logo. Nibbling her lip, she quickly dialed her father.

  Bear answered on the second ring. “What’s up?”

  “Dad, Preacher asked me to call. We’re at the diner in town, and a bunch of bikers have turned up. Slaves something. I don’t know who they are.”

  “Fuck! I’ll grab the boys.”

  “What do I do?”

  “What did Preacher tell you to do?”

  “To stay inside.”

  “Then do that.”

  “But what if he’s in danger?”

  “Do as you’ve been told, Robin. Don’t put yourself or Preacher in danger.” He hung up, and she looked out the window to see him facing off with the other bikers. The one who stood close to Preacher, he looked just as deadly and as menacing.

  She hated how sick she felt.

  Nothing bad could happen. She was pregnant, and there was no one she could trust more than Preacher.

  What can I do?

  Stay indoors.

  But he might be in danger.

  What can you do other than cause trouble?

  Stay indoors.

  It was wrong. Leaving him to face off with all those men. She had never seen them before. What if they hurt Preacher?

  ****

  “You shouldn’t fucking be here,” Preacher said, storming out of the diner.

  He wasn’t afraid of the little shits before him. He’d faced off with the Slaves alone, and they’d not killed him yet. None of them were worth his time, but he couldn’t allow them to walk into the d
iner, and he certainly couldn’t allow them to walk through town.

  “I don’t see a sign that says it’s your town.”

  “You know this is my town, Reaper. What do you want?”

  “Went out for a drive. Decided on a bite to eat.” Reaper looked into the diner. “I have to say, the rumors are … interesting.”

  Preacher stared at his enemy.

  “She looks young, Preacher.”

  This wouldn’t be the first or last time Reaper had tried to get to him. He stared at his enemy and waited for whatever it was he wanted to say.

  There was nothing between them, no reason for Reaper to be in town.

  If he thought for even a second Robin was in danger, he never would have brought her out. He hoped she’d done as he’d asked and stayed in-fucking-side. He couldn’t even give himself a chance to look behind him to see if she was safe.

  He didn’t care about himself. Whatever Reaper threw at him, he could handle without even thinking. This wasn’t their first encounter. It wouldn’t be their last. When it came to Reaper, the fucker only knew how to hide. Reaper and his crew were experts at getting lost without a trace. They were known for constantly moving around, never staying in the same place, and forever being on the move, leaving only chaos and carnage in their wake.

  “You’re not going to say anything to defend her honor? She’d be a nice piece of ass for all of us to share, don’t you think? I’ve heard you like taking ass, but then who could have told me that?” Reaper paced in front of him, doing all the necessary acting parts, and Preacher waited.

  There was no reason for him to lash out right now. He had to protect Robin and he couldn’t do that if O’Klaren suddenly turned up, and then he smiled.

  “You’re thinking of Flora, but don’t worry. It’s easy to make such a mistake. You wouldn’t want that woman in there. She’s … how do I put it? Loyal. She’s not a rat and last time I checked, all you men wanted were rats. The scummy parts the other clubs don’t want.” He stepped closer to Reaper. “Now, when we talk about rats, what the hell are you doing talking to O’Klaren?”

  This time Reaper smiled. “And what makes you think I’m talking with him?”

  “I’m not an idiot.” He heard the unmistakable rumble of bikes. “I suggest you get the hell out of town while you’ve still got limbs attached.”

  Reaper looked past him to the diner.

  Why was he looking at her?