by K E Osborn
I sniff. “Thanks, Dad, it means everything. I… I just miss Mom so much sometimes it completely paralyzes me. The thought I’m going to be going through this without her advice about how to raise this child …” My eyes mist up as I try to rid the tears.
“I know, I know, baby. She would have loved nothing more than to see you become a mother, even though I know she’d feel all your torment right with you. It’s a cross you must bear, but what’s done is done, Mylee, and unfortunately there’s nothing you can do to change anything now. If this baby has issues, there’s nothing you can do to stop it. You just have to be prepared for when it’s triggered.”
“I know. I hate I’ve cursed this baby before it’s even born.”
“It is not a curse, Mylee. It’s an adjustment. It’s a test you’re given to work with to guide you in life. You work with it, you move with it, you flow with it. It pushes you, and you push back. It’s a part of you. You can’t change it. You accept and embrace it. Bipolar disorder is not what you are, it doesn’t define you, it’s simply one piece of the complicated puzzle. We all know that puzzles have way more than one piece to them, right?”
“Right… when did you become so insightful?”
He chuckles. “I’ve been to a lot of psychiatrist appointments in my life between you and your mother. So I’ve picked up some of their wisdom.”
I lean in gripping his hand tighter. “I’m glad they rubbed off on you because I really needed to hear that. You know exactly what to say and when to say it.”
“I’m your dad, I’m meant to be perfect.”
I snort rolling my eyes. “You’re crazy.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, a hell of a lot of the time, I am. But we all have a little crazy in us.”
I raise my brow. “Ain’t that the truth?”
Movement in the doorway makes me eyes swing to it. I see Trax beaming from ear to ear.
Dad looks to Trax letting out a deep throaty groan like he’s annoyed. “Right, I have some business to attend to. I’m going to be here for a couple of days before I have to go back. So relax, let us all take care of you, okay?”
“Okay. And Dad?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“Don’t be too hard on, Trax.”
He grunts as Trax heads back out of the room obviously knowing Dad’s coming for him.
“I make no promises,” Dad sneers as he steps out of the room his footsteps pounding like lead weights.
Oh fuck.
TRAX
Standing in the hall waiting for Crest has me anxious. I know he’s coming, I’m just waiting for him. I saw him briefly when he arrived, but he was way too concerned about seeing Mylee to care about talking to me, but I know we’re about to get into it now.
Crest rounds the door of Mylee’s room, his finger coming out, pointing straight at me, then down the hall with a grunt. I sigh in understanding. He wants to take this argument away from Mylee’s room so she can’t hear us. She doesn’t need the added stress of hearing her father ream me a new one.
We walk down the hall in awkward silence until we reach an outdoor area where it’s completely void of people.
As soon as the door shuts, Crest lets out a grunt throwing his hands in the air, his booming voice echoing around the vast area. “You claimed her!”
I tense as I gauge his level of anger. “She’s been mine for years, Crest. I know it. She knows it. Hell, you know it, too. We just needed for everything to fall into place.”
“You fucking claimed her!” he reiterates stepping so close I can smell the tobacco on his breath.
I look him dead in his eyes with an exhale. “I did. And I’d do it again in a second. I mean it, Crest. I love her.”
His eyes are cold with a stern glint in them as he steps even closer. His hands grab at my shirt, scrunching tightly as he bores into my eyes. “You. Claimed. Her. Trax.”
I shrug not knowing what else to do. It only makes him worse as he shoves me hard. I stumble back a step almost falling, but it’s like everything moves in slow motion as his fist clenches. My eyes widen as I follow his movement, his weathered tight knuckles flying straight at my jaw, but I’m too stunned to deflect before searing pain sweeps over me. A crunching sound reverbs through my ears as the firm knock to the side of my cheek pushes me to the side. I grip onto my jaw as I spit out a small line of blood.
The punch was hard.
It was deserved.
Suddenly, it sinks in—I claimed her without running it past him, without asking for his permission. It’s like asking your father-in-law for permission to marry his daughter but in a different kind of way. She’s a biker brat, she belongs to another club, and now I have taken over her ownership without seeking permission. When I had full intentions of talking to him about it. Fuck!
Slowly, I raise up clenching the side of my face. His eyes are hard as he stares while he shakes out his hand.
“I should’ve asked your permission. Agreed. I should’ve come to you, asked if you were good. Agreed. But you have to know if you said no, I would’ve done it anyway.”
A slow grin crosses his face as he shoves me away from him again. “Yeah, I fucking know it. What I didn’t know was this was going to happen so soon. One month, Trax! She’s been here not even two damn months, and you’re already taking her from me.”
“I’ll never take her from you, Crest, but she’s my woman now. I’ll do everything I can to look after her, to take care of her and our baby.”
Slumping his body, he sighs. “Yeah, yeah. I trust my daughter and my grandchild in your hands. That’s why I brought her to you in the first place. No one loves her the way you do. I’ve always known it. But if you ever… and I mean ever fucking undermine me again, so help me God, Trax, I’ll do more than thrust my fist through your motherfucking teeth.”
Chuckling, I rub my jaw again. “Okay, for the next big question that needs to be asked, I’ll get your permission first.”
He cockily smirks. “Let’s just get through this pregnancy before we start thinking about that big fucking question.”
“Right. We’ll get settled, but I can promise you, Crest, I will come to you one day asking for your permission for Mylee’s hand.”
He groans. “Prove yourself during this pregnancy, then we’ll fuckin’ talk.”
“Deal.” I place out my hand for him to shake. He lets out a small laugh as he slaps my hand away making me flinch at his reaction. He steps up, wrapping his arms around me in a tight bear hug. Closing my eyes, I feel the warmth of a father figure, something I haven’t had for six long years since my father’s accident with Zoey. It’s good to have a connection to Crest that isn’t brute manliness. It’s a deeper connection, and while living in the brotherhood is all about being a man and showing your tougher side all the time, sometimes when connected by someone who brings two men together, it’s showing your softer side that truly connects you to each other, making your bond even stronger than you know. He is, and always will be, a part of my family. He’s the grandfather of my child, a man I look up to, and he’s the father of my woman, a man I respect above all else.
I’m normally a hard man, a broken man, but right now with Crest and Mylee down the hall carrying our unborn baby, I’m starting to feel like all the fractured pieces of me might be finally starting to meld back together.
One small piece at a time.
Crest pulls back slapping my back a few times for good measure. “You’re going to be good for her, kid. I can feel it.”
“I’m gonna do my best. I’m gonna do everything I can for her, for our baby. Make a life for us, protect us from everything coming our way… every-fucking-thing.”
“I trust you. If there’s one thing I know in all of this mess, it’s the fact you’ll lay down your life for Mylee. I’ve never once doubted that.”
“I’ll never give you a reason to doubt it, Crest. I promise you, my kid, my woman, I’m gonna make us the happiest fucking family you’ve ever seen.”
“Y
eah, you will. ‘Cause if you don’t, I’m going to ream you a new damn asshole.”
I snort out a laugh. “Are we good?”
He chuckles. “Yeah, we’re always good. You have the best interest of my baby girl at heart. Just don’t leave me out, that’s all I ask.”
I sigh regretting my actions. I should have asked him, but my claim on Mylee came out before I had a chance. “You’ll know about everything as it happens. You have my word.”
“Good, now let’s go sit with our girl and make her laugh. She needs to keep her spirits up because tomorrow’s going to be a hard day for you both.”
I take a deep breath knowing tomorrow’s where the rest of our lives change dramatically. I feel good knowing we have a great support team around us—my family, her family, the club. Everyone’s here for us. We just have to take this leap of faith together.
We can do this.
MYLEE
Leaving the hospital was a wake-up call. It brought home the fact that I have to step into the real world and actually do this pregnancy thing. Trax has been nothing but the doting partner, and while everyone’s being so unbelievably supportive, it’s a scary thought coming back to the clubhouse.
As Trax leads me through the door—my heart’s racing so fast, my leg’s aching from the accident—I take a breath remembering this is my home. These are my people. I can fucking do this.
I step inside, and the moment I do, a roaring cheer erupts through the clubhouse. A small laugh escapes my mouth as Trax pushes me inside. I hadn’t realized I’d stopped walking as I glance back to him with a wide smile.
“See… everyone’s happy for us,” he murmurs.
Lala and Freckles bound over to us. Lala instantly rushes her hand to my stomach as Freckles swats her daughter’s hand away while I giggle.
“Lala, you don’t randomly go touchin’ people’s stomachs,” Freckles calls out.
But Lala takes no notice and bends down in front of me, her face to my tummy. “Hello in there, my little niece. Your Auntie Lala is going to have so much fun with you.”
Trax shakes his head as Freckles rolls her eyes, and Lala finally straightens herself upright after she’s finished talking to the baby.
“He’s going to be a boy,” Trax corrects.
I turn to him raising my brow with a smirk.
Lala’s mouth twists up. “Nope, it’s a girl. I can feel it,” she coos, then places her hand on my tummy once again. I look back at her with a chuckle while warmth floods through me.
This is actually happening.
It finally clicks.
I’m pregnant.
I knew, I mean in the hospital it registered, but not until right now with all this hype is it truly sinking in.
This is big.
This is kind of… amazing!
“Welcome to your party, Mylee. We’re celebratin’ this amazing news,” Freckles cheers.
Again my brain registers as I look around noticing the balloons, streamers, and the giant inflatable baby—geez that shit’s actually kind of creepy—it makes me laugh. I glance to Trax who’s grinning wide. I wonder if he knew about this. He shrugs as warmth flows through me in delight.
“You guys… thanks so much.”
Lala grabs my hand dragging me away as she leads me over to a group of people. Sass, Foxy, Ruby, everyone’s here including all the brothers. I’m swarmed by people congratulating me, and I lap it up. This is going to be a good thing. So I get lost in the party, enjoying it as I glance over to Trax who’s standing with his brother watching me with a giant lopsided smile on his face. He appears undeniably happy.
The party continues on with fun, laughter, drinking—orange juice for me, of course. I’m busy chatting with Lala when Ace makes his way over, his man bun in perfect order. I smirk when he throws his hands out to the side.
“Well, well… congratulations are in order,” he praises leaning in giving me a brief hug.
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure I would cope, but having you guys supporting me like this…” I trail off.
He bumps my shoulder. “Mylee, you know you always have my support. No matter what life throws at you. But this? This is fantastic news. Fuck! I couldn’t be happier you and Trax are settling down. I couldn’t imagine anyone better, you’re perfect for him.”
My heart leaps into my throat. I sigh as I reach out grabbing Ace and pulling him into another tight hug. Ace has always been good to me, been such a great friend.
A clearing throat makes me pull back to see Trax standing beside us. His eyes show he’s perturbed, so I break free from Ace as I roll my eyes.
“Urgh, get over it,” I mock.
Trax raises his brow feigning disapproval. “Get over it? I’ll show you get over it,” he grunts as he grabs me around the waist hoisting me into his arms.
I let out a scream as I throw my arms around his neck while everyone laughs. “Trax! Put me down. This is our party.”
He chuckles. “Party’s over, baby,” he yells as he walks us through the crowd toward the hall.
I giggle as I wave to everyone while we disappear down the hall. We step up to Trax’s room, he walks us in closing the door with his foot. He strolls over to the bed then proceeds to place me down onto the mattress. His broad frame, teamed with his lopsided smirk makes my clit throb instantly. His tongue darts out licking his bottom lip seductively which only makes me clamp down on my bottom lip.
He saunters toward me as he shrugs out of his cut. I raise my brow as he places it on the table beside the bed. “Don’t throw me cheek like that in front of my brothers, Mylee.” He steps up to the edge of the bed, his fingers linking with the hem of his shirt as he yanks it over his head, his abs almost glisten against the slight sheen on his body which makes the bruises seem darker. Slight tension fills the room.
“It’s just so easy to tease you when it comes to Ace,” I taunt him.
He groans, throwing his shirt to the floor bringing his knee to the edge of the bed beside my leg. His hands move either side of me, the bed dipping with his weight as he moves over the top of me. My hands slide up his strong biceps. That spark that we both always feel ignites between us as I pull my lips in tight together, and he glares down at me.
“You’re being very disobedient, Sparx.”
My brows pulls together. “Sparks?”
He inches closer. I feel it, the energy, the pulse, the spark. “I know you feel it. I fucking come alive near you, Mylee. You electrify me, even when you’re being a brat. You never fail to ignite me. So, I’m calling you Sparx from now on… with an x at the end to match my name. Trax and Sparx.”
Drawing my bottom lip in by my teeth, a shiver washes over my spine. Foxy and Sass both have Old Lady names. I’m so fucking honored that Trax is giving me one too. One to match his nonetheless.
“Sparx… I like it.”
He rolls his hips into me making me whimper. “Great, now be a good girl and stop with the Ace bullshit.”
I smirk. “But if I do that, you won’t punish me.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
His glare hardens as he groans. “I let you get away with way too much.”
“Then, right now, do whatever you want. I’ve been bad, so teach me how to be good.”
His eyes widen. “Fuck woman!” He sucks in a sharp breath as his hips roll into my pussy. His hard cock ever present. “Even when being a bad girl, you know how to be so, so good.”
I tilt my hips grinding my pussy against the seam of his jeans causing sweet friction between us. We both let out a heavy breath as he shakes his head. He leans in giving me a quick peck on my lips, before pulling back to look at me. He exhales, then bends down sliding his hands down my thighs. The movement is slow, seductive, and it sends a tingle all the way down my spine. I smile as I watch him.
His hands move to my ankle boots pulling them off swiftly as he then makes his way up to the hem of my jeans. All the while, I lay back on the bed, just letting him dish out whatever he wants. He’s running this show.
I’m just holding on for the untamed ride. He undoes my jeans then pulls them down slowly along with my panties being cautious of my thigh wound.
He grins widely as he looks at my pussy. I roll my eyes as he stands back from the bed and starts to unbuckle his belt. Instinctively, I begin pulling off the rest of my clothes, throwing them off the bed as he steps out of his jeans. His rock-hard cock springs to attention as he stands before me. I flop back down to the bed.
“Oh no, baby. Up you get. Roll over. On all fours,” he demands.
My stomach flutters with anticipation as I move on the bed. He kneels behind me, the mattress shifting as my knees dig into the soft fabric. My hands splay out as my hair falls down around my face. His hands slide in around my hips—warm, inviting, demanding—as he positions me as he wants me. Anticipation is building, adrenaline is pumping, the need to be with him is overwhelming as my clit throbs so much I feel like it might burst. I want to touch myself to ease the pressure as he moves in behind me, the head of his cock pressing against my pussy.
“Don’t talk like that to me in front of a brother again. Do you hear me?”
I smile. “Yes.”
A sudden slap on my ass sends a sting reverberating through my body as I wince but clench my eyes at the desire flowing through me while I shudder with need. With want.
He better fuck me soon, or I’m going to start begging for it.
“You better promise, Mylee. Or I’m not going to fuck you.”
I audibly whimper as I push back slightly, so the tip of his cock edges inside of me ever so slightly. I relish in the feeling. “I fucking promise, Konnor. I need you.”
With a loud groan, he thrusts forward and up, his thick cock pushing inside of me, so full, so hard, I clench my eyes tight unprepared for the intrusion. My fingers dig in grasping the soft fabric of the quilt. I let out a loud moan as his fingers grab my hips holding me in place.
