by K E Osborn
The thing is, though, I’m starting to stew on it. Like, is there a reason he’s keeping me indoors or is it all in my mind? Surely, if there was a threat—an Everett-size threat—he would let me in on it, right?
As I sit working on another website, I groan as hunger pangs rips through my stomach. My hand moves down to the small bump on my belly. The noticeable difference in size now makes me smile as I rub my hand over my tummy.
The light from the laptop blares while Trax is off doing something with the club. We have an appointment this afternoon with the OB/GYN for my four-month check-up, so luckily, I’ll be getting out of the club for a little bit today and seeing the outside world. It’s been weeks since I stepped foot outside the compound gates. I really can’t wait to get a taste of fresh air. It might sound a little dramatic, but I just want to be able to walk around the city streets. Even if just for a little while.
I know Trax is protective of our babies and me, but if he’s protecting us from something or someone, he should at least be telling me about it. But I know how it works, if he’s keeping me under lock and key, there’s not a damned thing I could do about it anyway. I’m his Old Lady, if he wants to keep me here to protect me, then I know all those brothers out there will do absolutely everything in their power to make sure I stay exactly where I am. No point in even trying to fight it. I know how a brotherhood works, I was raised in it, and I’ve lived it my entire life. This is why I fit into the Old Lady role so easily. I’m not a pushover. I will fight Trax when I need to, but I know when a war can’t be won too. So if Trax wants me here, I’m not going anywhere.
My hand circles on my stomach again as the door to our room cracks open. I turn to see Trax pop his head through the opening. His eyes instantly drop to my hand on my stomach. He steps in closing the door behind him. “You and the babies okay?”
I lean back into the desk chair letting out a happy sigh. “We’re perfectly content.”
He beams wide squatting in front of me, placing his hands on my thighs as he looks up into my eyes. “You think we’ll find out the sexes today?” he asks.
Reaching out, I swipe a flop of hair from his face. “Maybe, but today’s about the screening tests, nothing serious, just to test for things we need to be on the lookout for.”
His smile falters, and he sighs. “Down syndrome and shit?”
“Amongst other things. It’s normal, nothing to worry about.”
He takes a deep breath. “Well, I don’t care. If our babies have any problems, we’ll deal with it. I’ll love them no matter what.”
I lean down planting a kiss on his lips briefly before pulling back. “And that’s why you’ll be the best dad ever.”
He stands up looking down at my computer, then to the wall randomly. “We really need to think about rearranging this desk and turning it into the kids’ area.”
“Yeah, well you bought the paint and stuff. We just need to move the desk into my old room so we can put the basinets up. Make it a real little baby zone.”
“I’ll put some time aside, and we can do it together. Create the two areas, one for your office, the other for our family.”
My stomach flutters. “I’d love that.”
He looks to his watch with an exhale. “Okay, want to get ready for your appointment, and I’ll take you to get some lunch before we go?”
Excitement flitters through me as I jump on the seat slightly. “Really? We’re going to go out for more than just the doctor’s appointment?”
His smile is weak like he knows he’s been holding out on me. “Yeah, you deserve to go out. You’ve been cooped up in here for far too long. Let me take you out. It can be like a date.”
I snort out a laugh. “I think we’re past dating, don’t you?”
He chuckles. “Let me take you on one anyway.”
Butterflies flutter in my tummy. “Okay… awesome.”
He grabs my hand hoisting me up from the seat as he pulls me into his arms. I wrap my arms around his neck tightly while looking deep into his eyes. “You’re my woman, Sparx. You know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, right?”
“I know, trust me, I know. I get that everything you do is for us,” I tell him.
He leans in pressing his lips to mine. I kiss him back feeling nothing but total devotion pouring back from him. The kiss deepens, that usual spark shooting through me, our tongues going rouge against each other’s, and I can’t help but wonder if we have time to take this further. Before I can make my move, he pulls back from me with the biggest of smirks, shaking his head. “You’re trouble, you know that?”
“Who? Me?”
He laughs as he spins me, and I stumble slightly in my awkwardness, just as his hand comes out slapping me hard on my ass. I giggle as I rush over to the closet pulling out a flowing white dress. It’s a nice day, and I’m pretty sure we’ll be taking the truck. As much as Trax loves his new bike, he doesn’t like me riding on the back of it at the moment. I know once the babies are born, I’ll be able to go on the back of his ride again, but while I’m pregnant, he doesn’t want to risk it. He’s extra cautious with the precious cargo onboard.
Trax watches me undress and looks at me shaking his head, his eyes going straight to my pot belly, and he walks over as I reach for my bra. He slides in behind and wraps his arms around me from behind. His warmth encases me. I giggle as his giant hand spreads out on my stomach taking it up almost entirely. His chin rests on my shoulder as I stop my movements just taking in this moment with him.
“I love you like this. You’re so fucking beautiful.”
I bring my hand up threading it through his longer than normal hair. “You make me feel beautiful. I’m so much happier when you’re around, Trax… I’ll never leave you again.”
He sighs leaning in planting a kiss on my cheek. “Let’s not think about it. You came back, that’s all that matters. I have you now, and I swear, baby, I’m never letting you go.”
I spin in his arms, my naked breasts rubbing against the leather of his cut as I look up at him. “You couldn’t even if you wanted to because I’ll never let you.”
I lean in, kissing him strongly again this time letting him know just how much I love and adore him. He’s my everything. He means absolutely everything to me, and right now I couldn’t love anyone or anything more in the world if I tried.
Eventually, we pull back, and he chuckles turning me around making me groan in contempt as I regrettably get dressed. As much as I want to fuck Trax right now, my need to get out of this compound is winning more.
“Right, let’s do this!”
“It’s a date. A hot date I might add.” His eyes roam up and down my body in my flowing dress.
I scoff rolling my eyes. “Shut up. You have to say that, or I’ll punch you.”
He snorts out a laugh. “I only speak the truth. Now grab your shit and let’s go.”
Leaning around, I grab my cell then shove it down my bra, reaching out for his hand as we leave our room and walk down the hall to the clubroom. Freckles and Surge are sitting at the bar, they turn to look at us as we walk past.
“You going somewhere?” Surge calls out with a hint of deeper meaning in his voice that I’m unsure of.
I tilt my head wondering what this is about while Freckles beams at me as if nothing’s going on, but Surge isn’t as good at playing it cool as Trax’s mother.
Trax grips my hand tighter. “Yeah, taking my woman out to lunch, then to the doctors for a four-month check-up.”
Surge’s face tightens into something harder. “Why don’t you have lunch with us?” he asks as Freckles snorts. “Stop it, Surge, Sparx hasn’t been out in weeks. Let the poor girl have one lunch date with her man. Trax has it covered… right?”
She looks to Trax tilting her head like she’s asking him an unspoken question. I’m not liking how this conversation is going.
“Yeah, got it covered. Sparx deserves lunch. I’m not taking her far, just to The Heart of Italy, to that
that special Italian restaurant.”
Surge’s eyes narrow like something clicked in his mind, although nothing has clicked in mine. I have no idea what’s going on, but I don’t care. As long as I get some nice pasta, I’m happy.
“Good work, boyo. Tell them Italians we say hi,” Freckles relays. I raise my brow in curiosity. Maybe we’re going to see that Enzo guy. I don’t care as long as I get food. Pronto.
“Right, we’re off. I’ll see you when we get back.”
Freckles winks at me. “If you get pictures of them babies, can you try to get one for me, too?”
“Of course, Grammy,” I tease.
She beams so wide, it’s contagious. “Grammy! I love it. Oh lordy, lordy, Lord, I’m gonna be a grandma. I’m so fuckin’ happy for you two. But go on, go… have your lunch then bring me a photo of my grandbabies.”
Trax smiles pulling me to him as we head out to the truck. He leans in kissing my temple as we round the car, and I let out a heavy sigh. He looks to me raising a brow. “That’s a big sigh, you okay?” He opens the door for me helping me up into the truck.
“Yeah, just wish people would stop pussy-footing about around me.”
He walks around to the driver’s side getting in closing the door to start the truck. “What do you mean?”
I look to him doing up my belt. “I mean, I know something’s going on at the club to do with me. I know I’m obviously being kept here. That little show by Surge wasn’t because he wanted to eat lunch with me. Something’s happening, isn’t it?”
He exhales pulling out then heads for the gate as it opens to let us through. “Babe, there’s nothing for you to worry about. I promise.”
“Would you tell me if there was?”
He peers sideways at me. “If it were necessary, yes. But sometimes what you don’t know doesn’t hurt you.”
I let out a stifled laugh. “Ha! So there is something you’re not telling me?”
He groans pulling onto the service road. “Sparx, trust me. You’re safe if we keep doing what we’re doing.”
A chill runs over me at his words. So he is hiding me from the world, or more importantly from someone—Everett. “Has he found me?”
Trax looks to me. “Babe, please don’t worry. He hasn’t found you. If he had, there would have been trouble, yeah? And there hasn’t been. We’re just being extra cautious, especially with our twins on the way. I don’t want to risk anything. He is, by all accounts, a crazy fucker, so I don’t want to take any chances.”
“Okay, I get that.”
He reaches out grabbing my hand. “I will always look out for you, for the three of you. You’re my life, Mylee.”
I sink a little knowing Everett’s out there, on the hunt. However, knowing Trax and the club are doing everything to safeguard me, it’s bearable to deal with. So far, nothing has come of it. I’ve been at Defiance for months without Everett making contact, so they must be doing something right.
We continue into the Heart of Italy as Trax drives us to our destination telling me about how they have the best calzone. Pulling up the car, he jumps out running around to open my door, before I have a moment to think. I giggle at his chivalrous side—this big burly biker going out of his way for his woman. You’d never think he could be like this to look at him with his stereotypical broad shoulders, arms, and neck covered in tattoos, his pierced nose and tatty hair, not to mention the scruffy beard and cut. He looks like a rough around the edges badass, but he’s my badass, and I love how he falls over himself for me. I couldn’t feel more honored if I tried.
We walk inside the restaurant, and it’s bustling with lunchtime visitors. But Trax doesn’t keep his hands far from me. I notice his eyes are everywhere taking in everything around us. He’s on edge. Which has me a little on edge. As he leads us in, suddenly Enzo appears letting out a loud almost shriek as he rushes toward us, along with two men flanked by his sides. They’re all wearing smart black pinstriped suits with gold chains hanging around their necks. They look completely ridiculous in this pizzeria, but the smiles they’re sporting make me feel welcome as Enzo grabs Trax pulling him into a man hug, much to Trax’s discomfort.
“Trax, my boy, so glad you wanted to come to my place for lunch with your woman. I have a table at the back set up for you two, all romantic like candles and everything. You have whatever you want on the menu, anything you need, it’s yours. My house is your house.”
Trax and I grin. “Thanks, Enzo. I know we’ve had our… differences, but I do appreciate you looking out for us like this,” Trax states.
Enzo leads us to the table, the two guys in the matching suits following us, like they’re our guards or some shit. I wonder briefly if this is why we’re here. I think Trax brought me here for lunch because Andretti’s men can watch over us while we eat. Trax can enjoy our lunch together while Enzo’s men keep a lookout for Everett. I think he’s a bigger threat than Trax is letting on. But I’m not going to let Trax know I’m in on what he’s doing. At least he’s making an effort to get me out of the clubhouse even if we are protected by Italian Mafiosos.
I don’t mind.
Having the protection around me, though a little daunting, it’s actually good. I don’t have to worry about Everett, and I can relax and enjoy my lunch. I slide into the red booth smiling at the table adorned with a gingham cloth covering it, a set of candles, and even a single red rose in the middle. It’s super sweet as Trax slides in the other side facing out so he can see everything. I sink into the booth seat taking a breath. It’s not normal, not in the least. I can see the suited guys standing off to the right watching us like I suspected. I know they will stay there for the entirety of our lunch. Nothing about my life is normal, but for me having a lunch date with my biker man, it couldn’t be more perfect right now.
Enzo steps up placing some menus in front of us. “Your menu, madam. Please, eat as much as you can, you’re eating for three, so I expect you to have one of everything on the menu. Your boy here did me a solid, so anything you want, you can have.”
I laugh. “Well, it smells amazing in here.”
He puffs out his chest wide. “I like her, Trax. You’re welcome here any time, lovely lady. I’ll get you some water? Juice? Soda?”
“Juice would be nice, thanks.”
“Coming right up. Trax you can have a soda,” he states walking off not giving Trax the choice.
I laugh as Trax rolls his eyes. “Fucking Enzo,” he murmurs as I reach out across the table grabbing his hand. “Thanks, for this. I know you and the Andretti’s don’t have the best track record, but thanks for bringing me here. Plus, Italian food… yum!”
“Only the best for my girl.”
MYLEE
Our lunch date continues, and I eat far too much food feeling a little too full, almost to the point of nausea. I notice the Mafiosos haven’t left our side the entire meal, but I actually feel grateful not annoyed about it at all.
After thanking Enzo, we left and are making our way into the city to see Dr. Branson the OB/GYN. But as we round the corner, the traffic is piled up. I can see flashing lights way ahead in the distance. “Shit, I think there’s an accident or something?”
Trax groans looking to the clock on the dash. “Hopefully, the delay isn’t too bad, or we’ll be late. Lunch ran a little too long,” Trax stresses.
The traffic moves slowly. My anxiety creeping higher and higher. I hate being late and knowing there’s nothing we can do to get through this traffic any quicker is annoying me. “It’s okay. When we get there, I’ll pull up out the front, and you can run in, then I’ll park and follow you.”
I relax a little as we slowly edge up closer and closer to the accident. Eventually, we’re able to pass the graphic scene.
Trax grips onto my knee. “Don’t look, babe,” he warns.
I quickly look to Trax while he watches the road as we finally pass the pedestrian versus car accident, and he makes his way to the building pulling in right next to the door. �
��Go straight in, do not stop for anything. I will wait right here until I see you go inside, then I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he instructs. I lean over giving him a brief kiss then turn quickly jumping out of the truck before someone honks at him. I run to the door, turn back giving him a brief wave before I walk inside and up to the counter. Turning back and looking out the glass door, I see him driving off like a lunatic as I take a breath and swing around to the redheaded receptionist.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I’m Mylee Bannerman. I’m here to see Dr. Branson.”
The assistant hardly looks to me. “It’s fine, that accident out there is causing chaos here today anyway. Come with me, I’ll take you straight through, the doctor’s waiting.”
Nerves run through me. I want to wait for Trax, but I don’t want to keep Dr. Branson waiting any more than we already have. “My partner, Konnor, is just finding a parking space, so can you let him come through when he arrives?”
“Of course.”
We reach the door, but the redhead doesn’t look in, just merely opens it absentmindedly gesturing for me to walk in. I step inside as she closes the door behind me. Looking in, I see Dr. Branson standing by the giant window wearing a lab coat, he’s gazing out onto the street obviously checking out the accident. But as I take a closer look, I feel like his height is different, maybe even his stature. Shit! Something about him looks off. Has his hair color changed?
When he turns around, all the air is knocked from my lungs once I take in the man before me.
He’s definitely not Dr. Branson.
It’s Everett fucking Scott.
I gasp.
I want to make a run for it, but my body won’t move.
I’m stunned to the spot as fear creeps over every inch of my body, my skin prickling in goosebumps as a cold sweat runs over me. “Everett?”
“Found you!” his voice is deep, menacing, and it sends a chill through me. Then it hits me—a memory, a flashback. Me, in the hospital, him over me in a lab coat at my drip. He was there. He knew where I was the entire time. I just didn’t remember until this very moment seeing him in the same outfit.
