... and Forever

by Sam Crescent

  “I put a large poster out front saying we have a new line. We’re unveiling it here, and if it goes well, we’re hoping to expand,” Lexie said.

  “These were literally doodles I made in a sketchbook,” Natalie said. “Lexie saw them and knew they’d make a perfect fit or something. I had no idea they’d look so good.”

  “What brings you here? Are you wanting a job?” Lexie asked, hands on her hips, giving her back a little stretch.

  “Er, no, I was wondering if you knew where Simon is today?”

  “It’s Friday. I’m afraid Devil’s taken him to one of the meetings with Lash and the guy from the Billionaires. James? Ugh, I can’t remember.” Lexie waved a hand in front of her face. “Can I help with anything?”

  “Unless you can dress up as Simon and pick Nathan up, nope.”

  “Come in for a coffee.”

  Tabitha held her hand up. “Make mine a tea. I’m not drinking coffee at the moment.”

  Natalie had already made her way inside but Lexie folded her arms and smiled. “I wondered when you’d, you know, figure it out.”

  She wanted to deny it but she winced. “You knew, huh?”

  “Your body has changed a lot, Tabitha. I see you a lot, and I can see the difference.” She pointed at her chest.

  Tabitha glanced down. Her buttoned shirts were a thing of the past for the time being. She was in the stretchy kind of large shirts.

  “Yep. They like to grow.”

  “Does Simon know?” Lexie asked.

  “No. I haven’t taken a test to confirm it, but seeing as I spewed my guts up every morning for the past couple of weeks, I’d say I don’t need a test. I have the other signs as well.” She followed Lexie into the shop.

  Natalie was out front. All of the blinds were pulled down.

  “I’m starting to regret that sign,” Natalie said.

  “You might want to call in a few of the ladies to help us out.”

  “I can help,” Tabitha said. “A bit of training on the till and I’ll be good to go.”

  Why did I say that?

  Because this is your family now. It’s time you stopped fighting it.

  Lexie cupped her face and kissed both of her cheeks. “You’re a lifesaver.” Lexie took Tabitha’s hand, leading her into the office. “We’ve got ten minutes.”

  “I’m nervous.”

  “Don’t be. How are you feeling?”

  “Other than the sickness, I feel pretty good.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. “It’s a lot to take in. I don’t know if I should tell Simon yet. You know, he’s doing well with the club. His schedule is all over the place, but we’re making it work.”

  “He wants to earn his patch. Devil has said he’s always there. Each phone call, he’s the first one to arrive.”

  Tabitha chuckled. “I think it pisses him off that Dean got the patched-in member before him.”

  “He’s going to earn it, you know that. Devil is going to pass the patch on to him when he’s ready.”

  “I know.”

  Lexie took Tabitha’s hand. “No, I mean, the patch, the President’s patch.”

  This made Tabitha pause. “He is? When?”

  “Not right now. Simon’s young, but Devil has already said he has qualities as a leader. The five men he brought, they’re all showing signs of being team players. There’s no doubt in Devil’s mind that his son has what it takes to be the club leader.”

  Lexie smiled. “I’m so proud of him. It won’t be today, or tomorrow, and not next year. When he’s ready. When everything is stable, and he’s had been patched in for a while, you know. Only when the time is right.”

  “Simon probably already knows.”

  Lexie shrugged. “So why do you need Simon to go and pick up Nathan?”

  Tabitha gave her a complete rundown of her conversation with Nathan. “It broke my heart. I can’t stand it.”

  “Kids crying are the worst,” Lexie said. “You always feel like there’s something you can do to make it right, but nothing ever feels good enough. I’ll make a call to Devil. See what I can do.”

  “Thanks. I’d call Simon, but if he’s in a meeting, I don’t want it to look badly on him. I know he’d put me first, and—” She winced. “Am I making him sound less like a leader?”

  Lexie chuckled. “Devil puts the club where he needs to. Sometimes I felt like he put the club before me, but he balances it. I know deep down, nothing will ever happen to us because his heart is always in the right place. I don’t always see it where it’s supposed to be, but it’s there.”

  They both chuckled.

  Lexie put a hand on Tabitha’s stomach.

  This was the only thing she hated about being pregnant. The unnecessary touching. Lexie was family, but when she’d been pregnant with Nathan back in Fort Wills, she’d walked around a supermarket and had no choice but to threaten people who dared to touch her. It had been a thing.

  Maybe this time it would be different.

  “When are you going to tell Simon?”

  “Soon, I guess. Will you take Nathan this weekend?”

  “I’d love to.” Lexie chuckled. “I’m going to get another grandbaby. I’m so happy.” She pulled her in for another hug.

  “I hate to break this emotional meeting, but it’s time to open the doors.”

  Tabitha pulled away and chuckled. She realized she’d been crying and shook her head. Always with the damn tears.

  ****

  “You’re sure you’re ready for this?” Devil asked.

  Simon looked up at his father. They’d just ridden back from a three-hour meeting with all of the Billionaire Bikers MC, Lash, and a couple of guys from The Skulls.

  “I’m ready.”

  There was a compound about a three-hour ride out of town. The Billionaires had the details, cameras, and footage. At least twenty young women were being held in cages. All of them exposed. What Simon had seen had turned his stomach. The girls were being forced to earn basic luxuries like a bath, clothes, even the use of the toilet. They were also having to beg and do things for food. The men, they were the lowest forms on earth.

  He couldn’t believe just how depraved some people were. Devil was giving him a crash course in what the club was doing and why they did it.

  “Do you need a drink?” Devil asked.

  They sat in Devil’s office. He held up a bottle of whiskey and a glass. Simon shook his head. “I don’t need any food. I’m sorry. I seem a bit out of it.” He ran a hand across his face.

  “It’s always shocking at first.”

  “But this isn’t the first time you’ve helped. I’ve witnessed some of the women and men, even kids, you’ve saved.” The Skulls and Chaos Bleeds not only helped to protect the vulnerable, but in most cases, they were the ones who also went in, extracted, and even killed. “How does it keep happening?”

  “It’s what happens. Believe me, I was always aware of the kind of shit that went on, just not how close to home it could be. It’s tough. These are … those women, we don’t know how long they’ve been there. I think the worst is the Billionaires have to wait. Gather enough intel before they bring us in. Some of these women could have been there for a year or more. Maybe longer. Those that don’t crack or end up dead get put up for auction.”

  “What happens to those that are auctioned?” he asked.

  Devil sighed. “Sometimes we find them. It’s not … easy. It’s tough. This entire gig is fucking hard.”

  “Tell me about it. I don’t know how you can deal with that. I don’t.”

  Devil took a seat next to Simon. “There have been times I’ve thought about backing out. This is bad, but we’ve encountered a lot of loss. Seeing piles of dead girls even put on display so the ones that are still alive stay compliant. I don’t need to see this kind of shit. I’m very much aware of the depravity of all life forms. I’ve lived it every single day. But I also know that if I don’t help, no one will. Sure, there will be people along the way, but I’ve
got to help. I think about Lexie, my girls. I’d want someone to if I couldn’t help them, you know?”

  Simon nodded. “I couldn’t think of anyone taking Tabitha. I don’t think I’d be able to stand it.”

  “I’m not going to lie to you, Simon, when we go in, it’s going to be hard. It’s going to get ugly. I’m going to be taking a lot of guys. I want you, Pa, Knight, and Twig. You’re light on your feet. Teddy and Felix are too loud. I’ve got a couple of boys. We move out Monday.”

  “Why not tonight?” he asked.

  “On Sunday, they’ve got a whole wave of girls coming in. With some fresh meat, they’re going to be distracted. They’ll be too busy trying to show them the ropes, punish them. This is our best chance.”

  Simon shook his head. “Fuck, I hate this. I hate how helpless I feel.”

  “It’s the name of the game.” Devil’s cell phone rang. “Hey, babe.” There was a brief pause. “Yeah, we’re back. I’ll give you an update tonight. Oh. Okay.” He held the phone out. “You’re on speakerphone.”

  “Hey, I’m going to put Tabitha on the phone,” Lexie said.

  “Hello,” Tabitha said.

  “Hey, what’s up?” Simon asked, sitting forward. Tabby had told him she’d avoid trying to call him while he was prospecting so he could focus on being what his father needed him to be. The last few months had been amazing.

  They were growing closer with every passing second.

  “It’s a little thing. I don’t suppose you’d pick Nathan up from school today and do it in your leather cut and bike, would you?”

  He could see Tabby scrunching up her nose, hating that she had to ask him. Simon gritted his teeth. He hadn’t even thought to offer to pick up their son.

  “Of course.”

  “I wouldn’t ask, but Nathan was upset today.” He sat and listened as Tabby told him what Nathan had said. It pissed him off. “I know you’re busy. I’m sorry, Devil, for interrupting.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Family is important. I know that. I had no idea Nathan was being picked on.”

  “I don’t think he’s being picked on. I just don’t think he has any friends.”

  “I’ll pick him up,” Simon said. “I’ll see you at home tonight.”

  “Yeah, I’ll cook dinner.”

  Devil hung up the phone.

  “Shit, what time do they get out of school?” Simon asked.

  “We’ve got twenty minutes.”

  “We?” Simon looked toward his dad.

  “Do you think I’m going to let you be the only one to pick up your son? He’s my grandson, and I’m not going to let fuckers think he doesn’t have family. I’d have nipped this shit in the bud a long time ago.”

  “You hate being called Grandpa,” he said, reminding his dad.

  Devil shrugged. “I’ve got no problem with it. Actually, I rather like it.”

  He laughed. Standing up, he ran his hands down his leather cut then he ran his fingers through his hair. “How do I look?”

  “Son, you’re going to pick up your boy. That’s all Nathan needs to see.”

  “You’re right, but, do I look, I don’t know?”

  Devil folded his arms. “Like what?”

  “A badass. I want to be able to give those kids a look that says back off my boy without having to say it.”

  Devil chuckled.

  “Come on, Dad. Don’t be my prez right now. Be my dad.”

  “I am being your dad and I can tell you you sound like an asshole.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Very funny.”

  “I’m being serious. Your son just wants you to pick him up from school. He doesn’t know that is what he wants. You love him.”

  “Weren’t you nervous about picking me up?”

  “Nope, and you shouldn’t be either. I’m definitely coming so you don’t bring down the cool rating.”

  “I am cool. Do you think we could bring a couple of the guys?” Simon asked. “Nathan’s one of us and with a few of the guys, it’ll be good for him. He has nightmares at night about being alone. I haven’t said anything in case he’s worried about me leaving, or if he misses Fort Wills. I don’t know what I’ve missed and I don’t want to ask Tabby.”

  Devil put a hand on his shoulder, silencing him. “Tabitha withdrew a lot from The Skulls, Simon. She was rarely at the clubhouse and didn’t even work for them. Of course, they were there for her, but not like it was for you guys.”

  Guilt flooded Simon. “Then let us take some of the guys. I want them all to see that Nathan is one of us, and that we’ve got his back.”

  Devil squeezed his son’s arm. “You might make a good man, yet. Go start your bike, I’ll round up the boys.”

  Simon headed out to his bike. Straddling the machine, he gunned the engine.

  One by one, Chaos Bleeds, the men who were available, each came out. Dick, Ripper, Pussy, Felix, Teddy, and Curse. Simon watched them all straddle their bikes. The clubhouse was always full at night, but each guy had a job to do.

  They all got on their bikes. Devil and him taking the lead, they rode out, heading toward the school.

  Simon didn’t know if he’d fucked up. It was just a school and his son, but he wanted Nathan to have the best and for Tabitha to have phoned or be with Lexie, this was important to her.

  They came up a main road and he saw the school ahead. There were a lot of parked cars. Children were running to their parents, and bringing his bike to a stop, he looked out across the sea of faces, spotting Nathan. He lifted his hand and his son spotted him.

  Nathan let out a squeal and grabbed his teacher’s hand, pointing in their direction.

  “Do not falter, son. This is his moment,” Devil said.

  “I won’t.”

  The teacher nodded and Nathan started to run toward him. Simon watched, nervous, hoping his son didn’t fall down. If the kids started to laugh, he’d be mightily pissed.

  Keeping his shit together, he waited, and finally, Nathan threw himself into his arms. Simon lifted him up, pressed a kiss to his cheek.

  “How about we make this a party, take you out for ice cream?”

  “Yes, Daddy,” Nathan said.

  “I didn’t hear that. You shout that for me.”

  Nathan did, repeating the words. Simon knew he had the whole yard’s attention.

  “That’s my boy.”

  He helped him onto the back of his bike and it felt so damn good.

  Devil already had a small helmet for Nathan to put on. With his arms wrapped around him, he left the school grounds, letting them all know he was here, Nathan was his son, and he belonged to the Chaos Bleeds crew.

  They may not start fights. Their reputation may be tame, but those who remembered the hard days, they’d be able to pass down the warnings not to mess with them. No one should ever poke a sleeping monster, just in case it might wake up.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Simon had dropped off Nathan at his parents’ house and was due back any minute. She’d bought a test and rather than take it with Lexie and the girls, she’d opted to have this experience with Simon. Daisy was also waiting for the results as she’d talked to her best friend that afternoon to let her know.

  Glancing around the apartment at the candles and the soft music, she couldn’t help but groan. This all looked wrong. She wore a summer dress. The only one that didn’t require a zip and was nice and stretchy over the bust.

  Her tits were refusing to cooperate by actually fitting into any clothes. Natalie had sold her this after she tried it on. According to Lexie, it brought out the color of her eyes.

  Fashion wasn’t her thing. Clothes were what she wore. She’d never been the kind of girl to spend too long trying to find the perfect outfit.

  She wasn’t wearing heels and just as she was about to blow out all of the candles, the door opened.

  “So I thought we’d…” Simon started to say but stopped as he took note of the lights out, the candles.

  “Hey,” sh
e said.

  “Hey.” He closed the door, locking it. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.” She pushed some of her hair off her face. Gripping the back of the sofa tightly, she forced a smile to her lips. “You stopped off at the shop.” He held a small bouquet of flowers.

  “Yeah, it’s our first weekend without Nathan. Am I missing an anniversary here?”

  “No, not an anniversary.” She blew out a breath, rubbing at her temple. “I don’t know what I’m doing. This was supposed to be a little something special. This is what couples do. They light candles, have wine, but I can’t drink wine. A nice romantic meal.”

  “Why can’t you drink wine?”

  She pressed her lips together. “You caught that part.”

  “You speak, I listen.”

  She chuckled. “Yeah, how about that.”

  “Tabby, what’s going on?”

  Turning toward his chair, she lifted up the box. “I had this whole thing planned in my head. We’d enjoy a meal, you’d drink a beer or wine. I’d have a nice water. Er, we’d talk, laugh, and then I’d show you this.” She held out the pregnancy test.

  “You’re pregnant?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t taken the test but I believe I am. I’ve got a lot of signs.”

  “You have?”

  “I vomit a lot in the mornings. Smells make me feel sick. My tits are huge.”

  “I had noticed your tits.” He smiled. “And this made you nervous?”

  “Yeah, I mean, this is like our first real … moment.”

  “And you think we needed all of this?” he asked.

  “I don’t know.” She covered her face. “I’m so scared. I know we’ve only been together a few months and everything is going so perfect.”

  He put the box down and went to her. His hands covered hers, and he dropped them away from her face.

  “You need to stop second-guessing all of this,” he said, stroking some of her hair back from her ear.

  “I don’t want to spoil what we’ve got.”

  “You couldn’t spoil anything.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “You’re too perfect to. I don’t need all of this and we haven’t been together for a few months.”

  “You’re not mad?” she asked.