by K. J. Dahlen
Deke helped Cassie out of the van, then Deacon and Marnie joined them. Deacon and Marnie had joined them on this journey because Deacon was family.
Deke looked over at Cassie and asked, “Are you ready for this?”
Cassie looked excited. “Yeah, I am more than ready. I hope she’s here.”
“Let’s find out, shall we?” Deke took her hand and walked with her up to the front door. With a brisk knock, he rapped on the door.
A moment later, the door was open and an older man stood there. He looked at Deke first then swung his eyes to Cassie. He gasped and grabbed onto the door as he stared at her face. “Oh, my God…”
Deke’s grip tightened on her hand. “Do you know this woman?”
Max turned away from Cassie slowly. “If her hair was darker she could be my Paige.”
“I’m her sister Josette,” Cassie told him. “But I’ve been called Cassie since I was three.”
Max frowned. “I never knew she had a sister. Maybe you should come inside.”
“Do you remember me Max?” Deacon asked.
Max turned to view the other man and his frown deepened. “Jethro Ryan? I haven’t seen you in over twenty years.”
“That’s me.” Deacon nodded.
Max opened the door, inviting them all in. When they were all inside, he led the way into the living room. He caught Cassie’s eyes again, and shook his head. “I can’t believe it.”
“What can’t you believe?” Deke asked.
Max glanced over at Deacon then looked at Deke again. “Jemmia and Flynn and I were friends all through high school. Our senior year those two dropped out. It was shortly after Jemmia’s parents died in that accident. I finished school, got married and started working. I guess you could say I lived an uneventful life but then eighteen years ago, Flynn looked me up. He had this sweet little girl with him. He told me Jemmia was gone and he couldn’t take care of his kid. He asked if Peggy and me wanted her. I didn’t know what to say but Peggy wanted her. He was only here a matter of hours, then just like that he was gone again.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Peggy and I, we couldn’t have kids of our own, so Flynn leaving his little girl here was an answer to Peggy’s prayers. We even talked about moving so Flynn couldn’t come back and take her away again.” Shaking his head, “But we couldn’t do that.”
“But Flynn never came back did he?” Deacon asked.
Max shook his head. “No he never did. We raised that little girl as our own. We had to pretend we adopted her, so we could get a birth certificate for her but we never lied to her. We just didn’t tell her Flynn dropped her off here and disappeared. We decided to keep quiet about that. We tried to give her a good life.” Max turned to stare at Cassie again. “Flynn never said he had another daughter.”
Cassie snorted. “Yeah, he was a peach that way.”
Max seemed a little nervous. “Why are you here exactly?”
“I just found out that I have a sister. All I wanted was the chance to meet her. I didn’t come here to start any trouble and I would never hurt her in any way,” Cassie assured him. She opened her purse and took out a bundle of papers. She took off the first paper and handed it to Max.
Max glanced at the paper in his hand. His eyes widened as he noticed it was Paige’s birth certificate. He looked over Cassie.
“That was how I learned about my sister. My mother left those and some other papers for me. I had to find her. I hope you can understand that.”
Just then, the front door opened and two women entered. One was older and the other was younger with dark hair. When they came into the living room, the older woman halted as she gasped.
Cassie lifted her eyes and she saw fear in the older woman’s’ eyes. Cassie slowly stood and turned to the younger woman. “Hi Paige,” she smiled.
Paige smiled back. “I think I know you. You’ve been in my dreams all my life.” She stared at Cassie’s hair. “I remember your hair and now, I have a face to go with it. It’s my face too. I could never remember that part.”
“I’m your sister Josette.”
Paige shook her head. “You always wanted to be called Cassie. Mom would call you Josey and you would get so mad at her. You used to tell her your name wasn’t Josey, it was Cassie.”
Cassie gasped. “How did you know that?”
“I don’t remember much of my life before I came here but there are some things you just can’t forget. I couldn’t remember your face all these years but in my dreams I would see broken bits and pieces of my childhood. I never could connect the reason why, but I think now I know.”
Cassie felt tears running down her face. “You remembered me?”
Paige nodded.
“Why couldn’t I remember you?” she whispered.
Paige stepped closer and wrapped her arms around Cassie. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters now, is that we’re finally together again.”
Cassie crushed her sister in her embrace. “I found you again!” They cried and laughed together. Finally, they both sat down and Cassie introduced Paige to Deke, “Paige, I want you to meet my man, Deke Tory.”
Paige smiled at him.
“Hey, you may not remember me but I’m your uncle Jethro. Your mother was my sister. Although, I prefer to go by Deacon.” Deacon smiled. He pointed his thumb at Marnie. “And this lovely young lady is going to be your aunt. Her name is Marnie.”
“Is Mom still alive?” Paige asked.
Cassie shook her head. “No Flynn murdered her eighteen years ago.”
“Who is this Flynn?” Paige asked.
“That would be our father,” Cassie informed her.
Paige’s eyes widened. “Oh, my…”
“Flynn always was a crazy bastard,” Max commented softly.
“The only decent thing he ever did was to bring you here.” Cassie took her sister’s hand. “Even if his motives were screwed up, I couldn’t be happier for you.”
Paige glanced over at Max and Peggy. “So when is your baby due?”
Cassie smiled. “I’m actually having twins, a boy and a girl.”
Paige smiled. “How cool is that?”
“I’m naming the little girl after Mom,” Cassie informed everyone.
Max reached out and patted her hand. “Jemmia would have liked that.”
“I hope so.” Cassie got to her feet. “I hope someday, we can get to know each other as sisters again. We’re only here for the day and Deacon is going to show me where Mom is buried.” She motioned at Deke, Deacon and Marnie. “We live and work near Troy, New York. I would love for you to come and visit.”
“Do you have to go?” Paige asked.
“I don’t want to, but this has been enough excitement for one day. We both have a lot to think about.” She turned to Max and Peggy. “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you did for Paige. I’m so glad to know you loved her more than enough. You raised her like your own and that’s the best anyone could do.”
The older couple looked stunned by her words as they stared at the young woman who looked so much like their daughter.
Paige got to her feet and the girls hugged like there was no tomorrow. When they separated, Cassie dug in her purse and handed Paige a card for Redemption House. “You can contact me here anytime you want.”
Peggy came over to Cassie and hugged her. “I wish we had known about you as well.”
Cassie smiled sadly. “At least she was spared and for that…I’m glad.”
When Peggy opened her mouth to ask what she meant, Cassie held up her hand. “That’s a story for another day. I do hope we’ll have the time to get to know one another.”
Deke stood and wrapped his arm around her. “Are you ready to go baby?”
Cassie nodded. She walked over to Max and gave him a hug. Then turned and walked to the front door. Tears rolled down her face as she stepped outside. The sun was shining and the air was warm. She felt complete for
the first time in a long time.
BABIES & BASTARDS
#3
Just as Cassie’s whole world is coming together—it’s ripped apart when Deke’s dad, Sam stops the wedding. When Deke won’t allow Sam close to her, he has her kidnapped…When Sam finds out who she really is, he asks about Flynn’s older brother. No one realized he even existed and they scramble to find him before he comes after Cassie. Rumor is Donavan will kill the person who snitched on his brother and got him killed.
When the police come around asking more questions…Cassie reveals another dirty little secret. Lance’s partner isn’t who he seems and he takes her back to Boston at gunpoint. Sam follows to rescues Cassie from certain death. He promises Deke he’ll bring her back to troy—to him. Can Sam keep his vow?
#3
BABIES & BASTARDS
Satan’s Spawn MC Series
K.J. Dahlen
DEDICATION
To my cousins, Bonnie and Judy. Also I would like to add prayers for another cousin, Cathy. She's going through some health issues at the moment and prayers are always welcome.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to acknowledge all the hard work and encouragement I received from Leanore Elliott. She gave me the courage to do this and I got a friend out of it. Thank you so much Leanore. I couldn't have done this without you.
CHAPTER ONE
Cassie snuggled into the heat of Deke’s body.
His arm tightened around her and they both felt the tumbling of the babies between them. Deke chuckled softly as his hand went down to her belly. “They’re really moving this morning,” he whispered.
“Yup, they must know what today is,” Cassie whispered happily.
“And just what is today?” Deke leaned back to look at her.
“Today, their momma and daddy get married.”
Deke sighed aloud. “I suppose that means we have to get out of this bed. I kinda like it right here with you.” He laid his head on hers. “I want to stay right here all day.”
Cassie giggled. “Me too, but we have a wedding to go to.”
Deke groaned. “I suppose if we absolutely have to go,” he whined.
Cassie leaned back to stare at him. “You don’t want to get married?”
Deke smiled. “Yeah, I do. I want to claim you and those babies in front of the whole world. You belong to me and so do they.”
“If you’re sure about that, we should get up. The Pastor will be here soon. Peaches and Paige are already up and making breakfast.”
“And how do you know that?” Deke grinned.
Cassie snorted. “Because there are pans being banged around and cussing going on in the kitchen.” She pushed off him. “You can hear it as well as I can. That would be Peaches. Hopefully, Paige will take over or breakfast will be burnt and uneatable.”
Deke made a face at her statement. “Yeah, you would think the girl would’ve learned to cook by now.”
“I think it’s useless with her,” Cassie agreed. “I’ve been trying to teach her most of her life.” She shrugged. “There are some people that just can’t cook and she’s one of them. Doesn’t matter how hard she tries.”
“Well, I feel sorry for Iceman then,” Deke stated with a smile as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. Grabbing his pants, he pulled them up. He glanced over his shoulder and asked, “Did you find something to wear today?”
Cassie grimaced. “Yeah, I found a dress. It isn’t much of a dress but it covers everything it should. And it’s big enough to cover my belly.”
Deke chuckled. “You won’t be this big forever.”
“Yeah, so you say.” She rolled her eyes. “Only another two months to go.”
Deke stopped what he was doing and sat down beside her. “Are you okay?”
Cassie shrugged nervously. “I don’t know anything about babies. I want to be a good mother I just don’t know how.”
“Sure you do, you’ve been taking care of Peaches most of your life. You aren’t alone here. Reva can’t wait for the babies to come. Every jack one of my men and the men down at Redemption House will help you out. Peaches is so excited that I bet she’ll move in soon. Plus, you have a sister and an uncle to boot. Hell, even Max and Peggy wanna help out. We’re gonna have to build a hotel pretty soon. These babies are gonna be so spoiled.”
Before she could reply, there was a knock at the door. Deke sighed heavily and called out for them to come in.
Paige peeked around the corner of the door and smiled. “I’m here to help you get ready.” She frowned slightly. “Peaches is in the kitchen making toast.” Giggling she added, “At least she can’t burn that too badly.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t count on that, she can burn it pretty good.” Deke snickered as he helped Cassie to her feet and kissed her lips. “I’ll see you later.”
~* * * *~
An hour later, Cassie walked between Paige and Peaches down a makeshift aisle toward Deke, Gator and Deacon. They were standing there waiting for her. There were chairs and people sitting on both sides of her and she was a bit nervous as she walked between her two sisters. She really hated being the center of attention and right now…everyone was staring at her.
When she reached the front, Deke took her hand in his and she calmed immediately. Her dress was a simple sundress and a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. It was late in the season of summer and the air was just getting cooler but she wore the shawl more to hide the scars on her back than because of the weather.
She and Deke turned to the Pastor Wesley Ashton. She’d met him through Redemption House. He often came to speak to the residents who stayed there. He offered them counseling and she had gotten to know him over the last few months. Since Deke didn’t have a spiritual person in his life, she had asked him to marry them.
As they stood in front of the family and friends, Cassie felt an unusual dread flood through her, almost a premonition of sorts. Pastor Ashton began the service and when he got to the point where he asked if there were any objections to them being married, the quiet was suddenly broken by the sound of motorcycles coming toward them.
Deke and Cassie turned, as did everyone else.
Deke frowned as the riders came closer and his frown deepened when he recognized the lead rider. He pulled Cassie off to one side and slightly behind him.
Gator, Deacon and Wiley stood behind him. Amos, Frankie and Gus surrounded Cassie and the two girls.
The six riders made a circle around Deke and the others. The leader came to a stop in front of Deke.
“What do you want here?’ Deke asked.
The leader reached out to shut off his engine. He sat back on his bike and glared at Deke. “I had to hear through the grapevine about my own son’s wedding. Why is that do you suppose?”
Deke shrugged. “Maybe I didn’t want this very thing to happen and maybe I didn’t think it was any of your business.”
“Now son,” he drawled. “That is no way to treat your father.”
“Maybe I just didn’t want to deal with the bullshit you carry around with you everywhere you go.”
“So, do I at least get to meet your bride before you tie the knot?”
Deke watched him for a moment then asked, “Why? What difference does it make to you who I marry?”
“I’d like to know she’s good enough for you that’s why,” Sam gritted out. “I see she’s pregnant, are you sure the kid is yours? Is that how she got you in front of a preacher?”
“Fuck you.” Deke growled. “What the hell do you care? I haven’t seen you in years.”
“Been busy boy, you know how it goes.” Sam narrowed his eyes.
“So, why don’t you just turn around and keep doing whatever it is you were doing?”
“Now you got me interested in what’s going on here,” Sam countered. “Why don’t you tell all your friends to take their seats while you, me and your bride get to know one another?”
&n
bsp; “Why don’t you go to hell?” Deke seethed.
Sam got off his bike and stalked toward Deke. Reaching around the back of his neck, he pulled Deke toward him. “Now boy, that’s no way to talk to your daddy.”
Deke pulled away from his grip. He motioned with his hand and everyone went back to their seats, leaving him, Sam and Cassie standing there. The seated bikers closed in and surrounded Deke and Cassie. They shut down their engines and stepped closer.
Cassie watched as best she could and when she felt someone come up behind her she called out a warning, “Don’t you fucking touch me!”
Sam snickered. “She’s a bit touchy isn’t she?” he asked. Deke.
“She warned him, you’d better hope he listens. Otherwise, I’m not liable,” Deke warned his father.
Sam motioned he wasn’t worried. “She’s ain’t big enough to hurt my guys.”
That’s when the man standing behind her made a mistake. He grabbed her upper arm and pulled her back to him. Cassie lifted her foot and brought it down on his foot. She was wearing pumps and she ground the heel of her shoe into his foot hard. She snapped her elbow into his lower stomach and smashed the back of her head into his face.
The man groaned and released her arm but his fingers snagged the shawl and pulled it off her shoulders. When she twirled around, she showed off the scars on her shoulders. She wrenched the shawl from the man’s fingers and pulled it back on.
Sam snapped his fingers and two of the others helped the man on the ground up. His nose was bleeding and he was limping. Sam turned hard eyes to Cassie and was surprised to find her glaring at him. Most people didn’t dare look him in the eyes but she did. His eyes narrowed as he stared back at her.
“I think you should leave now,” Deke told his father. “You aren’t wanted here.”
“I think I’ll stick around a while,” Sam told his son. “Your woman has intrigued me and I find I want to know her better.” He started his bike again and over the roar of the engine, he told Deke, “We’ll be down at the clubhouse waiting for you. Don’t make us wait too long. I don’t play the waiting game very well.”
