by G. Bailey
I turn to look at him and place a gentle kiss on his lips. The baby kicks hard, and Seb's hands go to my stomach as we feel our son kick.
"It's so amazing, you know I'm going to want more than one," he says causally, and I stare at him.
"No way," I tell him sternly before trying to roll away, he just laughs, pulling me back.
"Does Allie know about you guys fighting in The Cage? I remember when we first heard about it, but we were both too scared to go. Plus, I thought you wouldn't take me," I say, remembering a few girls from school talking about The Cage. I heard that some of the King Brothers went to the cage, but I assumed it was Harley or Elliot.
"You’re right, I wouldn't have. The Cage isn't a nice place," he says, looking grim.
"Any chance my handsome boyfriend will make me some food?" I laugh.
"Maybe I'll even add in some iced tea," he says, smacking my bum before hopping out of bed.
We spend the rest of the evening sitting in bed chatting, and Seb calls Blake to check on Izzy, who he says fell asleep but has decided not to say anything to Allie. We agree it isn't our place to tell her. Tristan should, or her dad, but it still hurts that I can't tell her.
44
Sebastian
The sounds of cheering fills my ears as I walk into the massive metal cage. I'm just wearing shorts and wraps on my fists because a shirt is a good tool for someone to grab. The guy I'm fighting is gigantic, and he looks like he is on all sorts of drugs. I have the height benefit, thankfully, and I've already planned out how to take him down. See, I’m the smart brother, my twin, Elliot, is the strongest one, Luke is fast, and Harley is the lethal one. I shake myself out of my thoughts as the buzzer goes off, and the guy stupidly rushes at me, thinking he can take me in one go.
I move quickly to the side and jab a punch to his lower stomach as I move. I want to jump on him and finish this when he falls to his knees, but I back off, dragging out the fight for the screaming crowd.
He gets up and charges me again. This time, he manages to get me to fall. I let him, knowing I need to take a hit; otherwise, the boss won't like it. He lands a punch to my face before I punch back, using my legs to push him off of me. I kneel on his stomach and start landing punch after punch to his face, before I finally see that he is out for the count.
My hands are burning, and I know my lip is cut, but I stand, putting on a face for the crowd as they cheer. I hate hearing them shouting, "King, King, King," like I’m some sort of god.
I eventually move to the back room, avoiding looking at anyone and moving past the training room toward the locker rooms. I grab my clothes and leave them outside the shower before washing off and getting dressed. I think about Luke’s birthday today, knowing we had a lunch because we couldn't have a late party due to the fight. Maisy wouldn't be able to stay out late anyway, and I wouldn’t leave her alone.
Luke has never liked celebrating his birthday, so most years we have had to force him to a party or dinner. Today, we went to a Chinese restaurant he likes in town, and Allie baked him a cake. He was happy, but I could see he wanted to leave. He couldn’t care less that he is finally seventeen. I guess because he has been driving for a year without a licence, the whole getting to drive legally thing isn’t interesting to him.
Harley taught us all to drive way before we took tests. Luke has his test booked in a few days. I've asked him about why he doesn't like his birthday, but he won't answer and just gives me a dark look I know too well. Our dad must have fucked it up for him somehow.
Maisy and I gave him gift cards and a bottle of whisky, which he was happy with. I know he will be enjoying himself tonight.
"You all right?" Blake asks as I walk out of the locker room. He is leaning on the wall next to the door, texting on his phone.
"All good, just a cut lip," I say, and he nods.
We walk to find Luke at the bar, and several women try to talk to me. I ignore them all, as I only have thoughts for one girl at home, but it’s awkward remembering a few of the faces trying to talk to me. Luke has a gorgeous, tall blond woman standing between his legs as he sits on the stool. I can see him playing with her breasts, and her eyes are dazed.
"Dude, get a room," I say as I hop onto the stool next to him. He removes his hands with a laugh and kisses her cheek.
"Go dance, and I’ll find you. I need to chat with my brother," he says, and she wanders off. I grab a beer from the bar, ordering Blake one, too.
"I've messaged Maisy that you are all right. She sent me a million messages about the fight, asking if you were doing okay throughout it." He smiles at me as I feel a little relieved.
"Thanks," I say, checking my phone and seeing she sent me a text not long ago saying she is happy I'm okay.
"Hey, baby." An unwelcome hand slides up my back, and I turn to see Elena. She is more dressed-up than I remember her ever being, or maybe she always dressed like this. She is wearing a tight, red dress, and her hair is everywhere.
"Elena, you know you shouldn't be around me," I say, referring to the restraining order. I had hoped she got the message after that, but it doesn't seem like it from the way she is looking at me.
"I know that bitch made you do it. It's okay, once she has your baby, we can be together." She smiles like she didn’t just say something completely crazy. She is still trying to touch me, but I just move out of the way. I notice Luke and Blake moving closer to my sides.
"Elena, you’re acting a little crazy, now. I don't understand why you won't just forget me. I love Maisy. You grew up with us, and you know I have always loved her. I shouldn't have used you to try to get over her, for that I am sorry," I say, trying to reason with her. I know I’ve said sorry before, but maybe she needs to hear it again.
She goes to say something, and Arthur comes to her side, making her glance at him instead. She instantly goes to the older man, hugging his side. I grimace at that, because she is the same age as me, and he is in his fifties. I know he sleeps around a lot with the normal girls at The Cage, but I didn't think he would go after her. Well, someone as young as her.
"Sebastian, another wonderful fight tonight," he says in the fake way that he always speaks.
Since he hurt my sister, I can't help but want to kill him. It was bad enough for Izzy, but seeing her tied up to a chair in the cage is something I can never forget.
Arthur is dressed in a blue suit, which stands out in the room full of more casually-dressed people. His hair is almost all grey now, and it highlights his empty, blue eyes.
"Luke, I hear you are fighting for me next week. Blake, how I wish you would fight for me," he says as he leers at Luke, and I see Blake tense up.
"I'd rather kill you," Blake smirks at Arthur, who glares at him in return.
"Don't be rude, boy. Come on, Elena, I have something to show you," he says as she nods her head up and down in excitement. They walk off, but Elena still stares back at me until the crowd swallows her up.
"They suit each other. They are both bat-shit crazy," Luke says, and I laugh.
"Yeah, hopefully she starts stalking him instead," I say with a grimace.
"I'm off. I want to see Izzy. Do you want a lift?" Blake asks. I know Izzy is staying at our house with Maisy, so it makes sense. Blake is staying over, and Luke drove me up.
"Yeah, sounds good. Have fun with the blonde, bro," I say to Luke, whose attention is on another girl in the crowd. It’s not the blonde from earlier, but that doesn’t surprise me.
"He is worse than us before we found our girls," Blake says when we are walking to the car.
"That's true. Some girl will knock him off his feet. I'm looking forward to that day," I say with a grin.
"Me, too. I'm thinking of asking Izzy to move in with me; she stays over nearly every night now," he says, and it seems like he is asking me for permission. I know he and my sister are perfect for each other.
"You should be asking Harley, but I think it's cool. She is crazy about you, so she will say yes," I say, pat
ting his back.
"I hope so, I know it's soon, but I can't imagine my life without her," he says, unlocking the car. I get into the car before I reply.
"I understand that feeling, but less of the girly talk," I say with a smile, thinking of my beautiful girlfriend at home, who will hopefully be my wife soon. I know I'm only eighteen, but I refuse to live without her any longer.
"How are you feeling about the baby coming? It must be fucking scary. Yes, I know it’s a girly question," Blake says with a slight shiver as he drives us home.
"I'm excited. I've always wanted children. Maybe not so young, but I wouldn’t change a thing," I tell him.
"I’m happy Maisy is back. Fuck, I almost lost my best friend back there. She makes you happy, and that's good," he says.
"Thanks for sticking by me. I was off the rails, I know that," I say with a slight grimace.
"I would be the same without Izzy. Plus, you were my brother before I met Izzy," he tells me, and I laugh.
"Man, that is true." I smirk, remembering how Blake grew up with us too.
"Remember when we were eleven and we swore we wouldn't get girlfriends because we didn't like girls?" Blake laughs.
"I remember we were idiots." I laugh with him. My phone buzzes, and I see it’s from Elliot.
Elliot: come back to the cage, Luke needs us.
Me: on my way with Blake.
"We need to head back, Luke’s in trouble," I say, and Blake does a turn in the road. We have only been driving for half an hour, how much shit could he have gotten into?
I text Maisy.
Me: had to go back, won't be late, don't worry. Luke needs my help x
Maisy: Ok. Izzy and I are going to bed. See you soon, love you x
I smile, but I'm still worried about what my little brother has gotten himself into.
45
Maisy
I hear a bang as the front door opens, and I sit up on the sofa. I was watching some TV after Izzy went to bed, and I must have fallen asleep. I get up and the door opens. The first thing I see is Elliot carrying Seb over his shoulder. I gasp and move out of the way as Elliot places Seb on the sofa, his face is covered in bruises and cuts.
"What the hell happened?" I demand, Elliot collapses onto the other sofa. He has a black eye and his clothes are ripped like Seb’s. I want to help him, but I rush over to Seb first, looking him over. He looks worse: one eye is nearly shut, and the rest of his face is black and blue. I lift his shirt to see he has bruises on his stomach, but nothing looks too bad.
"He weighs a fucking ton. What the fuck do you feed him?" He pants, and I glare at him. "He is fine. Luke fucked some girl who was a girlfriend of a gang of big guys. We managed to knock them all out, but they beat Luke, and Seb got knocked out during the fight," he tells me a little breathlessly as he takes off his leather jacket.
"Do you need some ice?" I ask, and he grunts at me, which I take as a yes.
I go to the kitchen and get an ice bag for him and a bottle of water. He takes them from me with a nod.
"Is Luke all right?" I ask, placing a blanket over Seb and stroking his cheek. He looks all right, just in a deep sleep. I'll get some water and clean up the blood in a bit.
"Yeah, Blake has taken him to his mum to check him over. He might have a few broken ribs," Elliot says as he rests the ice pack on his bleeding knuckles.
I go to sit next to him on the other sofa and lean my head back, looking at the ceiling.
"I can't imagine having a baby when Seb is caught up in this life. Does that make me a bad person? I love him so much, but I'm worried about the danger The Cage brings to our baby." I sigh and look over at Elliot, who is staring out the window.
"I understand, Maisy. To be real with you, it's a hard life. But we will keep you and the baby safe. The Cage seems to have ruined most of our lives. I'm glad you have fixed one of my brothers," he tells me, without looking at me once.
I place my hand on his shoulder, and he tenses.
"Someone will fix yours, too, but you have a family. I consider you a brother to me, like Sebastian thinks of you, and not just because you’re his twin. It's because you’re a good man under all the leather and tattoos. Let’s not even mention the happy personality," I say, moving my hand off of his shoulder with a smile. His head drops, looking down at his knuckles.
"I'm not a good man, Maisy," he whispers.
"You are," I whisper back. He gets up to check on Seb and takes off his boots for him. I can see how much he cares for his twin, even if he doesn't say it.
"I'm going to check on Luke," he says, walking toward the front door.
"Message me when you know anything," I say, and he nods before leaving. I walk upstairs and gently knock on Izzy’s door before opening it. I wake Izzy up to explain why Blake won't be here tonight. She calls Blake, and I leave her to it.
I eventually fall to sleep on the other sofa, watching Seb after I cleaned his face with some water. He looks so peaceful, sleeping. His dark hair is longer than I've ever seen it, and it's just growing into his eyes. His top is ripped, so I can see that amazing chest I love to lie on. He is so handsome it's breath-taking, and I know someone is looking out for me by making him all mine.
"May, wake up," Seb says gently, like a whisper, and moves my hair from my face. He’s sitting next to me on the sofa, where I fell asleep. The sun is just rising, so it must be early.
"Hey, you okay?" I ask, cupping his swollen face when all of last night comes back to me.
"Yeah, just sore. I'm sorry, I didn't think there would be that many guys. I couldn't let them hurt Luke anymore," he says, looking down in guilt. "Izzy woke me up while you were sleeping. She said Luke is home with three broken ribs, but nothing too bad. Blake’s mum had some strong painkillers she gave him, along with a telling off, too." He smiles at me.
"Oh, I'm glad he is home at least. Elliot looked like he had a few bruises. Is Izzy still here?" I ask.
"Nah, Blake took her home to his place," he says and sits next to me, rubbing my bump.
"Morning, little man, don't come too early for us, please, or mummy will be mad that daddy won't look good in the pictures." He chuckles, and I can't help but smile.
"Mummy won't mind." I sigh, enjoying his hands on my bump.
"I need to tell you that I saw Elena last night. She was with Arthur. I don't know what she is playing at, but what she said was scary and crazy," he says, and I tense up.
"She doesn't sound right in the head," I tell him, remembering the last time I saw her.
"No, she isn't, and I want you to walk away from her if you see her. Or call the police if you’re alone," he tells me, and I look up as I gently kiss him.
"I will. I promise. But I'm never alone right now. Someone is always with me, so don't worry," I say, grinning. It's so nice to have family always around. I know Seb has something to do with it, but he says they all just like being around me. I'm not worried because I trust him, and they wouldn’t spend time with me if they didn’t want to.
"Is Allie coming later still?" he asks.
"Yeah, I can't wait. We are watching TV and ordering pizza." I grin. I can't wait to start running again and eating right. It's difficult to stay healthy during pregnancy, and it was worse when I was working all those hours. Seb made me give my notice for the end of my maternity leave the other day and promised we will sort our future out when the baby comes.
"Good. I'm meeting Harley at twelve, but I won't be too long." He kisses my cheek.
"You go and shower, and I’ll make breakfast," I say, getting up slowly with Seb's help.
"Why don't you rest, and I’ll do them both," he says, still trying to look after me. He has become a little overbearing in these last few weeks as I've gotten bigger.
"No, Seb, I'm fine, honestly. Go for your shower," I say and give him a kiss on his cheek to stop that worried face.
He mutters something but walks off smiling. I shake my head, heading to our kitchen to start making breakfast. I'm h
alf way through cooking when Elliot wanders in and puts his bike helmet on the kitchen counter.
"Hey, your door was open," he says without a care in the world as he sits on a stool at the breakfast table.
"No problem, want some breakfast?" I ask, as I've cooked too much bacon, eggs, and toast anyway.
"Sounds great. I just came to check on Seb," he says as I sort out a plate for him.
"I'm good, bro," Seb says, walking into the room and kissing my cheek before taking his plate of food and sitting next to Elliot. I glance at the twins while they chat. They look the same in their faces, but are so different in every other way. Elliot’s hair is much darker than Seb's, and he always has a little stubble on his jaw, whereas Seb is usually clean-shaven. The way they dress is so different, too. Elliot is always in all black, looking like a scary biker. Well, he does have a bike, so I guess that makes sense, and Seb looks like a college student. I shake my head before taking my seat.
"So what's my nephew going to be named?" Elliot asks, and then starts eating.
"We haven't decided yet, but I think anything like Sebastian is a good idea." Seb grins, and I shake my head, smiling.
"No chance," I say and giggle when he tickles me.
"Cheeky girl." He kisses me and then leans back to eat.
"I agree with Maisy," Elliot mutters before his phone goes off.
I can’t help the giggle that escapes as his phone is playing the song about a girl’s milkshake bringing all the boys to the yard. Elliot glares at me as he takes the phone call, moving into the other room. Seb and I look at each other over the table and burst into laughter. Thankfully, we have stopped when Elliot comes back into the room.
"Good news, the club is nearly done. The contractors think it will be about one month before it can be opened," Elliot says with a small grin.
"That's great, man, you can finally do something other than work on that Harley of yours," Seb says, patting Elliot on the back.
“Don’t knock it, you should watch and learn something, asshole,” Elliot fires back, and I have to ask.
