The driver opens the door and Tiny exits first then extends a hand to me. As I am getting out of the car another wave of nausea hits me, nearly knocking me off my feet. I sway and Tiny curses, capturing me in his arms.
The last thing I remember before everything going black was him calling for the doctor.
—–
I wake to a cool compress being placed on my forehead. “Easy,” a woman’s voice I don’t recognize speaks softly in my ear. “You fainted.”
Blinking my eyes, I follow her voice as she comes into focus. She’s older, her dark hair graying at her temples. Crow’s feet outline her brown eyes. Age spots mark her cheeks. I’ve never seen her before.
“When was the last time you ate?”
I remove the cold compress and sit up against the headboard. I lick my teeth. My mouth is dry. Clearing my throat, I ask for a glass of water. Taking in my surrounding I am not in my room. This room is darker. Black curtains and deep purple bedding. There’s a painting on the wall of a city but I don’t recognize the skyline. I accept the water bottle eagerly and take a sip. My stomach rolls again. “Where am I?”
“Mr. Leone’s room,” she informs me and the urge to throw up returns.
“And who are you?”
“A family friend.”
“I mean what do I call you?”
“I know.” She smiles. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I need to let my son know you are awake.”
“You’re his mother?” I question, disbelieving that this seemingly normal woman could have birthed such an evil monster.
She winks at me and I hear the door lock behind her as she exits the room.
Minutes later the door opens and Tiny enters the room carrying a tray of food. “You need to eat something.” He places the tray on the empty side of the bed and comes around to the side I am on. His smooth fingers brush along my jaw. “Some of your color has returned. This pleases me to see your health returning.”
“Why am I here...in your room?”
“It was closest. I told you I won’t force you, Stephanie, but I do hope you come to accept me sooner than later. I wish to make you my wife. I will give you a great life. The finest things. The world.” Lowering his head, he kisses the top of my hair. “Eat up.”
I grimace but do as I am told. I eat the soup, which is more of a broth that he says his mother made for me. I later learn that his mother is from Mexico and his father was Italian. He used to be the head of Leone family but was murdered some years ago. His mother told me these things.
“My son needs a strong woman at his side to compliment him. He is hard and stubborn like his father. He had to fight hard to earn his place in the world. It has made him tough and hard to love, but when he loves he loves deep. He will treat you with passion if you open to him and allow him to show you that tender side he guards within. I am here to make sure you are a good match for him. He seeks my approval, but that depends on you.”
I tell her, “Marrying your son is the last thing I want.”
She drops my hand and rises from the edge of the bed. Her response is, “There could be worse things such as death.” Then she smirks at me. “How was your soup?”
Blinding pain shoots through my belly and I lean forward hugging my stomach as she pulls the covers back. The white nightgown I am wearing is stained red with my blood between my legs.
I scream in horror touching at hand to the blood and holding it up in the light. Staring at my red stained fingers, I know I am being punished. God is punishing me for having that abortion when I was a teenager.
The door opens and Tiny rushes in.
“I told you she was with child,” she sneers. “But I took care of it.”
Tiny snaps a finger and orders one of the guards outside the room, “Clean this up.”
A large man enters the room, the one who I overheard talking about how he’d love to fuck me in every hole. I grab the top of the headboard and use all my might to kick him in the chest. “Stay away from me you raping bastard!”
Tiny’s dark eyes narrow on us. “Enough,” he shouts and comes between us. His brow furrows as he looks between us. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t let him touch me again. I’ll do whatever you want, but please,” I whisper. “I can’t be around him.”
I look away from him and think about Uno and how badly he would have wanted our child, giving me the fuel that I need to make what I am about to say believable. Tears burn in my eyes and I look back to the two of them. “The first week I was here…you left for a meeting. And he…” I let out a sob and grab Tiny’s arm, digging my nails into his skin. “He raped me. The whole time he was doing it he said he was going to put his child in me and laughed about how you’d be raising his bastard thinking it was yours.” Fury crosses Tiny’s face and I smile on the inside.
“You did this!” Tiny roars. “You touched what was mine? You defiled her body with your pathetic cock.” He grabs him between the legs twisting his dick and the man’s face goes ashen.
The large man stares at me, anger rolling off him. “You know me, boss. I would never disrespect you.”
“Ask the other guard he has bragged to him about wanting to rape me. Ask him,” I cry.
Tiny calls the other guard into the room and questions him in Italian. A language I don’t understand. Smoothing his features, he appears eerily calm as we all wait for his verdict. I’m scared but I try to keep in character which isn't hard as I am mourning for another child Uno will again never know or get to hold.
What feels like minutes but is merely seconds tick by. Tiny looks to me. “I’m sorry.”
The big bastard gloats, shooting me a smug smirk right as Tiny turns to him and grabs his head. He kisses his cheeks. “I have treated you like a brother.” Then without hesitation he pulls him into a hug and stabs him in the back with a small blade in the kidney. The man’s eyes widen as the reality of his own death hits him.
It kills me to do so but I allow Tiny to take me to the bathroom and run me a bath. He is being tender and sweet. Apologizing to me for what his man did to me and I play my part. I play the victim and use it to my advantage to create a bond between us. I use it to gain his trust.
Later, I am laying on the sofa in the TV room. Tiny’s mother, enters the room, dismissing my guard. “My son is gone to a meeting, so we can speak freely.”
“Sorry, I don't follow what you mean.”
“I know what you did. That baby I bled out of you wasn't Hector’s. It was your ex-husbands. Don't try to deny it. I would have done the same. This proves to me you are a good match for my son and when the time comes I will give you my blessing.” With those final words, she leaves the room and a moment later my guard returns.
Chapter 15
—Uno
For the first time in my life I’m a single man. The first few weeks after I sent Steph away I was lost and didn’t know what to do with myself. I threw myself into reinventing the Cherry Room and now the place is finally turning a profit. Hades was impressed with the work Melissa has done on the place and gave her a position as the daytime manager, so she can be home with Jimmy in the evenings. She still dances on Friday nights because she needs the extra income.
I’ve been living at the clubhouse. I try to avoid thinking about Stephanie, so I don’t go home. I haven’t set foot in the house we shared in over six weeks. I stay here where I can get lost in easy pussy and no one judges me for it. I’ve nailed the easy pussy part but it’s losing myself that could use some fuckin’ work. I thought there could be something between Melissa and me, but she’s made it clear she doesn’t want anything to do with me outside of work. I look down at Carmen, who is currently on her knees attempting to deepthroat my cock like a fucking champ. Bitch can suck dick. I’ll give her that, but my mind still drifts back to Stephanie and I squeeze my eyes tight, attempting to block out the guilt. But she’s always here in the back of my mind.
Yanking Carmen’s hair, I hit the back of her throat, makin
g her gag. Tears burn in the corners of her eyes as she stares up at me through her lashes. I fuck her mouth hard and deep, chasing a release. An escape from my mind but it’s not helping. She’s not who I want. My cock softens, and I pull away.
“Did I do something wrong?” The whore hugs her arms to her chest wearing a look of disappointment on her face.
I cup the back of my neck. “It’s not you. Just got shit on my mind is all. I’ll catch up with you later.” I dismiss her and fall back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. My phone vibrates on the nightstand. Glancing at the screen I see Melissa’s name flashing.
“What’s up?”
“Um…I hate to bug you and if you’re busy I will find someone else, but there’s a water leak or something. I tried to take a shower and it was barely dripping.”
“Do you know how to turn the water off?”
“No.”
“Alright. I’ll be there in twenty.” The call ends and I shove up off the bed and grab my jeans from the floor. Melissa took me up on my offer to stay in my mother-n-law’s house. I don’t charge her any rent. She just has to keep the utilities paid. I don’t expect the crazy old bitch to come home anytime soon. I grab a shirt off a nearby chair and shrug my arms through my cut and light up a cigarette as I shove my feet in my boots.
It takes me around thirty minutes to get to Melissa’s. I had to stop for gas and more smokes. I pull up and park to the side of her car. “Hey you.” Melissa waves from the front door. I stomp up the wooden steps and Cleo, my mother-in-law’s pussy cat, comes running out the house with Jimmy chasing after her trying to grab her tail. “Jim Jam I told you to leave that poor creature alone. If she wants you to pet her she’ll come to you!”
I chuckle and grab him before he can dart past me. “Where’s your shoes, bud?” He presses against my chest trying to wiggle out of my arms. “I need you to help me shut the water off. Think you can do that?” He nods. “Go get your shoes.” I put him down and tell Melissa I’m going to the shed to get some tools.
“Okay. I gotta go in and check on dinner. Will you be okay with Jimmy? If he gets on your nerves just send him back in to me.”
“We’ll be fine.” I move off the porch and out to the shed to grab some tools.
Jimmy comes racing behind me. He’s got a pair of little black leather boots on, jeans with the knee ripped out, and a flannel with a white t-shirt underneath. The boy has his momma’s eyes. Big green orbs that remind me of the shade of pine tree needles. He’s eager to help and does as he is told.
He walks next to me carrying the wrench. I pull the cover off the water meter and explain everything I am doing as I work to shut the water off. Little dude follows me back up to the house where I lay my cut across the seat of my bike. I have to crawl under the house.
“You scared?” Jimmy’s voice comes out echoing in a squeak as I move further into the crawl space.
“Nah, just some spiders and worms under here,” I tell him as my arms sink into mud. “Fuck,” I curse under my breath feeling the wetness seep into my jeans. I pull the flashlight I took from the shed from my back pocket and start looking for the source of the problem. It takes me a few minutes, but I finally discover a loose pipe, it needs a new fitting. I think I saw what I need in the shed when I was digging out the flashlight.
It doesn’t take me but about twenty or so minutes to complete the job, but I’m nasty as fuck.
Melissa and Jimmy laugh at my appearance. “Look it, Momma, a mud munster.”
“Oh! A big scary one!” Melissa giggles, egging him on. “Run, Jimmy. Don't let him get you,” she calls as she darts away, avoiding my touch as I go to grab her.
Jimmy sticks his tongue out at me. “Can’t catch me,” the little shit teases.
I chase them both around the front yard, slinging clumps of mud at them but missing. I catch Melissa, hooking an arm around her waist and hugging her against me as I smear dirt down her face. “Look, bud, your mom is a mud monster too.” His face lights up with a huge grin as he laughs, holding his stomach. The sun is going down and the temperature is dropping. Goosebumps travel up and down my spine and Melissa shivers as she breaks from my hold.
“Let’s get cleaned up. I’ll wash your clothes and you can get a shower. You might as well stay for supper too.”
I nod. “I’d appreciate that.”
Jimmy dashes inside to get me a towel while his gorgeous mother orders me to strip. I raise a brow at her and she rolls her eyes. “Don’t roll your eyes at me, woman,” I warn.
“Or what? You’ll bend me over like a bad girl and spank me.”
I step into her personal space, my voice low and husky. “I just might.” Right now would be the perfect time to make a move but Jimmy interrupts telling me he has my towel. “Thanks,” I tell him as Melissa turns her back and waits for me to strip down.
I get the towel around my waist and she grabs my dirty clothes and tosses them in the washer. Knowing my way around the house already, I get in the shower.
The bathroom door cracks open and Melissa pokes her head in waving a pair of hot pink athletic shorts. “Sorry,” she hisses. “This is all I have.”
“Thanks,” I snort.
She leaves the shorts on the back of the toilet. “Dinner is ready. I hope you like lasagna.”
“Sounds good,” I say but she has already closed the door.
I emerge from the bathroom in her fucking pink shorts. Her and Jimmy both fights back their laughter at the sight. I wouldn't be caught dead outside of this house in them. I can only imagine the shit Boogeyman would have to say if he caught sight of me wearing this pink girly shit. He’d fucking take pictures to torture me with. Knowing that crazy bastard he’d team up with Amber, Terror’s old lady, to print posters and hang them up around the clubhouse and the Cherry Room.
“Momma, sumbidy drawed on him wif a marker.” He grins, staring at all my tattoos, and I chuckle.
“Kind of. Only this art doesn’t wash off.” I take my seat at the table and dig in.
Dinner goes smooth…nice and comfortable. I hang around until my clothes get dry. Melissa gets Jimmy ready for bed and he grabs my hand. “Tell me a tory.” This kid is something else.
“Whatever you want. Whatever you want.”
He runs to his room and jumps into bed, pulling the covers to his chin.
Melissa touches my arm stopping me by the door to his room. “You don't have to...I mean I get it if kids aren’t your thing.”
“I love kids and Jimmy is great.”
She gives me a chin lift. “I’m going to go clean up the kitchen if the two of you are good.”
“We’ll be fine.”
I find a bookcase next to the closet. Running my fingers along the spines of the books, I wonder if this is how things might have been if Steph hadn’t aborted our baby. The thought is bittersweet, and I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat.
“Tory time!” Jimmy calls from his bed, kicking his legs with excitement under the covers.
I give him a smile. “Sure, kid.” I pull a random book from the shelf and take a seat on the foot of his bed.
I find Melissa standing on the front porch once Jimmy is fast asleep. It took two stories; the kid was wired.
I touch her shoulder. “Thanks for dinner.” Her hand covers mine and she looks back at me.
“Thanks for everything. Repairing the leak…hanging with Jim Jam. Letting us live here. The job…the freaking car. I’m indebted to you.”
“You don’t owe me anything. Was just glad I could help.”
“I am sure there is something you must want.”
“Save me a dance at Cupid and MaryAnne’s wedding.”
“What? That’s weeks away.”
I shrug. “You asked what I want.”
“Uno…”
I touch my finger to her lips, silencing her. I stare deeply in her eyes, tempted to kiss her, but not wanting to spoil the tender moment. “I’d also like it if you’d call me Justin.”
“Okay. I can do that.”
“Good.” We both go quiet.
“I should turn in,” she says wistfully.
“Yeah. I should get gone myself. Need to check in at the club. You dancing tomorrow night?”
Her teeth graze her bottom lip. “Yeah.” Her eyes meet mine and I wonder if she is thinking the same thing I am, because I really want to kiss her right now. She leans forward, and I decide to say fuck it. Grabbing her face, I lean down and press my lips to hers and she moans, fucking moans deep and sexy as her mouth moves with mine.
Chapter 16
—Melissa
I’ve been sneaking around going on dates with Justin for the past three weeks. I hate lying to everyone but I’m not ready for it to be official. Deep down I know there is a part of me who doesn’t want Shawn to find out. Not yet. I know it will hurt him and even though I really don’t owe him the courtesy, I don’t want to make him uncomfortable and force an even bigger divide between him and Justin. They hardly speak as it is. Ever since Shawn made that scene at the Cherry Room.
Justin is on his way over now. I wanted to cancel because I don't have a sitter for Jimmy tonight, but he insisted we just change our plans to include my little man. I wasn’t expecting this...to fall for him so soon, but I really like him. He’s so good with my son, and he is cool about hanging out with him and Jimmy is growing attached to him. It scares me. When I came here I didn't want to meet a man, but Justin is sweet when he wants to be and firm with Jimmy. He gets his way a lot too though. The man spoils him. I’m just scared that it won’t work out and then I will have a crushed little boy with another man he loves ripped out of his life.
Surprisingly he doesn't ask for his dad that often. He did when we first left but as the weeks wear on, he mentions him less and less and I have gotten comfortable in our new life. There has been no sign of the bastard who fathered my son, but I’m not naive enough not to worry that he’ll show up one day when I least expect it wanting his son back.
Uno's Truth (Devils Rejects MC Book 5) Page 8
