When that day does come, I only hope Jimmy is big enough to know that I did what was best. That I took us both out of a terrible situation.
I hear a car door shut and Justin's boots as his comes up the porch steps. Jimmy hears him too and runs to open the door.
“Hey, bud,” I hear his husky voice and I melt at the sound. His eyes meet mine. “Hey, beautiful.” He crosses the room with Jimmy hanging onto his leg and brings his lips down on mine.
“Yuck. Thas distusting,” Jimmy says and punches Justin in the stomach.
“Hey!” I yell at him and he takes off running through the house to hide.
“I’m sorry. I don't know what’s gotten into him. I better go talk to him.” I shake my head and start to turn away when Justin pulls me back to him.
Gazing into my eyes his lips lift into a smirk. “Let me talk to him. Man to man.”
I bite my lip. “If you think that’s best.”
“Trust me. I got this.” He winks.
I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss him again. Justin pulls away reluctantly and goes down the hall. I wait a minute, until I hear the sound of their voices then I creep down the hall to eavesdrop.
“I thought you and me were real cool, little man. Did I do something to make you mad at me?”
I hear Jim Jam sniffle and my heart cracks that my guy is crying. His tiny voice comes out in cracked sobs. The most I can make out of the conversation is Jimmy thought that Justin was going to hurt me…hurt us like his dad used to. I guess he saw a lot more than I realized and I feel gutted.
Justin’s voice goes soft. “I want you to know something. I like you, kid and I care about you and your Mom. Sometimes when people like each other they kiss. Sometimes they get mad at each other and do things they don’t mean. Like you punching me in the stomach, but I hope you can understand me right now. I think your Mom is a real special lady. I won't ever put my hands on her in a way that will hurt her.”
Their conversation grows quiet, so I move back down the hall and sit on the couch, hoping Justin doesn't know I was spying on them.
Justin comes down the hall with Jimmy. The pair of them stop at the foot of the sofa. Justin’s hand is resting on Jimmy’s shoulder. Jimmy looks up at me. “Sorry, Momma.”
“It’s alright.” I hold my arms open to him and he comes to me for a big hug. Justin leans down over the back of the couch. Jimmy nuzzles against my neck and within minutes he’s sleeping.
“I’m gonna head out. I think you two need some time, just the two of you.”
“You sure?” I question, feeling uneasy, hoping Jimmy’s outburst hasn't made him rethink how he feels about us.
“Yeah. It's hard on him. He’s had a lot of changes lately. I’m not saying I am giving up. I’m just taking a step back. I don't want to do anything to screw your kid up, Melissa. I like you, but I love him. Little shit has wormed his way inside my heart and I won’t do anything that will hurt him. So, I think we should slow down. Maybe I shouldn't be over here every night.”
I know my face falls. “Oh. Okay. Yeah. Sure. If that’s what you want.”
“Hey.” He tilts my chin up so that I am looking back at him. His lips come down soft but sure on mine. “Just going to take this slow. I didn’t say I didn’t want this.”
I swallow, biting back my tears. I thought we were making progress. And I have fallen harder for him than I care to admit. It hurts but I understand. I respect that he wants to do right by my son.
“I’ll walk you out.”
He stops me as I go to move Jimmy and shakes his head. “Let him sleep. I’ll call you later. Maybe tomorrow, but I will call.”
—–
Things with Justin have been tense and awkward since the night Jimmy had his outburst. We have only seen each other in passing at the Cherry Room. I guess when he said he wanted to take things slow he really meant slow, but I am afraid that we went so fast and strong that the responsibility that comes with dating a single mom scared him away. I want to talk to him, but I don't know what to say to him yet, so I keep letting things bubble and fester. I know it isn't good to bottle everything up inside but I’m stubborn. Always have been.
Days have gone by and those days of silence have turned into weeks with an occasional text message. Things like ‘you look good tonight.’ A random ‘we should get together soon’ but then we never do. He’s giving me the brush off and I hate that I care so damn much.
Today isn’t about me though. I gotta put my issues on the backburner. MaryAnn is marrying Cupid today. It’s a big to do at the clubhouse and I promised her I would do her hair. Amber is on makeup duty and Sara, Harley, and Shelly are offering her moral support.
Sara couldn't do much if she wanted to. Girl is having twins and looks ready to burst.
They are all talking up a storm and cracking jokes, but I have tuned most of it out and before I know it the ceremony is over, and I am at the reception, standing like a wallflower, staring a hole through Justin, wishing he’d look at me. I heard him asking Boogeyman if it was Halloween. The two of them traded jabs and I hate Justin right now because he doesn’t seem bothered at all that I am miserable due to him.
MaryAnn looks so beautiful and happy as she steps onto the floor to have her first dance with her new husband. I am almost envious, but she has been through hell. When I first met her...well a few weeks into my being here she was beaten and raped by a man who was supposed to be her friend and a member of the club. He got what he deserved, and she has moved forward and is expecting a baby too.
Distracted by my thoughts I am shocked when Justin approaches me and asks me to dance. I think about telling him no, but we need to talk.
His arms go around my waist and I hook my own around his neck. “You look absolutely stunning.”
“You don't look so bad yourself.”
His forehead comes down to rest against mine. “I know I owe you an apology. It’s just I got scared. My ex always told me she wouldn't have a baby with me because she didn't want to bring a kid into this lifestyle. When I look at Jimmy, I want him to have the best possible life and I had to take some time to figure out if I could be what you guys need. If I can be a good enough role model for him. You have a choice. You don't have to raise your son in this club if you don't want to but if you are with me or a man like me you need to know what you're signing up for.”
“Justin…” I start, unsure of what I want say. I look over and see Shawn dancing with a girl I know from the strip club. He seems to be having a good time and I want that for him. I want it for me too. “You hurt me, but I understand why you needed to take a breather from me. But I like you more than a lot and I want to be with you,” I confess.
We move off the dance floor and he leads me to the stairs.
“Wanna continue this conversation in private?”
I nod, and he leads me to his room.
Chapter 17
—Uno
As soon as the door shuts behind us, I shove Melissa's back against it and bring my mouth down on hers. I kiss her hard and deep like I have been wanting to do for weeks.
I thought space was what we both needed but I have been aching for her. Burning to be inside her and tonight I will have her.
Hot and needy she clings to me as we move this to the bed. I take my time peeling her bridesmaid dress from her body. Sure, I have seen her strip at the club, but this is different. This is all for me and only me.
“Fuck, you are so beautiful.” I run a hand between her breasts and down her torso until I reach the heart of her desire. Melissa looks up at me with parted lips. My fingers move through her silken heat, loving the way she feels and how responsive she is to my touch. I never thought I would desire another woman more than Stephanie but, here tonight, with Melissa, I finally feel free of the hold my ex-wife held on me. I was under her spell for so long but now I can think clearly for myself. I have hope for a future with Melissa. She moans as I continue to tease her with my fingers and my mouth. Her body arches up of
f the bed as she tugs on my hair.
“I'm so close,” she cries out, her body trembling with need beneath me.
“Only way you are coming is on my cock,” I warn. Moving up her body, I line my dick up with her slit. My mouth crashes against hers as I ease inside her warmth.
Our bodies move together in unspoken promises of the future to come. I know I can be the man she needs. I want to be the man she sees when she looks at me.
We roll, getting tangled in the sheets. Melissa's on top, taking control, taking what she needs. So perfect and so fucking mine. Her orgasm quakes through her body and my own release isn't far from its peak. Thrusting my hips in a circular rhythm it doesn't take long.
Moments later we lay still and quiet. Melissa's head is resting on my chest as she traces the outlines of my tattoos. Kissing her forehead, I let out a content sigh. I've not felt this happy in a long time. Life however is a funny bastard and my cell phone rings from its spot in the back pocket of my jeans on the floor. I growl in annoyance but reach down and dig the device out of my denim.
An unknown number flashes on the screen but by the time I answer they hang up. I scrub my hand over my face getting an uneasy feeling in the pit of my gut.
Melissa gazes at me stopping her tracing. “Everything okay?”
“I'm not sure,” I tell her honestly just as the damn thing starts ringing again. Reluctantly I accept the call, wishing I hadn't. Whoever first said happiness is short lived wasn't kidding.
“Justin!” My ex-wife's familiar voice cries out my name.
“What do you want?” I grit through the line angry at the interruption. The bitch has a lot of nerve calling me right now. I clutch the phone tight in my hand tempted to crush the Goddamn thing.
“I need your help. I have no one else. Tiny killed my Mom and he is going to kill me too!”
“What are you talking about, Steph,” I groan out her name and Melissa sits up.
“Tiny is going to kill me, Justin. Please! I need you.”
I roll my eyes. “Why would I help you?”
“Because I can help you kill him first and because despite everything you don’t want to see me dead.”
I suck in a breath. “You better not be jerking my dick.” She knows we would all love to be rid of the bastard. “How do I know he’s not sitting beside you right now?”
“Because he’s not here right now. I have a guard that is on my side. He knows I need to get away from Tiny and I am using his phone right now. Justin, please I can tell you where Tiny is. I can give you everything you need to kill him.”
“I’m listening.”
Stephanie tells me her plan. I don't know why in the fuck I trust her, but I do.
The call ends and I look at Melissa. “I’m sorry to do this right now, but I gotta go. Club business.”
“I understand. If you have to go…you have to go,” her soft voice says with a nervous tone.
I cup her cheek. “I’ll be back before you have time to miss me.”
“I doubt that, but Justin.” She hesitates. “I need you to promise me you’ll be careful.”
“Don’t worry a hair on that pretty head of yours, baby doll.”
I leave Melissa still warm in bed and fresh on my lips as I go downstairs to the party below to have a word with Hades. If we are going to jump on this, we need to act fast.
Only when I get back to the party Hades is rushing Sara to the hospital she’s gone into labor. Harley is dragging Reaper behind her, but I snag him around the collar of his cut. “We need to talk. Now.”
He nods, sending Harley on to the hospital without him.
Cupid and MaryAnn are already off to celebrate their honeymoon. That leaves me with Terror and Boogeyman. Cocky is off somewhere getting his dick sucked by one of the girls from the Cherry Room. I call an emergency meeting behind Hades’ back knowing I will have hell to pay for it later, but this has to happen tonight. I tell them everything Stephanie told me on the phone. Tiny has a daughter he has kept secret from everyone and he’s in the area visiting her at the private school she attends.
Boogeyman runs the information Stephanie gave me and it checks out.
“So, we’re in agreement?” I look around the table at all of their hard faces. They each nod that yes, we are doing this tonight.
Terror looks unsure, but he straps up with the rest of us.
We take one of the vans, so we can ride together and go in quiet. Taking Tiny down won’t be easy but tonight is the best shot we will ever get. If we fuck it up it means war but if we take him down, we will reap the rewards. The school is a three-hour drive south of the clubhouse in Georgia. His daughter is listed in the directory of the Waymand School For Girls under his mother's maiden name. I admit it was smart but not smart enough for Stephanie not to fuck the information out of him or that fucking guard she spoke of during our call.
We make it just before daylight to the address my ex-wife provided me with. Terror uses the security code she gave us, and we drive straight through the gate. There are two guards with him that Boogeyman and myself easily takeout in their sleep. Snapping their necks as they dreamed. Reaper owes a debt to his future father-in-law, Rebel Black, president of The Black Rebel Riders’ MC and he intends to deliver. He wants that man’s blessing, so he can marry his daughter, Harley. He will only get it if he brings the man Tiny Leone’s head. He moves up the stairs quietly with a katana strapped to his back. We move behind him, checking each room as we go. We find Tiny asleep in his bed. Reaper takes one step into the room and a floorboard creaks. Tiny stirs in his slumber unaware he is about to die, but he doesn’t wake. At least not until it is too late. I see his eyes blink open right as Reaper unsheaths his sword and with one swoop, the blade slashes through his neck, severing it from his body. His blood spills from his body. His eyes still wide open and staring blankly at us as Reaper goes to collect his proof.
“I expected him to at least put up a fight,” Boogeyman complains.
“Evil bastard like that it seems…I don’t know anticlimactic,” Terror agrees.
“Only you sick fucks would be disappointed about a quick execution,” I tell them with a shake of my head, and I catch movement in the corner of my eye. Hearing a noise, I turn to see what’s amiss. I thought we checked all the rooms. I hope his daughter isn’t witnessing the scene in this room. A group of scary outlaws putting her father’s severed head in a trash bag.
An older woman who is greying around her temples takes one look at me and says, “You,” then shoots. I take a step back as Terror pulls his gun and nails her with a bullet right between the eyes.
I look down, touching my hand to my chest. “She shot me, the old bitch fucking shot me.” Then I drop like a sack of potatoes.
Chapter 18
—Stephanie
“Will that be all, Mrs. Leone?” Carlos questions as he loads my bags in the back of the car.
I rub a hand over my stomach. “That’s everything. I can take it from here. Thank you for everything.” I touch his hand. “Without you I never would have gotten out of this house of terrors alive.”
“It was my pleasure. Tiny was a bastard who had it coming. He raped and killed my sister in front of me when I was just a kid. Then he brainwashed me into joining his ranks. I’ve wanted to see him suffer for a long time.”
I squeeze his hand again. “What will you do now?”
He shrugs and lifts the case of money I gave him. “Anything I want.”
“What about you? Any big plans?”
I cradle my baby bump. “I’m going home to reclaim what’s mine. To tell my ex-husband he is going to be a father after all.” I smile as I open the door to the black sedan and climb behind the driver’s seat. Tiny’s mother thought she terminated my pregnancy, but my baby is strong like his mother. I hid the pregnancy just long enough to make Tiny fall in love with me deep enough to marry me. The man was hard to break but I did it. I used my fake grief to unite us. I let him think he was the one who was seduc
ing me. I had everything to gain by marrying him. I studied his every move and earned every ounce of his trust and then I waited for the perfect opportunity to take him down with one phone call. I knew Justin wouldn’t let me down. The FBI questioned me for days about my husband's murder asking if I knew the names of his enemies, but I had made it this far and I wasn't about to crack then.
It seems Tiny’s body was missing its head once it was discovered by a housekeeper and his bitch mother got what she deserved too. I inherited everything and now, my baby and Justin's baby is next in line to rule the Leone Cartel. When I learned of his daughter I knew what I had to do. I was going to use the girl against him but then he found out I was still pregnant and when the doctor told him how far along I was he became furious and left. That's where Carlos came into play. He knew where Tiny was. He normally accompanied my bastard but oh so very dead husband on his trips, but as one of his most trusted men, he was left behind to make sure I didn't go anywhere. I suspect Tiny was going to move his daughter, afraid I would use her as a pawn against him, but it was the perfect opportunity for the Devils Rejects to come in and do what was needed.
The drive from Texas back to Webb Hollow takes a few days. When I drive up to my house, the one I shared with Justin and find it empty I’m surprised. He is probably at the clubhouse, and I can’t wait to surprise him. I can’t wait to see his face when I tell him, we are going to have the baby he’s always wanted. However, on the drive over I decide to stop in at my mother’s place and make sure he didn’t starve Cleo to death. Only when I pull up the last thing I expect to find when I look through the window is Cocky’s whore sister living in my mother’s fucking house. She’s sitting on the couch eating popcorn with her son like she owns the place. Anger burns through my veins. How dare he move her into my mother’s house. Who the fuck does he think he is? I bang on the door and she comes to see who it is. When she opens the door and sees me standing on the porch her eyes go wide.
Uno's Truth (Devils Rejects MC Book 5) Page 9
