Princess

by Sapphire Knight

  That’s when I notice it…I see a big piece of her hair’s missing, and I know exactly why she’s been so absent. She’s been hiding it from me. With a hoarse cry I turn to my father, my watery eyes overfilling and blurry to where I can only make out his shape. “God no! Please, no, please, please, please tell me she’s okay. I have to be wrong; this can’t be happening.”

  “I’m so sorry, sugar.”

  “No!” A guttural bark leaves my mouth, shaking my head.

  “I’m sorry,” he repeats, and I get so irate inside.

  “Fuck. You! Get out of my mom’s house, you piece of shit! Get the fuck out, all of you; she was fine when I was here with her!”

  Viking forcibly wraps his huge arms around my body, pulling me up off the floor and carrying me out into the living room while I scream at everyone, blaming them for this tragedy. It’s not an easy feat for him as I kick and scream, weeping that my mother is in that bed dying, and he’s taking me away from her.

  “Shhh, Cinderella,” he repeats softly into my hair, tightly cocooning me in his warmth until I’m too sad and worn out to fight any longer. The one person that’s been there for me my whole life, my constant, is lying in that bed, struggling for her life. And no one told me before it was so late.

  Once I’m silently crying, he sits on the small sofa with me in his lap, sweetly playing with my hair like he did the night he saw me freak out. The thought of my mother looking so frail is terrifying. She’s always been so stubborn and strong, her only weakness being my father, and now this.

  My dad and brother eventually come out of her room and sit on the couch, both with their own tears coating their scruffy faces.

  Viking, ever my strength, starts talking. “I can understand why this wasn’t said over the phone, but Princess should have been notified sooner. How can she have time to make peace?” he directs at my father.

  “None of us have. My wife’s been sick for a long time, but she’s kept it from her family. She’s always been like that, though when something’s been wrong with her. I came over one night and found her passed out on the kitchen floor. The doctor said by her body and tests that she had probably been there for longer than twenty-four hours. We don’t know if she was out the whole time or not, but he said her body shut down to throw it in protection mode and that if it would have been longer, then she would have most likely passed. That was about two months ago.”

  “When you started answering her phone?” I ask quietly.

  His defeated gaze meets mine. “Yeah. Then it progressed so rapidly. She told me she could beat it, and she didn’t want either of you to know unless it looked like she wouldn’t make it. The minute she had an ounce of energy, I’d call you and have her leave you messages. This last week’s been the worse; she was in the hospital for most of it. I was hoping she would bounce back, but at this point, there’s no telling. It’s up to her body and the medicine to work together and fight back.”

  “She can’t have surgery or something to get it removed?”

  “Not until she makes it through this round of medicine. Believe me, honey, I’m on them, calling her doctors daily, leaving messages about her having surgery. I even tried to bribe the doctors with the money I have set aside for you guys. Ares went as far as threatening to kill one surgeon. I had to talk him down and pay the man off. He wasn’t even the right kind of doctor had he gotten the guy to agree eventually. It’s been one giant clusterfuck.”

  “So what do we do then?” Sitting up, Viking’s big hands wipe away my tears, always taking care of me.

  “We wait and see, but in the meantime, you tell her you love her as much as you can.”

  “I can do that.” I nod. “Does she have a nurse that helps out?”

  “Yeah, but she doesn’t like anyone seein’ her like that. You know how beautiful your momma’s always been and stubborn. She doesn’t like help when she’s sick.”

  “So what happened in there earlier?”

  “If she wakes and is going to be sick, she tries to make it on her own instead of saving her energy like we beg her to do.”

  “I don’t even know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything, sug’.”

  “I’m surprised you’re here so much. Is that why there’s rumors about Ares being President?”

  He nods. “Yeah, I uh, I told him that I’ve had to stay away from her long enough, I’m not wasting anymore time.”

  “You could have been here the entire time; you made her fall apart every time you left. I was the one behind with her, helping her pull it back together. You didn’t just do it once either; you did it over and over, and she’d be a mess for days, weeks; hell, sometimes for a full month. But now that she’s sick, you want to play hero?” I can’t stop the words tumbling out as my emotions spiral.

  “I know. I tried to stay away, but I loved her too much. I’d stay gone for as long as I could handle, but I always came home eventually.”

  “Ha. That sounds pathetic; really you had to stay away? Really? We were your family, your wife, and children. We wanted you!”

  “I know it, but I couldn’t fucking help it!” His voice increases as his eyes start to dry. “I had to stay away. It wasn’t my choice; it was for your safety after I received threat-amongst threat against you all. I had to keep you safe. I knew if you hated me, you’d stay away from me and no one could get to you. I get it; I fucked up your life. I know that, and I live with it every fucking day. You don’t think I wanted my life?” He points toward my mom’s room, “That woman has owned me since I first laid eyes on her!”

  “So what’s different now that you can come right back into everything?”

  “My son is grown and has brothers that will help him if needed. My beautiful daughter is the Ol’ Lady of the President of an MC club, who’d blow up half the fucking country to find her. You’re both safe, finally. If they come for me, well they can have my life. I only care about my wife being alive and healthy and my children.”

  “Look, Dad, I want to believe you, I really do. I promise to try, okay?” My mother’s sick, she wouldn’t want her family fighting like this. If I have to bite the bullet and back off, I will.

  This whole time, I was trying to protect her, and I’d even go to extreme lengths to do it, just like my father did. I only wish that I’d known that I was protecting her against the wrong thing. I was too busy hating my father when I should have been loving my mother.

  Thank God, I’ve found a love so strong with Viking because I’m going to need the extra backbone and support when I help my mom kick cancer’s ass. She’s a stubborn Ol’ Lady who leads the pack; in my heart, I know she’ll win, and she’ll finally get her man.

  One year later…

  “Get more plates!” I yell toward the main room at Odin.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he calls back, using his sweet manners he’s developed over the past year. Viking’s been ruthless about Odin growing into a decent man and not like Jekyll. When we finally have kids of our own, they’re going to be little angels or risk getting ‘the talk’ from Viking all the time. I love his voice, but he can drone on to teenagers, and they hate that shit.

  Odin comes in carrying a stack, stopping at the end of the table, “Where do you need them?”

  “That’s fine; you can stack them there and then when everyone comes in they can fix their plates and either sit with us or wherever. I don’t want any pressure since they’ve been good at letting me take over the clubhouse for the past few days.”

  “They should be in here helping; you did cook enough food for an army.”

  Shrugging, I smile kindly at him, “No big deal, it’s Thanksgiving, and this is how it should be for everyone.”

  Nancy passes in the hallway, waving when she notices me. She wanted to help out, and I gladly obliged. She’s made all the desserts for tonight, and they look so delicious. I can’t wait to try out her key lime pie.

  “Are we still stopping by Mom’s later?” Odin started ca
lling my mother “Mom” about six months ago. I couldn’t be any happier about it either.

  “Yep, you’re still coming right?”

  “Of course.”

  “Okay, just checking, I didn’t know if you had plans with Mercy or not.”

  He’s been dating Spin’s younger sister off and on for a while now. The only way Spin agreed not to kill him was because Viking promised to take care of it himself if Odin got her pregnant. Mercy’s about to turn sixteen and full of mischief. But she’s close to Odin’s age, which I love because he spends too much time around adults.

  “Nope, I’ll be there,” he replies as Viking carries food in from the kitchen.

  “Damn, Cinderella; this shit smells so fuckin’ good.”

  “I know, I’m starving. Is my dad here yet?”

  “Yeah, he’s drinking a whiskey.”

  “Shit, again?”

  He nods.

  “Try to keep him distracted or pour some water in it, something. I don’t want him blurring today out. We need to be happy and eat some good food.”

  “I got it, baby, don’t worry. Ares is here, too. You know that’s practically his father too. He’ll keep him talking.”

  “All right, God, I really don’t know what I’d do without you. I love you so much, Vike. More every day.”

  “You want some D, huh?”

  Laughing, I shake my head “I say love, and you automatically think of your cock?”

  “Hey, I’m pretty sure that’s why you fell for me,” he says aloud, then mouths out ‘cunt crazy.’ He’s been teasing me about it more here lately with Avery popping up pregnant. He’s lost it if he thinks it’s happening with me anytime soon. I’m too selfish, I want him all alone, at least for a few more years. I don’t think I’ll ever get my fill of him.

  As we gather around the massive tables we rented for this dinner; I can’t help but think about how lucky I am. I’m surrounded by friends and family I adore and sitting next to the man of my dreams that I never even knew I wanted.

  Oh, and then there’s the billiards table Viking brought home on our anniversary. That alone is enough reason to love him forever.

  VIKING

  “Hey, Prez?”

  “What?” Ares and I answer at the same time, then chuckle. We’ve grown used to it now since we’re together a lot.

  It’s one of his guys; Shooter comes closer to speak to Ares about a shipment of weapons, and I turn away.

  “Brother, you can stay,” Ares mumbles.

  “Nah, I’m good, I need to go be sociable.” Chuckling, I head through the club, just taking it all in.

  Every day, I walk through with a cup of coffee, first thing and check everything over. It’s surreal knowing that I built this club. We’ve grown a lot too. It’s still Smokey, Blaze, Torch, and Bronx, but now we also have Scot, Nightmare, Saint, Sinner. And our newest brother, Chaos.

  When the club was built, I asked all the Nomads to join us, but they weren’t ready to trade in their patch yet, which is fine. They stop in from time to time and catch up. I’ve made it very clear that they’ll always have a place here waiting for them.

  Growing up, I thought I’d never have anything, and now I feel like I’ve got it all. I have strong, loyal brothers at my table, and Odin is thriving. He actually walks around smiling sometimes. My club is running successfully, finally making some decent money and I’ve got the best fuckin’ bitch a biker could ever wish for.

  ODIN

  After we eat, I help Princess clear off the table. I’ve learned that if I help her out, then she’ll let me use her car or take me with her when she grocery shops. I’ve gained twenty pounds since I came to live with her and my brother. At this rate, I’ll be bigger than him in no time.

  Making an excuse to be back, I grab my favorite club whore’s wrist, tugging her along behind me. They don’t realize I’m about to be seventeen, or they do and just don’t care. We get to the bathroom, and I pull her into the largest stall, pushing lightly on her shoulders.

  Sinking to her knees eagerly, she opens my pants enough to free my stiff cock. The food was good, but once the turkey settled, all I could think of was how damn horny I’d become.

  Immediately, she takes my length in her warm, wet mouth as far as she can go, her eyes widening as I get closer to her throat. The club whores like to take turns with me to see if one can make me say anything. I don’t moan or talk; I’m there to get off not hear my voice.

  She starts in on my favorite move. I like to call it the ‘Triple Whammy.’ She’s the only one who does it, gripping my cock tightly she twists her palm over the base, at the same time she uses her nails to scratch lightly over my sack and continue to suck on my cock. All at once.

  Within minutes she has me exploding, pumping my cum down her throat in pure ecstasy.

  Once we’re cleaned up, I offer to find her later and finger fuck her if she wants. She’s a club whore, so of course she agrees.

  Mercy sends me a text, freaking out because I haven’t messaged her all day, but I ignore it. Instead, I grab the flowers off my dresser that I bought earlier when I went to pick up ice for the club. Tossing them in the passenger seat of Princess’ car, I head over to Mom’s; thinking on the way about Mercy breaking up with me a few weeks ago. I haven’t told anyone about it yet.

  Last year when Mom got so sick, we were over there pretty much every day with Princess. When Mom was having a good day, I’d sit in her room with her, and she’d tell me a bunch of crazy stories about everything. Then when she’d had a bad day, I’d hold her hand and tell her how important she was to us all.

  My brother thinks I’ve made changes because of him, but it was really for her. I didn’t want mom to know my cold side, especially when she filled my heart with so much love.

  Picking up the flowers, I remove the outer plastic wrap, throwing it on the floorboard. She was in luck at the store; I found her favorites, a big bundle of Gerbera daisies. I try not to slam the door as I climb out, but the wind catches it, making the noise echo around me.

  Princess still meets me with a friendly wave regardless. She thinks she’s like her father, which she is, but she’s also filled to the brim with warmth from her mother.

  My brother lets her go long enough for her to wrap me in a hug and smell the flowers. Tilting her head up, her eyes shiny with tears, she smiles softly and whispers, “She will love them, Odin. You make me so proud to have you in my life.”

  When she releases me, I bend; kneeling at Mom’s grave to whisper how much I miss her, but also to thank her for leaving me with someone who loves me.

  This may not be the ending you were hoping for. It wasn’t for me either. I cried the entire time I wrote it, even during the sexy times because I could feel where this story was taking me, and I was fighting it. I’m still crying as I write this. I feel like I’m betraying Prez by not giving him his happily ever after, but through life comes hardships. While this is fiction, I want to bring you pieces of realistic hardships people face as well.

  I want you to smile at funny parts, get excited during a sex scene, anxious when there’s suspense and most of all I want you to cry if a part makes you sad enough to. If any of that happens, then I did my job by making you feel. If you were able to experience even a fraction of what I felt when writing it, then thank you. That’s the best compliment I can receive.

  XOXO Sapphire

  My husband - I love you more with each book I write. You drive me crazy some days, but you make up for it by being hot.

  My boys - You are my whole world. I love you both. This never changes, and you better not be reading these books until you’re thirty and tell yourself your momma did not write them!

  The lovely beta readers - Abbey Neil-Clark, Sarah Rogers, Lindsay Lupher, Wendi Stacilaucki-Hunsicker, Patti Novia West, and Jamey Weber. Thank you for all the love you’ve shown me. You’ve all helped me grow tremendously in my writing, and I’m forever grateful. I had so much fun reading through your comments and sug
gestions on this book; I’m so happy you love it!

  Photographer and Model Darren Birks – Thank you for selling me such a gorgeous cover photo.

  Editor Mitzi Carroll – Thank you tremendously! My books wouldn’t be possible without your hard work, and I absolutely love reading your comments. You take my work and make it shine!

  My Formatter Max Henry – Thank you for making my work look professional and beautiful, you are immensely talented, and I’m very grateful.

  My PA’S Abbey Neil-Clark and Lindsay Lupher – You’ve both helped me so much, I can’t wait to see what the future brings. Thank you for listening to my rambling and for the continued support.

  Sapphire’s Naughty Princesses – You ladies are brilliant, thank you for everything that you do to help promote my work and for all of your support and encouragement. Some days it’s one of you that keeps me writing my next book, excited to bring you a small escape in this world. Thank you for giving me a piece of your heart, I adore you!

  My blogger friends –YOU ARE AMAZING! I LOVE YOU! No really, I do!!! You take a new chance on me with each book and in return share my passion with the world. You never truly get enough credit, and I’m forever grateful!

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