by Carina Adams
“Doesn’t matter even if he was.” Tank pointed out. “There is no way in hell he’d be coming after the three of us. We weren’t wearing our colors and nothing on us told the world we were Bastards, let alone who we were. He doesn’t know who in the hell broke in that night or he’d have come after us before now.”
“But, there is proof!” Bear snapped back. Then, as if realizing that Tank wouldn’t know because he he’d been serving his sentence, Ian sat back. “Sorry Brother, I forgot.” Looking to me he added, “Mateo’s seen it.”
I nodded and then explained to Tank the pictures that were in Billy’s satchel of secrets.
“Where’d he get the pictures?” Tank demanded. I didn’t have an answer because I’d never asked what private investigator he’d hired. There hadn’t been a reason because I felt like the damage with Jo had been done.
“That’s a good fuckin’ point,” Rob murmured from his seat beside me. “Call that asshole and ask him. Tell him we need to know. Then, you and Ian track the PI down to see where he found them. The rest of us will look into the others. We’ll meet back here Wednesday night and report.” Everyone nodded their agreement.
I had to meet Jo and the kids at the gym, and then I was going to have a great night with my family. But first, I needed to call her ex-husband and have a little heart-to-heart that I didn’t want to have. And somehow resist the urge to tell the miserable fucker that he’d lost. It didn’t matter how dirty he played, Jo was mine and she was never going back.
Chapter 32
Jo
The thing I loved most about the aquarium was that there was something for everyone to do and that it didn’t take all day to see and do everything. In only a few hours, we’d seen every fish and exhibit, played in the touch tanks, watched Lily’s penguins, and sat for a sea lion show. After a quick trip to the gift shop where they each got something pretty cool, we were off to the gym.
“You guys don’t have to watch me if you don’t want to,” I assured them, not knowing how they’d handle seeing me go up against a much larger man and take a few hits. But they all wanted to see, and I was more than a little nervous to have my first spectators.
I was surprised to see Cris when I climbed in the ring, instead of Nick. She smiled and moved close so no one else could hear her. “I thought it might be easier for the kids to see you spar with another woman instead of a man. But, you listen to Nick. He’s gonna walk you through the moves.”
She backed away, but snapped, “Listen to Nick!” once more before throwing a punch. For the next forty-five minutes, Cris and I circled each other, avoiding flying fists and feet as much as we could, although we both landed quite a few blows. I was physically wiped when it was over, but I wasn’t as sore as I usually was with Nick. Cris apparently had taken it extremely easy on me, but I wasn’t going to complain.
Dean and the kids clapped and hooted when I stepped out of the ring. Even though I laughed and tried to wave off their silliness, I appreciated it. Lily beamed up at me like I was her hero, and the boys were both impressed. One member of my fan club was noticeably absent, though, and I quietly asked Dean if Matty had stepped outside.
He shook his head. “I haven’t seen him, Joey. Maybe he thought we’d take longer at the aquarium?”
I nodded. Maybe. This was the time I always came to the gym though, and he knew that. Court may have run over. I shrugged off the worry that wanted to settle in my gut and headed for the showers.
Matty still hadn’t shown by the time I was clean, so we headed back to the apartment. I’d invited Cris for dinner and was glad she’d agreed to come. It was Mexican night in the Murphy house and I was making all the kids’ favorites—quesadillas, enchiladas, taquitos, and Spanish rice. I figured having Cris there and cooking a giant meal would be a great distraction for me incase Matty didn’t come home.
“What can I do to help?” Lily asked not long after we got home.
“Hey! I wanna help, too!” Sam shouted from the other end of the room as he ran towards us at full speed.
Dean leaned against the doorway, watching us. “I have an idea. Why don’t we cook suppah? That way, your mom and Aunt Cris can go visit on the patio?”
I turned to him surprised. “No. That’s ok. I’ll cook with the kids now and Cris and I can visit later.”
Ben shook his head. “I don’t want to cook.”
I laughed. “Good. We need someone to set the table.” I gave him my silliest smile, but he just rolled his eyes and sighed in the way preteens do.
Dean saw him. “Hey! Don’t give your mom a hard time! You only get one mom, kid, and I promise you, you’ll regret your attitude when she’s gone.”
He sounded as if he was speaking from experience, but before I could ask, Matty walked through the door. “That’s right. You show your mom respect while you’re in my house, boy.” Ben rolled his eyes again, but in a much more playful manner and went to the cupboard to get the plates.
Matty came over to the stove and pulled me into a hug. “I’m sorry I missed the gym. How’d you do?”
“She was up against me,” Cris snorted as Matty snapped his head around. Motioning to me, she moved her hand up and down. “She’s fine. See? I didn’t hurt her.”
Supper was a crazy experience. Food filled the center of the table, and it seemed like everyone was having a conversation with someone across the table from them. Rob made it just in time, and although I could see something was bothering him and Matty, it was nice to have us all together. The eight of us laughed and ate until we’d had our fill. The men took care of clean up so Cris and I could have wine out on the deck while the kids pulled out board games.
“So,” I demanded, “how was Friday night?” After an amazing weekend last week, most of which she wouldn’t go into detail about, it was clear that Caleb and Cris were starting to become serious. I had yet to meet the man she described as ‘devilishly handsome’ but I was hoping that would change soon.
“It went great, but no. That’s not what we’re talking about right now. I want to know what you meant when you said he told you everything.”
I shrugged. “Exactly what I said. He came clean and told me about his past. I think we’re finally in a place where we won’t have to worry about secrets. He doesn’t have to keep things from me because he knows I’m not going anywhere, and I don’t have to be afraid of what he might be keeping because he’s going to tell me everything.” I took a sip of my wine. “Well, everything that he can. It’s a good place to be.”
Cris squealed excitedly. “That is so fuckin’ great! It’s real now. I can finally be excited. We’re gonna be sisters!” She fell back against the cushions and sighed. “When are you tellin’ the kids?”
I smiled and turned to look into the house. The six of them were sitting around the table engrossed in what looked to be a serious game of Monopoly. I reached for the ring that was hanging on a slim chain around my neck. “Tomorrow night. We wanted to give them a few days to get used to being around us and each other. Ben already knows, but he’s keeping our secret.”
“I’m gonna have a niece!” Cris squealed again. “And another nephew!” Instead of screeching again, she started to jump up and down like a little kid excited about the idea of a new puppy.
I pulled my feet up and tucked them under me, grinning at her. I understood exactly what she meant. Matty and I had done our damnedest to sabotage ourselves along the way. It was as if one of us was always pulling away because we thought we didn’t deserve to be happy. We’d learned our lessons and were holding on tight this time. If, or when, one of us started to drift away, the other was going to hold on tight with everything they had.
Once we told our kids there was no going back because even though we’d hurt ourselves and each other, we weren’t ever going to break their hearts. She was right—it was real now. We were finally grabbing onto our happiness and each other, and not letting go.
*****
Cris stayed just late enough to do the b
edtime routine with the kids. She took Ben into the living room, I took Sammy into my room, and Matty took Lily into the kids’ room, and we each read stories. After we made sure teeth were brushed, prayers were said, and they were all tucked in, we turned out the lights and cuddled with our respective kiddo until all three were asleep. It was my favorite moment of the weekend.
Once they were asleep, Cris quickly made her excuses to leave. As excited for us as she was, and as great as things seemed to be going with Caleb, she couldn’t hide the sadness in her eyes when she looked at Rob. I knew that she was rushing away so she didn’t have to spend any more time with him. Matty insisted that she couldn’t drive home alone and suggested that Rob take her. She immediately declined, saying she was fine. Thankfully Dean interrupted and said he’d take her because he needed to stop by his apartment to get clean clothes.
I knew she couldn’t see it, but Rob’s eyes followed her every move, and he always looked a little lost when she was around. He was genuinely disappointed when she refused the ride from him. As soon as she left, he said his goodnights and retired for the evening.
Matty and I took wine onto the deck and snuggled on the love seat. “I wonder who he’ll choose,” I said more to myself than to Matty.
“Hmmm?” he asked, tracing the alphabet onto the back of my arm.
“Rocker. I hate love triangles, but I wonder who he’s going to pick.”
Matty pulled his arm off my shoulders and sat up. “Love triangle? I think you have outdated info. There’s only Jess right now.”
I giggled. “Right now, maybe. But, when he realizes he loves Cris as much as he loves Jessie, maybe more, there’ll be hell to pay. That boy is knee deep in love triangle angst.” I gulped down the rest of my glass in the most un-lady like manner there is. “I need to call Jessie. I need to make sure we’re still on for coffee tomorrow.”
I stretched for my phone, almost falling off the couch, and Matty reached out a hand to steady me. “It’s late. You can call her in the morning. How much have you had to drink, Babe? I think you may be a little drunk.” His voice was full of humor.
I shook my head to fast and had to sit back because the world started to spin. “Noooo. I’ve only had four or five glasses.”
“Four of five?” he asked, laughing. “Yeah, you haven’t had much at all. What time are you going for coffee?”
“Ten-ish. Right before class. I have a test at eleven.”
He nodded. “I have to work tomorrow.” He pursed his lips. “Is Dean staying here with the kids?”
I shook my head, slower this time. “No. We’re taking them to the clubhouse to play in the treehouse.” I giggled. “Why is there a treehouse in the clubhouse?”
He grinned, tucking hair behind my ear. “It’s a fort in the playroom that’s wicked neat. Sam loves it there.”
“Ah. Well,” I cleared my throat, “we’re taking them there, and then Jessie and I are going for coffee, and then she’s going back to there to stay with ‘em, and then I have a test and then…”
He kissed me, cutting off my words. “And then tomorrow night we make it official. We tell the kids, and you put my ring on your finger where it will stay the rest of your life.” I nodded, my grin as large as a jack o’lantern’s. He sobered a bit. “I’ll ask Rocker to send someone with you. Stay with him, yeah?”
I agreed then cuddled into his side and looked out onto the city skyline. It took me a few minutes to realize the smile was still in place. I was so happy I couldn’t wipe it from my face if I tried.
*****
The sun was streaming in the windows, but I desperately wanted to ignore it. Matty rolled over next to me, moving in closer so that we were arm to arm on our backs. His hand moved, sliding under the covers until it found mine. The romantic gesture made me happy, until I realized that he wasn’t twining his fingers into mine, but instead, moving my hand back towards him. His intentions were made clear when I found him erect.
I yanked my hand away, laughing quietly. “Our children are next door, Matthew!”
Tugging me back to his morning wood, he chuckled back. “We can lock the door.” His voice was deep, full of sleep, and sexy as sin. I groaned. I wanted him, but the thought that our kids could hear us was just too much. Note to self—when buying a house, make sure that the kids bedrooms are on one side of the house and ours on the other.
Wait a minute. Buying a house? I hadn’t thought about it before. I’d loved the fact that Will and I shared our house so the kids had security and didn’t have to shuffle around. But, that wasn’t fair to Matty or Sam. And Matty’s house wasn’t really big enough for all of us. We’d have to buy a new house. Wow.
“Hey? Where’d you go?”
“Sorry, lost in thought.” I leaned up, kissing my tattoo. At least, that’s how I labeled the trinity around the Claddagh over his heart.
He pushed back my hair, keeping his hand on the back of my head. “Fine. If you don’t want to fool around, give me a back rub.” With that, he let go of my hand and turned onto his side.
“A back rub? Oh, are you hurtin’ old man?” I joked, but started to massage the muscles anyway.
His back was fantastically toned and as much as a work of art as his front. Stretched high across shoulder blades in large bold letters was the word “FAMILY.” Under that, right smack dab in the middle, was a profile of a man that resembled a roman gladiator, complete with a metal hat on his head. He was wielding a shield that looked just like the back of the Bastards’ jackets and holding up a sword as if ready to strike. I now knew that was Itus, the Greek God of Protection, and the symbol that the Bastards had adopted. Low on the right side, right above his ass cheek, was a white wolf with striking blue eyes. Sitting back on its haunches, head thrown back as if getting ready to howl at the moon.
“Ok, so I get the others, but why a wolf?”
“It’s my sign,” he murmured into the pillow. “Lower. Harder,” he demanded.
I moved my hand down a little and worked at the knot I felt just under the skin. “You’re a Scorpio. How’d you get a wolf from a scorpion?”
He chuckled. “Oh, yeah, right there. Celtic sign, not zodiac.”
“Oh. What’s it mean to be a wolf?”
“Hound. It’s a hound. I’m fiercely loyal and enjoy helping others.” He groaned as I finally got the muscle to relax. “I’m handsome, and large, and tough, and built like a horse, and…”
His obnoxious list was cut off as I pounced onto him, moving my fingers to his sides and tickling. He bucked, trying to throw me off, but I held on tight, my attack merciless. I didn’t stop until we were both breathless from laughter. Sliding off his side of the bed, I headed for the shower. I had a ton of stuff to do before dropping the kids off, and I should probably actually open my textbook before the test today.
“Joes?” Matty’s voice called just as I walked into the bathroom. I glanced back over my shoulder, wondering what was wrong. “You make me happy. I can’t wait to spend every morning like this. I fuckin’ love you.” I winked and blew him a kiss before closing the door.
Chapter 33
Matty
When I walked into the clubhouse, I headed straight for the back room. I didn’t know how long Jo’s test would take, or if she had other things to do once she left the campus, but I wanted to see if my kids were still here. They were. Sam and Ben were acting like pirates with a few other young boys. They’d turned the treehouse into a ship, had swords and bandanas, and had even hung a Jolly Roger. A couple of the Brats were pretending to be their prisoners and offered me knowing smiles when they saw me leaning on the door.
Dean and Lily were sitting in chairs in the corner and were either having a tea party or playing dolls. I almost pulled out my phone so I could get evidence to show Joes. It’s not every day that you see a tattooed biker playing with a little girl, and I knew she’d never believe me. I didn’t want to intrude on their moment, though. I knew Billy loved that little girl, but she’d been glowing from a
ll of Dean’s attention, and I had to wonder if her dad ever spent this much time with her.
Jessie wasn’t here. Maybe she realized she wasn’t needed and had gone to work. Assuring myself that everyone was not just ok, but also having fun, I pushed myself off the doorframe and walked to the bar. Bear had a beer ready for me.
“Any luck?” Tank asked from the other side of the great room.
Bear shook his head. “Nothin’. Until Jo’s husband,” my growl stopped him and he smirked before continuing, “Until Jo’s ex-husband answers his goddamned phone, we’re flyin’ blind.”
I’d called Billy five times. Left five messages. The fucker hadn’t called back.
“I’m ready to drive up there and beat it outta him,” I admitted. “Anyone else back yet?”
“Tiny, King, and Clutch are still out. Hawk and Rocker are back in the office. Paine, Dirty Dan, and Preach came in earlier with nothin’, and I think Rocker sent them back out. Neo’s with Princess, one of the prospects is with L.K., and the other with Barbie.”
“Preach? He’s supposed to be with Taylor.”
Tank looked surprised. “I dunno, brothah. Prez sent him out this morning.”
“Fuck!” I slammed my beer down and hurried down the hall to Rob’s office. I didn’t knock, and I didn’t care that I could be interrupting. “Why is Preach not with Taylor?”
Rob looked up from the computer screen. “Because she ditched him. She snuck out. That was after she told me I could shove my guard up my ass.”
I sighed, sinking into the chair next to Hawk. “Fuck!” Of all the dumb shit she’d done over the last few months, this was the worst. She knew she was being followed, and she knew how worried we were. That spoiled selfish bitch.
I would have gone on ranting in my head, complaining about the woman I’d once dated because it was easier than focusing on the unknown threat, but suddenly all hell broke loose. Screaming from the great room had me standing up, pulling my gun and sprinting towards the commotion, Hawk and Rob hot on my heels. Pushing through the women in my way, my blood ran cold.
