Coming Home: Dominant Devils Book 2

by H. M. Stewart

  I threw a nod to Avery letting her know it was time to roll out. She met me at my bike without a single word. With everyone mounted we rode in diamond formation in casing my bike in the middle to keep Avery from harm’s way. The fellas didn’t have a clue that I was carrying even more precious cargo then just Avery but fell in line just the same. The trip back to the house was uneventful. I wish I could say the same for when we walked in the living room.

  “WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO MY SHOP?” Romy screamed as soon as I walked through the door. Izzy ran up behind Romy to grab her before she launched herself at me but was unable to stop her. Romy ran straight into me and started banging on my chest. I knew the girl was pissed and needed to get the shit out. I waved the rest of the guys off when they tried to intervene. It didn’t take long before I had a babbling fairy-like redhead leaning into my chest while he body was wrecked with sobs. “Why Axle? What the hell have I ever done to deserve this shit?”

  “Nothing Munchkin. You’ve not done a damn thing to deserve any of this. I will find the ones responsible. As soon as the smoke clears babe we’ll rebuild the shop. Besides I think you’ll be more than busy enough helping my woman plan a wedding,” I told a distraught Romy. At the sound of wedding she raised her tear streaked face to answer me.

  “She said yes? Did you at least get the ring I sent a picture of,” she asked causing the rest of the group to chuckle.

  “Why don’t you have her show you? I’m sure you’ll be happy with what I came up with Munchkin.”

  Romy left me to go to Avery no doubt to inspect the ring I placed on her finger hours before. I looked to see Ghost and an emotional Izzy huddled together behind everyone. I nodded to Ghost trying to give him the reassurance that we would deal with those who have been fucking with us. I plan on starting with questioning the little bitch we had stashed away.

  With my woman safely back in the house I figured there was no better time to check in on our unwanted visitor then the present. “Prospects, Boomer and Viking hang back here at the house. You get on the phone if anything seems out of place. The rest of you follow me. We’ve got a little more interrogating to do. I turned to leave stopping in front of Avery on my way out the door.

  “You good babe? I’m not sure how long I’ll be. Think maybe you should get some rest before our little monster wakes up in a few hours. I love ya babe,” I said placing a kiss to her forehead.

  “I’m good. Come back to me when you’re finished. I’ve got some pictures to show you,” Avery said savoring my little kiss.

  I leaned in to whisper so only she could hear, “yeah babe you’ve got a few pictures to show me, then we’re going to be showing the world what we’ve done. I expect you to have a date set by the time I get back. You’ll be baring my last name before the next two arrive.” Avery said nothing, just nodded with a grin. I left her with a smile on her face as I met the fellas outside.

  “I want in on trying to crack this bitch Prez. She has to have known they would be going after my sister’s,” Blaze said as soon as I stepped outside.

  “She’s all yours brother. Remember though we voted to leave her alive for Athena and Carrin to have a go at her if they choose to. Let’s go see what we can pull out of the cunt.”

  Chapter 18

  Avery

  With all the commotion of the fire the house was very much awake with the exception of the kids. The women all seemed to migrate into the kitchen table with full cups of coffee to pass the time. Madison being her normal self was the first one to notice I skipped on my favorite beverage. “What’s wrong with you, woman? I haven’t seen you with a cup of coffee all day. You still not feeling well or what?”

  “Pregnant women aren’t supposed to drink coffee dumbass. You girls will have to grab her some de-cafe the next time you make a supply run,” my mother answered for me. I looked at my mother like she had grown two heads. How the hell did she know? I haven’t told a soul with the exception of Axle. The only other one who knew was Romy. As the thought popped in my head I turned to glare at my soon to be dead best friend. I’d kill her for opening her damn mouth. Before I could though my mother got her off the hook.

  “Oh don’t be blaming Romy. I assume she knows being she went with you to the doctor today but nobody told me anything. I knew it before we even left for California sweet daughter of mine,” mom threw at me with a shitty smirk.

  “Hold the fuck up! You mean to tell me you’re pregnant and you didn’t tell me! I’m wounded sweet-cheeks. That’s fucked up,” Trevor squealed in his diva voice.

  All eyes were on me now waiting for confirmation. Well thanks mom for putting me on the spot in front of a room full of over protective lionesses. Looks like the cat was out of the bag with nothing left to do but own up to it.

  “Trevor you really can be such a girl. I wasn’t keeping it from anyone I just had to make sure first and then break the news to the baby daddy. I managed to tell Axle about our little bundles right before the fire took all the attention. I honestly thought I would be going in to have my birth control shot renewed and have my medical files transferred when I went to the doctor with Layla. I soon found out they wouldn’t be giving me my shot because I’m pregnant with not just one but two little O’Sheas,” I confessed to my girls. “Axle knows but the rest of the guys don’t and I expect each and every one of you to keep it that way. Ax should have the privilege of announcing to everyone he’s going to be a daddy. He hasn’t even seen the sonogram pictures yet. Before you ask, no you aren’t looking at them until he sees them first.”

  With tears in her eyes Momma Bear made her way over to pull me in for a tight hug. I was fighting to breath while she kept saying “I’m going to be a mommom again” over and over and again. The whole group seemed to want a hug with my sister being the last in line. “Well little sister it seems you’re finally getting everything you wanted. I’m so happy for you and for the fact that your home for good. I’ve been lost without you,” Hyde said with her arms around my shoulders. “Now all we’ve gotta do is get a wedding planned. If I know Axle, I’m sure he’ll be dragging you off to the courthouse in the morning. You at least have to give us a few weeks.”

  “Yeah, I’ve gotta make sure I can find a kick ass man of honor tux. I’ll make sure not to outshine the bride but, we all know I’ll be hotter than the rest of the bridesmaids,” Trevor threw in to get a rise out of everyone. It definitely worked because chaos soon took over. We sat around the table hashing out dates, times and themes for the wedding. Trevor and Madison were on their phones while Romy and Hyde were searching the web on the laptop. Mom and the rest of the older generation of old ladies were working on a menu and the guest list while I just sat back and took it all in. I know my family was going to drive me nuts over this wedding but I didn’t care. They could go as overboard as they wanted too. I’d have to make sure they made room for Ember’s opinion too. I know she would definitely want in on planning the wedding of my dreams.

  Thoughts of Ember and wedding planning reminded me that I still had family that had no idea I was due to be married with two babies on the way. I pulled my phone out and snapped a picture of my gorgeous engagement ring to send to my girls. I went ahead and sent it through so it would be waiting on them when they started functioning in the morning. I’d text them a pic of the sonogram pictures once Axle lays his eyes on them and has a chance to officially announce it to everyone.

  As I suspected Ember was the first to call. I got a quick “congratulations” before she started questioning me about my wedding plans. I quickly passed the phone off to Madison so Ember could join in on the festivities. I leaned against the kitchen counter as I watched in awe. The women of my family would have my wedding planned before sunrise. I was lost in thought when my mother tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention. When I looked up at mom she handed me her phone with a smile.

  “Hello,” I questioned not knowing who was on the other end?

  “Well it’s about fucking time you get everythi
ng you want. We’re so fucking happy for you,” Layla yelled in the other end of the phone.

  “Thank you! I’m so happy right now I can’t see straight. Ember called immediately after I sent you guys the pic so my phone is sitting on the table with her on speaker so she can but her two cents in. The way it looks, all the planning will be done in no time. I’ll be lucky if I even get to pick out my own damn dress.”

  “Awe honey, you’ll just have to step in and tell them how you want it. You know Ember can be a force of nature when it comes to planning shit. Plus, I’ve met your family and from what I gather they could plan a mission to the moon in mere hours,” Layla said laughing into the phone. “I promise I won’t interfere except I have to make one request love. I’m like super pregnant right now and can’t travel so make sure you give me a month or two to get this little one out and situated.”

  “Romy already thought of that. She’s giving you two months, tops. Apparently we need to give you time to get accustomed to being a mommy but says I don’t want to be a beach whale in my wedding photos. I’d have to say I agree with her.”

  “That works for me girl. It’ll be here before you know it. Regardless of how big you are, you could never look like a beach whale Barbie doll,” Demi chimed in. Layla must have me on speaker phone.

  “Look I know it’s late over there, I didn’t mean to get everyone worked up. I’ll let you guys get back to sleep but I promise to call you all tomorrow with all the details. Get some rest; I’m going to try and break up the wedding planning here so everyone can get some sleep. I love you all,” I told whoever was listening on the end of Layla’s phone.

  With all the good-byes said and promises to call tomorrow I was finally off the phone with my family members in California, with the exception of Ember of course. My phone still lay in the middle of the table on speaker as she was chiming in on colors and flowers. I’d give everyone a few more minutes, then I was breaking up this little pow-wow and sending everyone to bed. Hunter and Tivie would be up in an hour or two and someone was gonna have to tend to them. I needed everything cleaned up before the kids woke up. I wanted Axle here when I told Hunter our news but, if I let the crew keep this up he would know before he even made it downstairs. Even though I know he’d be excited, I still thought it should come from me and his daddy.

  Surprisingly enough, only Ember was the one protesting when I gave the order to wrap shit up. Everyone took the notes, phones and laptops with them as they made their way to their assigned rooms in the house. The only one who was lingering back in the kitchen with me was Breeanna. Five minutes ago she was gossiping away with the rest of the crew. She’s the one that recommended renting a large tent and having the whole thing here on the grounds of the house. It seemed as she was having a good time but, now that everyone was gone she looked depressed and lost in thought.

  I don’t think she realized that I was still in the room with her because she seemed to jump when I spoke to her. “Hey girl, why are you still up here? You ought to head downstairs before everyone gets the best spot. When it comes to a soft spot to rest your head that pack of women will show no loyalty. It’s every woman for themselves,” I said trying to get a laugh out of her.

  Instead of laughter, it seemed as if I caused the dam to break. Breeanna began sobbing uncontrollably and I hadn’t the slightest idea on how to comfort her. I walked over and pulled the chair out front as I took her hands in mine. I started rubbing small circles on the tops of her hand as I asked, “what’s wrong girl? You seemed so happy just a few minutes ago. What’s changed since then? If it was about the sleeping arrangements don’t worry, I give you permission to kick Trevor out of his spot. You can send him up here to sleep with the rest of the guys.”

  Breeanna was trying to get her sobs under control but, at least, my little remark about Trevor got a little smile out of her. “I’m sorry Avery. I thought I was the only one left up here. I didn’t realize you would still be up and I surely don’t want to rain on our good news. I’ve just got a few things on my mind and I’m not sure what to do about them.”

  “Honey, you’re not raining on my good time. Why don’t you try telling me what you have going through that gorgeous head of yours? I know it always helps me to get things out. Lord knows, Trevor and Romy have had to listen to me a lot over the last few months. It might be good to help someone else for a change. Go ahead girl let it out,” I said trying to coax her to talk to me. Breeanna is normally a quiet thing without being upset.

  “It’s nothing major, really it’s quite silly.”

  “It doesn’t seem silly if it has you this upset chickie. My mom always told me it takes a lot to make a strong woman cry and if she’s crying there’s always a truth behind the madness. So, go on and tell me what’s so silly that has you upset.”

  Breeanna sat looking me in the eyes like she was trying to decide if I was being true or not. I know for a fact she always keeps her self very reserved around everyone. She’s not rude in anyway, quite the opposite actually. She seems to always focus on everyone else’s happiness before her own. She never jumps in anything like the rest of us do without being invited unless it’s something to do with one of the kiddos. She’s always quick to offer any help with Tivie or Hunter without having to be asked but other than that she just hangs back with her puppy Diesel. I say puppy because it’s only six months old but, the damn dog is the size of a full grown lab. That mastiff is big enough already for Hunter to put a saddle on to ride and yet the puppy still thinks he’s a lap dog. At first the constant drooling and chewing plucked my last nerve but, after watching the loveable dog play and interact with everyone, I’d have to say he’s growing on me. Both of them are actually. I’m beginning to consider her and the drooling wanna be lap dog as part of our family. Maybe that’s what this is about. Maybe she isn’t feeling included. I was bout to ask her about it when she started to speak.

  “I’m not going to go into all the horrid details because we would be here until tomorrow this time but, I’ll give you the clipped version of what I ran away from.” Breezy takes a second to get her thoughts in order before continuing, “when I was little I was the apple of my father’s eye but my mother was a totally different story. My earliest memories of my mother were those of her telling me how fat I was and how I was never going to land a respectable-southern-gentlemen that would fit into our family. My childhood consisted of diets, work out routines and personal trainers. My mother wanted me to be a respectable size six at all times. I wasn’t allowed any junk food or even a soda. Heck I was lucky to get fruit juice and that was only when the family maid would sneak it for me. I spent many of nights with a bottle of water and two rice cakes.”

  “That’s fucking crazy! You are not fat Breezy, hell I’d love to have a little of what you have going on in the hips and ass department,” I tried to interject.

  “I know that now but, it took me a long time to come to grips with being a size ten and being comfortable in my own skin. I take after my grandmother on my father’s side, god rest her soul. She was the only one I ever really got any nurturing from but she died of cancer when I was fifteen. It was then that I started taking a stand against my mother. Yeah, I still stuck to my diet and exercise while I was at home but, when I went to school my best friend would sneak me peanut butter crackers or a pop tart. When I went away to college that’s when I started lashing out at my father too. He had always stood up to my mother about my size yet, when it came to the career path I wanted to pursue he joined ‘team mom’. You see I wanted to take up journalism but, both my mother and father expected me to get my master’s in business. The first two years I was there, I managed to take the classes that would count for both degrees while I kept pushing for them to let me choose my own career. At the end of my sophomore year I was on the dean’s list and had more than half of the credits needed to get my bachelor’s degree in either major.”

  “Holy shit girl, that’s fucking fantastic. Tell me they were proud of you, hell I’ve o
nly know you a short time but I can honestly say I’m proud of you girlie,” I told her honestly.

  “They weren’t exactly what I’d say was proud, it was more like I did what was expected of me. My parents would have accepted nothing less. Anyhow, it was the summer before my junior year of college and I was just returning from the club, country club that is, when I walked in on mother in the arms of one of my father’s most trusted friends. I got out of dodge quickly not wanting to have a confrontation with my mother and I sure didn’t want to explain it to my father. That day I decided that I would find a way to do what I wanted to do, no matter what.”

  “That had to be something chick. I know there have been a few relationships around here over the years were the men have gotten caught cheating. I’m luckily enough to say that my parents have always been faithful to each other,” I added.

  “Yeah, I quickly found out that most of the couples around here are completely committed to each other. It’s one of the main things that drew me in,” Breeanna said.

  “I’ve got to ask girl, how in the hell did you go living the life of luxury to waiting tables at the dinner and the bar? What sent you running?”

  “Well, when I went to register for my classes for my junior year my parents shot down my dreams yet again. I was at the point where I had to start taking classes pertaining to one major of the other so like the good little daughter I was supposed to be of course I took the path in business. The lack of attraction to the business field soon showed in my grades. A ‘C’ was the best I was able to manage. After a quick trip home for Thanksgiving break I made my choice to run.”

  “What happened during break that would send you running? Don’t be mad because I’m surly not judging, hell look at the mess I’m still trying to clean up because I ran,” I questioned again.

  Breeanna went on to tell me how during her last break in college she went home to nothing but angry parents. The lectured and threatened that whole four days she was home apparently. Her father threatened that if she didn’t get her grades up and earn her degree in business that he would make sure she would do the next best thing to ensure her family legacy. Her crazy ass dad threatened to marry her off to the son of the man she caught her mother fucking around with. Before she left, with her parents thinking she was returning to school, she made a stop to drain her bank account and get the title for her car from the safety deposit box at the bank. Next thing she did was make her way to Nashville, where she picked up a P.O. box to use for an address and then proceeded to trade her car in for what she said her parents would refer to as a downgrade at the first dealership she came to. She left the Mercedes behind with her cell phone in the cup holder and drove off in a new Chevrolet pickup. Using the card her dear old dad gave her for emergencies she decided to buy as many gift cards to Food lion and Piggly Wiggly as she could, as well as all the fuel cards she could muster. She kept her cash for emergencies and had the gift cards to ensure she would have food and gas to get away. I soon found out that she only had roughly two thousand dollars’ cash when she left but, was able to get close to nine thousand dollars in gift cards before the credit card company made the call to her father for suspicious activity. With the cash, gift cards and new truck she took off to destination unknown.