by Harley Wylde
Chapter Seven
Janessa
“Do I need to ask if you’re practicing safe sex?” Mom asked.
I stared at her and gaped a moment before snapping my jaw shut. I couldn’t believe she’d just asked me that. Although, technically, we hadn’t. Not my birth control pills, since I’d have to start over now, and not even a condom that first time, even though Seamus had offered. I still needed to get my pills from my purse, which was in my truck. Or I hoped it was since I didn’t have it. I didn’t have much in there -- a handful of cash and the emergency Visa gift card my dad made me carry -- but I hoped no one had taken it.
“I’m going to take that as a no,” Mom said, then sighed. “You’re not ready for kids, Janessa. They’re a lot of work. Exhausting! And they constantly need things, and they whine or cry. Not to mention the expense! I love all three of you, but there have been a lot of sleepless nights, and plenty of times when all three of you needed new clothes and shoes at the same time. Thankfully, your dad seems to always have enough money to cover what we need, and I’m not going to ask where it comes from. I don’t think you’re at the point yet that you could handle something like that.”
“Guess we’ll find out,” I said, secretly hoping we wouldn’t find out. I’d have to ask Seamus to use condoms from here on out until my pills were back in my system. I knew Mom was right. I wasn’t ready for kids, but if I ended up pregnant, I knew I’d love our baby whether I was ready to be a mom or not.
“I know what it’s like to want to be with someone so much you throw caution to the wind,” Mom said. “With your dad…”
“Ew! Mom, just no. No! Any sentence that has anything to do with you, Dad, and sex should never be uttered in my presence.”
Mom smiled a little. I had to admit, I was thrilled that she and Dad were so in love and completely into each other. After everything she’d been through, it surprised me that she’d ever let him get that close. I was glad. Really glad. Kalani had been my protector, and now she had my dad to keep her safe.
“Just be careful, sweetheart,” she said. “Seamus has been with more than just a few women. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“If you’re talking about him giving me something other than a baby, then we’re good. He said he got tested while I was in the hospital and that he’s clean. I believe him.”
She nodded. “All right. I won’t meddle, but if you ever need to talk, I’m always here for you. Even if I’m back home in Alabama, I’m just a phone call away.”
“I know.” I leaned over and hugged her. “Love you, Mom. If I ever do have kids, I hope that I can be just as awesome a mother as you are.”
When I pulled back, I saw a sheen of tears in her eyes. My mother had to be the most tenderhearted person I’d ever known. Her life should have hardened her, but it hadn’t. And maybe the love of my dad had something to do with it. Whatever the case, the day she came into my life, I was blessed. Yes, my birth grandparents had dumped me in an asylum when my birth mother had died, but it had brought me Kalani, and had put her directly into my dad’s path. Things couldn’t have worked out better. I just wished that everything she’d endured at the hands of the doctors and staff could have been avoided.
Mom reached up and cupped my cheek. “I love you too. So much.”
“I know.” I smiled.
“Maybe we should check on your dad? He’s been outside with the boys for at least a half hour.”
“Afraid he’s lost one?” I asked.
She blinked at me. “I would never…”
I snickered because yeah, she would. Dad had lost Noah once. Maybe not lost, per se, but Noah had run off to Flicker’s house when Dad had his back turned for just a minute. Mom had freaked out, Dad was in a panic because of Mom losing her mind, and the entire club had been searching for my brother. Then Flicker had wandered over with Noah in his arms and told them what happened. Ever since, Mom didn’t trust him with the kids for very long. I didn’t think either of my brothers would get hurt inside the Devil’s Boneyard compound, but anything was possible. Especially with two small rambunctious boys, and Noah had recently discovered a love of climbing trees.
Mom got up and made her way outside. I channel surfed while I waited on them to come back inside. I knew my dad had already made sure the back of the house was locked up tight before he’d taken the boys out front, and he’d make sure the front door was within his sight at all times. It was just how he was wired, being ex-military.
I found a marathon of one of my favorite shows and settled in to watch it. I didn’t know how long Seamus would be gone, and as much as I loved my family, there was nothing here to occupy the boys. They had the attention span of a gnat, if even that much of one, and anything Mom would have brought with her was over at Scratch’s place. I wasn’t technically Irish’s old lady, or anything to him really, but I reached for the cordless phone on the table. When I’d walked in the kitchen earlier, I’d noticed a note taped to the fridge with a few numbers on it. I’d assumed Seamus had put that there for me at some point.
“CJ” was on the list, along with some men who had road names. I figured this CJ person was likely a Prospect and would be perfect for running an errand. I dialed his number and waited for him to answer.
“What can I do for you, Irish?” a man asked with an accent I couldn’t quite place.
“Um, it’s actually not Irish. I’m Janessa.”
The line was quiet.
“Hello? Are you still there?” I asked.
“Why are you calling from Irish’s phone?” he asked.
“Well, he went to talk to Scratch about something and said he had an errand to run, but my little brothers are here right now with nothing to do. I was hoping you, or maybe someone who isn’t busy, could run and pick up a few things like some cars or a ball? If they get bored, there’s no telling what they’ll do,” I said.
“And are you paying for this?” CJ asked. “Because I don’t see the club letting me use club funds for some chick at Irish’s house just on her say-so.”
I clenched my hand and tried to control my temper. I wasn’t just some chick, and even though Seamus said he was claiming me, I didn’t think he’d done anything official yet. I wanted to tell this guy off, but I was trying not to make waves. The last thing I wanted to do was blow up at someone and have Seamus get into trouble for it.
“Does this mean you don’t want me to go buy toys?” he asked.
“My purse is missing,” I said. “Or at least it’s not here with me. I know Irish would pay for it if he were here.”
I’d assumed everyone knew I was here and who I was, but the attitude I was getting from this guy suggested otherwise. If a Prospect with the Reapers had talked to any of the old ladies, or even potential ones, the way this guy was speaking to me, I knew Torch would knock them down a few pegs and stomp their ass in the dirt.
“Right. I’ll just get right on that, then.”
The line went dead and I stared at it a moment. The longer I looked at the phone, realizing a dipshit Prospect had hung up on me, the angrier I got. I put the phone down, put on some shoes, and stormed out of the house. Mom and Dad stopped mid-conversation as I stalked past them and started down the road through the compound.
“Where you going?” my dad called out.
“To put some asshole named CJ in his fucking place,” I said, and kept walking.
I heard footsteps behind me and could tell they were both following, probably carrying the boys. I didn’t think I was going to get kidnapped or assaulted inside the gates, but anything was possible. The clubhouse came into view and I saw some men standing outside smoking. They eyed me, but didn’t say anything as I approached. One had Renegade on his cut, another said Shade. One more member was lounging against the build with Shadow stitched on his cut. There was another that said Prospect and I paused.
“You CJ?” I asked the Prospect.
“Nope. I’m Killian.”
I nodded and continued into the
clubhouse. I heard Dad murmur something to Mom, then he followed me inside, along with the guys I’d just passed outside. I scanned the interior and saw two more prospects at the bar. My hands fisted at my sides as I got even angrier, listening to them laugh as they downed beers.
“Which one of you assholes is CJ?” I asked.
The both turned to me, and one immediately dismissed me. My money was on him being CJ. The other guy raised his eyebrows, then pointed to his drinking partner, ratting him out. I walked over and stared at the dickhead, but he refused to look at me.
“Do not ever fucking hang up on me,” I said.
CJ continued to ignore me. It seemed like everyone in the clubhouse got eerily silent and I heard booted steps come closer. Even if meant getting in trouble, I wasn’t going to let this guy get away with treating me like garbage. I hauled back my hand and punched him in the arm.
He growled and shot off the stool. “Fucking bitch!”
“You never call me a bitch, and sure as hell never hang up on me.”
“You’re just some two-bit whore Irish gave a pity fuck. Look at you.” He sneered as his gaze went from my head to my toes. “Like a man like him would ever stoop so low.”
Oh no he didn’t! I was preparing to launch myself at him when an arm came around my waist. I recognized my dad’s scent, but it didn’t stop me from going into honey badger mode and trying to get the little shit in front of me.
“Nessa!” My dad used that commanding tone I knew meant I needed to stop and listen.
“Did you hear what he called me?” I asked. “Never mind that when I called and said I needed him to get a few things for the boys, he hung up on me.”
“That true, boy?” a deep voice asked from nearby.
I turned my head and saw Cinder. I’d met him once before when he’d visited the Dixie Reapers. He’d seemed nice, if a bit intimidating. Scratch was like a big teddy bear around the women and kids at the compound. But this guy? There was just something about him that screamed don’t fuck with me.
“Come on, Cinder. Like I need to be an errand boy for some slut Irish brought home?” CJ asked.
“I want you to think really fucking hard. You’re already on thin ice for that shit you pulled with your sister. I warned you that one more incident and your ass was out of here.”
CJ’s brow furrowed and he glanced at me, confusion evident in his gaze. I could tell he truly had no idea who I was, or what I was doing at the Devil’s Boneyard. Did these guys never say a damn word to each other? Christ! The Dixie Reapers were like a bunch of old women, sitting around gossiping. Everyone knew everyone else’s business back home.
“She’s the daughter of a Reaper, jackass,” the man called Shadow said.
“And the only woman Irish has ever wanted,” said a familiar voice. I looked over and smiled at Scratch. “I have no doubt he’ll be asking for a property cut.”
Cinder crossed his arms and stared at the Prospect. CJ shifted in place and swallowed hard enough I heard it.
“Sorry. I didn’t know who she was. I thought she was just some slut Irish had taken home for the night,” CJ said. “I heard he’d changed houses, but I didn’t know why. I wasn’t part of that since I was handling an errand for Phantom.”
“Since when has he ever taken a woman home?” Scratch said. “Only woman he was ever going to allow into his house was this one here.”
“I didn’t know,” CJ said. “Irish doesn’t talk to me much unless it’s club business.”
“You apologize, and both she and her daddy accept, then I might let you stay,” Cinder said. “Or maybe I should let Havoc and Jordan decide.”
CJ paled. “Don’t ask my sister. She hates me.”
“Can you blame her?” Shadow asked. “You left her to die on the side of the road. I’m surprised Cinder didn’t kick your ass out of here right then and there. I know I would have.”
“It shouldn’t matter whether Irish and I are together are not. You disrespected me and called me names. I asked you nicely to do something for my brothers and you hung up on me,” I said.
“And don’t think for a second she wouldn’t have done some damage if I hadn’t grabbed her,” my dad said. “The Inferno might have put her in the hospital, but if the odds had been one on one, they would have had a harder time taking her down. She might not be as hardcore as Jordan, but she can defend herself.”
“So what do you think, Tex?” Cinder asked.
“I think if you decide to keep him, he needs extra time before he can be patched in, but it’s your call. You’re the Pres. I’m just visiting,” my dad said.
Cinder focused his gaze on me. “And you? You’re not just visiting. You have more right to here than CJ does.”
I glanced at CJ, who was starting to look a little green. I didn’t understand why he was so horrible to me, and apparently his sister at some point, but I could tell the thought of not being part of this club really bothered him. Whatever his reason for being here, I didn’t want to take that from him. Maybe he needed the support the club offered, a place to call home.
“I don’t care if he stays, but if he talks to me like that again…”
“Then Irish will kick his ass,” Cinder said. “And he’ll be tossed out. One last chance, CJ. You blow this one, and that’s it. I’m out of patience and don’t want to deal with your shit anymore.”
CJ nodded and hurried out of the room, going to the back hall. My dad released me, and I gave a sheepish look to all the club brothers staring at me. I hoped they’d enjoyed the show, and that I never put on another one again. Thankfully, Seamus hadn’t been around to witness me lose my shit. It didn’t happen often, but I’d been told I had a wicked temper when someone pissed me off.
“Sorry, guys,” I said.
“You kidding?” Renegade asked. “Best entertainment I’ve had all month.”
“Hell, if Irish doesn’t step up, maybe I should claim you,” Shadow said with a wink.
I shook my head, knowing he was kidding. At least, I was pretty sure he was kidding. I started to leave the clubhouse, but a hand on my arm drew me to a halt.
“Name’s Killian,” the guy said. “You needed something for your brothers?”
“Just a few cars and maybe a ball. They’re bored and I want to have a few things at the house to keep them occupied. Not just for today, but if they visit again it would be nice to have some stuff.”
He nodded. “I’ll get it handled and drop it by your place in a bit. You need anything else, you let me know.”
“Thanks.” I smiled and then left the clubhouse. Dad didn’t follow and Mom was waiting for me out front. She didn’t ask what happened, but I took Noah’s hand and we started walking back to the house.
“Everything all right?” Mom asked as we walked through the front door.
“Yeah. Just dealing with a stupid Prospect who thought I was a one-night stand trying to make demands.”
My mom coughed to cover a laugh. Yeah, she knew exactly how well something like that would go over with me, especially where Seamus was concerned. We let the boys pick a cartoon and I collapsed on the couch. I didn’t know what was taking Seamus so long, or when to even expect him back. Did I need to start checking out the kitchen to figure out a plan for lunch? Or maybe ask that Killian guy to pick up something?
“We lost our babysitter,” Mom said.
“I’m sure someone is lurking somewhere. Cinder and Scratch were at the clubhouse, so Dad probably wanted to talk to them about The Inferno. Or maybe he was just needing some guy time and a beer.”
Mom stretched and yawned. “He can have all the guy time he wants, but I want a nap.”
“I don’t think Seamus has a guest room set-up yet. The house is barely furnished. I wanted to talk to him about it, but there really hasn’t been time.”
“Your dad and I can’t keep crashing with Scratch. We’ll either look at the local hotels, or see if there’s a furnished empty house inside the compound we could use. I know
he won’t leave until the issue with The Inferno is settled. He’ll want to know you’re safe.”
“Until the club has to deal with another threat anyway. There always seems to be something going on.”
Mom smacked my arm. “Hush. You’ll jinx everyone. There’s hardly any trouble these days. Although, it seems all the guys pick women who need help getting away from something bad. Aside from that, things are usually quiet. It’s not like the old days, or so I’ve been told. Drug deals or arms deals going wrong, getting busted for chopping cars. At least everyone is home and safe.”
“Almost everyone,” I said, remembering something Venom told me once. A few of their brothers were doing time, guys we’d never met because they’d been locked up for so long. And one who had hit the road when things went bad. Venom had mentioned guys named Hammer, Cowboy, and Joker. Two were supposedly in prison and the other had left for some reason. He’d possibly had a bit too much to drink that night and was rambling about times past, before anyone had an old lady or kids.
Mom yawned again and curled into the corner of the couch. Not five minutes later, she was asleep. I noticed there were shadows under her eyes and she seemed thinner than I remembered. I didn’t know if it was the stress of my incident, or something else. The boys were good and stayed occupied with the TV for the most part. Killian eventually arrived with a few bags of toys.
Noah wanted to go out and play with the ball, I didn’t want to leave Clayton in the house while Mom was sleeping. I convinced him to play with the cars, and Clayton reached for a set of blocks. Killian had gone above and beyond. There were also puzzles, some crayons and coloring books, and a small train set.
“Cinder said all this is on the club,” Killian said. “Renegade sometimes does woodwork to de-stress. He said he’d make a chest to keep everything in, then you’ll have this stuff the next time the kids come visit.”
