by Kayce Kyle
“I’m sorry to hear about your friends. They probably have a plan in place and know what they’re doin’, please don’t worry about them. We’ll check on you a little bit later. Get some rest and I’ll bring you somethin’ easy on your stomach later,” Cage responds, kissing my head and leaving the room after making sure the curtains are pulled tight.
I’ve been asleep most of the day and part of the night. Joker and Cage have checked on me several times and brought me what I needed. At this point, I just need time and rest until this pain decides to go away. I really don’t get headaches that often but when I do, they tend to be bad. It’s from one of the beatings I suffered before I found my men and the club. Now, I don’t have to ever worry about someone putting their hands on me and getting away with it.
My plan was to try to check the site and see if any of the girls have checked in, but I don’t have the energy to lift my head. I take the medicine that Joker brought me, drink the broth, and snuggle back down to get some more rest. Hopefully tomorrow is a better day and I can at least sit up in bed.
Just before I drift off again, I feel the bed dip on both sides of me and know that my men have gotten the kids to bed, locked the house up tight, and now are going to join me in bed. I mumble that I love them both and I’m passed out again before I can hear their response.
Keira
The last two days, Skylar has pretty much been bedridden. This is the first time that I’ve been around when she’s had a headache like this. Cage and Joker are keeping us updated about her so that we don’t disturb her. And we’re letting them know that we’re constantly checking the site to see if anyone has posted an update about them. So far, there’s been no word.
My days are spent writing my next book and helping out with Skylar’s kids. We’re all taking turns with them if Cage or Joker have to leave the house for any reason. So far, it’s been for a little bit here and there, but nothing major. Grim even kept them home from a run so that they could be with her. He knew that they wouldn’t have their heads in the game so there was no point in them being there.
“Kitten, I’m leavin’,” Blade announces. He got elected to go on the run in their place. Goose is also going in place of them.
Making my way out of the office, I watch as my man kisses our children goodbye. This is one of the few times he’s had to leave the house for more than a few hours or a day. I’m going to miss him like crazy, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he would be going on runs. For the most part, it’s just to make connections with other individuals or companies that are helping with our domestic violence program. Other than that, I don’t know why they leave and I don’t care to know.
“I’ll miss you,” I tell him, pulling him in close and kissing him like it’s the last time.
“I’ll miss you too, kitten,” he responds. “I’ll call you when I can. Give Kenyon and Cory hugs and kisses from me. We’ll be back as soon as we can.”
I nod my head and watch him grab his bag and make his way out to his bike. Standing in the doorway until the roar of his bike fades away in the distance with the rest of the guys going on the trip with him, I keep my smile pasted on even as I die a little inside. Usually I would probably post something on the site about this, but I’m going to debate it for a little bit. This seems kind of trivial when others are going through something dangerous.
Maybe it will be a way for them to take their mind off of what they’re going through though. So, I pull up the site and type a quick post out. So my man just left for a few days. What do you all do to occupy your time when they have to leave?
Bailey replies: We’ll be over in a little bit to help keep you company. Alcohol and chocolate are on the way!!
Okay. I’m writing so enter the code and come on in, I write back.
Closing the site, I go back to focusing on my book. This story seems like it’s easier to write and that it’s writing itself as I go. There’s already been a few twists and turns, just like life often offers us. I’m enjoying myself and soon get lost in the characters as they weave their tale through my fingers.
I’m so lost in the journey my characters are taking that I don’t notice anything other than my children until Bailey clears her throat in my doorway. I swear, I jump a few feet in my chair and let out a scream that I’m surprised didn’t wake the kids up. Placing my hand over my heart, I save my work, and shut my computer down. I really need to get a laptop so I can sit in the living room to work sometimes.
“How’s our girl doing?” I ask, taking a seat on the couch between Bailey and Melody.
“She’s still resting in the dark. Joker told me it’s starting to get a little better finally, but it’s not gone yet. The last time she tried to get up too soon, the headache came back worse than before,” Bailey lets us know, passing around cups filled with something. You never know what it is when it comes to her.
Taking a tiny sip, I taste what seems to be Kool-Aid. The rest of the girls are talking about what a smooth drink Bailey made. I can’t drink it, but I’m sure she’ll make it again after the next baby is born and I can finally drink. This is the kind of drink that goes down smooth and you don’t realize that you’re tipsy until you go to stand up. Lord help us if this is what the others are drinking. Sami looks at my face and I can tell she knows where my thoughts have gone. Since we’re the only two that can’t drink today, I’m sure that we’ll end up calling all the men to come get their women when it’s time to go home. Bailey’s been known to make drinks that pack a punch and leave the girls stranded wherever we’re drinking at that point in time.
“Anyone hear from any of the other women?” Melody asks, taking another small sip of her drink.
“No. We all keep checking and haven’t seen anything from them,” Whitney answers, getting up to walk in the kitchen for something to eat. Nothing out of the ordinary when we’re in one another’s homes.
The rest of the day we spend laughing and talking about everything under the sun. It’s a good day full of time spent with good friends and our children. I wish the rest of the women were having this kind of day instead of going through their own personal forms of hell with the weather.
Chapter Twelve
Lizzie
The winds are horrific and have taken out the power and our generator has finally kicked in. The problem is that we can only use it for minimal things. We’ve all gathered at the clubhouse, figuring there’s safety in numbers, plus our men have all their ducks in a row, with knowing where every Ol’ lady, and member is. Just the way they like it. The lights keep flickering letting us know that the generator is using more power than it has the capability for.
“Thinkin’ we need to invest in another one,” Ghost says, and the guys all agree with nods of their heads.
“Once this first storm blows through, we’ll head to the hardware store and pick up another one,” Justice says, wrapping his arms around me. I lay my head on his shoulder and try to forget about the howling winds and storm brewing all around us. The men boarded up the windows so that we aren’t taking any chances of broken windows and anyone being injured, especially with small children running around.
“I don’t want you to leave,” I say, nuzzling his neck, “it’s too dangerous, can’t we just make do with what we have?”
“I’m invincible, babe, can’t nothin’ happen to me,” he says. If only that was true, not too long before we met, he was shot and spent a lot of time in the hospital and then a rehabilitation facility. I don’t want to take any chances when it comes to him and his safety.
“We’ll hold out until tomorrow,” Tic says, making me smile.
“Thank you,” I mouth to him and he acknowledges me with a nod. Thank God someone is thinking with the brain the good Lord gave them, because these guys really do think they’re untouchable.
“Good, I don’t like the sound of that weather outside,” Ashton says, and we are definitely on the same page. A huge boom hits and it causes me to squeak out and I bury my
self even deeper into his side.
“Nothin’s gonna happen to you, beautiful.”
“You can’t promise that, Justice,” I respond to his statement.
“As long as you’re by my side, nothing will touch you—that’s not a promise, it’s a guarantee.”
“Awfully sure of yourself there, aren’t you?”
“I’m a strong man, baby, but I’m indestructible with you by my side.”
“Someone’s tryin’ to get him some,” Levi calls out.
“He doesn't have to show off to get him some,” I quickly come back.
“Damn straight, my woman loves me no matter what, and look at these guns, no woman can resist,” he says, flexing his muscles.
“Jesus! Put those wimpy things away, we’re tryin’ to keep the women around not scare them away. They need to know they have men who can protect them, those things are weak, man,” Ghost teases Justice. They have this thing about whose muscles are bigger, they think the bigger they are the better enforcer the man is. It’s pretty fucking annoying when they start asking all of us who has the most and biggest muscles of them. Honestly, they’re pretty much on the same playing field, there isn’t much difference in them other than the fact that Ghost is a few inches taller than Justice is.
“Would you two cut it the fuck out?” Wasp asks, while burying his head in his hands. “You two sure are vain for the men we entrust to have our backs. You should be comparin’ buried bodies and not who hits the gym and works out the most.”
“Gotta keep this body in tiptop shape in order to be fast enough to take a bullet for you, Prez.” Justice says, and I jab him in the ribs and give him a ‘shut the fuck up’ look.
“Not funny!” I yell at him.
“I second that,” Kori agrees.
“It’s more than muscles that save a club, assholes, it’s brains and that is somethin’ both of you aren’t using too much these days,” Tic says.
“I’ve got brains, beauty and body mass. I got you, Prez,” Ghost says. Bristol rolls her eyes, I feel like it is a theme with the women.
“Why don’t you boys go make yourselves useful and do something. I’m sure there’s plenty that needs to be done around here, other than y’all sitting around annoying the fuck out of us,” Ashton says to them.
“C’mon, guys, let’s go shoot some pool and play darts and leave the women to do whatever it is they do,” Carson says.
“A bunch of gossipin’ is what it is they do,” Levi says, and I watch as Rainey smacks him on the back of the head. “I was jokin’, Rai,” he says, hurriedly getting up and leaving the room. The rest of the men follow his lead, and go into the other room.
“Thank you, Ashton, I thought for sure I was going to have to go search for my earplugs,” Bristol says, and I hold my hand up high so she can slap it.
“Same,” I tell her. “They sound like a bunch of overgrown kids when they start pimping like that. Drives me insane.”
“Wonder how the women who were having to take cover are doing?” Kori asks.
“I don’t know and that worries me. I hope they’re safe and their shelter is secure.”
“Have faith, dears, they’re strong, and smart women. They’ll get through this, and we’ll be there for them when they need an ear or a shoulder to cry on,” Ashton replies. I forget that she’s gotten online more lately, and has grown fond of a lot of the women there.
“There’s nothing we can do for them right now except to pray for them and their families,” Rainey says, and I know that’s the truth. I’m not a religious person per se, but I’ll try anything for my newfound friends. I close my eyes, ask the big man above to wrap them in his arms and protect them to the best of his abilities.
Rainey
I got sleepy, so I came to lay down in the room I share with my men. They were having such a good time with their brothers that I didn't want to bother them. If they knew, they’d come to bed with me, and I actually would like some time to myself. I haven’t been able to get a hold of my sisters or my mother which has my nerves going crazy. I know they have their own husbands and families, but they will always come to the forefront of my mind. I’m lying here, staring up at the ceiling from my laying down position on the bed and I hear a chime. I jump up, because service has been sketchy due to the towers being affected.
Ariel: We’re good, sister, relax. We’ll see you tomorrow.
I look and notice that the message was sent over three hours ago and I’m just now receiving it. Not even bothering to reply, since I doubt she’d get it anyways, I go back to my contemplation. I notice that the ceiling needs a good cleaning and make a mental note to find a ladder and get up there and scrub...what the fuck is that anyways? Oh shit, is that peanut butter? My face burns and I know it’s beet red when I think about the reasoning it’s there in the first place. I didn’t realize we got that wild that night, but with my men, you never know. I close my eyes, and am lulled to sleep by the sound of the rain. It doesn't take long for the sandman to take me under. I somewhat am aware of my men sliding into bed during the night, but I was so tired that I didn’t get up and welcome them. Damn, pregnancy really takes the wind out of your sails. I’ve never been so exhausted in my life, not even when I’m sated from my mens’ attentions.
I wake the next morning to my stomach turning. When my eyes pop open, I notice the smell of bacon, and crawl over Carson, who is still sound asleep in our bed and haul ass to the bathroom, with my hand over my mouth. This is the one part I could do without experiencing when it comes to carrying my mens’ spawn. I have the worst case of morning sickness...they lie when they call it that. I am worshiping the porcelain throne at least three times a day, if I’m lucky, sometimes it’s much more. And let me just say, it’s not always in the morning. I’ve been awakened in the middle of the night before, that is not a fun experience. I like, no let me take that back, I love my sleep and I am a bitch when I don’t have at least eight hours of continuous sleep.
“You okay, Rai?” Levi comes in, pulls my hair back and rubs my back.
“No, I’m not okay. If this is my introduction into being a mother, I can’t wait to find out what the next eighteen years will be like,” I say sarcastically.
“When you hold our little one in your arms, these days will be a distant memory.”
“The fuck it will!” I vehemently disagree with him. “This baby will never have a sibling, you better get okay with that now, because it ain’t ever happening again after this one.”
“Don’t say that, Rai. You don’t mean it,” he says, and I grab his junk just to show him how serious I am. He barely cups his balls before I get a good hold of them and pushes my hand away.
“What’s goin’ on?” Carson asks, coming into the bathroom rubbing his eyes.
“Your kid is fuckin’ up our Ol’ lady,” Levi tells him, smiling at me as if that statement will earn him brownie points with me. Mmmm…. brownies! Dammit, I just got rid of all of my stomach’s contents, and now I want chocolate...see, the devil lives inside of me, because I know there’s no way I’d be able to hold that shit down.
I get up and brush my teeth, once that’s done I place my hands on my hips and say, “No more kids after this one, I mean it.” They both nod fanatically, but I know they won’t be happy with just one, and me, being the sucker that I am, will give in and go through this madness all over afuckingain.
I stomp out of the bathroom and get dressed with my men following in my wake dutifully.
Suckers!
They’ll be worshiping at my feet for the rest of the day trying to get me to forget my declaration. And I’ll eat it up and let them, it’s the right thing to do after all. They owe me as far as I’m concerned.
Chapter Thirteen
Jenalyn
I begin to worry as I wonder what’s taking Clara and Sid so long to accompany us. Just as I’m about to pass Leo off to Stormie, Sidney and Clara make their way into my closet with several candles and flashlights in tow. I notice both of
their cardigan sweaters appear to be bulging with a few extras, so my eyes shift focus to their bulging pockets and what’s underneath.
“I brought some bottled waters,” Sidney tells us as she begins pulling them from the confinement of her sweater.
“I also brought some extra diapers, bottles, and snacks for the babies,” Clara states.
“Oh, thank fuck,” Tess and I blurt out simultaneously, which causes us to momentarily look at each other.
Amidst all the chaos, I never thought of that, so I’m glad Clara and Sidney did. My phone pings, and I notice it’s a message from Justice.
Y’all take cover immediately! It’s bad, Jen, but please don’t panic. We’re trying to get to y’all, but we’re stuck for the time being. Kiss our babies for me. I love you with all that I am. I’ll be there as soon as humanly possible.
Echoes of notifications from the men to their women serenade my closet as they begin to come in.
I send him a reply: We’re fine, Jus. Please just hurry home if you can. Be safe. I love you.
“Fuck,” Vanna hollers out. “My phone only has ten percent battery life now. I knew I should’ve plugged in earlier.”
“No worries. Between the five of us, we should be good,” Tess says, reassuring her.
Both of their statements cause me to look back down at my phone and let out a sigh of relief when I notice that I have fifty-three percent left myself. Everyone shoots a reply to their men.
Suddenly, the howling winds of mother nature and her wrath grab our attention as the house begins to shake, and I can hear glass shattering outside in my bedroom.
My heart begins to beat rapidly and my adrenaline kicks into high gear. Quickly I glance around my enormous closet and see nothing but sheer terror on my girls’ faces. Cami, Leo, and Carter are all screaming and crying uncontrollably. Savanna is doing her best to console my daughter as she brings her head into her chest and begins to rock her back and forth. Tess and I follow suit with the boys, but it doesn’t seem to be working and all I’m doing is building up a sweat.
