“You know nothing, Mom. My head is a mess right now and you just added a whole new level of fucked up to my whole situation. So don’t sit there and act like you know anything about the shit I’m going through.”
“I didn’t tell you this because I wanted to. I told you because I’m worried about you.”
“Well, Mom, I’m glad you finally decided to tell me the truth, but your timing sucks. After being raped and tortured by my boyfriend’s father, then finding out that the baby might be his, the rapist’s, dropping a parental bomb isn’t really what I needed.”
“Your paths are bound to cross. I heard that Nate is trying to move the deal over to the Deathseekers.”
“That’s club business, not mine.”
“Oh, darling, wake up and smell the goddamn coffee. You’re an old lady. Club business is your business. Whatever affects the club affects you. Don’t think it doesn’t because it does. You marry the prez then you’d better be able to stand by his side and run that damn club with him. Time to shape up or ship out, darlin’. You think distancing yourself from the club will keep you safe?” she scoffs. “Then you are sorely mistaken. You need to know what is happening and use that knowledge to keep yourself safe. Not knowing what is happening means you don’t know who you should fear. Be smart, Tara. I know you got it in you.”
“Wait, I can’t keep up. One minute you’re telling me to not be involved, the next you’re saying I should be more involved, I just don’t get it.”
“You love Nate, that much is obvious. Because no one would go through what you have been through and still stick around otherwise. So warning you off, trying to talk you out of it is no use. Therefore, advice on keeping you safe is all I have left to offer.”
“Keeping you safe, you mean.” I press my lips together, dropping back in my seat. The overwhelming feeling of anger and deceit eats into my thudding heart. “I really can’t believe this shit, Mom. You’ve lied to me for years. What else have you lied about, huh?”
“Tara,” she snaps in a raised voice. “I haven’t lied; I just did what I had to. It was to keep you safe.”
Shaking my head from side to side I roll my eyes. “Not buying it. Not for a second.”
“Look, I knew this news would be hard for you to hear. But you are so involved in this whole club lifestyle that I have done the right thing. My conscience is clear.”
Blowing out a huge exasperated breath I scrape my chair back, shooting up and pressing forward on my hands until I’m leaning over the table pretty much face-to-face with Mom. “I’m leaving now. Don’t call. Don’t turn up at the house and don’t you dare interfere in my life ever again. My life is complicated enough without dealing with your bullshit, you got that?”
“Tara,” she scorns, her eyes wide and her mouth hung open. “How… how dare you speak to me like that?”
“You know, at one time I would never have dreamed of it. But it’s called respect, Mom. And right now, I have zero respect for you.” My top lip curls as I spit my venom at her, my heart’s pace rapid and I know I have to get out of there before I say something I’m really going to regret.
Removing my hands, I step away from the table, head down, and barreling out of the coffee house. Tears threaten to break through and I inhale deeply, trying to control the hurt and rage that thunders through me in this moment. The feeling of a hand on my shoulder causes me to still, my head whipping to the side and my body turns a complete one-eighty.
“What the…”
“Hey, are you okay?” Roach asks me, and I press my hand to my chest willing my damn heart to calm down a little.
“No,” I rush out. “Yes, I mean, yes, I’m okay.”
“Well, what is it. Yes, or no?” He laughs a little, digging into his pocket and retrieving his packet of cigarettes. Flicking it open, he taps the bottom, offering the packet to me. Drawing my brows together I glance down at my stomach, then back to the packet he has extended to me.
“Really, Roach? I’m pregnant.”
“Shit, yeah, sorry,” he says retracting his hand and pulling one out with his teeth. “You know, doesn’t stop some women.”
“I’m good, honestly, I don’t smoke anyway.”
“Huh… so what happened in there? You kinda left in a hurry.”
“Just family shit, you know.”
“Gotcha. Hey, let me walk you to your car.”
“It’s just here.” I point over to my red Toyota. “You really don’t need to walk me.”
“I’d like to know I’ve done my part.”
With a smile, I start walking with Roach beside me. “Anytime you need someone, just give me a yell, okay?”
“That’s so kind, thank you.”
Within a few seconds I’m standing beside the car and rummaging in my purse for my keys. Finding them, I unlock the door and glance at Roach who is still standing beside me, grinning widely.
“So this is me,” I say sliding into the seat.
Holding onto the open door, he leans his head in and says, “See you back at the house.”
“You don’t need to…”
“I’ve had my orders, ma’am. I am to watch you until Nate is home.”
Letting out a sigh of defeat, I offer him a smile and nod. “See you there.”
Something tells me I need to get used to having the guys following me around.
Nate
“Mr. Jeffries, I can see that the notes on your file do confirm that you suffered from mumps when you were fourteen. Now, in some young men, a very small percentage, that can cause a drop in sperm count and in rare occasions complete infertility. But I can’t stress enough how rare that actually is.”
“There’s a chance I can actually still have kids, right?”
“Absolutely. We can proceed by doing a sperm count, but I have to be honest and tell you, Mr. Jeffries, that if you are unsure about paternity of an unborn child, that this will not give you the answers you seek.”
“Is there any way, you know, of finding out in the early stages of pregnancy?”
“If you’re willing to give a blood sample, then we can offer a prenatal test from as early as eight weeks of pregnancy.”
“Wow, really. I had no idea.”
“My door is always open should you need to come back, and if you decide to go ahead with the test call this number…” The doctor quickly grabs a card and starts to scribble something down. Handing it to me, he continues, “This number is for my office.”
Standing up, I take the card, push it in my pocket, and offer the doctor my hand. “Thanks, Doc.”
“Oh, absolutely. Anytime.”
Sighing, I head out of the hospital and toward my bike. Pulling out my cell phone, I check for calls or messages.
Shit.
Roach has called. I hit dial as fast as I can, placing the cell between my ear and shoulder.
“Hey, Prez.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, boss. Just waiting for you at the house. Tara was a little upset after meeting with her mom, so I decided to stick with her, make sure she got home okay, you know how it is.”
“Thanks, brother. I’m on my way.”
“You heard from Zane?”
“I don’t think so, why?”
“The Deathseekers want a meet. Need to know if the drugs takeover is going ahead.”
“Impatient motherfuckers,” I growl, dropping back against the seat of the bike.
“We gotta handle this, man. The longer it drags on the more fucked up this situation is going to get.”
“Yeah.”
“Boss…”
“Get the guys to meet at the clubhouse. Let’s lock down a plan and handle this once and for all.”
“Sure, man.”
Ending the call, I shove the phone back in my pocket and mount the bike. I slide on my helmet, wondering how it’s all going to play out. There’s a storm coming, I feel it in my blood, and I have to prepare. But part of me feels way out of my depth. Sometimes I
think about Brax and how he handles every damn situation he faces with military precision. I have to be that way too, only right now, I feel so caught up in Tara that I’m failing the club. Constantly pulled in opposite directions. The love for the club and the love for Tara. It’s like I’m fighting to keep both.
Fighting and failing.
I ride the short distance between the hospital and our temporary home. I’ve never lived away from the clubhouse, but I see why Tara likes it. A slice of normality.
Pulling onto the driveway, I cut the engine, drop down, and walk toward the door. As I look up, I notice a sad-looking Tara staring at me.
“Hey, baby. You okay?”
Standing in the doorway her arms crossed over her chest, she gives me a subtle shake of her head.
“Hey, what is it?” I ask stopping just in front of her. She reaches up, securing her arms around my neck as she sobs against my chest. Reaching up and placing my hands over her arms, I guide her inside, closing the door behind me.
“Baby, talk to me.”
Anger and confusion bubbles in my chest.
“As if things couldn’t get any more fucked up,” she mumbles, finally lifting her head. Loosening one hand, she swipes away the tears running down her cheek.
“I don’t follow.”
“Mom. The lies. It’s a mess. Such a mess.”
“You wanna talk about it?” I press her, trying to get to the bottom of what the fuck is going on here. Placing my finger under her chin, I lift her gaze. “Whatever is going on we can fix it.”
“Mom had a confession. She told me that she was in a relationship with Brewer a long time ago. Things got heavy and she escaped. The man she told me was my father, wasn’t. She lied to me all these years. Brewer is my father.”
“No fucking way.”
“That’s what she told me. Said she escaped but found out she was pregnant with me. The guy I believed to be my father was killed by Brewer.”
“Jesus Christ.” I exhale, scraping my hands over my face. “Now I understand your mom’s hatred for the MC.”
“I’m not sure, Nate. How do I know she’s telling me the truth?”
“Wait… you don’t believe her?”
Tara turns, stepping over to the couch and falling back into the seat. Pulling her legs up, she rests her chin on her bended knee. “She seemed legit. I mean, it all makes sense, but maybe I don’t want to believe this could be true.”
Following her lead, I slide down beside her trying to find something to say. But the reality of the situation is that right now, Brewer is a dead man walking.
“Like, should I tell him I’m his daughter? And what about Hunter and any other siblings I may have.”
“He ain’t winning any ‘father of the year’ awards, babe. I really don’t think you want him in your life.”
“I don’t know.” She swallows hard. “I just don’t know how I feel.”
I place my arm around her shoulder and guide her toward me. “I have some good news.”
“What?” She lifts her head, her watery eyes meeting mine.
“Doc says I have nothing to worry about. I was ill, but there’s no reason why I should be infertile.”
“Oh, Nate.” She places her hands on the sides of my face, kissing my lips.
“He also told me we can have a DNA test. Noninvasive. Just a blood test from me and you and they can confirm whether I’m the father or not.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I have the doc’s number. He said he can make the arrangements. We just need to give him a call when we’re ready.”
Smiling, she clutches my hand, squeezing gently. “Everything is going to be okay, isn’t it?”
Her eyes search for my reassurance and I return her smile.
“Of course. We got each other, right?”
“Always.”
I don’t have the heart to tell her about the club’s plans for Brewer. That asshole doesn’t deserve my girl in his life. But Hunter, well, that’s something entirely different. Maybe with Brewer out of the picture these two can find each other. Be the family they both need.
* * *
“I need this one last deal from you. That’s the only way I’ll contemplate sitting down with Brewer and discussing the changeover,” Brax informs me.
“We do this last deal, then we take care of Brewer, handing the whole operation over to Hunter.”
“Tonight, Nate. It happens tonight.”
“Let’s do it.”
“I’ll text you the address.”
“Okay, man.”
Glancing around the room at the eyes fixed on me, I give them a nod. “The last deal with Brax is tonight.”
The men mumble and murmur between themselves and I know what’s on their minds.
“What do we tell Brewer? He’s becoming impatient. He wants in on the deal you sold him.” Zane leans back in his seat, pulling one leg over the other.
“Asshole has to wait. No one said it would be an overnight arrangement.”
“How exactly are we planning on taking him out?” Davo asks, his eyes narrowed and creases appearing on his forehead. “Because he’s becoming a danger to this club. He already had the balls to show up here making demands…”
“I know,” I snap. “But we have to get him alone. Away from the rest of his crew.”
“What about the whorehouse? We have a reopening. Get him alone with one of the girls, then intercept.”
“Yeah, yeah…” the men all roar in agreement.
“Good idea, but dangerous for the girls. This new club is supposed to be their safe place. I don’t want to scare them and bring trouble to the club. That’s the last thing we need.
“How’s the refurb going?” I ask, glancing between Davo and Zane.
“Should be ready by the weekend.”
“Good, good.” I nod, feeling like our new business venture is coming together.
“Melody has done a great job. She needs you to call in at some point. Some paperwork and shit that needs handling,” Davo adds.
“Let’s pay the club a visit.” I clap my hands together, rubbing them enthusiastically. “Zane, Roach,” I say, tipping my chin, “we ride.” Stepping up from the head of the table, Davo is suddenly by my side, his hand on my forearm.
“Wait up, brother. You know I’m heavily invested in the club. Shouldn’t I be the one coming with you?”
“You’re invested in the pussy that you’re burying your cock in, not the club.” Slapping him heavily on the back, his hardened expression doesn’t lift. “But seriously, brother. I need you here to organize things for the deal later.” I pull out my prepay and hand it to Davo. “The deets will be sent here. Location, time, and goods. Get my men organized and ready for my return. I’m trusting you.”
His nostrils flare and I can tell he isn’t happy. He nods his head and takes the phone anyway. “You got it, Prez.”
“Listen, as soon as the club is up and running, you and Melody can take some time off to go and fuck each other’s brains out. But right now, I need you both, doing what you’re doing.”
“Club comes first.”
With a pat on the back I say, “Thanks, brother.”
He stiffens but gives me a firm nod. “Say hello to my girl. Remember, assholes…” He points between Zane and Roach. “Hands off.”
“Didn’t realize you’d made her your old lady?” Roach taunts.
“Fucking work in progress, ain’t it, jackass.”
Zane and Roach laugh and Davo just sneers.
“Let’s go,” I say clapping my hands together. “Duty calls.”
“Ah, man. We just got started.” Zane laughs loudly and I can’t help but shake my head.
“Leave the old man alone. We got business to do.”
“Fucking spoilsport,” Roach shouts after me as I make my way outside and over to my bike.
“Hey, man. Wait up,” Zane’s voice echoes in the midday air.
“What?” I turn to look at him al
l the while sliding on my helmet and fastening the clasp under my chin.
“How did the, uh, appointment go today?”
“Fucked up, man. Doc says I could be the father but there’s a test, you know, we can find out. If I am the father.”
“That’s good, right?”
“Sure, but what if it confirms the one thing I’ve been in denial about this whole time.” I glance over my shoulder, checking that no one else is around to overhear before continuing. “That the rapist pig is the baby’s father. You know, I could happily accept the child as my own without having to find out. But it’s like Tara has to know. What if the truth isn’t what either of us want to hear? I’m scared the truth will fucking tear us apart.”
“You can’t live with a lie, Nate.”
“We have another problem.”
“What?” he gasps.
“Tara’s mom decided to tell her today that Brewer is her real dad. She’s kept that shit from her, her whole life.”
“Whoa, wait… what?” He blinks rapidly.
“You heard right, brother.”
“Heard what?” Roach interrupts, lifting his chin as his eyes are fixed on us. “This about Tara? Is she okay?”
“Yeah, family shit, you know how it is.” I slide onto the bike and start the engine. Roach says something else, but I rev the engine, drowning out his further questions. Accelerating, I set off, making my way to the club, parking out front. Eager to see the transformation, I kick out my stand and slide off my helmet.
Shit, this place looks amazing. It’s barely recognizable.
“Hey,” the sweet voice calls out, catching my attention. I glance between the bald-headed security guy and Melody. “Looking good, right?” Melody asks as she stands in the doorway, her arms open to me. I step closer, embracing her lightly.
“I’m impressed.” I nod, lifting one brow as I scan the outside one more time. “This place is less sleaze and more class.”
“The look we were going for, right?”
“Absolutely,” I say enthusiastically. “Only the best for my girls.” Leaning forward, she places a soft kiss against my stubble-covered chin.
The complete scars series: Books one-four Page 85
