“The whole situation with your father has been cleared up… he called me today, you get to go back home.”
I was ecstatic, I would get to see my dad and the danger was gone. “Can I talk to him?”
He nodded. “Sure, you can give him a ring after you finish packing… I’m dropping you back to your place today.”
My stomach dropped. “Oh.” I hadn’t realized that I had begun to like it here and it was as much a part of my life as everything else. I didn’t want to walk out of here and away from these people forever… especially Lucifer. He’d grown on me and he somehow softened a bit with me. He wasn’t as cruel, harsh… he was more welcoming. I’d never admit it, afraid of scaring him off but I think I was falling in love with him. I knew it was against the rules, but what can you do?
“I’ll be back for you in a while so we can head out ok?” he said as he made his way to the door.
“Yea, sure.”
So here I was, all my stuff fully packed and ready to go. I was sitting at the edge of my – no the bed, waiting for Lucifer to come get me. When he did, he let me call my dad who reassured me he was fine and missed me, and he and Bull loaded all my stuff into Lucifer’s truck. We went in silence while I stared out the window the entire time. Before we left Bull told me to keep the phone and even if I didn’t keep his number. Call him if I ever needed him, was in trouble, or just to chat and ‘shoot the shit’. I hugged him tight and promised I would, that he does the same. When we got to my house, Lucifer lugged all my crap in. when he came in with the final suitcase he stared at me.
“Thanks.” I said.
“Yea…”
“I mean for everything, taking me in to keep me safe and basically taking care of me.” I told him.
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “It was job; I did what I was supposed to do. Your dad paid me a hell of a lot of money to do it and he basically financed everything I bought you, so thank him.”
I nodded. “Ok. Um…” I trailed off.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I’m going to miss you.” I confessed.
He grunted. “We knew it was temporary, you’ll be fine.”
“I will.”
“I’ll be seeing you…” he said as he headed for the door.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I ran after him and reached him before he reached the door. I grabbed his arm and tugged. “You won’t… I know I won’t see you again.” I said.
He turned to face me. “So what do you want?” he asked.
I sighed… “A proper goodbye?” I suggested.
He groaned and his lips captured mine. The next thing I knew we were a sweaty, naked, tangled mess in my bed. He stayed for a while and we made love – no, had sex – again, and eventually he said he needed to get back. He kissed me goodbye and I watched him leave. Then I cried… because I knew this was final. I was never going to see him or the club ever again.
My dad spun a story for the media saying that our impromptu disappearance was due to us being abducted. The details of the story cannot be released as they are extremely confidential and crucial to the case. Hence the reason why this amazing Monday morning I was strolling back into the office for Alexander McQueen like I never left.
I fell into my old routine without issue although thoughts of the club and everyone always floated in the background of my mind. It had been a month since I’ve seen or spoken to anyone in the club and I was getting antsy. I took a risk and sent a text to Bull from the phone he bought me that I just couldn’t part with to tell him to ask for Nettie to call me. He never responded but she did that same day and we decided to meet the next day for dinner at my place.
I made lasagna and salad for dinner; I just couldn’t wait to see Nettie again. When the bell rang, I sprinted to the door to let her in. her eyebrows shot up in surprise at my enthusiasm and I immediately wrapped my arms around her pulling her into a bear hug.
She giggled. “So this is how it feels to be missed?” she asked.
I nodded. “You have no idea. Let’s eat though, I’m starved.”
I waited until we were a few bites in before I began questioning her. “So, how’s everyone at the club doing?” I asked.
Her eyes darted to me and then she focused in on her plate. My fingers instinctively tightened around my fork preparing for whatever it was she was going to unload on me. “Well, cutter was looking for you and all for his sister… but Lucifer refused to give him any of your information. When he pushed it, Lucifer threatened to slit his throat.”
I sighed… ok, that wasn’t much. “What about Bull?” I asked.
She rolled her eyes. “Bull is Bull. When he’s a drunken mess of a man he often talks about you. Mainly that he misses you and most of the time to get on Lucifer’s nerves. He’ll say you’re hot and shit just to get his blood boiling; he’s turned so fucking broody it’s insane. His new favorite word is no and Bull usually mutters about wishing you were there since he gave you anything you wanted. It’s true though and everyone knows it. Pearl is pissed cause even with you gone she still aint in his bed. Everyone knows – well suspects he’s fucked up because he misses you.” I opened my mouth to argue and she sent me a death glare. “Don’t you even fucking dare. We all know you two were fucking like rabbits, plus he treated you a helluva lot different than anyone else. If I’m being honest I’ve seen you hit the man, curse at him, blow him off, and just straight up challenge him. Aint a lot of people that’s done that who’s still breathing… and if they are it might be through a tube you get me?”
I nodded slowly. “Wow… I didn’t know.”
She scoffed. “Like hell you didn’t. Look I get you don’t know fuck all about the club life but you aint stupid at all. You know the danger in that man, you’re not blind. Yet you still pushed him cause you knew he wasn’t going to do a damn thing to you no matter what he said. Plus, he used to hang around you like his most prized possession never letting you out of his sight. I’d be even willing to say the guy was in love with you.”
I’d been just about to sip some wine and I spluttered. “Ok, now that I can guarantee is a no go.” She raised an eyebrow in challenge as she took a bite of lasagna. “Look, he was paid to have me there. My dad was in some trouble and he paid him a lot of money to protect me. That’s why I was there and he had me confined in a cage. Probably why he didn’t strangle me either… plus he made it abundantly clear all it was, was simply sex. His head almost exploded when I mentioned something about Pearl before and he thought I had it in my head he was my boyfriend. I’m sorry to disappoint you but… there’s no way any of that.”
She smiled. “You truly think that the money your daddy paid him was enough to save your ass? Had he wanted to he’d had killed you and returned the money – along with your head – to your dear old daddy. Lucifer is fucking loaded… I don’t know exact figures or anything but I’m sure it’s in the eight-figure range. He’s not exactly hurting for money honey.”
My mouth dropped open in surprise. “But how? And if he does, why does he live in the clubhouse and not everyone else?” I questioned.
She shrugged. “Really, I don’t know much about his personal life. He’s really private, but he and Bull are thick as thieves. I know he knows but he’d never just give up that information ya know? Anyway, Lucifer is smart as all hell. I know you look at him and see a thug, but he’s not. You see the club and you think thieves, but they’re not. At least not since he took over the MC. I know he was a straight A student when he was in school, think he might’ve even graduated high school… I do know his life wasn’t easy though cause well with all that good going for you how the hell you’d end up being brought into the MC by the leader? Supposedly, the old leader Grill had come across Lucifer beating the ever-loving shit out of some guy in an alley. He’d stabbed Bull and was trying to attack his girl when Lucifer showed up and beat his ass. I know he knew Bull at that point, but I don’t know how they originally crossed paths. Anyway, he talked to them a
nd decided to bring them in. Whatever they discussed was enough for him. Often said he saw loyalty and brains in those two but I still don’t see the brains thing in Bull.” I was completely engrossed in her story; I’d had practically no information on Lucifer before. “Lucifer moved up the ranks fast. He was one of their best guys he did jobs without question and was always successful. They all say he’s a ruthless mother fucker but I’ve never seen him in action to tell ya. Grill was offed by a rival MC who was in competition with them in drug sells. When Lucifer took over he washed his hands of that. He started using the money to invest in businesses and flip money, all type of legit shit. It’s not all legal that much I know being able to get insider tips and shit but it isn’t what you would think it is. Of course, every once and a while he needs to show people who’s boss but they’re untouchable right now because none of any of the gangs or whatever else is out there is affiliated with the type of business he is. He’s made them all a lot of fucking money, and he’s generous. Not like hey I’m the boss my idea I get 50% and you all split the other half. He likes to keep it an equal share of course if your one of the lazy fucks not so much, but everyone always gets a cut… and there’s always a payoff. What’s your daddy do?”
Everything she said sank in and the image that I had of Lucifer in my mind was slowly transforming and becoming murky. I really didn’t know the man at all. “My dad owns a bunch of businesses.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “That’s probably how they know each other in the first place.”
I shook my head. “I won’t even lie and say that the question of – how my dad even found him? – didn’t cross my mind a million times. So how did you become a part of the club?”
She shrugged and blushed. “Well I’ll tell you, but don’t you repeat it since it has to do with more than just me.” I nodded. “Ok, so Bull and I used to be neighbors as kids. Our trailers were right next to each other’s in some shit hole trailer park. Our parents were real cool; you know in the way only true junkies could be. Anyways, they would have drug parties and shit at our houses if you want to call them that. Most days, we would find each other and just run somewhere until the next day. He was my best friend from the age of 3 up until he ran away for good at 15. I hated him for it while at the same time I was so proud of him. My dad just didn’t give two shits about me, not even to feed me and I stayed. I wanted so bad to leave but I didn’t have the fucking courage and he did. I don’t want to get too much into the details, I’m sure you can understand why… but, Bull had found me. I was stripping for cash and I was hopping through shelters because I was making just enough to eat, well barely. Then he brought me to the club. He set me up with a place by him and here we are.”
I knew I was gaping at her but I just couldn’t help it. Whatever she was going to say I sure as hell wasn’t expecting that. “That explains a lot.”
Her head cocked to the side. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“I had noticed that unlike the other girls, you don’t sleep around with anyone. They treated you very similar to how they treated me… plus Lucifer let you around me. The only person initially he would let come around was Bull, and the first time was because he didn’t have a choice. He seemed to trust you enough. Which bring me to my next question… so you and Bull huh?” I asked with a waggle of my eyebrows.
She rolled her eyes. “Fuck no. I mean yea we’ve had sex before only twice actually and we were both really fucking drunk and he coerced me into it because I was the only available girl around. I mean, he has a different girl everyday sometimes two. We just share history is all, and he’s always looked out for me. Nothing more than friends, sorry to burst your bubble.” She smiled.
I sighed. “I hate you. I thought for sure you were going to confess your undying love for each other and we’d start picking out wedding dresses.”
Her eyes went wide and she barked out a laugh. “Now you’re delusional. Bull get married to anyone hell anything is fucking comical. I can’t even picture it in my head, but that was a good one. I have to keep that in my pocket for when I really need to throw him off his game. He might pass the hell out before the sentence is out. He is thee last person, on the planet, that would get married.
“I miss it there.” I admitted.
She nodded. “We miss you too. Well those of us that matter anyway.”
I laughed. “Right.”
I picked up my glass of wine and sniffed. My stomach turned and I felt green. I jumped from my seat effectively knocking my chair over and ran for the bathroom. I threw up my entire dinner and rested my head against the toilet seat. Crap that was the second time this week. I brushed my teeth and made my way back out to the table to a Nettie. I blushed in embarrassment at the look she gave me.
“Why don’t we go to the living room and watch some TV?” I suggested.
She nodded and stood following me. When we were comfortable I turned to Breaking Bad, they had me addicted. I could feel her stare burning a hole in my head. “What’s up?” I finally asked.
She shrugged. “Are you ok?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yea, yea I’m fine. I just got sick… don’t worry about it only happened a couple of times. I think it’s my body readjusting to my old life and all.” I confessed.
She nodded slowly. “You’ve been getting sick? I’ve never heard of that before.”
I shrugged. “Hey I’m a weirdo, I’ve accepted it.” She continued to stare. “What?” I questioned.
She bit her lip and scanned the room. “I was just thinking well… are you sure that’s what it is? I know it’s none of my business but can I ask you something?” she asked.
I nodded. “Sure, you can ask me anything. Nettie I truly do consider you a close friend.”
She offered me a soft smile. “Aww shit, you’re going to make me cry. You’ve become like a sister to me in that short time. A breath of fresh air I think we all kind of needed.” She held her breath. “It’s not my business like I said, but did you and prez use protection?” she asked.
I gulped. We hadn’t come to think of it, and it never crossed my mind. When he was around me, close to me, especially touching me I was a complete mess. I couldn’t even tell which way was up, but that was a stupid, stupid thing to not think about… for months at that! When I just stared blankly at her as I mentally berated myself she threw her hands up. “Hey, I mean you aint gotta answer I was just asking. I knew that night when me and Bull…” she trailed off and blushed. “Well, we were fucking drunk as shit and we hadn’t. I’d held my breath waiting for my period to come and was happier than a pig in shit. I was just putting it out there as it might be possible that you’re you know… with a baby Lucifer.” She looked thoughtful. “Wow, hearing the end of that sentence out loud sounds kind of fucked up in that context, don’t it?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that but I was still worried. “No, we hadn’t been using any… ever from what I can remember. I wasn’t even thinking about it if I’m being totally honest. Oh my god, what am I going to do?” I asked her.
She wrapped a supportive arm around my shoulder. “Well, when’s the last time you got your period?” she asked.
I thought back. “I know I had it at the club house… I don’t know exactly when though. Time does tend to slip away when you’re just sitting on your hands and don’t really have any schedule or obligations you know? I can’t even tell you exactly how long I was there. I mean yea, if I go back to the dates but you know what I mean…”
She nodded. “Ok, so here’s what we do. I’ll pick you up a pregnancy test and then I’ll come back to sit with you while you take it. Hey, it could be no and then poof, nothing else to think about. If it’s a yes, we’ll figure it out. Are you going to tell him?” she asked.
I looked at her in shock with wide eyes. “You cannot be serious?” I asked. When she only continued to stare, I shook my head. “You are serious! I can’t call him and say ‘hey I may or may not be pregnant with your child from a one night st
and’. This is mister can’t commit, don’t want a woman in my life; don’t want anyone in my life probably. Then I tell him hey you’re stuck with having to deal with me for at least the next 18 years, possibly more if our child goes to college. You don’t think he’ll hurt me now, when he hears that he is going to slaughter me. You’re going to see the crime on the news, there’s going to be blood all over every inch of this house, even the stairs outside!” I was shrieking and frantic.
She shook my shoulders. “Chill. Ok, step one let’s find out… but you seriously need to relax. You’re going to make yourself crazy – even crazier if you keep thinking about this. There’s nothing to do until we get you that test alright? Now I have to monitor the news until I see you again to see if there’s a story of you committing suicide because you let that imagination of yours run wild.”
I took a deep breath. “Ok, yes. You’re right.” I let her words sink in. She had a point and I did lose it a bit a second ago, but come on… you would be scared to freaking death too if it were you.
Nettie kept me company for a while longer before she left. I couldn’t get barely any sleep my thoughts plaguing me with the possibility of a baby. The next day I called out sick, I knew I’d be worthless today and I didn’t need to go to work and just seem like a slacker. I knew I wouldn’t be ok until I knew whether I was or not, but then I didn’t know if I would be ok after either. I decided I needed to know before I really went insane and walked down the block to the pharmacy and bought a test.
I pissed on the stick and passed the house for way longer than the two minutes they said was required. When I had the courage to finally go peek, I looked at the small box and saw two lines. Positive. My heart stopped and time seemed to stand still. I’m pregnant… with Lucifer’s baby. What am I going to do?
Lucifer: Hades Riders MC Page 11
