by Lake, Brair
“Momma”
“Emily I don’t care. You’re not to have anything more to do with him or that club.”
“Momma”
At the beseeching tone in Apple-Pie’s voice, I had turned to her and attempted to wrap her in my arms. Yet, instead of accepting my comfort, Apple-Pie dismissed me and my heart broke a little.
“Crabby go to the club. I’ll talk to you when I return.”
From over Laura’s shoulder, standing in the doorway was Inferno and Baby Blu. One look at Inferno’s expression, and the concern on Baby Blu’s make it clear, I have no choice but to leave. Without a care of who was watching, I turn and kiss Apple-Pie on the lips, promising her I’d return later in the day.
Her radiant smile from earlier, is gone as she continues to glare at her parents, Laura and Teddy. For five years, Apple-Pie has moaned and refused to acknowledge Teddy as her father and I find myself following her actions. Maybe it was because the truth was there and although Baby Blu has green eyes, while Apple-Pie’s were blue, you could see the resemblance between the three Jenson’s. It was glaringly obvious in the chin and in the forehead. Yet this man has let Laura and her family suffer for a long time. As I step around Laura, I brush against Teddy and he wobbles slightly from the unexpected contact. His gaze clashing with mine. I read the message. He wants to talk. As I left the room, Baby Blu’s hand landed on my arm, her grip firm as she whispered “Later.”
As I turn to leave, I wave at Apple-Pie as she offered me a feeble smile in my direction. Now as I stare out of the club window, I promise myself, I never want to see that look in her eyes again. The look of defeat and desolation. Weakly I smile to myself. Since my release from prison; I haven’t spent twenty-four hours in Comfort Springs, yet I knew who and what I was up against. First, I was going to find and deal with the bastard who had put Apple-Pie in the hospital. Then I would fight for my cause with the enemies closer to home, all six of them. Shit, I just hope I have allies in Dec and Quick Draw.
“You should have listened to Dec and kept your head low.”
Heartedly I give Sundance a slap to his back as I hug his large body. A body which has changed in the last five years.
“If you’re going to make an entrance, do it with style. That’s my motto boy.”
Sundance returned the greeting, laughing from deep within.
“Be careful Crabby and watch everyone.”
“Do you have my back?”
Sundance stepped aside. His appraisal taking in all of my body.
“Always Bro.”
MSD
“You were rude to Crabby.”
Momma guided the wheelchair until she was beside the bed. Her hand taking mine into hers.
“Emily I know you don’t like the truth. And you think you love the boy. But you don’t. It’s nothing more than infatuation. What is it they call it… Oh yes, Stockholm Syndrome”
“Momma”
As I went to speak, Momma raised her hand and with a frustrated roll of my shoulders, I turn to stare out of the window. Momma was wrong, I love Crabby and he loves me.
“Momma if it wasn’t for Crabby I’d be dead. It’s because he loves me. He was able to find me.”
“No Emily it’s because of him and that darn club you’re where you are now.”
Momma’s blue eyes were blazing as she searched and found Inferno’s gaze. Her chair spinning around to face him. With determination Momma set her shoulders. Although his grip tightened on Baby Blu as he drew her closer to his body. Inferno didn’t flinch from Momma’s accusing stare.
“You hear me. Both of you. I don’t care if you are Teddy’s daughter Baby Blu, but you and those bikers will stay away from what’s mine. I’ve lost one son and a daughter; I’ll not lose another one. Now get out.”
Over Momma’s head, I silently plead with Baby Blu to stay. I didn’t want to face Momma on my own. Crabby has deserted me. Thinking of Crabby brought a scowl to my face, the coward has deserted me twice in only seven days.
“I’ll leave if Emily wants me to Laura. Not because you’re telling me to go.”
Baby Blu broke away from Inferno’s hold and came to sit in the chair. Like a greedy child, I grasped on to her hand. Silently thanking her with my eyes.
“Momma this is my life and you have to accept it.”
“No Emily I don’t… When you come to your senses, you know where to find me. Teddy I’d like to go home”
“Momma”
“You’ve made your choice Emily. And it wasn’t with your family. I’ll have your stuff sent over.”
Teddy’s hand came to rest on mine as he patted me. His eyes sad.
“Give her a couple of days Emily. It’s just that she’s going through a lot.”
“And you think I’m not. You think I want to be laid up in this stupid hospital bed. While the man I love hides from everyone. Well, it’s going to stop. Crabby and I have nothing to be ashamed of. Well, we’re a couple and everyone’s going to have to become used to it. Because nothing is going to make it change”
Through the tears which were building up and as I furiously blinked them back, I watch Momma leave the room, listening to the wheelchair as it whined down the hall.
“Do you think she’ll be back?”
As I spoke to Baby Blu, Inferno came further into the room. His green eyes landing on me, and I find myself shrinking into the pillows.
“That’ll be up to you.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Baby Blu’s snigger fills the room as Inferno indulgently smiles down at me.
“Give her a couple of days, then maybe ring her.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Emily.”
“Yeah”
Questioningly I turn my head towards Baby Blu.
“Where will you go when they discharge you?”
“Are they discharging me?”
“In a couple of days”
“I need to talk to Crabby.”
“Emily.”
“Look Baby Blu, everything’s going to be okay, I just need to talk to Crabby and arrange to get out of this place.”
My voice was unintentionally sharp, but it was only as I was talking, I remembered about the apartment I’d arranged to rent for Crabby and me.
“Baby Blu I have somewhere where I can stay. I just need to speak to Crabby…”
“You’re not staying at the club Emily.”
Biting back my eye roll, I turned towards Inferno who was glaring over me.
“Afraid of Momma, Inferno?”
“No. But I’ll not have you bringing trouble to the club.”
My scoff hopefully conveyed my feelings towards Inferno.
“Are you turning your back on me Inferno?”
With a last fierce glance at me, Inferno turns his back and as he left the room, shouted over his shoulder.
“After I’ve talked to Crabby, I’ll send him to you.”
With a triumphant smile, I return my attention to Baby Blu, and hugged myself as I came to life in giddy excitement. Crabby and I were finally going to be together. When I raise my head at Baby Blu, she was shaking hers as she attempted to hold back her own smile.
I had won the first round.
Chapter 5
“What the fuck have you done now?”
Unwisely, I stare at Tabby as he storms across the main hall and shoves me up against the wall. Then just as Tabby’s fist lands in my stomach, Sundance steps to the side. Tabby doesn’t give me time to recover from his first blow before he delivers another.
“Rayven’s upset… Her mother’s upset. Do you know what the means for me”?
Another blow lands in my midriff and this time when I come up for air, I throw a punch of my own and soon Tabby and I are shuffling about in the middle of the room. Tables crash to the floor as the other bikers make room for us. Tabby may be my senior by ten years, this however doesn’t stop him from landing me on my back as he straddles me. His fist crunches into
my face as I taste blood. With vehemence I spit out the metallic tasting liquid and roll until Tabby is now beneath me. As I lift my head, I discover, although Inferno has finally put in an appearance, he is lethargically leaning against the doorjamb as Tabby attempts to beat the crap out of me.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
Fire induced eyes glare at me as Tabby throws his full body weight and I find myself back on my back.
“Laura’s stopped taking Rayven’s calls after telling her to stay away.”
“Shit Tabby, I’m sorry Bro. But what the fuck does that have to do with me.”
The fist when it landed, has me seeing blazing lights and for a moment, I thought I was going to black out.
“Emily.”
“Emily.”
Now that I have gained some kind of balance, I swing my body, toppling Tabby, as I grab the nearest chair to pull myself up.
“Yeah. Emily and her stupid infatuation with you.”
“What Apple-Pie feels for me has nothing to do with you are any other fucker.”
“It does when Laura disowns her own children.”
Stupidly, I blink at Tabby, my glance drifting over to Inferno as I attempt to figure out what is going on. When I had left the hospital, sure Laura had been a little pissed at finding me there. However, I’m sure Apple-Pie would have soothed things over.
Finally, Inferno relinquished his position at the door, hauling Tabby up from the ground, while his eyes found mine. Mixed in them is pity and I find my body stiffening.
“Laura and Emily had a fight and in the process, she threw Emily out of her home. At the same time, she has forbidden anyone from Devil’s Comfort to go to the house. Including Rayven and Quick draw.”
“How’s Apple-Pie?”
Inferno shook his head, his eyes turning glacial.
“At the moment she’s only thinking of you.”
“I need to go see her.”
“After we’ve talked.”
Inferno indicates the office and reluctantly, I turn towards the club’s office to wait for him as he finishes speaking to Tabby. Whose glance kept darting in my direction. Fuck, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for Apple-Pie and me. Yet, blindly I was expecting some support from the club. As I continue to watch Inferno and Tabby, Trax walked past the door, whistling softly. His head popping in.
“I’m off to visit Emily. Is there anything I can tell her?”
Weakly I smile at him. The last time I had seen Trax, he had been a boy on the verge of manhood. Now he was a man who has seen more of life than he should have.
“Tell her I’ll be visiting soon.”
“Will do.”
With another whistle, Trax vaulted out of the room only to be passed by Inferno.
“Shit Crabby the moment you and Emily dragged in the old ladies you made your position difficult here.”
“What are you going to do?”
“You have luck on your side. Neither Rayven or Baby Blu will walk away from Emily. Nor will we walk away from this mess until it’s sorted.”
Inferno stood by the window, his gaze locked on the parking lot.
“We’ll sort this mess out with The Hybrids first. I want you and Trax on the road. Find out who’s behind this trouble. Then we’ll reconnect the Winters.”
Finally, Inferno turned to look at me. His smile melancholy as he rubbed his chin.
“I promised Emily I’d let you visit. But make it a short visit to ease the girl. Just don’t tell her why you're leaving again.”
MSD
“You should stop spoiling me like this Trax.”
Disappointment was my first reaction when Trax had walked into the hospital room waving the box of candy. I was desperate for Crabby to visit, not one of his brothers. It was with a wave of my hand and a forced smile, that I had patted the sheets on the bed. Watching Trax carefully as he placed his graceful body next to mine. As I watched his hand slide into his pocket, my stomach gave a slight twitch, and nervously, I watch as Trax draws out a pack of playing cards.
It was then when I began to relax. Trax and I have been playing cards for a long time. In fact, it was Trax who had taught me to play poker.
“I’ve no money Trax.”
“We’ll use the candy Emily.”
“Humph, and there I thought you had bought them for me.”
Trax’s warm laughter filled the room as he dealt the cards.
“Emily I’m only thinking of your figure.”
“So that’s why you won’t let me win.”
“Absolutely.”
With a cross over his heart and a raised hand, Trax peered down at me and wiggled his eyebrows. As I study him, I wonder, why I couldn’t have fallen for someone like him. Trax is easy going, and has always been there for me. Without thinking, I brush away the loose lock of hair, which has fallen over his eye, and carelessly I smile at him. A smile Trax returns as I find myself drifting into a set of green eyes. The spell is broken by a sudden noise at the door, causing me to glance over Trax’s shoulder. This time my heart leapt with giddiness as Crabby walked in.
“What happened to your face?”
Crabby has come to stand beside the bed, his face bending over mine as he plants a kiss on my mouth. A kiss that has me forgetting everything and everyone. Although my body yearns for a deeper kiss, I reluctantly let go of his lips and gaze at the slight swelling on his cheek which was turning purple.
Slowly, Crabby rubbed a hand over his face, whilst flashing me an indulgent smile, his eyes sheepish.
“Tabby was a little pissed.”
“Hey, I’ll leave you two love birds alone.”
“You don’t have to go Trax.”
“I do Emily. You’ve already forgotten I’m here.”
Guiltily I smile at Trax as he waved and left the room. Once more turning my attention to Crabby. Trax was right, I had forgotten about him.
“Momma and I had a fight.”
Again, Crabby rubbed his face, whilst giving me a rueful smile.
“I know.”
As I continue to study Crabby, I find my tongue has swollen and is clinging to the roof of my mouth as I fidget with the bedclothes.
“She’ll come round.”
Crabby, who has taken Trax’s position on the bed. His large hands swallowing mine as he strokes the flesh, spoke.
“And what are you going to do until she does?”
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, Crabby. Besides, you can leave Momma to me.”
“Maybe I should visit her.”
My heart lurches as panic floods me. Crabby may want to help, yet I have the sensation he may just end up making things worse. Silently I shake my head.
“Like I said, leave Momma to me. What you can do though, is buy some food for the apartment. You’ll find your key in my bag.
“Our apartment.”
The smile I offer is from the heart, and I find myself cupping Crabby’s face in my hands as I lean forward to place a warm soft kiss on his lips
“Yeah our apartment. Just because we didn’t manage to get married as planned. Doesn’t mean we can’t live together.”
“I’m sorry about that Apple-Pie.”
There was something in Crabby’s tone, which grips at my heart, whilst my thighs begin to shake.
“You do still want to marry me? Don’t you Crabby.”
Was that desperation I hear in my voice. With a jerk I shook my head, lowing my eyes from Crabby’s intense stare. When his hand pushed the hair away from my face, my breath left me as I once more turned towards his face, which was now lowering. The taste of Crabby’s mouth on mine has my hands itching to reach out and touch him. As the kiss deepens, I find myself relaxing against the pillow and I give in to temptation and stroke his back. My fingers sliding underneath his T-shirt to stroke his hot flesh.
Crabby’s moan mingled with mine as his hand snaked under the bedclothes to push under my nightgown. Satisfaction purred through me as I realize I w
asn’t the only affected. When Crabby’s hand found my breast and he flicked the nipple, I release another groan and push my body further into his touch. When Crabby broke the kiss, I gave a whimper of protest and attempted to drag his lips back on to mine.
“Now you know the answer Apple-Pie.”
Chapter 6
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“There’s no going back Apple-Pie.”
We were at the hospital doors about to step into the sunlight. Parked a few meters away was the van I’d borrowed from the Club. Apple-Pie’s face was lit up like a Christmas tree. Blue eyes sparkling as she glanced up from the wheelchair. As I studied her face, I knew I had found my soul mate.
“No going back Crabby.”
The apartment Apple-Pie is renting is not far from the club. It has a small garden, which I was going to fix up with a bench and table, so that Apple-Pie can sit outside while she recovers. It may be winter; however, the weather was still decent enough to enjoy. On our arrival, the street I discovered was deserted of any traffic. Disappointment swept through me as I was hoping Laura would have shown up. After all, I’d passed the address on to Quick Draw and Rayven, telling them roughly what time we would be home. Home, Apple-Pie and I had a home. Still reeling because of the lack of welcome, and knowing Apple-Pie must be disillusioned, I force myself to smile as I carry Apple-Pie from the van, and stride to the first floor apartment. The smile quickly became genuine when our journey became hampered by Apple-Pie’s constant touching and kisses she was freely planting all over my neck.
