Ophelia blushed and Christopher glared at Ghost. “They got some deranged fuckheads on the loose, so, yeah, walk her the fuck out. But from this fuckin’ moment forward, keep your fuckin’ dick outta her.”
Megan groaned, but mortification raced across his little sister’s face. She was the youngest. They’d reconciled since the rift caused by their mother’s death, but they’d never been as close again. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t look out for her, and Cash McCall was the last fucking person she needed to involve herself with.
“Hear what the fuck I’m sayin’, Cash?”
A smirk on his face, Cash shrugged. “Fine with me. It was nothing serious.”
That wasn’t fucking true if the hurt in Ophelia’s eyes was any fucking indication. But she was gentle and fun-loving and artistic. She didn’t have the temperament to deal with any of the motherfuckers in his club, especially a complicated man like Ghost.
Before he could say anything, Ophelia ran out.
“Ant Fee cry, ‘Law,” CJ said, his voice filled with confusion.
“I know, boy.” He studied Ghost. “Ain’t know this shit for a while, but Fee’s last old man beat her the fuck up a few fuckin’ times. The night Ryan was born, Fee called Zoann cuz Mike had beat on her a-fuckin-gain. Ain’t fuck all Bitsy could do cuz she’d just had her kid. They just fuckin’ decided to tell me a few fuckin’ months ago.” He dropped into the chair close to Megan’s bed, feeling the weight of her gaze. Not looking at her, he met Ghost’s eyes. “Ask me where the fuck that motherfucker at now, Cash.”
Ghost swallowed. “I have a fucking idea.”
“You fuck with her again, I’m fuckin’ you up.”
“Because of Stretch, I take it,” Ghost said coolly, the first time he’d almost admitted to the affair with their treasurer.
“Yeah, but not for the fuckin’ reason you thinkin’, motherfucker. You could have a bitch that you ain’t sure what the fuck to do ‘bout and I’d tell you to stay the fuck away from my little sister. You could be fuckin’ single and I’d still tell you the same shit. Know fuckin’ why? Cuz you interested in gettin’ fucked and nothin’ else. Stretch gotta figure that fuckin’ shit out for himself. But Fee? You fuckin’ dead, motherfucker. Now, get the fuck outta my face.”
Without another word, Cash stalked off and Christopher faced Megan, his tension deflating at the understanding in her eyes.
CJ tugged on her hair. “I still sick, Mommie.”
Megan kissed the top of his head. “Yeah, buddy, but take your medicine when Daddy tells you to, and you’ll soon be feeling well again.”
“MegAnn stay in bed?”
“Uh-huh,” she answered, kissing him again. “Just for a little while, but I promise I’ll be home soon.”
“Mommie, you falled and get boo-boo?”
“Kind of, sweet potato,” Megan answered slowly. “But what do you mean?”
“Mommie get all red and falled and get boo-boo.”
She exchanged a glance with Christopher, and he knew she realized their boy had seen her get shot. She squeezed CJ against her and he smiled. “Mommie’s boo-boo is almost better now,” she said softly.
CJ coughed. “MegAnn?”
“Yes?”
“’Law say you not MegAnn. Him say you Mommie.”
He hadn’t said that shit once to his son since he’d picked him up. At least his boy remembered.
“Daddy’s right. I am your mommie.”
“Law call you MegAnn.” He frowned at Christopher. “’Law fucka mudna. ‘Law let meanie lady hurt me. Ashfuck.”
“I owe you a ass-whippin’,” Christopher snapped and narrowed his eyes at Megan’s dirty look. “Calm down, baby,” he ordered before she said anything. “You shouldn’t be gettin’ excited.”
“How many times have I told you not to use bad language around him, Christopher?” she chirped, ignoring the fuck out of his words. “He’s just a little boy.”
“Sooner or fuckin’ later he gotta learn how to be a grown fuckin’ man.”
“Shut up,” she yelled, then turned her attention to their boy. “CJ, I don’t want you using bad words. Okay?”
“Okay, MegAnn.” His little face scrunched up. “Mommie?”
“Yes, darling?”
“What bad words?”
Megan blinked. “Huh?”
“What bad word I say?”
Smirking, Christopher snickered. “Tell him, baby,” he challenged. “Then he could fuckin’ know what words not to say.”
“When was the last time I locked you out of there?” she sniffed.
Little bitch. That shut him the fuck up. She couldn’t fuck right now, any-fucking-way, but once she healed, he couldn’t risk her chaining up her fucking Promised Land, when all he wanted to do was sink inside of her and feel her alive and vibrant beneath him. “I’ll try to do fuckin’ better ‘round CJ,” he swore. “Just get better, Megan. I want you home.”
Her eyes softened toward him and she held out her hand. Christopher took her fingers and kissed each of them.
CJ tugged on Megan’s gown. “Mommie?”
Megan grinned, knowing CJ thought of Megan as his mommie and not Christopher’s wife. “Yes?”
“Deel keep me for Bun-Bun and Dig.”
“Who’s Deel?” she asked, reminding Christopher of the boy, who’d taken Ophelia’s seat.
“Him by window.”
“Oh, yeah, baby,” Christopher said, waving the boy over, “this Diesel, the kid who took care of CJ. Diesel, this my Megan and CJ’s ma.”
Megan smiled and a blush crept up Diesel’s neck. “Hi,” she said, ignoring the way he gaped at her. “Thank you so much for caring for my son.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he mumbled after a few moments of studying Megan then turning the same attention to Christopher.
“Why would you get my son for Bunny? Isn’t she helping with the others?”
“Diesel ain’t got no family or nothin’ and he saved our boy,” Christopher interrupted quickly since he hadn’t told her about Bunny. He sure as fuck didn’t want her to find out now and hoped like fuck his boy kept the fuck quiet. “I’m gonna give him a room at the club and help him get in a school.”
Even if Diesel was interested, he was too young to become a member of the club. Of course, he could always give him odd jobs like Big Joe had done with him. But he didn’t fucking know if Diesel would even fit the fuck in. Right now, he seemed like a respectful little motherfucker. However, a motherfucker showed his true fucking colors when they lived under the same fucking roof.
He thought about Dinah and the suspicions he had that she had somehow teamed with Sharper, and amended his previous thought. Most fucking times, motherfuckers showed their true colors.
CJ relaxed against Megan. “I want Harway. Where Wule and Webel?” he continued around a yawn as his eyes slipped closed.
In a moment, he’d nodded off and Megan smiled, tears rushing down her cheeks.
“You okay, baby?” he asked.
“I’m fine. I’m just happy. You got our son back.” Leaning back, she swiped at her wet cheeks. “I know you have to take him home, but let Momma keep him while you get things together. Time with him might help her a lot.” She gave him a sad smile. “Did she ask to see me?”
No, that bitch ain’t asked one fucking thing about Megan. “She been helpin’ out Roxy and Fee with the kids,” he lied.
His answer satisfied her and some of the hurt cleared away. She nodded. “Okay.”
Fuck, if it was fucking Dinah who had betrayed them…he couldn’t finish the fucking thought. Despite everything, Megan loved her ma. Since he intended to leave the club after this shit was straightened out, he could always spare Dinah’s life and exile her fucking ass some-fucking-where. For Megan.
That’s what Christopher would do. But Outlaw? Outlaw would put Dinah to ground for compromising club security and jeopardizing the lives of his family and his brothers.
Fuck, Christopher wanted to put that bitch to ground
. Fuck being Outlaw. Motherfuckers talked about what had started fucking happening after Megan had arrived, but it wasn’t until Dinah’s fucking ass got there that the fucking bullshit had really started. And once K-P was killed…
Scrubbing a hand over his face, Christopher sighed. Dinah couldn’t fake that kind of crazy, but she had gotten better in the last few months since Roxy arrived.
“Christopher?” Megan called.
He looked at her. If he killed her mother, he knew she’d never, ever forgive him. Jesus Christ, please don’t let it be her ma. The quick prayer surprised him, but he didn’t know what the fuck else to do. Someone had been watching out for him. His girl had lived and his boy was back. The only thing he needed now was for it to be another motherfucker beside Dinah who’d fucked them up the ass.
“Christopher?”
“Yeah, baby?” he responded, needing Herb and Al to sort this shit out in his head.
“Take Diesel home with you and CJ. He doesn’t have to stay at the club. We have a zillion rooms at our house, so he should be able to find one to sleep in.
Diesel smiled shyly at her. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Leaning down, Christopher kissed Megan before lifting CJ into his arms. He hesitated, hating to leave her and her look of adoration.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love the fuck outta you, Megan,” he told her quietly. “Just remember that. Okay, baby? If shit get too fuckin’ rough…” His voice trailed off. It seemed like whatever a motherfucker feared the most, he ended up being fucking faced with. Thinking of Megan leaving him, or dying, terrified him. “I love you, no matter what.”
“I know,” she said, “and I’ll stand by you, no matter what. Whatever you need to do and whatever decision you have to make, I’ll always be in your corner.”
He nodded and carried his boy from the room, with Diesel close behind.
As Megan’s words rang in his head, he hoped like fuck she wouldn’t be forced to prove them.
“Albany.”
Bunny winced at her mother’s tight-lipped greeting and use of Bunny’s given name. She was so far removed from the girl who’d been Albany. Albany had enjoyed the attention of her two loving parents, Walt, and Virginia. Albany had excelled in school and on the cheerleading team, where she’d first been pinned with the moniker of Bunny.
Still, back then, she’d been more Albany than Bunny, and had been slated for a career in elementary teaching. She’d wanted to exceed her parents’ expectations. Before. Before she’d become interested in boys and parties and good times. She’d always been well-liked, but when her body started to develop and she’d gotten on the cheer squad, she’d really come into her own and her popularity had soared.
The refusal of her parents to bend their rigid midnight curfew had been an interfering nuisance. Looking back, she realized her parents hadn’t been bad or wrong in their rules or their expectations. They’d been normal. She’d want her child to have a bright future, too. Walt and Virginia had fought Bunny tooth and nail to keep her on the straight and narrow, so the road that led to her current life was solely on her shoulders.
Her fingers touched her belly. Always perceptive, her mother lifted a brow. Bunny dropped her gaze from Virginia’s, sadness and grief settling into her. What she wouldn’t give to have the comfort her mom had once offered her but she’d so cruelly rejected.
Virginia sighed and cleared her throat. “It’s been a long time, Albany.”
Her eyes burned and her throat hurt as she fought back her tears at her mother’s distant tone. “It has, Mom,” she admitted quietly, her voice thick.
Digger bent and his lips skimmed her ear. “Fuck, girl. Your name Albany?” he asked, his breath fanning her skin as he straightened and stared at her with amusement.
Exhaustion rode Bunny while Digger seemed unaffected. He remained handsome and mocking.
Virginia squinted at Digger from head-to-toe. “Who’s this person?”
“Mark,” Bunny muttered, elbowing Digger at his pleased smirk.
“How the fuck you know my name?” he whispered, his breath fanning her neck.
“Shh,” she chastised, her face flaming at her mother’s rude glare. She reminded herself that Digger deserved that and more after what he’d put her through. Except for the past two days on the road, he’d been nothing but kind and solicitous.
They hadn’t spoke about touchy subjects. Once she’d awakened and found Little Man gone, she’d cried and begged Digger to take to him. Although he’d declined, he’d hugged her and promised everything would be fine. To prove it, he’d risked a text to Diesel checking to make sure everything had gone smoothly. She’d wondered why he hadn’t just called the boy. Then the text had come through.
Outlaw took me and Little Man.
She realized Digger had suspected as much. He knew Outlaw wouldn’t abandon a helpless kid who’d cared for his son.
“Albany, who’s your friend?”
At her mother’s sharp question, Bunny jumped.
If Digger blurted his road name, he’d ruin any chance they had of staying at her parents’ house.
He snickered and focused on Virginia. “Marcus Banks, ma’am,” he offered with shocking charm and polish. His brilliant smile almost melted Bunny’s panties off and instantly thawed her mother. Virginia stepped aside, allowing them to enter.
“After you, Albany,” he teased, winking at her.
He placed his hand at the small of Bunny’s back and her pulse leapt.
He made her feel safe and protected and cared about. No, she wasn’t doing this, she reminded herself.
Trader had made her feel safe, too. Besides, her feelings for Digger were superficial, brought on by a need for normalcy in a world gone mad.
Pausing in the small entryway, Digger waited until Virginia closed and locked the door, then allowed her to take the lead. Bunny followed, Digger’s palm still flat against her back, his touch burning through her clothes. She observed the changes in the house she’d grown up in. Updated décor and new furniture took away the well-worn look of a happy family with two kids who entertained loads of friends that she remembered.
Saddened by the change, she bit her lip, but remained silent. When they reached the kitchen, her mother nodded to the table. Bunny sat while Digger lifted a brow and leaned against a counter, folding his arms and glancing between the two of them.
“Were you expecting your daughter or not?”
She laughed nervously. “You were there when I called my mom.”
“Her ass don’t act like it.”
Oh my goodness, he was going to get them kicked out of the house. “Please,” she said with a forced smile. Her mom might look cool and reserved in a pair of Bermuda shorts, V-neck T-shirt, slip-on sneakers and crew socks, but Virginia laid down the law and took no prisoners. But that was then. Bunny no longer knew how her mom behaved.
Instead of tossing them out, Virginia bristled.
“Albany called and I told her it would be okay to drop by.” Sniffing, she glared at Bunny. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing company. You said you were coming to make amends.”
“I am,” she said honestly, past time she admitted to all her mistakes. Maybe, her parents couldn’t forgive her. Or, perhaps, they’d offer her a conditional pardon. If she returned to Phoenix, then they could start over. The idea of such a provision sent unease through her. She wasn’t the wild Bunny, who’d left with Trader, but she’d found a place for herself.
Yet…she might not have a place at the club any longer. Her entire life had become one big question mark.
Digger pinned Bunny with an inscrutable look but spoke to her mom. “So she didn’t fucking tell you about me?”
“Not one thing.”
“Interesting,” he remarked with deceptive blandness.
“I can explain, Mark,” she said, the use of his given name making her feel closer to him. More intimate.
He clenched his jaw, his rigid pose indica
ting his anger.
“What are you really doing here, Albany?” Virginia hissed, not caring about his frigid glower.
Bunny gritted her teeth at Virginia tacking on her name with almost every sentence, purposely reminding her how much they detested the name ‘Bunny.’ “Mark and I are on a road trip and Phoenix was on our route, so I called you.”
Sweeping Bunny with a head-to-toe gaze, Virginia pursed her lips. “You and that biker man are no longer together?”
“You can say that,” Bunny mumbled.
“Is this a temporary thing or a permanent breakup, Albany?”
Digger snickered. “This breakup as permanent as a motherfucker. Ma’am,” he added at Virginia’s glower.
“I know my name’s Albany, Mom,” Bunny inserted quickly, throwing Digger a death glare at his language. “But I really like Bunny. It’s less formal and—”
“And nothing,” Virginia snapped, her shoulders stiffening. “Your name’s Albany. I’ll not address you as if you’re still a whore on a pole.”
A heavy silence descended at Virginia’s terse statement. Wrapping her arms around her waist, Bunny stared at the floor. Her mother had a right to her anger, but that didn’t mean she had the right to humiliate her in front of Digger.
Despite the battles between her and her mother, Virginia had stuck in Bunny’s corner, making sure she graduated from high school and went into college.
Her partying had almost gotten her kicked out of the university. When her parents stopped paying her tuition, she’d had a full blown I’ll-show-you meltdown.
As long as she was in school, they hadn’t wanted her to work and had supplied all her needs. They weren’t a rich family by any means, but whatever Bunny wanted she’d gotten. Until she’d fucked up and gotten royally pissed at their rightful punishment.
It had never dawned on her that what she did on the side would be taken into account when she applied for teaching jobs. The summer she’d graduated and gotten certified to teach first grade, a fellow coed had come into the club where she worked. She hadn’t recognized him amongst his group of friends there for a bachelor party. She’d been their entertainment and they’d showered money on her to watch her dance, to touch her pussy, and to have her suck their dicks.
Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books Page 252
