A barely dressed woman welcomes us, immediately addressing Leyna.
"Ms. Martinez, would you like your usual table?"
"Yes, thank you," she responds to the hostess who then seats us at a corner booth.
"This place is sexy, Leyna." Bella's comment echoes my thoughts from before.
"Sí Yes, I like coming here to unwind when I get the chance." She turns her face from Bella and looks at me, "Logan, how is my hermano brother? I haven’t heard from him in a couple of weeks."
On one hand, I can understand Gabriel's attitude towards his sister. She left town with a cop. One we don't know much about. It's not really because Taylor has a badge, it's more because we don't know much about him. Not yet anyway. You add that to the fact that she is his baby sister, you get what he is currently dishing out. He feels betrayed in a sense. I'm not going to tell her all that. I'm sure she is already aware of his reason why. "He's good. Promise." I don't know what else I can say. She accepts my answers and moves on.
"So, do you like Seattle so far? Have you had a chance to see the city lights at night yet?" Leyna asks Bella.
Slightly blushing, Bella smiles at Leyna.
She saw the lights alright.
She won't be forgetting the moment for quite a while.
"The view from Demetri's penthouse is unbelievable," she tells her with a gleam in her eyes.
A waitress walks up and takes our drink orders. The service here is prompt, and we don't wait any longer than a couple of minutes before the girls are sipping on some fruity drinks and I'm swirling the amber liquid around in my glass while they talk amongst themselves. I mostly overhear the two of them talking about Leyna and Gabriel's strained relationship. Bella is enjoying herself, and I'm relaxed and content sitting here listening to the music and nursin' my whiskey. I lift my glass to my lips when someone walks up behind Leyna and puts their hands on her shoulders.
Agent. Fuckin'. Taylor.
Leyna's eyes widen, but she doesn't jump, which means she knows who is behind her. My eyes are locked in a hardened stare with Lex.
"Lex, what are you doing here?" Leyna asks.
With his eyes still locked on me, he answers her, "I'm off the clock for the night. I wanted to see my woman." He gets ballsy and smirks.
"I didn't tell you where I would be tonight, so how did you find me?" Leyna questions him as irritation starts to show. I want to know the answer to that question myself.
"I've got my ways,” he informs her.
"Lex…"
"You're mine, Leyna. The sooner they accept that, the better. Your brother needs his ass kicked for being a dick."
I stand. "Watch your fuckin' mouth, Taylor. You threatenin' one of my brothers?" I square off with him.
"Your brother- her brother is being an asshole.” He takes a step towards me.
Before things escalate, Leyna stands as well and faces him. Bella stands and stays at my side. We watch Leyna as she whispers something to Taylor and lays her hand on his chest calming him. The change in his demeanor is instant as soon as she touches him. I recognize it. Bella has the same effect on me.
Fuck.
Turning, Leyna walks over to Bella and hugs her, "It was so good to see you. Give my brother my love. I'm going to go home. Call me soon. I want to hear about the hospital and the baby."
"Of course, I will. You need anything you call. Got it?" Bella peers over Leyna's shoulder and directs her next words to Taylor, "You'd better take care of her, Lex. She is my family," she warns him.
Chapter Six
BELLA
It's Monday morning, and I'm lying in bed seriously contemplating not getting up. Logan left for work about thirty minutes ago with a promise to be home by dinner time. So, seeing as I have a full day ahead of me, I throw the blankets aside and climb out of bed. Making my way to the bathroom, I brush my teeth, wash my face and then pile my hair on the top of my head in a messy bun.
Walking into the closet, I snag a pair of black leggings off the hanger, and pair it with a grey off the shoulder slouchy tee and my black flats. I have an appointment with Gabriel this morning over at Kings Ink. This appointment will be my last. Gabriel has done an excellent job of covering my scars. It's been a slow process, but it's also worth it. My tattoos are beautiful. Gabriel can work some serious magic. I am so thankful for the time he has spent working on me. My tattoo starts just under my left breast and angles across my abdomen, and then all the way down my hip.
The blood-red roses are a stark contrast to the black lace background. The detail in the lace is what has taken so long. A year to be exact. I'm amazed at how invisible my scars are now. It's also crazy how addictive tattoos are. I already have ideas for what I want next.
On my way out of the house, I stop by the living room and grab the gift I got for the baby off the coffee table. While Logan and I were in Seattle, I made him take me to the zoo. Yes, the zoo. To my surprise, Logan didn't argue. He said if we were together he didn't care what we did. When we were at the gift shop picking up some souvenirs for baby Gabe, Valentina, and Mila's little girl Ava, I spotted a stuffed black bear. A bear represents strength, and I knew it would be perfect for the baby.
On the drive over to Kings Ink, I smile at the memory of the past few days. Demetri's penthouse was breathtaking. His view overlooked the entire city. My skin prickles at the memory of Logan taking me on the balcony our first night there. The next two days that followed were just as memorable. Along with the zoo, we went to the Space Needle, a waterfront ferris wheel, and we stuffed our faces with so much delicious food that I guarantee I have gained at least five pounds. On the second day of sightseeing, I snapped a picture of Seattle's public library and sent it to Alba. If I know my sister, she's already made Gabriel promise to take her one day. Seattle is a place that has something for everyone. Logan was like a kid in a candy store when we went to one of the breweries. His exact words were… "This is what the fuck I'm talkin' about." He also spent a small fortune on beer.
Pulling up in front of Gabriel's shop and parking, I reach over to the passenger seat of my car and grab my purse. Just as I'm stepping out of my car, I hear my phone ping with an incoming text.
Logan: Miss you already Angel.
Me: Miss you too.
Logan: Have a good day. See you tonight. Love you.
Me: Love you too.
Tossing my phone back in my purse, I walk into Kings Ink with a smile on my face. The bell alerts Gabriel to my arrival as soon as I open the door. I see him at his station already set up for me.
"Bella," he addresses me with a chin lift.
"How's it going, big guy?" I ask making my way to his chair.
"It's going," he grunts.
Not deterred by his usually grumpiness, I continue. "How are my niece and nephew doing?" My last question earns me a smile. Gabe and Valentina are the light of their Papi's eye. You can see it whenever someone mentions his children.
"They're good," he tells me, his face going soft. "Gabe took his first steps the other night."
"What!" I balk, "And my sister didn't think to call me?" I stand there gaping at Gabriel. Momentarily stunned by my outburst, Gabriel finally speaks.
"She didn't want to bother you while you and Logan were out of town."
I plop down onto the chair beside me, "She could have called me," I grumble. After a beat, I look over at Gabriel who is getting his ink tray ready. "That boy of yours is going to give you hell now," I smirk.
"You're probably right," Gabriel chuckles.
"Come on," I tell him as I peel my shirt off over my head leaving me in a sports bra. "Let's get this last session over with."
After about twenty minutes of silence, I decide to bring up a topic I'm sure will hit a sore spot with the big guy. "Logan and I met up with Leyna while in Seattle." At my confession Gabriel stills. A second later the buzz of the machine fills the room once more, and he refuses to acknowledge what I said. "I know it's not my place to interfere, so I'm just going to say
my peace, and then I'll leave it at that." When he doesn't protest, I continue. "She misses you, big guy. Leyna going back to Seattle with Lex was not something she did to hurt you." Reaching over and placing my hand on his forearm and looking Gabriel dead in his eyes. I want him to understand what I'm trying to tell him. "Leyna made that decision for her. She decided that her happiness was important. It would be nice if her big brother could have her back and be happy for her. We have no control over who we fall in love with Gabriel. You of all people should understand that." Once I've said my peace, I lie back in the chair and let him finish his work. I can only hope he and Leyna work out their differences. I know they both miss each other. Leyna had to follow her heart, and Gabriel can't help but feel betrayed. The club and the law don't usually mix.
Rubbing elbows with the Polson P.D. is one thing. The Kings and the local law enforcement have an understanding, but Lex… that's a whole other ball field. Lex is an FBI agent. The same FBI that has been up the club's ass a time or two in the past. Leyna told me she and Gabriel still talk a couple of times a week, and Leyna has been to visit twice, once when Gabe was born and again with Val. But he refuses to acknowledge her relationship with Lex. I hate seeing my family hurt. Besides, I've seen the way Lex looks at Leyna. That man is so far in love even a blind man could see that. And because of his feelings for Gabriel's sister, I truly believe he wouldn't come after the club for anything. I don't think he would risk what he has with the woman he loves. Logan would never admit it, but I think he gained a little bit of respect for Lex when he saw with his own eyes how protective he is towards Leyna.
"Done," Gabriel announces bringing me out of my thoughts.
Rolling his chair back a couple of feet, Gabriel snaps his gloves off and tosses them in the trash bin beside his station. Standing up, I walk over to the mirror and look at the finished product. "It's beautiful, Gabriel," I breathe. And it is. The red is so vibrant. A year ago, I couldn't stand looking in the mirror. And now, I can't seem to stop.
"A beautiful piece for a beautiful woman," Gabriel says as he strides over to the front counter. His comment makes me smile. He can be so sweet at times.
Pulling my shirt back on over my head and picking my purse up off the floor next to the chair I just spent two hours in; I make my way over to the counter where Gabriel is.
"Here," he says handing me a jar of cream for my tattoo. "You know the drill." I take the offered jar and toss it into my purse, "Thanks, big guy."
He raps his knuckles on the counter, "Until next time," Gabriel nods.
"Give them babies a kiss for me, and tell my sister I'll stop by tomorrow," I say waving and giving a warm smile over my shoulder as I walk out the door.
Once I'm in my car I glance down at my watch and see I still have about an hour before I'm due at the hospital, so I decide to run to Grace's for a sweet snack. When I pull up in front of the bakery, the first thing I notice is all the lights are off. Climbing out of my car, I make my way to the front door, and when I pull on it, it's locked. Cupping my hands over my eyes, I peer through the window. I see no signs of Grace or that the bakery was even open at some point today. The display cases that are usually full of cupcakes, cookies and donuts are empty. Something is off. Grace's bakery is open every day, even on Sundays.
Deciding to investigate further, I walk around to the side of the building where I know the stairs that lead to the apartment is located. Making my way up the stairs, I go to knock on the door and notice it's partially open. This is the part where I should take my ass back down and call Logan or one of the guys, but what if Grace is hurt. Making a hasty decision, I place my palm on the door and push it open. What I find is an empty apartment. The further I walk inside I take notice of a small kitchenette. Surprisingly, the apartment has no personal touches. Nothing that indicates who lives here. Not a picture… nothing. Looking to my left something catches my eye. A white dresser with all the drawers half open. When I walk over, I see the drawers are empty. Then I walk to the bathroom and flip on the light switch. Nothing. Grace is gone, and from the looks of her place, she left in a hurry. Digging my cell phone from my purse, I pull up Logan's number. It rings twice before he answers.
"What's up, Angel?"
"Logan," I say with a shaky voice.
"Angel, what's wrong?" he asks on high alert.
"I stopped by the bakery for something to eat before heading to the hospital, and it's closed. I thought maybe Grace was sick or something, so I came upstairs to her apartment, and she's gone." I finish.
"What do you mean Grace is gone?" Logan urges.
"What the fuck you talkin' about Grace is gone!" Jake booms in the background. "Fuck," Logan clips under his breath. "Babe, stay there. We're on our way."
Not ten minutes later I hear the roar of several motorcycles alerting me to the fact the men have arrived. Jake is the first to burst through the door, and Logan is hot on his heels. I'm a little taken back. I've never seen Jake look so wild.
"Babe?" Logan says getting my attention. "Why don't you go on to the hospital. The club will handle shit with Grace."
Nodding my head, I lean up on my toes and kiss him. I don't question what's going to happen next. I know the guys will find out what's going on. "I'll see you at home later."
Arriving at the NICU, I go through the ritual of putting the hospital gown on and washing my hands. After a quick greeting with the nurse on duty, I sit in the rocking chair beside the incubator and wait patiently as she places the baby in my arms. I've only been out of town for a few days, and she already looks bigger… stronger. I look back up at the nurse who is standing to my left, "You took the feeding tube out."
The nurse smiles, "We took it out about an hour ago. Would you like to give her, her first bottle?" she asks.
"Yes!" I reply enthusiastically.
"Alright then," she chuckles. "Just let me go fix it. I'll be right back."
A minute later the nurse returns with a bottle. Taking it from her, I bring it down to the baby's mouth. I allow a few drops to coat her lips. Just enough to entice her to open. It doesn't take much coaxing before she opens greedily and begins going to town.
"Well, it looks like you two are old pros at this. I'll leave you to it."
Before I know it, an hour and a half has flown by. The baby has been fed, burped, had her diaper changed and is now asleep. Visiting hours are almost over and my time is up. Reluctantly, I stand and place her back in the incubator along with the gift I bought her. Stealing one last look at her, I sigh and wish for tomorrow to hurry up and get here.
Chapter Seven
LOGAN
Prez wasn’t the only one whose nerves were on edge when Bella called to tell us something was going on here at Grace's. I'm going to tan that woman's ass for walking into a building alone knowing something could be wrong. Stepping outside, I pull my vape pen from my cut. You heard me right. A fuckin' vape pen. I decided I need to give up smokes and it hasn’t been a smooth transition. I take a long pull from it, inhaling the vapors deep into my lungs before exhaling and watching the smoke billow.
Reid stepping out of the door catches my attention.
"Prez wants to see you."
Shoving the pen back into my pocket, I head inside. "Got anything?" I question him with Reid coming to stand at my right.
"Nothin'," Jake sighs as he runs his hand down the length of his beard. "Listen. You guys go on. I'll handle this for now. There doesn’t look to be signs of forced entry or a struggle. Only signs she left on her own." He says doing his best to wear a mask of indifference as he deals with the situation.
The club knows him and Grace have had a thing for one another. For their reasons, they have been hiding it. Fighting it. "So, you don’t have any concerns? Prez, listen. We know…" I don’t get to finish my sentence as Prez cuts it short with a clipped voice and a stern look of authority.
"I said I'd take care of it."
"Alright," I throw my hands up showing him I won't push the issue any f
urther. For now. "Riggs and a few of his men will be arriving in town in about three hours. You going to be at the clubhouse when they roll in?" I ask him.
Riggs is from the Louisiana Chapter. Our club is hosting them this weekend.
"I'm gonna need you to step up in my place, Logan. At least for the night," Prez informs me.
"You got it. I guess I'm heading out to the clubhouse," I turn to Reid, "Let everyone know I expect them all out there within the hour. And make sure the women have rooms ready for Riggs and his officers"
"On it," he quickly responds before lifting his chin at Prez and leaves.
Standing in place, I wait for the sound of Reid’s Harley firing up and it taking off down the road before letting myself be more than the V.P. for a moment. "If you need anything let me know, Jake,” I tell him. His squared off shoulders slump slightly as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other.
"I know, son. I appreciate it, but for now I'm flying this solo. It’s a good possibility she simply left."
Hurt briefly crosses his face. I want him to be happy. He deserves it. Grace brought back a fire that hasn’t been in Jake for a long time. Sometimes a man needs to be left alone with his thoughts. Jake needs that now.
"I'll catch up with you later. Don't worry about the hosting. We got it covered. You do whatever it is you gotta do. Remember your club- your brothers have your back," I tell him as I leave.
A few hours later I'm sitting at the bar at the clubhouse throwing back a beer with Gabriel. The brothers and the women all did a great job pitching in to get things squared away for the party tonight. When I say party, I don’t mean a family get together. It will get X-rated up in here tonight. It's been awhile since we have thrown down.
DEFY_The Kings Of Retribution MC Page 4
