“Yeah, he’s coming. But he’s working, so I’m not sure when he can stop in,” Bella finally said.
Jayde’s eyes widened, and she shoved Z again, panic crawling up her throat. “You didn’t invite Mom and Dad!”
Z’s lips flattened out. “Fuck no.”
“Then there’s no reason for you to be standing there unless you invited Linc.”
“Right,” Z muttered.
“Zak, no! Why?” Jayde cried, and spun away from the windows. “Why would you do that?”
Z’s face got dark and his blue eyes narrowed as he turned to face her, his hands planted on his hips. “Because it’s his fuckin’ kid, that’s why. Go sit the fuck down.”
“He wants nothing to do with it. He wanted me to...” She hissed out a breath. She didn’t want to have that conversation all over again in front of Bella. After Jayde had left their house that night, Axel had to deal with Bella having a mental meltdown. And she didn’t want to cause Bella to have another one. Especially without Axel nearby.
She loved Bella. They were like sisters. Jayde had thought the option of allowing Axel and Bella to adopt her baby was a good one. The baby would stay in the family and Jayde would get to be at least an “aunt,” be involved with her child. Bella could never have kids of her own and Jayde knew that she and Ax wanted one. If they were going to end up adopting anyway, why not one that was blood?
The baby would have two loving parents that way, right?
Maybe it was the shock of finding out Jayde was pregnant in the first place that had caused Bella to spin out of control. Jayde should have prepared Axel first, but she also knew he’d be pissed. So she had decided to rip off the Band-Aid all at once.
And, once again, she made the wrong decision and fucked up.
She sighed. “I’m not sure what good this is going to do.”
“Gonna come up with a fuckin’ plan, that’s what we’re gonna do. Linc’s gonna hafta step up—”
“What!” Jayde screamed, which made Zeke yell in excitement, then laugh. She glared down at her nephew. “This isn’t funny, kid. This is serious!”
In answer, Zeke raised a chubby fist at her and smiled.
“Jayde, calm down,” Bella murmured. “We know what Linc wanted and we understand why. He’s just looking out for you.”
Jayde turned wide eyes to her. “Are you shitting me? He’s looking out for me? He’s looking out for himself.”
Sophie mumbled, “I have to agree with Jayde on that point.”
“Having a baby is going to change your life. Change your path,” Bella said calmly.
Jayde swung a hand toward Z. “Sophie and Zak’s doing just fine with it.”
Bella sighed impatiently. “The bakery was already established, Jayde. With me and Z helping, and now the baker’s helpers, it’s not a hardship for them to have kids at this point.”
“Having help definitely makes it easier,” Sophie agreed. She got to her feet and started to gather the scattered toys and put them into a painted, wooden box. Zeke pushed himself off the floor, toddled over to the open box and every toy Sophie put away, he pulled back out and threw it on the floor with a grunt.
Like father, like son.
With a snort, Z grabbed Baby Z. “C’mon, bud, you piss your momma off an’ your old man might not be gettin’ any later.”
“Zak!” Sophie scolded him, shaking her head as she continued to clean up the floor.
Zeke laughed, slapped Z on his bearded cheek and said, “Dada. Truck!”
“Nope, bud, momma’s gotta clean up. Uncle Ax is comin’.”
“Ax!” Zeke screamed and his whole body jerked in Z’s arms with excitement.
“At least you aren’t calling him Uncle Pig,” Bella said.
“He’ll learn that soon enough,” Zak answered.
It was hard to miss the roar of the straight pipes approaching the back of the bakery. Instantly Jayde’s heart began to thunder almost as loud as Linc’s exhaust.
“Vroom vroom,” Baby Z crowed.
Zak carried him back to the window and pointed outside. “Yep. Vroom vroom just like Dada’s sled.”
“Mota sickle, Dada.”
“Yep, mota sickle, bud. You an’ me on my mota sickle. Soon.”
Sophie made a noise and slammed the lid shut on Zeke’s toy box. “No. Not soon.”
Z’s eyes slid to his wife. “Soon.”
Sophie made a face and settled into a nearby recliner with a huff.
As Jayde heard the sled shut down, she rushed back over to the counter and shoved the remaining half of the cupcake into her mouth. There weren’t enough cupcakes in the world right now to settle her churning stomach, or lower her rising blood pressure.
“Gonna go get Linc. Need to stay here bud.” He put Baby Z on the floor and the eighteen-month old stomped around, rushing in Bella’s direction. Bella held out her hands and Zeke face planted into her lap with a chortle.
“That’s my boy, learnin’ young.”
“Zak!” Sophie yelled.
Jayde’s brother only laughed, shook his dark head and headed out the door.
Jayde wanted to escape, but the apartment only had one way in and out. And if she left now, Zak would stop her. She had no idea what any of this would solve.
“Did you know he invited Linc?” she asked Bella and Sophie.
“You blocked his calls, his texts,” Sophie simply said.
“There was a reason for that!” Jayde proclaimed.
“Well, how can you guys figure things out if you’re not communicating?”
Jayde stared at Sophie. “If he doesn’t want the baby, he doesn’t get to make decisions.”
“Jayde,” Bella said softly. “Linc is family. Even if your brother and I decide to step in and adopt your baby, Linc would have to agree to that.”
Jayde’s head spun toward Bella. “You two are considering that?”
“We’ve discussed it. But until you two sit down and talk like adults, make rational decisions, we’re not discussing it any further.”
“So you want us to talk about it in front of all of you?” Jayde cried out, the panic sweeping through her all over again. They expected Linc and her to have a discussion with an audience? Not just an audience, but a very opinionated one who would probably keep interjecting.
“Maybe if we all put our heads together, we can come up with a good solution for everybody,” Sophie suggested.
Put their heads together? “For fuck’s sake, it’s a baby, not a NASA mission,” Jayde hissed.
“Sometimes dealing with a baby is like dealing with a launch. Especially when it comes to diapers and... I’ll just mention the words projectile and fluids. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination. You’ll know soon enough.” Sophie snickered.
Bella made a noise and Jayde’s attention was drawn to the couch. Zeke was determined to crawl into Bella’s lap, but she held onto his hands, making him stand on the floor between her legs. While she was getting better with the baby, it was taking time.
Jayde knew Bella wanted to be better, wanted to cuddle Zeke and Violet, and even Ashton. Everyone could see it in her eyes. But it remained a struggle for her.
Understandably so.
To have someone murder your unborn child...
Hell, to have the person you were supposed to trust and love—the father of that baby—murder his own child, and try to murder his own wife...
Axel had mentioned Bella was now in therapy for her PTSD. Hopefully that would help. Especially if they wanted to adopt a baby in the near future.
Bella’s face got tight as Zeke tried to climb up her legs. Before Sophie could rise from the recliner to stop him, Jayde rushed over and snagged him, picking him up.
“Whatcha doin’, Z-bear?” she cooed to her nephew.
“Jay-jay,” he squealed as she spun in a circle with him in her arms. She began to laugh as loudly as he was.
Linc stopped in the doorway as Z pushed through, heading into the apartment. His
gaze froze on Jayde, who was swinging Zeke around in her arms, a smile on her face as she looked down at the baby, while Baby Z was shrieking with unadulterated glee.
Jesus fuck.
His heart had to have stopped because suddenly it went into overdrive, thumping like a bass drum in his chest. This could be her with his kid. Swinging his kid around while laughing and appearing happy. He grabbed the door frame as the blood rushed into his ears like a freight train.
Z stopped and glanced over his shoulder. “What the fuck you waitin’ for? Close an’ lock the door.”
Jayde spun to a stop at her brother’s words and, when her blue eyes landed on Linc, she quickly lost her smile.
Fuck. He did that. He stole that beautiful, natural smile from her.
He shook himself loose and stepped into the apartment, shutting and locking the door behind him.
With a frown, Jayde carried Zeke over to his father and handed him off. Then she plopped down on the couch next to Bella, crossing her arms over her chest.
That was not a good sign that she’d be willing to discuss this whole fucking thing.
Zak, shifting Zeke in his arms, grabbed a couple bottles of Iron City beer from the fridge and handed one to Linc. “Probably gonna need that.”
“Yeah,” Linc grunted, twisting off the cap and lifting the bottle to his lips, letting the cold brew slide down his throat. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before moving deeper into the room.
Z plunked his son into Sophie’s lap, then pulled two stools from the kitchenette into the living area and flipped a hand toward one. “Sit.”
Linc sat. But as soon as he did, his knee began to bounce up and down. Jayde glaring at him from across the room didn’t help.
He chugged down another mouthful of beer, then cleared his throat. “Jayde—”
A pounding on the door had all eyes turning in that direction.
“It’s me,” came muffled through the door.
Zak got up and let Axel in. The man was in uniform, so maybe they wouldn’t get into a knock-down battle tonight. Linc still sported bruises from the last one. The worst one had bloomed under his right eye. Slade had given him shit for taking punches from Axel and not blocking every single one of them. He said his training had gone to waste. It hadn’t, but Linc wasn’t going to argue with the man.
Linc had his beer bottle hanging from two fingers between his thighs as he cautiously watched the cop adjust his duty belt with a yank and then settle on the couch on the other side of Bella. He curled fingers around his ol’ lady’s jaw, pulled her to him and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Hey, baby,” he greeted her.
“Quiet shift?” she asked softly, a small smile curling her lips.
“Yeah. Everything good here?”
“So far,” she answered. “Linc just got here and hasn’t said a damn word yet, so that might change.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Linc and he straightened on his stool. He scraped fingers through his hair.
Fuck. Was he supposed to start? “I—”
“Gotta figure this shit out before Mitch does,” Zak spoke up.
“Agreed,” Axel said. He leaned forward and looked at his sister at the other end of the couch. “Because life’s going to blow up for you once he finds out. Better get all your fucking ducks in a row first.”
“Yeah, it’ll suck sleepin’ in the back seat of that Camaro,” Z added with a smirk.
Linc was so glad his president found this shit amusing.
“I’ll get my own place,” Jayde said, her chin held high.
“Sure fuckin’ are,” Z said, his amusement gone.
“What are you talking about?” she asked him, her eyebrows furrowed low.
“Told you we’re figurin’ this shit out.”
“I’m twenty-eight years old. Do you think I need my brothers figuring things out for me?”
“Yes!” came from both Z and Axel in unison.
Jayde’s lips pressed together and she frowned. “Whatever.” She flipped a hand toward Linc. “We already know what he wants... or doesn’t want, more like it.”
“Jayde,” Sophie murmured. “Please. This is important.”
Jayde closed her eyes and something crossed her face before she dropped her head and nodded. “I know,” she whispered. She lifted her head, her eyes shiny as they stared at Linc. “This is very important.” She chewed on her bottom lip.
Jesus, she was going to wreck him. He wanted to cross the room, rip her off that couch and into his arms. Tell her everything was going to be fucking all right. Hold her tight, kiss her forehead like Axel did to Bella and assure her that he’d be there for her through this whole fucking thing. He’d be by her side and—
His jaw tightened as Axel broke into his thoughts. “Let’s go through this step-by-step, shall we?” He glanced around the room and when no one answered, he continued, “First, carry the baby to term or not?”
“Of course!” Jayde exclaimed.
Everybody’s eyes slid to him. They were waiting for his answer. Linc sat there silent for a second as he closed his eyes and pictured Jayde holding Zeke earlier. “Whatever Jayde wants.”
Linc didn’t miss the knee squeeze Axel gave Bella. With a sharp nod of approval, Jayde’s brother continued. “Give the baby up for adoption or keep the baby?” Before Jayde could answer, he said, “If you two decide to give the baby up, then Bella and I are taking him or her. No exceptions.” Bella covered Axel’s hand on her knee and this time she squeezed. She wasn’t looking at anyone, only stared at the floor.
Linc’s gaze slid to Jayde and he realized she was eyeballing him. Hard. With narrowed eyes.
Fuck.
He tried to swallow the lump in his throat, but it was determined to stick right where it had landed.
Suddenly, all the trepidation he’d been feeling about this meeting, all the dread that had twisted his gut for days, sluiced off him like a cold shower. He shook himself mentally to rid himself of any remaining doubt.
Fuck. This. Shit.
He placed his beer bottle on the floor next to the stool and jumped to his feet. With three long strides, he was at the couch, grabbing Jayde’s arm and pulling her from it.
“What—” she squeaked in surprise.
Axel jumped up from the couch, his hand landing on his holster.
Z’s stool fell backwards with a clatter as he stood quickly. “What the fuck!”
Linc lifted a palm. “Just need to talk to Jayde. Alone.” Then he began to drag her across the room and toward the door.
“No. I’ve got nothing to say to—”
“We’re talking and doing it right fuckin’ now. And not in front of your fuckin’ family. No one else’s making decisions for us. No one knows what’s fuckin’ best for us but us. Got me?”
Her mouth dropped open and he didn’t wait for her to respond. He yanked open the door and pulled her through it.
“You can talk down in the bakery!” Sophie yelled. “We’ll make sure the boys stay up here and leave you two alone.”
With a grunt, Linc slammed the door shut and pointed down the steps. “Go. Now.”
“But—”
“No lip, woman. Fuckin’ go downstairs. Go!”
With a frown and pursed lips, she made her way carefully down the stairs, through the bakery’s kitchen and out into the dark shop. He followed closely behind, picking up whiffs of her scent as she moved. Something sweet and light.
She started to reach for something on the wall, but he stopped her. He grabbed her wrist and spun her around, slamming her into his chest. He moved her back until she was pinned against the wall and then he dropped his head until his lips were right above hers.
“You listen to me, woman, and you listen good. If you fuckin’ think you’re having my kid and then giving it up... Fuck that. No fuckin’ way, Jayde. No one else’s raising my kid but me. You got me?”
Her warm breath came out in little puffs, sweeping over his lips. Her
chest rose and fell quickly and even in the dark he could see the whites of her eyes.
“Nobody’s raising our kid but you and me. You fuckin’ got me?” He pointed toward the ceiling. “’Specially not that pig upstairs. You. Fuckin’. Got. Me?”
“Y-yes,” she whispered. “But you said—”
“Know what I fuckin’ said. Fucked up. Gonna fuck up plenty more fuckin’ times, Jayde. Just expect it now so you’re prepared and ain’t disappointed. I’m gonna fuck up. Guaranteed. Doesn’t mean I don’t fuckin’ want you. Doesn’t mean I don’t want our kid. Fuck,” he barked in frustration.
“But—”
“Yeah, baby,” he breathed. “Just said I fucked up, so shut up and kiss me.”
He didn’t wait for her to comply, but took her mouth instead, crushing his lips to hers, finding her tongue with his, capturing her groan. His whole body relaxed when she melted against him, her hands crawling up his back under his cut, her nails digging into his flesh through his worn T-shirt.
Fuck, he wanted to feel those nails raking across his bare skin. But here and now was not the time or the place.
Z was right, he needed his own place. And he needed it yesterday.
They were going to have a kid and they needed to do it right. He wanted his kid raised properly and not fucked in the head because of his parents being stupid fucks. Being stubborn. Fighting over stupid shit.
Fuck no. If they were doing this, they were definitely doing it right. He knew everyone in the club would be supportive, have their backs, help them out, if needed. But he really wanted to do this on his own. Show Jayde he could do this.
Prove to her that he was worthy of her. To never regret their mistake.
Because, yeah, her getting pregnant was a big fucking mistake.
But he was going to make it right.
He was.
And he was going to make sure her life wasn’t fucked because of it. He’d do whatever he needed to do to make sure her fucking dream of becoming a lawyer happened. This kid wasn’t going to hold her back. If he needed to lean on Z, his brothers, the club to do it, then he was going to swallow his fucking pride and just do it. For Jayde.
Down & Dirty: Linc (Dirty Angels MC Book 9) Page 6
