by Ali Parker
“You think?” I could hear the desperation in my voice.
Kim nodded. “Maybe. It’s worth considering.”
I swallowed and took several deep breaths to calm the anxious fluttering in my stomach. “You’re right. I need to get a handle on this and relax.”
“Okay,” Kim said, turning and opening one of the cupboards to her right. She pulled down a large blue bowl and a bag of popcorn. “Popcorn and a movie should do the trick. A good distraction is all you need right now, and then before you know it, Jax will call you and everything will be back to normal. Well, sort of normal. You’ll still be pregnant.”
“Yeah. Fuck.”
“I, for one, am excited,” Kim shrugged as she laid the popcorn bag flat in the microwave. She closed the door and pressed the button on the side labeled for popcorn. “A new niece or nephew to terrorize and train.”
“Train?”
“Yeah. You know. I have Luke trained to put all the remotes back in the caddy after he watches TV. Don’t tell me that’s not impressive.”
“I don’t think training is the right word,” I said with a small smile.
She shrugged. “Whatever. You know what I mean.”
“I think you were looking for the word ‘teach’.”
The popcorn started popping in the bag as Kim waved me away. “Meh.”
“Thanks for this,” I said.
“For what?”
“For calming me down and talking some sense into me. I just need to hear his voice and know he’s okay, and I can deal with everything else as it comes. I think.”
Kim smiled and peeked into the microwave as the bag expanded. “You’re a badass, Holly. You dealt with Kent and his shit for years. You can deal with this. Besides, there won’t even be anything to ‘deal’ with. Jax is a stand-up guy, and I think he’s in love with you too. You wait and see. This will be a good thing for you both. I’m sure of it.”
The microwave went off, and she pulled the bag out and ripped it open. The kitchen was filled with the salty smell of butter. She popped a piece in her mouth before pouring it into the blue bowl.
“I hope you’re right,” I muttered.
“Let’s be real. I’m always right.” She held out the bowl to me, and I took a few pieces before following her back out into the living room.
Kim dropped down in the middle of the couch beside Luke, and I sat on her other side. She held the bowl out for Luke, and he took as many as his tiny hand could hold before promptly cramming them into his mouth.
“Eat slowly,” I said, “Or you’ll choke.”
He doubled down and started eating two pieces at a time, shooting me dirty looks as he did so.
“No one’s trying to steal your food, Luke,” I said, “No need to be greedy.”
“Yeah, Luke, don’t be so greedy,” Kim said. Then she threw a piece of popcorn at him.
His mouth fell open in shock, and he leaned forward to look at me. He didn’t know what to do, so I helped him out by grabbing a piece of popcorn and throwing it at the back of Kim’s head.
She let out a delighted squeal before grabbing a handful of popcorn and leaping up off the couch. She hurried around the coffee table and placed the bowl in the middle. Then, like a child on a sugar rush, she began throwing the popcorn at me and Luke, who were clearly way too slow on the uptake.
Luke leaped off the couch, grabbed more popcorn, and began throwing it at his aunt.
The sounds of their laughter filling the living room helped alleviate the stress in my chest and pulled my thoughts somewhat away from Jax. I was able to focus on my son’s smile and his giggles as he chased his aunt in circles around the room.
This was the kind of joy he had rarely known when we lived in Philadelphia. His father would never have played so freely with him. Not even on Christmas day.
Luke deserved better than that. He always had. He deserved this relationship with his aunt, and he deserved the type of father figure I knew Jax could be. I wondered if I was dreaming.
Would Jax be willing to change his whole life for me? Would he be willing to raise another man’s son? Only a small part of me doubted him, and that part was my inner cynic. He loved me, I was sure of it, and in loving me, he would love Luke too. Because Luke was mine. He was of me.
A piece of popcorn bounced off my forehead, and Luke let out a terrified shriek before racing away from me.
I grabbed a fistful of popcorn and tore off after him, chasing him around the dining room table until I grabbed hold of his shirt. He laughed and squealed as I grabbed his chin and forced him to open his mouth. I crammed the piece of popcorn into his mouth, hearing myself laughing like a psycho, and forced him to eat it.
“That’s what you get, troublemaker!” I yelled victoriously.
Luke wiped butter from his lips and paused to catch his breath.
Kim dropped down on the sofa. “Okay. You two make another bag of popcorn, and we’ll actually eat it this time. I’m going to catch my breath.”
Luke took my hand, and we made our way into the kitchen, where we made another bag of popcorn and helped ourselves to a special treat, the soda at the back of Kim’s fridge.
When we sat back down on the couch, I told myself everything would be okay. It would all work out in the end. It always did.
Right?
Chapter 25
Jax
Fresh air was hitting my face through the open window as I sat in the passenger seat of Ryder’s truck. Sabian was in the back, and none of us were speaking a word. There was thick tension in the air as we anticipated how the rest of the evening was going to unfold.
Ryder had secured a meeting with TJ, the new Black Hearts leader. We had been invited to the mansion to discuss business, but all three of us knew the likelihood of the exchange being restricted to just conversation.
That’s why I had a set of brass knuckles in my jacket pocket.
I shifted in my seat as we turned right and began making our way up the winding driveway to the mansion. Trees loomed over us as we approached, and a tight knot formed in my gut. I was ready for whatever might happen within the confines of that hell house.
We came to a stop in front of the massive house. Ryder put the truck in park, and the three of us peered up at the unguarded front door.
“No security?” Sabian muttered in the back seat. “I don’t like it.”
“Me neither,” I agreed.
Ryder unclipped his seatbelt and opened his door. “They’re expecting us.”
“You’d think they’d want to search us for weapons,” Sabian said, hopping out of the back seat.
I got out of the truck and slammed my door closed. “They’re playing games.”
“Well, we’ll just have to make sure they lose,” Ryder muttered, taking long strides to the front door. If he was worried, he didn’t show it. His demeanor proved he wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything, and I’d seen the man in action more than enough times to know I wanted him on my side.
I followed him to the front door.
Ryder knocked and, when no one answered, let himself in. Sabian and I followed, and we found ourselves standing in the grand foyer of the place. The only light in the place was that of the moon coming in through the windows.
I shifted my weight and peered down the hallways to our left and right. Another one led straight ahead in front of us and appeared to open into a study of sorts. I could see bookshelves along one wall, and warm light filled the room.
A fireplace, perhaps.
I pointed my chin down the hall, and Ryder nodded. We walked forward, and I drew to a stop behind Ryder when we arrived at the end of the hall.
We stood on the threshold of what appeared to be a library. Each wall was filled with bookcases, all with weathered spines chaotically tucked into the shelves. There was a fire crackling in the open fireplace, and in front of it were two green velvet chairs.
In one of the chairs sat a broad-shouldered bald man in a white suit sipping a dark liqu
or out of a crystal glass. If he knew we were standing there, he didn’t show it. He stared ominously into the flames as he sipped his drink.
When he spoke, his voice was low. “Gentlemen. Come on in.”
He never looked up at us as we came into the room. We drew to a stop ten or so feet from his chair, and he turned his head to finally look at us.
“Mr. Moretti,” he tilted his head in Ryder’s direction. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. And who have you brought along with you?” He craned his neck to peer around Ryder. “Ah. Jax and Sabian, am I correct?” His gaze lingered on Sabian.
Sabian nodded.
The bald man, who I assumed was TJ, adjusted his white jacket and let his gaze wander over the three of us. “Would you like to have a seat, Mr. Moretti?” He gestured to the open chair across from him.
Ryder sat down, and Sabian and I moved to stand behind his chair.
TJ chuckled. “You have loyal lapdogs, it would appear.”
Ryder ignored the comment. “We’re here to discuss your incessant harassment of my people. What are you playing at?”
TJ’s eyes widened slightly, but he regained his composure quickly. Apparently, he hadn’t expected us to come out of the gate so strong. I figured he was the kind of man who was used to scaring other men into submission.
He had no fucking clue who he was messing with.
“Well,” TJ started, “I don’t know if I would call it harassment. I would say I’ve been actively familiarizing myself with your MC. That, unfortunately, includes meeting your women. I can’t deny you have some pretty ladies hanging off your cocks—”
“Enough,” I hissed.
TJ looked up at me, the slightest smile curling his lips but not reaching his eyes. “Don’t take it so personally, Jax. I’m just saying it how I see it. That Holly.” He closed his eyes and let out a soft groan. “I’d like to see how she would navigate my bed.”
Sabian stiffened beside me.
Ryder leaned forward. “We’re not here to shoot the shit with you. We’re here to see what your intentions are and if there’s any possibility of a compromise.”
TJ chuckled. “I don’t do compromises.”
“All right, fuck this,” I said, stepping around Ryder’s chair so I was face to face with TJ. “No more fucking around. What are you up to?”
TJ leaned back in his chair and swirled the last few mouthfuls of liquor around his glass before polishing it off. He placed the now empty glass on the table to his right and turned back to face me, clasping his hands in his lap. If he felt threatened, he didn’t show it.
Which made me wonder where his other goons were hiding.
“A man who likes to cut right to the chase. I respect that.” TJ nodded at me. “The Black Hearts had a decent foundation when I arrived, but there was much room for growth. After eliminating a few odds and ends that threatened to hold us back, we are moving forward to merge all the MCs into one organization. My organization.”
Ryder chuckled behind me, and I stepped aside. “You think we’re going to work for you?”
“I don’t make assumptions. The offer stands. What you choose to do with it is up to you.”
“And if we don’t merge with you?” Ryder asked. “Then what?”
TJ shrugged. “Then I take your members by force. Cut the head off the snake and let your boys speak for themselves. They may not be too interested in joining you in hell, Mr. Moretti. In my experience, a leaderless organization is ripe for the picking.”
The threat was crystal clear. I swallowed and resisted the urge to glance down at Ryder. The mood had shifted, and all of us were on high alert now. Sabian was stiff as a board and had his hand on the back of Ryder’s chair. His grip was so tight, his knuckles had turned red.
Ryder surprised me by laughing. It wasn’t a chuckle or a humorous grunt but a full-blown burst of laughter. He leaned back in his chair and mimicked the way TJ was sitting. “For a man who’s been keeping eyes on my MC, you sure seem to have missed some crucial details. My boys won’t bend over and take it up the ass, no matter what you do. Loyalty actually means something to them, you see.”
TJ stared coldly back. “Then they will meet the same fate as you, Moretti.”
Ryder leaned forward, gripping the armrests. “You have no idea who you’re fucking with.”
TJ shrugged one shoulder. I realized they were somewhat lopsided. This was a man who had been through many battles. His collarbones had most certainly been broken several times. “An ominous threat won’t make me back down. I have you right where I want you, Moretti. I’ll confess, I’m impressed with your complete disregard for self-preservation.”
TJ got to his feet. Ryder followed.
The standoff was tense. My hands balled into fists at my sides as I waited for something—anything—to happen. I didn’t know who was going to make the first move, but as soon as someone swung, all bets were off.
“I’ll ask you one more time,” TJ said. “Join me, or find your heads separated from your shoulders. This is an every man for himself offer. I’ll take whoever has the wits to see that siding with me is the right choice.”
I didn’t even need to look at my friends to know that none of us would be accepting his offer. We were family. Brothers. We stood together in the face of any threat, no matter how powerful.
“Suck my nuts,” I grated, slipping my hand into my jacket pocket and sliding my brass knuckles on.
TJ threw his head back and laughed. “I was hoping you’d say something like that. Things have been a bit dull around here. Time to crack some skulls.” He cracked his knuckles as footsteps sounded in the hallway.
I didn’t need to look to know his backup had arrived.
Five goons, dressed in tailored suits, filed into the room and faced us. Brass winked on their knuckles, too, and I accepted the fact that I was, at the very least, about to lose some teeth. At the worst … I didn’t want to think about it. There was no room for such thoughts in my brain right now.
I had to worry about this fight. This moment. If I didn’t stop this from spreading, Holly would be in danger. TJ had taken a liking to her, not that I could blame him, and I had to do whatever possible to make sure she never had to see his ugly face again.
Then there was Dani, Ellie, Jamie, and Hanna. All the girls who had hitched their wagons to ours would be paying for our sins if TJ got out of this room alive.
“No,” I growled, not caring that I looked like a fool talking to myself before a fight. Holly was mine to protect. I would not let her down.
TJ ran his hands over his bald head before cracking his neck. “You boys ready to put your money where your mouth is?”
“Let’s find out,” Ryder spat.
TJ laughed darkly. “It’s a shame you all hate me so much. I could have made a special place for each of you among my ranks. There’s no telling the kind of success we could have had together.”
“No more talking,” Ryder said.
I fell into step beside my President. “Come on TJ, stop waving your dick around and actually do something. We’re getting bored.”
TJ cracked his knuckles, the audible popping dancing around in my brain like a call to action. He flashed me a smile filled with gold caps. “I sure hope you’re not all talk, Jax. All this bravado of yours gets me hard as a fucking rock.”
TJ glanced at the men awaiting his order on the other side of the room. Their eyes were fixed on us, and their matching buzz cuts made them look more like military men or professional bodyguards than anything else.
This was probably going to be the worst ass kicking of my entire life.
TJ nodded toward us. “Kill them.”
The entire room blew apart as the five men sprang toward us. As Sabian and I turned to meet them head-on, Ryder let out a furious yell and went for TJ.
If he could handle the bald fucker, Sabian and I could take down the others. We had to.
Chapter 26
Holly
“Son of a bitch
,” I said, ending my thirteenth call to Jax that night. I had been trying to get a hold of him for hours, but he wasn’t answering, and fear was starting to make me feel sick.
Something was wrong. I could feel it in my bones.
I was sitting in my car, hands tight on the steering wheel, headlights illuminating the double doors of the shop Jax worked at with Axel. I had been sitting in the car, considering going and knocking to see if anyone was there.
I knew I was disobeying Jax, and I knew he would be furious if he knew this is where I had come. He wanted me away from everything related to the MC right now, but try as I might, I couldn’t stay at home waiting for him.
What if he never called? What if he needed help?
I turned off the ignition and got out of the car. I took quick strides to the door along the side of the shop and knocked before giving myself the time to second-guess my decision.
I was surprised when the door opened to reveal a pretty blond woman in denim coveralls. She seemed equally surprised to see me.
“Holly?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.
“Uh, yeah.”
She opened the door and invited me in. I stepped over the threshold and turned back to her as she plucked a rag from a workbench and wiped her hands clean. “I’m Ellie. I was with Axel that afternoon at The Roost. Remember?”
“Oh!” I exclaimed, embarrassed for having forgotten her. “Yes, I remember. I’m sorry. Lots on my mind right now.”
She gave me a knowing smile. “You looking for Jax?”
I wrung my hands together. “Yeah. You wouldn’t happen to know where he is, do you?”
She put her hand on her hip. “He never told you where he was going?”
I shook my head.
Ellie threw her hands in the air with a big sigh. “Men. Such idiots.” She reached out and took my hand and began pulling me through the shop toward a back door. It opened up into a comfortable office with sofas and a mini fridge. She grabbed me a bottle of water and handed it to me before taking a seat on one of the sofas. She patted the empty spot beside her. Once I was sitting down, she twisted herself to face me. “The boys went on a run tonight.”
