“Well, I’m thinking some labs are in order. We’ll get a blood panel and a urinalysis. Check for infection and make sure all your levels are good.”
“Do I wait around for the results?”
“That’s up to you. I can’t prescribe anything for your stomach, not until we know what’s going on. If the labs don’t show anything, we’ll get an x-ray.”
“And if I don’t wait?”
“We’ll give you a call when all the tests are back.”
I go through the motions of having my blood drawn and pissing in the plastic cup. Jessa’s quick on my feet, asking for answers.
“I don’t know. They have to wait on all the results. I’m actually a little hungry. Wanna get something to eat?”
“The diner?”
“Sounds good.” I make chit chat on the way, trying to keep my mind off the doctor’s visit. I’m not as hungry as I thought when I see the boarded-up window. I order toast and scrambled eggs.
“That’s not enough.”
I shut my sister down. “Just be glad I’m eating.”
“God, you’re aggravating.” She sips from her coffee mug. “Speaking of aggravating, have you heard from the guys?”
I shake my head. “Not in two days. I left Ronin a message to let him know about the appointment. But I haven’t heard anything.”
“I’m sure they’re busy,” she says.
“With what, is the question.” The thought settles like a bowling ball in my queasy stomach.
“Come on, don’t think like that.”
I’m always thinking like that, only it’s worse since the job offer.
I guess it’s time to spill the fucking beans.
“Yeah, um, I’ve been meaning to tell you that I’ve been offered a job.”
Jessa leans back in her seat. “Holy shit, really? Where?”
I take a guzzle from the steaming coffee, letting it wash against my windpipe before continuing. “About that, it’s with the DA’s office.”
She drops her smile. “Are you being serious right now? How exactly does that help our boys?”
“Look, my career shouldn’t be about the boys. I’m not helping, or hurting, the club. This is a part of my life that doesn’t belong to the MC.”
She squirms, probably due to my curt tone. “Yeah, I get that, but have you thought about this, like really thought about it?”
“That’s what I’m doing now.”
“And what does Ronin have to say about it?”
I know I have to finish filling her in, but I don’t want to have to tell her that they’re on the same side when it comes to this. Luckily, I don’t have to. My phone rings, and I jump on it, hoping it’s him.
“Hm, it’s the doctor’s office.”
“That was fast,” she says, and I agree.
“Hello?”
Exactly one minute and thirty-nine seconds later I click the hang up button, struggling to pull air into my overheated chest.
“What is it? Are the tests back already?”
“Just one.” I speak, but my voice is muffled.
“Come on. Are you sick?”
I shake my head, quivering on the inside.
“What is it then?”
I lift my gaze, locking contact with my sister. “I’m pregnant.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Ronin
The boys and I drag ass into the clubhouse. It’s been a long couple of days, but everything went off as planned.
Keller and his boys are dead, and Klein should be laid up in a hospital bed for the next foreseeable future.
And I don’t give two shits that I’m covered in blood.
Blood is splattered across my shirt when I rip away the black hoodie, throwing it to the floor. I ignore everyone and head straight for the bathroom.
Jolene is nowhere in sight and I’m glad when I scrub the red from my beard. My arms ache, not just from riding but from swinging the shit out of that fucking baseball bat.
I clean myself up and pull on some clean jeans and a fresh t-shirt. After tugging on my socks and boots, I wring out the extra water from my beard.
That shower was life altering.
I go back to The Clubhouse, happy to see Brendan sitting up to the bar. We decided to keep business closed for a few extra days to give the kid some private time.
“Hey, how are you feeling, kid?” I grab a beer and the barstool beside him.
“Everything still hurts, but it feels good to get out of bed.”
“Good, getting some rest?”
He shrugs. “A little. Usually when mom’s sleeping. Otherwise, she’s up my ass.”
“Yeah, I get that.” I glance over at Bear. “Give me a shot of Jameson and a root beer for the kid.” I dart my gaze back to my little brother. “And, where’s she at right now?”
He nods as if I should already know. “Sleeping.” He drops his stare to his feet. “I think she’s using again.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.”
“Is she ever gonna change?”
I want to tell him no fucking way, but then I look into his worried eyes. “I don’t know, son. She’s pretty messed up.”
“She’s never gonna get help, ever.” His tone gives way to a combination of anger and sadness, gut-wrenching disappointment.
I feel an overwhelming need to make things better for him. Forget that he was locked away in a windowless room, chained to a mattress, and beaten like a goddamn pinata, but Val is the only love he’s ever known.
The kid deserves more.
“So, where’s Jolene?” I crane my neck to get a better view of the room. “I haven’t seen her.”
“She’s with Jessa. She had an appointment or something. They should be back soon.”
“Ah, that’s right. She left me a message. I thought she’d be back by now.” I pull out my cell and dial her number, but it goes straight to voicemail.
“Damn, ok.” I toss the phone on the counter. “Well, we have something to talk about, if you’re up to it.”
He sips from the straw that’s floating in the carbonation, nodding, so I continue.
“It’s not an easy subject, but I need to know what your plans are.”
Brendan wrinkles his brow. “My plans?”
“You know, before the abduction, you weren’t real thrilled about being here, with us. But you were also doing things to get yourself in trouble, a lot. Now, I want to know what your plan is after you’re done healing.”
He drinks some more, looking like his brain is on fire.
“I was really hoping I could stay.” He speaks with a cracked voice.
My chest floods with relief and I have to hide my smile. “You know you have responsibilities. You still have community service and fines to pay. You’re gonna go help Daniel down at the diner too. And no more of this breaking the law bullshit. You do not want Jolene on your ass.”
He snickers, and I know he knows what I’m talking about.
“Do you think she wants me to stay?”
“Jo wants what’s best for you. And if that’s living here permanently, then I know she’ll be over the moon. Besides, I happen to know that she’s pretty fond of you.”
The sentiment brings a beaming smile to his blue and purple face. “I like her too.” He swallows a hard ball, making his Adam’s apple bob in his throat. “And truth be told, she’s not the one I’m worried about telling.”
“You leave Val to me. I’ll take care of her.”
“I don’t want to hurt her feelings,” he says with sadness in his eyes.
“I know.” I clasp him on the shoulder, just gently. “I’ll handle it, I promise.”
He nods. “And I’m kind of looking forward to the community service shit too and getting everything off my record.”
“Yeah? That’s a pleasant surprise. What’s up with that?”
“Well,” he glances at me briefly before looking back to his glass, toying with the condensation. “I’ve been thinking about my future. Ye
ah, I know. Don’t make fun, but really, I think I want to go to law school.” He pivots his neck, trying to catch me out of the corner of his eye.
The beer slips through my loose grasp.
“I know, it’s crazy. I’m stupid for thinking it.”
“No, not at all. You’re gonna kick ass at law school, man. And you know that Jolene and I will do everything in our power to make it happen, as long as you apply yourself, that is.”
I can’t put into words the sensation of relief. I don’t know why, but I just assumed that, if the kid stayed around, he’d eventually take a seat around the table, wearing the patch.
*
I stare each brother in the eye, darting my gaze around the table to catch each and every face. “I want to thank you for what you did for my brother.”
“Man, we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I nod. “I know we’ve had some losses, especially Duke. And we took some real risks, but it’s time to move forward.”
“What do you have in mind, Prez?” Stoner lights up a joint, taking a few puffs. “Whatever it is, you know we got your back.”
“Yeah, I know, brother. You guys have proven that fact a hundred times over. And I’m damn appreciative. Now, it’s time to take back our business. The gun trade. With Keller out of the picture, we can set up some meetings to move in on their turf. But the big one is gonna be Mexico.”
“We’re taking over the church business?”
“Yep, all we need is to figure out the transportation. Hell, if that cum sucker can be a pastor, one of us can be too. Shit, one of you sons of bitches can pretend long enough to get past the border. Maybe a prison ministry.”
“Oh, dear God. Choose me,” Billy mocks.
“See, we already have a volunteer.” I chuckle hard, rubbing my belly.
Billy opens his eyes wide. “No, wait. I was just cuttin’ up.”
I ignore him. “Any other business? No? Good.” I slam the gavel down once against the polished wood.
*
Val strolls in, looking like a sack of warmed-over dog shit, and the first thing she does is locate Brendan. She sits beside him and pulls him in for an awkward embrace. I decide now’s the time, tapping her on the shoulder. “Hey, we need to talk.”
“But, I’m sitting with my boy.”
“Now,” I demand. She sees the seriousness on my long face and follows me to the office where Jessa’s fast at work with the new online platform.
“Can we have the room?”
She glances from me to Val and jumps up out of her seat. “Oh, yeah. Sure.” She ushers past us.
“Have a seat,” I say, taking my own chair behind the desk.
“What’s this about?” She stammers, twirling her fingers in her lap.
“It’s about Brendan.”
“Not this again.” She rolls her glazed over eyes. “Your old lady tried to scare me off. I’m not going anywhere. He’s my kid. You can’t keep him from me.”
“I can do any damn thing I fucking feel like. And you better be glad you’re sitting here in this goddamn seat. You hear what I’m saying?”
Val nods slowly.
“Now, you’re gonna have to learn to be ok with Brendan living here. It’s what’s best for him.”
She scoffs, grimacing hard. “Yeah? You think your old lady’s a better parent than me? Why don’t you ask her about the little get together with the bitches the other night? Ask her what she did and then tell me she’s better suited to raise my kid.”
“There’s nothing I need to know, it’s just the way it is.” I do have to admit my curiosity has been piqued. “Now, here’s what you’re gonna do.”
I fill Val in on her new life plan, all the while, the ball of curiosity gnashes at my gut.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Jolene
I find that I keep placing my hand to my tummy, cradling the non-existent baby bump. Jessa and I pull back up to the house in silence, but both of us sport a big, goofy grin.
We spot the parade of bikes at the same time.
“Looks like the boys are back.” Jessa glances over at me. “You ready for this?”
“God, no!” I say through a nervous chuckle. “But it’s now or never.”
Voices are loud, coming from the main house. Everyone has gathered in the kitchen, and they all turn to stare.
Tammy and Patsy rush to our side when we enter the room.
“What is this?” Jessa asks.
“They know,” Tammy whispers. “Ronin knows.”
I shrug and pop my eyes round, opening my arms wide. Patsy leans in and lowers her voice to a near hush. “She’s trying to say he knows about Pastor Klein.”
My insides freeze, and all the air is sucked from my windpipe as he stares at me from across the room.
“Leave her alone. I’ll tell you everything.” The words escape before I can take them back. I notice a tear slip down Bonnie’s quivering cheek when her face falls with relief.
“It doesn’t work like that,” Ronin says in a low growl as he steps toward me. “Val said you girls had a little mission of your own.”
“It had nothing to do with the club.”
“That’s not what it sounds like to me. Now, tell me everything,” Ronin commands.
And I do. Once I start, I can’t stop rambling. I blurt out all the disgusting words that Klein used in the grocery store and the way I felt when he put his hands on me. I rambled about the way he kept calling and how he finally invited me to his motel. I was fed up.
“… and this was after you already put a beating on him. The man is psycho dangerous.”
“So, what did you do?” He stands with his hands planted on his hips. “Go on, tell me.”
“Well, I agreed to meet him. I dressed up in some cheap lingerie and had the girls wait until I gave the signal. I stuck something in the door so that they could sneak in when I had him hot and ready.”
“Hot and ready? Goddammit, Jolene!”
“Don’t give me that. I was sick of being assaulted and harassed, and I did something about it. And it didn’t have to involve the club. I handled it my way. You’re not the only one who can take extreme measures, Ronin Steele.”
I see him exhale, releasing the heavy breath that’s been pent-up in his muscular shoulders.
He’s softening.
“What’s the big deal, anyway?” I hook my index fingers through his belt loops, tugging him to me. I wrap my arms around his chiseled hips, and he feels so damn good.
“The big deal is you can get hurt. The big deal is you could get into trouble with the cops. Bring heat down on yourself. I can’t be out there doing my fucking job if I have to be worrying about you.”
“Us.”
“What?” He shakes his head in confusion.
“Worry about us,” I repeat.
He furrows his brow, tugging on his beard like he’s trying to piece shit together. “Wait, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying, I’m a we.” I cradle my flat tummy to drive home my point.
He drops his gaze down at my hand resting on my belly, taking two small steps forward, extending his arm.
“Go ahead.” I give him a nudge.
“You’re pregnant?” He says the word with disbelief, and I know he’s scared. Scared of losing this child like our last.
“Yeah, babe. And I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not gonna be the same as before. We do everything right this time. Everything safe. Club or no, this is our baby.”
He shakes his head. “No, baby. I’m not scared. I’m excited.” He coils his long arms around my tiny waist. “So damn excited.” He seals his excitement with a lingering kiss. “Holy shit, we have to tell everyone! Oh, and that reminds me. I have some good news of my own. Nothing like this though.” His hand is glued to my stomach, twice the size of my abdomen.
“Really? What’s that?”
He caresses his little peanut, or bean, or however big he or she is right now. “You’ll ne
ver believe it, but Brendan wants to be a lawyer.”
“Oh my God, seriously?”
He’s nodding before I finish asking. “How about that?”
“So, he wants to stay? What about Val?” I shake my head.
“Yeah, that’s another story.”
*
It’s the first thing I do every morning. Sometimes, even in the middle of the night. I rub my belly, tight and occupied. The air tastes different, sweeter. I massage cocoa butter over my skin because I’m already Googling about the first trimester.
Apparently, I’m not the only one.
“Morning, sunshine.” Ronin enters the room carrying a loaded breakfast tray.
“Hey, that’s for me? Because I’m dying for some coffee.”
“Yep, right here.” He passes me the mug. “It’s decaf though.”
“Shit…”
“Ready for today?”
I tilt my head, eyeing him closely. “Are you?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think my day’s going to be as smooth as yours. I’ll be leaving soon to take Brendan to school.”
“It’s been two weeks. You think he’s really ready?” I sip the hot coffee before nibbling on the toast.
“Hell, he was up and at it on his own this morning. I think the kid’s ready to actually turn his life around. Who knew?”
“Me. I knew.” I flash a beaming smile. “Is Val ready to go?”
“Not really, but I’ll stick my boot up her ass if she gives me any trouble. Do you need anything before I go?”
I shake my head and curl my lips into a grin. “I’m all set, babe.”
“Well, I have Jessa checking in on you today. And promise me that you’ll keep your stress level low.”
“That’s not necessary, but yes. I promise.” I love the way he’s gentle when he leans in for a soft brush of his lips, grazing my naked belly.
Once he closes the door, I crawl out of bed. I hear Val yelling down the hall, but I tune her out. Ronin gave her no choice when it came down to going to rehab. He’s going to drop Brendan off at school, and then take Val to The Pointe, a Compass for Second Chances.
I don’t expect to see her for months, and better yet, neither does Brendan.
Extreme Measures Page 13
