by Quinn, Vera
“How old is B?” Bethany asks.
“Three going on eighteen. I love her to pieces, and she has me wrapped around her little finger. She’s Uncle Krill’s little princess and she knows it.” That makes us laugh harder.
“I bet that is a sight to see,” Bethany says as Cage walks back into the room.
“I forgot my pajamas. I was going to put them in last and I forgot them,” Cage says yawning.
“Just sleep in your t-shirt and your underwear. I’ll turn my head so you can get in bed,” Bethany says and turns around. Cage walks to bed and I turn my head.
“It’s alright, Dad, you’re a boy and boys can see boys get undressed, but girls can’t see boys get undressed and boys can’t see girls get undressed.” I shake my head agreeing. Cage toes his shoes off and then takes his pants off. He hops in the bed and covers up. “Alright.” Bethany turns back around.
“Did you keep your socks on so your feet will stay warm?” Bethany asks. I feel like an intruder, but I wouldn’t leave for anything.
“Yes,” Cage says with another big yawn. Bethany moves closer to the bed and starts poking the covers in around Cage. Cage closes his eyes and I think he’s falling asleep but a few seconds later, he opens his eyes. “I said my prayers and I said thanks for us both being safe and that I got to meet my dad.” This boy keeps giving me these warm feelings in my chest. Bethany leans over the bed and kisses Cage’s head.
“I love you to the moon and back, little man,” Bethany tells my son. Bethany has been a good mother to my son.
“Love you, Aunt Bethany. Love you, Dad.” Bethany moves back from the bed and I move in and give my son a kiss on the head.
“Love you, Son.” I have never said sweeter words.
Chapter Six
Bethany
Krill showed me to my room, and I thought he might want to talk but he left me at the door saying something about business in the shed. I should have been exhausted enough to fall right to sleep, but I have done nothing but toss and turn. I can’t turn my mind off. How can I just walk away from Cage? I know it’s what’s best for him, but my heart is going to be left with him. He’s gotten me through so much and the thought of his happiness will get me through this. I’ll keep saying that to myself until my heart gets the memo.
I was glad to see last night when we walked by the bar that there wasn’t a lot of half-dressed women there. I don’t want Cage growing up like Rico did with the thought there are only two kinds of women. The kind you have children with and the kind that a man uses. I know there are two sides to every story and that the women made the decisions to be there to be used, but I just want better for my nephew.
I can’t stand the thought of being with Blade or Cassius for the rest of my life. I want a man I can share my life with, one that I love. I want a man I can have a future with and that will accept Cage and me as a package deal. No matter where Cage lives, he will always be mine to love. I hope Krill understands that just because I brought Cage to him to protect that I’m not abandoning my little man. I would have to be dead before that would happen. I keep going over everything, but the last thing I remember before I drift off is the smile that Cage had on his face the first time he met his dad. That made today worth it all.
Chapter Seven
Krill
I barely slept two hours before I was back awake. I knew it was no use trying to go back to sleep, so I got up and showered. It’s not even six in the morning yet.
It took us hours to get the story out of Banger last night. Raven is a master of torture, and Banger held out longer than I thought he would. Banger is in Cassius’s crew and was sent here by him to gather information only. Banger is a walking dead man. It was Rico’s idea that Banger join up with Cassius. The rest of Banger’s job was all on Rico. Banger was supposed to get close to me, but I was busy with lawyers and the court trying to get visitation with Cage, so Rico told him to concentrate on Dra. Banger started slipping Dra tiny amounts of drugs in his beers. When Dra started hanging around the clubhouse more because of the stress at home then Banger had more access and he increased the amounts. I can’t say the whole thing was Banger’s fault. Dra should have known. I can’t imagine anyone slipping me anything and me not knowing. That also explains Dra’s short temper at home. Banger even slipped Dra ecstasy and that explained Dra’s hyper sex drive. Banger destroyed Dra’s life on Rico’s order, but Dra doing coke is all on him. Cassius only had him here to observe and Banger will be dead when Cassius finds out that Banger was not only working for him but Rico as well. We’ll find a way to use that information. Cassius and Rico sent someone into our family and the Troubled Fathoms won’t tolerate any of this.
I also found out the plans that Rico has for Bethany and the kind of life that Jen has been leading the last nine years. I’ve been questioning Dra’s decisions and I had to face that I was played by Jen when I was just a teenager. I thought Jen was the sweetest most beautiful woman I had ever known, and I would have spent the rest of my life with her, instead I was just being used for information. I have not been able to settle with a woman since my relationship with Jen because I wouldn’t let myself be that vulnerable again, but I never knew just how vulnerable I had been. My dad and Scout had been right. Jen wasn’t what she appeared to be. I’ve never allowed myself to fall in love after her.
I look at the clock again and it’s just past six-thirty. I would like to go wake Cage up, but I know he needs his rest. I need to have a word with Bethany before Cage is present anyway. My attorney will be here this afternoon and we need to have a sit-down with him. I have walked my bedroom floor so I decide to go get a cup of coffee and see if I can talk to Dra. I checked on him last night before I came to bed and he was still sleeping. With the drugs that Banger was slipping Dra and the coke Dra was doing, he is bound to have withdrawals. He’ll be leaving for rehab this morning. Our attorney is having the judge sign a forced-commitment paper this morning. I’m afraid if Dra is put into a rehab that he can just walk out of that’s what he’ll do. He will have a mandatory six-month stay. When Dra walks out of that place, I want his head on straight. That’s when he will start the hard part of putting his life back together and staying off the drugs. Maybe I’m overthinking this, but I know how hard it can be to rebuild your life. I’ve watched Dra do it more than once.
I walk out of my bedroom and make my way into the kitchen where I can smell the aroma of Maudi’s coffee. I see her rummaging in the refrigerator.
“Good morning, beautiful,” I tell the woman that has been in this clubhouse longer than I have. She was once a club girl, but she showed her loyalty and dad kept her on to handle the newer club girls. Maudi is now like a mother hen to all the brothers and she keeps the clubhouse in running order. She still handles the club girls, and she will always be a part of the Troubled Fathoms. We pay her a generous salary with all the benefits. We knocked some walls out of a few of the rooms and made her an apartment-like place to live. She even has a small kitchenette so when she wants to escape for a while, she can. We offered to buy her a small house that was close to the clubhouse, but she says she likes living with her family since she has no blood family.
“What do you think Cage would like for breakfast? Did Bethany give you any hints?” Maudi asks me.
“We didn’t get that far, Cage was tired last night. That coffee smells amazing as usual.” I walk up to the cabinet and get two cups down.
“I’ll fix a little of everything. That’s what you and Dra have always liked. Have you checked on your brother?” I pick the pot of coffee up and pour the two cups full.
“I was just going there with coffee in hand. He’ll be leaving for rehab sometime today,” I tell Maudi. “I’m surprised I beat Scout up this morning. That doesn’t happen very often.”
“Not likely. Scout ran to the grocery store to get milk, juice, and eggs. I wasn’t ready for a little boy to cook for. Growing boys need healthy food for growing, not the sugary cereal you usually eat. After I talk t
o Bethany, I’ll do a full grocery run. I want to make sure Cage has food he likes, and I need to make sure he has no food allergies.” Maudi is always one step ahead.
“I hadn’t even thought about food allergies. There’s a lot I need to learn,” I say more to myself than to Maudi.
“Cut yourself some slack. You’ll get it. It’s all new to you,” Maudi encourages me.
“In case I don’t say it enough, thank you for what you do for us at the club. All the brothers would be lost without you.” Maudi smiles at me.
“You sweet-talker. I knew you were my favorite for a reason.” Maudi and I both laugh. She knows as well as I do, that we’re all her favorites. I walk out the side door of the kitchen and move down the other hall to where Dra is. Rictor is standing guard or I should say sitting guard. He’s looking down at his phone, but his head snaps up when I walk up. He unlocks and opens the door.
“Go grab yourself a cup of coffee but come back in about fifteen or twenty minutes,” I tell the prospect. I walk in the door and I see Dra is awake lying on his back and he’s staring at the ceiling. I shut the door with my foot and take a coffee and hand it to Dra. He sits up and takes it. I get a chair and set it beside his bed and sit in it. I take a drink of my coffee and look at Dra. He looks rough. His eyes are bloodshot and his hands have a slight shake to them, but it’s the regret I see in his eyes that makes him hard to look at.
“Did Maddie leave with the children?” I can’t look at my brother. I just shake my head yes. “I told her to get out of our house and I would put her up in an apartment. I fucked up big time. I cheated on my wife and I yelled at B. I cheapened the relationship I had with the woman I love. I wanted her to let another man touch her with my approval. What the fuck is wrong with me? My body is hurting, and I feel like my skin is crawling and burning. I tried some coke, but it was only twice. I would be better off dead.” That brings my eyes to my brother.
“I never knew you were a coward that quits. You never quit when you were looking for B. You want to leave the legacy of being a quitter to B and Lucas? You want to put the guilt on Maddie? Get your head out of your ass and be the brother I know you are. Cage is here and I want you to be the uncle to him you should be. Grow the fuck up and fight!” I end up yelling by the time I’m finished. Dra laughs and I want to shake some sense into him.
“You sound just like Dad. Damn, I miss that man. I owe you an apology for what I said during church. I owe all the brothers an apology for letting everyone down. I owe Maddie, Betsy, and Lucas more than that.” I can’t stomach this pity party that Dra has going on.
“Stop it. I accept your apology. There are some things you need to know.” I start to say. Dra takes a drink of his coffee and sits up straighter.
“You said Cage is here,” Dra interrupts me.
“Yeah, Bethany showed up with him last night. There’s more I need to tell you though.” Dra looks at me and I see a glimpse of the old Dra, so I go on. “Banger was a plant, man. Banger is a member of Cassius’s crew, but he also works for Rico. He’s Rico’s cousin from New York. Cassius had him come here to get information, but Rico gave him the order to get close to me. When I wasn’t available, they went to you and Banger has been slipping drugs into your drinks. He even slipped you ecstasy. Doc should have your blood panel back this afternoon or in the morning and then we will know what all he gave you.” I give him a minute to think that over. “I also found out from Bethany the reason Jen has been dragging her feet in court is because Bethany has joint custody with Jen because Bethany has been the one raising him. Jen just abandoned our son to Bethany. Bethany took care of everything medical and school related for Cage. The judge in Boulder was in Cassius and Rico’s pockets and that’s why we were stonewalled at every turn.”
“So, what is Cassius’s interest in us? I mean Rico has always hated the Troubled Fathoms because Dad wouldn’t let them run their drugs through our town and he’s just greedy. Dad always thought Rico offed his own dad.” Dra sounds clearheaded.
“Cassius couldn’t care less about Sunshine or us. Sunshine is too small of a town, there’s no money to be made here. Not the way he makes money, anyway. Banger says that Cassius wants Bethany. Rico is offering her for a price and that price is to take us out so the Spirit Arms MC can have our territory. Rico thinks that Cassius will take us out and then Rico will not only get our territory but our businesses too. He wants to use them to help launder Cassius’s money and then they can make Sunshine an extension of Cassius’s businesses in Boulder. That gives Rico Cassius’s ear. Rico thinks with Bethany married to Cassius then he will have it on easy street. All Rico is seeing is dollar signs. He’s not seeing the way Cassius gets rid of people that are no longer useful to him.” Rico’s stupidity shows how weak he really is.
“But Cassius isn’t seeing that Rico does the same thing. Don’t underestimate Rico. He’s a greedy man but there’s a reason that he is where he is. He’s ruthless and has no loyalties to anyone, not even his club. He must know that Cassius’s crew would swallow up the Spirit of Arms MC. That club isn’t as big as it once was, and Rico would throw them under the bus in a heartbeat. Rico must have a backup plan if we take Cassius’s crew out.” Dra is right.
“Blade, his VP, wants to claim Bethany too. I haven’t found out how that would help Rico out.” Bandy is still digging for information.
“Blade and Nutz were both nomads before they settled with the Spirit of Arms MC. Their previous club disbanded and they were independent nomads that worked with a lot of clubs down south on different jobs. Whoever had the green is where they went. Blade is a decent man but Nutz is crazy and I mean that in the literal sense. Maybe Rico thinks he can use their connections,” Dra tells me and he could be right. “Why are they so centered on Bethany? I know she’s beautiful, but a lot of women are beautiful. What makes her different from Jen? If what Bethany told us before is true, it seems Jen would be more up their alley. I mean Bethany seems a bit innocent even if she doesn’t look it.” Dra laughs to himself. “It’s the same thing that drew me to Maddie. The woman that looks like pure sin but has the heart of an angel.”
“What went wrong with you and Maddie? You hurt her and this time I think she’s given up on you.” I hate to say it, but Dra needs to face what his fight is going to be if he wants his life back.
“Brother, that woman is too good for me and I don’t expect her to forgive me. I wouldn’t forgive me for some of the things I said to her and you know what would have happened if she had cheated on me. My family deserve a better man. I yelled at my little girl. I walked out on my son when he needed me. I was cruel and I broke every promise I ever made to Maddie. All I can do now is get better. I hope one day I can make up for everything I’ve done. I let you down and I let the club down. I sent my life straight to hell and for what? Dad and Mom would be ashamed of me and so would Gram.” I agree with what Dra has said but I love my brother.
“I love you, Brother, and so would they. You have time to make up for the mistakes that you’ve made. Dad would always say ‘the measure of a man can be shown by saying sorry and then proving it.’ I take a drink of my coffee and it’s cold. “Do you want to come eat breakfast? Cage should be up soon?” Dra looks at me and shakes his head no.
“I love you too, Brother, and no, I’m not going to meet my nephew for the first time when I’m shaking from withdrawals. You need to marry Bethany.” Dra was the same old Dra until he said that. I guess my shocked face shows my thoughts because Dra raises his hand. “Just hear me out. I did a lot of research when I was looking for Betsy and Maddie. The best way for you to lay your claim on Cage is to marry Bethany and stay married for a while. I’m not saying to sleep with her in your bed but get married on paper. If Bethany brought Cage to you, she might go along with it. I mean her other choices are two men she doesn’t want to be with. You and her used to be tight when you were younger. Call your attorney and run it by him. This way you don’t have to wait until a judge signs off on anything. That’s
my advice for what it’s worth. Now what are the plans when it comes to me?” Dra asks the last part slowly as if he dreads the answer.
“You are being committed to a lockdown rehab facility. After the detox period then we’ll be able to come visit but you need to work the program. I don’t know how far your addiction goes. The doctors will determine your program. When you get out, you will face punishment from the club just like any other member and it will be determined where we go from there. You have the club to lean on, so do it. I will contact Maddie and let her know where you are. She doesn’t know about Banger, we found out after she left. You do remember that Maddie may be pregnant again? I’ll be calling Sarge about having protection put on Maddie and the children while they’re back in Texas. I’m sure Maddie will visit you with the children when she can.” I try to give Dra a little hope to hang on to. I don’t know if that’s the right thing to do or not. Maddie was determined when she left.
“No, don’t tell Maddie about me going into rehab. I don’t want her to feel obligated to come visit and I don’t want my children visiting me there either. I’ll contact Maddie when I’m ready.” I won’t keep that secret from Maddie. I love her like a sister, and she will kick my ass if I keep something like that from her.
“I won’t lie to Maddie. She deserves the truth and she can make up her own mind. I’ve never seen her so pissed as when she left, and I won’t cover for you.” Dra can’t make me choose between the two of them. Dra smiles.
“I know that you love my wife but please just ask her not to come or at least not to bring the children.” I understand Dra’s line of thinking.
“That I’ll do. I’ll have one of the girls bring you some food. Try to rest until Doc gets here,” I tell Dra, and he hands me the empty coffee cup.
