“Come on, Ems. We don't need to witness your mother killing your grandpa.” Striker laughs, looking at an equally amused Emily.
“Good luck, Grandpa.” Emily giggles as she passes him.
“Yeah, thanks, princess.” His whole body is rigid, his hands stuffed in his pockets. “Daria, I…”
I hold my hand up to stop him. “Barron, it’s fine.” His whole body relaxes, and he comes to sit beside me. “Nico and Striker have already let her ride their bikes. They think I don’t know.”
He nods curtly. “Okay, so what did you want to talk to me about?”
“I don’t know if Striker mentioned what happened with Emily and the news about the baby, and that someone told her before we did?”
“He mentioned it and asked me to talk to her.”
“Has she said anything? About who told her?”
“No. She clams up whenever I ask her about it. She’s ashamed about saying that she hates you, though.”
“I know. She used to tell me everything.” I look down. My nose burns as tears prick my eyes, and Barron’s hand covers mine.
“She loves you, Daria. She’s just a little jealous that a new baby will change things between you.”
“But we told her nothing will change. We’ll still always be at her games, we’ll just have her little brother or sister with us.” I sigh. “I feel like she’s pulled away from me since she found out that Jake isn’t her real dad.”
“You said Jake was always away, right? So, having Striker here constantly, she’ll love it. But, she dotes on you and looks up to you.” I nod. “Do you know what she said to me? That when she grows up, she wants to be a dancer like her mom, and she wants to help run the new studio.”
I smile at the thought of running the studio with Emily in the future. I hug Barron and kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”
“No problem, sweetheart.”
“Is it safe to come in? Have you killed my dad?” Striker calls through.
I roll my eyes. “You’d better get the bleach. It’s like a blood bath in here.”
“Well, at least I’ll get my inheritance early,” Striker chuckles as he walks in with Emily.
“Watch it. I can change my will so Emily gets all the money and the house and you get nothing,” Barron jokes, standing. “Right, I’m going to get back home, Emily wiped me out with those dances. I forget I’m not twenty anymore.” He bends, kissing my head, and whispers to me, “I’m here if you need to talk again.”
“Thank you.”
“See you tomorrow, Grandpa.” Emily flops down beside me and hugs me tight. “I love you, Mom.”
“Do you want to go see Spiderman tomorrow?” Her eyes light up like beacons and she nods enthusiastically. The baby kicks, causing her to jump up and stare at me. “What was that?”
“That was your baby brother or sister.” I grin as a smile widens across her face and she places her head to my stomach.
“Hi, baby. I’m your big sister. I’m going to love you and protect you all your life.” She speaks to my stomach as my tears start to fall. I see a beaming Striker leaning against the door, gazing at us both.
I love my little family.
***
“Morning, Mom.” Emily hands me a cup of coffee when I enter the kitchen.
“Morning, baby.” I kiss her cheek. “Where’s Dad?” I frown. I woke up, and he was nowhere to be seen. He usually wakes me up if he’s going somewhere.
“He said he had to pick something up for Uncle Nico.”
I nod. I busy myself getting something to eat. Opening the fridge, I see a saran-wrapped bowl with a note on it.
Strawberry sorbet in the freezer, and Cheetos in the pantry. Knock yourself out with your weird-ass craving.
Love you,
S xxxx
I start crying when I see the bowl of pickles and the note. He actually went out and got the stuff last night. I had woken him up in the middle of the night, craving sorbet, Cheetos, and pickles, and I had begged him to go for it. I feel bad I fell asleep before he came back. I was going to apologize this morning and make it up to him, but he was gone.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m doing my English homework,” she mutters, all her focus now on her laptop screen.
“It’s Saturday. We’re going to the movies, remember?” I ask, confused why she’s doing schoolwork on a weekend when she should want to go meet up with her friends.
“I know, I just want it all done and out of the way, then we can go to the cinema.”
“You need any help?” I ask when I bring my bowl of pickles and sorbet with crushed Cheetos on top and dig in.
She shakes her head. “Eww, Mom. That’s disgusting.” She glances up, eyes the bowl in front of me, and her cheeks puff up like she’s about to throw up.
“It’s delicious. You wanna try?” I put some on the spoon and shove it in her face.
“No, ick.” She closes her laptop and stands. “I’m going to finish my assignment in my room. The smell of the pickles is making me feel sick.”
“I love you, princess,” I call after her with a giggle.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Daria
I went to the cemetery to put some flowers down on Grandpa's grave. More lilies. They were lying on the front porch when I arrived home from the movies with Emily before dropping her off at Vikki’s for her birthday sleepover. Cobra questioned them, but I said what I always say; someone from work.
Driving up to the compound, Blair’s patch-in party is in full swing. I had to stop a couple of times to throw up on the drive over. Morning sickness is back with a vengeance, it seems. Cobra was with me the whole way and rubbed my back. I feel another wave of nausea hit me when I’m about to exit the car. I grab a paper bag from the glove compartment and puke. I’m surprised there’s anything left for me to bring up. I place my head back on the headrest, taking deep breaths.
I jump when I hear a tap on my window and someone opening my door.
“You okay, sweetheart?” Cobra’s concerned voice hits my ears, I look at his worry-filled green eyes, and he’s kneeling in front of me with his hand resting on my knee. “You need me to go get Striker?”
“No, I’m fine. Honestly, Cobra. Just morning sickness has decided to come back and smack me in the face full force.”
“If you’re sure.” He eyes me, unsure of what to do.
“I’m sure.” I pat his hand. He helps me out of the car and walks with me to where the party is taking place in the bar area. My eyes find Striker, laughing and joking with Blair and Nico. I’ve never seen him smile as much as he has since I told him I was pregnant again. He must feel my eyes on him, because he glances over and frowns a little, asking me silently with his eyes if I’m okay.
“Hey, sweetheart?” Barron walks up behind me, making me gasp. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He snickers then his eyebrows lower into a frown as he touches my head. “You feeling okay? You’re burning up.”
“I’m fine. Throwing up six times in an hour will make anyone burn up.”
“I remember Emma, Striker's mom, throwing up constantly in the final months of her pregnancy.” His whole face lights up when he mentions her name. Striker hardly ever speaks about his mom and it makes me sad, but I don’t want to push him because I know how hard it hit him, losing her. “You should be at home resting, sweetheart.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m bored of sitting around, Barron. I needed out of there. Besides, I’m here to save Jess from killing Macey, who seems unable to take the hint that Nico is happily married.”
“Good point.” He chuckles.
“Hello, Daria.” I hear a familiar voice behind me. “What, don't I get a hug?” I turn, seeing him standing there, smiling, with his arms wide open. “Come on. Come give your dear old uncle a hug.” I can't help the grin that spreads across my face when I see him. I run to him. Thankfully, he catches me as I throw my arms around his neck. I haven’t seen my uncle since I was around eight yea
rs old, when Dad and Denise got married. Another relationship she effectively destroyed for my dad. We spoke on the phone sometimes until we lost contact after I fell pregnant with Emily. I thought he was disappointed in me like my Dad was.
“How are you here? Why are you here?” I’m confused as to why he’s standing in the compound of the MC. “Were you getting your car fixed? When did you arrive?” I throw questions at him. I need to know what’s brought him here.
“I thought it was high time I got my backside across the pond and visited my brother since that wench is gone and see how my favorite niece is doing since it’s been radio silence for over ten years, and I want to meet my great-niece.” He looks down at my swollen stomach. “Again?”
“Yeah. Emily’s dad and I reconnected.”
“Is he treating you good? If not, I can kill him and make it look like an accident.” My eyes widen a fraction. “I’m only joking, but seriously. Is he treating you like the princess you are?”
“Jeez, Uncle Tomas. He treats me just fine. Have you seen Dad?”
“Yeah, he picked me up from the airport. We went to your place, but no-one was home. He said you were supposed to be resting.” He gives me a pointed look, to which I roll my eyes at him. “He called Jessica to ask if she knew where you were, and she said you were going to pop by here. So, he drove me here to surprise you. He’s just gone to the bathroom.”
I look up into his blue eyes, just like my dad’s. His dark brown hair is starting to go grey, and he has a scar on his cheek that makes him look badass. My eyes blur with tears, and one manages to escape. Uncle Tomas gathers me in his arms and hugs me tightly. “Hey, hey. What's with the tears, shortie?” he says in his thick Scottish accent that I’ve missed.
“I just missed you, Uncle Tomas.” I sniff, wiping my eyes.
“I missed you too.” He kisses my cheek. “I think you better introduce me to all these people. They look like they’re going to kill me. Especially that guy over there.” He points to Striker.
“Come on.” I take his hand and pull him toward Striker. “Guys, this is my Uncle Tomas.” I grin. “Uncle Tomas, this is everyone.”
Uncle Tomas shakes everyone's hands.
“Great to finally meet you, Striker.” He laughs, rounding me, and pulls him into a hug.
What the hell?
“You too, Tomas.”
“How do you two know each other?” I ask, a little harder than I intended.
“Well, this is our first time meeting, but me and Striker’s old man go way back.”
“So, wait. How come Dad doesn’t know Barron?” I try to wrap my head around all of this. Does Striker know my uncle? How? Why?
“Because your uncle is part of the Demon Disciples, Scottish charter.” Dad walks over.
“But, wait, you don’t like me being with Striker because of what he does and because he’s part of a motorcycle club.” I give my Dad a pointed look. “Yet, your own brother is an outlaw, and part of the same club. So, what’s the difference?”
“Pumpkin, this is different.”
“The hell it is. It’s the same damn thing,” I feel my temper rising, I need away from him before I say something I will later regret. I honestly don’t know why this has angered me so much. Maybe the guilty conscience of lying to them about the flowers and notes getting the better of me? I don’t know, but I can’t seem to stop my temper rising further. The more I think about the words that dad spoke about Striker and how he hated him for what he does and what he’s part of, the more pissed I get.
“Daria, calm down for the baby’s sake.” I turn my glare on to Striker, who’s trying to calm me down.
“Shortie, your dad cares for you and he wasn’t happy about me being part of the club either. Still isn’t that ecstatic.” Uncle Tomas tries to justify it. There’s no justifying this.
“He has made Striker’s life hell because of who he is and what he does. How is it okay for him to do that, but at the same time accept you for who you are?” Tears steamroll down my cheeks. I think that’s why it angers me. Striker. The way my dad treats Striker like he’s beneath him. I know Striker wasn’t very nice at the beginning, and I know his reasoning now, but Dad hasn’t even attempted to try and get to know him. Well, not that I know of. “I’m going home.”
“Babe…” Striker reaches for my wrist.
“No.” I shake Striker off me. “No, just stay here. I need to be alone right now.”
I walk away. I can't believe this. My uncle is an outlaw, and my dad knew, yet chooses to only see the bad side of Striker, not the loving, caring Dad he is to Emily. My heart beats fast, I struggle to take a deep breath, and my vision starts to waver as I walk towards the exit. I need to calm down.
“Hey, Daria.” Chucky smiles at me when I get to the gate. “Daria? You don't look too good.”
Everything blurs around me, and the music in the background fades. My legs weaken.
“Whoa, Daria.” Chucky catches me before I fall to the ground. The last thing I hear is Chucky yelling for help.
***
Opening my eyes, I see five people looking at me. Looking around, I know I'm in Striker’s room at the clubhouse.
“Shortie, you gave us a mighty big scare.” Uncle Tomas smiles, touching my cheek.
“Pumpkin, don't try to get up.” Dad stops me from sitting up.
“Dad, I'm fine. I just need to move. The baby is lying awkwardly.”
“Why didn’t you tell us the truth about the flowers? You told me someone from work sent them.” Nico questions me in a low, angry tone, not looking at me in the eye. How did they find out?
“Nico, maybe we should wait until she recovers before you start questioning her. She doesn’t need any more stress put on her.” Jess tries to calm him down, but he’s still glowering at me. Why is he so angry? He knows about the flowers. Well, some of them.
I swallow hard, avoiding his gaze. It terrifies me. “What?”
Nico clearly isn’t going to listen to Jess and going to let me have it. “The flowers, Daria. We know there have been multiple bunches left for you other than the ones we already know about. They weren’t from Lydia or anyone at your work, were they?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I avert my eyes and shake my head. Nico lets out a bitter laugh and shakes his head in disbelief.
“Un-fucking -believable,”
“You’re really going to lie there and pretend you don’t know what we’re talking about?” Striker scoffs. “You've been lying to me for months, Daria.” I can’t bring myself to look up and see how angry and disappointed he will be with me. I can feel the anger rolling off him, and that’s enough to scare me. My body heat rises and I feel really clammy. The fear of them finding out I lied about the flowers and the fact that I’ve hurt them deeply by keeping this from them. I hate myself for it.
“Son, maybe you should wait until we're out of the room.” Barron nods to Dad and Tomas to leave. The last thing I see is Nico’s angry and upset eyes looking at me, shaking his head before the door closes.
“You sat and preached to me that you hate liars and all the fights that us keeping things from each other was causing. Yet, here you are.” He stops and looks at me. “After we promised we would be one hundred percent honest with each other from now on.”
My mouth is dry. I try to swallow, but it’s useless.
“I know that all those flowers you’ve been getting aren’t from someone in your work, Daria. Cobra and Blair told us. They saw the cards and said you begged them not to say anything.”
I’ve seen him pissed, but this? This is a new kind of furious.
This is hurt angry. I cut him on the deepest level after all the stuff I said about hating liars. I became what I hated.
“I’m sorry, Striker. I should have spoken to you and told you all of this, but I thought I could handle it myself. You have to understand, I’m used to looking out for myself and Emily on my own. I’ve been doing it since I was eighteen. Yes, Jake
was there, but he was always away so really, it was only me and Emily.” My voice is small and weak as tears drip off my chin. I reach for his hand. He snatches it away and shakes his head as he walks out of the room.
As soon as the words fall from my lips and the door slams shut, I realize how stupid I was for keeping this from him and everyone. My excuses for keeping something as big as this to myself are weak. He has every reason and right to be mad at me right now, I should have told him. I broke a promise, and now he’s angry with me.
Nico’s pissed at me, too, judging by the look he gave me before he left the room.
I've royally fucked up, and I don't know how to fix it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Striker
Walking out of that room, I slam the door and head straight to the bar.
“Beer,” I demand.
“How is she?” Jess asks as I down the beer in one.
“Stubborn.”
“I know that, Striker.” She rolls her eyes at me. “I meant health-wise and mentally. How is she?”
“She looks fine. Baby is fine, and that's the main thing.”
“You're an asshole,” she snaps and walks off.
What the fuck did I do?
“How’s she doing?” Tomas slaps me on the back.
“Hard-headed.”
He snorts out a laugh. “Yeah, she gets that from her father. Just don't be too hard on her. I know she was only doing it because she thinks it was the right thing to do. I may not have been in her life as much as I wanted to, but if she’s anything like her Dad, she’ll be as stubborn as a mule.”
I scoff. “Ain't that the truth.”
“I’m going to head off with Nicholas and Lauren. Tell Daria I’ll call her later.” I nod my acknowledgement and he leaves, but not before Nicholas throws me a death glare.
Great, another thing for him to blame me for.
I look around for Nico, but I don’t see him anywhere inside. He was so pissed at Daria. Pissed at everyone. I’ve never seen him so angry. One thing I’m noticing about Nico and Daria; they’re both similar in so many ways. The main similarity is, when they need a breather, they run to the lake. They don’t like sharing what’s going on in their heads easily, and they both hate liars.
Nothing Else Matters (Demons Disciples MC Book 2) Page 18
