When I slide open the door they both stand and look at me, “What the fuck is going on? Dad is acting like someone shot his dog and now, the look on your face, what is it?” Remington asks.
“Boys, have a seat,” dad says and takes his spot on one of the wicker lawn chairs. Once we are seated, he pulls out a pint of Fireball from his cut and hands it to Remington. He then leans forward and clasps his hands together. “A long time ago, back before I met your mother, she was with Curtis Carter,” and I see Remington’s fists clench and he then takes off the lid of the bottle, taking a healthy swig before passing it to me.
“Chains, OUR mom was with Chains? You’re fucking kidding me, right?” Remington stands and starts yelling, which is understandable since he has no clue what has taken place today.
“Son, I know this is a lot to take in, but let me get this all out. Take a seat,” dad says and motions to the chair and Remington, though steaming mad, sits back down.
“As I was saying, before your mother and I met she was dating Chains. There wasn’t a Vengeful Demons back then. They were in high school, well she was, Curtis had quit school and was working at a garage. Your mom got pregnant and had a son. She named him David and gave him his last name of Carter, assuming they would stay together. They were living together and your mom started noticing Curtis, Chains, acting different. He was hiding things, drinking more, doing drugs, gambling. He got into some shady shit from what she told me. Some thugs came and beat the shit out of Chains, damn near killed him, and knocked your mom around. They took David and said if Chains didn’t pay them, they’d kill the kid. He couldn’t come up with the money and they told him that their child was dead. Your mom, believing her son was murdered, left Devil’s Backbone and Curtis, as she knew him, and never looked back. Chains had started the VD right after your mom left him, but it was a bad club from the start.”
He reached for the bottle and took a swig and continued, “I met her a few years later when I got out of the military and we all started the Unfortunate Souls. As soon as we were married, you kids came along and I knew nothing about her previous life. It wasn’t until we almost lost you, Remington, in that motorcycle accident. That’s when she told me about David and losing him.”
Remington and I both look at each other, trying to take in all the information we just received from our father. It’s a lot to take in and I get that mom thought her son, our brother, was dead. My question is though, how did he end up in the Vengeful Demons and back with Chains? Did Chains raise him? Did he even know Chains was his dad? “Dad, you said on the phone mom was right when I told you about the birth certificate, what did that mean?”
“The night you mother died in that wreck, we fought. She had been acting sketchy for weeks, she was constantly on that damn phone texting someone. I assumed she was cheating on me. She had been drinking rum a lot more than usual, it was her favorite. That’s how she got her club name Malibu Barbie,” dad looks at his calloused hands, rubbing them together as if he was trying to get something off of them. “I confronted her, accused her of cheating, we were fighting. She was drunk, and I didn’t want to hear her excuses, and I wasn’t about to tolerate her going to see some other man. She screamed at me and shoved me. I tried to grab her to keep her here, she pushed me away yelling, ‘He’s alive,’ and got away, jumping in the car and then left. That was it, she had a car wreck and never came back. I didn’t know what she meant by it, it’s not like I could fucking ask her about it,” he takes another swig, “she was dead and I had you boys to take care of, hell, I thought I was better off all these years,” he says and then throws the bottle, it shattering against the side of the garage.
“You didn’t know, dad, none of us did,” I say and grab him and pull him towards me. Remington came in a slapped us both firmly on our backs three times and then and puts his forehead into ours.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Benelli
Well, just like clockwork, DCFS showed up at the house for Brenna. “We understand that you have Brenna Mifflinton in your care?” states the caseworker.
“Yes, she’s in the kitchen with Elle,” and I extend my arm in the direction of the kitchen for her to follow me. Elle, this is Brenna’s caseworker.”
Brenna who is covered with flour from helping her make homemade dumplings hops off of her stool and hides behind Elle.
“Brenna, I was wondering if we could talk,” the woman with wiry hair in disarray asks.
“NO! I know who you are and I’m not leaving! They are nice and they love me and I even get a Noni and a Papa here! Do you know what that means? Do you? That means they love me even more and I… AM… NOT… GOING!” Brenna screams with her hands on her hips and stomps her foot.
“Brenna, that’s not very nice, what do you say?” I say to her.
“I’m supposed to say I’m sorry,” she says softer, “but I’m not sorry, I love you and I don’t want her to take me away.”
The case worker touches my arm, “Can I have a word with you for a moment?”
“Yes, of course,” I say, and we walk to the other room.
“I appreciate the fact that you took her from that situation, we had problems with her parents when they were alive, but that’s not how the system works, she needs to be with approved guardians, I’m afraid…” she states but I stop her right there.
“I’m afraid that she is in a stable home, more stable than she has ever known her whole life, more love than she’s ever had, and I’m afraid she’s staying here and we are going to work towards adopting her,” I tell her as fact, because it is. They will have to kill me before she goes to another home that only has her for the paycheck. I know that not all homes are like that, but so far, that has been where she has been placed.
“Sir, I can see that she is in excellent hands, I understand, but she needs to be put with a foster family while we look to see if she has any relatives that are willing to take her in,” she says.
“Ma’am, did the officer not tell you? I am her family, her only family, and she’s staying here,” I tell her matter-of-factly.
“Do you have proof of that fact?” she says in a snobby attitude as if I’m lying.
“Yes,” and I walk over to my home office and produce not only her birth certificate, but mine and Frodo’s and I hand them to her, “As you can see, her father and I have the same mother, my mother has passed and therefore, I am the closest relative to Brenna and we are more than happy to adopt her and raise her.”
She is busy writing notes down and after scribbling on her legal pad for a good three minutes she looks up and asks, “You mentioned we, is the woman with her in the kitchen your wife? What is her name?” I tell her Elle’s name and that we are engaged and getting married January 1st. The woman looks back down to her notes and continues to scribble. “I want to look around and I would like to supervise her for 30 minutes or so. Is that fine with you?”
“Brenna, would you come with me so we can show her your room and stuff?” I call out to her.
“Okay daddy,” and I normally always love hearing it, but I cringe and tense my shoulders, not wanting to look at the woman following us.
Brenna takes my hand and we walk upstairs to her room. “Look, see, I have my own room now, and toys. Look at this bed! And over here…” she walks over to her closet and opens it, “see, clean clothes, all new.” The woman nods and continues to write things down. “Do you see this guy? I want him to be my daddy, I picked him. I picked my new mommy too, and she’s downstairs cooking us real food, like REAL food, and she let’s me help. Do you know what they did when they found out all I ate was cereal out of the box? They cooked me EVERYTHING! Just so I could try it! I have not been hungry one single time since they found me, not one time. I’ve never been dirty and stinky, well except when we played in the mud, but then I got to have a bubble bath and I smelled pretty after. They tuck me in bed at night and read me stories. I don’t have to worry if someone is going to come in and hurt me. You see lady, I’ve never
had this, not EVER! I love them and they are going to be my new mommy and daddy and that’s all I’ve got to say about that.”
I wipe the tears that were stinging my eyes only to see that Elle had come in and both she and the social worker were crying. I walk over to Brenna and pick her up into my arms and kiss her on the cheek, “You’re not going anywhere, angel, okay?” and I look over to the social worker and as she’s wiping her eyes with a Kleenex she dug out of her purse she emphatically nods that Brenna will stay with us.
As the woman is heading out the door to leave Brenna hops down the stairs, I forgot to show her my Halloween costume! “NOOOO! Brenna, I mean, sweetie, she’s super busy and maybe you can show her some other time,” I say, thinking to myself, if they see that five-year-old’s costume she may reconsider her decision. I know my dad and Elle’s mom tried to talk her in to something else, but it is disgusting!
The day has finally come for her to go trick or treating, and we decided to start with all the club member houses that are built here at the club. I know it’s gross, but apparently it’s too gross for Elle because she’s in the bathroom losing her cookies. Elle stays behind at the house, hating to miss her first Halloween but apparently, she’s caught a bug. Brenna and I walk down the sidewalk, and I look back at the house, I know she was looking forward to going but she can’t make it out of the bathroom long enough. As we walk along, we come across some preteen boys, “Oh man, that is the coolest costume ever, dude.” She didn’t pick out your standard princess, bunny or any other five-year-old girl, ready-made costume. No, she got all the makeup and fake latex shit to go with it. She’s dressed like a zombie but one eye is closed and covered with latex and has a fake eye dangling from her head, she has a rope around her neck and make up “bruising” around it, and that’s just for starters! It’s a good thing Zen was in drama back in the day and knew how to apply all this stuff because I had no clue. Did I mention the gremlin looking thing attached to her looking like it’s eating her intestines that are hanging out of her body? Yeah, that’s why I’m out alone taking her trick-or-treating without Elle, but I have to say, she’s raking in the candy. I, luckily, brought along a big bag that I stuffed in my pocket because she’s had to empty the pumpkin out 4 times.
We are finishing up trick or treating when we spot Lucky and he gives her a high five and some other secret handshakes they have created with each other and he decides to walk with us and continues back to our house. She dumps all the candy all over the table, she’s going to have candy from now until next Valentine’s Day if not longer. “Your idea was really cool, Uncle Lucky, I scared bunches of people!”
“What are you talking about Brenna?” Elle asks her cocking her head to the side.
“Well, I think it’s time for me to go, I’ll see you guys later,” Lucky calls out rushing to the door, his hand already on the knob turning it.
“I saw Lucky at the Halloween store and he just handed me all the makeup and eye ball and stuff and told me to give it to Noni and Papa,” she says as she looks towards the door and just as I yell his name and look back to where he was the door is shut and he is gone, that fucker.
Elle
The days have gotten shorter and the nights are even colder and our new little family has settled into a routine. We’ve enrolled Brenna into kindergarten, and while she was behind at first, she is quickly catching up with the other kids. I pick up mom on the way each morning and we drop her off at school on my way to the studio and mom’s gallery that only has the coffee shop between us. I love having her back in the same town and even more so, our shops being so close. She sells some of my photographs alongside her sculptures and paintings, and we meet in the middle for coffee and a sandwich at lunch. Jamie and Jaclyn know our orders by heart.
Tank and Flo walk in and I wave them over to our table, “you’re back from your trip!” I say, “tell us all about it.”
Mom looks up, jumps out of her seat and slams her arms around Flo, “IZZY!!!” she shouts.
“Chelle Belle! I can’t believe that’s you! I had no idea Elle was your kid! I would have called you! I’ve been trying to find you all these years!” Flo says excitedly.
“You’re Aunt Izzy?” I question and give her a big hug, “I’ve heard so many stories about you and never knew you were the same person.”
“So, you ended up with the club,” mom says and pulls out chairs for them to sit.
“Yeah, I should have stuck with this one the first time he asked me out,” Flo says and gently pokes the lovable biker.
“Damn right, you should have,” and he gets up and gives her a quick kiss, “I’m going to go get our coffee, you ladies need anything?”
“No, thanks Tank, we’re good,” I tell him and he walks over to the counter next to another customer.
“Well shit, this must be reunion day, Craig? Craig Edwards, son of a bitch, how are ya?” Tank booms out and places his hand on the man’s shoulders.
“Sam, what are you doing around here?” Craig asks shaking Tank’s hand.
“Me and the ol’ lady just got back into town, what are you doing here?” Tank asks and picks up the freshly brewed coffee concoctions, motions over to our table and leads the two men this way.
“In the area visiting my brother, he’s going to meet me here and we’re going to check out the art gallery next door,” Craig says.
“Well, it’s not open until I get back over there,” mom says with a laugh and introduces herself.
I keep looking at this man and I can’t help it, I’m staring, “I feel like I know you from somewhere,” I say.
“Craig’s been in the movie business, our hometown star,” Tank says.
“Well, I don’t know about that, but I’ve had some small parts,” Craig says shyly, trying not to be boastful. I can tell that’s how he is. He has kindness and a fun-loving look about him.
“Come on now, Craig, who else can say they’ve been in American Gothic, Matlock, and other stuff,” Tank grabs Craig’s shoulder giving it a gentle shake.
“Oh my God, I know where I know you from!!! Empire Records, Rex Manning fan, I just watched that the other day!” I say, probably too enthusiastically.
“Guilty, as charged,” Craig replies. “I also worked on the set of Dawson’s Creek and enough TV movies to fill a cable channel,” he says chuckling.
“Shut up!” I say, “You know them? I seriously had the biggest crush on Pacey.”
“I do,” he says but the door chimes and in walks someone, “I’d fill you in but that’s my brother, do you know about how much longer before the gallery opens, I don’t want to rush you.”
“Oh, no problem, I’ll head over there now. Izzy, we are catching up tonight!” mom says, pointing at Flo.
“I’ll bring the Boonesfarm,” Izzy says, laughing her ass off.
“If that doesn’t bring back some memories!” mom laughs too and tells us all goodbye before heading next door.
“I just can’t believe all this time you were Aunt Izzy,” I say, shaking my head and give her and Tank hugs before heading to my own shop.
I do a few photo shoots, and some editing before Zen shows up to do some wedding planning. We have little time left to get everything all done. I’ve already got my dress and I have a fitting scheduled for after Thanksgiving. Pretty much everything is set, we’re just at the Michael’s picking out flowers now. We figured silk would be easy enough and we can do them early, not worrying about the real ones wilting. We’re crafty bitches, we’ve got this. After filling two carts full of flowers and decorations, bouquet stems, floral tape, wire cutters we head back to my house.
“What in the hell?” Benelli takes in the giant piles all over the living room floor.
“It’s probably best if you go have a boys’ night,” I look up at him from my position on the floor, “this might take a while.”
Benelli is shaking his head and goes to answer the doorbell, “there’s more of you?” he says as he lets in mom, Izzy, Sheila, and Kit
ty all holding either wine, pizza, or dessert.
Before he can shut the door in walks Lyric with a glue gun and a bag of glue sticks, “I’m locked and loaded ladies!”
“Okay, that’s my cue, do you want me to take Brenna with me?” Benelli asks kissing me on top of the head.
“No, she’ll be fine, we promise not to get too wild, she just got to sleep and if she wakes up, we will put her to work,” I laugh, “go have fun,” and I swat his butt as he passes after stealing a piece of pizza for the road.
The night is a blast. Mom and Izzy sharing crazy stories and catching up, planning Thanksgiving at the clubhouse, more wine. I think there is more laughter than flower arranging, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. These are memories in the making. We’re all starting to get slap happy when Benelli walks through the door, “you ladies are still at it?”
“What time is it?” I ask.
“It’s one o’clock in the morning,” he says, looking at the time on his cell.
“No freaking way!” Lyric says, “I’ve got to get out of here, I have finals coming up soon and I need to hit the books all day tomorrow, well, today.”
“None of you are driving, I have Fireball, Remi and dad all out in the driveway waiting to escort you ladies home,” Benelli states.
“Now I know I won’t get any studying done,” Lyric states, but none of us know what she means and before we can ask she’s out the door.
The door closes as the last of the wedding mafia leave and Benelli struts towards me all sexy, “and now that they’re gone…” he says and whisks me up into his arms and carries me to our bedroom. I was starting to get drowsy right before the girls left, but somehow I am recharged and ready to go. Funny how some great cock will do that to ya.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Elle
I wake up late the next morning after flower making and lovemaking, and I am utterly miserable. My head is stopped up and I’m congested. Benelli tells me good morning and all I can do is groan.
Benelli's Elle: Unfortunate Souls MC Book One Page 20
