Their Fractured Souls: Sons Of Lost Soul MC Book Six

by R. Hunter, Ellie

  I told her I didn’t want her to be Penny’s mom, I just wanted her, but fuck me if I don’t want her shining her kindness and goodness all over Penelope, helping me to raise her right and decent. I want my kid to have a pure heart like Emma and Victoria. I want her to possess the need to want to help people rather than want to use them and fight like I do, or did, quite possibly still want. I don’t know.

  “Myles? Are you going to fill us in or do we have to guess?” Emma says.

  “She signed the papers, she left and she’s not coming back.”

  “She just left her? She didn’t even say goodbye!”

  This is what makes her good, she’s normal people where you find someone dumping their kid an outrage.

  “She’s off to Hollywood to be a star, apparently.”

  “You’re joking, right?”

  “I wish I was.”

  “There goes my theory that she might be suffering from postpartum depression,” Mom says, more to herself.

  Emma hands me the baby, noticing Tori trying to read our lips and failing. She signs what she missed out during the conversation and Mason is stunned, watching them communicate.

  Victoria catches his lips moving and signs some more.

  “She’s asking you, Mason, are you home for good?”

  He nods for Tori and life becomes fucking perfect.

  “We should have a cookout, get everyone here, and celebrate,” Mom beams and there goes perfection.

  Emma

  I can’t fathom how Penelope’s mom could just sign over custody to Myles without taking time to think it over, possibly realise she’s made a huge mistake and want Penelope back in her life and custody. I try not to judge other people and how they live their lives because one, it’s not my business and two, I don’t want anyone judging me in return. But Hailee is out of this world selfish. Imagine creating a life and then bailing on her just so she can chase her dreams. Won’t she ever wonder what she looks like as she grows older, wonder how she sounds when she learns to talk, and won’t she miss hearing the words, I love you, mommy?

  “Emma?”

  I snap out of my thoughts, Penelope is still asleep in her crib, and Kyla is nudging my shoulder.

  “Sorry, I was miles away.”

  “What are you thinking about?” she asks, not having the phone clutched to her ear.

  Once she had it in her head we were celebrating, she sent the twins out for supplies and made numerous calls inviting everyone to the house for a cookout.

  “I was trying to work out how she could leave Penelope, not even say goodbye or have one last cuddle with her.”

  “I’ve been trying to figure out the same thing, all I can come up with is, Penelope will be much better off without her. It sounds harsh but sometimes it’s the way it is.”

  “Doesn’t make it right, though,” I murmur.

  “No, it doesn’t, which brings me to the question I want to ask you.”

  “Shoot.”

  “What is going on with you and Myles? Are you together? Because Myles has changed since you’ve been around, I know he likes you something fierce, and with him being a dad now, he needs to focus.”

  “I love your son, Kyla. I’m not going anywhere and I’m not going to break his heart.”

  “Can you love her too, they come as a package.”

  Looking down at her, she sleeps away unaware how loved she is and how lucky she is with a family like them.

  “I think I already do.”

  It’s true. She’s a good baby and she’s a part of Myles who I love more each day, how could I not love something that comes from him?

  “In that case, you watch over her while I get the rest of the tables set up out back.”

  A few people have already showed up and they’re happy enough with a beer and to sit around chatting while they wait for the food.

  “How many more people are you expecting?”

  “Anywhere up to thirty, if they’re hungry, they’ll be here. You’re about to see how we roll.”

  She leaves the room chuckling to herself and I grin. I thought I couldn’t get close to Myles because he came with baggage, and I could kick myself. Penelope isn’t baggage.

  The door opens and I turn, quickly putting my finger to my lips to hush them. They quieten instantly and Myles drops the grocery bags on the hall floor, making his way over to us.

  “How long has she been asleep?” he asks, whispering.

  “About half an hour, when she wakes she’s going to need a feed.”

  He strokes her cheek before resting each of hands on the arms of the chair and dips his head.

  He presses his lips to mine and I wind my fingers through his hair. Happiness and joy, and every other emotion pours from me and through to him.

  “I missed you,” he whispers, near my ear.

  “You were only gone for an hour,” I chuckle quietly.

  “Too long.”

  I agree but I don’t tell him that.

  “Are you happy now, Myles?”

  The moment he walked in after talking out back with Mason, there’s been something different about him.

  “More than. Come on, let’s wake her up. It’s time she meets everyone officially.”

  “She’s going to be grouchy if you wake her,” I warn him as he picks her up, but the lucky bastard gets away with it. As soon as she sees him holding her, she’s full of smiles.

  We walk through the door and a bout of nerves hit me, I’ve been around the club before, but this time I’m with Myles and I don’t know, it seems more of an intimate setting here at the house than at the bar.

  Before stepping outside, he reaches back for my hand and the second we make contact the nerves fade away. Just like that.

  Hand in hand, we walk over to the largest table where his grandfather and dad is sitting with Cas and Sparky, I think that’s his name anyway.

  “I want to introduce my kid, this is Penelope. Penelope, these fuckers are your uncles.”

  I swat his arm, forgetting where I am and who’s around us. “Don’t curse like that around her.”

  His answer is to grin at me, then wink.

  “Yes, babe.”

  The mood is light, but ice is creeping through my veins, which means one thing, Myles’ grandfather is staring at me. I flick my eyes his way and sure enough, I was right.

  “Let me hold my great granddaughter,” he gruffs at Myles and then asks him to go grab him a beer when she’s in his arms.

  “Take a seat, Emma.”

  I do as I’m told, not wanting to get on his bad side and wait with a rapid pulse to see what he wants.

  He adjusts the baby, so he can pull an envelope from his inside pocket. He reaches over and drops it on my lap.

  The lip hasn’t been sealed down, and I peek inside. Wads and wads of cash hit me and I close it up again.

  “There’s twenty-five thousand there, you were worth every penny. I’ll be forever grateful you made it possible for me to talk to my granddaughter again.”

  “You’re welcome, I’m glad I could help.”

  “Well, all I have left to say is, I’ve been hearing you’re with my boy and taking this one on with him. Needless to say, don’t fucking hurt them, I may be old, but that won’t stop me coming for you.”

  A lump crawls up my throat, rendering me unable to speak.

  “Leave the girl alone, Pope,” Cas calls across the table.

  “What? I’m just putting it out there, so we all know where we stand.”

  “Where do we stand?” Myles asks returning with Pope’s beer.

  “In the land of bliss,” Sparky jokes, raising his bottle of beer.

  Myles pulls a chair next to mine and falls into it and I’ve never been so grateful for his presence.

  I adore his family but the verdicts still out on his grandfather. Hopefully it changes in the future. A future where I’ll still be in love with his grandson and watching Penelope grow into a beautiful person.

  Myles />
  The sun is beginning to set and all the little lights mom has draped around the trees begin to glow. Everyone’s here and all I can hear is laughter and music, everyone having a good time, instead of cries and shots, violence and death.

  I look around with Penelope asleep on my chest as I lean back in my chair, Emma on one side signing with Tor, and Mason on my other, stroking Penny’s cheek softly.

  This is life. This is what I want my future to look like at all times. A few weeks ago, I would have thought Aspen showing up would ruin my night, but when she appears at the back gate, stopping to look for Mason, I’m glad she’s here for him.

  “Your girl’s here,” I murmur, and he jumps up out of his chair. He whistles and her face lights up the same as Emma’s does when she looks at me.

  Mason collects her in his arms when she reaches him and he lifts her off her feet, kissing her mouth, then her cheek, then her neck.

  “Put her down, there are kids present,” I call out, even though she’s sleeping.

  They join us at the table, and Mason doesn’t bother tracking her down a chair, he pulls her down on his lap and keeps his arm around her.

  “I didn’t know you were in town?”

  “It’s not a problem is it?” she asks, and I shake my head unaffected by her presence.

  “It’s all good.”

  I introduce her to Emma and Penelope decides to wake up and introduce herself. I stand with her to help soothe her and she settles but keeps her beady eyes everywhere and on everyone.

  “I would have been here sooner but I stopped in town, there was a house that just went on the market. I’m going to buy it,” she beams and Mason nearly chokes on his beer.

  “You’re buying a house in town? Where?”

  “Yes, that’s what I said. With dad’s money, I’m going to make it useful, there’s no point letting it go to waste.”

  I heard from Mason when we were on our way to the store earlier, she has donated a lot of his money to various charities, but I guess she kept enough to buy a house.

  “It’s on Maple Drive. It’s a three bed, big back yard, nice and clean.”

  “I just moved onto Maple Drive,” Emma tells her, adding to ask, “What number, I’m at 1057.”

  “Looks like I’m across the street from you.”

  Mase and I look at one another and grin. Life sure does have a way of working out, even when you truly believe it won’t. I’m not losing my brother, I’ll be around Emma’s place every chance I get and I’m sure he will be planning on moving in with Aspen, not wanting to let her live in a new town alone.

  Penelope begins to squirm and won’t settle. Emma stands and tries to help.

  “She’s probably hungry,” she says, taking her from me.

  “She’s always hungry, she never stops.”

  “She’s a baby, that’s what they do,” Mom calls over, tucked under dad’s arm as they sit on the bench.

  Inside the house, it’s a lot quieter and I stop when Emma is stood frozen in the middle of the kitchen.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  “I don’t want to go home without you tonight, and it’s not fair on your mom to have the baby through the night again.”

  Narrowing my eyes, I wait for her to continue. I’m liking how I think this is going but I want to be sure.

  “In fact, I don’t want to spend any night to come without the guy I love.”

  I physically feel my lips stretch into a grin and move closer to her and my girl. I pull them against me and tuck her hair behind her ear.

  “I want to wake up to you every morning, I want to be there for Penelope when her overprotective daddy becomes too much for her. I want it all with you, Myles.”

  I’m pretty sure I look like a manic idiot being this happy.

  “Thank fuck you’ve caught up to where I’m at. I love you, too, fuck, I love you so much.”

  I place a quick kiss on her mouth before making Penelope a bottle. I make my way around the house, collecting Penny’s baby stuff and take it all out to the car while Emma feeds her.

  Lastly, I head up to my room and pack anything my hands land on. I have a lot of clothes in my room at the club and I’ll be picking them up in the morning. I’m not wasting a second.

  Back in the kitchen, I take a moment to catch my breath and Emma laughs at me.

  “Anyone would think you don’t want to move in with me.”

  “Fuck you,” I throw at her, but she doesn’t take offence just like I didn’t mean any.

  I grab mom’s notepad and pen and sit beside Emma as she winds Penny.

  * * *

  Mum, Dad.

  Me and Penny are moving in with Emma.

  We’ve gone home, I’ll check in tomorrow.

  Mason

  Holler me in the morning, not too early though, fucker.

  I tear the page from the pad and get up and stick to the fridge under a magnet.

  “Ready?” I ask. I know I’m more than ready to get out of here.

  “Shouldn’t we say goodbye?”

  “I left a note.” I shrug and grab my keys from the bowl on the table. “Come on,” I urge.

  Chuckling, she follows me outside and waits while I transfer Penny’s seat from Mom’s car to hers. I make sure the bags and case are secure and then Emma straps her in while I have a nice view of her ass.

  Once she’s done and closed the door. I push her against the car, pressing my groin into her thigh.

  “We are celebrating our kinda way once she’s settled.”

  I lean back, taking the keys from her jacket pocket.

  “I’ll look forward to it,” she says, grinning.

  I open the passenger door for her, and she looks at me confused.

  “You’re not riding your bike?”

  “Nope, I’m driving. I’ll have a prospect collect it in the morning and drop it off to me.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Once we’re both seated and belted, I ask her, “Last chance to change your mind.”

  Looking over her shoulder, she glances at Penny, and then back at me.

  “Not in this lifetime.”

  Fuck yeah. My fucking angel. I’m no choir boy but whatever I did to deserve her and her love for me, I thank the lord I don’t believe in. If he’s real and he sent her to me, it’s my job to keep her by my side and fuck him if he thinks he can take her away again. Reaching for her hand, I clasp mine around hers and draw our hands to my mouth. Pressing my lips to her angel skin, I make all sorts of promises I intend on keeping.

  Zachery

  I’ve come to hate visiting my childhood home. There’s nothing but death lingering about the place and mom and dad don’t help. I check in every day, sometimes twice a day, and I get nothing from them. Dad has taken up full time drinking, and mom barely makes it out of bed to use the bathroom. She’s sickly thin, she’s lost so much weight that she didn’t have to lose in the first place since India was killed and dad doesn’t back me up when I ask him to help me make sure she eats. He lives out of the living room while she occupies their bedroom. While I’ve been around they haven’t spoken a word to each other, I don’t know what they’re like when I’m not here, but it’s awkward as fuck when I am about.

  “Mom, please, eat this toast I made for you before it goes cold.”

  There’s no point cooking her a meal, she wouldn’t eat it and it’d go to waste in the trash, but a slice of toast isn’t too much to ask. She lies in the middle of her bed, staring past me towards the window and doesn’t bother to decline the toast.

  “You have to eat, you’re going to end up in the hospital if you don’t.”

  Surely she can hear the worry in my voice. India is gone but I’m not. She still has me.

  My phone vibrates in my pocket and I ignore it. It will be Nina, she can wait five minutes.

  “Mom, this is ridiculous, India would hate it if she saw you like this.”

  As usual, mentioning India’s name gets her attention an
d her face sours as her top lips curls ferally.

  “Don’t say her name while you wear that filthy cut. She’d hate it if she knew you were still there after what they did to her.”

  I don’t bother to argue with her, I won’t win and it will only upset her farther.

  “Please, eat this, I have to leave in a minute.”

  “Take it away, Zachery.”

  Standing, I grip the plate too hard before throwing it at the wall.

  “You want it gone, get up and do it yourself.”

  I storm out and jog down the stairs finding dad crashed out on the couch, a bottle of whiskey, half empty, wedged between his legs. I make my normal rounds around the house making sure nothing is on that will cause a fire, I check the back door and windows are locked and I head out, locking up as I go.

  The fresh air doesn’t help with shit and I ride home, not sure if I’m grateful to be out of there or if I feel guilty because I left. I go through this every day and I still have no answers. I told Cas to leave off coming around for a while and now I’m regretting it.

  Back home, Nina is waiting with a scowl on her face and an argument on the tip of her tongue.

  This too is becoming the norm and I literally only have the club left where I can at least, sit and think without anyone on my ass to do this or do that.

  “I tried calling, you didn’t answer.”

  “I was with my mom, trying and failing to get her to eat. I was a little preoccupied.”

  I lean against the doorframe and breathe through the anger simmering below my skin.

  “What if I had gone into labour?”

  “Did you go into labour?” I ask, not caring that I sound tired with her.

  “That’s not the point and it’s a good job I didn’t, you still haven’t painted the nursery. We’ve had the paint for months and you still haven’t picked up a brush.”

  Seriously, this is doing my head in.

  “I’ll get it done, or I’ll have the prospect come and do it.”