Because You're Mine

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Spider

He was surprised to see both Dom and Gideon on the big screen.

“What’s going on?”

“Dom is sending one of his SUV’s for you to use this weekend. Between Fish and Rico they are combing the area around the compound and making sure we have no unwanted watchers.” Orca explained.

“I’m sending two of my two man teams to escort you to the beach house.” Dom’s voice was hard and cold. “They have the experience needed to get you there and back safely.”

Gideon sat forward. “That’s to say if you still want to go.”

Spider nodded. “Yes, I do. I want to spend time with my boy without any interruptions. I’ve been thinking over this morning’s bullshit and I have a theory. I think it was the gang showing me they can grab him anytime they want. The Fortunes obviously got something going with the Rutherfords and the pigs. And then there’s Josie, the nanny. I suspect she’s Amos Fortuin’s sister, something I only realised this morning. It didn’t come up in her background check because they don’t share a surname. Please look into her for me, Fish.”

“No sweat, I’m already on it. I’ll shoot you a report once I’ve got more information.”

He shook his head as he looked at Dom. “I have this feeling that we’re missing something. Something that’s right under our fucking noses.”

Dom looked thoughtful as he tapped the tip of his finger to his lower lip.

“What if your son is a pawn in a takeover bid? A game all of us are unknowingly a part of. Imagine the leverage the Fortunes would have over you if they got hold of your son. You would do anything to get him back, even go against your club, and pay whatever price they demanded for his safe return.” He cocked his head to the side. “I know I would do whatever I had to if it was my son.”

“Fucking hell.” Orca slammed a fist on his desk. “If that’s true then it might explain the traitors we’ve been uncovering. Unfortunately that means their infiltration of the club started a long time ago. What if Spider is the target because of his unique position in the club? He’s our Treasurer but he is also the CFO of the Iron Dogz group of companies. He has a lot of power and money at his fingertips, but more than that, he’s the one running our new venture with you and the Shadow Wraiths.”

“I have a theory.” Gideon said quietly. “I think what we’re talking about is more of a long term plan than a game. When the Harrisons were wiped out it left a gap, a gap waiting for someone to step in and exploit. Someone is using the Fortunes and most probably the Rutherfords to make their move and step into the vacuum left behind. I think we have a new player in town and whoever it is wants access to not only the docks but to the container depots and shipping contacts of the Iron Dogz. If they took control of those they could ship whatever their product is where ever the fuck in the world they want. The beauty of it is, should shit hit the fan the Iron Dogz will be the ones taking the heat, not the actual criminals.”

“I think you’re right, your theory explains the traitors we have in the ranks.” Kid bit out. “We haven’t been asking the right questions of our guests. Omo isn’t the head of the snake, he’s part of the body. We’re going to need Bones to do his thing, Dom. Both our organisations are being targeted and through us, the Shadow Wraiths. This is not a local trying to step into the vacuum left by the removal of the Harrisons.”

“Bones will join you tonight and we’ll see if we can get some answers.” Dom said decisively.

“Why the fuck does this shit feel like it’s on an endless loop? We squash the traffickers only for another asshole to take their place.” Blaze grumbled.

“Evil never takes a break and to combat it we can’t either.” Dom looked towards Spider.

“Listen to the men I’ll be sending with you, they know what they’re doing. The beach house and the farm is secure, they can’t get to you there. Go, enjoy some time with your boy and when you get back we’ll hopefully have some answers for you.”

He had known Dom for a few years now, they were enemies who became allies because of a shared enemy. Never in his wildest dreams had he envisioned the Iron Dogz working side by side with the Syndicate. Or them becoming friends.

Yet, here they were, building a solid friendship and alliance.

He stayed silent as arrangements were made, his mind was on his boy and Genna waiting on him outside.

“Spider, brother, leave this with us and get out of here.” Orca ordered. “Go spend time with your boy on the beach and when you get back we’ll sit down and sort the shit going on with the Rutherfords. The bitch made a big mistake today, she overplayed her hand, and they are now on full time radar. Fish uncovered bookings she had made for her and the husband at a golf estate and spa for the weekend. She was never going to take your boy with them, not without the nanny. We’ll keep eyes on them, take note of who they associate with and ensure we have photographic proof if they meet up with known underworld figures.”

“When they leave for the weekend I’ll be sending a team in to install cameras and listening devices.” Gideon added. “We want to know everything that’s going on in the house and in their cars. They won’t be able to make a move without us knowing about it.”

“Thanks brother, knowing we have eyes and ears on them when my boy is there makes me breathe a little bit easier.” Spider said.

Not long after the meeting ended he walked out of the clubhouse to find three blacked out SUV’s parked next to his Jeep. One of Dom’s men was busy transferring their bags and shit to the one parked in the middle.

And how did he know the men were Dom’s? By their black combat uniforms and the guns strapped to their sides.

Only by looking in her eyes did he see his sister was freaked out, her face showed nothing but a smile.

“These guys are our escorts to the beach house. They are part of Dom’s team and we’ll be safe with them.” He reassured her quietly.

Glancing through the open back door of his cage he found his boy smiling and babbling to himself. He had a toy dog clasped in his hand and he was waving it about.

“What you got there, little man?”

“Look, Daddy. Doggy!” He waved it excitedly at Spider. “Mine.”

Genna nodded towards one of the men who were now waiting on them. Turning he recognised him instantly, they had worked together when he was on the team protecting Niki.

“Stuart, good to see you again, bro. Do I have you to thank for the stuffed dog my son is waving about?”

There was a burst of laughter from the other men.

“Absolutely, I thought the son of an Iron Dog should have a dog of his own.” He teased.

Luke, another of Dom’s team was grinning as he came around the back of the SUV, and drew him into a quick one armed hug.

“Good to see you mobile again, bro, don’t worry, we’ve got you and your family. We’ll keep you safe.” He raised an eyebrow. “Not that I expect those wankers to make an appearance. They’re a bunch of pu… uhm, I mean a bunch of cowards.”

“You’re right, they like using intimidation but they’re going to find I’m not easy to intimidate and neither is my club.”

With that he bent into the back seat and set about taking the car seat out and transferring it to the SUV. He left little man strapped in.

Once he had the seat settled into the backseat Genna got in the back with him. He took the passenger seat next to their driver, another man he recognised.

“Good to see you again, Kev. Thanks for doing this for me.”

“Same here, bro, good to see you, and no worries, you kept Niki safe, now it’s our turn to help you keep your family safe.”

The drive to the beach property went off without a hitch. He was surprised to note that none of the men who had brought them to the house left. They split off and settled into the cottages behind the main house after introducing them to the lady who would be taking care of the house, and them, during their stay.

He was amazed that his boy wasn’t scared in his new surroundings, he took it in his stride.

Following his sister up the stairs he was blown away by the home away from home Niki had set up for her family. Niko’s room was pretty much like his room at the penthouse and the mansion.

Niki hadn’t exaggerated when she said anything he might need was at the house.

“Did Josie remember to send you his schedule? Like what time does he have his bath and supper, and what time does he go to bed? I forgot to ask her with all the shit that went down.” Genna asked as she started going through little man’s bags and putting his clothes away in the empty drawers.

She set his pajamas on the bed along with what she called ‘pull ups’. It looked like a fancy nappy to him but what the hell did he know.

Opening the email Josie had sent him he quickly scanned it.

“According to this he has his supper between five and five thirty. She says he isn’t allergic to anything. There’s a list of food he’s allowed to eat, everything is low carb, non-fat healthy shit. Josie added that Mrs Rutherford says we’re not allowed to alter his diet or add things to it as it had been worked out for him by a nutritionist and it contains all he needs to be healthy.”

He ground his teeth to stop himself from exploding.

“Once he’s had supper he’s given a bath after which he is taken downstairs to spend a few minutes with his parents. Then it’s back to his room for story time and bed.” He looked up from his phone and shook his head. “Those fuckers give him a few minutes at night, if they are at home, and that’s it. He spends all his time with Josie, and now us, once a week and every second fucking weekend. It’s not enough, not nearly enough.”

Genna put a hand on his clenched forearm and gave a soft squeeze.

“He’s got us now, Griff and very soon he’ll be living with you and getting all the love and affection he should have had from the start.”

She pointed to where little man was exploring the toys stacked in boxes in the corner of the room.

“He’s happy and he doesn’t miss them at all. He might miss Josie but the longer we’re around him the more he will bond with us. I do have some concerns but we’ll talk about it later, when he’s down for the night.”

Spider couldn’t get a word out he was so pissed off, he just nodded.

The weekend took form from there on. He refused to stick to the strict schedule Josie had sent him, it seemed too much like a prison to him. When they talked it turned out his sister had the same concerns.

He changed it around, the bath came first every night which was a lot of fun with all the toys they loaded in there. They sat on the floor next to the bath and soon everything was soaking wet. They played and splashed and generally just had a great time enjoying his bath.

When the water got cold she scooped him out and handed him over. Spider wrapped him in a towel and took him to the bedroom to dry him and get him dressed while Genna saw to the mess they had made.

They ignored the list of foods he was supposed to eat and meal times became a journey of discovery for his boy. He quickly let them know if there was something he didn’t like but he seemed to like most of the foods they introduced him to.

His favourite, like most little kids, was spaghetti. He loved slurping it up and laughing as the sauce went everywhere.

He enjoyed the beach and rushed around chasing the wading birds on the shoreline. His boy was fearless and it was a full time job keeping him from rushing into the water. Spider waded in with him, holding him against his body and allowing him the freedom to kick at the waves. The water was cold but it didn’t seem to bother his boy, he loved every minute of it.

Sunday came too fast.

They spent the morning on the beach watching little man rushing from the blanket down to the wet sand and back again. He was sturdy and fast.

“I have no idea where he gets all his energy from.” Genna gasped as she fell back onto blanket. “It’s your turn to rush around after him.”

Spider was up, his eyes on his boy running towards him with a shell in his hand.

“What you got there, Rush?”

It just happened, the name came to him as he watched his son’s little legs pump furiously as he rushed towards him, holding his found treasure high above his head.

“Pwetty sell, Daddy.” He was grinning so wide, his little face alight with joy.

Bending over he admired the broken piece of abalone shell his son held up to him. It was the pretty iridescent colours that must have made him pick it up.

“It’s a great looking shell, Rush.”

Behind him his sister cackled. “You’ve got it! It’s the perfect name for him. Your kid rushes from one thing to the next, like he’s scared he’s going to miss something.”

“Rush, come show Aunty Gen your shell, sweetheart.” She called.

His little man tipped his head to the side as if processing the new name. They hadn’t done the family name thing, not yet, but it seemed Genna was ready to go there. He liked the way it sounded.

“Awty Cheee!” Rush shouted as he dived onto her legs, the broken piece of shell coming dangerously close to whacking his sister in the chest.

“Look, pwetty sell.”

Rush stared up at her as she oohed and aahed over his find, smiling big.

The kid hadn’t stopped smiling the entire weekend. Not once had he asked for Josie or those two child stealing fuckers calling themselves his parents. Even at bedtime when most kids are tired and wanting their mummy he hadn’t asked for her. He had happily settled down when Spider put him to bed with the damned dog Stuart had given him clutched in one hand. The toy had been on some adventures though. He’d been buried in the sand, got a quick dip in the ocean and had spaghetti stains on his side. Why? Because Rush never let the toy go, it went everywhere he went. He loved the damned thing.

Getting to know and bonding with his son was the best experience of his life.

The weekend had been too damned short.

Turning to look at his sleeping son in the back seat of the SUV he let out a frustrated growl.

“Patience, brother, you need to have patience. It’s going to suck having to hand him back to those fuckers but you have to have patience and faith. He’s yours and he will be living in your home sooner than later.” Stuart kept his voice low to not disturb Rush.

Spider sighed and shook his head. “It’s going to fucking break my heart to hand him back to them. My gut is churning and I usually pay attention to my gut feelings. Unfortunately with the fucking law involved I have to play it by the rules.”

“At least we now have eyes on your boy twenty four seven. The cameras and listening devices were installed and are working perfectly. The bitch’s car is going in for a service this coming week and it will have eyes and ears by the time she gets it back, same with the asshole. We’ll be on their every move and ensuring your boy’s safety. Rico has done a deep dive on the nanny and her gang connections, Dom said to tell you it makes for interesting reading and the report has been sent to your secure inbox.”

Curiosity stirred and he almost asked for more but then realised it might be club business and Genna was in the car with them. He would have to wait.

Anger stirred as they turned in to the road leading to the fucked up mansion. Two squad cars were parked across the entrance to the property and four pigs stood leaning against them. Nina, their social worker, stood beside her white government issued ride, her arms crossed over her chest, glaring at the pigs, she didn’t look very happy.

Luke, who was the driver of the first SUV pulled up in the middle of the road, blocking it. Stuart pulled up behind him, but not too close and Kev pulled up behind them.

“Don’t get out, wait until they’ve cleared the area.” Stuart said quietly.

He turned to look at Genna. “When you get out you’ll have a man at your back, don’t move away from him. The vehicle is bulletproof, if necessary get back inside and stay down. We’re not expecting the gangbangers to show up but you never know. They don’t play by the usual rules.”

His sister nodded and started gathering Rush’s things.

“Only the soft toy goes with him, the rest of the things we bought him will be going to my place.” Spider wasn’t taking chances. He wanted his son to have his new favourite things in his home.

“I’ve separated everything. We’ll be handing him back with the bag Josie packed for him. She’s going to notice that we hardly used anything out of it though.”

“Don’t give a shit. I can buy my boy whatever the fuck I want and none of them can say a fucking word.”

His sister grinned and winked. “Abso-freaking-lutely.”

He watched as Dom’s men got out of the black SUV’s and paced along the road towards them, their eyes going everywhere, checking the area. The pigs were suddenly looking very nervous. They should be nervous, they were faced with men with way more combat experience than any one of them.

Luke appeared outside his door and nodded.

It was the signal that all was clear.

When he got out he ignored the pigs and walked around the cage to open the back door and unstrap Rush from his car seat.

His son was awake and not happy. Taking him out of the vehicle he held him against his chest, Rush gave one look at the house then shoved his head into his neck, hiding.

“No.” He grumbled angrily as his arms tightened around Spiders neck.

Fuck, this was going to kill.

Looking over at the house he saw Josie pass by the pigs and stop, looking uncertain. She walked towards Nina and both of them came to him.

What kind of a mother sends out the nanny to collect her child after he’s been away from home for three days?

A bitch who isn’t a mother, that’s who.

Josie walked up to him giving him a nervous smile.

“Hello Robbie, come to Josie.” She coaxed.

Rush was having none of it.

“No. Daddy. Mine.” He clung even tighter.

“Hey, Rush, why don’t you show Josie your doggy? I bet she’s never seen such a pretty doggy before.” Spider tried to get him to relax.

He reared back then curled over to look back at the inside of the cage.

“Whe’e he? Wush doggy, Daddy. Whe’e he?” He asked with a frown.

“Here he is.” Genna popped up next to them waving the stuffed toy. She passed it to Josie who looked horrified as she held the rather battered toy. It definitely needed a wash.

“He’s not allowed soft toys.” She gasped softly. “Educational toys only.”

This was not going to go down well with his boy. He was attached to that bloody dog.

“Excuse me?” Nina frowned as if she was confused. “He has no soft toys?”

“No ma’am, they’re not allowed. Mrs Rutherford wants his mind engaged in educational games not useless toys.” Josie sounded like a parrot as she obviously repeated the bitch’s instructions.

“He loves that toy, it was a present from a friend and I’m not taking it away from him.” Spider said quietly, not wanting to upset Rush any further.

“Sir, the madam will have it thrown out if I take it inside. If he loves it then it’s better if it stays with you.”

Josie’s explanation made him want to grab his boy and get the fuck out of there.

But he couldn’t, if he did he would be charged with kidnapping and he’d lose him. Not acceptable, at all.

“You need to hand the Rutherford kid over and get out of here. Your vehicles are blocking the road and you are disrupting the flow of traffic. Hand the kid to the maid immediately, then leave.”

A pissy upper class fucking pig stood behind Josie trying to make himself look bigger by puffing out his chest. All it did was make his fat ass look ridiculous.

“Officer, I would appreciate it if you step away and keep yourself to your duties. The handover of the child is none of your business.” Nina snapped. “Now, move back to where your colleagues are waiting, you are not needed here.”

The pig went bright red with embarrassment and rage but he didn’t argue and stalked back to the others.

Spider kissed the side of Rush’s head then sighed.

It was time.

“Rush, give your Aunty Gee a hug, my boy.” He said softly, using the name his boy started calling her.

Instantly his boy leaned towards her and his sister grabbed him in her arms, hugging him hard.

“Three sleeps, Rush, only three then you’ll see your Daddy again.” She whispered against his blonde hair, not that he understood the concept of three sleeps.

As his boy was hugging his sister he saw Josie hand the soft toy to Nina who kept it to her side, out of sight of his baby boy. It fucking sucked.

“Give your Daddy a big hug, sweet boy.” He heard the tears in his sister’s voice.

He was hard put not to give into them as well. This was so fucking hard.

Holding his son in his arms he hugged him tight, not wanting to let go. He couldn’t stop the words from flowing.

“Daddy loves you, Rush, so, so, much. I’ll call every night to read you your story. We’ll play in the park when I visit you again. Be a good boy for Josie this week, okay?”

“My Daddy, mine. Wush lubs Daddy.” His boy squashed his face into Spider’s neck and held on tight.

“I love you, Rush.” Spider whispered as he gently passed his son to Josie.

He wasn’t happy about that.

“No. No Joseee. Want Daddeeeee!” He strained his little body away from her and she had to hold on tight.

“I think it best if we take him inside now, Mr Walker. I’ll take his bag and ensure the hand off with the Rutherfords go off without any more of this nonsense.”

Nina gave the cops blocking the entrance to the property and angry look.

Spider watched as Josie started slowly backing away, a nervous look in her eyes.

She should be fucking nervous, he was about to flay her life wide open and use whatever he found to his benefit. The same with her employers.

He watched as Nina and Josie walked past the pigs and started up the drive. He couldn’t stay and watch his son disappear inside that house.

Giving a nod to the men he got back into the SUV and they slowly drove away. The pigs watching them leave.

His gut churned.

Genna leant forward and put a hand on his shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze.

“He’ll be okay, Griff. You have to believe that he’ll be okay. We won’t stop fighting for him until he’s safe in your home. He needs you to keep a clear head now.”

“I know. I know all of that but it doesn’t make it any easier.”

His sister let out a loud sigh.

“I wish I could stay here longer but I have to follow up on that job offer I got. I promise if it doesn’t pan out I’ll be back to help out.”

He shook his head. “It’s okay, Gen. You can’t put your life on hold to help me out with mine. Anyway, the new nanny will be arriving soon and she’ll have to get to know Rush without both of us getting in the way.”

“Just know if you need me I’ll be here.” His sister answered.