Chapter 30
Raya – A Week Later
I grin as Hudson plays with my chain, talking to himself, his beautiful eyes sparkling with happiness, something I was afraid had been torn away from him.
The boy bounced back after being thrown out of a window, that is for sure. I just wish I could as well.
Tate is sitting next to me on my left, her head on my shoulder, something she did as soon as her daddy went into church. Skylar is sitting opposite me, watching me like a hawk, while Ivy is seated next to me, her arm linked through mine, even though I’m holding her son.
I guess being away longer than planned scared the girls, and I would say I’m sorry, but really, I’m not.
Cale called Blade before leaving the Carnage MC, who are absolutely amazing, their women sweet as can be, and mentioned going on a four-day ride, a mini honeymoon.
Blade agreed instantly, much to everyone else’s dismay, except for my mama and Gregory who applauded our impromptu honeymoon knowing it was something I needed to do.
Anyway, apparently, the women were ready to pounce as soon as we got back from the run, only to see we weren’t with everyone else.
I think a few days away, just me and Cale, no brothers, no friends, no past, no trauma, it was just what I needed, what we needed.
We got to be angry-flirty again, got to make love on the sand with the stars above us. I didn’t tense up, something we figured out I only did in a bed, which is weird, whereas my therapist says it’s actually normal because in a bed is how I had my trauma, and we got to be us.
It was everything…
From the Carnage MC being amazing to riding with Cale, it was hard to come back, but alas, I have work next week and school starts in three days, so staying out on the road wasn’t possible.
I want to make my mama proud and to make Gregory proud. To do that, I need to continue with school and working at the firehouse which love, and I also feel close to my dad.
“How was your spontaneous honeymoon?” Ivy asks, and I try not to smirk at the snarl in her voice, the anger.
The brothers went into church thirty minutes ago, she hadn’t said a single thing to me, which, to be fair, was a lot longer than I thought she’d last. Instead, she sat beside me, the girls following suit, and allowed me to make a fuss of Huddy who I missed something fierce.
“It was perfect,” I admit as I smile at Huddy, “just Cale and me. I needed it, we needed it. For months, years even, I needed to get that revenge, I felt like I wouldn’t be able to breathe until I did and the only time I could was when I sparred with Cale.
Then I got my revenge, and I still couldn’t breathe unless he was around.
Daddy was still dead, and the guilt suddenly began to itch deep inside me for what I did for that revenge,” I swallow hard and admit, “I wanted to die, especially after killing my best friend's mother, even if it was to save this little man. I wanted to die, and Cale saved me, inside and out. He showed me that, despite what happened, what I experienced, I was his and he was mine. Having four days away with him solidified he is the reason why I breathe, he is what I needed all along to grieve my father without the revenge, something I wish I realized years ago because then maybe, just maybe, I would have spoken to him about everything and asked for his help.”
“Dammit, when you say it like that, I can’t be mad at you for not speaking to us for months!” Skylar pouts, and I give her a small smile.
“I’ve missed you, too, Sky,” I say, and she sticks her tongue out before smiling at me while Lake giggles from her seat next to her, little Grace, my goddaughter, on her chest.
“Do you hate me?” Ivy asks, and I look at her sharply, wondering what the hell, but she gives me a wince and reminds me, “I said crap to Jax, continuously about Venom, about his abilities.”
“You’re his sister, Ivy, you are basically obligated to talk shit about your brother,” I remind her.
She scoffs, “Not the way I did. I knew deep down what you were planning, but I didn’t stop you, I didn’t tell him.
Instead of blaming myself like I should have, I focused on the fact he hadn’t found you yet, only for it to bite me in the ass when Psycho let the words slip out of fear after Huddy was taken. ”
“Didn’t stop me? Ivy, you were planning to marry,” I pause in my words and look at Tate leaning against my shoulder before I look towards my friend and snap, “You’d gone through a lot and not long after you had Hudson out of the hospital, give yourself a break!”
Ivy smirks before stating, “I’ll give myself a break when you give yourself a break,” and this time, I stick my tongue out to her, making her chuckle before she sighs and admits, “If you hadn’t ended Clara, I would have so stop feeling guilty over it.
She stole your nephew, my son, hit him, and planned to burn him alive. ”
I nod because I know she would have, which is why I did it so she didn’t have to shoulder the pain, and I sigh as I look back at the church door and swallow hard.
I’ve come to rely on Cale.
I don’t know if it is a good thing or a bad thing, but it is the truth, and the more he’s there for me, with my trauma, my therapy sessions, which I still loathe, and with well everything, the deeper I fall in love with him, something I didn’t think was possible.
“He’ll be out soon, especially with a certain woman due to show up,” Luna says as she takes a seat, her arms free of children, so I know the twins are most likely with Anna who always tries to steal them much to her son’s happiness and Brick’s because she’s slowly learning to forgive them and the kids are helping with that.
What Luna just said hits me and I hum with distaste causing Ivy to snort.
Angel.
It turns out Blade planned to call her to the clubhouse when we returned to get everything out in the open so that we can finally move forward. The woman has made a big stink around town, accusing Cale of not being there for her while pregnant, trying to tarnish the club’s name.
Thankfully, no one believes her, especially considering she’s been sleeping with married men.
“I can’t believe I married my best friend's brother,” I say instead of admitting to my anxiety with Cale being away from me and knowing she’s going to be here soon, and the girls laugh while Ivy sighs, “I know, right, how gross!”
I grin wide just as the door to church opens, and the men file out, the older generation first, each grabbing their phone from Trent, who I believe is being patched in next week, not that he knows, before Cale walks out with an aura that demands respect.
He grabs his phone just as our eyes lock, and he grins widely. His wedding ring is on his finger that he wears with pride as he runs his hand through his hair and saunters over to us while the rest of the brothers leave the room.
“Hey, big brother,” Ivy says nervously, making Lake cough over her snort, and Cale smiles at his sister like nothing happened, like she didn’t say nasty shit about him, and says, “Little doll,” making her melt, her eyes tearing before he stops before me.
Tate quickly stands and rushes over to Fury, who picks her up instantly, then kisses her head as he walks over to us.
Cale bends a little before picking up Hudson and me up bridal style.
I gasp, holding Hudson tighter with shock, and the little booger giggles as Cale takes my seat, then moves me so I’m sitting on his lap sideways.
“I swear since flying out of that window, the kid’s become a thrill seeker,” Ivy mutters and I smile as I place my head on my husband’s shoulder while Hudson lies on my chest. I look down to see that his eyes are closed, a smile on his face, and I melt into my husband while holding our nephew.
Cale just keeps gently runs his fingers through my hair with one arm wrapped tightly around us, his lips caressing my forehead.
Damn, how I wish I’d just made a move on him years ago, maybe when I turned eighteen and was legal.
“Gosh, you two are going to make amazing parents,” Sky sighs with awe, and I swallow hard, not looking at her, not wanting to give away that kids are not happening in the near future.
While Cale says, “Not anytime soon, so don’t get your hopes up for little nieces and nephews, Sky.
I want at least a few years with my girl, her and me, before I have to share her.
It’s bad enough I’ve got to share her with my own sister. ”
I smile, pressing my nose into the crook of his neck while Ivy smacks him playfully and reminds him, “She was mine first, big brother,” and Cale hums in disagreement and admits, “Nah, she was always mine, I just didn’t see it,” making everyone at the table melt.
I gently kiss his neck, his words giving me goosebumps.
In therapy while we were away I admitted to my fear of having children, of damaging them because of what I went through.
I admitted that I’m just not ready to be a mama yet with my husband sitting right beside me.
He didn’t snap at me like an alpha hole I know he can be, demanding we have kids ASAP, Cale admitted he wanted some time with just us first, stealing my heart completely with his acceptance.
“Trust me, that is probably for the best. I never knew I could be jealous of a baby,” Psycho admits as he steals his sleeping son from my arms, making me pout before he hands him to Jessica, his mama, while the brothers chuckle at his words.
I huff, “I take it it’s time?”
Cale hums and admits, “The bitch is walking through the gates as we speak, kitten. All kids and women have to leave.”
“Except me?” I confirm, and he chuckles, “Yeah, except you.”
I nod and snuggle deeper into him as I feel a kiss on my head, and Ivy whispers, “You and I, friend date tomorrow after your therapy session, no exceptions and no husbands, Cale has had you long enough, it’s my time now!”
I nod and murmur, “Love you,” and she replies, “I love you too. Thank you for always standing by me, Ray, even when I didn’t deserve it.”
I feel her walk away, but I don’t open my eyes, knowing my tears are building with her words. I stay nestled in Cale’s embrace, even as I hear the door slam open and shut a few minutes later, still not moving.
“What is that two-bit tramp doing on your lap, Venom?!” I hear screeching, and I sigh, knowing I’m going to want to hit Angel, but I promised I wouldn’t get involved if I got to stay.
Dammit, I really don’t want to break another promise but her voice just grates me.
“Two-bit tramp? Isn’t Raya a millionaire?” I hear Brick ask with amusement, and I snort because yeah, technically I am, though I have donated two million to the firehouse in my father’s name, something Mama agreed with after I called her yesterday to discuss the trust that was left to me.
Dr. Hans helped me understand I was keeping that money expecting my daddy to come back and need it and after an hour of crying with Cale holding me tightly realizing that will never be the case, I decided to do something good with it.
My father’s family has been fighting for it, I mean I know they’ve left town since my uncle’s murder but Mama and Dr. Hans were right, the money was rightfully mine, so I donated to the firehouse and set up a trust for any children I may have in the future.
I also donated some to the hospital and the club and there is still a big chunk left that I don’t ever have to work again but that will never happen.
I love the firehouse and I can’t wait to become a lawyer.
“Get her off your lap now!” I hear Angel growl, ignoring Brick, “I am the mother of your unborn child!”
I open my eyes and look her way and admit, “And I am his wife,” and her eyes widen in shock as I look over her form. She’s standing in the middle of the room, a wonky bump in place, though you can see the cushion due to the crop of her top.
“Since when are baby bumps made of foam?” I ask, and Angel quickly looks down, gasping as she tries to hide her stomach but by the snickering of the men, it's clear they've all definitely seen it and I snort, angering her.
Angel looks at me, and her eyes darken with anger before she screeches and sprints towards me, but without missing a beat, without speaking to her about her lies, Cale lifts his left hand, a gun I didn’t even feel him grab, and he pulls the trigger, the bullet hitting Angel’s head and my eyes widen in shock.
Holy…
The brothers all watch as her body drops without a care, while Cale brings his arm back, looks at me, and asks, “You ready to go home, you know, our home on club property?”
Oh yeah, the idiot admitted to moving me in when I was taken, which I still need to punish him. Because hello, I had pictures of him he wasn’t even aware of, like some little stalker, and don’t get me started on the prospects moving my underwear.
Now, I need to punish him for this, too.
“I wanted to hit her,” I admit, and the brothers laugh, some shocked that I’m not going into a panic attack with my memories, while Cale reminds me, “You promised you wouldn’t go near her, you’ve been through enough.”
I roll my eyes and state, “Just one hit, Cale, and you took that away from me like a big brute!”
“And Raya is back,” Glock says with a chuckle, and Cale grins wide and taunts, “Well, guess what, I don’t care.”
I narrow my eyes at him, ready to snap because, seriously, she tried to claim she was pregnant with his child, wanted to trap him for his patch, and he didn’t even let me get one slap in. Then he places a sweet kiss on my lips and whispers, “I love you, kitten, let’s go home.”
“I really want to hurt you right now, and you’re being sweet.
That woman is what you accused me of being for years, I mean seriously, the audacity, the-the cheek of it, the insult!
” I mutter with a pout, making the brothers laugh louder, and Cale grins as he grips my cheeks and says, “Welcome back, kitten,” and my eyes race between his, and I pause.
He’s right. I’m getting my spark back, and arguing with him is what is bringing it back.
“I love you, Cale,” I say, like there isn’t a dead body on the floor and he grins before placing his lips against mine and I melt because I know with this man beside me, life is going to be full of laughter, love and most likely flirty anger, and a bunch of kids to keep us busy but happy.
Life with Cale Miller, yeah, teenage me is currently screaming.