Chapter Twenty-One
Melissa
I ’M NOT SURE how long we were in the SUV. When my eyes drifted open, we were in front of a hospital and Zeke had me in his arms still. The twins were awake and looking all around, not sure what was going on. I startled when Grudge opened the door for us and Zeke got out without setting me down. Omen and Grudge grabbed the kids while I was brought directly inside the hospital. Instead of being frantic and yelling like a madman, Zeke was calm and collected as he walked up to the desk and waited for the lady sitting there to notice us. It didn’t take her very long. Especially once Omen and Grudge walked up with our kids in their arms.
“My woman and kids need to be checked out. They were just through a horrible accident and I want to make sure nothin’ is wrong with them,” Zeke says, giving an excuse for why I’m covered in bruises and cuts.
“Right away, sir. Give me just a minute to collect some information and I’ll get someone out here to bring them back,” the woman says, keeping her eyes on her computer and nowhere else.
She asks a million and one questions before disappearing through a set of doors. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes for a nurse to make her way out and call us back. Omen and Grudge follow with the kids still in their arms as we’re shown to a large room.
“Who is being seen here today?” the nurse asks, looking between all of us.
“My woman and kids. They were in an accident and I want to make sure they’re okay,” Zeke states, setting me down on the hospital gurney but not leaving my side.
“Okay. We’ll have to take the little ones to different rooms so they can be looked at as well,” the nurse says as my heart begins racing with the thought of them not being in my sight.
“No!” I scream out, my voice sounding harsh from crying when Zeke found us.
“Ma’am, our kids aren’t goin’ anywhere we aren’t. Bring another bed or whatever in here, but they aren’t bein’ taken to different rooms. I don’t care what anyone has to say about it,” Zeke states, his voice firm and leaving no room for anyone to argue with him.
“Of course,” the nurse stammers as she gets to work taking our vitals and marking them down on the computer while asking even more questions.
I let Zeke handle as many of them as he can before I have to give my own answers. As long as he’s the one talking, it will be believable about us being in an accident. I don’t have the strength to keep up any pretenses or lie about what happened. If we come in here and say the kids and I were kidnapped, cops will be all over this room in seconds to get statements and find out exactly what happened. That’s the last thing any of us want to happen.
Yes, I want to know what happened to Mad Dog and Brenda, but there’s plenty of time to find out that shit later on. For now, I just want to make sure I’m okay and go home. I just want to sleep in my own bed. I’m not sure if it’s because of the head injury or simply because I didn’t get much sleep while being held by Brenda and Mad Dog. I wasn’t about to be caught unaware for any reason. Or leave my kids unprotected if I could help it. Who knows what those assholes would have done to them if I were passed out or unconscious for longer than I was when they took us.
The nurse goes through several more questions before letting us know a doctor will be in as soon as they can. I lay back on the bed as the guys get comfortable in the chairs in the room while trying to keep Zeke and Delilah entertained. Zeke remains at my side, my hand in his.
“What happened to Mad Dog and that skank?” I finally ask, keeping my voice low since the door of the room is still open.
“Well, Mad Dog knocked his own ass out. I said one thing to him and the steps crumbled out from under his feet. He fell down a few steps and just laid there. He’s bein’ taken back to the clubhouse to be dealt with later on. I’m not sure what’s goin’ on with Brenda right now. My only focus was on you and the kids in that room. So, I’ll have to answer that one later on when I find out,” Zeke informs me, keeping his voice low as well. “The only thing we know for sure is if she’s okay, we won’t ever have to deal with her again for any reason. Dom is gonna take her with him and make her life miserable. He won’t hurt her or anythin’ like that, but she’ll wish you had killed her down there.”
“Can you tell us what happened?” Omen asks as I turn to look at him.
I don’t really know anything about Omen other than he’s Zeke’s best friend and they work together at a custom bike shop. I’ve never really hung out with him or anything. I guess that’s because I still have a hard time going to the clubhouse. It’s not that I don’t believe all the men and women there are like my father and those assholes who followed him. Mainly, it’s because that’s the only thing I can remember when I think about going to the clubhouse. Of my last experience in my father’s club. It’s not fair to have that mindset about guys I barely know, but it’s still all too fresh in my mind. With something like that, I don’t feel there’s a time limit to be scared of it happening again.
“We were at the park and I started feeling like we were being watched. I grabbed the kids and headed for the car. There was a man there. More came up behind me. I can’t remember how many there were in total though. Anyway, I talked some shit and tried to keep their attention on me so they didn’t do anything to the kids. If I could have left them there to make sure they were safe, I would have.
“Anyway, we were put in a van and I kept myself in front of the kids no matter what. The guy who was in front of us ended up knocking me out. I don’t know how long I was out of it or anything. When I woke up, we were in that room. I was chained by my ankle to the floor and couldn’t get to the kids. They were close to me on that mattress though.
“Mad Dog and Brenda were the only two I ever saw. Brenda made sure to talk shit to me while Mad Dog brought us food and made sure I had diapers and wipes for the kids. I don’t know why he was being so nice or whatever, but that’s essentially what happened. We ate two meals a day and the twins weren’t left in nasty diapers.
“Brenda is the one who left all these marks on my body. She attacked me more than once. I don’t believe either one of them touched the twins though. They were always behind me on the mattress. After I woke up, I didn’t let myself fall asleep. I wasn’t about to take chances with the kids,” I tell them, feeling as if I’m all over the place with a brief recap of events.
“How did you get loose?” Grudge asks me, holding Delilah close.
“Mad Dog dropped some shit out of his pockets and I was able to pick the lock of the cuff to get out. When he got pissed at Brenda and left her alone with us in the room, I took my chance and attacked her. It was the only shot I’d get since he was so mad she didn’t tell him you were the club that would be looking for us. Right after I got her knocked out or whatever is when I heard the gunshots and knew you guys were there,” I answer just before an older man walks in the room.
“Hello everyone. I’m Dr. Smith. I’ll be looking over you today and finding out what’s going on here. Miss James, is there any chance you’re pregnant before we schedule and x-rays or scans?”
“Um, I’m not sure. I don’t feel as if I am, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything I guess,” I answer, knowing Zeke and I had unprotected sex a few weeks ago.
“Okay. The first thing I’d like to do is order a pregnancy test along with some other blood work. I’ll do a physical exam to make sure I don’t see any signs of internal bleeding on you. You appear to have the most injuries while the kids look perfectly fine. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but I’d like to work on you first if that’s okay,” the doctor says, stepping up to the end of the bed.
“That would be okay,” I respond, my throat feeling a little raw.
***
T he kids and I have both been looked at. Zeke and Delilah are perfectly healthy and don’t have a mark on their body from being kidnapped and held in that room. They’re dirty and in desperate need of baths, but that’s more than okay by me. Some of the fear and anxiety I’ve been feeling dissipates from knowing our kids are okay. Mad Dog and Brenda didn’t hurt them when I was knocked out. I can’t honestly ask for anything more than that.
I’ve had blood work done, no scans or x-rays because I am in fact pregnant. Dr. Smith believes I have a slight concussion that shouldn’t give me any problems. The cuts and bruising on my body are essentially superficial. None of them need stitches or anything at all. Other than being cleaned out and having some antibiotic cream put on them, there’s nothing to do with the cuts. Everything will fade with time.
Dr. Smith also had ultrasound come down to make sure everything was okay with the baby. I’m only a few weeks pregnant with one baby this time. At this point, everything looks good. There was no damage done from Brenda’s beating when I was still cuffed to the floor. Zeke hasn’t said a word about me being pregnant again. I’m not sure if it’s because Omen and Grudge are in the room with us or if it’s because he’s processing the news. I don’t honestly know how I feel about it at this point.
The only other thing they did was give me a few bags of fluid because I was dehydrated. Once those were done, I was discharged and sent home with a script for some prenatal vitamins and a list of obstetricians to contact. I’m just glad I get to go home and I’m not being kept in the hospital for observation or anything. I don’t want to be separated from the kids, and they need to be in their own beds after the hell of the last few days.
Zeke helps me walk from the back where we were getting checked out. The second we hit the waiting room, we’re surrounded by everyone from the club. Rooster and Marie are front and center as Marie takes in every inch of me.
“Are you okay? Are the kids okay?” she asks, fear lacing her voice.
“We’re all okay. The kids don’t have a mark on them at all. Everything on me is superficial and they’ve already cleaned all the cuts out and put that antibiotic cream on them. I’ve had some fluids because I was dehydrated. Now, it’s just getting some rest for us and we’ll bounce back as good as before,” I answer her with the short version.
Yes, I’m leaving out that I’m pregnant for now. It’s not the right time to tell anyone. If we could get away with it, I’d rather Omen and Grudge didn’t know. They were in the room with us though so we can’t hide it from them. Hopefully they don’t say anything until Zeke and I are ready.
“Zeke, take your family home. When you can make it to the clubhouse we’ll finish takin’ care of business,” Rooster says as we all leave the hospital.
The parking lot is filled with bikes while the SUV has been brought up to the doors. No one’s in the driver’s seat though. Zeke gets us all loaded up in the SUV with me on his lap once again. He hasn’t stopped touching me since he found us in that room. It’s nice and something we both need. He also hasn’t stopped looking at the kids. We both feel as if we can’t see them, they’ll disappear on us. While I know this whole kidnapping thing was hard on me because I went through it, it was just as hard on Zeke. He didn’t know where we were, what was going on, or who had us for however long. We haven’t had a chance to go over how he found out where we were. Again, that’s something we can figure out later on.
When we leave the hospital, the motorcycles surround the SUV. They follow us to my cottage before turning around and heading back to the clubhouse. Zeke gets me in the house while Grudge and Omen bring the kids in. Instead of resting on the couch or heading to bed, I make my way directly to the bathroom.
“What are you doin’, baby girl?” Zeke asks me, as I start filling the tub.
“The kids are in desperate need of a bath. I’m gonna bathe them and get them something to eat before we all lay down together,” I answer him, checking to make sure the water isn’t too hot for them.
“Why don’t you let me give them a bath while you go take a shower. I’ll get somethin’ delivered for dinner and then we can all go to bed,” Zeke returns, his voice soft and gentle as if I’m going to breakdown any second.
“That sounds like heaven honestly. Thank you, Zeke,” I tell him, shutting the water off and stepping closer to him.
Wrapping my arms around Zeke, I hold him close for a few minutes. He’s got his arms wrapped tight around me as well. When I pull back, I lean up to press a kiss against his lips. Zeke doesn’t hold back and slides his tongue along the seam of my lips to deepen the kiss. For a few minutes, nothing else exists but the two of us. It’s not until someone clears their throat that we break apart and find Omen standing in the doorway with Zeke in his arms. Our little boy is practically falling asleep in his arms with his head resting on Omen’s shoulder.
“I’ll get them a bath and ready for bed. Go take your shower. Leave the doors open so I can hear you if you need help,” Zeke tells me, grabbing our son from Omen’s arms.
Grudge enters the bathroom while smiling at me and holding Delilah close to his chest. He also hands our daughter over to Zeke.
“I’m gonna run out and grab you guys some food. Don’t worry about callin’ in an order anywhere. I’ll get somethin’ from Mama Mia’s,” Grudge says, as I nod in response while walking down the hall toward my room.
I don’t stop until I’m in my bathroom. Turning on the water as hot as I can stand it, I slowly get undressed. Instead of tossing my clothes in the laundry basket, they go right in the trash. I don’t want to see them again. To be reminded of being held by Mad Dog and Brenda for days. Of them taking us and having the potential to hurt my kids. If it were up to Brenda, I’m sure they would have been hurt.
Getting in the shower, I let the hot water rain over me for a few minutes. This is when I let my tears come. Yes, I cried when Zeke got to us, but now I’m crying because it’s over. Mad Dog and Brenda won’t ever touch us again. They’ll be dealt with by the club. Or Dom in Brenda’s case. I’m also bringing a new life into the world. Our family will be expanding by another kid. That’s something Zeke and I have to talk about still. Right now, my only concern is getting washed up, putting something comfortable on, and getting in bed. Other than knowing I have to eat, I could care less one way or the other. I’m so damn exhausted.
After a few minutes, I stop the tears and wash my hair twice. While the conditioner sits in my hair, I wash my body and take care of shaving. I honestly feel better with the grime of that place off my skin and out of my hair. My body aches and I have a slight headache, but it’s not too bad. Once I rinse off, I make my way to my room with a towel wrapped around my body. I didn’t even dry off because I’m so exhausted.
With a pair of sweatpants and one of Zeke’s tee-shirts on, I climb into bed. The very second my head hits the pillow, I’m out. With Zeke here, I know I can sleep and won’t have to worry about anyone coming for the kids or me. We’re safe and he’ll protect us from anyone getting in the house. When I dream, it’s of a life with Zeke, our twins, and the new baby. Life can’t get much better than right now. At least in my dreams.