Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Nadia
T he Clubhouse is quiet when we leave the safety of Matt’s room and it’s making me a little uneasy. “Where is everyone?”
Matt checks the time on his phone, “Well it’s only eight a.m. so I’m guessing most of them are still sleeping.”
He leads me into the kitchen through the double swinging doors and I stop in awe. The kitchen is industrial size. A chef’s dream comes true. There are two, thirty-six-inch stainless steel stoves against one wall with a cutting board in between them. Below them are two stainless steel ovens. To the right of the stoves is a double-door stainless steel refrigerator.
The island has a sink made for washing your hands or washing vegetables. Behind that is another white and blue marble countertop and a dishwasher with a bigger stainless-steel sink. Cherry Oak cupboards wrap around the space completing the whole kitchen.
“Wow.” I’m in awe of this kitchen. I spot Capone sitting with a beautiful woman with long blond hair and bright green eyes and a girl around eight or nine years old who looks just like Capone, sitting on the opposite side of them at a small nook in the corner. The woman smiles when she sees us and comes our way.
“Hi. I’m Danyella, Capone’s wife and Ol’ Lady and that is our daughter Nina.” Danyella points to the girl sitting at the table. She gives us a shy wave and Matt narrows his eyes at her. She grins back and continues to eat. Danyella rolls her eyes and grins. “I swear she will be the death of all of us. Anyway, there is food in the warmer, and if it’s not something you want, feel free to make whatever. This is a free-range kitchen. The only stipulation is that you clean up after yourself.”
“Thank you,” I answer quietly. Capone is glaring at us but I can’t tell if he’s pissed or intrigued.
Danyella frowns. “You don’t have to be quiet or shy around us. We’re all family and if you make Red happy, then we’re all happy. And the same goes for you. If Red makes you happy, then we’re all happy. If I need to kick his ass, you say the word.”
“Geez, thanks Dany. Glad I can count on you to have my back.” Matt glares at her mockingly.
“You know it, Red.” She grins and goes back to the nook with Capone and Nina. Once she’s within reach, Capone pulls her down next to him and wraps his arms around her, kissing her hard on the lips.
Matt blushes and I look away while Nina rolls her eyes and pretends to gag on her fork. “What would you like to eat?” Matt asks.
“Anything. I’m starving. Do you want coffee?” I counter, needing to do something.
“Yes, and you’re not picky?” Red asks as he rummages through the cupboard. I shake my head. “Ok. Let’s see what we have here, my boy needs a lot of sustenance.” Matt replies. I fix his coffee and pour myself an orange juice and grab a bottle of water. I sit at the island while Matt goes to work making me a bacon, sausage, ham and cheese omelet. He also makes Texas toast, hashbrowns and extra bacon. I’m enjoying the view of his backside as he moves around the kitchen, stopping every once in a while to give me a kiss or a wink. By the time he is done, my body is on fire and my stomach is growling full force. I feel like I could eat him and a cow. Matt makes two plates and brings them over. He sets my plate down in front of me and his down in front of him. “Bon Appetite.”
“This looks and smells delicious.” I lean over and give him a small kiss on the lips. “Thank you.”
Matt blushes and my heart skips a beat. “You’re welcome.”
We’re almost finished eating in silence, enjoying each other’s company when the door swings open and Pearl comes sauntering into the kitchen wearing nothing but a thong and a strappy undershirt. She fixes herself a cup of coffee. Forks clatter onto plates and grumbles of disapproval filter in but I keep my eyes on my plate. Matt wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him.
“Have some self-respect, Pearl, and put some damn clothes on,” Danyella growls from the nook. I look up and Pearl smirks before shaking her thong-covered ass and leaving the kitchen.
I shake my head. I’ve never been one to be petty but that bitch is going to get what’s coming to her and maybe she will fall in line. I don’t wait for anyone to say anything about her actions. I slide out of the barstool and enter the common room. It’s starting to fill up with Royal Bastard members, their Ol’ Ladies and club bunnies. I spot Pearl perched on a barstool, her bare ass still hanging out, drinking a cup of coffee and approach her.
“You got a sec?” I ask, tapping Pearl on the shoulder. She looks me up and down and rolls her eyes turning her back to me. “Ok, that wasn’t a question.” I grab Pearl’s arm, pushing on the pressure point hard enough to get her attention and force her off the stool.
“Ouch, you bitch.” Pearl whines trying to yank her arm out of my grip.
“Look, we can do this privately or in front of all these people. You decide.” I stand firm, letting Pearl make the decision. She motions with her hands for me to go, so I do, bringing her along with me. Once we’re out of earshot and prying eyes, I release Pearl’s arm. She rubs it tentatively. “Listen, I know you’re new here but there are ground rules that need to be followed. Did anyone give them to you when you came?”
Pearl rolls her eyes and nods her head. “Yeah, they did but how the hell was I supposed to know Red was off-limits? I was told any single man here is fair game. He’s single and looked lonely. The other girls told me he didn’t have sex and I wanted to help him get past it.”
Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Pearl, as you can see, he isn’t single.”
“I see that now.” She hesitates, “Are we good?”
“You and I are good, yes. But there’s a little issue with Danyella you will have to address. She is the queen around here and you disrespected her and her daughter in the kitchen with your lack of clothing and the shaking of your ass.”
Pearl swallowed hard and shame fills her big blue eyes. “Shit.”
“Yeah, shit,” I confirm. “Go get some clothes on and take care of business. If you want to be able to stay here, the first thing you need to do is get on Danyella’s good side. She will appreciate the gesture and don’t let it happen again.”
“Ok, thank you.” Pearl offers me a sheepish grin and scurries off toward the room the club bunnies share.
I watch as Pearl disappears around the corner when warm arms wrap around my waist from behind. “God, I love watching you work your magic.” Matt nuzzles his nose against my neck making me giggle.
“I know what it’s like to be in a different place and not knowing the rules. Then have other women look upon you with disgust. Pearl doesn’t deserve that. Yes, she made a mistake, but not one big enough to regret. If I didn’t help her, she wouldn’t last.” Matt’s big palms roam over my stomach caressing our baby.
“Capone said Doc Emma will be back this afternoon to do a follow up with you, Exleigh and Syvannah. Who are, by the way, slowly working their way through everything. I figured you’d want to see them so they’re waiting for you in their room.”
I turn in Matt’s arms and wrap my arms around his neck. I lean in and give him a gentle kiss. “Thank you for being good to me, Matt.” Matt blushes and I place a cool palm on his cheek. “Don’t ever change the way you are.”
Matt clears his throat before giving me a sweet kiss that curls my toes and makes my head spin. Matt rests his forehead against mine. “You’re the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. When you get done visiting Exleigh and Syvannah, I need to answer some of your questions. I’m going to visit Tiny and see how he’s doing. Come find me when you’re done.” He gives me another kiss that leaves me trembling with need when he pulls away. “Later, Pulchra. Keep those thoughts in that pretty little head and I’ll make good on them.”
I watch as Matt saunters off down the hallway, watching his ass in those jeans. God, he gets my blood pumping. The things he does to me makes me want to hang onto him a little bit tighter. The way he makes me feel, makes me fall for him a little more each time. I was an idiot last night, thinking he would cheat on me and I have a lot of making up to do. I think of ways to show Matt my appreciation for him when I find the room Exleigh and Syvannah are in.
I shake my head and knock. When one of them answers, I turn the doorknob, letting myself in. Exleigh is curled up in a recliner in the corner of the room, with a blanket wrapped around her and a book in her lap. She stretches, giving me a warm smile. Syvannah is curled up on a bed, nestled under a pile of blankets, asleep. It doesn’t look good with the way she keeps tossing and turning.
“How are you doing?” I ask quietly, trying not to disturb Syvannah. I sit on the edge of the small couch across from Exleigh.
Exleigh shrugs her shoulders and lowers her head. “Taking it hour by hour. Sometimes it gets really bad and other times it’s like nothing ever happened.”
“Have you talked to anyone?”
Exleigh shakes her head, tears forming in her eyes. “I don’t know if I can.” She looks over at Syvannah and sadness crosses her face. “Syvannah has had it worse. This is the first time since we got here that she is sleeping. It might not be for long, but she’s finally found some peace.”
“What do you need, Ex? How can I help?” I ask, holding her hand.
“I don’t know.” Tears roll down her cheeks and my heart breaks for these two ladies. They have been through so much these last few months, I don’t know how to help them.
Syvannah starts whimpering in her sleep, tossing and turning until the blankets are wrapped around her and she’s trapped. Then she starts screaming, causing me to jump and Exleigh to throw off her blanket, moving quickly to Syvannah’s side. Exleigh untangles her from the blankets and moves Syvannah’s sweat-soaked hair away from her face. “Shh…Anna, it’s ok. You’re safe, we’re all safe.” She soothes. Syvannah stops struggling and opens her eyes. When they land on me, she starts sobbing uncontrollably.
I sit on the bed and pull her against my chest. “It’s ok, sweet girl. I’m ok, you’re ok. Ex is ok. We’re all ok.” I hold back the tears threatening to fall and continue to rock Syvannah back and forth. Exleigh has her hand resting on Syvannah’s back, rubbing soothing motions up and down.
“What about the baby?” Syvannah whispers through a sore throat.
A smile lights up my face and my hand not holding onto Syvannah drops to the bump. “The baby is doing good too. Doc Emma will be here in a little while to do an ultrasound. Do you two want to come with me?” They both nod their heads.
“Are you sure it’s ok?” Syvannah asks.
“Of course, it’s ok, why wouldn’t it be?” I ask frowning.
“The father of the baby. Does he know?” Syvannah questions.
A pure smile radiates from my lips and I can’t help it. Syvannah and Exleigh look at me like I’ve lost my mind and maybe I have but who cares? “Ladies, Matt knows about the baby and he is ecstatic about it. He will be in the room too so don’t be frightened. He won’t hurt you and neither will any of the guys here. They will protect you.”
“Thank you, Nadia,” Syvannah says sitting up. “Can I feel him?” I nod my head and she tentatively holds a shaky hand against my growing belly. “Hi, little baby. I’m your Aunty Anna. I’m going to spoil you, take care of you, and teach you how to treat a woman. To never do those things to her that happened to us.” Tears roll down my cheeks listening to Syvannah.
Exleigh is next, holding my belly with wonder on her face and tears in her vibrant eyes. “So, we did it? We helped save the baby?”
I nod my head, “Yes you both did and I can never repay you for it either. What you both sacrificed to keep us safe is a debt I will owe you for the rest of my life. You two are sisters to me and I hope I can help you two get past all this and live life as normal as can be. You deserve it and so much more.” I hug them both tightly. “Thank you, both, for doing what you did.”
The girls jump when there is a commotion outside their door. I release them and stand up. Making my way to the door, I open it a crack to see who’s on the other side. It’s Doc Emma and Matt. He has a scowl on his face and she looks annoyed. They are in a heated conversation and don’t see me right away. I remember the last time when I overreacted to something that wasn’t what it seemed.
“What’s going on?” I ask with a raised brow.
“Nothing,” Matt growls glaring at the doc. “Doc Emma here had to be set straight over something that didn’t happen years ago.”
Emma snorts, “You all up in my business back then didn’t happen?”
Matt scowls. “We were in a foreign country. You were treating my brother’s Ol’ Lady and my prospect and I didn’t know shit about you. So, yes I researched you to protect my club. It’s what I do. Now, you’re all in a tizzy about it instead of focusing on my Ol’ Lady and unborn child.”
My jaw drops open in shock, “Matt.” He stops his tirade and looks at me, apparently not knowing what he said. “You called me your Ol’ Lady.”
“Yeah, I did.” A smile graces his handsome face with a blush on his cheeks.
“Don’t you think you should ask me?” I’m teasing him but it’s fun watching him blush from his hairline down his neck.
“Nadia Louise Ryan, yes I ran a background search on you when I found out who you were because you were missing. No, I won’t apologize for doing it to bring you back safely. Yes, I do care a lot about you and we are still getting to know each other but will you be my Ol’ Lady?” Matt rambles the blush on his face turns a deeper shade of red.
“I would love to be your Ol’ Lady, Matthew Red Phillips.” I smile through the tears and Matt picks me up, swinging me around before kissing me speechless.
“Now that’s out of the way, I’m going to check on the girls and meet you in your room.” Doc Emma says, shutting the door on us.
“Shit. The girls wanted to see the ultrasound too and I didn’t get a chance to tell Emma to bring them with her.” I try to open the door but it’s locked.
“Then we will wait right here until they’re done. That way I can help them if they’re frightened.” Matt answers. I rest my head on his shoulder and breathe a deep sigh of relief.
“You’re too good to me, Matt.”
“You’re the best thing for me, Nadia.”
We wait for thirty minutes outside the girls’ door before Emma appears. “Holy shit, you scared me.”
“Sorry, I promised Exleigh and Syvannah they could come with us for the ultrasound.” I apologize to Doc Emma.
“Ok, go ahead and get them and I’ll meet you back by your room.”
“Thanks, Doc, for everything.”
Emma looks behind her at the closed door, “Those two have been through a lot and you already know this, just keep in mind, they’re going to have a long, bumpy road ahead of them.”
“I know, thanks again, Doc Emma.” I hug her and she hugs me back.
I get the girls and we make our way down the hallway toward mine and Red’s room. He stays behind us while I lead them, protecting them from any unwanted attention. Once we get inside, they stay by the door, waiting for the doctor and I sit on the edge of the bed.
Sharp pain shoots through my abdomen and I double over in pain. “Matt, something is wrong.” I cry out when another sharp pain penetrates my stomach and I feel like I’m going to be sick.
Matt is next to me in an instant and he pulls out his phone. “Aftermath, get the doc in here quick. Something is wrong.” He hangs up the phone and helps me onto the bed.
Another sharp pain radiates through my body and now I’m panicking. “Is there something wrong? What is happening?”
“I don’t know but the doc should be here any second.” Matt soothes. The door bursts open and the doctor comes in with Aftermath on her heels carting the ultrasound machine and Kensi behind him. Exleigh and Syvannah jump but I can’t worry about that right now, something is wrong with my baby. Another sharp pain stabs me and I let out a whimper.
“Help me, please, Doc.” I plead with tears in my eyes.
“I’m going to need you all to leave for a few minutes, please.” Doc Emma demands.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Matt bellows.
“Please, Matt. Just wait outside the door.” I plead with him while gritting my teeth.
“Red, what I’m going to do will be invasive and I don’t want you or anyone else to see it. I’d appreciate it if you’d wait outside for a moment.” Doc Emma demands.
“Fine.” Matt kisses me on the forehead. “I will be right outside the door. You scream and I will barge in.”
I nod through the pain, hoping and praying everything is ok. That my baby is going to be ok.