Chapter 1
Jules
T he snuffling sound from the spare room starts and I know I have about 3.2 seconds before Juno decides to scream her face off in starvation. It’s been like this every day for the past two weeks and I’m running on fumes. Yeah I have family living around me, but the assholes decided the best way for me to adjust to this “new phase of my life” was to throw me in at the deep end. At least I can still count on Mama Debs. She helps out as much as she can, but between her hours at the clubhouse and having to run around after Pops who insists he needs her to sponge bath him, it means I’ve been spending more time with the baby than I would like.
I pull my big ass out of bed, make my way to the kitchen and heat up the premade bottle Mama Debs left behind after getting Juno to bed. Leaning against the bench I curse the fact that even though Tombs Security may be hot shit in the world of security and tech, it’s not damn near enough to find someone who doesn’t want to be found. After ditching her kid on my porch Eloise Greenlake fell off the face of the earth. Any close relatives she had are all dead. DNA testing came back saying the only family the baby has is the Tombs family. So, unfortunately for Juno, I’m the only parent she’s got. Poor kid deserves the world, but I can’t give it to her. Something inside me is broken. I’m not sure if it happened when my parents were murdered, or if I was born this way, but I’ve long come to peace with the fact that I don’t feel the same types of things other people do. Other men would see a baby they made and feel a surge of love. I look at Juno and while I can now admit that we share DNA, I don’t feel love. Protective? Yeah. I mean she’s a helpless kid. Love? No.
Letting out a sigh I make my way to the spare room, shaking the warmed bottle, trying to murmur comforting sounds to the baby screaming in her bed.
“Yeah, I’m here.” I place the bottle on the dresser and lean in to pick up Juno, awkwardly resting her against my shoulder as she screams blue murder. I’ve learned in our time together that she would rather eat immediately than wait for me to change her and then eat. I know it’s probably not how things are meant to be done, but it’s how we do shit and it works for us.
I sit in the poofy rocking chair the Ol Ladies gifted me, fumble around until Juno is in the crook of my arm, lean over to pick up the bottle and touch the nipple to the bottom lip of her open, wailing mouth. She shakes her head a little and then latches on like a rabid dog. I chuckle as she starts sucking like her life depended on it, wide, whiskey colored eyes glaring at me like I’ll steal it away at any moment. We sit like this, staring at each other, just like we do every day at 5.30am which is when she decides she’s ready to greet the world. If I’m lucky she’ll go back to sleep after this.
We rock gently, the warmth of her little body seeping into me, relaxing me while she finishes her bottle. I burp and change her, feeling pretty fucking proud that I managed to do it all, with a quicker time than yesterday. Doing these things, making sure she’s fed and clean, that’s easy shit. I’ve had pets before as a kid and took my animal care really fucking seriously. Feeding, changing, keeping her alive and well I can do. It’s the emotional shit I’m not cut out for. Which is why I’ve been secretly looking at alternative care for her. I’m sure my family would kick my ass if I told them I was looking into adoption. I’m well within my rights as her father to give her up, I’m just not sure yet.
Looking down at Juno in the crook of my arm, she shows no signs of going back to sleep. I decide she may as well sit in her UFO looking seat thing and glare at me while I workout. I mean what else is there to do? Sit down and have a heart to heart about why her old man is a dud? Fuck no.
“Come on, kid. Let’s work out.”
Three hours later I find myself hovering on Lovely’s porch. Gus very generously gave me two months paternity leave, to “settle into fatherhood,” but I’m fucking dying not being able to go into the office and talk to the men and women who work for us. I’m out of the loop and I don’t fucking like it.
Lovely’s door swings open as she steps out, eyes on her handbag as she searches for something. Little Bee kicks and waves her hands in excitement when she sees me, Lovely’s head snapping up at the movement before she realizes I’m here.
“Hey Jules,” she says in her sweet voice, smiling wide, “and hello to you too, little missy,” She coos at Juno, who frowns back. Lovely waves it off, giggling. “I will never get over how frowny your daughter is.”
My gut clenches when she calls Juno my daughter, but I have no time to investigate the feeling. I came here for a purpose. Clearing my throat I address her, “Lovely, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on Juno for me for a few hours?” I use my best smile. The one that the club girls would drop their panties for.
Lovely’s shoulders slump and I know I’m shit outta luck. “Oh Jules, I’m sorry, I’m working at Devil’s Big Tow today.” She gives me an apologetic smile before brightening, “I’ve officially finished my computer training with Remy so I’ll be working reception and Bee will be coming with me. I’m not sure I can handle two little babies and the job. I’m sorry.” Her brows furrow and I wave her off. She needs this more than I need to go to work. The work that has me on leave for another six weeks.
“It’s okay, Lovely. You need to get to work and start making bank.” I do my best to give her a smile as she laughs at my joke. We all know that she doesn’t need the money. But she does need life experience and I won’t cheat her of that.
“Hmm, maybe pop into the clubhouse. Mama Debs or one of the others may be able to keep an eye on her,” She grins at Juno and shakes her little hand, waving it about until the baby rips her hand away. Lovely chuckles and shakes her head.
Stepping off the porch I watch them load up, and then decide to do the same. I already had Juno’s crap packed up in her baby bag so I figure I may as well follow Lovely out.
“Come on, kid. Let’s see if Nana will have you. ”
Violet
“Moss Davies! You never did tell me what happened with that orc man with the Maui hair. You know the one that ordered my innocent, gentle husband to deliver organs to that nice lady? I knew I should have punched him as soon as I saw him. I told you didn’t I? That he had a very punchable face. Coming into Flora’s Buds and causing havoc like that? Dios mio , what did we ever do to deserve that type of behaviour?” My mother throws her hands up in the air, not even letting my brother answer her.
Dad pats her hand and murmurs something to her as we all settle in, knowing that it will take Dad at least a couple of minutes to calm our mother down. Once she seems sufficiently settled Moss shovels some “mild” chilli into his twin’s open mouths before answering.
“Well, we haven’t had any more complaints about him, but I did pass your message on to the Devil’s Rose MC so perhaps they had a word?” Moss’s lips twitch and my sisters and I all look the other way so we don’t burst into laughter.
“Oh, they’re such nice boys!” Mom claps, “How is Johnny? He was always a lovely boy. It’s such a pity that you stole his girlfriend from him and then married her. I told you that she wasn’t the one for you didn’t I? And then to run away from you, and her two adorable baby boys? Well, that Whorecules can stay away for all I care.” Mom harrumphs. Dad pats her hand and my sisters and I cackle with laughter.
It’s true though. The head of DRMC was the star quarterback at high school, and somehow, my brother Moss managed to steal his girlfriend. Next thing you know, close to two decades has passed, they’re married, Moss has been made sergeant, his wife has given birth to twins and then poof! She disappears leaving my brother with two boys and all of us having to scramble to help him out. The fact that Mom can come up with so many names for the woman never ceases to make us cackle.
“That’s the best one yet!” Jasmine, my older sister, and Moss’s twin cackles.
“Yes, Mom, they’ve lovely boys. I’m sure they had some words with the orc man to make him think twice about his actions,” Moss says, trying to put more food into his kids’ faces, even though both Heath and Reed are wearing more than I think they’ve eaten. “Anyway, enough about him, what happened to Josh, Vi? I thought he was coming for dinner?” He gives me a shit-eating grin.
“Yes! Where is Josh? You’ve been dating for three months now and he’s never come to dinner.” Mom laments, “Is it my food? Does he not like my cooking?” She clutches at her nonexistent pearls, horrified that someone may not like her food.
“My love, how could someone not like your cooking? You are a master in the kitchen.” I roll my eyes, my dad is such a suck up.
“He’s never had your cooking, Mom, because he has tummy troubles. I told you that. Besides, we’ve only been dating a little while.”
“See, this is why you need to date within your own culture.” All eyes dart to our white father., “Sometimes outsiders’ stomachs struggle with our food. Look what happened to Whorelando Bloom,” Mom gestures toward Moss, “She couldn’t handle the love and spice I put into the food and it drove her away,”
“She drove away with Matt from accounts Mom,” Moss replies drily.
Mom waves a hand at him and continues lecturing me. “It’s the same thing.”
“May I point out that Dad is white?” I gesture to my father who smiles gently at me.
“Yes. But his love for me overcame his inability to handle spice. Now look at him! He’s thriving,” Mom beams at my dad and pecks him on the cheek.
“He also takes huge doses of Tums and Mylanta,” Jazz whispers, making me snort..
“Enough about Josh, perhaps next time. I can make him his own boiled chicken if he wants to join,” Mom beams and then turns to my sisters, interrogating them one by one, lamenting that none of the other children have significant others.
“Oh, I had Tav Tombs’ little boy join my class today,” Jazz says, interrupting the interrogation. “He’s on the spectrum, and I’m not sure exactly how much he likes art, but he did draw some very detailed anatomy pictures using pastels. It was very impressive.”
“Oh I love the Tombs! Such a nice family,” Mom claps. “They were very helpful in investigating that Orc man. Jules helped me with all the cameras. You girls know that he is single, right?” Mom eyeballs Jazz and Lily, who nod and avoid eye contact. “All the siblings have coupled up except for him. Sidney must be so proud. I cannot wait to feel that feeling once three of my babies are coupled up. I’d take all four of you coupled up, but Moss has bad taste in women so maybe just make sure you girls find someone nice,” her eyes flick to mine, “Who can handle spice. ”
We eat in silence for a beat, and I know at any moment that silence will be broken by my mother. She’s not one to sit quietly, and whatever crosses her mind will come out of her mouth.
“Violet, I’ve been thinking about your role in the shop,” Mom starts, eyes darting toward my dad who looks everywhere but at me.
“Huh? Is there a problem”
“Yes, I believe there is. It’s time for a shake up. I’m firing you.” Mom nods her head decisively.
Everyone around the table stares at me while I stare at mom. Did she just? “You’re firing me? I’m your only employee!” I balk.
“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m doing. Don’t you want to do something more with your life than work in the family shop? You need to get out there and find your passion!”
“My passion was nursing but, well, we know how that turned out.” I mumble.
“I know mija , you were asked to leave because you care too much -”
“Care too much? I had to escort her out of the clinic she worked at because she assaulted her patient’s family member!” Moss glares.
“I never assaulted anyone! I threatened her! And that was her fault for not taking better care of her mother!” I point across the table at him.
“Ahp, ahp, ahp!” Mom raises her hands, making the same noise she uses on the cats when they don’t listen to her, “Either way Vi, you need to find your passion again, because it’s not the gerberas,” She points her chubby finger at me before spinning to look at Dad, “Papi, did I tell you what she did? She almost killed a whole shipment!” Before dad can say anything she turns back to the table, “She has the black thumb! My own child cursed, unable to touch natural beauty without it shrivelling up and wishing for death, Qué hice para merecer esto? What did I do to deserve this!” She raises her hands up, shaking her fists in the air while my father fans her with his napkin.
“Is this the menopause? Is that what’s happening?”
We all stare at Moss in horror, but none more so than Dad, whose eyes are the size of saucers. He even leans back in his seat and I’m sure I see his lips mouth “I’m sorry,” to Moss because Mom is about to blow. Everyone knows that you don’t question a woman’s hormones. Especially if that woman is an overly dramatic florist with the ability to hit you with a thrown sandal from 15 feet away.
“Oh Moss, mi amado hijo , you’re about to find out exactly what is happening.”
* * *
“It’ll be OK, Lettie,” Lilly says, patting my shoulder and calling me the childhood nickname I loathed.
“Yeah, Mom and Dad wouldn’t leave you destitute while you find your passion,” Jasmine snorts, handing me the next dish to put away.
This is what we’ve done our whole lives after dinner. We line up, Lilly washes, Jasmine dries and I put away while Moss divides up all the leftovers into the 1 million tupperware containers Mom owns.
“What the hell am I going to do? I can’t go back to nursing. People in town still call me ‘Violent’ instead of Violet, or ‘the angry nurse’.” I look at the ceiling and growl.
“Have you thought this could be a good thing? Remember when I got sick and had to drop my law studies? I was able to use my talent for art to build a new career that I love. Mom firing you could be the best thing that ever happened to you.” Jazz shrugs. “Oh hey, speaking of the job I love, now that you’re unemployed, do you want to come and be a life model for my kids? Moss pulled out - “ Jazz narrows her eyes at our brother, “so I’m in search of someone who can sit still for a while so the kids can draw them. What do you say?” She waggles her dark brows at me.
I let out a sigh. It’s not like I have anything else going on. This might be the thing I need to perk me up a little. “Count me in, why not? I don’t have anywhere else to be thanks to mom firing me.”
“You’ll get over that mija , and you’ll thank me!” Mom’s voice drifts down the hall where she was very clearly eavesdropping.
“Does your school need a nurse?” I ask Jazz, I mean, if I’m going to be there anyway, may as well try my luck.
“Ah, no offense but there’s no way a school full of special needs kids would hire anyone that threatens people to take better care of their family members. The only role we got for you is modeling. Sorry Violent.”
My eyes narrow as I look at my sister, “Why do you have so much trouble finding life models, anyway?”
“No reason.” She smiles wide.
Moss snorts so hard he has a coughing fit, all us girls walking right by him ignoring him. Well all of us except Jazz who spins her dish towel into a whip and whips him with it.
“Serves you right, reneging on your promise to my kids. Shame on you!”
“You talk about them like they’re sweet angels, but they’re not! They’re feral. I arrest people for a living and those kids ruined my self esteem in one afternoon.” Moss says indignantly. “Trust me, Vi, they’ll scar you and you’ll decide to remain childless forever.”
“No way! I love kids. I’ve always wanted them,” I answer, stealing Jazz’s dish towel and whipping it at him.
“You won’t after spending an afternoon with Jazz’s.” Moss shudders.
“Yeah, yeah. What’s the worst that could happen?”