Chapter 27 #3
“Crow said Seph’s first husband was his biological father, and he blames Reaper for killing him.
Crow…He said that Reaper has always hated him and treated him worse than the rest of you.
That he made you VP just to hurt him. The way Crow was talking, he had been working on this for a while.
Planned to steal enough money to hurt you guys, then start his own club. ”
“What the fuck?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Reaper and Seph were already mourning, but that?
It would kill them. I had no idea if any of what Crow told Fiona was true, but that definitely explained his shitty attitude over the years.
Pulling into the driveway, I was unsurprised to see my parents and Charlie.
After parking the car, I looked at Fiona to see her reaction.
“I can tell them to leave. You need to rest. Don’t worry about hurting anyone’s feelings.”
“It’s okay. I’m happy they’re here,” she said with a warm smile on her face.
We got out of the car, and Charlie was pulling Fiona into a hug as soon as she was within reach. The two were murmuring to each other, and it was an extra punch to the gut, seeing both my sister and my woman crying. Unlocking the door, I hustled everyone inside.
“Fiona needs to rest. I’m getting her upstairs and into bed,” I told the group.
“I’m okay. I can stay up for a bit,” Fee protested.
“Nope! You’re not gonna entertain us. Bash, put her in bed. I brought food from all your favorite places, so just let me know when you’re hungry, and we’ll bring something up,” Charlie said as she steered Fiona toward the staircase.
”We’re just here to make sure you’re both comfortable. If you need anything, one of us can take care of it. Plus, having a nurse on call is pretty swanky.” Turning her head, she shot me a look that had my ass in gear.
“C’mon, baby. Let’s get you settled upstairs.”
Gently guiding Fiona away from Charlie, a wave of gratitude for my family washed through me. Having them there, knowing we weren’t alone was comforting and I loved how much they all cared for Fee. Once inside the bedroom, Fiona hovered by the bed.
“I feel gross from being down...there and in the hospital. Can I shower quickly?”
“Of course. Let me get the water running, then I’ll help you get undressed.” Making sure she used minimal effort, I helped Fiona rinse off and change into clean pajamas. Once she was tucked into bed, I prepared to climb in with her, but she stopped me.
“Go. Talk to Reaper. I’ll be fine with Cece and Charlie. They need to know. I’m just going to sleep. I’ll be fine.” I frowned at her suggestion. It wasn’t even a consideration. But she was right; I had to think about the club too.
“An hour. I’ll be no longer than that. Keep your phone on. Call me if you need anything at all.” She smiled and nodded before pushing me away.
Snuggling under the covers, I watched as she got settled in the center of our bed. I dimmed the lights and went back to press one last kiss to her forehead.
“Love you, baby,” I told her as she mumbled back to me, already half asleep.
Reaching the bottom of my stairs, my entire family were sitting around with somber expressions.
“Call Reaper. Tell him we’ll be there in twenty. I don’t want to be away from Fiona for too long.” Guard nodded and stepped onto the porch as I looked at my mom and sister.
“Thank you. For being here. And please text me any and all updates, even if it’s just her getting up for a glass of water. I need to know. I just need to know she’s okay.” I swallowed thickly, and my mom pulled me into a hug.
“I’m so proud of you, son. You and Fiona will get through this together. You two are going to have a beautiful life,” Mom told me as she held me in her embrace.
“Love you, bro. Now, get out of here so you can come back and get some sleep. You look like shit.” I snorted at Charlie’s response, but gave her a hug once Ma released me. The ride to the clubhouse was silent, and the tension was palpable.
Walking straight to Reaper’s office, no one stopped us.
Either the determination or clear exhaustion on my face deterred them.
Once the door closed behind me, I finally hesitated.
Reaper sat behind his desk, his expression weary.
Running a hand through my hair, I paced the office, rather than sitting trying to get my thoughts in order.
“Cops picked up Ginger. Made sure they had enough proof of her stealing to keep her away for a long time. Will keep you updated, but she’s being held without bail,” he informed me, breaking the silence. “How’s Fiona doing?” he continued.
“Fiona is tough. She would say she’s okay, but that’s not the term I’d use. Regardless, she’s the reason I’m here. Crow had a lot to say. She wanted to make sure you were informed.” He sagged back in his seat, as if recovering from a physical blow.
“I’m listening.”
As I told him about Crow’s plans and his beliefs about his paternity, a myriad of expressions crossed Reaper’s face. When I finished, he sighed deeply before sitting up in his seat. After a few minutes, he started talking.
“When we found out Seph was pregnant, we knew there was a chance I wasn’t the father.
We could have done a test, but it didn’t matter to me.
I loved Seph, and in my heart, that baby was already mine,” Reaper revealed on an exhale.
Taking a minute, he went on. “I love that boy. It never mattered to me whose blood he was. After he was born, I never felt a reason to pursue a paternity test. Maybe that’s the problem, though.
It’s not about how I felt. We should have thought more about how he would feel.
I guess we thought we were protecting him. Maybe that wasn’t our place, though.
“I was hard on him. I wanted to prepare him, make sure he could be a good President. I knew, as my son, people would always question if he earned the position or was just given it out of nepotism. Shoulda talked to him more.
“Thank you for coming to me with this, and I’m sorry that I got Fiona involved. Anything you need, just say the word. I’ll hold Church to update everyone about Crow after I talk to Seph,” he told me, and I nodded.
Reaper put the club first, even if that meant sending them after his own family. I was sorry for the position he was in.
“Thanks, Reaper, and I’m sorry. I never noticed anything…” I stumbled for a response, and he waved me off.
“Not on you. Now, get some rest.” I nodded and left his office, exhaustion dragging at me.
Guard got me into the passenger seat of the truck and drove us back to my house. Once inside, I mindlessly made my way upstairs, quickly stripping down to my boxers before collapsing next to Fiona in bed.
Pulling her warm body against mine, I inhaled her familiar scent, and felt something inside me ease. With my woman safe in my arms, and my family standing guard downstairs, I finally allowed sleep to pull me under.