Chapter 11
Rachel
Dante went to get Axel, promising me he would have him back here within fifteen minutes.
I watched him leave, and then expelled a breath of air, ridding my body of the tension it had been holding in.
The last thing I wanted to do was to find myself stuck here again, but what choice did I have?
As shitty as this situation was, making these stipulations seemed like the best way to handle it.
Dante had me over a barrel, and if I wasn’t willing to play his games, I was going to be royally fucked.
I had clawed back a fraction of control, so really, this was the best of a bad situation.
And what was six months in the grand scheme of things?
At least it was keeping my parents safe. I might have my issues with them—especially my mother—but I would not see them harmed because Dante wanted to throw his weight around and prove he was the “alpha” around here.
I could do this. How bad could it really be?
Six months, and I would be free. Sure, I’d have to live here—or at least nearby.
But I would be free. I could live with Axel in relative peace without having to worry every five minutes that Dante was going to find me.
I wouldn’t spend my life looking over my shoulder or jumping in fright every time I heard a motorbike.
I could live as Rachel again instead of an alias.
And I would get to have Bee with me! Really, this was more than I could ever have hoped for.
I just had to get through the next six months and…
Dammit!
I suddenly realised I should have told Dante I still wanted to work.
I would now have to ring my boss and explain to him I would not be returning to the office.
Which meant going in and handing my two weeks’ notice to him.
Which more than likely meant that Dante would want to follow me.
He had promised my freedom, but I think if he knew I was planning on going somewhere that had been part of my life without him, he might want to come and check it out.
Not to mention I worked in Scotland. There was no way he was going to let me go back there on my own.
Shit.
Another thought came to mind… this one much more unpleasant.
I had gone on one or two dates with my boss. Nothing serious, and I think we both realised we were better off as friends—and as the old saying went, don’t shit where you eat. Workplace romances never worked. But if Dante found out…
I bit my lip as I pondered this. What could he realistically do? It’s not as if he’s been living as a eunuch whilst I’ve been gone. He has no right to be mad at anything I did during my absence.
But since when did having no right ever stop Dante? He was a hypocrite through and through. I would be expected to forgive and forget Vicky, but any past lovers of mine would be punished.
I pushed it to the back of my mind, deciding not to borrow tomorrow’s troubles, and went back into the bar where the entire club was waiting for me—although a quick glance around showed that Kitty was missing.
Interesting.
My eyes scanned the room, ignoring the death glares Vicky threw my way, before they eventually fell on Vienna. I made my way over to him, and he immediately held his hands up.
“I surrender,” he said, pushing himself backwards and wailing at the top of his lungs. “Don’t hurt me, Rachel, don’t hurt me.”
“You’re fucking odd. Did you know that?”
“I know you are, but what am I?”
“Fuck off,” I laughed. “Did you seriously just say that?”
He jumped to his feet and grabbed me before I realised what he was doing. One second I was laughing at him, the next he had me in a headlock, rubbing his knuckles into the top of my head. “I’ve missed you, our kid,” he said, sending my hair flying all over my face.
“Vienna! Vienna, get the fuck off me! Stop!” I laughed, trying to punch him in the stomach.
“Are you sorry for calling me odd?”
“No.”
He dug his knuckles in harder.
“No, no, wait!” I panted, unable to stop laughing. “I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry! Let me go!”
“I don’t believe you, but…” he did as I asked, shoving me into one of the couches and flopped next to me, making my body bounce with the sheer size of him. He lay on his back, his head resting on my lap, and twiddled his beard with a stupid grin on his face.
“You need to seek a well-trained, well-paid therapist,” I hissed at him, attempting to tidy my hair.
“Thank you. Nice to see you ditched the black wig.”
“I’m surprised you noticed. You seemed too busy sticking needles in my neck.”
“But did you die?”
“I… No, but—”
“But did you die, though?”
“Clearly fucking not, Vienna. But—”
“Well, you didn’t die. So, what you mad for?”
“I’m mad because you drugged me!”
“Prove it.”
I pushed him with all my might, sending him flying to the floor. “But did you die, though?” I mimicked.
“Touché,” he grinned before sitting on my knee and wrapping his arms around my neck.
“Jesus Christ! Did you have nothing but pure sugar for breakfast? Why are you… you?”
“Admit it, Rachel. You missed me. You can say it. I won’t tell anyone.”
“Has Dante gone soft all of a sudden?” I panted, trying to shove him off me. “Because the Dante I knew wouldn’t tolerate you wrapped around me like this.”
“It’s the perk of being the vice president,” he replied, tightening his hold on my neck.
“Really? Does it say, ‘act like an asshole’ in the job description?”
He never got a chance to answer. My attention was taken away from him and focused solely on Dante walking through the door, our son in his arms.
Axel was beaming up at him, babbling away in his own little baby nonsense. Dante was nodding back at him, talking too quietly for me to hear his responses.
They looked perfect together.
Dante’s big, muscular arms almost dwarfed Axel’s tiny frame, and yet he nestled in like he was in the safest place in the world.
He probably was.
When I had first found out I was pregnant, this is the exact vision that had come to mind.
This was the scene I pictured. Father and son.
He held him so delicately, and yet looked so ferocious.
It did things to me I would never admit to his face, but I felt one brick of my resentment wall slide away, and I wanted to punch myself for it.
Axel had one arm wrapped around Dante’s neck, and the other fist was clenched in excitement as he told his nonsense story. I’d love to be in his head for a day to know what he was actually trying to say.
“He’s a cute kid,” Vienna said, climbing off my knee and sitting next to me.
“He is,” I grinned.
“Dante will be a good dad, you know that.”
I decided not to respond. I had been given nothing but months to reflect on Dante’s parenting, and I realised the others were right. He was severely lacking in the parental department with the way I had seen him raise Bee. But I suppose everyone could change.
“And what about you?” I asked Vienna. “I figured upon my return, Gabriella would be here and there would be a dozen mini, bearded Viennettas running around.”
“Viennettas,” he chuckled. “It’s a nice thought, and maybe one day… but sadly, not right now.”
“No luck with Gabriella?”
“Do you see her?” He said, his tone sharper than it had been.
“No, but—”
“She’s with Nico now, Rachel.”
“Nico?” I almost spluttered. “Her cousin Nico? The new president of the Rough Riders? That Nico?”
“One and the same.”
“Come on… She surely can’t be happy there. From what I’ve heard—”
“And what have people heard about Dante? And yet you’re perfectly happy… or at least you were at one point.”
“No, that was different. That was—”
“Your own business?” He interrupted. “No one knows what goes on behind closed doors, and she’s made it perfectly clear she wants to stay there.”
“And you’ve actually asked her that question directly?”
“Yup. We even ambushed her once and tried dragging her back here. She kicked and screamed at us until we let her go and then pleaded to be returned.”
“Pleaded? That doesn’t sound like a happy woman. That sounds like a trapped woman.”
“She looked happy enough. She said she loves him. What am I supposed to do, Rachel? Short of kidnapping her, I can’t force her to leave him.”
“You don’t fancy being the next Dante, huh?” I smiled sadly.
“Did you see the disaster that unfolded when he kidnapped a woman? It was a complete shit show,” he grinned back, but there was a sadness in his eyes. “Right!” He exclaimed, slapping his knees and getting to his feet. “Are you going to introduce me to the little man?”
“Sure,” I replied, my voice soft. “Come on. He’ll love his uncle Vienna.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” he said, his eyes wide. “Does my beard look okay? Do you think he’ll judge me? I haven’t trimmed it in a few days…”
I shook my head but said nothing.
Typical Vienna. Hiding his emotions behind humour.
“Hey Axel, here comes your mama,” Dante said, his voice softer and higher pitched as he spoke to his son. “Can you say Mama? Ma-ma,” he exaggerated his mouth movements, showing Axel how to say the words, earning himself a happy giggle and a squeal of delight.
“He’s a lovely kid,” he said, directing his words at me, his voice returning to normal.
“That he is,” I agreed, taking Axel from his arms as he reached out for me.
“You did good,” he smiled.
“Thanks. It’s not always been easy, but compared to some horror stories I’ve heard from other mums, Axel has been a walk in the park.”
“I’m sure,” he said, and then seemed to think over my words. “Vienna, take the kid,” he said suddenly, a firm edge to his voice.
“No, thanks,” Vienna said, his hands in his pocket, his voice chipper as he rolled on the heels of his feet.
“Now, Vienna,” he snapped. “Rachel, come with me.”
He grabbed Axel, stopping to rub his nose against his, and then shoved him in Vienna’s arms and grabbed my arm, dragging me across the room. I just about heard Vienna say, “I guess it’s just you and me, Axolotl.”
“Don’t call him that!” I yelled back, just as Dante pushed me behind the bar.
“You’re not going to like this,” he muttered down my ear, and then turned to face the crowd.
“What am I not going to like?” I tried to say, but he ignored my words and interrupted me halfway through my sentence.
“Listen up!” He yelled, ringing the bell behind the bar. “I’ve got an announcement to make.”
He waited until the room fell deadly silent before he spoke again.
“Vicky,” he looked her way, smiling at her. “Take a hike, love. We’re done.”
“Excuse me?” She half-laughed, half-gasped.
“Are you deaf? Leave, or I’ll have the prospects forcibly remove you.”
“Sure you will, Dante,” she rolled her eyes, giggling with one of the club whores.
“Do I look like I’m joking? We’re done. Over. Finished. You know where the door is.”
“Wait… you’re being serious, aren’t you?”
“Make your decision,” Dante shrugged, not willing to be drawn into a conversation or answer her questions. “Leave on your own, or leave with the prospects.”
“Dante…” I began with a whisper, but I was drowned out by Vicky’s screech of anger. I was beginning to feel sorry for her, but seeing the bratty way she stomped her feet squashed that feeling instantly.
“What the fuck are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere without an explanation!” She snapped, her fists clenched at her sides, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Dante simply shrugged, looking completely unbothered.
“My old lady has returned, which means it’s time to clean house. Prospects,” he snapped his fingers and pointed at Vicky.
Three men, none of whom I recognised, got to their feet and seized Vicky, picking her up with ease and carrying her over to the entrance.
“What the fuck?! Put me down! Dante!” She screamed. “Dante! If you end things like this, you’ll live to regret it! You know who my father is! I swear I’ll make you pay! Dante!” Her voice trailed off as the prospects dragged her outside and slammed the door shut behind them.
“What did she mean by that?” I asked Dante, but he didn’t reply.
“You really staying, Rachel?” Chicken shouted once the commotion calmed down.
“She is,” Dante answered for me. “So, I’m going to grant you all a one-off opportunity.
I know a lot of shit has been said about Rachel these last eighteen months.
I’m giving you all five minutes to say your piece, and then that’ll be the end of it.
If a single bad word is spoken about her after this, I’ll cut your tongues out, bake them into a cake and send it to your families.
Now is the time to air your grievances and get it all off your chest. So… who wants to go first?”