Chapter 17
Sitting alone in my house, I took another drink of whiskey.
I was working toward getting drunk.
I was drowning in misery.
It was hard to believe that I was on top of the world twenty-four hours ago. I had my old lady. My club had welcomed her with open arms. We were celebrating with my family. I had never been happier or more content.
Then it all came crashing down due to my past walking in the door.
I knew it was silly to wish I’d never touched a woman other than Paige.
I was a thirty-six-year-old man.
What were the odds of that? But I sure wish I had never touched Bev. Sure, I’d been with her several times, but so had almost every guy in my club. And who knew how many others she slept with outside the club members? She loved sex, and I’d been fine providing it when the mood struck.
However, to be faced with the possibility that she was pregnant with my baby killed me.
It wasn’t the fact that I wouldn’t want anything to do with the baby if it were mine.
I totally would.
It was the idea that the kid’s mom wouldn’t be my desert blossom. I’d already imagined what our kids would look like, mixing her lightness with my darker looks. However, if we could, I would love a little girl who looked exactly like her momma.
When Paige left last night in tears, it gutted me.
It took everything in me not to go after her, but I knew I had to deal with Bev.
What made me able to do it was the fact that Paige was with Tiago, and he would look after her.
I didn’t get far with the bitch.
She kept insisting the baby was mine and that if I wanted to have any contact with my kid, I had to dump Paige and make her my old lady.
I didn’t want to be a stranger to any child of mine, but there was no way I’d get rid of Paige.
She was the love of my life. In between my bouts with Bev, I’d kept sending Paige texts and voicemails throughout the night, but she didn’t respond. If I hadn’t heard more than once from Tiago that she was at his place and okay, I would’ve lost it.
My club had stuck beside me through the long hours.
The other women had been sent home.
No one was in the mood to get laid.
Jauhnna and the kids were taken home, but Diablo insisted on returning. All of us were interrogating Bev, but she stuck to her story. Wolverine was the one who almost made her crack. With his medical knowledge, he knew the questions to ask. It gave me hope.
“Fine, then you should be having a doctor’s visit within the next few weeks.
Scorpion will go with you to it.
He can ask the doctor questions.
Also, while you’re there, Scorpion, ask the doctor when they can do a DNA test. It’s not like it used to be. It’s safer anymore to do it before the baby is born. The old days of waiting until after the birth are over. You can know if it’s really yours or not, well before the birth,” Wolverine said smugly.
I saw what I thought was fear flicker across Bev’s face, but it was gone so quickly I couldn’t be sure.
But I jumped onto Wolverine’s suggestion.
“Thanks, Wolverine, that’s a great idea.
I’ll go, and we’ll know soon.
How long does it take to get the test results back?”
“It can take several weeks, but if you ask them to put a rush on it, I’d say you might know within a month,” he replied.
“Excellent.
Bev, when is your next appointment?”
“I-uhm, I can’t recall.
I’ll have to check my calendar at home.
I don’t see why you have to come.
I can ask the doctor to do the DNA test if you insist. But I can tell you that the results will show this baby is yours.”
“I wouldn’t trust you to ask anything.
Until I have absolute proof this kid is mine, and it’s verified by someone I trust in a lab I know is legit, I won’t believe shit.
Oh, and since you’ve slept with so many of my brothers, I expect they’ll want to do the testing, too, because I can tell you this, Bev.
If any of the Horsemen is the father, assuming there is a baby, we’ll do everything in our power to ensure that once it’s born, the kid ends up with his or her father. You won’t be an old lady or get a dime out of any of us.”
She tried to argue, but it was feeble.
It wasn’t long after this discussion that she said she wanted to go home.
We let her, but Liam followed her just to make sure she made it.
I might not like the woman, but if there was a baby, and it was mine or one of my brothers, we’d ensure her safety.
I spent Sunday pacing, resisting going to see Paige, and worrying.
Diablo kept telling me to give my woman time to think and get her emotions under control before we talked.
I argued that I should be with her so she wouldn’t make the wrong choice.
I knew how her past and the insecurities she’d shared with me could influence her. And her final words about not staying with me, so I had contact with my kid, was so her.
Tiago had called earlier to let me know she had left his house and was alone at hers.
He informed me that she was okay, but she was still contemplating everything.
He suggested I let her do it.
I complied, but it made my anxiety worse.
So here I was drinking so I wouldn’t run off to her house and fall to my knees where I’d cry and beg her not to leave me, no matter what.
My other hope was that the alcohol would allow me to sleep.
I hadn’t gotten any since the day before, when I woke up happy with Paige.
Restlessness filled me again. I got up on my feet and paced around the living room and kitchen. As I did, I talked aloud to myself between sips of whiskey.
“If she says she’s leaving me, I’m not accepting that answer.
No way am I living without my desert blossom.
She’s the woman I love.
I’ve never loved a woman other than Mom. We’re meant to be together. I’ve waited thirteen fucking years for her. We made it through the awful way I acted and the things I did to her. She forgave me when she shouldn’t have.”
I paused in the kitchen to pour more whiskey into my glass before returning to pacing and mumbling.
“Bev is hiding something.
I know it.
If she’s pregnant and it’s any of ours, we won’t allow her to raise it.
We’ll get full custody of it, even if we have to bribe the judge. And Paige and I will go on to have our babies. She has a loving heart. I bet she could love the kid.”
“Yes, I could love the child whether it’s mine, yours, or a stranger’s,” a reply came out of nowhere.
I thought I was hearing voices for a moment, but as I whirled around, I saw Paige standing at the entrance between the living room and the foyer.
I took a few steps, then stopped.
“Are you real, or am I hallucinating?” I asked.
Paige’s gentle laugh reached me as she grinned and tossed back her hair.
“It’s me.
Though, by the looks of you, hallucinations are possible.
How drunk are you, Rick?”
She moved closer.
My feet unfroze, and I hurried toward her.
Along the way, I set my glass on a table.
We had our arms open when we reached each other. I wrapped her tightly against me. Without a word, our mouths found each other, and we devoured each other. Tongues twisted and tasted. Lips pressed urgently against the other. Teeth nipped and nibbled on lips. We kissed for a long time before we broke the connection.
I slid my hands up to grip her face.
“Thank God you’re here.
I’ve been going crazy, Paige.
Please, for all that’s holy, tell me you’re here to work this out with me.
If you came to tell me you’re leaving me, then I hope you brought a gun to shoot me with. I can’t live without you.”
“Rick, no one is shooting anyone.
Come, have a seat.
We need to talk.
And you might want to stop drinking so you can be rational. I know it’s not truly a cure, but let’s get some coffee into you. It’ll help with your alertness. And we can slow the absorption of the alcohol if you eat something, preferably a meal high in fat, fiber, and protein.”
I was guided to the counter in the kitchen, where I had stools.
I was pressed down on one, and then she went into the kitchen.
I had to tell her where the cups and coffee were.
After she got the coffee started, she rummaged in the fridge. Luckily, some of the leftovers from last night had been sent to my house. Jauhnna made sure they were brought over earlier today. She was afraid I wouldn’t cook. She was right. Paige pulled those out, and I again directed her to where to find the plates and silverware. I enjoyed watching her in my kitchen. It made it feel like it was our house.
It wasn’t until the coffee was made, poured, and the food heated and placed in front of me that she said anything about the situation.
“I know we need to talk about Bev.
And we will, but eat and drink some coffee first.”
“What about you? Coffee won’t fill you up.” I said, pointing to the cup in front of her.
“I had dinner already.
I cooked for myself and Alvin.”
“Alvin came over to eat with you?” I asked after eating a bite.
Even as a leftover, the food was good.
“No, I cooked at his house.
Fenrir and I went for a walk, and we met him.
He knew something was bothering me, so he insisted I come back to his place and talk.
I knew he hadn’t eaten, so I cooked.”
“I bet he told you to punt my ass, didn’t he? I keep messing up with you, but I swear, Paige, it won’t happen again.
Just stick with me, Blossom,” I pleaded.
“Rick, eat.
As for Alvin, he did ask if he needed to kick your ass, but I told him no.
He was an excellent listener and gave me sound advice, which is why I’m here.”
I tried two more times to get information from her, but she would only direct me to eat and drink coffee.
Cleaning my plate and drinking two cups of coffee seemed to take forever, though it wasn’t more than ten minutes.
She had me move to the living room when I was finished.
We sat on the sofa.
I got as close as I could and still let us turn enough to see each other.
I picked up one of her hands. She didn’t pull away. Inside, the heaviness I’d been carrying since last night lightened a smidge. She wasn’t glaring at me or acting as if she hated me. I was scared to hope, but I did anyway.
“Okay, we can talk.
First, tell me what happened with Bev after I left?” That was her opening comment.
I didn’t want to talk about Bev, at least not yet, but I answered.
I explained what was said.
When I was done, she was nodding her head.
“Wolverine is right about the testing and that it’s not a huge risk to the fetus like it was in the past.
And if she’s doing as she should, she’ll have an appointment every four weeks until she’s eight months along.
Then it goes to every two weeks.
At nine months, they have you come in weekly. I don’t know any pregnant woman who cares about her baby who can’t tell you off the top of her head when her next appointment is. Or the exact number of weeks and days pregnant she is. And I’m glad that the others want to get tested, just in case, if she is pregnant, they can see if they could be the daddy.”
“We still have doubts, but if she is and it turns out to be mine, what does that mean for us, Paige? I want to be part of my kid’s life, but not at the expense of losing you.
And if we could get the child from her, would you be able to raise it with me? Love it?” I asked, though I was terrified of the answers.
She sighed, which spiked my blood pressure.
“Rick, I’ve thought a lot since last night.
I’ve run through so many scenarios and what-ifs that it was driving me crazy and making it harder to decide.
As if that wasn’t enough, I had a confrontation with my brother on the phone.
However, Alvin finally made it all come together for me, and that’s why I’m here.”
I wanted to know about the call with her brother, but it would have to wait until I knew her decision.
I held my breath.
“Kendrick Zaid Brady, I love you.
And no matter what happens, I want to be with you.
If Bev is pregnant with your baby, we’ll be there for that child.
I’ll go to court with you to help convince the judge that we need to be a part of their life. I’ll help you raise him or her and love it as if the child were mine. I’m here to fight with you, Rick. Tell Bev to bring it on. She messed with the wrong couple.”
It took a few moments for the words to sink in fully, and then I let out a loud whoop and dragged Paige onto my lap.
Paige giggled as she straddled me, and I pulled her head down to kiss her.
We were lost instantly.
Eventually, the need to ask more questions made me break our connection, even though she made a protesting sound.
“Shh, I know, baby.
I want to keep kissing you and more.
But first, I have to ask, Are you sure? I’m praying it turns out she’s not knocked up.
Or if she is, it’s not mine or one of my brothers’. I doubt we’re the only men she’s slept with. But if it is one of ours, we’ll fight to get it away from her. I can’t see Bev as a loving mother who would care for a child. You can handle this?”
“I can handle anything as long as you’re at my side, Rick.”
“Goddamn, you have no idea how good that sounds and the relief you just gave me.
I love you more than anything, Paige.
Thank you, baby.
Thank you. And I hope you always feel you can fight if I’m with you.”
“I do, and my family discovered that today.
I don’t ever wish to be near them, but I wish I could’ve seen their faces, especially Paxton’s, when I told him off and hung up on him.” She chuckled.
“Well, now I have to hear this story.
Tell me quickly, and then we’ll have something way more fun to do.”
“Hmm, I wonder what you have in mind.
Maybe we should jump right to it,” she suggested.
“As much as I want to, tell me what happened with that shit-ass family of yours,” I insisted.
She giggled and then told me about the call from her brother and the attempt by her mom.
When she was done, I was pissed.
“The bastard had the audacity to demand that you tell him where you are, insist you come to meet his future in-laws, and attend their fucking wedding like you’re a happy family.
They treat you like a third-class citizen.
I’m glad you told him off and blocked his ass, as well as your parents, but that won’t be enough for me, babe.
They, in particular Paxton, have to pay for what was done to Tiago. Are you prepared for it? It won’t be pretty.” I warned her. I knew whatever Diablo and Micro were doing, eventually, the club would be told, and a reckoning would be enacted.
“When you say it won’t be pretty, you don’t mean to kill them, do you?” she asked.
“If we did, would that matter?” I countered.
“I should say yes, it would, but sadly, it doesn’t.
I don’t usually see murder as the appropriate response unless it’s something very heinous.
It’s terrible what my brother did to Tiago, and then my family covered up.
However, if you punish them, I was guilty, too. Plus, I’d be scared to death you’d get caught and go to prison,” she rushed to add.
“No, you aren’t guilty like them.
You were forced to lie or be subjected to something horrible.
They would’ve allowed your great-uncle to molest and rape you, Paige.
You’re a victim as much as Tiago or anyone else. They’ve let Paxton hurt people and covered up, threatened, or paid them off to hide it. As for killing them, no, I don’t see that as their fate unless we were to find they did something such as rape, kill, or along those lines. However, your brother will certainly receive an intense beatdown and more. Your parents, it’ll probably be more hands-off. But if we had to go that far, trust that we’d make it so we weren’t caught.” I didn’t tell her we’d done it before. Therefore, we knew how to do it right.
“I’m not asking, but something tells me that you guys have done the ultimate before.
Anyway, they’ve been blocked.
They have no idea where I am.
All of them are out of my life. I hate, though, that my brother is about to prosper even more and run for office. I’d hate to see him win.”
“Blossom, I wouldn’t worry about it.
Something tells me he won’t win, or if he did, he wouldn’t last long.”
“That idea makes me feel even better.
Now, I’d like to suggest we forget about my family and Bev and do whatever that thing you mentioned not long ago is.
I think we should have some fun tonight,” she whispered before lowering her head.
She nipped my nipple through my shirt. I groaned as she tugged on it.
“Yeah, let’s do that,” I muttered.
***
It didn’t take long for me to have Paige in our bedroom, and we were both naked.
I’d paused only long enough to ask where Fenrir was.
She confessed she’d dropped him off to keep Tiago company for the night.
She thought we should be completely alone.
I feasted my eyes on her naked glory.
Her soft, pale skin, golden freckles that dusted her skin like fairy dust, and curves enticed me with every dip, shadow, and line.
Her enormous tits had my hands itching to touch and my mouth watering to taste them.
Yet, her strawberry-blonde patch covering her mound enticed me to explore her pussy. I knew I’d find heaven there, too. I didn’t know where to start. It seemed like it had been weeks since I last had her. I was starved, and if given a choice, I’d slip my dripping cock into her tight snatch and pound it until we both came screaming. But she deserved foreplay and me not falling on her like a hungry wolf.
She was sitting on the bed.
I was across the room because I didn’t trust myself to give her what she deserved.
I was gathering my strength.
Paige gestured with her fingers, giving me a “come here” wave.
“Rick, come here.
Don’t stand all the way over there,” she pleaded.
“Baby, I’m calming myself.
If I get close to you, I’ll be slamming my cock inside of you and taking you.
There won’t be any pleasure beforehand for you.
Give me a minute or two.”
A sexy smirk appeared on her face.
I watched her reach up and cup both tits.
She kneaded them and then twisted her nipples, which were hard peaks.
I groaned. She wasn’t helping me gain control. I was about to point that out when she spread her legs, and I got a glimpse of her glistening folds. I remained entranced as she ran one of her hands down to slide her finger between her legs and brought it up, covered in her sweetness. Paige held her hand out toward me. I broke. I raced across to the bed and sucked her finger into my mouth. As I licked it clean, I moaned.
Her hands came up and grabbed my ass cheeks.
She squeezed them and brought me closer to her.
As she did, Paige uttered, “I don’t want foreplay and slow.
I want fast, hard, and wild. I want you to let your beast side loose. Take me, Rick. Ravish me however you want.”
I let her clean finger drop from my mouth.
Hoarsely, I asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she moaned.
She was kneading my ass.
I let a wild growl loose, then I pushed her onto her back, yanked her ass to the edge of the mattress.
I lined my cock up with her hole, then drove inside.
I pushed hard and quick until I was balls deep.
We both moaned at how good it felt. Paige’s pussy was wet, hot, and tight like a velvet glove. I flexed my hips, withdrawing, then thrust again.
I set a fast pace.
I made sure I teased her G-spot repeatedly.
Based on the way she was crying out, nails scoring my chest, and her thrusts back, she was loving it, and I could feel her getting wetter.
I wanted her to have one orgasm without me losing my load. However, my self-control was waning.
Three or four thrusts later, she tightened around me and came.
She flooded me with her cream and tried to entice the cum from my balls, but I found the willpower not to ejaculate.
However, I did groan at how good it felt as she milked me, trying to get me to come.
By the time she stopped orgasming, I was even more feral than before.
Paige gasped when I hauled her body off the bed.
She squealed, then wrapped her arms and legs around my shoulders and hips.
I’d never let her fall, but if it made her feel better, so be it. I knew her hang-ups about her size and me carrying her. I was about to show her again that she was more than manageable for me.
With my cock still buried in her pussy, I walked us across the bedroom until I got to a wall.
I pressed her back into it.
She shivered.
As I leisurely thrust in and out, I whispered to her.
“I told you I’d take you up against the wall one day.
I thought tonight was the right time.
Fuck, you have no idea how amazing you feel to me.
I don’t want you to think about anything but how my cock feels inside of you. I want you to come for me again, Desert Blossom. And when you do, take me with you. Drain me dry.”
Her response was to tighten her inner muscles around me, causing me to groan.
From there, I went wilder.
I pounded her hard and deep.
She moved her hips as much as she could to meet my thrusts. After several minutes of this, needing to go deeper, I lowered her feet to the floor. She wore a dazed look.
“Turn and face the wall,” I ordered.
She did so shakily.
As soon as she was turned, I yanked her hips back, popping out that lush ass of hers.
I spread her cheeks, found her entrance, and I slammed my cock in her.
She wailed in pleasure. Her hands scrambled for purchase on the wall. I pounded her like never before. She was moaning, crying out, and begging for more. I gave it to her. Sweat was running down my chest by the time she started to tighten and cried my name. My balls drew up, and then we were both orgasming together.
I pumped my load deep, and she kept squeezing my cock for more.
By the time I was done, my legs were weak.
Not wanting to ruin the moment, I leaned against her and held onto the wall.
She was shaking. I kissed her shoulder, then up her neck to her ear. I ran my lips over the feather and bird tattoo that ran from her left bicep up to her shoulder area. She had her head turned to the side.
“Are you alright?” I asked.
“Is unable to feel my legs and on another planet, alright?” she muttered.
I chuckled.
“Yeah, it is.
My legs are like Jello.
You made me come so hard, I can’t walk.”
“Then I guess we’re stuck here.
Maybe someone will find us one day.
I bet that’ll be a sight to see,” she giggled.
“They can bury us like this,” I added.
We kept up the silliness until we felt it was safe to try to walk.
I held onto her as we made our way to the bed, where we dropped.
I pulled her against me and wrapped her in my arms.
“Paige, I know we’re facing a big hurdle, and it’s not the best time to ask.
I’m not prepared, but I’ve got to do it.
I love you.
I want you and Fenrir to move in with me as soon as possible.” I paused.
“Honey, I’d love that.”
“There’s more.
I want you to marry me.
I don’t want to wait.
And it has nothing to do with you-know-who. We’ve waited long enough to be together. I don’t want us to waste any more time.”
Paige’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
My heart felt like it was beating a thousand miles an hour.
Would she say no? Had I blown it? I should’ve waited until I got her a ring. I was still berating myself when she answered.
“Kendrick, I would love nothing more than to marry you.
You tell me when and I’ll be there.
It doesn’t have to be a big affair.
You, me, the club, oh, and Alvin. He insisted that he be invited to our wedding.”
Joy, unlike any I’d ever felt, filled me.
“Then get prepared to marry me, Blossom.
All we have to do first is let me tell Mom and pick out your ring.”
She gasped at the mention of my mom, which had me laughing as she smacked my chest and told me to behave.
***
The next morning, while she squirmed and tried to say she had to go home and change and get Fenrir, I forced Paige to sit with me as I called Mom.
And I didn’t just make it a phone call.
I used my computer, and we had a video call.
She was still threatening me when Mom picked up. Paige went mute when she saw her on the screen.
“Well, hello, son.
I see that you have someone with you.
Should I take a guess and say this must be Paige?”
A faint gasp of surprise left Paige.
I grinned and nodded.
“Yeah, Mom, this is Paige.
Babe, this is my mom, Jamila.”
“Hello, Mrs.
Brady,” Paige said.
“Oh, none of that Mrs.
crap.
You can call me Jamila, dear.
It’s so nice to meet you. Rick told me he’d met someone, and her name was Paige. He also told me how you met and the horrible stuff he did to you. I wouldn’t blame you if you kicked his ass and told him to hit the road after the terrible things he did.”
“Hey, none of that.
Don’t give her ideas.
I’ve got her right where I want her.
We’ve been ironing out issues, and though there is one we have to work on, we’re solid,” I admonished Mom slightly, though I smiled as I did it.
“She’s a better woman than I.
I’d be torturing you for a few years, at least.
Should I ask what the one issue is?”
“No, don’t ask.
I’ll explain later.
I wanted to call today with only good news.
How has it been for you?”
“It’s been great.
Work is humming along, and I’m about to do some redecorating on the house.
How is everything with the two of you? The club? I can’t wait to see you in a couple of weeks,” Mom excitedly said.
“Oh, Rick didn’t mention that you’re coming to visit.
How long has it been since you saw each other in person?” Paige asked.
“It was last January when I came there.
He came to see me in the summer.
I wanted to visit and see how Diablo’s baby and little girl are growing.
I’m so thrilled that he found someone after all those years alone. Jauhnna is a sweetheart and perfect for him. My son tells me you’re an ICU nurse. And you’re helping to take care of Tiago’s wounds at home. I swear, that boy needs a keeper. I think we need to find him a good woman, Paige. Since you’re there, you’ll have to be on the lookout, okay? When you find a likely candidate, we’ll make sure she’s good enough for him.”
“Whoa, don’t go plotting on T,” I protested.
“I already told him he better watch out.
He’ll find one he can’t charm and fall under her spell.
When that happens, I’ll tell him I told you so and warn her of his flirty ways,” Paige said.
Mom clapped her hands and hooted.
“Oh, I love her already.
I think we’re going to be great friends, Paige.
I know you’ve already made my son happy.
I can see the difference in him.”
“Well, Mom, then you’ll be ecstatic to know she’s agreed to make me even happier.
She’ll be moving in as soon as we can get her packed and her things here.” I paused.
“That’s wonderful,” Mom replied.
“And she’s agreed to marry me.
So, as soon as I get the ring and we can fix a date, you’ll be gaining a daughter-in-law.
That means you have to plan to come to Florida twice close together.
I’m not waiting forever to marry her. We’ve wasted enough time.”
As I was finishing up, Mom was dancing and smiling.
She ended up kissing the computer screen.
“I can’t believe it! He’s finally settling down.
Can I hope that means not long afterward, I might get some grandbabies?” she asked hopefully.
We didn’t mention Bev, not wanting to lessen the mood.
Instead, I answered truthfully from Paige’s and my perspectives.
“We haven’t officially discussed when, Mom.
I just asked her last night.
You’re the first person we’ve told.
However, we do want kids. Give us time, and I promise we’ll make you a grandmother.”
Tears misted Mom’s eyes.
“Your dad would be so excited and proud right now, Kendrick.
He wanted you to grow up, find love, and have a family.
I’m so happy you finally have.”
“I wish he were here with us, too.
He’d love Paige,” I agreed.
From there, the three of us chatted about this and that.
Some of the talk was about the wedding.
Mom assured Paige she’d help in whatever way she needed.
She knew the situation with Paige’s family. I’d spoken to Mom a week ago and explained the whole deal with Paige, what I did, and more. I hadn’t wanted to, but I knew she’d find out from someone, and if that happened, there would be hell to pay. By the time we wrapped up the call, they were fast becoming friends by the looks of it.
Paige snuggled into my chest after we disconnected.
“I love your mom.
She’s so sweet and genuine.
Nothing like mine.
I can’t wait to meet her in person.”
“She’ll be here for the New Year, so barely a month to wait.
I bet we can get a lot of wedding planning done while she’s here, though I don’t want us to wait to start on it.
I meant what I said.
I want to marry you as soon as I can,” I warned her.
“And I want to marry you as soon as we can.
Though before we do that, we should tell the rest of the club after they get home this evening.”
She was right.
Since it was Monday, everyone was at work.
The only reason I wasn’t was that I took off.
Turbo was happily covering for me. When I contacted him early this morning to ask, he told me not to worry.
With the call out of the way, we decided to go to Tiago’s to pick up Fenrir and tell T the news.
I knew he’d be thrilled for us.
Afterward, we’d go to her place and see what it would take to pack and move her stuff.
Paige told me she’d been packing to move, so there was less to do than there would’ve been. My gut twisted thinking of how close I came to blowing this and her leaving St. Augustine.
The drive to Tiago’s was quick.
I’d sent him a text to say we were on our way.
Not knowing if he was lying down or what, I used my key to let us in.
There was no bike in the driveway, so it meant no one was with him. I hoped he wasn’t sitting up too long and ruining the progress made on his wounds. If he were, Paige would kick his ass.
“Anyone home?” I hollered as I cracked the door open.
The scrabble of nails was heard on the hard floor as Fenrir came running to greet us.
He licked Paige first, then bumped his head against my leg to get me to pet him.
I crouched down to rub his ears and talk to him.
“Hi there, boy.
How was your babysitting duty last night?” I asked.
“Babysitting duty, my ass.
I was the one watching him.
Paige, I love your dog, but I realized something last night,” Tiago commented as he wheeled into the room.
“What is that?” she asked.
“Fenrir is a great pillow but a bed hog.
How can he take up an entire king-sized bed? I could see if he was a St.
Bernard, but damn.
He almost made me sleep on the floor,” T grumbled.
“Why would you let him sleep with you? I don’t for that very reason,” she chided.
“Because I didn’t want him to be lonely, and the floor is hard,” Tiago protested.
“Sucker.
He gave you those big pleading eyes, didn’t he?” she questioned, smirking.
“Maybe,” was all T replied.
“Definitely a sucker.
Well, if you stay with Uncle Tiago again, he’ll know not to fall for it,” she told Fenrir, who was standing there listening to us with a doggy grin on his face.
“Damn right, I won’t.
So does the fact that you’re together and Paige is talking about Fenrir staying in the future mean the two of you worked out your issue? Can I stop stressing that my friend and nurse will leave town? This kind of stress isn’t good for me,” he muttered.
She laughed.
“Yes, it means you can stop stressing, you baby.
I see how you made it all about you.
Have you been staying off your butt? Where’s your help?” We were walking further into the house, into the living area.
“I sent Zax off about an hour ago.
I don’t have to have one of them here every second.
Besides, they’re bored and distract me from work.
And yes, Mom, I’ve stayed off my ass. I’ve only been up in my chair for forty-five minutes. Zax changed my bandage before he left. I gotta say, I’m not thrilled to have so many guys seeing my ass, Dragon Lady. It’s sexy, and it could turn them gay. I have enough trouble with women wanting it. I don’t need guys added to the mix,” he joked.
“You think you’re so irresistible, but there’s a woman out there who won’t instantly fall for your charm,” she responded.
“Are you able to resist? If not, remember what I told you.
I’m the better deal.” T wiggled his eyebrows at her as he grinned.
“Hang the hell on.
Have you been trying to stab me in the back and steal my woman, brother?” I growled.
“Damn right, I have.
Paige is a prize.
So you better straighten up,” he answered.
“Well, I have bad news for you, but great news for me.
She and Fenrir are moving in with me.
All we have to do is get the rest of her things boxed up and to the house.” I let that hang there.
“Thank God.
That’s good news,” T said.
“That’s not the only news.
You are getting Dragon Lady even closer to you,” Paige told him.
He looked puzzled.
“How is that?”
“I’m not moving in to be his girlfriend.
I’m moving in as his fiancée and soon-to-be wife,” she said proudly.
T’s mouth fell open.
He was stunned, and then he grinned.
“Hot damn, yeah! Way to go, Scorpion.” He held out his fist to fist bump mine.
After we bumped, he held his arms open.
“Come give your brother a hug and kiss,” he demanded of Paige.
As they hugged and he kissed her cheek, I watched him whisper in her ear, and she nodded.
I wondered what he was saying.
I’d ask her later.
I was happy that my best friend and my old lady would be close.
With the announcement out of the way, we sat and talked.
I told him about Mom’s reaction.
He was stoked to see her soon.
To this day, she was still like a mom to him. They talked often. Then, I informed him of our intention to tell the club tonight once everyone was home. He insisted he had to be there. It was a given that I’d say yes. He knew he was welcome any time without an invitation.
We spent a couple of hours with him before we excuse ourselves to go to her place.
He’d lain down and was positioned off his wounds.
Paige peeked at them and was pleased with how they looked.
As we were leaving, Liam pulled into the driveway. I made sure Tiago wouldn’t mention our surprise, and then we headed out. Liam greeted us. He was carrying what appeared to be a bag of groceries.
As we parked at her house, I grew more excited.
I wanted to get to packing right now.
Even if she wasn’t moved, I intended to ask her to bring what she absolutely needed for herself and Fenrir with us today.
I wasn’t willing to have us live apart.
Entering, I eyed the boxes sitting around.
I hadn’t asked about them during the few days I stayed with her.
I pointed to them.
“Are those filled or just ready to be used?”
“Anything that has the top closed is filled and ready.
I was serious about moving, Rick.
I couldn’t stand the thought of staying and being miserable.”
I wrapped her in my arms.
“I know, and I’m sorry I caused you to contemplate it.
However, look at the bright side.
We’re that much closer to you being permanently enthroned at the house.”
“True.
Let me show you what’s not packed.
I don’t have a lot of things.
I learned not to hold on to items that I don’t use. It made it easier to move.”
“Speaking of your prior moves, I’ve gotta ask.
Why did you move so much after you got away from Texas? You know that Micro told us you did.”
She shook her head.
“I didn’t want to.
When I left Texas and went to school in Pennsylvania, I intended to stay there.
I thought it was a great enough distance between me and Texas.
I was wrong. Anytime I’d settle in and get comfortable, they’d find a reason to contact me and make demands. Most of the time, it was to make an appearance like Pax wanted for his in-laws and the wedding. They want people to think we’re some close, loving family. They’ll do anything to protect their image and to hide what they’re actually like. That’s especially true for my brother.”
“I can see how their demands would be a pain, but why move?” I asked.
“It seemed anytime they did that, soon after, I’d have any friends I made no longer speaking to me.
I lost jobs or had issues with my landlords.
I know it was Paxton saying, doing, or threatening them.
He hates to see me happy. So I’d pack and move without telling them in the hopes they wouldn’t find me. However, eventually, they always did.
“If they know what’s good for them, they’ll forget you exist, but we know they won’t.
So if they come here before we make them pay for what they did, they’ll be sent on their way.
No more ruining anything for you,” I promised.
The smile my declaration brought to her face warmed me.
Paige placed her arms around me.
“I love you so much, Rick.”
“Not as much as I love you, Paige,” I whispered before kissing her.