Chapter 19 #2
The moment I’m inside, she engulfs me in a hug.
The surge of emotion I feel is as surprising as the embrace.
Even the times my parents were being decent people, they weren’t very demonstrative.
I tried to do better for Layla, and we hug every time we see each other, but I can’t remember the last time I had a ‘mom hug.’ Granted, when the woman lets me go and steps back, I see she’s probably only ten years older than me, which means not old enough to be my mom, but I don’t think there’s an age requirement for ‘mom hugs.’
“I’m Maria,” she says. “Welcome.”
I notice a slight accent but can’t place it exactly.
Behind Maria is a little girl with the same dark eyes and black curls, but the smile the girl gives us is all Stone.
“My daughter, Sienna,” Stone says as he takes off his boots and sets them next to the door. Creed and I do the same.
“I’m ten,” Sienna says as Creed and I follow the family further into the house. “And I’m gonna ride a motorcycle in five and a half years.”
Maria rolls her eyes and gives me a look. “You have kids?”
I shake my head. “Just me and my little sister.”
Maria’s smile disappears and she reaches out to squeeze my hand. “Stone told me why you’re here. We’ll do what we can to help.”
“Thank you.” I squeeze her hand back.
“Me and Mom made lasagna,” Sienna announces. “With garlic bread.”
“I hope that’s okay,” Maria says. “It’s my Nonna’s recipe.” As she turns toward the kitchen, I notice she has a tattoo on the back of her neck. In an elegant cursive script it says, ‘Stone’.
“That’s great,” I say. “How can I help?”
“You’re guests,” Maria protests.
“And you’re helping us,” I point out.
“All right,” Maria agrees. “Follow me.”
Helping her makes conversation flow easily as we stick to basic small talk about the general things in life.
It’s the sort of thing I’ve done with Layla hundreds of times, and the familiarity makes my heart ache.
Before that can completely ruin my mood, Sienna comes skipping into the kitchen and spends the rest of the time Maria and I are preparing entertaining us with stories about her day at school.
“And that’s why Mrs. Chavez had to move my seat to the other side of the room,” Sienna finishes as she takes a seat at the table.
I set down the salad bowl and Maria puts down the tray of lasagna next to the basket of garlic bread. She looks around the table and nods in satisfaction.
“Stone! Creed!” Maria calls out. “Dinner’s ready.”
I sit across from Maria, with Creed next to me, and it’s a strangely domestic scene.
When Creed said we were going to stay with Stone, this isn’t what I pictured at all.
And honestly, if someone told me the first time I met the burly, bearded MC president that he was a family man, I wouldn’t have pictured Maria for his old lady, and it’s not the age gap.
It’s more that she looks like all the moms I met when I went to Layla’s school stuff.
The ones who ran the bake sales and sponsored field trips.
Stone doesn’t talk much, but as Maria keeps the conversation flowing, it’s clear he’s just quiet, not cold.
He listens intently to every word Sienna says, his love for her written all over his face.
The love’s there when he turns to Maria, too.
Obviously, there’s a heat in that look, but it’s not just lust. He loves his family and doesn’t care that we can see it.
It hits me how much Stone put at risk when he invited Creed and me to dinner at his house.
Sure, the Vipers and the Kings are allies, but it’s one thing to handle the agreement like some sort of business deal and something else entirely to show Creed something that could be used against him.
Gratitude makes my throat tight, and I focus on my plate for a few minutes to get my emotions under control.
Once we’re all finished, Maria sends Sienna upstairs to do her homework, and the four of us move into the living room.
I’m grateful when Maria and Stone both settle into armchairs, leaving the couch for Creed and me.
I can’t deal with thoughts of what any of this with Creed means or what it’ll be in the future, but I need to be close to him.
He doesn’t say he knows what I’m thinking, but he immediately puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me tight against his side.
“I appreciate you being willing to wait until Sienna left before we discuss business,” Stone says. “She knows about the club, knows the men, and she knows people sometimes don’t like us, but Maria and I keep the dangerous shit out of her world.”
“The language, too,” Maria says, shooting Stone an amused look. “Though that doesn’t always go so well.”
“Well, we appreciate the Vipers honoring our agreement when it could cause you some problems,” Creed says.
“From what you said when you called earlier, this Meridian Group is looking to cross state lines with some vile shit,” Stone says. When Maria gives him a disapproving look, he says, “They traffic in drugs and people.”
“Yeah, that’s vile shit,” Maria agrees. “Not really a more appropriate word for it.”
“Do the Reapers know about Meridian?” Stone asks.
“Once we get Patch and Layla back, I’m gonna tell them,” Creed says. “My prospect did some stupid sh—stuff.” He gives Maria an apologetic smile. “Reapers are gonna want him to answer for. I’m hoping a promise to back them against Meridian will clear that all up.”
“Wouldn’t the Reapers want to join with Meridian?” Maria asks. “I mean, they’re into the same,” she grins, “stupid shit.”
“I get the feeling Meridian doesn’t play well with others,” Creed says. “And they’d definitely think they’re better than the Reapers.”
“I doubt Grave would take that well,” Stone says dryly. “Anyway. We have your back now, you have ours if Meridian tries to cross the line?”
Creed nods. “I think if they see a show of force and realize they’re not dealing with a handful of weekend warriors, they’ll stay out of Southern California all the way around.”
“Sounds good to me,” Stone says in agreement. “Now, while you were on your way here, I had my men out looking around some possible hiding places. They sent that information to the number you gave me. That’s your tech guy, right? I’ve heard about him.”
“Cipher’s the best,” Creed says. “I’m guessing we’ll have what we need before dawn.”
“Then we best turn in soon,” Stone says. “But first, let’s all have a drink. I think it’ll help us sleep.”
Two hours later, I’m in bed, staring at the ceiling and waiting for Creed to join me in the guest bedroom.
My buzz from the alcohol is long gone since I didn’t drink much, and I don’t feel the least bit ready to sleep.
I mean, I’m exhausted, but my brain is too busy to slow down, let alone shut down.
I keep going back and forth between worrying for Layla and worrying for what’s going to happen tomorrow.
I know there are MCs that don’t have codes of honor, but the Kings—and the Vipers—do.
My gut says the Meridian Group is going to have less ethics and morality than any biker I’ve met.
Meridian is made up of rich assholes, after all.
The bathroom door opens and I look over automatically.
My stomach clenches, and my heart skips a beat at the outline of his now-familiar body.
He’s wearing only a pair of tight boxer-briefs, and I greedily devour what I can see, my mind filling in the parts I can’t.
I’m not really in the mood for sex, but looking at Creed is like looking at a piece of art.
I don’t need to be in a specific mood to enjoy something beautiful.
“Can’t sleep?” he asks as he comes into the room. He doesn’t wait for my response and climbs into bed next to me, stretching out his arm. “Come here.”
His tone is gruff, but his touch is gentle as he pulls me to him.
I rest my head on his chest, my ear pressed right over his heart.
The steady thrum of his pulse is almost hypnotic, and I feel my body begin to relax.
The soap here is different than what Creed normally uses, but it still doesn’t overpower the natural scent of his skin.
I didn’t realize until now how addicted I am to it. It’s the smell of home.
“Close your eyes,” he says quietly. “Don’t try to force yourself to sleep. Just relax and listen to me, okay?”
“Okay.” I close my eyes.
His fingers begin to trace patterns on my skin, but there’s nothing sexual about it, only comfort.
“I know you’re worried about Layla, and you’re probably feeling guilty for not thinking about her every second of every day.
” He speaks in a low, even voice that soothes me as much as his touch.
“But you can’t stop living just because something bad happens.
You have nothing to feel guilty about, sweetheart, and if your sister is the woman you say she is, I’m sure she’ll agree with me. ”
I can’t help smiling at that because he’s right. Layla would be all for me having some ‘personal time’, and she certainly wouldn’t have an issue with Creed being a biker.
“We’re not leaving until we find her and Patch. You have my word on that.”
There’s no mistaking his confidence, and I know it’s genuine, which helps chase away some of my worry.
“The Vipers are good men, too. When Stone gives his word, it’s as good as mine. With their help, we’ll find our people and find out who’s behind all of this. You and Layla will be safe again.”
He keeps talking, but the words get fuzzy as my body grows heavy. My last thought before I fall asleep is that I don’t think I would have survived this without Creed.