Chapter 9
Ian
When my brothers said that this place was a dump, they weren’t kidding. As we get out of the truck, I’m horrified by the sight of the compound around me.
“Holy fuck,” Nova whispers, getting out and closing the truck door.
She walks around to join me at my side as I stand there, taking everything in.
Piles of trash are everywhere, an awful smell invades my nose, making me want to gag.
It’s not until laughter catches my attention that I see a group of little kids running around, and my heart fucking shatters.
All of them are in dirty tattered clothes. Their hair and faces are smudged with caked on dirt. “Ian.” Nova looks up at me with concern.
“I know, baby.” I pull Nova into my arms, as if I can protect her from seeing what she’s already seen.
We spent the whole morning gathering things for the kids. We were not sure how many, age ranges, or genders, but we decided to start off small until we could assess the situation.
We decided on toys and cupcakes. I called Amy, one of the girls who works at my bakery to throw together a few dozen. At first, she told me there was no way she could do it on such short notice, but when I started throwing numbers around for what I’d pay her, she got it done.
“What are you doing here?” a voice I know all to fucking well asks, sending a shiver of unease down my spine.
Turning my head, I see stepmom dearest standing on the clubhouse porch.
She looks just like she did when we left, only her hair isn’t that horrible red box dye that she used to use.
The woman had an obsession with dying her hair red all because Will’s mother seemed to be our father’s favorite sweet butt baby mama.
. She was the only one of our mothers who came back on occasion.
Not to take care of her son, but to take whatever my father offered her. Sex, drugs, money.
“Julia,” I say in an all too peppy voice. “Horrible to see you again. I hope you're doing awful.”
Julia scowls, narrowing her eyes as Nova snorts in amusement at my side.
“Leave.” She lifts her chin. “You're not welcome here.”
“It’s a good thing I don’t give a fuck about what you think.” I grin.
“Leave.” She points towards the compound exit. “And take your little whore too,” she sneers over at Nova.
Nova snorts out a laugh. “What the fuck did I do?” Nova asks. “You sure are pleasant, aren't you?”
Anger fuels me as I take a step towards the bitch. “Don’t call my Omega a whore,” I spit.
“It’s okay.” Nova puts a hand on my chest, holding me back. “Her words don’t bother me.”
Julia sneers. “Where did you find this one?” She looks Nova up and down. “A strip club?”
Nova slowly steps towards Julia, crossing her arms. She stops a few feet before her and cocks her head to the side, eyeing up the other Omega.
“Not quite,” Nova says. “Although I wish I were a stripper. They are some badass women. I just can’t work a pole to save my life.
Nah. These men were so obsessed with me right from the start, they snatched me off the street and haven’t let me go since,” Nova laughs.
“So, if you're trying to insult me like I’m some kind of desperate whore, it’s not gonna work. ”
“They’re going to use you and toss you to the side,” Julia huffs. “They don’t do Omegas.”
“And how the fuck would you know?” I ask, brows furrowing. “You don’t know fuck all about our lives. We haven’t even seen you in what, ten years? Stop talking shit, lady, you’re making yourself look stupid. I’m done with you. Where is Kane?”
Julia looks three seconds away from losing her shit. “He’s not here.”
“Really?” I snort. “Wanna explain why their MC’s bikes are here?”
“They’re our mens’. So just leave.”
“Lies.” I narrow my eyes.
I’m about to shove my way past into the clubhouse to go find him myself when I see a little girl step out in front of Nova.
I blink down at the little blond thing. “You’re pretty,” she says, looking up at Nova.
“Why, thank you,” Nova laughs, crouching down in front of her. “What’s your name?”
“Rica,” she answers, and my eyes widen. This is the little girl Nick and Will said was our little sister?
“Get away from her,” Julia hisses, grabbing Rica’s arm roughly. Rica cries out in pain, and Nova is in Julia's face in a flash.
“Let go of her,” Nova demands, voice low and dangerous. “Or I’ll fucking gut you like a fish.”
Julia’s eyes flash with fear, and it’s not until I step to the side that I seet Nova has a blade pressed to Julia’s stomach.
Dear god, this woman is trying to kill me. Now is not the time to be hard as a fucking rock, but shit, my Omega is a badass.
“She’s my daughter,” Julia’s voice trembles.
“I don’t give a fuck. You’re hurting her,” Nova growls. “Let. Her. Go.”
“Julia!” Kane’s voice barks from the doorway of the compound, and she stiffens. “Let Rica’s arm go. Now.”
Julia lets go of Rica, who whimpers, wrapping her little arms around my Omega.
“You can’t do this,” Julia whines on her way over to Kane. “She’s my daughter.”
“Don’t you fucking start with me,” Kane growls. “The sight of these fucking kids is pitiful. You’re lucky I’m willing to let you all get your fucking acts together before I take all these kids back with me.”
“You can’t take her!” Julia says in a rush. “Please!”
“Then grow the fuck up and be a mother,” Kane growls.
“I’m sorry. I’m a mess. I just miss him so much.” Julia starts to cry. But I can tell bad acting when I see it. Kane doesn’t seem to believe it either.
“Come on, Julia,” A woman steps out. “Let’s go inside.”
Julia sniffs, nodding her head before turning to look down at Rica. “Come on, sweetie.”
“No!” Rica screams, clinging to Nova tighter.
Nova bends down and picks Rica up.
“Give her to me,” Julia demands.
“I don’t think she wants to go with you. Do you, sweetie?” Nova asks Rica. Rica shakes her head.
“Come on.” The woman pulls at Julia. “She will be fine.”
Julia looks like she wants to argue, but Kane lets the woman pull her inside.
“Your brothers are inside. We’re about to hold church. You want in?”
I shake my head. “No. I’ll stay here with Nova. We have stuff for the kids. I trust my brothers.”
Kane nods. “Good to see you again, man.”
“Right back at you, brother.” I nod back.
“Julia seems like a peach,” Nova says when Kane heads back inside.
“Just the peachiest.” I look down at the scared little girl in Nova’s arms. “Hi, Rica. I’m Ian. You met my brothers yesterday. Will and Nick.”
She blinks up at me, pulling her thumb from her mouth. “They said they were my brothers.”
“That’s right.” I smile. God, she is so damn sweet. “That means, so am I.”
The smile she gives me steals my heart. “Hi,” she says shyly.
“Hi,” I chuckle.
“We brought some stuff for you and the other kids,” Nova tells her. “Want to see what we got?”
Rica puts her thumb back into her mouth and nods eagerly.
Rica squirms, and when Nova sets her down, she takes off. Nova looks at me, confused for a moment, before Rica comes back, this time with a group of kids behind her.
They all approach us hesitantly.
“Erica said you have stuff for us?” an older boy, looking to be maybe thirteen or so, questions.
“Erica?” I ask, brows furrowing. “I thought her name was Rica?”
“It’s her nickname. She can’t say her name right,” the boy explains.
“Ahh.” I nod.
“What’s your name?” Nova asks, her voice nothing but gentleness.
“Tyler.” He holds his head high. “My brother is Rafe. He said he knows you.”
“He does.” I nod. “He’s our cousin. That means so are you.”
Tyler’s shoulders relax. He doesn’t look like the other kids. While his clothes have some rips in them, he doesn’t look dirty like the others..
I didn’t know Rafe had a little brother. He’s never mentioned it before. I’ll have to ask him about that.
“Well, Tyler. Erica was right. We do have stuff for you all. Some toys. And cupcakes,” Nova says.
All the kids' eyes light up as they run towards us. Five little boys, not including Tyler, and a girl who holds Rica’s hand.
Tyler comes closer to me while Nova hands out the toys and cupcakes. The once sad and guarded kids are looking bright and happy. It breaks my fucking heart all over again. What the fuck did my father do to this place? I’m glad the monster is gone, they’re all better off without them.
“How many kids are there?” I ask Tyler.
“These are the ones old enough to talk,” Tyler grumbles. “The rest are just babies.”
If this is how the older ones are being treated, the thoughts going through my head on how the babies are cared for makes me sick. “How many?”
“Only two.” Tyler looks up at him. “But they don’t stay here all the time. Their mamas live off the compound.”
I guess that’s better than living here.
“How are you doing?” I ask Tyler. He lost his father too.
Tyler doesn’t say anything, just glares up at me. He looks a lot like Rafe, same dark hair and green eyes.
“I know this might be a lot for you, losing your dad and all the men you grew up with but I promise, we’re not here to hurt you.”
“I’m glad they’re dead,” Tyler spits.
“Ah, not a fan of Pops?” I ask, raising a brow.
“No,” he grunts, looking back at the kids. “All of them were monsters. They deserved to die.” Tyler looks back up at me. “Are you guys going to take us away?”
His question catches me by surprise. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s what they’re doing inside, figuring out what to do next.”
Tyler nods.
“Would you want to be sent away?” I ask.
I’m sure if Kane wanted to, they could work something out with the system.
Or take them back with them. I don’t know much about Kane’s MC chapter, but I do know they are well respected and good people.
I’m sure there are people who would take good care of these kids.
“No,” Tyler says, looking down at Erica with a protective stare. “Not without her.”
“Do you care about her?”
“I care about all of them. They’re my family,” Tyler responds, not looking at me. “Rafe and I, and a few of the prospects, try our best to look out for them. But there’s only so much we could do without my dad or uncle Killer losing their shit.”
“I believe it,” I sigh sadly.
“I hope Kane takes over,” Tyler says. “We’re not all bad,” he looks up at me and I feel bad for the kid. He’s only a teenager, but I just know that he’s had to grow up fast.
“I know, kid.” I nod. “Whatever happens, I know it’s going to be what's best for everyone here.”
Tyler nods and goes back to watching the kids as they laugh and chatter like it’s Christmas morning.
Nova is smiling as she looks up at me, but her face shifts to sadness.
I might not know my Omega well, but I can see the kind heart inside her. The look in her eyes tells me she’s not going anywhere when it comes to these kids.
Honestly, I don’t blame her. I’ll do whatever I can to help them too.
An hour later, Nova and I are sitting on the edge of the porch watching the kids play with their new toys when Will, Kane, and a group of Kane’s men come out.
We pause our conversation of planning our next trip to bring clothes now that we know how many and the age ranges to get them for.
“So, what’s gonna happen?” I ask as I get to my feet.
Will looks to Kane. “We’ve decided to rebuild what’s already here. Fix the place up, get the kids help, as well as the women. The remaining men will be vetted to make sure they are trustworthy of remaining in this MC. Some of my men are staying to help for a while until you're on your feet.”
My brows furrow. Yours? Doesn’t he mean their feet?
As if he can read my mind, Will sighs. “We’re going to help.”
“We are?” I ask slowly.
“And we’re going to use the money we have saved to fix the place up.”
“Huh?” I take a moment to process. “Not what I was expecting.”
“That is, if you're okay with it,” Will says, looking at Nova. “This is your life too.”
I look around at the little kids staring up at me. They need help. They need us.
“I say let’s do it,” Nova says.
“Yeah?” I ask her, needing to make sure she’s okay with this. I won’t do anything she doesn’t want to do.
“I’m not letting them go another day like this, Ian,” she declares, eyes hard. “This is their home, all they know. They deserve to live in a safe place.”
“Alright then.” I nod. “I guess we’re doing it.”
While I don’t like the idea of being back in the MC world, just because I’m helping out doesn’t mean I have to join. We have the funds, more than we know what to do with. It’s enough to get this place fixed up, better than before.
And the money we make from our jobs will get us by in our personal life.
I didn’t want to leave, and now we don’t have to.
This is not at all how I thought things would go, but as long as my father is dead and my Omega isn’t in any danger, that’s all that I care about.
“Wait. Don’t the MCs need a president and vice president or something?” Nova asks. “I mean, all my knowledge is from either TV shows or books, so I could be wrong.”
“No, you're right,” Kane says. “Meet your new VP of the Georgia chapter of the Steel Devils,” he says, patting Will’s shoulder. My eyes widen as my brother's jaw grinds. He doesn’t seem to be happy about that.
“VP, huh?” I whistle and he shoots me a glare. “Now, that I’m shocked about.”
“Who’s the president?” Nova asks.
“That would be me.” Nick steps outside, his blue eyes hard, blond hair a mess like he’s been running his hands through it. But what catches my eyes is the new cut he has over his leather jacket. “I’ll be taking over this chapter of the Steel Devils.”
Well fuck me, life just got a whole hell of a lot more interesting, that’s for sure.