Chapter 30 #2
“I’m very disappointed in him too,” Wilder says, trying to keep a straight face.
My alphas are trying their damndest, but they all break when Storm sputters out a laugh.
“Ugh, you all suck,” I grumble. “Hastings should be able to tell her father she’s here if she wants. We don’t know what happened to her to bring her to Minnesota.”
“We don’t, and I didn’t exactly tell him either,” Lore says. “You know Ryder notices fucking everything though.”
I blow out a breath, nodding, and Ransom hands me my makeup bag without a word.
“Thank you,” I mumble, turning back to the mirror. “I think my issues are spilling over on this. Tommy called me yesterday and he was actually nice. I’m not used to it yet.”
“Sugar, he’s been nice the last eight times he’s called you,” Ransom says gently.
“And he’s been a dick for the last thirty years, so I’m going to continue to be surprised,” I mutter, adding a little blush to my cheeks.
Everyone says I look as if I’m glowing, but I only notice it when I take a photo with my alphas. Lore is very insistent on getting as many of those as possible, and the house has photos hung all over the walls. It’s nice to have evidence of happy moments, and our house actually looks lived in now.
“Okay, let’s go,” I say, making sure my lipstick looks good. I’m pretty low maintenance, which means when I wear makeup, it doesn’t take long to apply it.
“You’re too pretty,” Lore says, shaking his head in a way that makes me laugh. “I can’t handle it, Princess.”
Shrugging because that’s his problem, not mine, I give him a hug and walk toward the front door. Sliding my sandals onto my feet, I wait for Wilder to drop to his knees to pull the strap over my heel.
“I have your phone in my pocket,” Ransom says, opening the front door.
“I won’t need it,” I say with a shrug, walking out with Lore. We need to time these things so we’re together between one space and the other.
“I’m still bringing it,” he says, following me.
Storm arms the security system and locks up, and brings up the rear with Wilder.
“Are you riding today?” I ask, humming as the sunlight hits my face. I feel like a flower who thinks she hates being outside until I’m actually out. Then all I can think about is how much I love it.
“I’m driving you,” Lore says. “The guys can ride if they want.”
The car is one of those things that irritates the bond sickness if we’re not together. It’s another reason I’ll be happy to ride with him again.
“We’ll go together,” Ransom shrugs. “It makes things easier, because I don’t foresee any errands.”
“The guys already did a food run and bought Marie’s favorite favorites,” Lore confirms.
“You guys,” I sigh, loving how much they all take care of me.
“This baby is the first one born to the club,” Storm says, helping me into the back of the SUV. Lore gets in the back as well now that Wilder will drive. He’s just as much of a passenger princess when we’re not alone in the car.
Don’t let the big, bad, motorcycle president fool you.
“Your thoughts even brat hard,” Lore whispers in my ear.
Giggling, I shrug as Storm, Wilder, and Ransom all close their doors.
“All this time together, and no one’s had a kid?” I ask.
“They all fuck around a lot, but they’re careful,” Storm confirms. “Lore’s dad showed us all why we should wrap it up.”
“So he didn’t teach you how to switch your omega’s birth control,” I tease him. “That’s good to know.”
“We learned that move all on our own,” Lore says, checking my seatbelt as Wilder pulls away from the curb. “My sperm donor doesn’t get that honor.”
“Good to know,” I smirk.
The drive to the clubhouse is spent teasing and shit talking, and I walk into the living room with a wide smile on my face.
“Hey, Little Queen! How are you feeling?” Vik asks.
“We got you a new chair,” Western adds. He’s not at the clubhouse very often, but he’s nice enough. “You couldn’t get up last time you were here.”
“That’s because I have a baby bowling ball,” I say. “I can’t complain, Vik. Even though I still do.”
“We turned the air conditioning down,” Arsenal says, watching as I sit in a recliner. “You can see out all of the windows here, though that prospect is supposed to be here.”
“I’m sorry,” a voice wheezes, walking in the door. “I had to take care of something, but I’m here now.”
My eyes widen as a curly haired blonde stops to gaze around the room.
“Hey, Marie,” Bentley says.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I ask. “Are you seriously their prospect? What about school or your football scholarship? Aren’t you at the University of Minnesota?”
“I’m still at school,” he says slowly, ignoring the rest of the room as it goes deadly silent.
“I transferred pretty early on to the University of Lyons because they have a better program. The football coach is also phenomenal. I help Storm out when he needs information, so it made sense to take the next step.”
“Do not shoot him, Marie,” Arsenal breathes.
“Come on, I didn’t do anything,” Bentley says. “You’re really fucking pregnant. Shit.”
“Shoot him, Little Queen. I take it back. This kid is dumber than a bag of rocks.”
Flicking my striped linen dress off my legs causes Bentley eyes to travel down. He’s too slow to realize I’m actually going for my gun until it’s cocked and aimed at him.
“I forgot Tommy taught you how to shoot,” he mutters.
“Your brother did his fair share to bully me into shooting straight,” I grumble.
“Jasper? He’s literally the nicest to omegas,” Bentley yells.
“Not to me,” I sigh. “Go back to school, kid. I’m perfectly fine sitting right here while they hold church.”
“I almost didn’t believe it when Storm told me you were scent matched, but you’re very at home here, Marie.”
“Well, Lore almost died and I didn’t have much of a choice,” I shoot back at him. “I also didn’t see you at the funeral.”
“I wasn’t allowed to go,” he says. “I didn’t want to stress you out if you saw me. Clearly, I was right.”
“Marie is the Prez’s old lady,” Burner says, crossing his arms over his chest. “I also like her more than a shit stain who is here to make our lives easier. The last prospect we had left big fucking shoes to fill. Get the fuck out and stand at the gate.”
“Yes, sir,” Bentley says, turning around and jogging out like his hair is on fire.
“Ugh,” I groan.
“You’re going to be such a good mom,” Burner smirks. “For the record, he was being a cunt. I’ll get you some water.”
“Do you need a snack?” Wilder asks, heading into the kitchen.
I know they’re trying to make it so I won’t have to get up, and I really appreciate that. Placing the gun on the side table next to me, I blow out a breath, feeling my blood pressure trying to come down.
“I didn’t think that through,” Storm says. “I keep forgetting everyone fucking knows everyone in this giant city. I once told Bentley it’s incestuous.”
I snort at the thought, thanking Wilder and Burner for the snack and water respectively.
“At least he can shoot worth a damn,” I grumble. “Jasper raised the kid. Even though he’s smart as hell, it’s not a surprise that he’s an adrenaline junkie.”
“Careful throwing around those big words,” Vik says, making me laugh.
“Alright, Marie is all set, let’s have church,” Lore says, wrangling everyone into a room down the hall.
I get bored quickly, especially when my snack is gone and I have to pee.
I manage to get up and use the bathroom without too much of an issue, but I notice someone at the gate talking to Bentley.
My curiosity gets the better of me, and I return my weapon to my thigh holster, making sure it’s comfortable.
Biting my lip, I gaze at the door as if it’ll bite me, probably because it will.
“Marie,” Lore says, poking his head from the meeting room. “What’s outside, Princess?”
“Something I need to see,” I rasp. “I know I’m interrupting whatever your meeting…”
“Fuck the meeting!” Burner yells. “Field trip outside it is.”
My body sags with relief as Lore nods.
“You might sweat your balls off, but let’s take this outside for now,” he says, crossing the room to stand at my side.
Feeling better now that I won’t be frying my neural passages with bond sickness, I walk out the screen door with Lore. I’m blasted with hot air, an unfortunate situation after the coolness inside.
My trip alone up to the gate takes longer than I’d like to admit, and there’s no one there by the time I get there.
“Who was here?” I ask.
“Some girl who said her brother was here,” Bentley says with a shrug.
“Who’s her brother?” I ask in exasperation as he leans against the fence.
“I don’t know, Marie,” he says. “She’s just some girl looking to become a sweet butt.”
“This club doesn’t have those!” I growl. Bentley gives me a smarmy look that tells me I’m being too innocent and I pull out my baton. “I know everything I need to know about those men, Bentley River. Go find that girl!”
Something tells me this is important, and I throw open the gate, unable to wait for him to get his head out of his ass, waddling as quickly as I can.
“Fuck. Marie. Come on, you can’t run her down.”
“Hey!” I yell, seeing someone walking away quickly. She has tangled dark hair, and she’s angrily swiping at her eyes. “Shit.”
Dropping the baton, I pull my gun and aim at the ground in front of her. It makes her scream when the bullet hits the gravel, but it’s effective as she whirls around.
“Who’s your brother?” I yell, making my voice carry.
“He said he wasn’t here,” the girl sniffs, pointing at Bentley.
I glare at the damn prospect, and he pales, glancing at my gun.
“I will end your football career if you ever speak about or to a woman, any woman, like that again. Do you understand me?” I ask.
“Yes, ma’am,” he whispers.
“Did you get a name? Or were you so worried she was just a walking hole that you didn’t bother to ask?”
“I…”
Growling at him again, I turn and begin walking in the direction the girl is in.
“Marie, we don’t fucking know her!” Bentley yells.
“Shut it, Prospect!” I yell back. “You want to act like a big, bad biker, then I’ll treat you like the nameless blockhead you are. Hey, come back. Let’s talk.”
My voice drops into a kinder, softer one I don’t even recognize from earlier. I’m capable of masking the anger I’m experiencing because I want to get to the bottom of this mystery in front of me.
“He told me I was barking up the wrong tree,” she says softly, her eyes on my gun.
“I’m sorry about this,” I say, pointing to the gun. “I’m too pregnant to run after anyone.”
I’m breathless as I get to her, and I put the safety back on with my hand on my chest as I struggle to pull oxygen into my lungs.
“Let’s try this again, okay?” I gasp. “Why do you think your brother is here, and do you have a name?”
“My father is Callous James,” she explains, making my heart lock up.
“My mom said he was a Knotted Anarchist before she died. I figured I’d ask around and got a bus ticket here from Michigan.
I’m not looking for a hand out, I swear it.
I just wanted to see if I had any family before I started looking for a job. ”
“I know your brothers,” I say, the heaviness of this settling into my bones. Callous James really did get around, the soulless bastard. “What’s your name?”
“Amelia,” she says softly, the wind blowing her hair in her face.
“How old are you,” I ask, trying to get as much information as possible before Lore and my alphas decide to follow me.
I’m too agitated for them not to come investigate.
“Twenty,” she replies. “I found their clubhouse online, got on a bus, and didn’t think about anything else. I know this was stupid, my mom was the only family I have.”
“It’s not,” I say, shaking my head. “I promise you’re safe here. I just threatened to shoot Bentley if he decided to even think about being a dick to you.”
“I have brothers?” Amelia asks softly.
“Mmhmm. Walk with me before one of them thunders out here to find me,” I say, laughing as I begin to walk back.
Damn, I definitely made some tracks. This is gonna suck.
“Marie!” Lore yells.
“And there’s your brother,” I say, shrugging. “This is his baby, so he gets a little worried when I wander off.”
“You’re an omega not a duckling,” Amelia says, wry humor filling her voice.
“Eh, sometimes I wonder…”
I wave my hand in the air as he looks up and down the road, and Lore boxes Bentley’s ears before storming in my direction. He at least picks up my stun baton off the ground, so that’s nice.
“I’m fine,” I begin, raising my hand so he’ll let me talk. “Callous has struck again, Lore. Meet Amelia, your sister.”
My alpha’s eyes go shocked, and he gazes at Amelia for a long time.
“You have his birthmark on your neck,” he sighs. “You really are his.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Amelia asks, swallowing hard.
“No, it’s just a heavy legacy to be hitched to,” he explains. “Looks like my meeting is going to be delayed. Just as well, they really are toddlers, Marie.”
Blinking away the tears that are threatening to fall, I nod rapidly. “They are, aren’t they.”
Lore pulls me to his side, and we begin walking back with Amelia.
“Were you leaving? I heard a fucking gunshot and then Marie was freaking out through the bond,” he grumbles.
So much for pretending to keep my cool. Lore kisses my forehead, unrepentant as he smirks at me.
“There was a misunderstanding at the gate with the prospect,” I reply, still pissed at Bentley.
“I see,” Lore says, working through what I’m not saying.
“Marie, I’m really sorry—” Bentley starts to say as a breeze blows in his direction. He glances at Amelia with stunned eyes, and I decide things are definitely going to get really complicated fast.
“It doesn't matter,” I grit out. “I’m not made for running anymore. This baby is going to drop right out, it feels like.”
The words do exactly what I intend for them to do, and Lore sweeps me into his arms.
“Sorry, Amelia. It’ll be another month at least until you can meet your nephew or niece,” he says, continuing to walk up to the ranch house.
“I think I can wait,” she says, appearing stunned.
The poor girl went from having no family, to a lot more than she could have ever imagined.
“Lore…”
“I’ll tell him,” he promises.
We all head inside, and Vik stares at Amelia for longer than is considered polite.
Fuck me, this is going to be really interesting when the shit hits the fan. I keep my mouth shut about the scent matches happening before my eyes, because I know better than anyone that this just needs to work itself out on its own.