Chapter Thirteen.
Jody
“Shhhh,” I whispered as I parked up outside Crook House. Lars looked at me and, despite his tiredness, smiled.
Next to him, snoring his little head off, was Jesper.
Oskar pushed the door back and carefully picked Jesper up.
Jacob had run Jesper for three hours solid, and then Jesper just stopped and lay down.
It was a damn miracle. I seriously owed Magic one.
Even better, there’d been adults there! The centre had boasted a café, so I’d been able to get a coffee and have an adult conversation.
Jacob had asked if I wanted to sign up, and I’d signed immediately to his amusement.
Jesper would attend six days a week, and the others three times.
Surprisingly, Laila had been up for it, too.
Laila could drive a car, and Lars and Oskar also had their licences.
Between the four of us, we’d take it in turns to chauffeur Jesper when the others weren’t attending.
Oskar quietly carried Jesper upstairs, with Henrik trailing behind. They’d all sleep well tonight. Heading into the kitchen, I dragged my phone out and dialled Magic.
“Hi,” he said, answering on the second ring.
“Thank you for Delta Force. Jesper is actually asleep!” I exclaimed.
“You’re welcome. Guess it helped.”
“Loads! Honestly, Magic, I don’t think I’ve seen Jesper go to bed at a decent hour. I’ve signed all seven of them up. How did you meet Jacob?”
“Did you hear about the war that was fought in Rapid City? Where MCs and other groups came together to fight off a one-percenter?”
“You were involved in that?”
“Yes. Jacob’s the father of a Rage old lady. Mac’s woman. Jacob brought the Delta Force team in to help defend the city.”
“There was a lot of death,” I murmured, remembering some of the reports.
“Yeah. Unwanted Bastards lost most of their brothers. Other allies took hits. RCPD was decimated; half of their staff died. The department’s still recovering today,” Magic replied.
“You fought, didn’t you?” I asked, unsure how I felt.
“Damn right I did.”
“You’re a hero?”
“Ain’t no hero, Jody. Just a man with weapons and explosion knowledge who used it to save innocents.
None of us deserved what Venomous Fangs planned.
The president, Fury, was the devil incarnate.
But that evil led to good stuff; we’ve a great president now.
Somebody people know will defend our country.
We’ve shown other one-percenters, Joe Public won’t sit down and take shit. We’ll fight and protect what is ours.”
“I’m lost for words,” I murmured. My mind was whirling. This was what Vulcan and Kanon had missed. Allies. People who would have helped them. If Vulcan and Kanon had belonged to, say, Unwanted Bastards MC or Riders of Vengeance, would they be here now?
“Bunny and Alice have agreed to babysit, so I’ll pick you up on Saturday. The concert starts at seven. Do you want to eat first?”
“That would be great.”
“Then I’ll come at five.”
“Thanks, Magic, for everything. See you then.” I hung up and stared out of the kitchen window thoughtfully.
“Magic was a hero?” Lars asked from behind me.
“Seems it.”
“What war did Magic fight in, Mor?”
I briefly explained what I knew about the battle that had happened here. Lars was appalled.
“That wouldn’t have taken place in Denmark!” he stated.
“No? Consider what Torden was aiming for. He would have acted similarly.”
Lars fell quiet. “Dad and Onkel Kanon stopped him.”
“Yes. There is some stuff you’re unaware of that you’re not ready to hear. But their sacrifice prevented an evil man from gaining traction,” I replied.
Lars became contemplative. I wondered if he would push. Instead, he changed the subject, unwilling to touch something that would cause great pain. “Magic didn’t tell you what happened during the war?”
“No. But I sense it was bad.”
“Can we look it up?”
I was surprised, but let Lars take the lead. “If you wish.”
Even though time was marching on, and it was getting late, I let Lars load up the laptop, and we began digging.
There was a lot online, half speculation, but there were videos.
Hundreds filmed by the residents that the Allies, as they were commonly known, had protected.
I searched for Magic’s name, and at least a dozen popped up.
“Christ!” I exclaimed, watching the explosions he’d created.
“Magic’s a lunatic,” Lars declared, but sounded impressed.
There was a lingering shot of Magic, bloodstained, hair wild and longer than today, his beard salt and pepper with dust, and his clothes torn.
There was a haunted expression on his face, which turned my stomach.
Magic hadn’t got off easily. Another picture followed, and this time, Magic bent over someone.
It was clear Magic knew them because he held them tightly, and his face was grief stricken.
Lars stared at it, and I wondered what he was thinking.
“Mor, I’m going to bed.”
“Okay,” I murmured.
Lars paused at the doorway. “Maybe, Mor, Magic’s not what we thought?”
“There was a lot of misunderstanding. Magic, deciding he had to protect me, and my believing he’d realised I was pregnant and didn’t want you. If we’d communicated, who knows what would have happened? But I wouldn’t change anything, because I’d have missed out on Vulcan.”
Lars held my gaze. “Not even for the man you loved?”
I smiled. “Lar, I was with the guy I loved for over a decade, and that time is precious and cherished.”
Lars’s expression softened, and then he headed upstairs. I turned the laptop to face me and dived down the rabbit hole. I needed to understand everything.
◆◆◆
Magic
I was as nervous as a cat on hot bricks.
Stupid fuckin’ saying, but that was how I felt.
Jody hadn’t guessed, but this was a date.
I’d worn my best jeans, cleaned my boots, and tamed my hair.
Obviously, I still wore a Henley and my cut.
Unlike MC cuts, mine had patches of the places and concerts I’d been to.
It had my lone wolf patch and one that said ‘Affiliated with Riders of Vengeance.’ That meant although I wasn’t part of their club, I could call on them if needed.
I was surprised to find Lars and Oskar sitting outside, waiting for me. They both held my gaze, and I wondered what was going on.
“Magic,” Lars said, getting to his feet.
“Lars, Oskar.” If they believed they were intimidating, think again. There was nothing scary about two teenage boys.
“I watched the videos and read the reports on the war a couple of years ago,” Lars stated, holding my eyes.
“Kid, I don’t talk about it. Not with outsiders.”
“Maybe we could spend time together. Try getting to know one another?” Lars suggested. My heart surged at hearing those words, but my paranoia asked why.
“Because you can cling to my coattails?” Urgh, would Lars understand that phrase?
“No. Because you’re possibly not the asshole I believed. A man who stands up for innocents and fights a war that’s not his, can’t be all bad,” Lars said.
“Or I just enjoy causing explosions?”
A grin crossed Lars’s face. “Saw you caused quite a few. Hear they’re still repairing the road.”
Amused, I smirked. “If you’re going to do it right, go big or go home.”
“Agreed. But I’d like to spend time getting to know your crazy.”
“Fine by me.”
“But you won’t replace my dad!” Lars insisted.
I poked my tongue into my cheek. “Look, kid. Vulcan was your dad, ain’t disputing that.
The man stepped up in my absence, and I gotta respect that.
Lack of communication cost me a life with your mom and you guys.
Ain’t no getting that back, but we can move forward.
I don’t have to be your dad, but I can be a friend, an uncle, or, in time, your Pops. Dad is Vulcan. Pops could be me.”
Lars screwed his face up, and I wondered if he was going to refuse the suggestion. “Okay. But you gotta do things with everyone. Laila and the others, too. They might not be your kids, but they’re family.”
A laugh erupted. “Haven’t I already proved that with Jesper and Delta Force? I see you as a unit, not separate. Give me a chance and don’t make assumptions or snap judgements. I’ve my own crazy and don’t need anyone else’s.”
“We’ve Jesper and Viggo. Viggo’s quiet but enjoys creating weapons. While Jesper’s in your face, Viggo’s the one to watch,” Oskar said.
“Okay. I’ll take note. Viggo would probably love my arms room.”
The boys perked up. “Huh?”
“I’ll show you in time,” I promised.
“Do you know anything about repairing Harleys?” Oskar asked.
Did the kid insult me? “I ride a damn Harley, Oskar. Of course I know about servicing them.”
Lars and Oskar exchanged glances. “Mine’s making a rattle, and I can’t locate it. Could you check it over?” Oskar inquired, sounding unsure.
Did Oskar think I’d reject him?
“I’ll come tomorrow. I’ll help you find it and show you how to repair it. Be prepared to get your hands dirty,” I said. The teens both grinned as the front door opened.
“Hey,” Alice greeted, poking her head out. “We’re getting takeaway. If you want something specific, you’d better give Diesel your order.”
Lars and Oskar flicked a hand, their way of saying goodbye as Alice stared. “Don’t come in. If the kids see Grandpa, you won’t get away. Glad you made the effort.”
“Did you think I’d come in my usual clothes?”
“Who knows with you! Jody will be out soon. Jerrik tied Jesper up using knots nobody understands. Was there something you forgot to tell me?” Alice demanded.
“They’re creative?” I offered, and Alice snorted.
“Yeah, that’s the polite version of they’re batshit crazy. Have a good night.” Alice smirked and shut the door.
A smile crossed my lips. If the kids were playing up, could they get rid of Diesel and Pyro for me? Those two men had the audacity to date my girls, call them old ladies, and then build families with them. I made a mental note to get together with Jesper. He’d be terrifying when trained.