Chapter 14
Manda Mellett
M anda Mellett
Alessandra (Alex)
I’m worried about everything, especially the thought that Braxton is going to be leaving and heading out into something dangerous. However, I’m excited to see Mamá and Papá again. I’m also a bit anxious about what they’re going to say about my pregnancy. Neither is stupid and can do the math as well as anyone else. They’ll know it’s a result of a one-night—or rather, one-afternoon-in-the-back-of-a-truck-stand. Though they don’t need to know all the details. To them, the timing might not be perfect, and they’d be right. Our current situation isn’t the best to consider starting a family, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
I think pregnancy hormones are hitting me hard because after Braxton had shown me more of the naughty things that Santa could do to his elf, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. In doing so, I wasn’t there to meet the plane, nor was I at the apartment to greet my parents. I was horrified when I woke up, but I’d also found another reason to fall in love with my man. He’d made all the right excuses for me, so I needed to offer no explanation.
Holding tightly onto his hand as I nervously walk into my apartment, mouthwatering scents of Italian cooking fill the air to greet me. The comfort food of home surprisingly does not make my stomach churn this time around.
When Papá had bought the apartment for me, I’d protested that the space was much more than one person would ever need, but now the large, well-appointed kitchen is coming into its own. It’s full of people, with the cacophony of the clattering of pots and pans. There’s a heated discussion between Granny and Mamá about the best way to cook pasta going on and mixed together with men’s voices loudly setting the world to right, it takes a moment for anyone to notice our arrival.
I use the time to stand and take it all in, choking down a sob at how normal and homely the scene in front of me is. It’s a much-needed oasis of peace.
A person I hadn’t expected to see is the first to notice we’re here. “Alex!” Enzo takes no time to cover the distance between us, wrapping his arms around me. He kisses my cheek before pulling back to check my face, frowning slightly. “You okay?”
“Tired,” I explain, not ready to admit that being pregnant is taking it out of me.
Braxton quickly has enough of my cousin monopolizing me and reclaims me with a possessive arm around my waist. However, he has to quickly relinquish me again, as now it’s Mamá who’s tugging me away from his hold and cuddling me.
“I was so worried about you.” I wonder if she intends to suffocate me before she at last steps back, allowing me to draw a breath. It’s then I notice her eyes are glistening. “And my baby is having a baby.” She cups her hands around my face. “Are you happy?”
It’s an odd question. Someone’s trying to kill me and intends to wipe out our whole family. The father of my child has a rat in his club and is equally at risk, but as my mother’s concern leeches into me, I realize, despite the circumstances, I wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m happy.” My hand moves down to cover my stomach.
Her eyes follow my action, and she grins, clapping her hands together excitedly. “I’m going to have a grandchild!”
“Don’t remind me.” Papá appears by her side. His face gentles when his gaze falls on me. In the next instant, with a straightening of his back, his features become tight, and he transforms into the mafia boss that he is when he shifts his focus to the man standing beside me. “You,” he points at Braxton, then at himself. “We need to have words. We’ll be in the den.” The last part I assume he’s addressing Mamá and me.
My mouth drops open, and my heart rate increases as Braxton obediently follows Papá out of the kitchen.
“Men.” Brushing the flour off her hands onto an apron decorated with snowmen, Granny steps up to me. She adds reassuringly, “Don’t worry about them. Let the two have a moment to posture and get it all out.”
As my father’s loud, angry voice reaches me, I cast a worried look toward Mamá. Like Granny, she doesn’t seem particularly bothered by any of it. “They’ll be fine,” she agrees. “Your papá has some things he needs to get off his chest. He won’t hurt Braxton.”
That’s not all I’m worried about. Braxton’s a big man and can look after himself. If Papá isn’t satisfied with the new addition to the family, he can call out a hit on him, and Braxton won’t see it coming. I make a note to get a few minutes with Papá to myself to press on him how much the biker means to me, and that underneath all the brawn and tattoos, he’s a good man.
Mamá and Granny go back to cooking as if they’ve been in the same kitchen together for all of their lives. A few snarky comments with hints and suggestions go back and forth. Their elaborate dance around each other is resulting in an aroma tempting me to eat properly for the first time in a while.
After watching them fondly for a few minutes, I tug Enzo aside and into the living area. “Spill,” I instruct him quietly. “What the fuck happened to Carlo? And where does Dante stand?” It’s the first true chance I’ve had to talk to my cousin since I was kidnapped.
His eyes widen, and he swiftly moves to close the door to keep our conversation quiet. “I don’t fucking know what happened to our father. He’s gone completely mad, thinking Dante and I would go along with it.”
“Does he know you’re on our side?”
The corners of Enzo’s mouth turn up. “We’ve kept that card to ourselves. Right now, he’s blowing up my phone wanting to know how you escaped.”
Despite how much it goes against what Braxton wants, I can’t help but think drawing my uncle out into the open is our best chance. Which means me coming out of hiding. I let Enzo in on my thinking, and he’s alarmed at first. He, of all people, knows my background and how I’m able to think for and protect myself.
“I’ll back you,” he says once I’ve brought him around to my way of thinking. “Dante will too.”
Before I can start putting some substance to my plan, footsteps in the hallway interrupt. My finger moves to my lips, signaling to be quiet, as I turn to watch Papá and Braxton returning from the den. Based on their current expressions, it’s not easy for me to gauge the outcome of their discussion. They’re hardly walking out like bosom pals, but on the other hand, neither seems like they want to murder the other. With our circumstances, I take it for a win.
Papá gives me a nod, then a warning look toward Braxton. He beckons Enzo to follow and then continues his path to join the women in the kitchen.
Braxton positions himself in front of me, and I raise an eyebrow. His expression relaxes. “All good.” He pauses, takes a breath, and I wait to hear the but I’m sure is coming. His face is unreadable as he adds, “As long as I put a ring on your finger.”
Well, I kind of expected Papá would take this approach. I’m worried about pushing my biker into something he’s not ready for. Cautiously, I ask, “How do you feel about that?”
Pulling me to him, he places his chin on my head and sighs. “Babe, you’re it for me. I was already planning to ask you to wear my patch. All I need to be happy. However, making it legal in your parents’ world is fine by me too. Although he expects you down the aisle before the baby comes.”
I snort out a laugh. “A shotgun wedding.”
“Don’t need no gun to my head,” his gruff voice replies, making my heart warm.
He lowers his head, lips meeting mine in the perfect kiss. The emotion he pours into the caress silently conveys he’s not being forced into anything. His tenderness lets me know I’m the woman for him, and I’m already certain he’s the man for me. Only one problem though… we both have to stay alive and get Carlo and Wash out of the way before we can have our happily ever after.
Goliath
I should have planned the getting down on one knee thing and had a property cut ready for her in advance. Her father caught me on the wrong foot and before I was prepared for it. I think he’d issued his demand as a way to test me, but it didn’t faze me at all. There is no way I’m going to let Alex go, not after I’ve found her again. And now she’s having my baby? Icing on the fucking cake. I’m a lucky bastard and thank the day I was forced to dress up like Santa.
Lorenzo expects us to marry by Christmas, which, again, is fine by me. Of course, before it can happen, there’s a lot of business that has to be concluded. I’m not tying her to me unless I know she’s safe and she won’t be shackled to a husband spending life in jail. Being limited to conjugal visits holds no fucking appeal either.
I ease back from our kiss, wanting to say something profound to celebrate the moment, but a vibration in my pocket interrupts me. Pulling out my phone, I sigh deeply.
Moving slightly away from Alex, I answer. “What do ya’ want, Miller?”
He hears the irritation in the tone of my voice and asks, “Bad timing?”
“Could be better.” Alex seems concerned, so I blow her a kiss.
“Sorry, Bro, but I need you here at the club.” The seriousness of his voice conveys I don’t have a choice in the matter.
My back straightens. I don’t want to leave Alex, but the sooner we can start taking the bad guys down, the sooner we can be together. “I’ll be there,” I promise and end the call.
“Brax—”
Pinching the brow of my nose, I shake my head to interrupt the objections I know she’s going to voice. “I’ve got to go.”
“Please,” worry lines appear on her forehead. “Braxton, let me come with you.”
“Can’t.” I know I sound abrupt, but I’ve got to leave her where I know she’ll be safe—here with her family. “It’s club business.”
“Dinner’s ready.” Her cousin appears.
Using him as a lifeline, I beckon him over. “I’ve got to run to the club.” I keep my voice light, but from the tightening of his facial muscles, I know Enzo isn’t stupid.
With only a slight pause, he turns and winks at Alex. “You really want this asshole, Alex? He can’t even face a family dinner with your mamá and papá.” He chuckles, then grins. “Not that I can blame him. They’re already talking about wedding plans, and his,” he points at me, “Granny is going on and on about dressing you as a Christmas fairy.”
“Sounds like I had a lucky save.” I force a laugh as I prod Alex. “Go, eat. Try to limit the amount of tinsel and glitter, okay?”
She looks like she’s going to argue with me, but Enzo takes her arm. “Come on, I’ll back you up. If I’m going to be a groomsman, I’m not dressing up like a fucking elf.”
I pull her back, kissing her in a way that means she’ll remember me. Before she can gather her wits and argue, I turn and leave. I didn’t want any lingering goodbyes. Our bodies and minds already know what we feel about each other, with no need for verbal professions of love. Any entreaties to stay safe are as reliant on the determination of our enemies as much as on anything we can do to protect ourselves. I do take a moment to stare into her beautiful face, memorizing it in case it’s the last time I see it. Only death would keep me away, but if that’s how it turns out, then so be it.
There’s nothing more important than the safety of her and my child. I try not to look back as I make my exit, but it’s difficult.
On the way to the club, I have to remind myself to keep to the speed limit. I’m on parole, remember? I’m anxious to get back and find out why Miller wants me. I’m eager to see Carlo and Wash along with everything connected with them six feet under; then we’ll be free.
Parking the truck, I notice Drake outside waiting for me. He greets me, “You took your time. I suppose you drove like a fuckin’ grandpa .”
Once again, resisting the urge to show him just how unlike a grandfatherly figure I can be, I ignore his comment. “What’s going on?”
He grins. “While you’ve been getting your dick wet—”
“I’ve been meeting her fucking family and settling her in,” I interrupt.
“As I said, while you’ve been dipping your wick, some of us have been hunting.” He tilts his head to one side as if waiting for something.
I don’t disappoint. “And?” I growl. “Or do I have to beat answers out of you?”
Drake snorts as if that would be possible. Finally, he gets to the point. “We’ve got Dawg. Miller thought you might want to be here when we question him.”
“Well, why didn’t you fucking start with that?” Brushing past him, I turn to walk into the clubhouse. Maybe now we can begin getting some answers and putting this business to bed.