14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
“You slick fucker. Why didn’t you tell me Kaylene is pregnant?” Woods slaps me on the back when we get back to the clubhouse to celebrate this new partnership.
“I’m as shocked as you are.”
“Shit is looking up. I’m finally going to be able to scrape Faye off. Our kids are going to grow up together just like us,” He grins.
Right. Jessika. She’s pregnant, but the baby is her ex-husband’s.
I guess he’s claiming the kid and her. I’m happy for him, but I feel like my life is over. I had everything I wanted within my grasp. I’m VP of the club. Business is growing. I had Willow and now I’m going to lose her and do the one thing I knew I would.
I’m going to break her heart.
She’ll be better off washing her hands of me.
If this deal wasn’t tied up in Kaylene, I’d find a way to make it work.
Kaylene wanted me, and now she has me by the balls.
She’s going to regret it.
I’ll keep her happy.
For now.
My cell buzzes with a new text from her. “You took off in a hurry. Was hoping we could talk a little more about our situation.”
Woods goes off to check on Jessika and I drive over to Kaylene’s even though it’s the last fucking thing I want to do.
“I was just as shocked as you are. But when I heard Johnny Mack talking to Dirty, I just knew it was a sign that we’re meant to be.”
She can’t be serious.
I stare at the ultrasound pictures. She’s three months. I can’t deny that I wasn’t fucking her.
“You sure the kid is even mine? I can’t be the only guy you were fucking.”
“How can you ask me that? You know I’m crazy about you, Gray.
We’ve been on and off for years. I mean, I know you’ve had other women, but there’s not been anyone else.
Not for me. And this baby…our baby changes things.
It’s time we grow up. We’re in our thirties.
Don’t you want to have more than living at the clubhouse and eating TV dinners with Bill? ”
“Leave my old man out of this.”
“When the baby comes, I just worry about him being in the picture. He’s not safe. Everyone knows he’s as crazy as they come.”
“Watch it,” I snap at her.
“I mean, of course he’ll be invited to the wedding, but I don’t want him living with us.”
This stupid fucking bitch. There’s no way in hell I’m marrying her.
“We can find a good home for him. You’ll be earning enough to afford it. Johnny Mack said he might even be able to get you on at the prison to make you look legit.”
“There’s not going to be no goddamn wedding and if you don’t stop talking about my father, I’m there’s not going to be a baby because I’m going to choke the shit out of you.”
“You did not just threaten me. I’ll call my brother right now, and all it would take is one call and he can give this deal to someone else. You think the brotherhood wouldn’t kill for what he’s offering your club? This deal is only happening because I put in a good word for your club.”
“This deal is happening because we’re the devil he fucking knows. Don’t get it twisted. I’ll fucking help raise this kid. I’ll let you traipse around calling yourself my ol’ lady even, but I’ll never love you. Never fucking put a ring on your finger.”
“It’s cute that you think you’re the one calling the shots. I could have Dirty put back in prison. And don’t think your precious little Willow is out of my reach. One call and I can make her disappear.”
I grab her by the throat and lift her off the couch. Her nails dig into my hand. “Don’t fucking say her name.” I drop her back on the couch. “What I don’t get is why you want to raise a kid with a man who can’t fucking stand to look at you. Much less, fuck you.”
“Careful how you talk to me. You forget I know things about you and the club.”
She’s right. She does know things. Which makes her a liability.
I’d never hurt a pregnant woman or any woman, really, but if she keeps making threats, the club might think differently.
It’s better to let her think she’s in control, that she holds all the cards.
There are other ways of getting rid of a problem that don’t resort to the use of violence or death. I’ll bide my time.
For now.
“I don’t want to fight with you, Kaylene. It’s not good for the baby.” I play it up. “I don’t want my kid to grow up like I did. Broken home. Asshole father. Absent mother. Can we just…fuck…I don’t know. Start over?”
“You really mean that?”
“Of course.” I brush her hair away from her face. “I’m sorry I was being a dick. I didn’t like walking into the meeting and being blindsided.”
“I get that. My brother wanted to act fast. The second I told him I was having a baby with a king, his eyes lit up like Christmas lights. Our baby will bring our families together. We’re going to make so much money.
Your drugs and his connections with the gangs on the inside will make us unstoppable. Untouchable.”
No one is untouchable. Thinking like that is what gets motherfuckers caught and dead.
“I’m going to make you happy, Gray. You’ll see.” She moves into my lap, straddling me.
Her minty breath fans over my lips. She smells and feels all wrong.
She’s not the woman I want to be with.
“I love you, Brax.” She’s looking at me like she’s expecting me to say it back.
That’s not going to happen.
“Did you hear me? I said I love you.”
“I hear you.” I grab her by the back of the neck and pull her in for a kiss. I slip my tongue into her mouth, and she rocks her hips against me.
“I need you.” She tugs her dress up and undoes my pants. Her finger stroke me, and I close my eyes to think about someone else so I can get it up enough to fuck this stupid cunt. I dig into my wallet for a rubber. “We don’t need that. I need to feel close to you.”
“I’m not coming in, you. You’re pregnant.”
“Yeah, but that means we don’t have to be careful.”
“I fucked some whores at the rally. Need to get tested before we can.”
Her face twists into an ugly snarl. “Of course you did. But it doesn’t matter. I trust you.”
“The fuck. I tell you I need tested for STDs and you want to ride my dick bareback. What are you playing at? Are you really even pregnant?”
“Why would I lie? I thought you wanted a fresh start. This is us doing that. We’ve got to trust each other, honey.”
“That doesn’t mean we play stupid games, Kaylene. What if I gave you something, and it was passed on to our kid? You’d feel real fucking dumb all because you wanted to fuck.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I just want this with you so bad. I want us to work and have a family together. I love you so much.”
She’s giving desperate and now I’m wondering if she’s completely full of shit. Is she faking the ultrasound and the pregnancy test? I look at the shit lying on her coffee table again. She has a prescription for prenatal vitamins and iron supplements.
This shit is fucking with my head.
I don’t know what to fucking think.
Her lips pepper down my neck, and she grabs the condom and opens it.
“My hormones have me crazy horny.” She pulls the top of her dress down and rubs on her tits.
She moves her hips over mine again, grinding on me.
Fuck it. What’s it matter now. I’ve already lost Willow.
She just doesn’t know she hates me yet, but soon she will.
Kaylene is going to the clubhouse with me. I don’t want her there, but the sooner I get this shit over with the better. One day Willow will be glad she didn’t wind up stuck with a bastard like me. I’m truly my father’s son. I ruin everything I touch.
I’m no good. Not to her.
Not even to the club.
I don’t feel worthy of the patch on my back with this bitch at my side.
“This expansion is a big deal for us,” Dirty says, grinning at Woods.
He’s probably after my spot. He can’t be Prez, and VP is the next best thing.
Maybe it would be better if I stepped down and gave him the title.
But then this will all be for nothing.
I’ve worked my ass off.
Bled for this patch.
I’m not going down that easy.
Dirty can pry it out of my cold, dead hands.
Fuck.
Willow’s here. Part of me was hoping she wouldn’t come around tonight. That I could stop by and see her after I drop Kaylene back at her place. Let her down gently in private, but looks like this shit is about to be public.
She smiles at me and I shake my head at her.
Not now.
Not yet.
I’m not ready.
I’m not drunk enough.
She prances over to me and Woods and wraps an arm around my waist. I don’t even look at her when I say, “I’m busy.” I can’t. I shrug her off.
“I’m sorry.” She steps to the side.
Kaylene comes back from the bathroom. It’s showtime. In the end, Willow will see this is for her own good. I don’t deserve her. I never did. I never will. I hug the stupid bitch to my side and kiss her temple. “There’s my favorite girl.” The lie tastes so fucking bitter I could hurl on my boots.
“Brax,” Willow cries my name, and the sound splinters my heart in two.
Hurting her guts me.
I suck in a breath, knowing what I’m about to do can’t be taken back.
“Low, you’ve got to stop this. When I look at you, all I see is a bratty kid sister. Get it through your head. We’re never going to happen.”
“You heard him, bitch. Stay away from my man. I’m having his baby.”
Willow falters, clutching her chest. “She’s what?”
“Fuck. I didn’t want you to find out like this.” I reach my hand out, aching to touch her one last time.
She flinches as though I’ve slapped her. “Stay the fuck away from me. You and your whore.”
Kaylene laughs, but she’s the only one.
Everyone is looking at me like I’m a jackass, including Dirty and Woods.
“That was fucking harsh,” Dirty growls, clenching his fists.
I hope he knocks me the fuck out so maybe when I wake up this nightmare will be over.
“You better go apologize,” Woods barks at me.
I nod, and Kaylene scoffs. “What for? She needs to know her place. She might be your sister, but Gray is my man, and she needs to keep her hands off him.”
“Get your bitch in line or I will,” Hoss warns. He may not be president anymore, but his word still carries weight around here. I didn’t realize he was here tonight.
“Go on up to my room. I’ll be up in a bit.” I squeeze her ass and she does as she’s told.
Madz shoots me a nasty look, but I don’t care what she thinks of me. It can’t be any worse than I think about myself.
“I’ll talk to Low. I’ll apologize for Kaylene.”
Woods nods, and Dirty ignores me.
I do my walk of shame and walk outside to see if she’s even still here.
Her truck is still parked in the lot. I lean against the cab and wait.
Eventually she comes from the side of the house with fucking Foolish. Of course, he was ready to swoop in and play her hero.
“Can we talk?” I scowl at Foolish, hoping he takes the hint and leaves.
“Foolish, tell your VP I’ve got nothing to say to him.”
“Don’t be a brat.” I grab her by the wrist, pressing hard enough to leave a mark.
“Don’t touch me. Never ever will you touch me.” She jerks away, and I let her go. “I would wish you the best, but honestly, I hope the two of you are miserable.”
She twists on her heel and goes straight to Foolish. Her arms go around his neck, and she presses her mouth to his.
He’s made no secret he has a thing for her. I just never thought I’d be the one pushing her into his arms. I guess part of me thought she’d never want any other biker.
I can’t bear the sight. My heart is in a blender. My chest squeezes so damn tight, mimicking a heart attack. Nothing but a red haze clouds my vision, and before I know it, I’m jerking her backward by the shoulder and throwing punches.
I let it rip.
All my anger at my old man, Kaylene, life, my fucking self, I pour it all into beating the living daylights out of the prospect.
“Gray, stop.” Willow shrieks from behind me, catching an elbow to her forehead. “Ah!” she cries, and I shake my head. I look back to see her on the ground.
“What the fuck, man?” Foolish spits blood on the ground and crawls over to her. “Are you okay? Jesus. You could have killed her.”
Willow hunches over and throws up.
“Don’t just stand there. Get help!” he screams at me, but I can’t move. All I can do is stare at the woman I love and know I’m the one who broke her. I betrayed her. Crushed her spirit and now I’ve given her a concussion.