3. Incubus
INCUBUS
It’s been just shy of like thirty-six hours since Cobalt received the photo that was directly texted to him.
I’m going absolutely crazy. If not for my club, I would have lost it already.
Right now, I’m in my house pacing back and forth, waiting for Mammoth, Bowie, and Dreamer to get back here with my kid.
The three of them took off the night Psycho came here.
When I learned it was the plan for him to keep me occupied, I literally knocked out two more of his teeth with one punch to the head.
Brother is gonna get new teeth. And he never put his hands up to protect himself or fight back, and for that he’s earned some of my respect back.
The next day Nickel, Rocket, Sparkle, and Girlie showed up late morning with a van full of shit.
The women had gone shopping so they could get a room ready for our lil girl.
Son of a bitch, I almost lost it. Well, until Girlie walked by, pinching me so hard I actually saw stars.
When I glared down to her she winked. The little bitch, well at least I was able to save face with her having my back.
The bedroom is done and I’m shocked at how beautiful it looks.
Our daughter isn’t even, fuck, what four, five, no six years old at the moment?
I can’t even think. She probably won’t care, but that these women took time to make a room for her to help her feel welcome really makes me take a moment to be thankful for all of these people who are in my life.
Growing up, my siblings and I never had this kind of love and support.
Our mom left after my younger brother overdosed.
Up and one night took off, leaving the four of us with our abusive and crazy-ass father.
In public he was a respected surgeon but at home he was the devil reincarnated.
One of the main reasons I dropped out of college and joined the military was because he forbade me to do it.
My future was already decided and there was no way any son of his would go into the military and get their hands dirty.
We were the elite MacDonalds, not the lowly lower class.
Well, if good old dad could see me now: Incubus, enforcer of the Kings of Anarchy Indiana chapter.
One of the most feared enforcers in all of the motorcycle world.
I mean, I’ve got friends in other clubs who can hold their own but, damn, they ain’t me.
Well except Chains from the Grimm Wolves that motherfucker makes me feel like a saint at times with the shit he can come up with.
Getting my head back into the here and now, I walk down the hall just as Sparkle is coming out. I grab and pull her close, whispering in her ear, “Thanks, Momma” She just pats my chest.
“Not me you have to thank, brother. It’s that punk-ass, purple-haired bossy woman in there.
This was all her and Nickel’s doing. Gotta get back to the clubhouse to start dinner.
Bring the little one up for some food, I’ll have some goodies for after dinner too.
You got this, Incubus, and you know why?
Because you’re not alone in this, we all have your back.
And more importantly, you ain’t your daddy.
Now let me go before I tell all the brothers you’re getting soft as one of the stuffed animals on that girlie bed in there. ”
I’ll never live down that night, many years ago, when Sparkle and I got drunk together.
We were gonna fuck fast and hard, no strings attached, but when I kissed her it felt like I was exchanging spit with my sister, and she felt the same way.
It was fuckin’ gross as shit. So instead, we shared with each other our baggage we carry around.
Can’t tell whose was worse, but at times, she never lets me forget she knows, which I get because that’s her way to protect herself.
Watching her go, I move to the bedroom and stop in the doorway.
Holy shit. There’s a little girl bed in white-washed wood, covered in baby forest animals.
Guess that’s the theme because there are baby animal things everywhere.
Nickel is finishing putting some kind of toy together, as Girlie is folding clothes they’ve been washing for hours.
There’s a small dresser and bookshelf filled with kid books, and a basket with all kinds of stuffed animals.
Taking it all in, this shit must have cost a fortune.
Without thinking, I reach into my billfold to pay whoever dished out the money.
That’s what Girlie sees when she turns, lifting her head.
Instantly her face goes beet red and one hand goes on her hip.
Fuck, here it comes from Hurricane Julie.
“Don’t you dare, Incubus. Put your damn wallet away.
We ain’t asking you to pay us. Why do you have to be such a dick most of the time?
For your information, everyone pitched in so we can welcome our lil princess home.
Don’t piss me off because I’m about ready to whip your ass. Put it away, are you deaf?”
Damn, she’s got some huge balls along with guts. Nickel is watching her, his eyes wide and mouth open, probably trying to gauge what to do. I walk up to him and gently pat his shoulder.
“Brother, pay attention. If ya don’t want that kind of mouth in your ear when you’re pickin’ an ol’ lady, get a quiet one who listens to you and does exactlywhat they are told, no questions asked. Not like this one, who tries all of our patience every single damn day.”
Girlie drops the clothing she was folding and stomps her way to me. When she pulls back, I pull in my gut, trying to prepare for when she punches me, but to my utter surprise, she leans up, pulling me down, placing a soft kiss on my cheek. Of course she finishes it with her snarky-as fuck-tongue.
“Don’t worry, Incubus, I won’t tell anyone how much this touched you.
Neither Nickel nor I will share how you teared up and couldn’t even say a word or two for a few minutes.
Though if you keep being mean to me, I’ll not only tell that story but will exaggerate your reaction.
By the time I’m done, you’ll lose your man card for sure.
Got me, brother? Oh, also, when Stella comes home, I’ll make sure to tell her you said she’s a doormat to all of your manly requests. ”
I can’t help it, I feel it coming and don’t stop it.
The laugh is from deep down and Girlie jumps back in surprise, just as Nickel reaches out, pushing her behind him.
I see it cost him too because the glimpse of pain across his face shows before he can push it back.
This kid, damn, is one of the best decisions we as a club have made.
“Damn, brother, just laughin’ can’t help she’s jumpy as a rabbit. What did ya think I was gonna do, put the beatdown on Cobalt’s ol’ lady? We’re all good, promise. And you, don’t be startin’ any rumors about me ’cause paybacks from me are very painful, just sayin’.”
When Girlie goes to shove shit my way, we all turn when we hear Mammoth’s voice coming in through the front door, followed by a little girl’s squeals and then giggles.
Girlie’s eyes get wide then she pushes past me, running down the hall.
I look to Nickel to see he’s grinning like a clown but waits to follow behind me.
My heart is pounding and I’m feeling a bit nauseous but continue down to the main great room.
Holy shit, is my only thought when I see Isabella being held in Julie’s arms. My lil girl has her hands in Girlie’s hair amazed, I’m guessin’, at the color.
Girlie is raining kisses on Isabella’s face as my brothers stand around watching in amazement.
When my girl catches sight of me, she starts wiggling yelling, “Down, put me down.” When Girlie does, she starts to run toward me, arms in the air screaming, “Papà.” I scrunch down just as she leaps my way and there is no better feeling in this world than to have this little girl’s arms around my neck while she peppers my cheeks with her kisses.
I know my face is wet but don’t give a fuck, just takin’ it all in.
This is one of the few times in my life that I feel truly like a human being and not a fuckin’ monster.
Well, until the door busts open and the rest of my brothers come running in, pushing and shoving to be the first one in.
Of course, Cobalt is first, followed by every single member of the club and Sparkle, who pushes up right behind our prez.
I feel Isabella tense up as she looks past me to see all who have come in and I slightly turn.
Well, guess it’s time for the introductions.
“Bella, my beautiful little princess, these men are Papà’s brothers. We all work together and kind of live together also.”
“Papà, do you mean like a big famiglia? Oh, can they be mine too, because all I have is you and Mamma. I’ve begged her for a baby la sorely (sister) or a il fratello (brother) or both, but she always tells me not until we all live together like a famiglia.”
“Bella, baby girl speak English when here with others. Since they don’t speak our language they will not be able to understand Italian, princess.”
“Scusa.”
When my daughter starts to giggle and Girlie joins in, I can’t help the smile that appears on my face, especially when Isabella repeats herself in English.
“Sorry, everybody.”
I put her down and she instantly grabs my hand, swinging it back and forth with hers as I introduce brother by brother by their given name first, then club name after. When those beautiful eyes look up at me with questions in them, I squat down.
“Bella, it’s kind of what Mamma and I do with you. Your given name is Isabella, but we call you Bella.”
“Yes, Papà, but mine is still a name not a whatcha call it, nick something. Anyway, why is one called Nickel while the other is Jackal? And what do Mammoth, Bowie, or Ajax mean? They are kinda funny, right, Papà?”