Chapter Thirteen.
Rooster
H e’d never felt so relaxed in his life. Everything boiled down to this room and being beside his dream woman. The woman he’d never allow himself to imagine. But Kenny was here, in his arms, and curled into his chest with her leg hitched over his amputation and not giving a fuck.
She’d not once looked at him in disgust. Rooster was pretty certain that her looks held love. They’d not mentioned it, but Rooster certainly felt it towards her.
Hellfire had church tomorrow evening, and he’d bring up Kenny being accepted as his old lady and get her cut ordered. Rooster wanted his name on her with a burning desire. They’d made love several times this afternoon, but he knew the kids would return shortly, so they had to get moving.
Rooster gently shook Kenny, and she pouted in her sleep and complained. Rooster couldn’t help the smile that crossed his lips.
“Babe, the boys will be back soon. You don’t want them to find you like this,” Rooster said, running a hand over her ass. He was pleased to note his bite mark on her cheek. She’d certainly left a few on him.
Kenny liked dirty, relaxed, a bit of pain, and domineering. Kenny just out and out loved sex. Rooster had been happy to indulge all her commands and desires, and she was the same with him. Rooster discovered Kenny enjoyed blowjobs and was a master at giving them. She also took pleasure in dishing out spankings, as well as receiving them.
“Babe, the boys,” Rooster repeated.
Kenny’s eyes flew open, and before Rooster realised her intentions, she was out the bed and in the bathroom. The shower switched on, and Rooster blinked in surprise. Wow, Kenny could move fast when she wanted. Knowing he’d only have to take his leg off to join her, Rooster reached for the crutches each room in the house had. He headed into the bathroom and found Kenny peering wide-eyed at him.
“Sorry, I forgot you in my panic,” she said sheepishly.
Kenny was trying to hide from him, and Rooster realised why when he saw her wig on the counter. He propped the crutches against the wall and hopped into the shower. Kenny grabbed at him in case he slipped, and Rooster grinned and dropped a kiss on her bald head .
“All surfaces in this house are non-slip, babe, even the showers and bath. I’m safe. And don’t hide from me, baby, I can’t hide from you,” he said, perfectly balanced.
“It frightened me for a moment. I thought you’d fall and hurt yourself,” she admitted.
“Nah. This was my bedroom until I could manage the stairs. It’s completely safe,” he said, stroking her arms.
“Shower sex will be interesting,” Kenny said, and Rooster’s eyes rolled back as she dropped to her knees and took his cock in her mouth.
Kendara
Rooster was creative, that was for sure. Shower sex for a guy with two legs was awkward in case they slipped. But with a man with one leg, it was dangerous, but Rooster found ways around it. We needed washing again once we’d finished, but we were clean and dressed by the time the boys came home.
The moment the kids entered the house, they seemed to sense something had changed. Rooster was full of smiles and laughter, and I teased him mercilessly. Hope dawned on their faces that maybe their dad and I were together.
The thought caused my smile to dim a little, and I wondered if it had been a one-time thing or were we embarking on a journey? Rooster spotted my expression fade and whispered in my ear.
“What’s wrong?”
“What did today mean? Are we together? Were you scratching an itch?” I murmured.
Rooster’s smile faded now, and he scowled. “Let me get this straight, Kenny. You’re my woman; you’ll wear my cut and my ring, and when it’s time, you’re going to have my babies in your belly. You’re mine and the boy’s entire world. Hear me?”
“Okay,” I said, smiling, and took his hand.
“You gonna be our mom?” Kit gasped, staring at the pair of us.
I glanced at Rooster for that answer. Shit, I loved the boys, but I wouldn’t presume it meant I got to be their mom.
“What does my ring on Kenny’s finger mean? Of course, she’s going to be your mom,” Rooster said.
“My Kenny!” Brax squealed and launched across the sofa.
I caught him with a grunt as Brax slobbered over me with wet kisses. I wiped my face, laughing.
“Mom!” Brax began crowing.
“You’ll really be our mom?” Finn asked warily.
“If you wish,” I responded cautiously. It had been the four of them for so long, I didn’t want to push them.
“I do,” Finn said, his throat working hard.
“Then Finn, I’ll be your mom,” I replied.
“Mom!” Brax wailed, and I began to cry as I hugged him tightly .
Rooster stared in bewilderment as the boys crowded me, and we all cried together.
“Holy fuck,” he muttered and threw a box of tissues at us. Which made us all cry harder.
Rooster
“Church called,” Chance said, banging his gravel for attention.
Everyone sat up and shut up.
“We aren’t going through the reports. We’ve called church because of the threat to Kendara and the fact our security was hacked. Sunny?” Chance said.
“Yeah, we were compromised. Exactly the same way as Kendara’s system was. I’ve had Nigel, Leila, and Worm here today, and they’ve each patched up the system and then tried to hack each other’s fixes. We’re one hundred per cent now. All three agreed, whoever did this, is highly skilled. They left no fingerprints or any trace. But we’ve laid traps, so should he try it again, he’ll come unstuck,” Sunny updated us.
“And this happened when Kenny arrived?” Bear asked.
“Hate to say it, but yeah. This was clearly targeted so they could watch Kenny. Luckily for us, the cameras we have in the clubhouse or in our homes are on different systems which Leila and Nigel set up and can’t be hacked. Nigel thinks he tried, but that system is set to send a very nasty virus at someone, and we think he encountered that and backed off,” Sunny said.
“Have those networks also been secured?” Chance asked.
“Not yet. Leila and Nigel are returning this week to add some unpleasant surprises,” Sunny replied.
“Good.”
“Who dived into Kenny’s past?” Chance inquired, and Rooster bristled a little.
“I contacted Hawthorne’s, as Sunny was busy. They’re running a search on all the opposing clients Kendara had. Were you aware she has won every single case she’s presented to the courts? Kendara has a seriously badass reputation,” Big Al said, turning to Rooster.
“I knew Kenny was good,” Rooster replied.
“Kendara is phenomenal. In fact, you should get her to represent you against Sadie. Sadie won’t know whether she’s coming or going by the time Kendara finishes with her,” Big Al continued.
“Worth thinking about,” Rooster agreed. In truth, it was something he’d not considered, which was stupid considering her job.
“So, in other words, we’re no closer to discovering who this asshole is?” Chance demanded.
“We’re aware there’s another stalker. We also strongly believe he has a military background. He comes and goes like a ghost. Only pro training can accomplish that. Kendara says she has no knowledge of any military connections, which makes this whole situation puzzling,” Sunny said.
“When will Kendara resume work?” Chance asked.
“Three weeks. The docs signed her off for six weeks, and Phoe is adamant Kendara not return until she’s one hundred per cent,” Rooster replied.
“Plenty of time to discover this fuck and deal with him,” Chance stated.
“Agreed, but we need some damn leads,” Rooster pointed out.
“We’ll find them, brother. We’ll keep digging until we turn something up. It’s what we do,” Chatter spoke.
“Thanks, Chatter. While we are here, I want to inform you I’m claiming Kendara as my old lady and will be asking her to marry me,” Rooster said.
“Better ask Mac for Kendara’s hand in marriage and let him know you’re claiming her. Mac adopted her as family, so has the right to face you in the ring if he thinks there’s been an insult,” Chance pointed out.
“Yeah, I planned to call Mac after church. I left Kendara with the boys, so she’s going to be busy,” Rooster said, grinning.
“Damn, is she safe? Should we perform a rescue party?” Shee demanded.
“Kenny better fuckin’ be. Shit, I can’t believe what my kids have put her through,” Rooster complained.
“At least Kendara knows what she’s saying,” Diesel pointed out.
“Yeah,” Rooster agreed.
“Anyone got a nay vote against Kendara being Rooster’s old lady?” Chance said .
“Wow, skipping the formalities, Prez?” Bear commented, surprised.
“I got three kids at home puking their guts up. Clio will be furious if this drags on. Only kid that ain’t throwing up everywhere is Dax, and he’s taking his diaper off and shitting everywhere instead. Yeah, we’re tossing formalities aside,” Chance snapped.
“Keep your brats from mine,” Rooster said, and Big Al also nodded.
“Yeah. So, any nays?” Chance looked around the table and slammed his gravel. “Motion passed; Rooster can claim Kendara. Good luck to ya both. Any news on Fury?”
“Fury’s still hiding. And there’s been no movement for a few weeks, which means he’s planning shit. There’s also been no word from Irish’s inside man, and Irish remains missing. Slick’s worried but not frantic, but he’s asked all allies to keep an eye out for her,” Bear said.
“Irish is a law unto herself. Thought Artemis was one of a kind. Irish is almost as bad as her,” Levi added.
“Irish won’t stop until Fury and the Fangs are gone. Not even Slick can stop that burning desire of hers,” Chance said.
“Girl has as much reason as the rest of us,” Big Al agreed.
“If there’s nothing else?” Chance looked around the table. Everyone shook their heads.
“Church closed,” Chance announced and banged his gravel .
Rooster found it amusing that Chance was the first to leave.
◆◆◆
Rooster was wrapped around Kenny asleep when ringing jarred him awake. Blearily, he looked at the clock on his bedside table and grabbed his phone. It was four in the morning. Whoever this was had bad news for him.
“Yo.”
Uncertainly, a male voice asked, “Is this Rooster?”
“Who’s calling?”
“This is Doctor Wainscott. We’ve had a patient brought into the ER tonight. Her name is Sadie Waters, and she’s in critical condition.”
“How bad is she?” Rooster said, sitting up and reaching for his leg. He knew his sleep was over.
“Bad. It’s a serious drug overdose, but our concern is the pregnancy and the reaction she’s having. You’re down as her next of kin.”
“I am?” Rooster exclaimed as he fumbled with his prosthetic.
Hands knocked his aside, and Kenny calmly helped him fit it to his stump. He dropped a kiss on Kenny’s head as he reached for his jeans. Rooster placed the phone on speaker as he stood and checked his weight before sitting and pulling them on.
“Yes, sir, it says Rooster, but no other name. It had this number.”
“Not a problem, doc. The baby, is it in danger? ”
“Yes. Miss Waters is having a very adverse reaction, and we fear for her life. She’s fitting, and we’re not sure what she’s taken, so we’re doing the best we can,” Doctor Wainscott said.
“Sadie’s twenty-three weeks pregnant,” Rooster informed the doctor, dragging on his tee. He yanked on his boots and waited.
“Yes, and usually, a foetus is considered viable at twenty-four.”
“You’re not going to try and save it,” Rooster snapped bitterly.
“Actually, we are, which is why we’re calling. We’ve had to resuscitate Miss Waters three times so far, and we’re sure there’s brain damage. If Miss Waters goes under a fourth time, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to pull her back.”
“Cut Sadie open and save my kid, Doc. I’m on the way,” Rooster ordered and cut the call.
“Rooster, I want to go with you… but the boys, it’s not good they know this is happening. Not until you know if the baby will make it,” Kenny said.
“Agreed. Babe, I’m sorry, can you—?”
“Rooster, go. Save that baby’s life. I’ll stay with the boys and make an excuse that you had to go to work early,” Kenny replied.
Rooster dropped a kiss on her head, grabbed his Harley’s keys, and, shrugging his cut on, he left.
◆◆◆
Rooster stared at the woman in the bed and felt nothing but pure hatred. Sadie lay as white as a ghost with breathing equipment shoved down her throat. On his ride here, she’d seized again. It had taken ten minutes to bring Sadie back, but she was only alive with the help of the machines around her. During that ten minutes, Doctor Wainscott had made the decision to perform an emergency c-section. That had probably played a significant role in saving his baby.
“A boy, Sadie. You risked my son for drugs. Fuckin’ drugs. You can rot in hell, bitch. The doctors are pretty sure you’re brain-dead. Damn, I hope the fuck you are. Right now, they’re fighting to save the life of my kid. If he dies, I’ll follow you to hell and make you pay,” Rooster said.
Rooster glanced at Sadie one more time, left and headed to the NICU, where his baby fought for his life. His boots echoed on the floor as he stomped towards the NICU.
“Brother,” a voice called, and he looked up, surprised to see Shotgun approaching him.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Kendara phoned me. She was going to work her way through the list of single brothers, but I agreed to come. How’s the baby?”
“Alive but critical. He’s twenty-three weeks dead on. Even another twenty-four hours would have helped strengthen his lungs.”
“He’ll fight Rooster. He’s a fighter like his dad,” Shotgun said.
“Hope so, Bro. You wanna come along?” Rooster asked.
Rooster needed his brother, wanted someone with him. Rooster was unsure how to handle this. One of his kids was in a life-threatening situation, and Rooster couldn’t do anything to save him.
“Picked a name?” Shotgun inquired, falling into step with him.
“Yeah. Link Kenan Wilson.”
“Strong name,” Shotgun said in approval. They approached the NICU and were buzzed in when they showed their identification.
“How is he?” Rooster asked softly, aware of the sleeping babies or worried parents close.
“I’m Sarah and his dedicated nurse. Baby Wilson is holding his own. Link, yes?” Rooster nodded, and Sarah continued. “It’s going to be a shock when you see him, but everything attached to Link is for his own good. Link weighs 1.5 pounds and is thirteen inches long, which is impressive for his age. If he’d gone full term, Link would have been a big baby,” she said softly.
“He’s fighting?” Rooster muttered.
“Yes. Please prepare yourself. I’m going to ask you both to put some protective scrubs on. Then, Dad, I’ll take you to him, and we’ll have some skin-on-skin time,” Sarah said.
“Skin-on-skin?” Rooster asked as he and Shotgun followed.
“It’s good for them. We highly encourage it,” Sarah replied, showing them into a room. “Please take your boots and outer clothing off and then dress in the scrubs here. Put your other clothes in a bag, and you can store them in the lockers.” Sarah placed two unopened packets in front of them. “I’ll wait outside.” Sarah sent Shotgun a curious look.
“This is my brother. My woman called him, so I wasn’t alone. She’s at home with our three boys,” Rooster said. He caught Sarah’s glance and laughed bitterly. “It’s a long and complicated story. But Link belongs to me and my woman. Not that bitch that nearly killed him.”
Sarah offered a look of approval before leaving. He and Shogun undressed and dressed quickly before Rooster realised there was a problem with his prosthetic. It wouldn’t fit in the slippers that were provided.
“Okay, grab the slipper. There’s some string that pulls them tight. We’ll have to tie it to the foot,” Rooster said finally.
Shotgun crouched and did as Rooster suggested as Rooster shoved his clothes into the bag. Finally, he and Shotgun left the room.
“Oh, I didn’t realise, sorry,” Sarah said, spotting his leg.
“It’s okay, we figured it out,” Rooster said, shoving his belongings in the locker and, after locking it, taking the key.
Rooster thought he’d prepared himself for the first sight of Link. He was wrong. Rooster’s heart literally ripped in two when he saw how tiny his son was.
“Shit, I can’t touch him, I’ll break him,” Rooster muttered as he poked a finger into the special incubator.
Link’s eyes were closed, and his skin was translucent. But his little arms and legs were pumping furiously. What shocked Rooster was all the wires hooked up to him.
“We’re giving Link some meds to strengthen his lungs, and he’s on a drip. Link’s done a poo, and it was fine, but we’re monitoring him closely. Would you like to hold him?” Sarah asked.
Rooster backed away, horrified. “He’s too tiny. I might hurt him.”
“Trust me. Sit in that armchair and take your top off,” Sarah instructed.
Rooster obeyed, and Sarah carefully placed Link in his arms.
“Hold him to your chest like this,” Sarah said and helped Rooster move Link into a better position for him.
“Shit, my hand covers him,” Rooster murmured in awe. “Is he cold? Does he need a blanket?”
“At the moment, Link’s fine. These four babies are all mine, so I’m going to be here, and I’ll check on you every couple of minutes,” Sarah said and nodded at them.
Shotgun watched as she headed to another couple and then turned to Rooster.
“Fuck, brother, I’ve never seen anything so tiny,” Shotgun whispered in awe. He went to offer Link a finger and pulled back, looking at his hands.
Rooster smiled as Shotgun washed them for the third time and then, for extra safety, yanked on a set of gloves. Content, he was protected against passing germs onto Link, Shotgun reached out, and Link latched onto his little finger. Flailing, Link thumped lightly against Rooster’s chest.
“Holy shit, Link has the Wilson temper,” Shotgun whispered.
Link let out a tiny squark, and Shotgun immediately called for Sarah. She came over and peered at Link.
“He made a noise,” Shotgun explained with panic on his face. Rooster was a little panicked himself.
“Link will makes noises. Although I’m surprised he has. He’s certainly having a tantrum,” Sarah said with a smile as Link’s arms and legs flailed.
“Is he in pain?”
“I hate to tell you this, but yes. Link’s been born far too early, and everything hurts his ears. Although his eyes aren’t open, his eyelids are so thin he can still see some light. He’s on pure oxygen to help him breathe, and we’re monitoring everything. Link does feel pain, but we’re doing everything we can to mitigate it and make him comfortable. Skin contact is a huge part of that,” Sarah explained.
A murderous rage built inside Rooster, which he battled back. Link needed him, Sadie he’d deal with later. But for now, his son needed his father’s strength and focus.
There was a knock on his window, and Rooster looked up, and a smile crossed his face. Standing there was Kenny with Phoenix beside her.
“Drake has the kids,” Kenny said through the window. “Is that my son?”
“Hey babe, this is our son, Link Kenan Wilson. Kenan after his mom,” Rooster replied.
Kenny’s eyes filled with tears. “My boy,” was all she said. It was all Kenny needed to say. Rooster understood exactly what she meant.