“Well, the kids will be out of her hair here shortly and she’ll have no choice but to chill,” I chuckle as I lean over the box and grab a slice for myself. “Hmm, that’s good,” I say as my belly anxiously devours the food I’ve given it. With all the worries I’ve been facing, taking time out of my day to consume any meal of nutritional value has been the last thing on my mind. The liquid diet of booze and smokes alone isn’t gonna fuel my body for much longer.
As I walk away from my office, I grab Sledge to accompany me on my fishing expedition. I’m feeling confident enough that one man should do the trick. My plans are to spend some time with the kids and then close my eyes for a much-needed nap. I’ve been catching some Z’s on the couch in my office, and haven’t had the comfort of my bed, nor the warmth of my woman’s body. I’m ready for this shit to be done and over with. I have a club to run and tracking down a fucking thief is messing with the jobs that need my focus.
Grabbing the keys to my truck, I head over to the club’s garage and hop inside. I won’t be able to pick all of the kids up on my bike, so I have to settle for my cage, one that doesn’t see the daylight hours much. I hate being enclosed and the freedom of my bike stolen from me, but when you’re a father, you do what needs to be done. If it was just Harmony, I’d be able to feel the wind in my face. Shaking myself out of my wayward thoughts, I stick the key in the ignition and fire her up.
The kids are chatterboxes in the back. They haven’t stopped their excited squeals since the second I picked them up. Reaching into my glovebox, grabbing a bottle of pain relievers, I pop a few in my mouth. Might as well be prepared for the impending headache I feel surging my way.
“Daddy, when can I get a bike of my own? One like yours and my uncles,” Harmony inquires nonchalantly from the backseat.
I feel the dread at her words seeping into my mind as I picture her on a bike same as mine. But then I can’t help but feel proud that my girl wants to be just like her father. “Girls don’t ride bikes like the men. They ride on the back like the old ladies, but they never have their own,” Asher blurts out in rebut.
“Hey now. Watch it young man. A woman,” I begin but the thought of my little girl growing into a woman frightens me if I’m honest. I want her to stay little as long as possible. Shaking off my intruding thought, I continue, “As I was saying, a woman can have a bike of her own. Now an old man? We’ll have to see about that one. My little Outlaw isn’t made for just anyone.” Reaching my hand behind me, I squeeze her tiny knee and shoot her a smile.
“Yeah. I don’t want a boyfriend anyway. Boys are gross and they fart a lot,” she says through a giggle and I catch her glance over at Asher through my rearview mirror.
“At least we don’t play with dolls and makeup,” he replies, making eye contact with her. “We play with fun things like fire, bugs, and the big bikes that you want.”
Outlaw’s grin shifts to one of frustration as I try to keep somewhat of an eye on them from the driver's seat. Before I can say or do anything to stop it, Harmony hauls off and punches him square in the arm. “That’s for talking about my dolls. And I like bugs and big bikes, too,” she finishes as I holler for them to knock it off.
“Geez, you didn’t have to hit me, you little twerp,” Asher tells Outlaw as he rubs his arm.
“That’s enough from the two of you or we won’t go fishing. I’ll be having you both scrubbing baseboards at the clubhouse if you keep it up,” I warn and watch as both of their eyes widen and they straighten up in their seats. “Now, we’ll be there in less than five minutes, so both of you keep your lips sealed until then.”
Internally, I chuckle when I see Outlaw mimic zipping her lips and shooting a look of utter revulsion toward Asher. She narrows her eyes at him until he gives in and mirrors her actions. My little girl is a pistol until she gets what she wants. I may not be the one to scare future men away, her hardheadedness and strong will, that’ll be what pushes them away, not my show and tell with all of my guns and weapons. It’ll take a mighty strong man to tame my little girl. That thought brings elation to my worries, I’m going to make sure she knows to always speak her mind and stand up for herself.
She’s already a little tornado, but I will make sure she’s a hurricane when I’m done teaching her all the ways to defend herself. My girl will never be left wide-open for someone to take advantage of her.
Aurora
Armed with shocking news from the doctor, I try calling Harlow to check on how things are going with her and the kids; but get no answer. Mobile phones are relatively new, and we don’t always get the best reception, so I decide to stop by and see if she needs any relief.
Once I pull up to Harlow and Bane's house, I realize that her car is gone. There’s no way she would’ve attempted to take all the kids somewhere in her tiny vehicle. So, I call Rogue to see what he knows about this. After no answer from him either, I call Bane, same thing. What the hell are these damn phones good for if they’re not gonna answer? As I begin to toss my phone back into my purse, I notice that I have a voicemail. How did I not notice this before? Oh, please don’t tell me this pregnancy brain is already kicking in.
“Hey, beautiful. I know you’re out shopping, but I wanted to let you know that when you get done we’re all gonna be at the clubhouse. Just head on up here. I’ve got Harmony. We’re all here, waiting for you. Miss and love you, Rora. Can’t wait to see you.”
He sounds more relaxed and in such a better mood than earlier. And I can’t wait to give him the best news when I arrive. Putting my car into reverse, I back out of the driveway and cautiously proceed to my man and daughter. I take another mental note of Marx parked down the street. Apparently, he’s been placed as my personal spy for the day, as I like to joke. Focusing back on the road, I place my hand over my belly, as I speak to mine and Rogue’s little miracle, “Your daddy and big sister are gonna be so happy when they find out about you. We haven’t even met you yet, but just know that you are already so loved and wanted.”
Rogue
The kids are sitting in lawn chairs, poles baited, and in the water as Bane and I pop open a cold one and enjoy the view. The sun is just beginning to set and most of the old ladies have already arrived, except Aurora.
“You didn’t hear a word I just said, did you?” Bane takes a swig of his beer as he steals my attention away from my last thought. “What’s that puzzling look on your face about?”
“Aurora.” I dig into the front and back pocket of my jeans, and lastly, the pockets inside of my cut, only to realize I must’ve left my damn mobile phone inside the clubhouse. “Figured she would be here by now and I don’t have my phone on me.”
“Marx has detail duty on her today, right? Here, let me call him. They might already be here. Hell, she’s probably in the clubhouse gossiping with all of the other women.” He pulls out his mobile phone and I anxiously watch and wait for an answer. It feels like an eternity that it’s ringing and fucking Marx isn’t picking up. I’ll have his ass scrubbing toilets with his own toothbrush for this shit. “Huh?” Bane looks at his phone puzzled as he tries again, but this isn’t gonna work for me.