Chapter 10

 

They say everything happens for a reason, and lately, I’ve been thinking that may be true. Nessa has brought out a new side of me. One I never knew I wanted. I do now, I want it. I want her, and I want that baby.

“This is stupid, Ghost!” When she does this little rant of hers and stomps around the room, it does nothing but make my dick hard.

“I don’t give a shit. I said no.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I lean against the wall as she stomps a little more.

“Devil, please tell him this is stupid!” She says throwing a fit.  I glance over at him and I already know he’s on my side.

“I don’t think he’d listen to me.”  Devil says. The smile on his face pisses her off more.

“Aria! Angel! Come on!” The girls laugh before pulling Nessa into a hug.

“I agree. I don’t think you should work. It’s not your place.” Dragon says to my surprise. Of all the people to speak up, I didn’t expect it to be Dragon.

I laugh out loud, turning to look at him.

“See that! He’s a man!” Pointing at Dragon, we all laugh. It’s about time someone agrees with me.

“I need to work, Ghost. I have bills to pay.” Shaking my head, I don’t think she understands me. Stalking toward her, I wrap my hands around her waist, pulling her against my body. God, I love feeling her there.

“I told you, I got this. You, are mine. This, is mine.” My hand rests over her stomach, making her smile.

“I can’t pay rent without a job.” Licking her bottom lip, she moans slightly.

“Rent’s free when you’re here in my bed.” Sucking on her chin, I move to her neck. Nibbling and kissing, I can feel her body tremble.

“I can’t stay here.” She’s so breathless I can barely stand it.

“Oh, but you can. Now shut up and kiss me.” Biting on her neck softly, Nessa pulls back. She presses her lips to mine, sucking my bottom lip into her mouth.

“Mmmm.” I can’t stop the moan that falls from my lips. She is turning me on in ways that I never knew were possible.

“Get a room!” Devil yells. Grinning against Nessa, I plan on it.

“Is that a yes?” Her eyes meet mine. So much unsureness settles in them.

“Everything will work out, Nessa. I promise.”

She’s so unsure of me, of everything. I can’t say that I blame her either. Everything happens for a reason, and I feel like Nessa is something that was bound to make me better.

 ***

Time travels by slowly. Each day brings me closer to being a dad. Some days, that scares the hell out of me, others, I can’t wait. Either way, there is a part of me that’s afraid to ruin a child’s life. I don’t want my kid to be messed up the way most of us are. Dragon drops onto the couch next to me. “Wanna talk about it?”

“I’m just scared, Dragon. I’m scared my kid will end up like us. We’re all fucked up in some way and I don’t want that shit for anyone.” Dragon nods, looking down at his hands.

“I get that, brother. None of our lives were ideal. Hell, even now we’re as fucked up as ever, but you know what you got?” Glancing over at him, I shrug.

“You have a good heart. You have a great head on your shoulders. As fucked up as we all are, we’re good together. We make sense. You have all of us, Ghost. If there’s one thing I’ve been thinkin’ about, it’s changin’ this club for the better.” I didn’t know he was thinking about that.

“What do you mean?” Dragon leans back, resting his head on the couch.

“If my past has taught me anything, man. It’s that we need to be better. We need to make better choices and try to filter some legit shit in here. Think about it. We’re gettin’ older. What the fuck do we have to leave to future Fire’s?” Nodding, it does make sense.

If there’s anything I’ve learned about living this life, it’s that I want my kids to grow up and have people that care about them, the way I do.

“You have plans for that?” Dragon smiles, pulling a cigarette out and lighting it up.

“I’ve been makin’ a few moves. Gettin’ some calls out there. There’s a few things that I will bring up in church later. I think it’ll be a good move for us if the money part plays out right.” I can’t stop the smile that crosses my face when I look at him.

Dragon’s one hell of a leader. He always has been. If anyone can make shit happen, it’s him. We sit in silence when the front doors fly open. A woman stumbles in, completely fucked out of her mind.  Dragon and I share a glance before we both stand, chuckling. It’s not until I realize who it is, that I freeze.

“Ghost, Nessa’s looking for you.” Aria’s voice fades as she stops to look at the girl lying in the floor.

“Who is that?”  Aria says as she points. Dragon and I look at her and shrug. Taking the lead, I reach down and roll the girl over.

“Melanie.” 

I stand there stunned. How is she here? Why is she here, and what the hell happened to her?

“What the fuck?” Dragon stands over her, glaring down the same way that I am.

“What the hell is she doin’ here?”  I ask. Glancing up at Dragon, I shrug and shake my head.

“Are you two idiots going to stand there, or are you going to help her!” Aria’s on her knees next to Melanie, brushing her hair away from her face. She’s bruised and bloody. She’s obviously been beaten at some point. More than once by the looks of it.

“I’ll call Doc,” Dragon says.  Nodding to him, I kneel down next to Melanie.

“Mel? Can you hear me?” My hand comes to her cheek. My heart stumbles in my chest. I don’t know what to do here.

“She’s breathing,” Aria says. I don’t look over at her though, I can’t.

“Mel, sweetheart. Can you hear me?” Melanie tries to move when I stop her.

“No, don’t move, darlin’. We don’t know what’s hurt. Everything’s ok. I’m here.” Saying the words, I hear the gasp. Looking up, my eyes lock with Nessa’s. Tears falling down her cheeks. Melanie’s hand grips mine. I look between the two of them lost. The girl that’s mine now, and the girl that’s my past.  The two worlds collide in my chest and I almost pass out.

“Ghost?” Melanie’s whispers pull my attention back to her.

“I’m here.” I see Nessa turn and run, out of the corner of my eye. I can’t look up at her, though. I can’t see the pain that I’m causing in her eyes. Dragon stalks over. “Doc’s on his way. Let’s get her to a room.” Lifting her in his arms, her hand never let’s go of mine.  So many feelings are tearing through me. I’m torn as to what to do. Do I go with Mel, or go to Nessa? How can they both be here now? How is Melanie back, and what the hell happened to her?

“Lay her down,” Angel says standing next to the bed with a wet rag.

“Ghost.” My name falls from her lips once more.