CHAPTER THREE
A few hours later, Izzy sat on the floor beside Melora’s bed with the baby asleep in her arms. Melora was sleeping as well but she and Mountain were watching over them.
Mountain looked down at her with the baby in her arms. “So, I noticed you had a reaction when Melora said the baby’s name. What is up with that?”
Izzy glanced down at the baby and smiled. “I know she named him Talon after you but the Boone part of his name is for my brother.”
“Your brother? I didn’t know you had a brother.”
She nodded but wouldn’t look at him. “You know Melora and I met when we were both sixteen right?”
Mountain nodded.
“But you don’t know what happened just before we met.”
“What happened?” he asked.
Izzy sighed deeply. “My home life was shit. My dad liked to drink and he loved to gamble and there were times when we paid the price for both. By the time I was fifteen, my mother had enough. She walked out on us. They had a big drag out knock down fight and he told her she could go but Boone and I would have to stay.” She shrugged. “Mom left the next day. She didn’t even try to take us with her.”
“How old was Boone?”
“He was almost ten. After Mom left, things went downhill fast. There were nights Dad never bothered coming home and even when he did, he was too drunk or hung over to give a shit whether Boone and I had food or money for groceries. Then one night about a week before the night the shooting happened, he came home and he was drunk again but this time he was unusually happy about something. He came in and woke us up. It was so different than when he usually came home. Usually, he didn’t even care about checking on us. We were the last thing he worried about.”
“What was wrong?” Mountain asked.
“He won that night. I don’t know what but he laid there on the couch and was laughing. I tried to ignore him because I was mad at him. But something changed when he woke up the next morning. I’m not sure what but he went back to being the same old man he’d been for so long. For the next week, he tore the house apart it was almost as if he were looking for something. He never said what but at least he was there. Then things went from shit to worse.”
“What happened? Did he ever say?” Mountain asked.
“Yeah he said, all right.” She growled. “He lost a card game before he came home. I don’t know what he used for money because he’d already lost his paycheck a couple of days before. Then he dropped his bomb. He traded me for a hand of cards and he lost.”
“He did what?” Mountain demanded.
Izzy nodded. “He lost his fifteen year old daughter in a fucking card game. And he expected me to go to the man who won.”
“Are you kidding?”
“No.” Izzy shook her head.
“What happened then?”
“I told him I wouldn’t go. I told him I’d run away first.” She shrugged. “He told me not to be stupid. I was collateral and I didn’t have any choice. I told him I had every choice and I chose not to go. That’s when he hit me. He screamed at me that I didn’t have a choice, if he didn’t turn me over, the men would come after him and they would take me anyway. He told me it would only be for three days, like that would make a difference.”
“Did he say who the man was?”
Izzy hung her head and for a moment didn’t say anything.
Mountain pressed her by asking again, “Who was the guy Izzy?”
“What does it matter?” she whispered.
“It matters to you, so it matters to me.” His violet eyes blazed at her.
Izzy hugged the baby closer to her for a moment. She thought about telling him who the guy was but it wouldn’t really matter at this point. There was nothing anyone could do about it anyway. All this went down almost eight years ago. “I couldn’t stay there anymore. I told Boone to pack a few things and we would get the hell out of there. I couldn’t go without him. Anyway, we were almost free of him when he caught us. He began beating on me and Boone grabbed the gun in my dad’s drawer. He got off a shot but it hit my dad in the shoulder. It didn’t really hurt him too bad. He wrestled the gun away from Boone and in the struggle, the gun went off a second time. The bullet struck Boone and somehow lodged in his spine. When I saw the blood and heard his scream, I lost it. I grabbed Boone’s baseball bat sitting next to the door and hit my dad in the head. I prayed I’d kill the bastard but when he dropped like a stone, I never even looked at him. I picked up Boone and got him the hell out of there.”
“Then what?”
“I got him out of the house and found a place to call an ambulance and by the time we got to the hospital, Boone was in bad shape. I called my uncle and he went to the house and saw to my dad. When he got to the hospital, we found out Boone was paralyzed. My uncle offered to take care of him but he wouldn’t take me. He blamed me for everything that happened. My dad was also in the hospital but he was under police custody.”
“How could your uncle turn you away?” Mountain asked.
Izzy shrugged. “He felt it was my fault that my dad was going to jail. I refused to lie for the bastard and say that the shooting was an accident.”
“That was your dad’s fault, not yours.”
“It didn’t matter as long as Boone was going to be ok. I didn’t care about me.”
“Did your uncle keep his promise?”
“Yeah, he did. Boone was taken care of. Uncle Mike took him in and got him what he needed. He contacted me after my dad went to jail. He promised me as long as I stayed away from Boone he would take care of him, but if I contacted him in any way, shape or form, he would throw him out in the street.”
“Why would he do that?”
“He told me it was my fault because I testified against my dad when he went to court.” Tears rolled down her face as she continued her story, “The first few weeks I lived on the streets really opened my eyes. I never knew how hard it would be. Then I met Melora. She’d been out there a lot longer than me and for some reason, she invited me to stay with her. Together, we did ok. She found us places to stay and food enough, so we didn’t starve and then she taught me what she knew. We got very close. When she heard about my brother, she urged me to visit him. He had the right to know what our uncle had said and done.” Izzy paused and swiped at her tears.
Mountain sat with hard eyes and his face looked red.
“At first Boone was mad. He wanted to leave our uncle’s house and come with us but she talked him out of it. Melora told him we were living on the streets and she didn’t think we could take care of him. She told him to take advantage of what my uncle had to offer and that someday, we would be together again. She promised both of us it would happen.”
“And did it? Did you and your brother finally get back together?”
“Not yet but Boone is going to turn eighteen in another couple of months. She said we had to wait until he was of legal age. That until then we both had to wait.” She looked up at him. “God, it’s been so hard. I miss him every single day we’ve been apart. I’ve seen him a handful of times but he hasn’t seen me. He never knew I was there watching him. I haven’t seen him now in a while and its killing me. It’s like I abandoned him.”
“Don’t you believe that for a minute,” Mountain told her as he leaned closer to her. “He knew you were there. He might not have seen you but he felt you in his heart. He knew you were close by. Just like he’s waiting for you now. He knows you’ll be back for him and I’ll bet he’s counting down the days until the two of you can be together again.”
“Do you think?” she whispered.
Mountain wrapped his arms around her and held her. “Yeah, I know so. I will just bet that he loves you and he’s been waiting all this time for you to come back for him.”
“I don’t know if I can do that. As much as I want him in my life I don’t know if I can share the nothing I have with him.”
“What do you mean? The nothing you have?”
“I have nothing right now. I don’t even have a job at the moment, let alone a place of my own. I have so much to get set up before I can ask him to join me here.”
“What would you say if I offered to buy Melora’s house? There’s enough room there for us and your brother. I could even offer him a job at the shop if he wanted. She’ll be moving in with Sam when they get married anyway.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I want you to stay with me. I want a life with you in it. I know I’m a lot older than you are but I don’t care. Melora isn’t the only Morgan who loves you, so do I.” Mountain rested his forehead on hers.
“Oh Talon, I love you too. Are you sure?” Izzy had to ask. “It’s an awful lot to ask you to take on, both me and Boone.”
Mountain smiled. “You and Boone are family now. I want to marry you if you’ll have me.”
“Isn’t that a little backwards?” She giggled.
“No it isn’t,” he insisted. “I’ll take you any how I can get you.”
“Ok Mr. Mountain man, you’ve got me. Warts and all, I’m all yours.”
“Hooray.” Mountain swooped down and crushed her lips with his. He leaned into her and then the baby began fussing at him being so close. Mountain laughed as he pulled away from her. “Oops, let’s not squish the baby.”
“Yeah, I’d rather not lose him just yet.” Melora commented from the bed. “If you guys are going to get frisky give me my son back, so he’s not caught in the middle. He’s a little young to get that kind of education.”
Izzy laughed and handed the baby to his mother. Then she reached for Mountain and slid down to the floor. She heard Melora groan and turn over, so she wasn’t facing them.
~* * * *~
The next morning, Raine sat in the clubhouse alone. Reva and Gator were again in the kitchen working to make breakfast and coffee. He couldn’t tell if Gator had told her about Bulldog yet, but he felt she had to know, so today he would tell her himself if he could get her away from Gator.
He turned as another body sat down at his table.
It was Bones. “So you wanna tell me why you’re watching Reva and riling Gator?” he asked offhand as he poured a cup of coffee.
Raine shrugged. “I’m not looking for trouble here.”
“I didn’t say you were but you’ve been watching her for a while now and its beginning to freak her out.”
Raine nodded. “Probably.” He paused for a long moment then asked, “Did you ever have a moment in your past that you wished you could relive and this time, prevent something bad from happening?”
Sam scoffed. “Yeah I’ve had a few of those.” He stared at Raine for a moment and asked, “What are you trying to tell me here?”
“Not a damn thing boss, not a damn thing.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it.” Sam sat back in his chair. “So are you telling me you wish you could go back and change something, something like what happened to Reva all those years ago?”
Raine sighed deeply. “Yeah, something like that.”
“You can’t go back and neither can she.” Sam’s words were soft and low. “What happened, happened. Your brother got exactly what he deserved for what he did to her.”
Raine nodded. “Yeah, I know but none of us realized how bad it was getting. Both her and Bulldog hid what was happening from everyone. No one should have to live with the kind of fear she lived with day after day.”
“Yeah, your brother was a real sweetheart.” Sam growled.
“The family tried to see her after the police arrested Bulldog but she wouldn’t let us in.” Raine shook his head. “My mom cried.” He paused then admitted, “In all the years I lived with that woman, I never saw her cry, not once but when she found out what Bulldog did, she cried.”
“And now?” Sam asked.
“I got a letter from Bulldog a month ago and he told me she hasn’t spoken to him since he went to prison. Every letter he sent comes back stamped Return to Sender.” Raine shook his head. “Instead of taking the blame for his own actions, Bulldog is still blaming Reva and I’m afraid if he gets out in the next month, he’ll come here and kill both of them.”
“Your brother is just plain crazy.” Sam shook his head.
“I happen to agree with you.” Raine took a deep breath and when he exhaled he said, “I got a letter from my brother, Hound and the family wants to stand with Reva if and when it comes to a showdown.”
Sam dropped his cup to the table. ”What?”
“Yeah, how is that for a kick in the head?”
“Wow, the Moore family standing against one of their own?” Sam whispered. “I never thought that day would come.”
“Yeah well, Bulldog fucked up big time,” Raine stated. “Only they want me to talk to Reva and Gator and find out what they want. And I don’t think either one of them will willingly talk to me. Reva hasn’t yet and Gator just warned me off, again last night.”
“What do you mean again?” Sam frowned.
“He doesn’t like the fact that I’m here, at all,” Raine admitted. “He watches me all the time and I think he’s waiting for me to go postal on her.” He shook his head. “I would never hurt her or any other woman and she won’t give me the time of day. Not that I blame her, I wouldn’t give me the time of day either if someone just stood there while I was beaten.”
“Maybe you should talk to Deke and have him act as mediator?”
Raine shook his head. “She wouldn’t want everyone to know what happened.”
“You don’t think Deke remembers that day?” Sam scoffed. “He damn well remembers. He might have been just a kid when it happened but he watched the whole incident go down just like everyone else who was there. He may have been young but some things you never forget.” Sam shifted in his chair. “Besides, when he left Maine they came with him and stayed with him all this time.”
Raine shook his head. “Maybe I’m wrong but this is something I have to do. On my own. All I need is a little of her time and an open mind. Gator can’t stand between us all the time.”
Sam snorted. “You may not remember him very well, if you think that. That man is stubborn like you ain’t never seen before. When he clamps his jaw onto something, he never lets go. Why do you think he’s called gator?”
They both turned in time to see Reva kiss her man and move toward the back door.
Gator watched as she headed outside. Then he turned, glared at Raine and made his way to the front door. Moments later they heard his cycle start up and roar away.
~* * * *~
Cassie watched through the window of her house as Reva walked along the wood line. When she reached a certain spot, she turned and entered the woods. Cassie turned and nodded at Peaches. “Can you watch the twins for a while? There’s something I need to do.”
Peaches rubbed her growing belly. “Sure, I’ll be here.”
Cassie closed the door behind her and quickly went down the path she’d seen Reva take. When she entered the woods, she found a worn path and followed it. She walked for a good twenty minutes before the silence was broken by the sound of water splashing in front of her. When she came around a corner, she gasped. There is the middle of the woods was a waterfall. It might have been manmade but it fit into the surroundings almost as if it were meant to be there.
On a small bench Reva sat. Her mind must’ve been a million miles away and she didn’t notice Cassie until the other woman sat down next to her. Reva started and turned to look at her with fear in her eyes. When she saw it was Cassie, she relaxed. “God all Friday woman, you startled me!”
“I’m sorry,” Cassie said quietly. “I thought you saw me.”
“No I’m the one who’s sorry. I guess my mind was far away.” She shrugged. “I guess I need to stay more focused from now on.”
Cassie cocked her head to one side. “I’m a very good listener if you ever need someone to listen.”
Reva smiled. “Thank you but my problems aren’t your problems.”
Cassie shook her head. “Sometimes, we all need someone to just listen.” She hesitated then added, “I would be more than happy to listen anytime you need it.
Reva gave her a silent look then turned her head and watched the water for a moment.
Cassie sat next to her and didn’t say a word.
Finally, after a few minutes Reva whispered, “Seventeen years ago. I almost had a child.”
“Almost?” Cassie questioned.
Reva nodded but refused to meet her eyes. “I was married to a bastard of a man.” She snorted. “I guess I still am, married to him…I mean.”
Cassie frowned. ”Gator is a bastard?”
Reva shook her head. “God no, he’s my savior, but he isn’t my husband. Bulldog Moore is my old man and he’s been in prison for the last seventeen years because he murdered our son and damn near killed me.”
Cassie felt stunned. All this time, she thought Reva and Gator were married. Reaching out, she held Reva’s hand. “I’m sorry.”
Reva looked at her with tears in her eyes. For a moment, she tried to speak but couldn’t. Looking back at the waterfall, she waited until the tears abated. “It’s a long story and it might not make sense in places but I think I’d like you to know it.”
“I’ve got nothing but time,” Cassie told her softly.
Reva stared at the falls. “I met Bulldog when I was seventeen. All I could see then was the glamour of the MC. It was wild and more than a little scary but I wanted to be wild for once in my life. My home life was shitty and I couldn’t wait to be free, so when Bulldog asked me to be his old lady I accepted. We got married before I turned eighteen. He was a few years older than me and I thought he was cool. Boy was that a mistake. He was trouble from the get go. I stayed with him about a week and by then, I was ready to go home. Only he wouldn’t let me go. When I tried to leave him he dragged me back, then he beat me. The first time, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Oh, don’t get me wrong, he hurt me enough to where I didn’t try it again for a while.” She shook her head. “After that, he began to treat me like a slave. He ordered me around in private and treated me like a queen when his family was around. He told me if I told anyone, he’d kill me.”
“How long were you together?” Cassie asked as her stomach roiled with this news.
“We were together for seven years. It was seven years of pure hell for me.”
“Did you ever try to leave after that first time?”
Reva nodded. “I did try one other time. It was toward the end of the seventh year. I knew I had to get out of there. I was pregnant with Bulldog’s baby and I didn’t want to raise my child living like that. I had everything all set. I’d saved up some money and I was ready to go.” She stopped and had to swallow her tears. “I didn’t get very far. Bulldog caught me and dragged me back. Literally dragged me back. He tied my hands together and dragged me behind his bike, back through the compound. Everyone was there to see what he did, his family and members of his club. He stopped in the middle of the dooryard and I stumbled to the ground. He grabbed me up and began beating the hell out of me. Everyone standing there was in shock that he would do something like that but I could see he was high on something.”
Cassie swallowed heavily as she paused and stared out at the water.
“People were yelling at him to stop but he never heard them. His father tried to stop him but he hit the man over and over again. His brothers all tried to stop him too, but it didn’t do any good. No one could have stopped him that night. Then Gator pulled his gun and put a bullet in him. That was the only thing that got his attention. He turned away from me and went after Gator. Gator got a second bullet into Bulldog and his brother hit him with a piece of lumber and that’s when he finally went down. Reva shook her head. “By the time the cops showed up, they had Bulldog tied up. He was still out of it but no one wanted to take any chances. I didn’t know any of this at the time. I was hurt really bad. By the time I got to the hospital I’d lost the baby and was so torn up inside I’d never have another child. I was in a coma for three weeks while I healed. And by then, Bulldog was in jail awaiting trial.”
“What happened then?” Cassie asked.
“When they presented all the medical evidence in court, the judge threw the book at him. He got seventeen years for the aggravated murder of the baby and the battery he did on me and his dad. I tried to divorce him while he was in prison but he wouldn’t sign the papers. He told me he’d see me in hell first.”
“So what has you so worried now?”
“Raine just told Gator that Bulldog is getting out of prison in less than a month.”
“How the hell would he know that?” Cassie was stunned.
Reva looked at her in surprise. “Raine is Bulldog’s brother.”
“Are you kidding me?” Cassie all but screamed as she jumped up
“No I’m not. Bulldog’s real name is Harry Moore. Raine’s name is Chris Moore. They have three other brothers and parents and the whole family belongs to the same club Sam left in Maine.”
“OMG…” Cassie whispered. “Is that why Raine came here with Sam? To keep an eye on his brother’s wife? I mean he is such a kind man, always there to doctor people up. He has helped all of us at one time or another. He saved my life once.”
Reva shrugged her shoulders. “No, I don’t think he would do that. He told Gator he wanted to help us but I know his family wouldn’t stand against one of their own.”
“Maybe things have changed? Maybe he really does want to help you?”
“I don’t know.” Reva sighed. “I’m just so tired of being afraid. I love Gator so much and I don’t want to put either of us in danger. But it isn’t just us I’m worried about, we have three kids living with us. I can’t and won’t put their lives in danger. If Bulldog gets out, he’s going to track us down and finish what he started seventeen years ago. One or all of us are going to die and I don’t want it to be me or Gator or the kids.”
“So what are you going to do? You do know that you don’t have to face this Bulldog alone, don’t you? You have the whole club behind you, and these guys don’t mess around.”
Reva shook her head. “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt. I can’t in good conscience, put anyone else in harm’s way just to be safe.”
Cassie smiled. “I know what that feels like, I’ve been there myself but that’s the good thing about belonging to a MC. You never have to ask anyone to stand in front of you. They will stand beside you and they will have your back always.”
“I know but this news makes me want to run and hide. I know that isn’t fair to Gator, but I’m just so scared.”
“Talk to Deke and see what he has to say,” Cassie suggested.
Reva shook her head. “I can’t talk to Deke. This isn’t his problem. This is between me and Bulldog.”
“But you and Gator are a part of this family too.” Cassie reached out and hugged her. “Please don’t run away from us. We wouldn’t know what to do without you guys.”
“I really don’t want to go,” Reva whispered. “But if we do go, will you watch over the kids? We won’t be able to take them with us. Life on the road is no kind of life for kids and they have been through so much already.”
“Of course, we will. Those kids will always have a home with us here,” Cassie assured her.
“I love them so much,” Reva admitted. “I don’t know what I’ll do without them. To leave them here will just about break my heart but I can’t put them in danger either. If any of them got hurt because I stuck around—I don’t think I could ever forgive myself.”
“Please promise me something,” Cassie begged. “Promise me you won’t just run away. Promise me you’ll talk to Deke before you make any decision.”
Reva hesitated then hung her head and agreed. “Ok, I will talk to Deke first. I don’t really want to be on the run again. We have a great life here and I really hate to give it up.”