Chapter 29

Peg

It can’t have been easy to make the decision to take that pill, even if the chances that she was pregnant were so slim. But I agree one hundred percent with her decision. Waiting nine months to discover whether a baby was mine or that bastard’s? What sane couple would want to do that?

I know she wants to be alone, and appreciate she’s got a ton of things to deal with. While I’ll respect her wishes for now, that in particular it’s me she doesn’t want to speak to, I’m not leaving her without company. Especially not when both the police and the medical staff seem to have it in for her today.

Returning to the waiting room, I update her crew, who’ve been waiting for hours to see her, and arrange that one of my brothers will be here later when they need to go on shift.

I know they’re not going to want to hear this, but I’m so annoyed I can’t keep it to myself and want others to be warned to stay close if the police come back again. Through clenched teeth I tell them what’s just gone on between Flash and the cops in her room.

Slade swears as I update them. “You’re fucking joking, aren’t you?” One look at my face shows the captain I’m not. “Flash isn’t like that.”

“No, she’s fucking not. She doesn’t lie. She’s as straight as they come.” Truck’s looking incensed. “And you, Peg. Might not know much about you, but I know enough to tell you wouldn’t treat a woman like that.”

Pinching my nose, I look up. “I’m going to find out all I can about this motherfucker, Mercer. His daddy’s got some pull, and I need to find what.”

Slade grimaces. “Be careful, Peg. Your lot earned the reputation you’ve got. Something happens to Mercer, you’d be the first place they’d look.”

“Earned. As in past tense,” I emphasise, my eyes shifting to his. “And don’t think I haven’t thought of that already. Much as I hate to say it, we’re gonna have to play this straight.”

“Not that I wouldn’t like to see him deep underground for what he did.” Slade frowns. “But his daddy sounds well connected.”

“Too well connected,” I agree.

Slade slaps me on the back, and I leave them to keep my woman company. If she doesn’t want me near her for now, I’ll be doing what I can for her behind the scenes. There’s no dissent to my suggestion that someone will be there with her if the police come calling again. Christ, she’s got enough to deal with, what with the pain in her body as well as her mind. Doesn’t need more shit dumped on her.

It broke me when I thought she nearly died. During the time I was waiting for news I was trying to prepare myself for never seeing her again, I’d made a vow. If she recovers, the rest of her life I’m going to be there to protect her, and there’ll be nothing she can do to stop me, even if I can’t do it at her side. She’s my woman, even being apart won’t change that.

I’m standing in the corridor when Heart appears. “Hey, Peg. Glad you’re here. Marc’s heard about Darcy and wants to know how she is.” He’s looking tired himself. “We both want to make sure she’s okay and thank her for what she did. Breaks my heart to think what’s happened to her. Fuckin’ hell, I could have lost both my ol’ lady and the babies if those firefighters hadn’t been around.”

As he stops, I pull him in for a hug and slap his back. “But they were, and Marcia and the babies are good.” I pull away, allowing him to see the hurt in my eyes. “Flash is going to recover physically, but it will take time…”

“Whatever we can do to help, just say, Peg. We’ve got this.” Heart clasps my arm, his squeeze of support undoing me.

Suddenly it all crashes down on me, and I know I’m going to need all the support my brothers can give me. “She was raped, Heart. Fuckin’ raped. She was tricked, overpowered, and left helpless. That’s going to be so hard for her to deal with.”

There are tears in my brother’s eyes, and his look of compassion shows he’ll be doing anything he can.

I step back, wiping moisture that’s escaped and is leaking down my face. I clear my throat and change the subject, unable to process what’s happened to my woman. “Marcia and the babies doing well?”

“All doing great. Jacob is being given extra care at the moment, but Marc and Isabel should be able to come home this weekend. We’re hoping that my boy will come too.”

I want that to be me, Flash bringing my baby—singular, I won’t be greedy, and let’s face it, I won’t even know what to do with one—back to the compound. Instead I had to watch her take that fucking pill because she’d been raped. Life’s so unfair at times.

“Can I see Darcy? I’d like to thank her.”

“Slade’s in with her now. We’re not leaving her alone, Heart.”

Heart nods. Out of everyone, he knows what it’s like to be stuck in a hospital bed. “I’ll take my turn, I’m here all the time anyway now.”

I thank him. I stand, hesitating, unsure what to do, wondering whether Darcy might change her mind and let me back in to see her. After a while, Slade comes out, and Truck goes in.

Her captain comes over to me, looking downcast. “Peg, I’m sorry, man. Flash is adamant she doesn’t want to see you. I’ve tried talking to her, but her head’s in a bad place. Knocked her for six, this has. She’s only just tolerating us being around. Don’t think she’ll be changing her mind anytime today.”

I stare at the floor. If that really is the case, I’m wasting my time being here.

“She needs time to cope and to understand it wasn’t her fault.”

“It wasn’t her fuckin’ fault,” I throw back, incredulously.

Slade shrugs. “She wasn’t careful enough when she thought it was Truck behind her. She couldn’t get herself loose. She got into whatever fucked up relationship with Mercer in the first place.”

“They didn’t have a relationship,” I contradict, my hands fisting.

“Yeah, I know. He conned her and got himself into her house, then got fixated on her for some reason. Peg, look. You know what it’s like. Something happens, and all you can think of is what you could have done to prevent it. She needs to work through that.” He pauses, and as he runs his hands down his face, I realise that’s exactly what I’d done when I’d lost my leg. Looked for what I could have done different to prevent the men with me dying. My hands uncurl.

Slade nods as he sees me relax. “It’s harder for her. She’s used to being in control. Must admit, man, I’ve never seen her so low. She’s not in her right mind, so give her some space, yeah? One of us will be here until we go on shift. If there’s any change, I’ll get straight in contact with you.”

He’s right. She’s very far from being in her right mind—no one would be, given what she’s been through. I raise my chin in thanks, grateful he’s brought me, at least to my senses, then with one last lingering look at the door separating me from the woman I love, leave the hospital and make my way back to the compound. If space is what she needs for now, that’s what I’ll give her. But not too much. As I drive I feel I’m leaving a piece of me behind, a big fucking part. My heart.

I knew when I met the right woman I’d fall hard and fast, and if I lose her I’ll never find anyone to replace her. I try to convince myself I haven’t lost Flash yet, that her reaction to what that bastard did to her was understandable, and that once she’s feeling stronger we’ll find a way to move forward. Right now, all I want to do is take her in my arms, sink my cock inside her, and remove every memory of him from her mind, though I know she’s nowhere near ready for my type of cure.

At the back of my mind, I’m worried there’s more to her putting distance between us than yesterday’s ordeal. Something wasn’t right between us before that. Those dreaded words, we need to talk, echo around my head. Something’s spooked her, and I’ve no idea what it is.

It was when she went back to work.

There’s a fucking car dawdling along in front of me, and my fists tighten on the steering wheel in my impatience to get past, my rage finding a target in the slow-moving driver. Finally, able to overtake, I start to wonder…she’s a firefighter married to her job. Could a relationship with a biker threaten her career? Seeing Heart must have brought that to mind. Heart’s woman was forbidden to him until she gave up being a cop. Surely what Darcy does is different than that? As long as she does what she’s asked, what does it matter who she’s with outside of work? But the coincidence of the timing makes me wonder if I could be on the right track… I should have asked Slade.

She’s an independent woman. I’d never stop her doing anything she wants, however scared I might feel inside as she puts her life on the line every day. But have I told her that? Does she think I want her just to keep house for me and raise my kids? Have I been too overbearing, not giving her enough space? But it’s my psyche to protect those I love. Perhaps I pushed too hard and too soon.

I slam my fist against the steering wheel again, this time with determination. If it’s something I’ve done, I can mend it. I have to. I’ve taken a lifetime to find her, and I’m not giving her up without a fight.

I park the Jeep and unfold my limbs to slide out, then stretch. Fuck, how I hate driving a cage, but from the work that’s already been completed on the track, next time I go out I’ll be back on my bike. The endeavours of the construction workers I view with mixed feelings. Although Viper and Bullet were doing what they thought was best for the club, withdrawing their men from the construction site had almost caused the death of my woman. My gut clenches again as I think how alone she must have felt, lying injured and bleeding, feeling her life blood seeping away, not knowing if anyone was going to find her in time. Shit, on top of everything else, that must really have fucked with her head.

Give her time.

But I’m not a patient man. I’ll have to be. I stand by the Jeep, tossing the keys in my hand. I’m not going to give up. I’m going to fight for my old lady. Yeah. That’s what I’ll do. Give her bit of space, then go on the attack. Resolution made, I allow myself the relief of knowing at least she’s alive and still breathing, and go up to the clubhouse, making plans in my head. I’ve got this.

Immediately I take a step inside the clubroom and breathe in an enticing aroma, one which reminds me I haven’t eaten all day, and which pulls my feet toward the kitchen that’s already jammed with my brothers, their women, and also the sweet butts, everyone drawn by the amazing smell.

Elbowing my way in, my eyes open and, unwittingly, a smirk comes to my face when I see Ma in her wheelchair clearly directing operations, and the old ladies doing her bidding. Trays of meatloaf are emerging from the oven, Sandy and Carmen are mashing potatoes, and there’s big dishes of mac and cheese and green beans. But it’s the meatloaf that has my mouth watering.

The VP’s hovering just inside the doorway. “Darcy going to be alright?”

I take a breath and tell him simply, “She will be.” Then add more firmly as if to convince myself. “She will be.”

Wraith grins at my news, then nudges me, inclining his head to what’s going on inside the room. “Ma’s recipe,” he informs me. “Can’t wait to get a fuckin’ plate.”

Sophie hears him. “Not long now, Mr Impatient. You’ll just have to hold your bloody horses and wait.” She smiles at him, then goes back to her task.

No wonder everyone’s here, no one wants to miss out. When Sarah announces it’s all ready, the vultures descend and start filling their plates. Me? Although I would have said food was the last thing I wanted, I’m suddenly hungry. I shovel down everything in front of me, then go back for seconds.

“Ma,” I wave my loaded fork toward her, “this is the best fuckin’ meatloaf I’ve tasted in my life.”

“So it should be,” she snaps back. But I see the twinkle in her eyes. “Taken me nigh on ninety years to perfect it.”

“You’re that old?” Ella queries.

“I’m ninety-three,” Ma announces proudly. Well, I’ll be fucked. I knew she was old, but that’s ancient.

“She’s got recipes for other dishes we’ll be trying.” Sophie edges past with another loaded plate for the VP. “She says her fried chicken is the best.”

She would. I grin at the elderly lady who seems to have been given a new lease on life. Instead of being bedridden with only her great-granddaughter for company, she’s being helped in and out of the wheelchair, and has been adopted by a new family.

“Ma,” Joker calls out from somewhere at the back of the pack. “Any more left?”

“Plenty,” she replies. “I know how hungry you boys can be. Had five sons myself.”

Five sons? So why aren’t they looking out for her? “Where are they now?” I ask, interested, wondering what sort of boys she’s raised who’d leave an old woman alone.

Her eyes meet mine, and while she gazes at me steadily, I recognise hurt there. “Buried four of them already.”

Well, fuck me. But I don’t say a useless ‘I’m sorry’, comprehending sympathy wouldn’t go down well. But no parent should have to put their child in the ground.

I feel a hand on my shoulder. Looking around, I see Sarah. “Thank you,” she says quietly. “I’ve been doing what I can, but she was so lonely. Gramma needed this, needed you.”

Nodding in understanding, I reassure her, “Seems we’ve all adopted your gramma now. You both can stay as long as she wants. We’ll get you sorted with proper accommodation.”

Hyde comes up behind her and gets her attention, but not before she offers another heartfelt thank you to me.

My belly filled, the food seems to have sharpened my mind. I’m no longer consumed by things I have no control over, and instead want to get started on what I can. I look over to Mouse and see his plate is empty.

“Mouse, Brother. Spare a few?”

He nods and rises, and seeing Ma’s glare, leans over, picks up, then goes and rinses his plate. Not wanting to be subjected to the evil eye, I do likewise, pause to thank her and the old ladies, then follow him out.

Mouse’s cave reeks of marijuana, and as soon as he sits, he starts to roll a joint. Multi-tasking, he glances over his monitor. “What can I do for you, Peg?”

Taking a breath, I lay it on the line. All about Pete Mercer, and the mysterious Mercer Senior and the power he seems to have.

As I suspected, Mouse is intrigued, and immediately starts tapping the keys, his brow creased in concentration as he starts following a trail. He’s doing what he likes to do best. We’re lucky to have him as a brother. There’s not much he can’t find. When he puts his mind to it, he’s one of the best. What he can’t do, he’s got the contacts to help.

I wait, silent, giving him space to follow his thoughts. I’m hoping for an easy, quick answer.

Mouse’s fingers pause, and he throws me a contemplative glance, then looks back at his screen. “Ok, so Peter, yeah, he’s got the same name as his son. Peter Mercer Senior runs a private bank. He’s now the sole owner and partner.”

Okay. So he’s loaded. “What’s the name of the bank?”

“Top Loans.” Mouse lifts his finger and traces words on the screen. “Started after the big crash in 2008. Seems he invested a lot of his own money in it, and there was a partner at the time, who’s since died. All the money went to the company.”

“Got any bad smells to it?”

“Might well be. But the official records show it as fairly legit from what I can see. Died in a car accident along with his wife.”

Convenient. My brow creases, then I look up. “I haven’t heard of the bank before.”

“You wouldn’t have.” My eyes go to Mouse’s as I wait for him to explain. “I’ll need Cara’s help to get into his client list, but they don’t provide bankin’ services for the likes of you or me. You have to be rich and require a multi-million-dollar loan.” Mouse lowers the lid of his laptop and peers at me over the top. “This kind of set up stinks of being cover for a high-class loan shark.”

“I’d like that list of customers.” My forefinger and thumb go to the bridge of my nose. “Be interestin’ to see whether he’s got any judges, politicians, or high-rankin’ cops on there.”

“I agree. I’ll keep workin’ on it, okay? Could explain how his slippery son always gets out of jail.”

“The police believe Mercer the younger’s got a cast-iron alibi for Flash’s attack. Can we find out who the girl is that apparently spent the night with him? I know for a fact she’s lyin’.” Darcy wouldn’t get muddled up over who shot and raped her.

Mouse’s eyes soften, and he gives a slow shake of his head. “Fuck. Peg, I feel for you. And yeah, I’ll keep diggin’ ‘til I find something. That woman of yours? What she and her colleague did for Heart, means we owe her a lot.”

Right place, right time and I was only doing my job is what Darcy would say. But we all know they went out of their way to save mother and children. Club’s not going to forget that in a hurry.