Anguish

I hang up and drag a brush through my hair, then I hurry back out. All the bikers are still there, and Santana is on the couch beside Ash, cooing over Diesel. I rush out and into the kitchen, past all the bikers standing around the counter.

“Fuck,” I hear Mack mutter. “It just gets better.”

“Feelin’ ya,” Krypt grunts.

I don’t glance at them. I don’t really need or care to know what they’re talking about. I pour a coffee, then I rush past them and take a dive for my keys.

“Where you goin’?” Mack asks, snatching the keys before I can reach them and lifting them into the air.

“Give them to me,” I say, my voice a little more frenzied than I’d like.

“I said,” he grinds out, “where you goin’?”

“To get my things!”

“You takin’ the baby?”

“I’m sorry,” I snap. “Are you deaf, or did you miss the part where Santana said she’d watch him?”

“I didn’t hire Santana.”

“Fuck me!” I cry, throwing my hands up. I charge over to Santana, pull Diesel from her arms and then charge back towards Mack.

“Give me my God damned keys.”

“Something’s wrong,” he observes, studying my face.

“Yeah, I need more clothes.”

“You in some kind of trouble, girl?”

I growl, “No, now give me my damned keys!”

He tilts his head to the side. “Tyke, go with her.”

“What?” I screech. “No!”

“Do it,” Maddox orders.

Fuck me.

“Take my truck,” Mack continues. “It’s got a seat.”

I close my eyes, struggling for calm. Diesel squirms in my arms, and I force myself to open my eyes and stare down at him. He smiles at me. Smiles. This cute little, open-mouthed, baby smile.

“Awwww,” I croon, unable to stop it. “He’s smiling at me.”

“What?” Ash cries, leaping up.

“No way!” Santana yells, doing the same.

They rush over and skid to a stop beside me, staring down at Diesel.

“Oh my lord!” Ash croaks. “Oh, look how cute he is.”

“Ohhhh, I’ve wanted a smile for weeks,” Santana breathes.

“Fuck me,” Mack grunts.

I spin around, turning the baby towards his father. “Don’t you want to see?”

“No,” he says, something painful flashing in his gaze before he turns away.

Whatever the reason for this baby coming into Mack’s life, it isn’t a good one. He barely looks at Diesel, and he rarely addresses him by his name. I’ve picked all this up in just one day. I turn back to the girls, and Santana is giving Mack a sad look. Yep, definitely something going down.

“Well,” I say, forcing my eyes away from them. “Time to go.”

Ash takes my arm before I leave. “You should come to our cookout on Saturday. We’re having one at the club.”

“The club?” I say. “The . . . biker club?”

Maddox barks a laugh. “We scare you, girl?”

I turn to him. God, he’s daunting. So huge, all muscle and man. “No,” I say. “I just . . . What does one bring to a biker club cookout?”

“Dead bodies,” Krypt adds, his voice completely serious.

I gasp.

“Guns,” Maddox adds.

“Ass,” Mack comments.

“Stop it!” Ash snaps. “You’re all horrible. Honey, don’t stress. It’s really fun; trust me. I’ll swing by Saturday and we can get ready together, then I’ll ride with you.”

“Hey,” Krypt cuts in. “What about me?”

“You can suck it up, after that mean comment. Poor Jay.”

“Yeah,” Mack grunts. “Poor Lah.”

Fuck you, I mouth at him.

He grins.

Oh boy, does he look good grinning.

Yum.

“You ready to ride?” Tyke asks, wheeling his chair towards me.

Wait, can Tyke drive?

He must see my confused expression because he laughs and says, “I can drive. Only one of my legs is completely fucked. The other is mostly good.”

Mostly. Eeek.

“Right,” I say. “Well, let’s go.”

With that, we’re out the door.

CHAPTER FOUR

Josie isn’t there when I stop in to get my things, but neither is Gregor, which I’m grateful for. I’m not entirely convinced he’s not following me, so I lead Tyke on a wild goose chase on the way home, telling him I need to stop and get things. By the time we’re back at Mack’s house, he looks as if he’s about had enough.

Poor guy.

I text Josie and tell her I’m safe, and she tells me she’s going to see her grandmother for a few months. She lost her job as a reporter recently and now I’m going to be here for a while, she’s no doubt decided to take a break. She deserves it, and she’s really close to her grandmother. I’m happy for her, and even more than that, I’m glad she’s away from Gregor.

No one is home when I get in, and Tyke tells me I’m welcome to the club, but I refuse. I thank him and then head inside, putting Diesel down for a sleep. He goes easily, which I’m thankful for. In the time he’s asleep, I unpack my things and set my room up. I’m mid-way through when I hear a feminine giggle.