Chapter Thirty

 

Cat and Holly sat outside the clubhouse at a picnic table, drinking their early morning coffee. It had taken Cat a while to coax her sister out of her room, but it was such a nice morning, and she knew the fresh air would be good for her.

Blood had given her a lot of needed space to spend with her sister, and Cat appreciated it, but she knew he—along with all the men—had gone out last night and hadn’t come back. The only thing Cat had been able to discover was that it was club business, and now she was worried. She hadn’t heard from him—not that she should expect to, but still, it was the not knowing that put her nerves on edge.

She was afraid for Blood; she could admit it. Not that he couldn’t take care of himself, because the man definitely could, but that didn’t mean things couldn’t go wrong. Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Mistakes get made, luck runs out. She just didn’t want to think what her life would be like without him in it. And maybe she didn’t know exactly what life with him would look like, but she knew if he weren’t a part of it, there would be a giant hole in her life.

The new girl—the one who had accompanied the two men with the Alabama bottom rockers on their cuts—came outside with her baby.

Cat hadn’t been introduced to her yet, but Blood had told her briefly that she was Undertaker’s daughter. She approached the picnic table with a big smile on her face, a coffee mug in one hand, and the tiny infant tucked over her opposite shoulder.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning,” Cat greeted her with a returning smile, noting the girl’s long dark hair and sky-blue eyes.

“You ladies are up early this morning. I thought I’d be the only person awake. This little one has had me up since dawn. I’m Skylar by the way.” She set her mug down and joined them.

“I’m Cat Randall. This is my sister, Holly.” She shook Skylar’s hand. “It’s cooler this time of the morning, isn’t it?”

Skylar grinned. “Yes, it is. But you can’t fool me; you’re no more a morning person than I am. You’re worried about the boys.”

“I suppose so. Are you?”

“I try not to be. I know it bothers Shades for me to worry, but sometimes a girl can’t help it, you know?”

Cat nodded. “I heard your father is the President here.”

Skylar grinned. “He is.”

Cat’s eyes moved over her. She sure didn’t look like some hardened biker chick. No tattoos, minimal jewelry, a pair of jeans, and a white peasant top. Still, Cat had to ask. “Was it hard growing up in an MC?”

Skylar chuckled. “Unfortunately or luckily, depending on how you want to look at it, I didn’t. You see, I didn’t know Undertaker was my father until just a couple of years ago.”

“Oh? But…you’re married to a club member, right?”

“I am, but I grew up in Birmingham. My best friend had a brother who was in the MC. She and I started hanging out at club parties when we were barely out of high school. I met Shades at one of those parties.”

“So you’ve been together a long time then.”

“Not exactly. We started seeing each other, but, well, things happened, and I left town. It wasn’t until much later that he and I got back together. It was just before I found out Undertaker was my father.”

“Sounds like quite a story.” Cat nodded to the baby. “Is she your first?”

“Yes, little Rebel is just four weeks old. I thought it was time she got to meet her grandfather.”

“She’s precious. Can I hold her?”

“Fair warning, she might spit up on you.”

“I’m a nurse. A little spit up doesn’t scare me.”

Skylar passed her the baby. “I have to admit, I’ve heard a bit about you from my father. He’s impressed by you.”

Cat couldn’t help the look of surprise on her face. “Really?”

“Blood is like a son to him.” Skylar gave her a knowing look. “He thinks you’re good for him.”

“You know Blood?”

Skylar nodded. “Blood and I, let’s just say we didn’t exactly hit it off when we first met.”

Cat grinned. “Imagine that.”

Skylar giggled. “I know, right? He can be a bit overbearing.”

“A bit?”

“But if you’re in trouble, he’s a good man to have around. He helped me through some stuff. It surprised me, but he turned out to be someone I could kind of lean on, you know?”

Yes, she definitely knew what Skylar meant. “I’ve leaned on him, too. Pretty much since I met him.”

“And what do you think of him?”

“Um, well…” Cat glanced at Holly. She wasn’t sure if her sister was ready to hear any of that. Other than Undertaker, Holly really didn’t seem to care for the rest of the MC.

Skylar’s eyes shifted to Holly. “I’m very sorry for what you went through.”

Her sister nodded, then looked off toward the road. “Do you know when he’ll be back?”

“Who?”

“Undertaker.”

Skylar and Cat exchanged a look. Cat slid her hand over, covered Holly’s, and squeezed. “He’ll be back soon, honey. Don’t worry.”

“He promised.”

“I know. And we’re both here. Do you want to hold this precious little baby?” Cat offered, dropping her hand to coo and tickle the baby’s cheek. The tiny thing grinned back at her, her toothless pink gums showing.

Holly stared at the baby and then rubbed her hands on her jean-covered thighs. “I better not.”

Cat looked at her, but before she could respond, the three of them heard the distant roar of motorcycles.

Skylar stood with her arms extended. “Here, I better take her inside. Those precious ears aren’t ready for all the thunderous noise that’s about to descend.”

Cat handed her over.

“If you see my husband—he’s the blond one—tell him I’m waiting upstairs.”

“Of course.”

Skylar headed inside, but paused at the door and looked back to give Cat a parting bit of advice. “Don’t be too mad at him.”

Cat frowned. “Who?”

“Blood.” Then she grinned and disappeared inside.

Holly tensed beside her as the sound of a dozen bikes rode up and came through the stockade gate that two Prospects ran to open wide. Cat put her arm around her, but she was too busy searching the bikes for Blood.

Two-dozen tires kicked up quite a bit of dust as the bikes parked in two rows.

The men dismounted and pulled their helmets off.

And then Blood was walking toward her and the tension in her body fell away. He stopped next to the table, and she jumped up and threw herself into his arms. He caught her to him, holding her tight.

“You didn’t come back. I thought something happened,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

His deep voice was low and reassuring. “Easy, pretty girl. I’m fine.”

She pushed out of his arms, embarrassed by her reaction. He was looking at her in a strange way, almost as if he was uncomfortable with her response to his return. Then he stepped back, and she felt like he was trying to put distance between them emotionally. She frowned. What had happened?

Undertaker walked up and looked down at Holly. “Hey, kiddo. You made it out of that room.”

She nodded, but gave him a look. “You promised. You promised you wouldn’t leave.”

“I had some business I had to take care of, darlin’. But I’m here now.”

She turned her head away, staring off into space and effectively giving him the cold shoulder.

Undertaker and Blood exchanged a look, and then Undertaker moved toward her, took her chin in his hand, and gently turned her head back. “Hey, little one. Look at me.”

She finally met his eyes.

“I’ve got to go talk to the boys for a few minutes, then I’ll come see you, okay?”

“Whatever.” She pulled her chin out of his hand, and Undertaker dropped his arm.

Blood looked at Cat. “You don’t have to worry about that other problem anymore. It’s taken care of. I can take you both back home whenever you’re ready.”

Cat was taken back by his words. Was it that easy for him to walk away from her? From everything they’d shared? His debt was paid, and he was done? Was that all she’d been to him?

Undertaker glanced between them, seeming equally as surprised by Blood’s attitude. If he was, he didn’t comment, just jerked his chin for Blood to follow him.

Blood nodded and both men headed into the clubhouse without another word.

 

***

 

The rest of the crew were already inside; most were at the bar having a drink. Blood followed his President, who paused to speak to Mooch.

“Let ‘em have a drink, give me a few minutes, then we’ll hold a meeting.”

“You got it, boss.”

Blood followed Undertaker up to his office, where his President poured them both a drink. Blood took a seat in front of the desk, and Undertaker sat on the edge.

They both downed the contents.

Undertaker dropped the glass in his hand to his thigh and studied Blood. “You okay?”

“You already asked me that, and I already answered.”

“Don’t be a smartass.”

“I’m fine.”

“Then what was that about?”

“What was what about?”

“Seriously? We’re gonna play this fuckin’ game?”

“What do you fucking want from me?”

Undertaker shook his head. “Blood, I know you better than anyone, don’t I?”

“Maybe.”

“Your family was fucked, we both know that, but your mother was a good woman. She loved you. I think you know that now. Maybe subconsciously you always knew that. She tried to protect you. But you perceived betrayal by her—the most influential molding female in your life—and that warped your view of all women. You couldn’t trust any of them.”

“There a point to this story?”

“I think when you first started to question that view was when you met my daughter, Skylar. If Shades hadn’t been in the picture, I think you two would have been quite a pair.”

“Think so?” Blood shook his head. “I never had a shot. Her heart was already given away.”

“My point is… I think she opened your eyes to the possibilities.

Blood shook his head again. “I was interested in her for one reason—she was your daughter.”

“Bullshit.”

Blood grinned. “Okay, that and she has a great ass.”

“Hey, that’s my daughter.” Undertaker punched him in the chest.

“And she’s married. Why are we talking about this, ol’ man?”

“The one thing that’s been missing in your life is a strong female influence. Every man needs that.”

“Even you?”

“Even me.”

“Again, what’s your point?”

“You got your revenge. That’s done. But if you let Cat walk out that door, what does any of this matter?”

“We through here?”

Undertaker grinned. “Guess so. We’ve got a meeting.”

“I’ve got somewhere I need to go first.”

“Where’s that?”

“Metairie Cemetery.”

Undertaker slowly nodded. “Go ahead. You can miss this meeting.”

Blood got up and headed toward the door.

“Blood.”

He turned back.

“Just think about what I said.”

Blood turned the doorknob and walked out. He wasn’t halfway down the hall before he ran into Ghost who stood outside the chapel, smoking a joint.

“Are you smoking pot in the clubhouse? Undertaker’s gonna kill you.”

He held it out to Blood. “Shh, there’s not enough for everybody.”

Blood accepted it, took a toke, and blew the smoke at the ceiling. “Thanks for your help last night.”

Ghost yawned. “I don’t know about you, but I’m beat. Probably gonna fall asleep in this meeting. How about you?”

“I’m gonna miss this one. Got somewhere I have to go.”

Ghost nodded and changed the subject. “I like her.”

“Who?”

“Come on, dude. You know I’m talking about the hot nurse.” He took the joint back and drew some into his lungs. Holding it, he asked, “She sticking around?”

“Doubt it.”

Ghost exhaled. “You ask her?”

“Who the fuck are you? Dear Abby?”

Ghost chuckled and passed him the joint. “What’s the matter, she getting on your nerves?”

“Please, for the love of God, don’t try to psychoanalyze me.”

Ghost tried to smother his laughter. “You think you’re perfect? You think there are things about you that don’t irritate her?”

Blood took a toke. “Like what?”

“Your table manners, your swearing, the paint job on your bike…”

“The paint job on my bike?”

“Well, that’s actually from my list.”

“Douchebag.”

Ghost took the joint back from Blood, grinning. “Getting high and talking about women, that’s starting to be our thing.”

Blood chuckled. “No shit.”

“So, what’s the deal with her? You gonna make her your ol’ lady?”

“I don’t know,” Blood answered honestly.

“Hey, she took the fall for you on that gun charge. That’s ol’ lady material in my book, Bro. By any brother’s standards.”

“Bein’ my ol’ lady… Not sure it’s what she wants.”

“Well, you are kinda homely,” Ghost teased.

Blood rolled his eyes and started to walk away, but Ghost stopped him. “Hey? You know I’ll always have your back, right?”

“And I’ll always have yours.” Blood hit him in the chest with a fist. “Brother, I don’t want to lose your friendship.”

“And I don’t want to lose yours.”

Blood arched a brow at him. “So, let’s stop talking about women.”

They both laughed.

“Agreed,” Ghost conceded.

Blood headed downstairs. Shades and Skylar were sitting at a table off in the corner, cooing over their baby.

Skylar looked up and saw Blood. When she did, she pushed the baby into Shades’ arms and moved toward him. “Blood, wait.”

He paused looking over toward her. Goddamn it. He knew what was coming. Seems the whole club had an opinion on his love life.

She moved toward him, looped an arm through his, and walked him toward a quiet corner. When they reached it, he tried to distract her from the lecture he was pretty sure was pending. “So, how’s the little mama?”

“Happy. Serene. Tired.”

They smiled at each other. Blood tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Motherhood looks good on you.”

“I met your girl.”

“She’s not my girl.”

“Why not?”

“Skylar, don’t start.”

“I like her.”

He nodded. “I like her, too.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“Do you more than like her?”

Blood chuckled. “You just don’t quit, do you?”

“Don’t fuck this up.”

He ruffled the hair on the top of her head, then pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “Love you, too, kid.”

Then he walked away.

“Blood! Get back here.”

He kept walking. “Shades!”

“Yeah, bro?”

“Go take your ol’ lady to bed.”

“Six week rule, dude. But thanks for rubbing it in.”

“Good to know both of us are in hell.”

“Yours is gonna last longer than mine, asshole.”

Blood flipped him off over his shoulder as he headed out the door.

He found Mama Ray sitting with Holly at one of the picnic tables, talking to her in a quiet, motherly way. Cat was there, too. When she saw him, she got up and walked over to him. His eyes moved to Holly. “Your sister okay?”

Cat glanced back. “She’s fragile, but she’s starting to talk more. Everyone’s been really sweet to her.” She turned back to meet his eyes. “I appreciate the way Undertaker has spent time with her. He’s been really gentle with her.”

“Imagine that? Maybe us bikers aren’t so bad after all,” he teased.

“He’s hardly left her side.”

“Way I hear it, that’s her idea.”

“Pretty strange, huh?”

“Not so strange.” He lifted his chin toward Holly. “She good with Mama Ray for an hour?”

“I suppose. Why?”

“I’ve got somewhere to go. You want to come with me?”

Cat nodded. “All right.”