Chapter thirteen
Nicole
The baby shower was awesome. They'd been given so many presents for the boys that she was completely overwhelmed and spent the majority of the party in happy tears. Nicole didn't know what was left for her and Duke to buy. Jewel showed her the room next to their apartment that they had emptied for her and Duke to use as storage. She'd shown them all the bands Duke had given her and they begged her to tell them the names that go with them. She wouldn't, that was just between her and Duke until the babies were born. The ladies continued to beg and guess throughout the night but she wouldn't relent and none of their guesses were anywhere near.
Shel had been great and organised games and quizzes that had them all in hysterics, laughing. She lost count of how many times she had rushed to the bathroom to keep from peeing herself. Every old lady was there and Nicole felt she'd been accepted into their sisterhood.
She woke to Duke wrapped around her like always. She never wanted to wake up any other way. He told her the meeting with her dad had gone okay and that his debt was payed in full. She was relieved and for some reason nervous and apprehensive to see him this morning. She had a ball of guilt in her stomach from what she was going to say to him. He was her father and more than likely she would never see him again after today. In fact, that was the plan. She knew it was for the best, she had a family to think of, yet, a part of her despised herself for what she was about to do. She was all he had and she worried over what he would do when he didn't have her any longer.
She'd recited what she was going to say to him time and time again in her mind. Each time it changed, none of it seemed right or good enough. She wanted to use the time to thank him for what he did do, not reprimand him for what he didn't. Duke didn't understand this and thought she should be totally honest and clear the air. That wasn't her though. She didn't hold grudges and why end their relationship on a low note when it didn't have to? She wanted her dad to know that she loved him and would think of him often, but that she didn't want to risk her family with his lifestyle and his enemies. Over time he'd made a lot of enemies through bad deals and dodgy trades and her sons weren't going to pay the price for it like she had. She prayed he'd understand and want what was the best for her. And the best for her was Duke. He was her other half.
Duke's breathing changed so she knew he'd woken. His hand slid from her bump to her breast where he palmed her and played with her nipples. She could feel his dick getting hard on the small of her back and her pussy flooded in response. He moaned into her neck and kissed and nipped her until she was squirming against him, desperate for him to fill her up. He pushed his cock between her legs, moving it back and forth through her wet folds and teasing her clit. His hand left her breast to skim down her body. He tucked it underneath her knee, pulling her leg up before sliding into her. She loved it when he first entered her, the stretching and the fullness made her ache with tormenting pleasure and went he bottomed out, the bite of pain heightened everything else.
"Faster. Please Duke, go faster."
"We're taking it nice and slow, baby." He thrust again. "Feel all of me, feel how your pussy grips me like it never wants to let go." She tightened her muscles around him. "That's it baby, squeeze me tight. Fuck, I love you."
"I love you too." She groaned and he kept their pace even.
She arched her back to take him deeper and clawed at his hip as the sensations grew. His hard, smooth body against hers tormented her. She could never get close enough. She wanted to be surrounded by Duke.
"Give me your mouth. I want your mouth when I coat your pussy."
They were both close. Her pussy started pulsing and Duke slammed home harder each time. She turned her head and thrust her tongue against his. He tweaked her sensitive nipples, sending her flying into orgasm. She felt him stiffen and moan behind her as he came inside her. He didn't pull out, he wrapped around her again, keeping them connected as they spiralled back down to earth together.
"Are you ready to see your dad, baby?" His voice was so sexy and raspy in the mornings.
"Honestly, not really. I'm worried what he'll say to me when I tell him, but it's got to be done for our peace of mind and I'm ready to start my new life with you. A fresh start."
He hugged her close then turned her to face him. They both gasped as they separated. Looking into his warm brown eyes, she knew anything was worth being able to look into them for the rest of her life.
"I hate that you have to do this, baby. But you're right, this is a fresh start for both of us. We'll leave all our shit in the past and build our new lives together. This is just the final step. You won't be on your own ever again. You're my life now, like I'm yours. It's going to be beautiful, baby, I'll make sure of it. I promise."
He pressed a sweet kiss gently on her lips, stood up from the bed and picked her up bridal style. He carried her into the shower and set her down. They washed each other, slowly and gently, exploring the other with loving touches and sweet caresses. Then stood entwined under the water, sated, warm and content to just be in each other's arms.
********
Duke held her hand all the way to the bar where Jewel, Shel, Slam, Prez, Razor, Hollywood and the Musketeers all individually embraced her, showing their support and understanding for what she was about to do. Slam put his arm over her shoulder and said "Just think Nic, when this is done you're officially all ours." She couldn't stop the smile stretching her face. He was right, she was doing the right thing.
Embracing her new confidence, she took Duke's hand again and made her way to the gates followed by everyone else. None of them wanted her to stand alone. Hollywood had told her that "when you've spoken to your dad and turn to walk away, you'll be walking towards us."
She took a deep breath and stopped about ten feet from the gate. Prez had said he was only opening them slightly, just enough for her to embrace her dad one last time. He was already stood there, bruises coloured his face and he'd clearly lost weight, but this wasn't a surprise to her. Duke had been honest about what was said and done at the meeting and she didn't hold it against him or the others that they had taken action. Her dad should have known better than to insult them, but he never learned. He seemed destined to repeat his mistakes again and again.
She squeezed and reluctantly dropped Duke's hand, taking the final few steps on her own. She knew he'd be hating this part, he never liked them separated, but this is what she wanted. This was her decision and her dad needed to know that to let her go.
As she got closer, she noticed his face was carefully blank. She'd seen this look many times before when he didn't want to give anything away. His eyes dropped to her bump and widened. That was the only outward change. She stopped just in front of him, close enough to reach out and touch him. They stood looking at each other in silence for a moment. Her thoughts had emptied and her mouth was dry. This was it. Pulling herself together, she placed her trembling hands on her bump to remind her why she was doing this and cleared her throat.
"Hey, Dad." He was yet to speak. "It's been a while."
"I'm sorry." His facade crumbled and he looked grief stricken, yet resolved. He must have accepted that she wasn’t leaving Fallen.
"It's not totally your fault, Dad. It's my decision to stay here, they've treated me really well. I've made new friends and found the love of my life. I've never felt so at home or happy as I am here. As you can see I'm going to be a momma soon and this is the life I want for my family." A weight lifted from her shoulders now that she'd got that out. Her dad continued to stare at her and he took a deep breath. She braced herself for his response.
"I'm sorry; that's not going to happen."
Nicole didn't even have time to register what he said. Shock tore through her as her dad lunged forward, painfully gripping her arm and yanked her through the gap in the gates. He turned her by twisting her arm up behind her back. She cried out at the pain in her arm and shoulder and saw Duke and the others charging for the gate, weapons drawn.
Suddenly they ground to a halt, skidding on the loose ground just a few feet away from her. She didn't understand. Why weren't they coming for her? Her eyes focused on Duke as his face contorted with rage. She felt something cool touch her temple. Her mouth dropped open and she whimpered when she heard the cock of a gun. She could hardly take a breath. Her lungs weren't working. Pain was growing worse through her arm and shoulder. Familiar panic was setting in.
Duke
Duke had reacted in a split second when Nole had pulled Nicole to him but he still wasn't fast enough. Now he was stood, looking at Nicole in pain, scared and silently crying as her own fucking father held a gun to her head. His heart was beating out of his chest. Pure, white hot rage consumed him as he took in the scene. Time seemed to have stopped. No one moved. He could feel blood pooling in his free palm, his fist was so tight that his nails were digging in, cutting his skin. His other hand held steady on his gun, searching for a clear shot at Nole. He didn't have one. His whole body was protected by Nicole’s.
Nole didn't look sane right now. His eyes were twitching, sweat dripped from his brow and the hand holding the gun trembled sporadically. He had to get Nicole away from him. The stupid fucker was likely to pull the trigger without meaning to. He knew whatever he wanted he'd give, so long as Nicole ended up unharmed and in his arms. Any other outcome was unacceptable and would end with Nole's head mounted on the club wall.
"Put the fucking gun down, Fletcher!" Prez shouted, a shake in his voice betraying his own level of anger.
Duke tried to speak but his jaw was set so tight he couldn't. His mind was over flowing with plans, worries and images of Nicole and their time together. He couldn't straighten his thoughts. He took in calming breaths, knowing Nicole needed him. She needed his reassurance right then. His muscles stayed tight and his breath still heaved as he spoke as calmly as he could.
"Baby, take some deep breaths. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." He kept eye contact with her, as he saw her nod slightly and do as he said. She trusted him to rescue her and he wouldn't betray that trust. He had to find a way. "That's it, baby. Keep calm. What do you want, Fletcher?"
"Not anything you can give me." Duke gambled a step forward but stopped as Nicole's renewed cry of pain cut through his heart. "Get back! Take one more step and I pull the trigger." Nicole whimpered so loudly that a surround sound of growls released from him and his brothers. "Nicole has somewhere to be and if you want any hope of seeing her alive again, you'll close these gates and go to the back of the yard."
"Not happening." He wasn't taking one step away from Nicole.
"You think I'm joking?" He dropped the gun from Nicole's temple and shot her in the arm.
It was so close range that he could see the mist of blood that followed. Nicole's agonising scream filled the air. Her knees buckled, but Nole held her up and pointed his gun back at her head. Duke let out his own cry of gut wrenching pain at seeing Nicole shot. She was shaking badly as blood ran down her arm, dripping onto the ground. Her eyes were pleading with him to save her. How was he going to do that?
He still didn't have a clear shot and neither did his brothers. Nole, the scrawny fuck was hidden well behind Nicole's bountiful new form. Did he back off and do as Nole said or attempt a shot in the vain hopes of being quicker than Nole? Adrenalin swam through his veins, leaving him pumped and his mouth dry. He'd never felt more helpless or desperate in his life.
"Shut the gates!" His head snapped around to Prez who had issued the order.
Duke trusted his life to his brothers but Nicole was worth more than all of them. Prez better have a plan or Duke was going rogue. His breathing accelerated again as another barrier was put between them. He promised himself, he'd never give up, never let her go, he'd find and save her no matter the consequences or the cost. As the gates clanged shut, Nicole mouthed 'I love you'. He felt his heart splinter.
"I love you, baby! I'm going to get you back, I promise!" Her eyes closed as she nodded. He saw her shoulders sag slightly in relief – she knew he never broke his promises.
"Everybody back up. You'd better watch your back, Fletcher, we'll be coming for you!" Prez ordered.
"I'm counting on it." He responded with an air of sadness in his voice.
Every part of his soul screamed that moving away from Nicole was wrong. His feet were so heavy he couldn't see how he was going to move. He absorbed Nicole's green gaze that shined with her love for him while he was pleading with his to have faith in him and to stay strong, for him and their babies. He felt Razor and Slam grip his arms and urge him back. His feet moved yet his eyes and soul remained concentrated on his woman. He was now only about forty feet away, but it felt like the Grand Canyon separated them.
A loud whistle from Nole temporarily distracted him. A blacked out truck pulled up behind him and the back doors flew open. Nole dragged Nicole to the back and she disappeared from his sight behind the open door. He swore to himself he'd see her very soon and forced his mind to concentrate on the truck, he needed every clue to be able to find her. One of the doors shut. Taking a chance, he started to slowly move forward. A head and shoulders quickly emerged from the one door still open.
Recognition slammed into him. Wrath flipped the bird to them before manically laughing as the truck sped off, closing the last door as it did. His feet took on a life of their own as he ran to the gates. He forced his way through the small gap that had started to open and he ran off in the direction of the truck. He frantically searched the surrounding area for it for a good twenty minutes. It was gone. The power went out of his legs and he fell to his knees in the road. Grasping his hair tightly in his hands, he let his grief momentarily over take him as he yelled, screamed and cried for Nicole and his unborn sons, who was now at the mercy of Riot MC.
He was pulled to his feet by Razor who embraced him and supported his weight.
"Come on, brother. Keep it together for Nicole. We need to get back. Prez has called us to church and I know you need to be part of that. We'll get her back bro. We'll get her back." Razor rasped while gripping him tightly.
He drew strength from his brother and forced his focus to the task in hand. Razor was right, he was no use to Nicole kneeling in the road. He needed to get her back and he knew they'd unleash the full fury of Fallen MC to do it. Running back to the compound, he kept going over the last half an hour in his head, making sure he hadn't missed anything important. Nothing came to mind. He powered through the club with Razor on his heels and into church, which was now packed with all his brothers. He made his way to his seat beside Prez, silently appreciating the supportive slaps on his back as he passed by everyone.
Prez stood bringing order to the room and banged his gavel on the table to start the meeting.
"You've all heard by now that Riot have taken one of our own. Nicole was held at gunpoint by her own fucking father, shot in the arm and then taken away in a truck. There is no doubt that we will find her and take Riot, as it stands, out for good. The war has started brothers."
Hollywood stood next. "This happened only forty minutes ago. I believe Riot have done this in the hopes of starting the war while we are unprepared. They're hoping that by taking Nic we'll fall over our asses and attack with no plan. We are not them. We know our plan, we stick to it. We play this smart. Our main objective is to get Nic out safely and secondly, to make Wrath and everyone loyal to the fucker bleed. The good news is Wrath thinks all his brothers support his agenda. There are some true brothers in their club that just want to live and ride free. They're not going to be happy that Wrath took an old lady, let alone one that's pregnant. That's our in. We know who they are and Slam, you contact them as soon as church ends."
Prez issued his orders, "Razor, you take three brothers to their strip joint, Heat, and don't discount the dancers. Those bitches overhear everything. Someone will know something. Hollywood, take four brothers to their first known hideout and Musketeers, you go to the second. Try to keep a few alive, we'll need someone to question if Nic's being hidden elsewhere. Throw their rancid asses into the outhouses till we get back. The rest are with me and Duke, we going to hit their club fast and hard. It's kill or be killed brothers. Show no mercy, they sure as fuck won't show you any. We meet back here in three hours."
The bang of the gavel blasted through the room. Every brother had a face of thunder and were fired up for this war. They left the table, grabbed their guns and knives and passed through the club to the exit looking like hell's soldiers. Duke passed Shel and Jewel, they would be in lock down with the other old ladies and kids. They tried to catch his eye but he didn't want to see their devastation. Nothing was going to distract him from his goal. Nicole. He was laser focused now, sending silent thoughts to Nicole to stay strong, he'd be with her soon. The rumbles and vibrations of bikes firing up fuelled his fury. Nicole was his everything, there would be no rest and no end to this until she was safe again.