Leo
The Black Crows have been sitting out on the main road for the last hour, no one has made any moves, and dad is getting bored.
“Fuck this, I’m going out there.”
“We should wait…”
“For what?” Dad snaps, “This is our club and they will die before I wait another minute. It’s obvious why they’re here.”
Dad throws open the bar door, and Sparky follows him out, closely flanked by Ricky, Slade and Dex.
Pope growls from his chair as we walk by him and I ignore the old guy. He wants to be out there, he hates he’s old and can’t be in the middle of the violence anymore.
JJ and I walk out shoulder to shoulder, and I wish I weren’t moving slower today. The rush of the unknown is keeping the pain at bay and Roman is the first one I see leaning against the gates.
Wisely, Niall stays inside out of sight.
“I want my old lady, you have two minutes to get her out here, and I want Niall the cunt for fucking her behind my back.”
Dad steps forward, holding his hand up signalling for us to hang back.
“I can’t do that.”
“She’s mine, Cas. You have no business taking her in. Get her out here and we’ll leave as quietly as we arrived.”
“Apparently, she’s Niall’s old lady and her we can protect.”
Roman physically stones over and he loses the cocky grin on his face.
“I suppose it was only a matter of time before our paths crossed, and you’re going to regret it.”
“I don’t regret shit, you’ll learn that fast enough if you don’t leave.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and usually I wouldn’t answer it during a time like this, but I have India now and she might need me.
Sure enough it’s her name calling and I turn my back on everyone.
“I can’t really talk right now, is everything okay?”
“My waters broke,” she says, and my heart stops beating.
“She’s not ready yet,” I murmur.
“Not ready, she’s not a pot roast, Leo.”
“I didn’t mean it like that, I meant, she’s early.”
“I know,” she agrees, sounding afraid, “I’m on my way to the hospital, you need to catch us up. I need you there.”
Turning around, Roman is still talking with my dad and I bite down on my bottom lip. Fucker.
“I’ll be there. Who’s with you?”
“Our moms.”
“Okay, I’m leaving now,” I promise her and hang up.
“What’s up?” JJ asks.
“India’s having the baby and I need to get out of here.”
I walk over to my dad, Roman’s eyes following my every step.
Leaning in so Roman can’t hear, my dad tilts his head to listen.
“India’s waters have broken, you need to get him gone so I can go.”
“It’s not happening at the moment, son.”
“I’m not missing the birth of my daughter because of his fucking love life, I have to be there for India.”
“Do you think they’re going to let you ride out of here just because your girlfriend is having a baby? Wait, and let me sort it.”
I can’t believe this is happening. I spend six months thinking my chance at being a dad is gone, and then it’s back and now I have to miss the birth because some prick can’t keep control over his woman.
Slade’s phone rings and he answers. I’m not close enough to hear what he says, but I know he’s getting the same call I got from India.
“You’re making the Black Crows nervous,” Ricky mutters, coming to stand beside me.
“I don’t care, I have to go.”
“You’ve got no chance yet.”
Dad won’t let Roman get his hands on Niall or the woman, so Roman has to go. Mom was the one who taught me how to shoot, in fact she taught JJ too. I was the better aim out of the two of us and before I can over think it, I head back over to my dad and raise the gun.
“I’m not even sorry for this,” I tell his confused face, and pull the trigger.
Dad is too slow to react, and he pushes my arm out of the way when it’s too late. Lost Souls all draw their weapons and wait for the retaliation strike when Roman’s body hits the ground.
Only, they don’t attack back, they start their bikes and fuck off, leaving their dead president behind.
“What the fuck have you done, son?” Dad snipes, looking down at Roman.
“Nobody is getting in my way getting to my baby.”
I’m hoping the keys are still in the ignition from yesterday and luck is on my side when they are.
“Do you think I’m going to let you drive out of here after you just shot the president of the Black Crows? They could turn around and come back and you’d drive straight into them.”
“I mean it, dad. No one is getting in my way.”
Sparky and Dex are muttering like little bitches and Ricky nods his admiration. Slade is already heading for his bike and dad jumps in beside me.
“Open the gates,” he hollers, then turns to our brothers, “Lock it down after we go, if they come back, shoot them all. And someone get rid of Roman, scrub the ground where he bleeds.”
He scoots me over and sits behind the wheel.
“I better drive, or I’ll wrap my hands around your neck. You’ve just started a fuckin’ war, son.”
“Best we win then,” I mutter.
“You have no idea what it could cost us, the price hurts too much to pay sometimes.”
I’m not thinking about that now. My responsibilities are to India, she needs me.
“It’s not just people you could lose, it’s part of your soul.”
“Dad, I get that you’re looking out for the club, but you’re the one who taught me to never let anyone take anything from me. The birth of my daughter is one thing that will never be taken from me, by anyone. Would you have missed mine or Luca’s birth because of some prick who couldn’t keep his woman satisfied?”
The corner of his mouth curls and I know he isn’t as pissed with me now. For now.
“Have your kid, then it’s back to the mess you’ve just created. You’re going to have to answer to the brothers.”
When he puts it like that, I see how this is bigger than my need. Shit. I keep my mouth shut for the rest of the drive and nerves begin to set in.
I’m going to be a dad.
All I can think about is India, and her in pain, and me looking like I should be screaming out in pain. I internally groan thinking of all the photos mom is going to take and hope Slade can photoshop my cuts and bruises out.
They are soon forgotten about when dad stops outside the hospital and I shove open the door. I don’t wait around for him to park up or Slade. I’m taken to delivery when I eventually find a nurse who knows where India is, and I breathe a sigh of relief when I hear mom on the phone, then it’s gone when I hear my girl cry out.
“It’s all happening so fast,” she cries out, with another contraction.
“It’s okay, I’m here now,” I promise, rushing to her side.
Anything this woman needs, she’s getting it all from me. She squeezes my hand and I swear I can hear a bone crunch, or break, I’m not sure, but she’s done something to it.
Kristen is stood on her other side, fussing, and mom takes her hand, leading her outside. I’ll have to remember to thank her later.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Apparently, she’s just early. They come when they come.”
During a brief reprieve, I place a kiss on her clammy forehead, and she relaxes against me.
“What do you need? Can I get you anything?”
“Don’t go anywhere,” she warns, her face beginning to scrunch up again.
She screams out and again, my hand is on the receiving end of a bone crushing squeeze. I don’t dare move to see what the doctor is doing between her legs, but when she tells India to push through her next contraction, shit gets real.
My kid is coming into the world whether we’re ready or not. She’s ready and that’s all that counts today.
After thirty-seven minutes of pushing, India gives birth to our daughter.
Ten fingers.
Ten toes.
Healthy.
Fucking beautiful.