Julietta
One minute I’m dancing with my brother and the next there is an explosion at the Clubhouse. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I’m thankful to Gio for having the hindsight to build the safe room in his house. He’s an overbearing ogre when it comes to protecting his wife and kids and normally it bothers me, but in this case, I’m grateful.
I hate that Hunter had to leave me. Ever since those evil men tried to kidnap us in that dance club, I’ve kind of been attached to him. He’s my safe haven, I would never tell him this of course, but I like to be close to him. I require staying close to him for my sanity. So, being locked in this room without him is causing me to start to panic.
I’m sitting on the couch, Brook is next to me, biting her lip and wringing her hands on her lap over her swollen belly. I know she’s nervous for her brother and Blaze and I honestly don’t know how to comfort her. I’m sure all the ol’ ladies are beside themselves. I should be saying some words of wisdom to ease their minds as the VP’s ol’ lady, but I can’t move. I too am biting my lip to the point I taste blood now and my hands haven’t left my belly. I’m floating on a cloud away from here and I don’t like the feeling.
“Jules, can you hold Dominic for me? He’s fussy and you’re the only one who can calm him down when he gets like this,” Bells says handing me the baby. “I’m going to make him a bottle and you can feed him. Gigi has Lorenzo and I need to get him a bottle too.” She leaves us and heads over to the little kitchen. Gio installed a deep freezer and has been stockpiling Bella’s breast milk. She pumps a lot lately in hopes of stopping soon but wants to supply enough milk for the boys to have until they’re at least six months old. He’s stored some in here in case of an emergency. Gio is always thinking ahead and that’s what makes him the Clubs best SAA, according to Hunter. I can see the way he is with his family. I call him an overbearing ogre in fun, he just loves with his whole heart and puts the women and children in his life first.
“Your daddy and uncles are hero’s, little man. They’re out there right now protecting us. Keeping us safe in here. They love us with all their heart. They are the best men you will ever meet,” I say as Gigi sits next to me with Lorenzo in her arms, giving me a shy smile. Dominic grabs my index finger in his hand, pulling it closer to him and cooing in my arms. I look down at him, seeing so much of Gio in him and pray our men are safe. They all have to be safe.
“How long has it been?” Gigi asks and before I can answer Brook speaks.
“Not long, they will be fine. When I was growing up with the Satan’s they wouldn’t think twice about the girls. They would leave us to fend for ourselves. Your men are different, and you should feel lucky. I never saw love growing up and here I’m surrounded by it. It’s a good feeling to see the way the men are with you all. Even seeing Taz and Ryder together...” Brookie says with her head down and spine stiff.
“You are all so lucky and so are your men. I can only hope to be as happy as you are one day.” She snuffles out the words and Sam takes her in her arms.
“Do you not see how your man looks at you? The things he’s done for you. Brook, you have what we all have, you just need to accept his love and let him in, sweetie,” Sam says as everyone gathers around us.
“I have to say, Sam is right. I hate that you women have come in and taken all the good guys, but we can all see the love they have for you,” Maggie says, and I stare at her for a moment. We’ve had our fair share of issues, but I like to think we’ve gotten past them.
She must be able to read my mind.
“Ms. Jules and I have had our issues, but we’ve moved forward. Beast, Ace, and Blaze are the happiest they been since coming here with Gator after their time in the military. I’ve known Ryder since I came here six years ago, and he was always nice to us girls. There was always something holding him back from being his true self. Maybe it was because of the guys I don’t know, so seeing him these last few months with Cesare, I mean Taz, is heartwarming. True love is a rare gift not everyone gets to experience,” Maggie finishes sadly and heads over to the back corner of the room with Jan in tow.
I know how much she cared for my man and he never reciprocated those feelings. I’m sure it’s hard for her to see all the love around her and know you can’t have the one you desire. I wish she’ll make peace with it all one day and possibly find her own unicorn.
“What’s holding you back with Blaze?” Gigi asks and Bella stares at her sister. She hands us the bottles to feed the babies.
“Gigi!” she snaps at her and the guys by the door stare over at us wondering what’s going on.
“It’s ok Bella,” Brook says and then turns to Gigi.
“In all honesty, I’m scared shitless for many reasons,” Brook says and gets up from the couch to pace in front of us.
“Scared about what? He loves you, isn’t that enough?” Gigi prompts her to get to the bottom of this situation. I’ve wondered myself. Brook and I have talked a little this past week that she’s been with us, I try not to pry at the things I see. It’s hard, really hard when I see the pain in his eyes when she pushes him away.
“I don’t know if love is enough. I don’t even know what love is. The only kind of love I’ve been exposed to is my father’s. Dad is the only man to ever love me and me love him, other than that I’m at a loss.
“The men in my world were nice and sweet until they got what they wanted, then the devil came out. They didn’t have a code when it came to women. They didn’t even respect us.
“I want to trust Jaxson and let him in more than you will ever know. I want to love him and be loved by him. But... But what if he hurts me? What if he hurts my daughter?” She holds her head up and I’m about to speak on his behalf, to defend him, cause that’s not the type of man he is, but I stop and let her finish.
“I’m not just talking about physically. My gut tells me he would never lay a malice hand on me, but that doesn’t mean he still can’t hurt us. If I let him into my heart and he gets hurt or worse, dies. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to get over that. I don’t know if I can survive losing him when I just got him.” I see the tears she’s holding back in her eyes and feel her words in my heart. Her breathing becomes hitched. Sam gets up and guides her back to the couch to sit.
She loves him, but fear is consuming her. She needs to work through that shit with him.
Before I speaking to her, I notice Dominic is finished with his bottle. Bella takes it from me and I place him on my shoulder to burp him.
“Brook, can I give you a little word of advice.” She nods as Sam holds her in her arms.
“Let him in. I know it’s hard to do, but let him know how you feel. I pushed Hunter away in the beginning and almost lost him. It’s not worth losing all that time to fear. He’s a good man and will do anything for you. You, pushing him away is hurting him cause he doesn’t know why. Talk to him and tell him everything, he’ll understand.”
“She’s right, talk to him and soon,” Gigi says. Dominic let’s out a loud burp and we all laugh. I take him back in my arms, cradling him to my chest.
“You don’t want to have regrets, trust me. I lost a decade with my love that we can’t get back because of pride and fear. It’s not worth it believe me,” Bella says and then we hear the door beep and open.
The guys come rushing into the room straight to us, looking tired and dirty. Hunter kneels before me and Blaze next to us in front of Brook. He takes Brook from Sam’s arms as they take in our appearance, the dry tears on our faces and doesn’t like it one iota.
Gio has Bella in his arms and Gigi by his side. He looks over at us with the same expression as Hunter.
“Do I even want to know what’s been going on in here?” Hunter grunts as Aunt Cindy comes over to take a sleeping Dominic from my arms. Hunter takes me in his arms, I bury my face under his kutte, inhaling his scent and finally relax.
“Girls stuff,” Bella says sassily and is about to ask what happened when Gio cuts her off.
“You girls need to get your things together. We need to head out soon,” Gio says and my head pops up. I gaze into Hunters eyes.
“We’re still going on our honeymoon? What about the Clubhouse?” I shout out needing some answers if not all of them.
“The Clubhouse is gonna be out of commission for a while,” Gator says with Sam in his arms and then continues.
“I need all the women to gather your things and keep a prospect with you. The guys and I will take the twins into Beast’s cave. We need to have a quick Church before heading out. I had Shadow contact Xavier to book us a few more rooms. Maddox has also opened his Club up to us. Maggie, Jan you will follow Maddox and his guys and stay there. No one is allowed on the Compound for the next week. Make your arrangements, we leave in an hour.
“Now, get your asses in gear,” Gator orders and Hunter helps me up.
“Take prospect Gears with you and Brookie. I packed the cage this mornin’, but if you need anything else go grab it and meet back here,” Hunter says and kisses me on the lips. He holds me close and whispers in my ear. “I love you, kitten. I’m sorry about our big day.”
“Shit happens. I love you too. Did any of the guys get hurt or...?” I can’t say the word. These guys are my family and I don’t want to lose them.
“Everyone is fine. Nothin’, we can’t handle. Now, get your ass movin’.” Hunter releases me and smacks my tushie. I yelp and grab Brook’s hand to come with me. Hunter orders Gears to follow us next door and he does.
Outside the house, you can smell the fire as the fire trucks finish up. The backyard looks like something out of a war zone. Tables and chairs in disarray. Food and our cake on the ground. Just seeing how things went to shit so fast has me upset again. I see Cain and Patriot, from Maddox’s Club, start to clean up with a couple other guys. I’m not sure of their names. I turn away and run into my house.
I pack another small bag and head downstairs, find Brook and Bash and then head back next door to wait.
Bella is just coming down the stairs when we make it back over. Bash takes our bags and keys to bring them out to our SUV’s.
Since the guys have the boys, we head to the kitchen with Sam. Bella hands Brook and me a bottle of water and pours Sam and her a shot of whiskey.
“You girls have to have faith in our men. They will protect us,” Sam says and sighs loudly.
“I know I have no right to say this to y’all. I’m not officially an ol’ lady, my choosing not Colt’s, sorry Gator. But, I’ve been around this Club a long time, I know these men and what they are capable of doing for the ones they love. And if I had to guess, today’s events were courtesy of the Mexican Cartel. The guys know this Clubhouse like the back of their hands and those assholes had no right coming to our turf and declaring war. The Dragons will not stand for this shit, and will keep us safe, don’t you worry about that.” Sam sounds so confident I want to believe her, but a part of me is afraid they will get to me. That those assholes will take me away from Hunter, for good.
I feel like Brook in this matter, fearing the bad men will come for us. If I can just hide my feelings and emotions a little bit better, it will be less for Hunter to worry about.
Before any of us can answer her, the guys come in to find us and tell us it’s time to leave. They must have taken a few minutes to themselves, because they all have new clothes on and clean kuttes. They don’t look as dirty as earlier.
Our entourage heads out front. Val, Lorenzo, Romeo, Bash, Shadow, Throttle, Hawk, Ces, and Ryder mount their bikes. Gator and Dusty, mount theirs with Sam and Gigi on the back. Aunt Cindy is in Gio and Bella’s SUV. Blaze is in his with Brook and Hunter helps me into ours.
Blaze ended up buying an SUV for Brook instead of Hunter. He said, since Brook is his it was his responsibility, not Hunters. My man wasn’t happy about it, but he knew Blaze was right, so he backed down.
It’s time to head out and start our honeymoon. Hopefully, we can put all this shit behind us and have a good time. We are staying at a resort on the beach for the next five days or so and I’m looking forward to enjoying some time away. Being able to spend all this time with Hunter before the baby comes is all I’ve dreamt about since Shadow offered this to us.