Page 12

12

I insisted on driving Andrea’s bloody mum van back to the apartment. It wasn’t that I doubted her driving skills, but I knew if we ended up being followed or chased, I was the one built for that shit. Not a nurse who’d worry about hurting others on the road.

Sure, I don’t want to hurt bystanders, but I’ll do what I have to in order to protect what’s mine.

We make it back to the apartment without any issues, but I’m fucking wired, certain the longer we stay in the city, the higher the chance that Officer Allen and his corrupt pig mates will show up and raid the fucking building.

“The instructions are in the bag.” Andrea smiles at Abbey, handing over a bag filled with information and some prenatal vitamins the sonographer and doctor recommended .

Given Andrea is a nurse and knows the doctor running the private clinic, they worked together to gather everything Abbey will need while I was busy in the sonographer’s room, staring at Abbey’s stomach.

Fuck.

My first instinct was to bolt, because the second I saw her bare skin and the swell from her baby growing inside, I was hit with memories I’ve fought hard to bury.

But then I shifted my focus to my pink-haired Angel, watching the sonographer with wide, nervous eyes, and I couldn’t fucking leave.

“Thank you for your help.” Abbey gives Andrea a small smile, and Lexi hugs into Abbey’s arm as we travel up to the apartment in the elevator.

“Anytime, hun,” Andrea smiles warmly. “And if you ever want to know anything about nursing, if you decide to go ahead with training in that field, just ask.”

“She’ll be going ahead with it,” I cut in, and two annoyed stares hit me hard.

Lexi and Andrea.

Abbey just rolls hers.

Back inside the apartment, we’re swarmed again by Lexi and Abbey’s friends, everyone dying to know how the scan went. I hang back, leaning against the kitchen counter with Ayden and Tyler, itching for this interaction to be over.

It’s not that I don’t want Abbey to have this moment with her friends, but we need to get the fuck out of here.

She doesn’t know that yet, so I bite my tongue and give her a little more time with her friends .

“If you ever need somewhere to lay low,” Tyler murmurs beside me, and I glance over to see he’s mimicking my stance. Arms folded over his chest, one ankle crossed over the other. “I’ve got a house at Redfield Lake. It’s across the other side from Griffin’s. It’s quiet. Private. The Marx crew has eyes and their own covert security cameras all around the lake.”

He gives me a one shouldered shrug. “Happy to help, whether it’s for Abbey or something else.”

“Appreciate it.” I nod, understanding why Abbey’s friends mean so much to her.

These people, her people, they’re her family, the way my club is mine.

“You leaving soon?” Ayden asks from my other side, and I glance at him, now so much more of a man than the first time we met years ago.

“I’ve gotta get her out of the city,” I admit, and Ayden nods.

“You’d die for her, right?” he deadpans, stone-faced like anything less simply won’t cut it.

“You know I would.”

He watches me for a long beat, blue eyes scanning mine, looking for a lie. But he nods when he doesn’t find one.

“If anything bad happens to her, it better be because you’re dead and couldn’t stop it.”

I smirk. “It’s always a pleasure, Ayden.”

He grins in response.

There’s always been this push and pull between us, like he wants to hate me but can’t. For a long time, my brother was his worst nightmare. But Ayden knows who I am. He knows I’ll do what it takes to protect those being done wrong by.

We watch Abbey and her friends for a bit longer, but then a message comes through from Trunk, notifying me that there’s raid-style activity happening at the local precinct, and shit, I know our time is up.

“Cops are likely to hit this place in the coming hours,” I inform Ayden, and he nods like he’s been expecting it.

I bro-slap him on the shoulder, and offer Tyler a nod before heading for my Angel, who looks so at peace right now surrounded by her friends.

“It’s time to go.”

Her brows shoot up. “Go?”

“Yeah. Just got word the cops are gearing up for a raid. We gotta move, Angel.”

She pales, but it’s Lexi who jumps into action, ordering Rhys to grab Abbey’s bag and urging everyone to say their goodbyes.

One by one, the fellas hug Abbey. I hate every fucking second of it, but I’ll have her to myself soon enough, so I stand a few feet away, arms crossed, glaring daggers at each of them, while forcing myself to remain in place, keeping my fists to myself.

“I’m sorry,” Marcus says as he pulls her in close. “I didn’t mean to be a prick. I’m just worried about you.”

Abbey hugs him back. “Caring isn’t a bad thing, Marcus. I appreciate it.”

They hug again, longer this time, and I grit my teeth and fucking bear it, waiting for Marcus to step the fuck away from her before Jared takes his turn.

Jared Crowley, Abbey’s other childhood friend, and a Marx crew lackey.

He’s got a fucking chip on his shoulder, and even though he glares at me as he steps up to my girl and whispers something in her ear, I can appreciate his protectiveness. He cares enough to give a fuck, and that’s exactly the type of people Abbey needs in her life.

I don’t have to be a genius to know he’s promising my death if I hurt her as he whispers in her ear. Whatever he says makes Abbey snort and she slaps his shoulder playfully, before they share a knowing smile and she turns her attention to the girls.

While Rhys hugs Abbey, I glance at my phone, checking there’s no new threat headed our way.

Since my MC split up last night, JD has been feeding info to Smitty and Spud, who put spotters out on the streets. They are loyal to our club, some hang-arounds plus some of Riggs’ security from the Marx crew.

Meanwhile, some of my club brothers are flying under the radar in our tradie vans, spying on the local police stations, watching to see if Officer Allen shows his ugly fucking mug.

That’s how we know they’re gearing up for a raid. But Allen is a slippery bastard. We can’t be too careful.

“Thanks, Dee,” Abbey says quietly, gaining my attention.

The little assassin who doesn’t fucking say a word smiles and hands Abbey something.

A knife.

It’s a butterfly knife, and Dee shows her quickly how to flick it open, and close it again.

The way Dee demonstrates it is efficient and deadly, but when Abbey tries, it’s sloppy and untrained.

I have a right fucking mind to take it off Abbey so she doesn’t end up stabbing herself, but that can wait. The last thing I need right now is a group of fucking teen protestors snapping at me .

Lexi is last to hug Abbey, and it’s one of those long, lingering hugs you feel long after it’s over.

I know that feeling. Feel it every time I visit my ma and have to leave again. And fuck, saying goodbye to Abbey would be the same.

Maybe worse.

The second they break apart, I’ve got Abbey’s hand in mine, dragging her out of the apartment and rushing us into the lift.

“You’re scaring me.” She clutches the strap of her backpack, so I take it from her and hand her a leather jacket.

It’s one we keep handy for Jols, which for some fucking reason, JD had with him.

Makes me wonder what’s really going on between those two.

“Sorry, Angel. Just wanna get you out of the city as fast as possible.”

She nods, but there’s still a crease in her brow as she lets me slide the jacket over her arms, adjusting it as best I can over her growing bump.

“Is someone picking us up?” she asks, glancing at the floor numbers descending on the screen.

“No. JD is down in the garage waiting. We’re riding out together.”

“Riding?” Her gaze snaps to mine, wide and full of panic. “Like… on your motorcycle?”

“Yeah.” I nod, jaw tight, hating how fucking slow this lift is.

“I—That’s—No. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I raise a brow, watching her stumble over her own panic, and finally the lift dings open.

“We don’t have a choice,” I deadpan, grabbing her hand and the backpack before pulling her into the garage .

JD is already there, bike rumbling low, and he tosses me the spare helmet he usually keeps for Jols.

“Ringo. I can’t get on a motorcycle. I’m pregnant.”

Ignoring her, I brush her pink strands off her face and fit the helmet onto her head.

“I know you’re pregnant, Abs. Doesn’t mean you can’t ride on the back of my bike.”

“But they’re so dangerous…” she murmurs, eyes darting to my ride as I fasten the helmet and pass her the bag.

“Put it on.”

She slips it on quickly, and I turn just in time to catch the pair of leather pants JD throws me. Kneeling, I slip them over Abbey’s feet, dragging them over the maternity gym pants Andrea gave her.

She’s dead quiet while I get her ready, and when I’m done, I realise she’s trembling.

“Abs, look at me.” I grip either side of her helmet gently, locking eyes through the open visor. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I swear I’m a fucking safe rider. I’d never put you or your baby at risk if I wasn’t sure I could keep you both safe.”

“Where are we going?” she whispers, eyes flicking back to my hog, even though she’s clearly not convinced.

“We’re going home, Angel. My home.”

“Gotta go, man. Pigs are on the move.” JD cuts in, and that’s all it takes to have Abbey hurrying to get on my bike.

I’ve had Jols on the back of my bike a couple times. Kylie, too. But Abbey? Fuck. There’s something about having her pressed up behind me, her arms locked tight around my waist, fingers digging into my abs, that makes me feel like a real fucking man .

I go over the basics with her. Where to hold me. How to lean with me. And to never fucking let go.

Thank fuck her bump isn’t too big yet, or this would be a helluva lot harder.

A minute later, we’re tearing through the streets of Melbourne, Abbey’s grip tight as hell as we ride. Not that I give a shit if she draws blood. Having her behind me like this is fucking everything.

I’m on edge the whole ride through the city, sure there will be a police blockade waiting around every fucking corner, but within minutes, we hit the freeway heading east, the city fading behind us.

We don’t encounter any problems as we head towards the Dandenong Ranges. As time ticks by and the countryside opens up, Abbey’s hold starts to relax, and at some point, she rests her helmet-covered head against my back.

Even though I can’t see her, I can feel her easing into the experience, starting to enjoy the ride.

The freedom of it is fucking epic. The life I’ve carved out for myself isn’t just about the club and the brotherhood.

It’s my hog. The wind tearing past my face. The raw, wild feeling of flying down the road, weaving between cars, heading straight into the sunset.

Fucking poetic, aren’t I?

The fresh scent of gum trees and grass has nostalgia wrapping itself around me, making me even more desperate to get home. To see my ma. My sisters. Even the ducks, and just fucking breathe.

A little over an hour out of the city, we wind along dusty roads and thick bushland. My eyes track the hidden CCTV cameras I installed. I don’t technically own this road, but the other locals don’t care. They let me set up cameras and I pay them to keep watch.

No one slips past them. Not with how they look out for my ma and sisters like they are their own.

Why would they do that?

Money of course. I take care of them.

When Old Joe’s brother needed round-the-clock care, I fucking paid for it.

When Darcy next door couldn’t afford more IVF rounds, I covered it.

When Andrew and Paul couldn’t find a celebrant willing to marry them, I fucking found one.

I look after them, and they look out for what’s mine. It’s a win-win.

Abbey straightens as we slow, turning off the main road and heading down the long, winding driveway. The big steel gates are shut, and I use my remote to open them, riding through with JD at my side.

As we take the last bend, the thick bushland opens up to a clearing with lush green grass, my house, and a barn coming into view.

I fucking love this place. I worked closely with the builder to ensure it was as fire proof as possible, with rammed earth, solid brick, and structural steel. Plus all the extras someone like me needs like bulletproof windows, explosion-proof security shutters, and a state-of-the-art security system.

Only the best for my ma.

As we pull up in front of the large house, stopping just at the edge of the pond where a family of ducks are enjoying the cool water, the front door swings open, and my sisters, Alana and Millie, come bounding down the steps, grinning wide.

“About time, big brother. I was beginning to think you’d dropped off the face of the Earth,” Lani snickers, doing her best to push my buttons as I kill my engine.

“Shut the fuck up, Lani,” I mutter as I pull off my helmet.

“I see you brought the riff raff with you,” Millie snaps, glaring at JD, even as Lani flutters her fucking lashes at him.

Fucking hell.

My sisters are total opposites in personalities, but both absolute bad arses.

I usually need to keep an eye on Lani to make sure she doesn’t land herself in fucking trouble, while Millie, I’m more worried she’ll snap and kill someone for looking at her wrong.

Judging by the way she’s trying to murder JD with her glare, Millie’s my biggest concern out of my two sisters today.

Millie’s not a fan of the life I lead, which is fair enough. She’s already lost one brother. She doesn’t want to lose another, but she knows my way of life is what pays for everything she has.

She’s not ungrateful. She just gives a shit about me. I can respect that.

“Good to see you too, darlin’.” JD grins at the snark in Millie’s tone, tugging off his helmet.

Then he shoots her a fucking wink.

Fucking hell.

I’m gonna have a word with him. The last thing I need is him stirring up my sister.

Lani giggles again, and I catch her twirling the ends of her long dark waves and batting those fucking lashes at him again.

For fuck’s sake. I need uglier mates.

“So, who is this then?” Millie asks, honing in on my little leather-clad passenger behind me.

Millie has dark hair like Lani’s, but it’s shorter and messier. She often ties it back. You could say Alana is the princess and Millie, well, she’s more like a drill sergeant.

Reaching down, I give Abbey’s thigh a gentle squeeze.

“This is my old lady.”

At my words, Abbey stiffens. Millie’s brows shoot up. Lani gasps. And JD damn near chokes from laughing.

Fucker.

“Ringo!” Abbey scolds by my ear, her voice muffled through the helmet she’s still wearing.

I can’t stop the smirk that spreads across my face. We never spoke about this. For some reason, I fucking enjoy catching her off guard.

Hell, even I wasn’t expecting those words to come out. But they feel right. Maybe they are just another ruse. Maybe they aren’t. I can’t fucking tell yet, but it’s a declaration I know my sisters will understand.

It means Abbey is my property.

It means Abbey is someone that we protect no matter what.

It means she’s important to me. And that’s all they need to know.

“Since when do you have an old lady?” Millie snaps, her gaze laser-sharp, already dissecting Abbey.

Striding over to us with all the cocky swagger he can muster, JD helps Abbey down off my hog.

I know the exact moment my sisters clock her baby bump, their sharp gasps are theatrical as hell, but exactly what I expect from them.

“Well, you certainly didn’t tell us about this,” Millie snaps, but my attention isn’t on her. It’s on Lani as I quickly dismount.

Her gaze is locked on the swell of Abbey’s stomach even though it’s partially hidden by the leather, and big fat tears spring to my sister’s eyes.

“Lani,” I rasp quietly, and her eyes, the same shade of brown as mine, dart to me before she launches herself at my chest, wrapping her arms around my waist.

Fuck.

Hope.

Lani thinks this is my kid.

It makes sense. I just called Abbey my old lady, so it’s an easy assumption to think the baby is mine.

It’s not common in my club for a brother to claim another man’s kid. Especially not this early. A few have taken on the role of a stepdad when the kids are older. Potty trained and all that shit.

I awkwardly pat my sister on her back as she sobs into my chest, blubbering something I can’t make out while JD helps Abbey out of the helmet, setting her pink hair tumbling free.

“Do you have a name?” Millie asks, ignoring my glare as she sizes up my Angel.

“Yes, sorry.” She nods, offering my sister a small, nervous smile. “I’m Abbey.” She glances at me, like she’s not sure if she should’ve used her real name.

I shoot her a wink, hoping it calms her nerves, before she turns back to Millie.

“Hmmm, you seem too sweet for the filth that trails behind my brother. ”

Abbey scoffs, unzipping the leather jacket. “Normally I’d agree, but the shit I’ve seen over the last few weeks… Well, let’s just say, I think it scared all the sweetness right out of me.”

Millie snickers.

Damn. My sister doesn’t usually take kindly to strangers, but is it possible my Angel is already winning her over?

“Hang on a sec.” Millie frowns, eyes narrowing on Abbey’s hot pink tee as she peels off the leather pants. “You mean to tell me he knocked you up, and then dragged you into the club’s fold? That must’ve been a real eye opener.”

I roll my eyes as Abbey giggles and nods.

“That’s enough, Mills.”

She just joins Abbey, rolling her eyes at me, but I ignore their tag-team bullshit and turn my focus to my oldest sister, still latched onto my waist.

“Lans.” I ease her back off me so I can see her face, and when she drops her gaze, I cup her cheeks so I can get a good look at my little sister.

She’s loud, and reckless, and brave as hell, but has the biggest heart of anyone I know,

Well, until I kidnapped Abbey.

“Enough of the tears. It’s not what you think.”

Lani frowns, the action making her look so much like our dead brother.

“What do you mean?” She pulls back glaring at me before flicking her gaze to Abbey. “Looks to me like you’ve come home with your pregnant old lady. Is that not the case?”

“Alana May! Give them a moment to breathe. They’ve just arrived.”

Ahhh. There she is .

My ma.

“Hey Ma,” I call, glancing over Lani’s head as I release her face.

“Get your butt up here and give your mother a hug.” She waves me over, her dark greying hair a little messy like she’s been busy cleaning or doing something she shouldn’t be doing.

Giving Alana’s shoulders one last squeeze, I shoot Millie a warning look before climbing the steps, two at a time, to reach my ma.

She’s shorter than Abbey, so I have to practically fold myself in half to hug her, pulling her close as her arms squeeze around me. Even with all the muscle I’m packing, my ma’s hugs feel a thousand times stronger than I’ll ever be.

“Cameron Eugene, I’ve missed your face.”

“Ugh, Ma. Don’t call me that,” I protest, pulling back as she tuts.

“That’s your name. Of course I’ll call you that. Don’t think I’m about to call you that god awful name your biker buddies use.”

“Just Cameron then. Can you lay off the middle name?” I whine like a little fucking bitch, and my ma slaps my arm.

“You don’t call. You don’t visit. What’s a mother supposed to do?”

I chuckle at her dramatics, her hands waving around, her frown serious, but her eyes are nothing but loving.

“Sorry, Ma. You know how things can get in the club, and then with the lock down.”

She scoffs. “Those lockdowns are nothing but hogwash if you ask me. A way for our government to control us. I swear it’s a test to see how far they can go.”

I chuckle because the conspiracy theorist inside my ma’s head is always entertaining .

I mean, she could be right. Who fucking knows. Crazier things have happened.

“I’m with you, Mrs Musgrove.” JD snickers, and my ma fucking beams at him.

“It’s so nice to see you again, Jimmy. How’s that little brother of yours? Still causing havoc?”

“You have no idea. I swear that kid is going to be the death of me.”

Ma giggles before she shifts her gaze to Abbey.

I watch her studying the woman I’ve claimed, her assessing eyes turning to me briefly before she holds out a hand towards Abbey.

“Come here, sweetie. Let me get a look at you.”

Fuck, I feel fucking nervous. It’s like high school all over again, only now I’m a grown arse man, and the woman I’m introducing to my ma actually matters.

I shoot JD a quick look, and then one to my Angel, but she’s already moving, walking up the stairs, her smile soft, yet confident despite the way she’s white knuckling the strap of her backpack.

“Well, aren’t you just a delicate little thing?” Ma says as Abbey reaches her, their hands meeting between them.

“Uh, hi, I’m Abbey.”

“Abbey. What a beautiful name.” Ma squeezes her hand gently before her gaze drops briefly to the swell of Abbey’s bump.

One thing about my ma is that she’s not rude. She doesn’t like to make anyone feel uncomfortable unless they deserve it and since she doesn’t know Abbey, unlike my sisters, my ma is already willing to give her a chance .

“Let’s get you inside, love. You must be exhausted after the ride.”

My Angel nods, glancing my way.

I get the sudden urge to reach out and take her hand in mine. Pull her close and kiss her.

I don’t fucking get it. I’ve never been into PDA. Not in front of my family.

Club life is different. It’s sex, not affection. Territory, not tenderness. And hell, even then, I’ve abstained mostly, only ever using my own fucking hand to get off in front of an audience.

As Abbey follows my ma inside, my sisters barrel past me, Mills deliberately shoulder-checking me before my phone vibrates in my pocket.

Pulling it out, I pause to check it as JD comes to my side.

“Fuck,” I mutter, reading the message.

“What is it?” JD asks, stepping closer as I glance up at my best mate.

“Ayden just messaged. The cops are there now, raiding his parents’ apartment.”