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brEN

I’d known I was pregnant before the two lines even turned pink. I’d been around enough pregnant women in the last few years to take note of all the symptoms. I guess I was that lucky percentage that had a faulty condom because I knew we’d used one every time. There was no way I’d have slept with Alec without one. Not when he had full use of the club whores and whoever else he decided would take his fancy.

So here I was, nearly done with my course, twenty-two, nearly twenty-three years old, staring at myself in the bathroom mirror, wondering how the hell I was going to tell Alec he was going to be a father. I’d tell him, but I’d also make it clear I didn’t expect anything from him. We lived in the same village, on the same property, so it’s not like we would be able to avoid each other, and I’d never keep his child away from him. We’d just have to make do and be adult about it. Once my course was finished, I’d make the drive to see him and Sam. Give him the news and then fly home. I was only about eight weeks along, so I still had time.

Well, that was the plan, and then morning sickness kicked in. I’d had to tell my mum what was going on because I wasn’t going to be able to fly when I was so sick. The doctor I’d seen had said that it should settle down after the first trimester, and I’d be able to fly home then. So, I’d paid for another two months’ rent on the apartment I’d been staying in, and I’d battened down the hatches to wait this baby out. Luckily, I’d started my business before I’d even left school, so money wasn’t a problem for me, although I hated being away from home for so long. Mum had offered to fly out, but I’d told her I was fine because if she did, then she’d have to tell Dad why, and I wanted to let Alec know first. I felt like it should be done face to face, so I’d asked her to wait and to not say anything to anyone at home yet. I hated asking her to lie, but I felt like it would be easier if I did everything in person.

It was in my fourth month that I started to feel more human again; I’d also developed a small belly, which I loved. I’d been to the doctors one more time and paid a massive amount of money to have a scan, making me long for home and the medical care we got there. But it was money well spent because, as soon as I saw her heartbeat, I was in love. And while the technician couldn’t confirm it was a girl, in my heart, I knew my baby was a girl. I asked for several pictures to be printed, paid for them, and went straight to my car for the last leg of my trip before I flew back to the UK.

I’d packed everything last night, and I was ready to go. I’d leave it with Sam and Alec; they could sell it for me.

Making sure I had enough water and food for the road, I texted Sam to let him know I was coming and that I’d see them late the following afternoon, maybe early evening. It was too far to drive in one day, and I knew I’d be stopping often to pee, so a two-day drive it was.

I made good time, and I was pulling up to the gate of the MC just as evening was falling. Stopping, I waited with my window down for the biker manning the gate to walk over to me. I enjoyed the view as he walked towards me.

I say walked, but it was more of a swagger. He had longish dark hair that was tied back, tattoos on both arms, and he was big, I mean, the men in my family weren’t small, but this guy was way bigger than even Dragon. His eyes were a dark blue, and he leaned his arms on my open window, smiling at me. “Hello, beautiful, what can I do for you?”

Returning his smile, I mean, I couldn’t help it; he was seriously cute, and I can’t lie, the attention was nice. It had been a while since I’d had someone look at me like he wanted to devour me.

“My name’s Bren, and I’m here to see my brother Sam to say goodbye. I’m on my way back home.”

Whoever he was, he gives me a sad puppy-dog look, “Damn, a sister. The best-looking woman I’ve seen in months, and she’s untouchable.”

I laugh at his silliness. “It wouldn’t work anyway,” I smile at him. “I’m going home, and I’ve got a baby in my belly. I’m sure you’re not up for that.”

Sighing dramatically, he rolls his eyes, “And she’s taken, my luck just isn’t in tonight.”

I’m laughing out loud at his craziness now, “Dude, I have no idea who you are, but don’t you know that making a pregnant woman laugh is dangerous? I’m about to pee myself.”

He instantly stops messing around, “I’ll open the gate, babe. Sam is waiting for you in parking. Go to the left; you’ll see where the other vehicles park.”

As he jogs off, I shout out the window, “Hey, you didn’t give me your name.”

“Bolt, babe. Well, Cobalt, but everyone calls me Bolt.”

“Cool name,” I say as I drive through, waving. Driving down the dirt road towards what looks like a massive warehouse, there is a lot more security around this clubhouse. It’s nothing like ours. But I guess it wouldn’t be, being the Wraiths had not long ago been a one-percenter club, and we’d never been one.

A smile beams from my face as soon as I see Sam waiting for me. My brother has changed so much in the last few years, and I wonder how my friend could have turned him down, especially as he is one of the truly good ones. Not that I think he’d be single for long. I know lots of women find him attractive, with his dark good looks, tanned skin, and deep brown eyes. He also has the longest eyelashes I’ve ever seen, and I am constantly jealous of them. All our guys are fit and well-built and do whatever regime Carly throws at them. And Sam has obviously kept that up here. I’ve struck gold in the brother department with all three of my brothers. I love my little brother, but I have a different dynamic with him. But my two eldest are my favourites; we’ve been through a lot together. Sadly, with Bella being an idiot, it looks like I’ll eventually have to break in another sister. I just hope whoever he ends up with treats him with the love he deserves.

My window was still open, and as soon as I saw him and knew he’d be able to hear me, I excitedly shout a greeting out, “Hey, big brother.”

Sam grins at my greeting and walks over to my door. My smile drops a little at seeing Alec step out the door behind him. I should have known though he was never far from Sam; they’d been like that all their lives.

“Hey, little sister,” Sam greets, opening my door and helping me out, wrapping his arms around me in a hug, then he stiffens, and his eyes drop to my hard round belly before he raises them to look at me.

“Bren?”

“Surprise,” I say shakily, wiping at a tear. Seriously, pregnancy hormones suck.

“Are you here by yourself?”

I knew what he was asking without asking, “Yeah, for now.”

“Where’s the father?”

“I haven’t told him yet; it’s on my to-do list. I had to track him down, and I’ve been sick as a dog. This is the first chance I’ve had in months. Plus, I wanted to see you, and before you ask, Mum knows.”

“What’s taking you so long?” Alec calls out impatiently.

“We’re just coming,” Sam shouts back, drawing me away from the door and shutting it. He turns us to walk back towards the clubhouse. “I’ll get your bag shortly.”

“Thanks, Sam…” I was cut short by Alec exclaiming, “Holy shit, Bren, you’re pregnant.”

The dress I’d chosen for comfort on my long drive was also clingy and showed my baby bump clearly. Maybe in the back of my mind I’d chosen it just for this reason so that I didn’t have to tell anyone I was pregnant when my choice of clothing clearly showed it.

I roll my eyes before tilting my head up to Sam. “Observant, isn’t he,” I retort dryly, making Sam snort out a laugh.

“Yes, Alec, I am indeed pregnant, and I’m desperate for the loo, so if you could point me in the direction, I’d be eternally grateful.”

“Come on, I’ll show you,” Sam says, “I don’t want you walking around here by yourself.”

Tensing, I look around, “Am I not safe here?”

“You are, Maestro let everyone know who you were and that you were untouchable, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. This place is nothing like our club, Bren.”

“Okay, I’ll stay around you, but I really do have to pee.”

“Through here,” Sam says, ushering me down a hall. Taking keys from his pocket, he unlocks a door that opens into a bedroom. I know straight away it’s his just by the mess. I love my brother, but he is the messiest person that I know. Spying another door, I hurry through it and into a bathroom that looks like it’s been recently cleaned.

“At least your bathroom’s clean,” I call out to him, making him laugh.

“I had it cleaned especially for you. Are you okay bunking with me, or do you want your own room? The armchair pulls out into a bed; I’ll crash on that.”

“If you’re sure, that’s good with me,” I retort. “But I want clean sheets on the bed. I don’t need no skank on me and my baby, thanks.”

“The sheets are clean. I know what you and Ben are like about clean sheets.”

Finishing in the bathroom, I walk out and smile at Sam. “I’m feeling a hundred percent better. Any chance we can get a soft drink and something to eat?”

“Yep, let’s go.”

We walk down the passage towards the bar. From here, I can see Alec behind the bar with a skimpy-dressed woman with bleached blonde hair. She was hanging off his arm; I curled my lip a little at the sight. Alec was leaning across the bar talking with Cash and Lizzie.

“Was that a baby bump I saw on Bren?” Lizzie quizzes him with a happy smile.

“Yep,” Alec replies, “don’t know what she was thinking; she’s too fucking young to be a mum.”

I come to a stop at his words; Sam stops next to me, looking on with curious eyes, probably wondering what was wrong with me.

“Don’t you want kids?” the woman next to him asks curiously.

“Fuck no,” Alec answers loudly and adamantly. “I’m too young to be a dad. Plus, I make sure I wrap up, and I only use my own condoms; there’s no way I’m getting trapped by a baby mama.”

And there it was, the last little bit of feeling I’d had for him broken by those words. There was no way I’d be telling him that wrapping his dick and only using his own condoms obviously doesn’t always work. I’d grown up with a father who didn’t want us. There was no way in hell I’d ever let a child of mine feel unwanted.

Sam tugs gently on my arm; he’d heard what Alec had said just as I had. “Ignore him, Bren, he’s talking out his arse. You’ll make a great mum; hell, you and Ben brought Ellie up for most of her life.”

“You’re right,” I agree, making my feet move towards the bar. I’m strong, I’ll suck it up and put on a happy face for everyone. It’s only for one night, and I have an excuse. I can plead tiredness and go to bed early.

“Hi, sweetie,” Lizzie welcomes me with a warm smile, patting the chair next to her. Sam helps me up. Once I am settled, she wraps her arm around me and kisses my temple. “It’s good to see you; we were wondering if you’d make it for a visit this time.”

“Hi, Lizzie, hi, Cash,” I answer and smile at the large man standing behind her, his arm wrapped around her waist, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Pity his brother wasn’t more like him.

“Hi, beautiful girl,” Cash greets me. “What can we get you to drink?”

“Just a lemonade or something soft, please. If you don’t have that, then water is fine.”

Cash tilts his chin at Alec, who nods and turns to the fridge behind him. Taking out a bottle of lemonade, he pours it into a glass and hands it to me.

“Thanks,” I say, proud of myself as I keep my voice even, but I can’t make eye contact with him. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to scream at him or burst into tears, so best I kept to myself, not that Lizzie would let me. She kept me entertained with stories of various happenings in the club.

Then she asks the question I’d been dreading, wondering if he’d work it out, “So how far along are you?”

“Four months,” I answer. “I would have been home already, but morning sickness kicked my butt, so I had to wait to travel.”

“Ugh, yeah, morning sickness isn’t fun,” Lizzie agrees. “Is the dad going back with you?”

Shaking my head at her question, I reply, “Nope, the father has made it perfectly clear he’s not interested, so I’ll be doing it alone.”

“You won’t be alone, little sister,” Sam mutters. “You’ll have all of us. Who is the prick? You should give me his name.”

Forcing out a laugh, I answer, “No, I shouldn’t; it’s better this way. I don’t want my child brought up with someone who has no interest in them. That’s more damaging than having no-one. I should know.”

“True,” Sam agrees.

“That’s it? You’re just going to leave it like that?” Alec asks angrily. “You’re not going to make him help in any way?”

Snorting out a laugh at his words. If only he knew. I shake my head at him, “No, Alec, he’s exactly like you, not interested in anything but loose pussy. When he finally got me, that was it; no more interest. And before you ask, yes, we used protection, but it’s not always a hundred percent, as I found out. So no, I’d rather the guy who slapped my arse and told me thanks for the night and that there was money for my cab wasn’t around my child. She and I will be perfectly fine on our own, thank you.”

Next to me, Sam stiffens at my words, and his eyes go straight to his friend and narrow before they harden.

‘Ah shit, I should have known Sam would know Alec’s MO when it came to women.’

I’d also seen something cross over Cash’s face before it softens and he turns to me, saying, “Well, take it from someone who knows, he’ll regret it one day, I promise you. But Sam is right, you have a lot of family. Count me and Lizzie in on that.”

I wipe at my eyes and sniff, Sam wraps an arm tight around my shoulders, drawing me into his chest.

“I’m going to go and see if I can get on the same flight as you. I don’t want you travelling by yourself.”

“Oh, Sam, no, don’t cut your time here short because of me. I’ll be fine by myself.”

“Nope, I’m coming home, it’s time. I have a company to run and a cot to build. From what you’ve just said, it’s going to be a girl. I have to work on designs to make it perfect for my niece. She needs the best. If you’re ready, let’s go sort that ticket now and get you to bed.”

“Sam?” Alec rumbles, looking perplexed at the sudden change of plan.

“I’ll catch you later, Alec,” Sam grinds out.

Taking the hand that Cash offers to help me down from the bar stool, I accept the hug he offers but don’t say anything when he whispers in my ear, “My brother’s an idiot; let me know if you need anything. Keep us updated, okay?”

“He’s not an idiot; he just is who he is. I’ve always known exactly what he was like, so this is more my fault than his, but it’s not just my heart anymore. Maybe it’s the wrong decision, I don’t know? But I won’t ever force him to be something he has no interest in being. Don’t be too hard on him,” I whisper back to him before letting go and allowing myself to be drawn into Lizzie’s warm embrace.

“Whatever Cash said, I agree,” she mumbles into my hair. “I’ll kick his ass for you if you want.”

I laugh; I love Lizzie, “It’s fine. Cash will tell you what I said.”

Letting her go, I join Sam, who’s waiting for me at the mouth of the hall that leads to the rooms. His jaw is ticking—it was one of his tells that he had when he was mad. Sam was an easy-going guy; I don’t think I’d ever seen him completely lose it, but by the looks of his face, he was close to it now. I knew I’d have to diffuse the situation; I didn’t want Sam to lose his friendship with Alec over me.

Waiting until we are back in Sam’s room and the door is closed before saying, “Don’t be angry with him, Sam. He is who he is. I’ve always known that. Don’t let this ruin your friendship. Not for me.”

Sam’s face softens as he looks at me, “You don’t get it, little sister; he doesn’t get to treat you like that and still have me as his friend.”

I wipe at a tear that runs down my cheek, “But he doesn’t know, Sam, and he’ll be confused as to why you’ve changed your relationship with him. Just think about it, okay? I’m not going to keep it a secret as to who her father is if I’m asked outright, but I’ll also not advertise it. I don’t want him pressured into doing something he’s not ready for. It will only hurt all of us in the end. Maybe one day, when he’s ready, he can build a relationship with her; I’d never stop him.”

“And you? You’ve been in love with him for years?”

I shrug, “Bit like you and Bella. I’ll do what I always do, Sam; I’ll survive and push on.”

“Or open another company,” Sam says with a laugh, looking a little more relaxed.

“Or open another company,” I agree, relieved that he’s calmed down a little.

“What a pair we are, hey, both of us wanting people that don’t seem to want us. Not sure what we did wrong in another life,” Sam mutters, rubbing a hand down his face before sitting on the bed.

Sitting next to him, I wrap my arm around my brother and lean my head on his shoulder. “Bella’s stupid, Sam. I don’t know why she can’t see how amazing you are. Maybe we should both move on, although I’ll have to wait until this little one is older. But you don’t have to wait,” I nudge him gently with my shoulder.

“Think on it,” I tell him, getting up from the bed and going to my suitcase. “I’m going to shower, have a look for a flight, but if you can’t get on mine don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

As luck would have it, Sam was able to get on the same flight as me. We left the following day. As Lizzie drove us away, having offered to drop us off at the airport, I caught sight of Alec standing by himself in the car park, shoulders hunched to his ears, an uncertain look on his face. Sam caught my eye in the rearview mirror as I wiped a tear from my cheek. This was not how I envisioned my life going. Just goes to show that you should be careful what you wish for.