Page 23

STYXX

Seeing the way my brother settled down with his woman, even the other members of the club, I know without a doubt I’m missing out on something. Something that could be good, but truthfully, the one woman I want, I can’t have.

Not because she’s out of reach, but because she refuses to want me in return.

Claims my life is too dangerous for her to step into.

Ironic really, considering what she does for a living.

Only a few of my brothers know who she is to me and that I’d do anything for her.

It’s what makes things difficult. More than normal.

She’s a cop. A damn good one at that. In her eyes, I knew there was nothing she wouldn’t do to put the bad guys behind bars. Meaning if she knew what we actually did to protect our own, found proof of it in any way, she’d have no choice but to take us on, and that would end up bad. Very bad.

Because I’ll do what I have to do to protect my club, my family, she’d never be down for it. So, for me, she’ll forever be out of reach.

A few times I’ve given in to my desire to be with her, those times in the middle of the night, dark shadows surrounded us, and I’d allowed myself to have her. She’d been hot. Sweet. Beautiful.

The last time, she made it known it was over. That she was transferring to keep us from ever touching again.

Since then, my brother has had his kid. I knew I’d never have a kid, so I decided I’d be the best uncle to Aug that I can be.

“Yo, Styxx,” Scythe calls out, knocking on the door to my room at the clubhouse.

“Yeah,” I call out, surprised it took so long.

Scythe opens the door and steps in, eyes on the little boy curled up on top of me. “You keep takin’ my kid and we’re gonna have problems, Styxx.” Scythe smirks and shakes his head.

We weren’t going to. My brother knew what I was doing. He gets the bonus of having his woman to himself some while I all but kidnap my nephew.

“You get laid?” I ask, cocking a brow, looking at him closely.

“Of course, I did, but now my woman needs to feed my kid.” Scythe grins and grabs for August.

Grunting, I hand my nephew over as Reaper comes to the door, his expression unreadable.

“What’s up, Prez?” I ask while Scythe turns to also look at Reaper.

“Got a lady in the main room, brother. She’s got a kid with her, claims it’s yours, and that she was told to deliver the baby to you.”

“The fuck?” I blink, staring at the man I’ve respected for so many years.

“What kid?” Scythe demands.

“Don’t know, she’s got a letter and said she won’t give it to anyone but you,” Reaper grunts.

Getting up off the bed, I make my way out of the room, both of them following me.

The moment I step into the main room, I catch sight of the elderly woman immediately and realize who she is.

She’s Monica’s mother. The resemblance is too close not to be.

She’s standing there, holding a little bundle close to her chest.

“You Styxx?” she asks, eyeing me closely.

“Yeah, what’s this all about?” I don’t know what’s happening right now, but she immediately steps toward me and holds the little baby toward me.

“She doesn’t have a name yet. She was born three days ago. The doctors were able to save her when my daughter died.”

I stare down at the little baby, unsure if I’m hearing the woman right. Lifting my head, I look at the elder woman. “Died?” I barely croak out.

“Yes.” Tears prick the woman’s eyes. “She refused to stop working the case she was on and ended up being killed because she was so stubborn,” the woman explains and holds out a letter. “This is from her. She left it with the baby’s things, along with instructions that I was to give her to you.”

Slowly, I take the letter and open it without moving the little girl I’m holding. I scan over the letter once, then read through it more slowly.

Styxx,

I knew we’d always be forbidden, that I could never have you. I could never be with you, and we both know why.

I’m writing this as a precaution. If you’re getting it, then it’s because I’m gone, and our daughter is now with you.

I’m sure you have a lot of questions, but the last time we were together, I ended up pregnant.

At first, I wasn’t going to tell you. Then I thought more about it, and knew that if anything happened to me, she’d be safe with you.

Please love her for the both of us. And I hope that someday, you’ll find it in yourself to forgive me .

Always,

Monica

The fucking bitch didn’t tell me she was pregnant. Left me. Left with my kid and got herself killed. She nearly got my daughter killed.

Fuck.

How do I wrap my head around all of this?

“Styxx?” Scythe calls.

Clearing my throat, I hand the letter to Scythe and look at the woman. “Appreciate you bringing her to me. I don’t know what Monica told you, but I’ll take care of her.”

“I know who you are,” she states, watching me closely. “I’ll be heading back to Florida, but I’d like to stay in touch and get to know my granddaughter.”

“Give me your number and you can always see her,” I tell her. “What’s your name?”

“Mona,” she replies before giving me her phone number. My brother thankfully puts it in his phone and sends it to me. “What are you going to name her?” Mona asks, nodding to the little baby in my arms.

For the first time, I look down at the precious bundle in my arms. She’s beautiful. More so than I ever thought a baby could look. Even sleeping peacefully. She’s no clue how close she came to dying before her life even began .

“Eabha,” I whisper. Her name came to me with just this one look.

I look over to my brother to see him nodding at me. It was our mother’s name, and now it was going to be my daughter’s. Eabha was the perfect name for her. Not just because it was our mother’s, but it’s also Irish and like the name Ava.

I didn’t know what to do with a little girl.

I’ve only ever been around my club brothers’ kids.

Though some of them had girls, I hadn’t done what I’ve done with my nephew.

It didn’t matter though, I’d learn. This sweet little princess is mine, and I’m going to make sure no one, and I mean no one, could get close enough to hurt her again. I’ll die before that happens.