Page 23 of His Flawed Ride (Sons of Lost Souls MC #16)

Chapter Twenty-One

Shane

I always find the ride home faster than the journey to wherever we went, but not this time. Every mile stretches on, and every hour drags.

I’m glad the roar of our motorcycles drown out Lily’s screams when she comes around.

It’s not right what Hopper did to her and now it makes it clearer to us, knowing exactly what a piece of shit we’re up against. Those kinds of injuries should be life threatening, I still don’t know how she is still alive.

Leo, JJ, and Harper are waiting when we ride into the club. I do a double take when I think I’m seeing things, catching sight of Annie sat on the tabletop of one of the picnic tables. What the fuck is she doing here?

I park up watching Slade and Zach move quickly to open the van doors.

Lily wakes, screaming, as they lift her out of the van.

Zach helps position her so she’s in Slade’s arms and they disappear from sight rushing across to Harper’s house.

Leo and JJ follow, and I head over to Annie. Myles is nowhere to be seen.

I focus on Annie’s smile, trying to figure out where this is going to go. She’s come a long way over a one-night stand.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

Her smile slips. “I tried letting you I was on my way, but you never picked up my calls.”

“It’s been crazy lately, but I was gonna call you back.” Though she could’ve hit me with a text.

“I couldn’t wait around for that. I’m… we’re in a tangle and I don’t see why I should deal with it alone.”

It takes a hot second, but I soon catch on. “You’re pregnant?”

“ We’re pregnant,” she corrects me.

I laugh, though nothing about this is funny. It’s always been in the back of my mind that this could happen, but it hasn’t yet, and I’ve always thought myself lucky.

“What do you wanna do about it?”

“I don’t want to abort but I’m not sure I want or can be a mom.”

“You want to adopt it out?”

Nauseated at the thought of a kid of mine in the system, I take a seat at the picnic table, hanging my head in my hands.

“Adoption would be a last resort. I’m here to see if you would want full custody?”

It’s a lot to take in but I know myself, I couldn’t live with myself knowing I had a kid out there being raised by strangers.

“I’ll take him… or her. What do you need?”

She moves closer to me. “I just need you to cover the hospital bills and look after me till I give birth. I don’t want to do it alone.”

Nodding, I say, “I can do that.”

Running on adrenaline, I stand and pick up her case and take hold of her hand. “You’ll have to stay with me until I can find you a place in town.”

“I don’t mind.”

The brothers in the bar don’t miss the new arrival on our way up to my room. Once I’ve got my door unlocked and put her case down, I ask, “So, how are you feeling? Have you seen a doctor?”

She nods. “I’m suffering from a little morning sickness, it comes and goes. I’ll need to find a new doctor here in town.”

“I’ll help you. I want you to know I’ll be here for you, and the baby when it’s born.”

Her smile is as beautiful as it was when I first met her. “Thanks. Apart from covering the medical costs, I don’t expect anything from you. I just don’t want to be alone.”

“I hear ya. Can I get you anything now?”

“Is there a bookstore in town?”

I sigh. “I have no fuckin’ idea but we can check it out.”

Her smile returns and she leaves her case on the bed. I guess we’re checking it out now.

I go to offer her a ride on my bike when I remember why she’s here in the first place.

The drive into town is quiet. She stares out of the window, taking in the town as it passes us by.

Now her news is sinking in I wonder how it’s possible not to want your baby.

I don’t think I’ve met anyone who has given up their kid before, but then again, I don’t pay much notice to other people’s lives.

I park on Main Street and thankfully there is a bookstore next to Kristen’s shop.

“I’ll wait out here for you.”

“I won’t be long.”

I lean against the truck and light a cigarette as she disappears into the store.

I have next to no time to figure out what the fuck I’m going to do.

I can’t make her my old lady just because we’re having a baby.

The only things I know about her is her name, first name only, and that she feels great on my dick.

It’s not a great start to a relationship.

Besides, she doesn’t even want anything to do with the kid, it wouldn’t make for a happy home.

I smoke my way through two cigarettes before she steps out with an armful of books.

“So you like to read?”

What a stupid fucking question. She has just brought eight books.

“It takes me away from reality,” is all she says.

So now I know three things about her. Still, it’s not enough to make a relationship work. I dash the thought away, she hasn’t hinted at wanting anything with me.

She briefly flicks through her haul while I drive back to the club, and I carry her books up to my room for her.

“I’ll be down in the bar if you need me.”

“Thanks, I’m going to rest.”

I can’t escape fast enough. I need a drink and to track down Leo. I need that drink first. I catch sight of Leo with JJ at his table and after I’ve got my beer, I join them.

“Prez, can I have a word?”

Leo tips his chin, and I pull out a chair, and sit.

“You see the woman who showed up today?”

“It’s insulting you think I wouldn’t have when it’s my job to see every-fuckin’-thing,” he grunts.

“Yeah, sorry.”

“Congratulations or commiserations?” JJ laughs, already catching where I’m going.

“Neither. She doesn’t want it. She came here asking if I want full custody or she’ll have it adopted.”

Leo’s brow arches. “And you’ve said?”

Taking a deep breath, I tell him, “I said I’ll take it. No kid of mine is gonna be in the system.”

“Why doesn’t she want it?” JJ asks.

I shrug.

Leo snorts. “You didn’t think to ask her?”

“She only just got here, give me time. But regardless, she doesn’t want it…”

“Or is she hoping you’ll make her your old lady and then play happy families?” JJ suggests.

“She would’ve said if that was what she hoped for,” I argue.

Both Leo and JJ crack up laughing and I roll my eyes.

“Brother, you’re not this stupid. She rocks up pregnant, says it’s yours, and offers you full custody. Does that sound normal?” Leo asks.

“I can’t make her my old lady just because she’s having my kid.”

“Why? Many men have done so in your situation before now. Women know it’s the key to a ring on their finger.”

Taken back, I blurt out, “I’m not gonna marry her!”

Their laughter grows louder and it pisses me off.

It’s JJ who offers the best advice. “If you’re not gonna make her your old lady, you’re gonna need a nanny. Raising a kid is hard enough with an old lady.”

Leo jerks his head to something behind me and glancing over my shoulder, it’s Annie coming down to the bar.

“Oh yeah, by the way, she’s gonna be staying with me until I can find her somewhere in town.”

“As long as she ain’t trouble, I couldn’t give a shit.”

“You should claim her before she learns she’s way above your league.” JJ laughs.

“Fuck you. I’m a catch.”

“Holly didn’t think so, did she,” he retorts and gains a punch on the arm from Leo.

“It’s true.”

“Only cause she was already in love with our president.”

“Let’s stop talking about my old lady before I make yours a widow and…” to me he adds, “your kid an orphan.”

Pushing up from my seat, I cross the bar and save Annie from the prospect before he can get himself in trouble.

“I thought you were resting?”

“I was bored.”

I’ve got months of keeping her entertained and I’m already exhausted.