Page 57 of Loki’s Spellbinder (Hunters Creek Archangel’s Warriors MC #14)

I knew that the wait was almost killing Loki.

It wasn’t much better for me. The guys had spent many hours over the past two and a half days in closed-door church sessions, making their plans, placing phone calls, and more.

The women and children had stayed on the sidelines and supported the men by ensuring they had food to eat and ways to de-stress.

Xander had asked what was going on. Loki informed him that there was an issue with some people wanting to do bad things using our club, and they were making sure it didn’t happen.

He shared more details with me, but I knew he held things back.

It was what they called club business. I offered any kind of help I could give them, whatever that might be.

Today was Monday. All the men had gone to work, much to my surprise.

Loki had a good explanation when I mentioned to him that I thought they wouldn’t.

If they all stayed home, and something became evident, such as it was reported that a large group of bikers were found dead at an abandoned factory thirty miles away, someone might recall that the Warriors had all taken that day off.

It was best to act as normally as possible.

They would be coming home early, though they’d stagger their times.

It wasn’t unusual for them to cut out early if they could. As the bosses, they could do that.

I was making dinner for the three of us.

Since he wasn’t in school, Xander came into the kitchen and asked what I was doing.

He seemed interested when I explained what I was making for dinner, so I had him wash his hands and put him to work.

While we worked, I chatted about why I did certain things the way I did them in the kitchen. He asked several questions.

I avoided asking him too many questions about his mom because I didn’t want him to feel awkward, but this time, I slipped up. Xander was dicing celery and onions for me. I’d shown him how to stop crying when you worked with onions.

“You’re pretty good at dicing. Did you help your mom in the kitchen?”

He halted cutting them and then went back to it. He didn’t glance up at me. “No, I didn’t learn from her. My mom isn’t anything like you and my dad,” he said softly.

I recalled how stunned Loki was when Xander called him dad for the first time. Loki told me he figured it wouldn’t feel right to Xander, but I saw how Loki smiled whenever Xander called him that.

“May I ask in what way? If you’d rather not say, that’s fine. I’m trying not to screw up this dad’s girlfriend thing with you. I want us to become close, not push things down your throat. If I get too nosy, tell me. I’m afraid it’s the lawyer in me.” I smirked.

Xander stopped dicing and looked up at me. He smiled, and I was reminded of his dad. He and Loki had the same smile.

“You’re not anything like my mom, and that’s a good thing.

I don’t mind you asking. Mom didn’t like to cook or have me underfoot if she was doing something.

I would stay in my room. I cooked my meals once I got big enough to do it myself.

She’d either eat what I made, or most of the time, go out to eat or meet friends.

I watched cooking shows and learned that way. ”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I knew I didn’t want to know, but I had to. “How old were you when you began cooking? You look like an expert to me.”

“Mmm, I think I was five. Yeah, I was because I remember coming home from school.”

“Is that when you took over cleaning the house and doing laundry?”

“Yeah, about the same time. Mom would be gone a lot, and I had to learn if I wanted to eat or have clean clothes for school. She said that everybody did it.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean this to sound terrible, but your mom lied, Xander. Most children aren’t cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry at five years old! It’s dangerous for you to cook. You stood on a chair, didn’t you?”

“I did,” he said.

“What if you fell and landed on a hot burner or spilled scalding liquid on you? She should’ve had someone stay with you if she worked at night. Did you stay alone at night?”

“She didn’t work at night. She went out with her friends or whoever was her boyfriend. And yes, I stayed alone several times. Braelyn, why are you crying?” he asked in astonishment.

Tears ran down my face, and I sniffled. All I could think about was the image of a younger Xander home alone, neglected, and treated like a miniature adult. And the horrors of what could’ve happened to him.

“I-I just can’t stand the thought of you being left like that. What if you’d been hurt? My God, what was she thinking?” I partially snapped, but the other half of me was a sobbing mess.

Suddenly, I felt a body press into mine and arms come around me. I opened my eyes to find myself hugged against Xander.

“Shh, it’s alright, Brae. I’m with you and Dad now. I know you would never do that. If Dad thought of leaving me home like that, you’d pin his ears back.”

His using the phrase I used one night when I was mockingly threatening Loki if he didn’t behave made me laugh, as I hugged him back. We were still holding each other, and I had happy tears this time, running down my cheeks when Loki walked in. Loki practically ran to us.

“What’s wrong? Are you two alright? What happened?”

“Dad, calm down, we’re fine. Brae and I were having a moment until you ruined it. We were talking, that’s all. No one did anything, and we’re fine. Aren’t we, Brae?” Xander asked.

I smiled a watery smile at him as I answered, “Yes, we’re great. Xander was helping me fix dinner. I think maybe he cut those onions too close to me.”

“She’s telling you a lie, Dad. I had the onions far away. She’s been crying for no reason all day.”

I gasped at him telling on me. Earlier, I’d burst into tears when I couldn’t get the sheet on the bed right, and Xander came looking for me. When he saw me, he hurried in and assisted me.

“Tattletale,” I hissed playfully at him.

“Have you heard anything from Zara?” Loki asked quietly.

Before I could answer, Xander, who had returned to dicing vegetables, made a shocking suggestion.

“Dad, I’d have her go to a doctor.”

“Why?” Loki asked.

“Because she’s crying for no reason. She barely eats, and I heard her throwing up the other morning. I think she might be having a baby.”

The spoon I used to stir clattered to the counter. I was staring at Loki with my mouth open. I knew I looked like a deer in headlights, but I hadn’t expected that.

“Son, how do you know what a pregnant woman acts like?” Loki asked after a couple of heartbeats.

“There was a friend I had in school. His mom ended up having a baby and did those things and more. He told me about it. You and Braelyn sleep together. I know where babies come from.”

“And if she were pregnant, how would you feel about that?” my man asked.

Xander didn’t answer him for a full minute. I knew because I stared at the clock and saw the seconds tick down.

“I think having a little brother or sister would be cool. I can teach them things and make sure they don’t get hurt. But if you have a baby, will it…” he stopped there.

“Would it change how we feel about you or the fact that we want you here? No, it wouldn’t. No matter how many children we might have one day, you’ll always be the firstborn. You’re stuck with us, so don’t try to wiggle out of it,” I told him.

Xander’s face split into a huge smile. “Then I hope you are having a baby, though the puking part is gross.”

This led to a discussion on babies and food.

I was so diverted by it that it took no time for the meal to cook, be eaten, and finally cleaned and put away.

We had a lively talk over dinner about several topics.

When dinner was over, Xander was excused to play a game for an hour on his computer.

He’d been blown away when Loki and I presented it to him on Saturday.

Outlaw had helped us pick out the best one for him.

You could tell gifts were a rarity for him.

We didn’t hold on to it until Christmas.

We wanted him to enjoy it during the break.

Loki and I were snuggled together on the couch. I knew time was drawing near when he’d have to leave.

“Do you have everything you need for tonight?” I asked.

“I do. If you need anything, several brothers and prospects are staying behind. Just call Jocelyn, and she’ll send someone. We never leave the compound defenseless.”

“I know you wouldn’t, and I’m not worried about us. I’m worried about those of you leaving. I hate that you have to do this. Do you think you can further tie Cedric Alves to Iceman’s dad?”

“I do. Now, we’re not talking about that anymore. You’re not supposed to know, and I want to talk about us. I think Xander took the news that there might be a baby well.”

“Will you stop? Every time you say that, I feel the universe cackling. You’ll jinx us into having a baby,” I warned him.

“Good,” he answered me before he kissed me silly and left me with a reeling head and bursting lungs.