Page 14 of Seduction

When everyone agrees, Gage leans back in his chair, relaxing.

“Now, other business. You all know I’ll be gone for a couple weeks. We have nothing outstanding, so everyone should be able to take it easy. Of course, E’s in charge. You need anything, talk to him. You fuckers better not interrupt my honeymoon unless someone’s dying.”

“You got it, Prez,” Rico exclaims, making kissing noises.

Laughter erupts from everyone at the table, including Gage.

“Whatever,” he says. “Get the fuck outta here.”

As the others leave, he asks Chopper and me to stay behind. Chopper moves closer, taking the seat on his son’s right.

“What’s going on, son?” Chopper asks.

“Ellen. She’s a little down right now. I want the two of you to keep an eye on her.”

“Of course,” I assure him.

“I noticed. Maybe I should take Mikey for a few days, help her out,” Chopper suggests.

“No,” Gage replies. “She doesn’t need to be alone. Help her, don’t take away the one thing that makes her happy.”

“Okay, son. We got her. You just focus on your family.”

“Thanks, Pop. We good?” He glances between me and Chopper.

“Yes, Mr. President,” I answer, watching Gage grin as we get to our feet. “Now let’s go see about this party.”

***Ellen***

Smiling, I stare down at my beautiful son as he sleeps. After he had eaten, I gave him a bath, and he crawled into bed asking for my phone. I put on his favorite cartoon, but he was out before the theme song ended. I stack a few pillows around him, turn on the baby monitor, and leave quietly. Out in the corridor, I almost bump into Janet and her old man, Rambo, president of the Vegas chapter.

Crap. I didn’t know she’d be here.

“Hey, Rambo.”

“Hey, princess.” He kisses my cheek. “You good?”

“Yeah, just putting Mikey down.”

“Same here.” He nods to Janet, who’s holding a sleeping baby girl.

“Chopper said we could put her in his room,” she says, her voice breaking.

“Okay.”

I try to move past them, but she speaks again. “Ellen, can… can we talk?”

“About what?”

“Please?”

I roll my eyes in annoyance, taking a deep breath. “Fine.”

“I’ll give you ladies some privacy.”

Rambo kisses Janet, then leaves us alone. I motion to Daddy’s room, making her walk ahead of me. When she puts the baby down, she turns to me.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”