Final Ride Fallen Angel's MC 4 (11 page)

“I’ll go find Bella.” Offering to go before I laugh seemed like the
best option I have. I head down the hallway, stopping at her
door before knocking.

“Come in!” She hollers as I shove the door open.

 

“What are you doin’ in here?” Smiling at my beautiful niece, I
wonder how she’s going to take all of this.

“Nothing. I was thinking of watching a movie with Griff.” Griff
smiles happily in his sister’s arms. I don’t know that I could be
any prouder of my niece and nephew. These kids are wonderful.

“Someone’s here to see you. I was goin’ to let your dad tell you,
but I think you should be prepared before you go out there.”
Taking on a now serious tone, I look at the confused look in her
eyes.

“Who is it?” Hiking Griff further up her hip, she looks nervous.

 

“Your great grandma, Anna.” Shaking her head, she takes a step
back.

“I thought she was dead. My mom, Candy, always told me she
was dead. I remember gram. I talked to her on the phone when
I was little. One day, it all stopped. Candy never called her
anymore.” My heart slams in my chest. Tears fill her eyes. This is
killing me.
I walk toward her before I reach for Griff, but she shakes her
head.

“Bella, let me take Griff.” Shaking her head, she takes a deep
breath before looking up at me.

 

“I got him. I just can’t believe that she’s alive. How did she find
me?” Swiping at her eyes, I put my arm around her shoulder.

“I don’t know sweetheart, but she seems happy to be here. Are
you ok with this?” Bella leans her head against me before
sighing.

“I never thought I’d see her again Creed. I don’t really
remember what she looked like, but I remember that sweet
voice of hers. She would always tell me she loved me when I’d
talk to her on the phone.” Holding Bella tighter, I hope this
works out for her.

“She has your eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes.” Bella giggles
before she pulls back and smiles up at me.

 

“Thanks Creed.” Kissing her forehead, I lead her out into the
hallway.

“Come on, give me little man.” She smiles up at me before she
passes Griff off. I love how protective she is over her brother.
She’s an amazing sister.

“It’ll be ok Bella.” I feel like I need to remind her when she dead
stopped in the hallway in front of me.
“I know.” Without looking back at me, she heads into the main
room. I stand off to the side and watch as she makes her way
toward her grandma. It’s a beautiful sight to see.

“This is crazy.” Jada steps up next to me. Looking down at her I
nod. This really is a strange event in our world.

 

“Yeah, but look at her. Look at the look on her face.” Jada smiles
up at me, and I know she’s thinking something.

 

“Spit it out darlin’. I can see you thinkin’.” Jada giggles before
she sighs.

“I just miss it you know. I miss having a family like that, and
don’t say it Creed. I know you are all my family but you know
what I mean.” Sadly, I do know what she means. I miss that
aspect of life too.

“We have all the family we need right here. He’s with us.”
Chapter 26

 

Ryker

Well if this hasn’t been the strangest week in history, I don’t
know what the fuck is. The lake trip was called off, Rit showed
up, and now Bella’s grandma has been here. Yeah, in the fucking
clubhouse for a week!

I don’t know how to act. I do have some kind of manners and
respect for the elderly, but she is there every time I turn around.
I don’t think that old woman sleeps!

Sneaking out of the room and down the hallway toward the
main room, I almost shit myself when she’s standing in front of
me.
“Jesus Christ!” Stopping before I slam into her, she looks up at
me.

“You, young man, have a nasty mouth.” Shaking my head, I
don’t know how to respond to that. I’m standing in a pair of
sweatpants and no shirt, with an old lady in nothing but a night
gown!

“Yeah, I’ve been told that. Amongst other things.” Stepping to
walk around her, her voice catches me off guard.

 

“You know about Bella don’t you?” Closing my eyes, I wish I
didn’t.

 

“How’d you know that?” I don’t need to turn around to know
she’s coming over here. I can feel her presence.

 

“I see the way you look at her. Her dad doesn’t know. Just you.”
Dropping my head, I hate it. I hate knowing and not Tank.

 

“How do
you
know?” Finally turning to look at her she smiles.

“I paid for the doctor visits. I don’t think Candy realized that all
the paperwork came to me. I also knew that she was in
remission. That’s changed though, I can see.” Hearing the pain
in her voice hurts me. She’s her blood, and she has to live
knowing that Bella is dying. I thought I had it hard, but it must
be ten times harder for her.

“How do you deal with it? Knowin’ and not sayin’ anything?”

Anna’s hand comes to rest on my arm as she looks up at me.
“It isn’t our place to say something. She’s a smart girl, always
has been. Bella knows what she wants; I have no doubts about
that. It’s not hard to deal with, Mr. Ryker. You know in your
heart that she is hurting. You don’t want that for her. I don’t
either. I’m glad that I’ve had this little time with her though. I
can see how much she means to you. I’m sorry that you are
going through all of this.” A tear slides down my cheek. Here I
am crying like a girl when she isn’t even my blood. Blood isn’t
what makes a family though. I know this. Bella is my family.

“She’s like one of my best friends. She knows me like no one
else does. She gets why I am the way I am. Not everyone can do
that.” Anna raises her hand to my face before she speaks.

“Oh that girl of yours, can do that too. I can see it in her eyes,
that fire she has. Bella will be fine in her own way. That girl of
yours, she needs you. She needs the safety of your arms young
man. Don’t fail her.” With that Anna turns and walks away. I
don’t move from this spot as I let that sink in.

She’s right though. As much as I hate to admit it, Bella will be ok
in her way just like Anna said, but Jersey is mine. She’s mine to
love, protect, and take care of. She’s my everything.

I don’t know why I came out to the main room to begin with,
but it doesn’t matter. I turn and head back to the room, closing
the door quietly.
Looking into the crib next to our bed, I smile at my little girl.
Sleeping so peacefully and securely. She deserves that, she
deserves to be at peace, and she deserves to have a safe life.

“What are you doing, stalking her in her sleep?” Jersey’s voice
pulls my attention.

 

Reaching in, I pull Ansley’s blanket up over her, making sure
she’s tucked in.

“She’s beautiful. I never knew a baby could be that beautiful.
She’s perfect.” Jersey smiles as I walk over to the bed, before
climbing on it. Sitting on my knees, I look at her. My wife, my
world.

“Are you ok?” Her big blue eyes beam up at me.

 

“I’m perfect.” I cup her cheeks in my hands before pulling her
lips to mine. Kissing her gently, I melt into her.

“I love you more than the air I breathe, Jersey. Without you, my
life is nothin’. Before I met you I didn’t know where I belonged,
or what I needed to do, but it’s all so clear now.” Her eyes boar
into me as she takes in what I’m saying.

“What’s clear?” Her lips are inches from mine, but I need to tell
her this. Watching Bella deteriorate the way she is, it reminds
me how precious time is.

“My life’s clear. You and that little girl, that’s all I want. There
will never be anyone else for me. You complete my puzzle. My
life was in pieces before I met you. You are the last piece. You fit
all the others into place, you hold them all together.” Before I
can say anything else, Jersey kisses me roughly.

She understands me now. She knows what she means to me.
Chapter 27

 

Tank

“Pass me that wrench.” Pointing to the pile of tools that now
litter every surface of the garage, I can’t help but smile.
Everything seems to be coming into place. The garage, the
store, and even the club.

Dusts’ have been quiet for the time being, but I know that will
change. Rit knows how to push our buttons and I know he
doesn’t walk away easily. He’s a hard headed son of a bitch,
much like the rest of us.

Grabbing the wrench out of Joey’s hand, I work on a bike that
was brought in this morning. I must say that we have been
picking up good business where we’re at.

“What do think about Lakewood?” Joey’s question doesn’t
make sense to me. What the hell is the boy talking about now?
“What the fuck is there to think about?” Talking with my
cigarette hanging out of my mouth, I keep working.

“Houses.” Shaking my head, I hope this boy doesn’t think he’s
taking my daughter along for that ride.

“There are a bunch of those.” I try not to look at him. I don’t
want to slap him today, but I can. I know what he’s getting at,
he’s brought it up around a few of the other guys.

“Yeah, I know it. I want to buy one.” I hear the chuckle and
know it’s Piper, before I ever turn my head.

 

“You know about this shit Piper?” Hearing him cough, I know I
caught him off guard. He knew. Damn asshole!

“I may have heard a few things.” Piper chuckles as Joey squats
down next to me. Glancing over, I can see the now serious look
on his face.

“I want things to be right with me and Bella. She means the
world to me.” Dropping my head, I knew this was coming. I
knew it, and I don’t like it, one fucking bit.

“She’s too young for all that shit don’t you think?” I hear him
huff. I don’t need to turn to look at him either, he’s mad.

“I don’t think so. I’m askin’ her anyway, Tank. I don’t need your
damn approval; I was just hopin’ you’d understand.” Joey drops
the other tools to the floor before pushing himself up and
walking away.
“Fuckin’ hell.” Mumbling to myself, Piper takes up the spot that
Joey just left.

“He’s a good kid, Tank. He’ll do right by Bella if you give him the
chance.” Tilting my head to the side, I look over at Piper.

“She’s too young for that shit Piper. She’s a kid, she doesn’t
need one.” He knows what I mean. She doesn’t need to end up
like I did. Too young to realize that you need to be a parent.

“She isn’t like you and Candy, brother. Don’t take that shit
wrong either, but that girl is smart. She knows her limits.” Piper
stands and walks away leaving me to contemplate that. She isn’t
like Candy. She knows the hell she lived through at the hands of
her mother. I have no doubt in my mind that she knows her
rights from wrongs.

“You ok?” Creed strolls in looking me over before I set the tools
on the floor.

 

Pushing myself up, I look at him.

“No. Joey asked me about houses for him and Bella.” Creed
raises his eyebrows before taking a step back. He wants to
laugh; I can see it in his eyes.

“What did you say?” The amusement is clear on his face now.
Asshole
.

“I said I didn’t think it was a good idea. Little fucker said he was
askin’ her anyway. I don’t like this shit Creed.” His laughter
erupts out of nowhere. I’m glad this is funny.

“Oh hell. She’s growin’ up Tank. She ain’t a baby.” Did he really?

“She’s my baby. Goddamn I just got her; I don’t want to lose her
again.” Creed takes a step toward me before putting his hand
on my shoulder.

“You’re not losin’ her. You’re her dad.” Shaking my head, I feel
like I am. Something inside of me says I am.

 

“I feel it Creed. I’m losin’ her. I don’t know how, but I am.”
Creed drops his hand before running it over his face.

 

“What do you think it’s about?” Shaking my head, I have no
idea.

 

“I don’t know brother; I feel it though.”