Duke (Aces MC Series Book 2) (18 page)

“What’s that face for?” James asked as he folded his
newspaper neatly.
“Taylor was just sick mid conversation. She said she’s been feeling unwell
since the weekend.”
“It’s probably the travelling that’s upset her stomach or…” he started to
snigger.
“Or what?” I asked looking at him confused.
“Or it’s morning sickness.” He laughed at my shocked expression. “I was only
joking Amy.”
“You may have been joking but it all fits James. She’s been taking antibiotics
for an ear infection.”
“You’ve missed your vocation in life, you should’ve been a detective.” He
raised his eyebrows mocking me.
I reached over and wacked him on the arm, “Sod off.” I screamed as he grabbed
me and swung me around so that I was now sitting on his lap. “What if I’m right
James.”
“You’re just clutching at straws but if she’s pregnant, it’s none of your
business.”
I folded my arms across my chest and frowned at him.
“You know I’m right. If you tell Duke she’s pregnant, he’ll be on the first
plane out of here and you may be wrong.”

Duke

Right this was it. This was the last illegal activity that
the Essex charter was going to be involved in. I had been torn with the idea
for so long and years of planning had gone into making this possible. There was
still a long way to go to bring in the sort of money we were making through
crime but it had to be worth it in the long run. We’d lost too many Brothers
over the years either through going to prison or being killed and I wasn’t
gonna let that happen anymore.

I sat at my desk holding the photo of Viper and I, taken on
the day I became a patched member. I gently stroked my thumb over his face.
“I’m gonna do you proud.” I said aloud.
“You talking to yourself again Duke?” Diesel asked as he and Bear lingered in
the corridor by the open door.
I smiled as I placed the photograph back in its rightful place on my desk.
“You ready for this?” Bear asked looking at me inquisitively.
I stood from my chair slowly and stalked towards the door, “Ready as I’ll ever
be.” I said with a nod of the head.

Woods had completed a reconnaissance run yesterday and was
pleased with the route he’d put together. We were meeting in Tilbury this time
which was closer to where Jace was based which was fine with me. We also didn’t
need Rev or the Kent charter involved as Jace was pleased with the merchandise
and now trusted the club. This pleased me because after today, I didn’t need to
see Rev again unless it was absolutely necessary. I wasn’t going soft but I’d
learnt that I needed to play the long game. I was gonna put him under full surveillance
the moment we returned so that when he fucked up next, I’d be there to see his
downfall.

“Have we got everyone?” I did a mental check list as I
looked down the row of Harleys parked outside the club house. Diesel, Bear,
Woods, Rex… “You gotta be fucking kidding me!” I shouted. Everyone turned to
look at me as I stood in the middle of the compound with my hands on my hips. “Where
the fuck is he?” I asked but not at anyone in particular. The guys looked
around not knowing who I was talking about at first but then I saw the
realisation slowly gathered momentum through the group.
“Well?” No one answered as they either didn’t know or didn’t want to say. I
stepped forward and kicked the aluminium bins watching them tip over and spill
their contents all over the compound. I could see Bear and Diesel glance at
each other as they stood their quietly, watching me stamp the shit out of the
bins.
“That’s his fucking lot, his gone.” I stalked over to my motorcycle slightly
out of breath.
“Whoa there Duke! Don’t make any rash decisions man.” Bear said trying to
rationalise and calm me down.
“Fucking rash decisions Bear! He’s been disappearing for weeks. He can’t come
and go as he pleases.” I secured my helmet under my chin and turned on my
engine. Looking around the group, I saw their bemused looks but no one dared to
challenge me.
“It was his fault that Viper died.” I screamed at the group, totally losing
control. “If I hadn’t of gone looking for his sorry arse, I could’ve been there
to protect Viper.”
This was the first time that I’d said this out loud and I couldn’t have chosen
a worse time.
“Well, if you’ve felt like that all of these years, why didn’t you just say
so?”
I turned to see Locke standing by the van looking solemn.
“I aint got time for this shit. I’ll deal with you when we get back, if you
haven’t already disappeared!”
I rode out of the compound heading in the direction of the M25, knowing that
the rest of the guys would eventually catch me up.

Our mics were linked but no one was talking. It was such an
important day and I’d gone and created a fucking atmosphere because of my rant
but I wasn’t about to back down. Locke had a lot of explaining to do and he was
doing it tonight or he was out of the club for good
. Why should we have his
back, if he wasn’t prepared to do the same for us?

We rode in unison down the motorway. In normal circumstances
I’d enjoy this road as the tarmac was smooth making for a comfortable ride. I
usually loved the feel of the open road with the wind whipping at my skin as I
pushed the limits of my motorcycle but today I was full of anger. I couldn’t
shake off the argument I’d just had with Locke but I was mindful that I needed
to keep it together as there was too much riding on this meet.
We’d decided to take a break at the services on the A13 to try and clear some
of the anxiety that was building between us. Everyone was clearly under as much
pressure as I was. We pulled up slowly following Woods around the carpark until
he found a suitable position for us all to park up.
I removed my helmet and got off my motorcycle, stretching to ease some of the
tension that had been mounting.
I could see Diesel and Bear making their way over to me and I rolled my eyes
knowing full well of what was coming.
“Fucking hell Duke, how long have you been carrying that one around with you?”
Bear asked standing there with his hands of his hips.
Diesel folded his arms across his chest as he came to stand by my side. “Is that
how you’ve really felt?” He asked sincerely.
I nodded my head and pulled a tight smile. It had been eating me up for years
but how did I tell them that. No wonder I may have become depressed. I hadn’t
taken the pills that Spike had given me much to his annoyance, I also didn’t
want any fucking counselling. I knew it worked wonders for some people but I
wasn’t about to sit on some sofa and pour my heart out to some goddam stranger.
“Five fucking long year’s man.” I rubbed my forehead trying to disperse the
pressure that was mounting. Both guys let out a low whistle as they looked at
each other.
“So what happens now?” Bear asked.
“We get this run completed and then I need to have it out with Locke.”
Diesel shuffled uncomfortably. “Have it out with him how exactly?”
“I don’t know yet. Maybe in the ring, maybe a fucking slanging match, I don’t
know but I can’t carry on like this.”
“Right, everyone’s had a piss break. We need to get moving, they’ll be expecting
us.”
Woods was looking at his watch as he herded us like cattle, eager to stick to
his plan.

We left the services, closely followed by Tyler and Buster
in the van and steadily continued our journey down the A13 in the direction of
the Docks.
We turned off the A126 and I glanced in my mirror to make sure everything was
okay. The road narrowed so that we had to ride singularly as our motorcycles
were too large to double up on the constricted road.
“How’s everyone doing?” Woods asked from the front.
“It’s all good Woods. How long before we’re there?” I asked looking around for
sign posts that may answer my question.
“Ten minutes most. Shit, look out!”
I glanced to my right quickly to see a dark coloured Jeep, veer towards me by
swinging the back of the vehicle in my direction. I swerved quickly but it was
too late. It clipped my wheel sending me flying through the air.

Diesel
“Duke!” I shouted as I ran over to him. I sunk to my knees in the long
damp grass as I assessed him quickly. “He’s not fucking moving. Call an
ambulance.” I shouted.
I stuck my two fingers in the crease of his neck trying to find a pulse as I
felt my own heart rate accelerate faster at the sheer terror of losing him.
“Can you find a pulse Diesel?” Bear asked panicked as he slid down beside me.
I dug around further in his neck crevice, “Yeah, got it.” I said with a sigh of
relief. “Has anyone called that fucking ambulance yet?”
“Yeah, it’s on its way.” Rex stated loudly so that he could be heard whilst
marshalling the traffic past the scene.
I patted Duke lightly on the cheek. “Stay with us man. Don’t you fucking leave
me to deal with this shit on my own?” I continued to talk to him until I could
hear the faint sound of a siren in the distance.
“That’s gotta be for him. Start to move the bikes out of the way Bear so they
can get through.”
He nodded and directed Stoney to help him as they moved the Harleys.
It felt better barking out orders, rather than just sitting here with him. I
couldn’t lose him, he was like a fucking brother, he meant the world to me.

“How long ago did this happen?” The paramedic asked as she
quickly ran to Duke’s side with her heavy bag.
“About ten minutes.” I stood getting out of the way so that she could assess
him.
“What’s his name?”
“Mitchell. Mitchell Groves.”
“Hi Mitchell. My name’s Janine. Are you able to talk?” She pulled back his eyelids
and shone the torch into his eyes with no response. “Are you able to move back
sir so that I can work on him?” She asked forcefully.
I nodded and stepped back so that I was now standing with Bear and Stoney.
“Was it Locke that I saw go after the Jeep?” I asked.
“It looks that way. I’ve tried contacting him with no success.” Bear said with
a sigh.
“And the van?” I asked panicked as the ‘old bill’ had just turned up.
“The boys continued driving, like they’d discussed with Woods earlier.
Everything’s under control apart from him.” We both looked over to see Duke
being lifted onto a back board.
“I hope he fucking pulls through!”

Diesel

“Has anyone got hold of Locke or Tyler yet?” I asked quietly
as we sat in the hospital waiting room.
It had been two hours since the incident and the police were still sniffing
around for information. They were quickly on the scene doing their investigation
and to be honest I didn’t like their line of questioning. They were more
concerned with us and what we were doing, than trying to find the bastards who had
knocked Duke off his motorcycle.
After the incident, Tyler and Buster continued on their journey to the meet
with Jace. I was well aware of Tyler’s capabilities but I was a little
concerned as he didn’t have the back up from us, should anything go wrong.
Woods had gone after them but I wasn’t sure if he’d made contact.
I looked around the waiting room, to see the shaking of heads.
“I can’t sit here not doing anything. I’m gonna go look for them.” Bear stood,
“Anyone wanna come?” Justice, Rex and Stoney stood. “Is that okay boss?” Bear
asked looking at me.
It took a minute for me to realise he was talking to me. Shit! With Duke
unconscious it meant that I was running the show. It was one thing to be VP but
to be in charge was a whole different ball game and I wasn’t ready for that
responsibility yet.
I nodded my head as I stood. “That’s fine, just keep me posted.”

I got a coffee from the machine and looked at its weak
colouring. Fuck drinking that shit, it looked like Camel’s piss! I leant
forward resting my head on the machine, closing my eyes to try and gain some
perspective.
What the fuck was I gonna do if he didn’t wake up
?
For
all I knew I could lose Duke, Locke, Tyler and Buster tonight.
W
hat the
fuck would happen to the club then?
“Don’t drink that Diesel, it’s disgusting,” I turned to see Amy with two cups
of coffee from Starbucks. “I’ve brought you this.” She stated kindly as she
passed me the cup.
I took it from her and threw the other drink into the bin. “Thanks Ames, I can
always count on you.”
“Moping around isn’t gonna help though.”
I nodded slightly as I removed the lid. It certainly looked a better colour than
the coffee from the machine.
“Come on, he’s conscious. The nurse said we can see him.”

I hated hospitals. The smell, the gloomy exterior and the
memories places like these held. It brought back thoughts of my dad fighting
for his life which is something I wasn’t prepared to revisit at this moment in
time. Amy reached out and touched my hand gently and I saw the small smile on
her face. It was like she could read my thoughts and her gentle touch reassured
me. We walked into the private room and I noticed the sounds of the monitors
bleeping that sent a shudder down my spine.
“What did the nurse say to you?” I asked as I sat on the chair positioned next
to Duke.
“Because he was unconscious for thirty minutes and can’t remember the cause of
his injuries, they want to keep Duke in for a couple of days to monitor him.”
I started to laugh, “Yeah he’ll love that.” Amy smiled knowing that we would be
hard pushed to keep him here.
Amy sat next to me fidgeting in the chair, I smirked as she amused the life out
of me.  You could always tell if she was lying or had something on her mind
because she couldn’t sit still or make eye contact, something that she’d done
since a child.
“What’s up Ames?”
“Apart from the obvious with Duke nothing, why?”
I raised my eyebrow staring directly at her. “Really? We don’t have secrets Ames.”
“I know, I know. It’s just that…” she let out a loud sigh, “I’ve contacted
Taylor. She’s on her way home.”
“Well that’s a good thing isn’t it?” I asked confused not understanding her
reticence.
I could see her ponder something before she leant over and whispered, “I think
she’s pregnant.”
I let out a low whistle as I took in the information as I slouched in the
uncomfortable chair. “What do you mean think?” I asked rubbing my chin.
“She hasn’t told me she is but when I was on the phone to her earlier in the
week she was sick. She’d been unwell for a couple of days.” Amy must have seen
that I was unconvinced. “She’d been taking antibiotics because on an ear
infection.” I was still none the wiser and could see Amy getting annoyed with
me. “Antibiotics can affect the contraception pill.”
“Why didn’t you just say that? Blokes don’t know about that stuff, we just ask
if they’re on the pill not,
‘are you also taking any form of antibiotics?’
”
I said taking the piss.
She shook her head obviously disgusted with my comment.
“Water!” We both looked at each other and then at Duke.
Shit!
Had he
heard us?
Amy quickly ran to the bedside cabinet to pour Duke a glass of water. She
gently put one hand at the back of his head and lifted it, so he could drink
the liquid from the position he was in.
“Thanks.” He looked around the room. “What are you two doing here?” He asked still
a little groggy.
“We’re not leaving you on your own. Because of the circumstances, one of us
will be with you at all times until this situation is sorted out.”
That was easier said than done. At this moment in time, I didn’t know who was
responsible and why there was a hit out on Duke? It was at this moment that my
phone started to ring.
“I’m gonna take this outside, otherwise I’ll get thrown out.” I smiled briefly
as I stalked out to the corridor and followed a sign for a fire exit. I pushed
on the bar that released the door and stood on the stairs of the fire escape.
“What’s up Bear?” I answered eagerly.
“Don’t panic VP. We’ve caught up with Tyler, Buster and Woods and the meet went
as planned.”
I blew out a huge sigh of relief, “That’s great.”  This was fantastic news and
meant that the club could continue on its quest to becoming legit.
“And Locke?” I asked concerned about his welfare.
“Not as yet. We’re gonna go and look for him now. Any news on Duke?”
“Yeah, he’s fine. They’re gonna keep him in for a couple of days.”
“Yeah, good luck with that!” He stated as we both chuckled. Everyone knew what
an arse Duke was and that it would be near on impossible to keep him in once he
knew he was okay.
“Keep me posted Bear.”
“Yeah, will do.”

Where the fuck was Locke?
When Duke was knocked from
his motorcycle, it was pure instinct for us to all pull over to make sure he
was okay. I remember looking round to see Locke accelerate and take off down
the road following the Jeep. I shook my head, I just hoped he knew what he was
doing and for what side.

Taylor

I was in bed when I received the frantic call from Amy. She’d
informed me that Duke had been run off the road by a vehicle and as a
consequence suffered a minor concussion. Once she’d calmed down, she explained
that his injuries weren’t life threatening, which was a relief but they’d taken
him to Queen’s A&E in Romford.
I had explained that I’d try and get on the next available flight to the UK but
I hadn’t told her that I was already home.
After speaking to Amy on Tuesday night, I had made the decision to come back
home. I’d let myself down by running away from the situation when the going got
tough and had found out very quickly that it didn’t matter where I was in world,
I was still yearning for Duke.
He’d laid his feelings on the line and although I so badly wanted a
relationship with him, I had revoked his advances making it clear that I
couldn’t handle a life in the club through fear of getting hurt. I made out
that it was from fear of being hurt physically from things outside of the clubs
control but who was I kidding, it was from fear of getting my heart broken.
During my time in New York I’d thought about Stoney’s girlfriend and tried to
consider what it may be like to be a civilian. But Duke couldn’t have a
civilian partner, he needed to be supported and have someone that he could
confide in, not someone that wouldn’t pay an interest in his business.
I had contacted Sophia’s husband and he managed to get home early. I’d given it
to him straight, to make him realise that Sophia needed help and support and to
give him his dues, he came straight away to take care of his wife and children.
He explained that Sophia had never expressed that she needed him, she was
always so independent and just got on with things. This was something they
needed to sort out together and learn how to communicate better.
I made it clear that I didn’t mind staying but Sophia insisted that I go home.
Because of this I was able to get the next available flight home late Wednesday
evening which I was now truly thankful for.

I was now sitting in my living room contemplating my next
move. I wasn’t in such a hurry to see him now, knowing that he was on the mend
and in capable hands because the longer I sat here, the longer I could believe
that everything was going to be okay.
I’d rejected him last week and been disrespectful. When I saw him next, he may
even be rude or worse than that, turn me away. I wanted him and I needed him
now more than ever.
I placed my hand lightly on my tummy and rubbed it trying to reassure myself.
Rejection would be hard to deal with if it was just me but it would be
devastating if he rejected the both of us.
“Right Taylor, stop feeling sorry for yourself and get on with it.” I said
aloud as I stood. I took a deep breath and tried to prepare myself for what was
about to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

“Hi Diesel.” I said greeting him outside Duke’s room.
“Well hello stranger.” He stepped forward giving me a light kiss on my cheek.
“How you doing?”
“I’m doing okay. I had a lot to think about.” I said with a tight smile.
“I bet you did.” Diesel stated raising his eyebrows.
What the hell did he
mean by that?
“I thought you wouldn’t be here for a day or two. Amy said
she called you after the accident!” His confusion was evident.
“I was already here. I arrived this morning.”
“So what does that mean?” He asked with a smile on his face.
“I just couldn’t stay away.”
Diesel continued to grin as I walked past him to open the door to Duke’s room.

I felt self-conscious as both Amy and Duke turned and stared
at me.
“What you doing here? I only called you a couple of hours ago.” Amy said as she
jumped out of the chair to give me a hug.
I held her close, “I came back early this morning. I had to take care of some
unfinished business.” I looked over at Duke as he sat in bed assessing me.
Amy smirked, “I’m gonna go and grab some teas and coffees. I’ll see you in a
little while.” She said excitedly as she rushed out of the room.
“That wasn’t obvious much!” I stated as I walked over to sit on the chair next
to Duke.
“That’s our Ames, ever the diplomat.” Duke plumped his pillows so he could sit
comfortably, “So what unfinished business do you have to deal with?”
I sat quietly. I’d gone over this conversation so many times in my head but now
that I was here in front of him, I just didn’t know how to start.
“Us!” I blurted out. I continued to sit, wringing my hands together, still
looking for the right words. “I’ve been thinking over the past week, covering
all types of scenarios but what it comes down to Duke is that the pain of not
having you, is worse than any feelings I may have by being involved with you. I
don’t want to be a civilian, I want to be involved in the club to live and
breathe your world. I want to be there when you’re happy and elated and also
when you’re upset or even depressed.”
He raised his eyebrow at me, understanding what I was saying.
“I want to be with you Duke and I’m hoping you still want to be with me too?” I
could feel the tears prick my eyes as I tried to keep them from falling. He
continued to stare with a brooding expression on his face. I started to feel
that all was lost but slightly hopeful as he hadn’t immediately kicked me out.
“And what about the baby?”
I let out a cry of shock and covered my opened mouth with my hand. I could feel
my tears stream down my cheeks as I contemplated how he knew.
“When were you gonna tell me Ash?”
I still couldn’t read his expression. No, this wasn’t going how I’d planned it
in my head. He was supposed to take me into his embrace, to kiss me and tell me
everything was going to be okay.
“I have the symptoms but I still don’t know for sure. I haven’t taken the test
yet, I was too scared.”
“Is this why you’re back Ash?”
“I don’t understand, what do you mean?” The tears continued to stream down my
face.
“Have you come back because you’re pregnant?” he asked sternly.
I could feel the panic rise up in my body and my breathing started to become laboured.
I was losing him, I could feel it. “No! I came back because I love you!” I
shrieked as I jumped to my feet.

Duke leaned forward and opened his arms wide encouraging me
to go into his embrace. I didn’t need to be asked twice. I went willingly into
his arms and continued to cry in the crook of his neck. He rubbed my back and
took stray strands of hair out of the path of my tears, comforting me as I
became a blubbering mess but I didn’t care, this is what I wanted, this was
home right here in his arms.
I don’t know how long we sat there but I had the urge to use the toilet. I
pulled away from Duke, “I need to go to the bathroom.”
“Have you got the test with you?” He said almost hopeful. I nodded my head
slowly as I frowned. “Do the test now Ash and we can find out for sure.”
I took a deep breath before pushing off the bed, collecting my handbag from the
chair and turned back to look at Duke anxiously.
“It’s gonna be okay Ash. Please do the test.”

I walked into the bathroom and locked the door behind me,
resting my back against the cold bathroom door as I slowly prepared myself. I
had a combination of feelings bubbling around inside me, apprehension even
excitement sprang to mind. Once this test was taken there was no going back.
Was
I prepared for what was to come?

I walked back into Duke’s room holding the pregnancy test that
was firmly wrapped in tissue. I couldn’t face it alone, I had to be with him
when I found out the results.
“Well?” He said excitedly as he sat upright.
“I couldn’t look, I wanted to be with you when I found out.” I stated still
full of apprehension.
“Come here Ash.” I walked over and sat perched on the edge of the bed next to
him. He grabbed my hand and placed a kiss on my palm, “We’ll work it out either
way.”
He grabbed for my other hand which contained the pregnancy test and quickly
turned it over to see the two dark blue lines.
“What does that mean Ash?” He asked looking at me confused.
“It means you’re going to be a daddy.”