Sanctuary (Freaks MC Book 2) (27 page)

“Hey, baby girl. Ready to go?”

Emma turned, grabbed the front of his stupid fucking shirt and kissed him. “Pretty much. Can we pick up some food on the way back? I'm starving.”

“Sure. You need to keep your strength up. When we get home, I'm going to fuck you unconscious.”

~ oOo ~

She wasn't going to cry. Emma pressed her lips against Luke's black curls and squeezed her eyes closed. If she repeated this mantra enough, maybe it would work.

Beth gently took the baby from her and smiled. “We're just a phone call away.”

“I know. I've just gotten used to having you around, I guess.”

“
And I you.” She laughed. “But just think of all those cheap Californian vacations you are going to have.”

It was good to see Beth back to her old self. The sickness and tiredness seemed to have finally abated, and she insisted she was fully on board with this move. Emma wasn't sure whether this was entirely true, but she did understand that it could be good for the whole family. She looked around. “Where's Tiny?”

“He said he had some errands to run. He needs to get back soon, though. We need to get to the airport, and he's not picking up his cell.”

“
You want me to go look for him?” Deke looked up from the book he was reading to Abi.

“
I'm sure he'll be back soon.” Beth didn't sound convinced.

“
I'll go.” Emma held out her hand for the truck keys – they would be taking the girls back with them - “It can't be that hard to find that noisy ass bike of his.”

She'd had a pretty good idea where she'd find him, and his big bike outside the cemetery gates confirmed her suspicions.

“
Hey, little one.” He shuffled along the bench to make room for her. “Beth getting anxious?”

“
A little.” She leaned against him. “What's up, Tiny?”

He shrugged. “Just saying my goodbyes to my kid. Stupid, huh?”

“
No, not at all.” She slipped her hand into his. “You want me to take care of her when I'm in town?”

Tiny nodded and swallowed hard. “It never goes away, y'know.”

“I know.”

For a while they sat in silence. Emma didn't know what had happened to the girl Tiny had called his own, but she did know that when this big man gave his heart, he gave it absolutely, and that he felt her loss as acutely now as the day she died. She squeezed his hand. “We should get back, or you're going to miss your plane.”

“Okay. Gimme a minute.”

She kissed his cheek. “Sure. I'll see you back at the house.”

As she stood, he looked up. “How did you know where to find me?”

“
You're a Freak, Tiny. Freaks love hard and they love forever. Where else would you be?”

He grinned. “Witch.”

~ oOo ~

Nothing would ever beat riding with his girl behind him. But cruising along in the old truck with the windows wound down and his free arm around her as she snuggled against his chest came pretty damned close. He was so proud of her. She'd held it together as they'd loaded the bikes and cars onto the flatbed and even as they'd sent their friends off at the airport. It was only when they'd driven away that the tears began to fall.

Now though, she was calm. He knew she was going to miss their friends – they both would – but his little witch wasn't one to brood. He grinned as her hand slithered under his wife-beater. “If you don't keep your hands to yourself, girl, I'm gonna crash this truck an' there'll be chickens all over the road.”

She sighed. “I'm just snuggling. I am kinda sad, you know.”

“Well you'll be kinda dead if I wreck this truck, so behave.”

“
Boring.”

“
Sensible.”

“
Same thing.” She didn't remove her hand, but she did stop playing with his nipple. “If you don't want me touching you, stop being so fucking hot.”

“
Would be like trying to stop the tide, baby girl.”

She laughed. “Hot and modest. Guess I lucked out.”

~ oOo ~

Samson followed his brothers into church and took his seat at Bugs' left hand. Opposite him, Spike took the seat that had been reserved for Tiny. While he liked the new SAA well enough and knew his loyalty was without question, he had always felt his impulsive nature could be a liability. Next to Spike was Hogan, the club secretary. At past seventy, his days at the table were probably numbered – he was still putting in the minimum requisite miles, but was cutting out of many of the non-mandatory runs – and these days spent more time sleeping than partying. Wolf – the former President – was another in his seventies. He was still as hard as nails, but there could be no doubt he was slowing down. The younger officers – Will, Jase, Eddie and Sid – were all nearing fifty. Hell, even the four newest patches, who everyone called 'The Kids,' were nearly thirty. He knew Bugs was keen to recruit some young blood, and he had to agree. If they didn't, the chapter was going to die.

Suddenly aware that he was being addressed, he looked over to his President. “Sorry, boss?”

“
I was asking what you thought about young Rex.”

Samson shrugged. “Don't think much, to be honest. Takes good care of his bikes and rides well, but ain't sure he's got what it takes to prospect. Kid nearly pissed his pants in the ring the other night.”

“Reckon you could whip him into shape?”

“
Me? Nah, man. I ain't sponsored no one since the twins. Spike is the one who thinks he shows promise, it should be him.”

“
Spike breaks prospects. We want him to get his top rocker, not run home to momma after a month.”

Spike laughed. “Gotta weed out the weaklings, boss.”

Samson sighed. He was well aware of Spike's reputation with prospects. “You really think he's got what it takes?”

“
Dunno, bro. But he wants to prospect, and he's real smart. You wan' him?”

“
Fuck it. Why the hell not.”

“
Good man. Now on to other business...”

~ oOo ~

“Deke told you to come, didn't he?” Emma led Felix into her kitchen. “Coffee?”

“
Tequila.” He put the large cardboard box he'd been carrying onto the table and pushed the dog away. “He may have mentioned that you might be a little down. And I thought as he was away for the night, I'd come and keep you company.”

“
I don't need babysitting. I've managed on my own up until now.” She eyed the box. “What's that?”

“
I got you a present.” He opened it and lifted out two tiny kittens.

“
Oh no. Felix. I don't do cats. You're going to have to take them back.”

“
Sorry, I can't do that. James is allergic.”

“
Well, I can't take them. Deke will flip.”

“
Deke will love them.” He kissed their fuzzy heads. “Tell me they're not the most adorable things you've ever seen.”

“
I don't care how cute they are. This isn't an animal sanctuary.”

He put them on the floor in front of Genghis. “You want to keep them, don't you boy?” The dog whined and backed up as the kittens advanced on him.

“Felix.”

“
I've brought all their stuff, and Deke said...”

“
Deke knows about this?”

“
He said you'd be cool and that they'd fix your mouse problem.”

“
We don't have a mouse problem. There was one mouse. Once.” Genghis was now completely backed into a corner and looking at her pleadingly. “And they're scaring the dog.”

“
Fine. I'll take them to the pound in the morning. Hopefully they won’t be put to sleep.”

“
I take it you're staying the night.”

“
Yep. I have Dirty Dancing and a big bag of weed. You and me are going to get wasted.”

“
I'm not supposed to be smoking.”

“
Oh listen to yourself, Miss Negativity. You're not knocked up yet. And Deke will never know.”

~ oOo ~

“What's his problem?” Deke pushed the whining dog off him and straightened up with a wince.

“
That.” Emma scowled and pointed to the two tiny balls of fluff curled up tightly in the center of his bed. “Your big, badass dog is terrified of them.” She frowned as he walked stiffly to the table, and pulled a pot of something from the cupboard. “Come on, let me rub some of this onto your back before you seize up completely.”

“
Does this massage come with a happy ending?”

“
I doubt it. You'll be lucky if you get a happy ending ever again. I don't like being railroaded, Deke.”

“
Aw, come on, baby girl. No one's railroading you. They needed a home and we got plenty of space.”

“
If they crap all over the floor you're cleaning it up.”

“
Does this mean we're keeping them?” He grinned and followed her into the bedroom.

“
I guess.” She stood back with a smirk as he undressed. “But this is the last time. You don't get animals on a whim, Deke. It's a big responsibility.”

Suitably chastised, he lay face down on the bed as she worked her magic. Slowly, under her fingers, his sore muscles began to ease. “Emma, baby. I think you need to concentrate on other parts of my body now.” He rolled over and grinned. “You know you want to.”

“If I concentrate on that,” she pointed at his throbbing cock, “with this stuff on my hands, you will squeal like a girl.”

He grabbed her wrists and pulled her down onto the bed. “First off, I never squeal like a girl.” He tied them loosely – she freaked if she was tied too tightly – to the bedstead with the silk scarves that hung there for that very reason. “And secondly, I can fix that.”

His hot little witch grinned and squirmed underneath him. “Still reckon I can make you squeal though.”

She very nearly did.

~ oOo ~

Who'd have thought it? Her big bad biker was a cat person. Emma had to admit that Deke dozing in front of the TV with the kittens fast asleep on his chest and Genghis stretched out on the sofa next to him, his head resting on his lap, was the hottest thing ever. Quietly, so as not to disturb them, she pulled a sketch pad from the bookshelf and began to draw.

He opened one eye and gave a lazy half smile. “Girls locked up for the night?”

“
Yep. And the goat.” She smiled. “I was hoping for a cuddle, but it looks like the kids got there first.”

With his forefinger, he rubbed the smallest under her chin. “Cute little fuckers, ain't they?”

“They are now. But before you know it, they'll be big and demanding, and well... cats.”

“
My ma had a cat when I was a kid. Vicious one eyed tomcat. But I think when she looked at him, she only ever saw a cute little kitten.”

“
I don't think I've ever heard you talk about your mother before.”

“
Not much to tell.” He shrugged. “She died when I was eight, kinda find it hard to even remember her face.”

“
That's rough. What about your dad?”

“
Dove into a bottle on the day she died an' never climbed out. I'm guessing he must've followed her by now. I took off when I was eighteen an' ain't ever been back. Only family I've had since then is the club. And you.” He closed his eyes again, and Emma knew that was the last he was going to say on the subject.

Laying the pad down, she slid off the chair and settled on the floor, between his thighs. “I guess you're the only family I have, too.” She smiled and closed her eyes as he ran his fingers through her hair. “You're the only family I need.”

TWENTY-FIVE

Emma smiled as she spotted Deke’s bike parked on the driveway. He’d told her not to expect him home until late, but it looked as though they were going to get to spend the evening together after all. Letting herself in through the back door, she dumped the groceries on the table. “Deke?”

“In here.”

She found him in the bedroom stuffing clothes into a bag. “What’s going on?”

Looking up, he swallowed. “Tiny called. It’s Beth.” He swallowed again. “Some fucker ran her off the road.”

“
Oh God. Is she?…. The babies?” She sank onto the bed.

He sat next to her. “She’s pretty banged up, but she’ll be okay. But…” he ran his fingers through his hair. “She’s gone into labor.”

They took her car and shared the driving through the night. Neither spoke much. Emma reached over and touched his knee. “It’ll be okay.”

“Hope so, baby girl. If those kids doesn’t make it…” He left the rest of the sentence unsaid.

“
They’ll make it, Deke.”

They were so tiny. Emma blinked away her tears. A machine was helping them breathe, and there seemed to be wires everywhere. Deke touched her shoulder. “I’m going to check in on Beth.”

“
Okay, I’ll be there in a bit.” She couldn’t tear her eyes away.

“
They’re alive, Emma. Kids have got Taylor blood running through their veins. They’ll be fine.”

The nurse glanced over and nervously approached them. There had been a brief standoff when she’d insisted that only family was allowed. Deke had insisted emphatically that they
were
family, and they were going nowhere, and in the end she’d capitulated. Deke Samson was a very persuasive man. “I know they’re tiny, but there’s every chance they’ll survive.” She smiled. “They’re fighters.”

“
Course they are.” Deke gave Emma‘s shoulder a squeeze. “C’mon, let’s get out of the nurse’s way. Beth should be awake now.”

Apart from a massive bruise that was forming on the side of her face, Beth looked relatively unscathed. She opened her eyes as they walked in. “Have you seen them?”

“Yeah.” He crossed the room and took her hand. “As soon as you’re ready, we’ll take you down so you can say hi.”

“
Okay. Thanks.” She frowned. “Where’s Joe?”

“
He took off, baby girl. Don’t worry, he just needs a moment. You know how he is. Long John’s with him. He’ll be back as soon as he gets his head straight.”

She nodded and looked up at him. “They are going to be okay, aren‘t they?”

“Of course. They’re tiny, and need help with their breathing right now. But they will be just fine. Before you know it they’ll be driving you nuts, just like the others.” He pulled over two chairs, and he and Emma sat down. “How ‘bout you? That’s an impressive shiner you got there.”

“
Some busted ribs and bruising, but I’ll heal.”

“
What happened?” Emma leaned over and poured her a glass of water.

“
Guy ran a red light. I was on my way home. Shit!” She struggled to sit up. “Who’s with the kids?”

“
Gloria’s got them at hers. Everything’s under control.”

She leaned back as the tears started to fall. “I need Joe.”

Deke stood and touched Emma’s shoulder. “Stay here.”

She nodded and took her friend’s hand. “Deke will go get him. How about I go and see about getting you a wheelchair, so you can meet your daughters.”

~ oOo ~

Samson parked the car behind the bikes and walked over to where Long John was sitting smoking a joint. “Where is he?”

“Over there.” Long John pointed to a small park. “Just give him a minute, man. He needs a bit of quiet is all.”

“
Right now I don’t give a shit what he needs.” He crossed the road and marched over to where Tiny was sitting on a bench overlooking a duck pond. “Tiny.” He sat down.

“
I know what you’re gonna say, brother, so save your breath.” Tiny looked out over the pond. “Amy used to love it here. She’d ride around and around on that fucking bike of hers.”

“
You ain’t gonna lose another kid, brother.”

“
You see ‘em? They’re too small. Alice wasn’t breathing, Samson.”

“
Yeah. I’ve seen them, and yeah, they’re small and need help to breathe. But they’ll grow an’ get strong. You need to get back there, Tiny. Beth needs you.”

“
I know. I ain’t gonna run. I just needed a minute.”

“
Well you’ve had your minute, so I suggest you get back to that hospital an’ give your ol’ lady the support she needs. She’s got enough to deal with without worrying where the fuck you might be.”

“
She thinks I’ve bailed?”

“
Can you blame her, given your track record? I love you, brother, but you need to pull your head outta your ass, and be a proper ol’ man.”

Emma slipped her hand into Deke’s as they walked toward the exit, leaving Tiny and Beth gazing at the newest additions to the Taylor clan. “Have I ever told you what an amazing man you are.”

“
Goes without saying, baby girl.” He grinned and kissed her head. “C’mon, if we’re quick we can get a couple of hours sleep before Gloria brings the kids back.”

They couldn't stay long – the new prospect was taking care of the animals, but Emma didn't want to leave them for too long – but they spent a couple of days watching the kids while Tiny and Beth spent most of their time at the hospital.

Deke leaned on the door jamb and watched his girl as she and the kids made cookies. She was so beautiful standing there, a smudge of flour on her cheek.

Their eyes met and she smiled. “Hey.”

“
Hey.” He crossed the space between them and, with his thumb, gently wiped her cheek. “Tiny just called. He’ll be home about six.”

“
How are the twins?”

“
They’re doing real good. With any luck, they’ll have them home for Christmas.” He frowned and looked down at the two tiny, floury handprints on his black wife-beater. “Oh, thanks for that Luke.”

He grinned. “Wanna hug.”

“
Course you do.” He picked him up and kissed his cheek. “You been making cookies for your uncle Samson?”

He frowned and shook his head.

“Not even one?”

He held up one finger. “One.” Reaching down, he grabbed a chocolate chip and popped it into his mouth. “Lub you unc Sam.”

“Love you back, big fella.” He stood him back on the chair and turned to Emma. “I’m gonna go up and pack. We can head off home first thing in the morning.”

She nodded. “They are going to be okay, aren’t they?”

“Sure they are.” He kissed her. “They’ll have all the help they need.”

~ oOo ~

Deke rolled his shoulder. They had been on the road for eight hours and, while it was more comfortable than his bike, the car wasn’t what could be described as luxurious. Emma frowned and touched his arm. “Want to stop for a while?”

“
I’m okay.”

“
I know, but we need to eat and my ass is numb.”

“
There’s a place just up the road, does decent grub. We’ll stop there.” He looked over and smiled. “Wouldn’t want you losing the feeling in that fine ass of yours.”

He watched as she picked at her fries. “You gonna eat those, or just mutilate them?”

“
Sorry. I’m just not hungry, I guess.”

“
Emma.” He reached over and took her hand. “Everything is going to be okay. The kids are going to be just fine and Beth will be back in one piece in no time.”

“
I know.” She sighed. “I just wish we could do more to help.”

He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her fingers. “I know, baby girl. We’ll come back as soon as we can. I know how much you enjoy spending time with the kids, and they love having you there.” She didn’t reply, and he gave her hand a squeeze. “Emma?”

“I’m sorry. I just really miss them is all.”

“
Me too.” He smiled. “How about we book into a motel for the night and work on creating a family of our own?”