“If any of your brothers are roaming the halls, I am sure the nurses might be a little distracted and I was supposed to push the call button when I wanted to eat, or I needed pain medication. The antibiotics are in this drip and the doctor wanted me to rest a lot today.” I look at the thing I was pushing along with Micah earlier. “I won’t marry you. I don’t believe in marriage and I don’t know if I ever gave it serious thought. I’m not the normal girl that thought about having a yard full of children and being married to prince charming. There are no mister-perfects, there are only flawed men doing the best they can to get through life and that is alright because I am just a flawed woman doing the exact same thing. I’m willing to be your ol’ lady but that is about as permanent as I want. Things in life can take a nose-dive and having to go through a court to get my freedom isn’t something I am interested in doing. All those times you were looking at me like I wanted to tie you down and make you put a ring on it, you couldn’t have been further from the truth. I just wanted you to commit to be with just me and me with you, as long as it could last and be good for the both of us.” I always thought Micah was lying to me when she used to say things like this, but I guess I should have taken her more seriously. It makes no difference now.

  “We’ll take it slow, like I said one day at a time, and I will make you want that ring because you deserve it. Never shortchange yourself. You deserve the whole package and I want that with you and I very seldom don’t get what I want. I will get us there.” Micah is shaking her head but our discussion for the day is over. Enough of the heavy, it’s time for Micah to rest. I pull out my phone and text Shield and get a quick response that he is on it and that Rye and Deb are waiting to come in and they brought Micah some food from the cafeteria. Perfect. I walk to the door and open it and I see Rye and Deb making their way up the hall. It looks like they could feed two or three people with the food they have. I walk back over to Micah’s bed, and I get a glare from Deb, but Rye just sits down in the chair he was in earlier. Micah sees the glares I am getting and scoots over to the very edge of the bar on the other side.

  “Sarge sit down and eat something with me,” Micah tells me and then looks at her aunt. “Aunt Deb cool your jets. Everything is going to be alright. Mason asked me to be his ol’ lady and I agreed. He’s family so get used to it.”

  “Why aren’t you considering marriage? Isn’t that what happens when you are having babies?” I start to say something, but Micah’s eyes cut to me and I know it’s better to let her handle it.

  “Have you ever once heard me say anything about marriage to anyone? I’m not Maddie, I don’t want the whole marriage thing. It’s the governments way of putting more restrictions on our freedoms. Why can’t a man and woman come to an understanding of how their lives are going to go without the need of a piece of paper to reinforce it and that will just take hundreds of dollars in court cost and lawyers to get out of it if one of you decides to leave. I have better things to do with my time and money, so just let it be. I want it our way.” Micah is exhausting herself, so it’s time to shut it down.

  “Deb, Micah is my woman and I won’t have interference with our lives from anyone. I told Micah I wanted to get married before the baby was born so she could have time to get used to the idea. I will win her over because she is my woman, and this is my child.” I look at Micah. “Eat woman so we can call the nurse and get you some more meds. Every time you move you wince. The doctor said you needed rest and that is what you are getting. The rest we can talk about another day,” I tell everyone in the room. Deb picks something out for Micah to eat and hands it to her. Micah starts eating. It looks like one of those wraps that Micah likes to eat.

  “You stick to your guns girl. If you don’t want the preacher and chapel, then don’t have one. No one can make that decision for you.” Rye speaks up and Deb and I both glare at him and that leaves us all silent.

  20

  Shadow People…

  “Why are we meeting in such a public place? I thought the secrecy that we have put into position was only known to a few. I have seen some of the biker gang following the men we have put into place and that woman you have me watching is as stupid as a bag of rocks. This place is not discreet.” I show my displeasure.

  “Don’t speak Russian and not one person will even look at us. They will think we are two friends or business associates having a drink at a bar. Was the distraction put into place? Does this biker gang want blood now?” I nod my head. “Good, lead the gang to the two groups and do not interfere with whatever punishment these thugs give them. Be sure the woman, Lore knows the names Petrov and Missile before they have her. The gang should dispose of the lowlife we have had to work with for the last few months so our hands can’t be tied to it. Then lay low for the next instructions. We are baiting both Missile and Petrov out of hiding so we can clean up loose ends and then we will take over Petrov’s territory here and at home. It will be decided who gets to live and die for the others involved. We will only leave people we can use in the future alive. Get ready for the bloodbath. Get it done and I will be in touch.” The man stands and looks back at me. “Atticus don’t screw this up or the bath will start with you.” I knew I would regret this job but when you are bound by blood that’s all that matters in the bratva.

  21

  Micah…

  The last week has been filled with a lot of tension. I know it’s not every week that I get manhandled by a crazy man, then shot by some unknown, and now Mason has moved in with me. He moved in the house the day I was released from the hospital, but we had our first fight when I told him that he would be taking another bedroom. I was determined to not fall for his sexy bedroom eyes or his sideways smile that has always made me feel butterflies in my belly. I was not going to be tempted by his washboard abs and that tight ass. I know it would take no time for us to be naked and doing the deed if he was in my bed. His smell mesmerizes me without any help. Just thinking about it makes me feel the wetness in my panties. He moved into Maddie’s room, but it only took a whole hour after he was in there for him to barge into my room and lay down his law that I was his woman and he was sleeping with me. It didn’t help I laughed at him. He had worked himself up by brooding in the other room and if he had pounded himself in the chest it would have made the scene perfect. I laughed so hard I almost peed myself. I called him biker caveman and it fit. Mason did nothing but hold me the entire night. I wanted more but Mason said no, we needed to wait until I was sure. That made me love him a little bit more. Testosterone was running high in our house that night.

  A few hours before, Rye had put his foot down with Aunt Deb and I thought they were going to throw down right in front of us. It’s the first time I had been witness to the two arguing. Aunt Deb said they weren’t fighting but were having a loud negotiation, of course Rye said no, he was laying down his law. Aunt Deb’s eyes went huge. It was comical, and Mason and I laughed our asses off in a quiet way. When I figured out what they were arguing about I didn’t laugh anymore. Rye had some business he had to be in Oklahoma for. It was only going to take a couple of days and Aunt Deb didn’t want to leave me. I was getting ready to open my mouth, but Mason shook his head. I kept quiet and hoped it didn’t get too bad, those two people were both stubborn and I thought it was going to be bad when Rye threw out an ultimatum. I can still remember his words, “Deb, you made your choice the night you let me in your house and then invited me into your bed. I am your man and you are my lady, end of story. You can get on my bike willingly or hog-tied, your choice.” I just knew that Aunt Deb was going to throw Rye out. I had to stop this, but Mason beats me to it.

  “I don’t interfere in people’s private affairs but Deb, Micah is mine now, and I won’t leave her unprotected. I take care of what’s mine. The only thing you will do here is smother Micah and she will be out of this house before she should be. You do what you want, but Micah is covered, and this is me butting out now.” Mason keeps his words short and we would have been away from this conversation, but it was happening in my room. Aunt Deb came across the room and kissed me on the head and her and Rye left the room. I was worried until Mason went and brought me some food and there was a letter that had been left on the table. Aunt Deb had gone with Rye and they were going to be gone for a couple of days and that had left Mason and me here by ourselves, until last night when they returned. That was a fast trip, but Aunt Deb seems happy. The door opens and Mason walks into my office and brings me out of my thoughts.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be resting for three more days?” I knew this was coming. Mason has been the one smothering me. “I step outside to take some calls and come back, and you weren’t in bed. Don’t worry me woman. I know you are going stir crazy but it’s just a few more days.”

  “Did making those calls wear you out?” I ask with a straight face.

  “No, but I wasn’t shot twice, and I am not carrying a child, our child,” Mason answers me. Aunt Deb and Rye walk in the room.

  “Mason, I am fine. I am going to make some phone calls and take care of some invoices. Nothing that will hurt me or our child. When I get hungry, I will go in the kitchen and eat. When I get tired, I will go to our room and rest. I am taking my antibiotics and staying away from caffeine just like the doctor said. I am also making my appointment with an OB/GYN so I can get the vitamins I need and hear the heartbeat if possible. All this isn’t a negotiation, it is what I am going to do, and you are going to understand and know that I won’t do anything bad for the baby or me.” I want Mason to trust that I can do this.

  “I know you will take care of the baby. The taking care of you part is debatable. You say this is not a negotiation, well darlin’, everything is a negotiation. I have been told I give out-of-this-world foot massages and back rubs, and I happen to know that you love both and pay good money to get them done. I knew today was going to be the day you were going to need out of the room. It’s all I could do to keep you there yesterday with all the damn girlie movies we watched together. Darlin’, I don’t watch girlie shows even if the girls kick ass but that was the compromise that kept you there.” I almost laugh at that. I hated the movies we watched and slept through most of them. I went in Maddie’s room and borrowed some of her movies. I am more of an action or horror movie watcher and Maddie likes the movies with romance or romance and comedy in them. It was worth staying in my room to make Mason watch those movies. He volunteered to get us lunch and dinner, pop some popcorn, and then later get dessert. “I believe you can handle everything you said in small doses so I am offering both a foot and back rub, if you agree to make your phone calls, eat the lunch I make and take a nap. When you wake up you can do the invoices while I make dinner. I thought I would grill us some chicken with corn on the cob, baked potatoes and a fresh garden salad. After we eat and I clean up, then you can take a warm bubble bath and I will reward you with a relaxed body with more pampering so you can sleep tonight. I’ll even watch a movie with you, but it’s going to be an action movie.” Aunt Deb laughs at that one and Mason looks at her as she is whispering in Rye’s ear and a big smile appears on his face. Mason phone buzzes and he looks at it. “Darlin’, I need to take this call. I’m just going to step outside.” I watch as Mason leaves the room. Aunt Deb walks over by me and rest her arm across the back of my shoulder and neck.

  “Why did you make Mason watch Maddie’s movies. You know you have never watched a romance movie that Maddie or I didn’t twist your arm to watch. What gives?”

  “I wanted to work a little yesterday or at least get out of my room for more than a meal, but I didn’t want to argue with Mason, life is too short for that. If I was going to be miserable in my room then he was too, argument avoided and neither of us got what we wanted, perfect compromise and no arguing. When Mason finds out I hate romance movies then he’ll get it. My point is made without a voice being raised or any bad feelings. I feel like a damn adult now.” Rye laughs his head off.

  “I told you Deb; Micah is going to make a great ol’ lady just like you. She busted the boy’s balls and he doesn’t even know it. That is priceless.” Aunt Deb laughs along with Rye.

  “It wasn’t supposed to be mean. It was to prove a point without being a bitch and having a big blow up about it. It was in private and no biggie. If you didn’t know my movie preferences, then no one would ever know about it. I didn’t bring it up, Mason did. I want this thing to work with Mason, but on both our terms. I know Mason will have a lot more say on certain things in different areas of our lives, but I still want input without stomping my foot and giving Mason hell.” I know Aunt Deb understands what I am not putting into words because I don’t know the words, I only know what’s in my heart. No man worth his salt needs to be put in kickers. I don’t want it and I wouldn’t respect Mason if he accepted it.

  “Like I said Deb, ol’ lady material,” Rye says.

  “I guess you’re right. Micah seems to have it under control, and I can quit worrying,” Aunt Deb says reluctantly.

  “Aunt Deb it may take me a few extra weeks to get this ranch where I can run it by myself but soon, I want you to go have your life. Enjoy your man and build you both a place in this world where you can be happy. You have done more than anyone can expect on this ranch. When Maddie and I were growing up we may not have had a dad, but we had two very strong beautiful moms and we were very lucky you had two very unique ways of looking at life, so we got the best of both worlds.” Aunt Deb leans down and hugs me, and I hug her the best I can. Aunt Deb steps back and I see the tears that have slipped out of her eyes slide down her cheeks and that is when Mason decides to walk back in the door.

  “I’m gone less than half an hour and one of you is crying and the other looks like she wants to.” Mason tries to make light of the situation. “What did you do this time old man?”

  “I was telling Deb that Micah is made to be an ol’ lady since she busted your balls yesterday and you don’t even know it and then Micah went and got my woman crying by being sweet and shit. These two go from being badass to weeping willows at a drop of the hat these days,” Rye blurts out.

  “Not that it is your business old man, but I knew my balls were being busted. I just gave that play to Micah because she deserved it. She has today and two more days of that shit and then it’s back to reality. Do you not think I know what kind of movies my woman watches and where she has them? I put the last movie in, and it wasn’t no romance movie and I went right to Micah’s movies and picked it out,” Mason explains and he’s right, he did. My heart just melts all over again. This man is making it hard for me to put distance between us. I just want to climb his hot body and do every dirty thing we’ve ever done before all over again. I’m not good at this restraint thing and I am horrible at waiting. I can’t believe the few times Mason was in my room that he noticed where I had my movies stashed. I think he had been with me when I picked a couple movies to take to the clubhouse one night when he wasn’t feeling up to partying with everyone. Mason isn’t sick very often, and it was the one night he let me take care of him. “Rye are you going to be here the rest of the day, tonight and then tomorrow?”

  “I have no plans except to be with my woman. Bourbon and Kat are going to be here later today for a short visit. I forgot to sign a few papers and they are bringing them. They’ll be here a couple of days,” Rye tells us. I like Kat and will be glad to see her.

  “Could you be here to guard the women? We have a lead from the video feed that Micah had on her laptop and we have had some things come up at the clubhouse that need to be handled, now rather than later. I’ll be back as soon as possible and if you need a man I can send over a prospect or two.” Mason looks so torn. He walks over to me and Aunt Deb goes to Rye and they walk out of the room. I stand up and go into Mason’s arms. I want to yell at him that I don’t need a damn babysitter, but I know this is where I am supposed to be understanding. “Darlin’, I thought I wouldn’t need to leave you before you were completely back to normal or as close to it as you can be. I never thought I would be so torn. I know Rye will take care of you and with backup from Bourbon, I shouldn’t worry but I am.” Mason sounds undecided.

  “I’m insulted, do you think I can’t take care of myself. I mean it is hard to protect myself from someone hiding but if I can still shoot my guns then I can shoot a moving target coming after me. I can watch the security cameras from my room. I can lock all the doors and I can put my forty-five under my pillow or my three-eighty or my three fifty-seven. I could bet that there are as many guns in this house as there are in your clubhouse. Both Aunt Deb and I know how to use all the guns and wouldn’t hesitate to do it, plus we have some ranch hands in the bunkhouse by the barn. Do you not trust that?” I am calm and I’m not mad. I think I am more confused.

  “Micah, I am not trying to make you mad. I haven’t had the time to let you know that Henry had something to do with whoever shot at you and he will be one of the people we deal with. Did you know Henry was hired by Stiles and not your mom or your aunt? I also think he had a hand in what happened to your horse at the rodeo arena. Don’t ask me how but we were able to get the security feed from the rodeo arena and Henry was seen handing an envelope of money to the man that was whipping your horse. Then there was the fact no one ever seemed to find anything on the horse that bit yours at the arena. That horse was a private horse that Henry keeps at a ranch close to here and it is his horse, registered and everything. The guy that was supposed to destroy the security feed was busted for drugs before he could erase it. The rodeo association was only concerned with who owned the horse because they were afraid that you would sue for damages. The cops never took it seriously because it’s classified as a civil case so they didn’t confiscate it or even get a copy. I’m sure someone got paid off there. This is club business but since it pertains to the ranch too, I am giving it to you. I want you to be aware of the people that could potentially harm you. Sometimes friends are our worst enemies and I know this is going to touch both you and Deb but Henry and anyone else that betrayed you needs to be dealt with a heavy hand. We need to show them what happens when you betray people who trust you. Henry and your aunt were close and who else better to know where Deb’s skeletons were hidden?” I am shocked, and I never would have believed it from anyone else. “I just need you and our child to be safe while I do this, and then we can go back to living without looking over our shoulders.”