Her agonized whimper drew my attention away from my brothers and over to her. She had drawn her legs up and tucked her chin to her knees. Her arms were wrapped tight around her body like she was trying to keep herself together and not lose her shit.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know they were going to do this.”
She didn’t respond. Instead, I watched as her body began trembling on the seat. “Fuck,” I muttered under my breath. Throwing the gearshift into reverse, I started slowly backing away from the crowd. My brothers’ elation quickly turned to confusion and then anger. I could hear the shouts outside the car grow in volume.
Just as I rolled the window down to try to explain, the voice of Kim, the widow of Case, our former president, interrupted me. “Are you all fucking insane? After everything that poor girl has been through, you think mobbing her is a fucking good idea?”
Leave it to Kim to say exactly what was on my mind but what I wouldn’t dare say. Thankfully, the guys got the message and hustled out of the way. Once I backed out, I pulled around the roadhouse and started down the gravel path to my own house, which happened to be across the street from Mama Beth’s.
After I put the car in park and turned off the ignition, I tentatively placed my hand on Annabel’s shoulder. “Hey,” I said softly. She turned her head slowly to look at me. “I’m so sorry about that.”
“It’s okay.”
“No. It’s not. I can tell how freaked out you are.”
She sighed as she eased her legs down. “You’re right that seeing all those men—all those bikers—did a number on me. But you can’t blame yourself, and you can’t blame them. It’s something I have to deal with. They were just happy to see you.”
“While I know Kim has chewed them out by now, I’ll make sure to tell them to give you some breathing room.”
“That’s sweet. Thank you. I really appreciate you letting me come here.”
“You’re welcome.” Motioning to the house through the windshield, I said, “Come on. Let’s get you settled inside.” I opened my door and started to haul ass around the front of the car to Annabel’s side so I could help her, but then my leg reminded me that I’d been shot ten days ago.
Annabel was already out of the car when I reached her. “Rev, you don’t have to be a gentleman every time. I can manage my own door, you know.”
“But I want to.” At her frustrated huff of breath, I added, “Even though I know you’re capable and you’re a strong, independent woman.”
She laughed. “Fine. I guess I’ll be better about you helping me.” She gazed up at the house. “So this is your place?”
Kicking a few gravel pieces with my boot, I replied, “Yeah. It’s not much. I’m sure you’re used to places that are a lot finer.”
“Rev,” Annabel chided softly. When I looked at her, she shook her head at me. With her eyes, she conveyed the message that I shouldn’t be ashamed of what I had. “I like it. It looks very cozy.”
“You may change your mind when you see inside.”
“Are you saying I might be shocked at what a bachelor’s house looks like?”
“A bachelor biker’s is probably even worse.”
“Hmm,” she mused.
“Nathaniel,” Mama Beth called from behind us.
Annabel whirled around and widened her eyes at the sight of my mother. “Hey, Mama,” I said, hurrying down the driveway to her side.
I hugged her tight before pulling away to kiss her cheek. Her bottom lip trembled slightly, and I could tell she was fighting back her tears. “I’ve been so worried.”
“I’m fine.”
She gave a slight shake of her head. “Don’t do that to me again. And don’t ever leave in the middle of the night to do something so very dangerous.” She brought her hand to her chest. “My heart just can’t take it.”
With just a few words, she had the ability to cut me down and make me feel three feet tall. I rubbed her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Mama. I truly am. But you don’t have to worry anymore. I’m home safe and sound.”
“I’m a mother—my worry never ends. Especially when I have three such headstrong sons.”
“If it makes you feel better, I did miss you.”
She chuckled. “You missed me? Or my cooking?”
I appreciated her effort to lighten the heavy mood. With a smile, I replied, “A little of both.”
Mama Beth then turned her attention away from me. Glancing over my shoulder, she said, “Hello there.”
It was then I realized that Annabel had come across the driveway to stand quietly behind me. Taking her arm, I drew her up beside me. “We have company,” I said.
“Hello,” Annabel said softly.
Extending her hand, Mama Beth said, “I’m Elizabeth, Nathaniel’s mother.” Mama Beth gave Annabel a kind smile, but she didn’t make a move to hug her. In her infinite wisdom, she could sense Annabel’s apprehension and was giving her the space she felt she needed.
“I’m Annabel.”
“Won’t you both come to my house? Supper should be ready soon. I decided to cook a little later when you told me you were coming home today.” Before I could say yes or no, Mama Beth frowned. “Or maybe you’d rather rest. I’m sure that was a tiring drive.” Mama Beth was rambling a bit. I had slightly unnerved her by showing up with Annabel. I was sure she would have a million questions for me the moment we were alone.
Before Annabel could answer, Willow came bounding off Mama Beth’s porch with her almost-grown puppy, Walter, yipping after her. “Uncle Rev!” she shrieked.
She dove into my arms the moment she reached me. “Hey, rug rat, you miss me?”
“Mmm-hmm.” She gave me a smacking kiss on the cheek. “You and Uncle B were so mean to leave at the same time Mommy and Daddy did. I’ve only had Grandma Beth and Walter to play with.”
Mama Beth wagged an accusatory finger at Willow. “Now you know that isn’t true. You’ve had Jenny over to play almost every day.”
Jenny was the youngest of Case’s children. With the loss of her father, I was sure she needed the playtime just as much as Willow did.
“But she doesn’t do everything I say like Uncle Rev and Uncle B do.”
I grinned. “So you’ve met your bossy little match in Jenny, huh?”
“I guess so.” Her dark eyes, which were her father’s, peered into mine. “Did you bring me anything?”
I laughed. “Was I supposed to?”
Willow’s lips turned down in a pout. “Mommy and Daddy brought me back some presents from their trip.”
My brows rose in surprise. “Deacon and Alexandra are back?”
Mama Beth nodded. “Got back this afternoon just in time for Alexandra’s doctor’s appointment.”
The word “doctor” got my attention. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, worrywart. Just the usual appointments for pregnant women.”
“Good.”
Placing her hands on my cheeks, Willow turned my face to look at hers. “What about the present?”
“Willow, where are your manners?” Mama Beth chided, but I only chuckled.
“I just might have something for you in my suitcase.”
“Really?” she asked, her eyes lighting up.
“I’ll give it to you after dinner.”
Although she didn’t look too thrilled at the prospect of waiting, Willow managed to nod. Once she got the topic of a present out of the way, her attention was drawn elsewhere, right to Annabel. “Hi,” she said brightly.
“Hello,” Annabel replied with a smile.
Bending over closer to my ear, Willow whispered, “Did you bring home your girlfriend?”
While Annabel’s cheeks tinged pink, I couldn’t help laughing. “You’re a nosy little shit.”
“Well, it’s about time you had a girlfriend,” Willow answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
Now it was Annabel’s turn to laugh. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but your uncle and I are just friends.”
&
nbsp; Willow appeared genuinely let down at the news. “But you might grow to like each other. My mommy and daddy didn’t like each other at first, but then they grew to love each other.”
I shook my head at her. “You’re too much, you know that?”
She giggled. “Daddy says that all the time.”
“Come on. Let’s get inside and get washed up for dinner,” Mama Beth suggested.
I gazed over Willow’s head at Annabel to gauge her reaction to the invitation. When she nodded, I knew she was fine with having dinner with Mama Beth.
I eased Willow down to the ground, and she bounded straight over to Annabel. “What’s your name?”
“It’s Annabel.”
“Does anyone ever call you Belle like in Beauty and the Beast?”
Annabel laughed. “No. Not really.”
“I think that’s what I’ll call you.”
“That’s okay with me.”
At the sight of Willow slipping her hand into Annabel’s, I held my breath that the touch would be okay. While I knew she was still gun-shy about men, I didn’t know how she felt about strangers in general.
But Annabel didn’t shrink away. Instead, she squeezed Willow’s hand tight. The small gesture made my heart swell. Glancing back at us, Willow said, “I’ll show Belle where to wash up.”
“That would be very nice of you.”
“That way you’ll have time to get my present out of the car,” she replied sweetly.
I groaned but obediently nodded my head. As the women disappeared up Mama Beth’s walk, I went back to the car and got out the ballerina alligator. I would worry about our luggage later.
When I got into the house, Willow was chattering incessantly to Annabel about ballet. Annabel was nodding as she tried to keep up with Willow’s fast-paced conversation. As soon as she saw I had returned, Willow abandoned Annabel in midsentence and came galloping over to me. I knew there was not a chance in hell I could wait until after dinner to give her the stuffed animal. So I merely thrust it at her instead. “Here you go, rug rat.”
She grabbed the alligator and squealed with delight. “Ooh, it’s a ballerina just like me.” She then wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me tight. “Thank you, Uncle Rev.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
“All right, it’s time to wash up,” Mama Beth instructed.
“Yes, ma’am,” Willow replied. She once again grabbed Annabel’s hand. “I’ll show you where the bathroom is, Belle.”
“Thank you. I would appreciate that,” Annabel replied.
“And I’ll show you my old room. I get a whole new room at my mommy and daddy’s house.”
After Annabel and Willow disappeared down the hall, I walked over to the sink. As I lathered the soap up to my elbows, I could feel Mama Beth’s eyes boring into my back.
“What is it, Mama?” I questioned without turning around.
“Bishop told me not to be too surprised when you showed up with a girl.”
“Did he?” I held my tongue about saying any more.
“Yes, he did. I’m surprised you didn’t tell me as much when I spoke to you the other day.”
“I figured it could wait. Besides, she was with me when I was talking to you.”
“Is Annabel in some sort of trouble?” she asked. When I threw a glance at her over my shoulder, she pursed her lips at me. “Is that why you brought her here?”
“Yes, she was in trouble.”
“Is she the reason you left?”
“No. She isn’t.” I turned off the water and grabbed a hand towel. I realized then that no one had told her about Breakneck and Sarah. Since I didn’t know how long Willow would keep Annabel occupied, I gave Mama Beth a condensed version of the story.
When I finished speaking, her kind eyes were filled with tears. “I had no idea.”
“It hasn’t been made well known because it’s his story to tell. I’m sure Breakneck will be letting the rest of his brothers know soon.”
Mama Beth chewed her bottom lip like she wanted to say more—it was a trait Bishop had inherited. I was sure I was exasperating her with my short responses.
Finally, she couldn’t keep it in any longer. “She isn’t like us.”
“Excuse me?”
“What I mean is unlike Sarah, Annabel isn’t from an MC family, is she?”
“No, I guess you could say she’s about as far away from us as is humanly possible.”
“Is that why you’re keeping her at arm’s length?”
Tossing the towel back on the counter, I replied, “What is it with all the questions?”
“I watched you two out there. The way you look at her, the way she looks at you. You care about her very deeply.”
“Yes, I do care about her, but it’s not what you think.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I’ve known her less than a week, Mama. And there’s been nothing intimate between us. Not after what she’s been through,” I countered.
Her blue eyes flashed defiantly at me. “And I knew I wanted to marry your father after three days when we hadn’t even kissed. What’s your point?”
I closed my eyes and tried to control my temper. I’d never imagined my mother would think Annabel and I had feelings for each other that ran any deeper than friendship. “Would you listen to yourself? I just walked through the door, and you’re giving me the fifth degree about a girl I barely know and one you’ve just met. A girl who has been through hell and back.”
“You left in the middle of your brother’s wedding reception and told no one where you were going or why. Then when you do show back up, it’s with a strange girl! A beautiful one, I might add, but one who looks two steps above even Alexandra. Considering all that, I think I deserve to give you a little grief.”
“Not when that girl is just down the hall.”
“Then you will tell me everything later?”
I nodded. The truth was, I had so much to tell her, more than she could probably imagine. Once I had told Bishop, I realized I should be honest with Mama Beth and Deacon, and I would do that just as soon as I could get a moment alone with them.
Our conversation was thankfully interrupted by the back door blowing open. “Over my dead body are we naming our son Diesel or Axel,” Alexandra huffed as she stepped into the kitchen.
“Just what the hell is so wrong with those names?”
Alexandra didn’t respond. Instead, she just threw him a death glare. Deacon’s eyes lit up at the sight of me. He crossed the room in two long strides to meet me. “When the hell did you get back?”
“About an hour ago.”
Deacon gave me a tight hug. “Glad you’re home.”
I thumped his back, appreciating his show of emotion. “Thanks. It’s good to be back.”
Once Deacon released me, Alexandra quickly replaced him. When she pulled away, she tenderly kissed my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
I could see the concern for me in her eyes, and I hated that I had been the cause of it. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“It’s okay. Just don’t do it again,” she replied with a smile.
“I’ll do my best.”
She smacked my arm playfully. “You’d better.”
“So what’s this I hear about a boy?” I glanced between her and Deacon. “You two have some news for us?”
Alexandra shook her head. “Not yet. But we did get to see the baby at today’s appointment.” She thrust a grainy black-and-white image in front of my face. Once her hand steadied, I surveyed the picture of my future niece or nephew. My heart swelled with pride at the sight of the new life.
“Looks strong and healthy.”
Beaming with happiness, Alexandra replied, “The doctor said everything looks great. The baby is even measuring a few days ahead of its due date.”
I smiled at her. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“Tell him about the heartbeat,” Deacon urged.
With
a slight roll of her eyes, Alexandra huffed, “Just because the ultrasound technician commented it might be a boy because of the heart rate, Deacon has it in his head it’s one hundred percent a boy.”
Deacon grinned as he placed a hand on Alexandra’s stomach. “I’m telling ya, that’s my son in there.”
Jutting her chin out, Alexandra countered, “It could just as easily be a girl.”
Deacon grunted. “We already have a girl. We need a boy—a son to carry on the Malloy name.”
“You’re impossible,” she muttered.
“But you love me anyway,” he countered. He then wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him.
She grinned up at him. “Yes, I do.”
It was at that moment Willow came into the kitchen leading Annabel by the hand. From Annabel’s lighthearted expression, I could tell she enjoyed being around Willow. That wasn’t surprising to me. Despite all the horrible shit she had been through in life, Willow possessed a carefree nature that was infectious.
At the sight of Annabel, both Deacon’s and Alexandra’s brows rose in surprise. Then they both looked from Annabel over to me.
Swinging Annabel’s arm back and forth, Willow said, “This is my mommy and daddy. This is Belle.”
“Actually, that’s Annabel,” I corrected her.
Both Deacon and Alexandra continued to stare at Annabel and me. Finally, Alexandra shook her head slightly like she was shaking herself awake or out of a stupor. “Hello,” she said as she took a step forward.
She offered her hand to Annabel. After Annabel shook it, Deacon came over. “I’m Rev’s brother, Deacon.”
Annabel smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Deacon’s lips curved in his signature smirk. “I hope it was all good.”
“Yes. It was. Your daughter is delightful. She’s been so sweet to show me around.”
Like the proud father he was, Deacon beamed at Annabel’s praise of Willow. “I see she was showing you her good side.”
“Daddy!” Willow protested with a pout.
He reached over and ruffled her hair affectionately. “Just teasing you.”
“Why don’t we all sit down?” Mama Beth suggested.
“Bishop not coming?” I asked as I steered Annabel over to the table.
“Nah, he’s getting shitfaced up at the roadhouse,” Deacon replied.