L. Ann Marie (24 page)

"Fuck!  He was in Mandy's shop!  He was one of her first customers yesterday.  Motherfucker."

He hands me a mask and drives.  I watch the road.  Fuckin guy casing her store.  I deep breathe and pay attention.  The lights are on, the first floor is lit but the second isn't.

"Feels wrong."  Tiny says.  I nod.  He passes and comes out to a main road; stopping, he calls Geek telling him what's happening in broken coded sentences.  We go to the next stop. "Geek says we'll come back to this."

I'm good with that; the next stop is another easy pussy.  When I get back, Tiny tells me Geek is picking me up.  I repack my bag and wait for him to stop.  Geek rolls up, no lights.  I hop out, then in with Danny and VP.  "No problems?"

"No.  The guy we're going back for was in Mandy's shop yesterday; one of her first customers."  His head swings around.  Danny's just watching.

"You say anything in the shop about tonight?"

I think.  "Yeah, we'd be having dinner at the Club and we're sleeping there because I'll be in late, so she would need a bag."

"Nothin else?"  He's watching me.

"Told her I'd give her a nice wakeup call cause she wasn't bitchin."  I tell him with a smile.  Danny is laughing on the side of me.

"Not helping me figure it out."  He's not laughing.

"First guy I saw in the yard, too."

He looks at Danny, "You peg anyone?"

"Yeah, my second guy; thought he looked like a guy in the Donut Shop couple weeks back when we were clearing roads."  Fuck, this isn't good.

"Geek, get us to Dunkin on Riverside."  He calls Dave, telling him to drop Rich with us."

We get out.  I pull my black long sleeved shirt off; They're watching me.  "We can't go in there all looking the same."  VP laughs.  He pulls his shirt off; he's got a black tank on.  Danny has a blue tee.  Geek keeps his black long sleeve on.  I'm wearing a threadbare MC tee.  Now we look normal.

Geek sets his laptop up while VP gets coffee for us.  Rich comes in with a white tee.  I laugh when he says VP told him to lose the shirt before walking in.   We sit talking low while Geek and VP talk back and forth.  VP stands up. "Time."

We clear the table and get in the truck.  Rich bitches about the back; I tell him he's the youngest, making Danny laugh.  The youngest always gets the back; I never had siblings but even I know that.

Geek drives while VP tells us the plan.  Rich is dropped first two streets away, then Danny, then me and VP.  We slip in the back and wait.  He nods and I follow to the back wall in between a window and the door.  VP looks in, then backs away and moves to the door.  He has it opened and keys the alarm.  How the fuck he got that is anyone's guess.  He signs for me to go right so I do.  A TV is on to the left; I keep moving and clear the rooms on the right. 

Moving back toward VP, I see movement and lift my gun.   It's BS from Baxter's.  What the fuck?  I make a click sound and he swings around with his gun aimed at me.  He recognizes me and lowers his gun.  I sign 'what the fuck'.  He doesn't understand.  They should really learn sign language.  I whisper, “What the fuck?”  He says emergency Security job.  Fuck.  I move into the living room.  VP is behind the pussy; he looks over at me.  I sign BS in the house.

He steps back and looks over my shoulder.  "What the fuck?"  He says out loud.

The pussy swings around.  "I paid for the best in fuckin security and they still got in my fuckin house.”

VP punches him in the mouth.  "Sit, shut the fuck up."  He looks at the BS guy.  "Call Jamie, get someone here now."  BS steps away.

Danny and Rich come in, Danny sits on the couch.  "Glad you waited, Brother.  This would have ended badly."  He's so calm and sounds friendly; I smile.

The pussy whines something and VP hits him again.  "Rich, get me somethin to keep him quiet."  Rich checks his pockets and pulls out a flattened roll of Duct tape.  I should pack duct tape too; it comes in handy.  VP throws him chin and tapes the guy’s mouth shut going all the way around his head.  That's going to fuckin hurt coming off.  Two BS come in.  VP looks at them.  "You new?"  The guy I recognize says he's been on for a year; the other guy, a few months.  "Four got in, didn’t change the alarm code.  Need more trainin, for you get dead."

The new guy is pissed.  "Who the fuck are you?  We work for Baxter's they trained us."  He says this like we should be impressed.

His buddy elbows him.  "He's fuckin Knight; if he says we need training you get more fuckin training."  He's not looking at us.

I sit by Danny and change the channel to ESPN.  We see headlights move across the ceiling.  "See if it's the boss."  VP tells the new guy.

Kevin comes in with new guy trailing.  "Funny meeting you here."  He's smiling at us.  "Knight, what's going on?"

"Four got in, didn't reset the alarm; didn't know we were here.  Was a foot away from handin him his last breath." 

Keven looks pissed.  "I'll deal with that.  Why are you here?"

"Ops.  Guy had planned hit on kids and women at soccer game Saturday."  The pussy is moving around making noise.  VP hits him.  "Was your plan, right?"  The guy is fuckin scared he nods once.  Kevin shoots him in the head.

Danny laughs.  "I didn't see that coming."

"He called for emergency security, said he had a threat from a gang and it was supposed to go down tonight."  Kevin tells VP.

He looks at his guys.  "Get back to the compound; tell Beau you need training before you go out again."  They ‘yes sir’ him and take off.

I get up and start looking for anything that would link him to us.  How did he know we'd be here tonight?  Danny and Rich do the same.  Geek comes in and plays with the computer.  I find paper with Brad's name on it and pull it.  He has an accountant’s record book and I take that too.  Looking through the papers in it, he was going to cross the Bosses; fuckin guy was going to die anyway.  I put the papers back and look for more.  Pictures are all I come up with.  I bring my pile to the table where Geek and Kevin are.

"He had pictures of the kids mostly Taylor but yours too, Kevin."  I put the book down.  "Looks like he was going to cross the Bosses too."

VP takes the book and looks through.  "Stupid fuck."

"VP, the shop was bugged.  He's got Bob telling Amanda about dinner and sleeping at the club; he says he'll be late.  There's got to be more, he didn't give enough to get us coming for him tonight.  This one was marked though."  Geek says looking at VP.

Rich and Danny come in they don't have anything to add.

"Got to be more bugs.  Take the computers and his phone."  VP looks at us.  "Everyone ok?"

We nod.  "Good.  Pres is gonna push isolation.  He worries."

Danny smiles.  "I'll talk to him."

Kevin watches us.  "How many did you hit?"

"Enough."  VP says.

"Fuck.  My guys really didn't know you were here?"  He asks.

"I clicked to let him know when I recognized him.  I was standing behind him."  I tell him.

"Jamie's going to be pissed."  He stands.  "I'll get cleanup to wipe it down."  VP lifts his hands, showing him the gloves.  Kevin laughs. "I know you're good, it's for my guys; who knows what they did and didn't do.  Four guys came in."  He shakes his head and walks out pulling his phone.

Rich helps Geek with the computers.  I take the book, paper and pictures.  Danny provides comic relief on our way back.  By the time we hit the Club, we're all laughing.  Pres walks out to meet us frowning.

"We're good."  Danny says walking by him.  We all laugh.  I guess he explained it.  We get in the meeting room and Geek explains what happened and the new information.  He tells us we can use the rooms.  Danny says we're good again and walks out.  I follow him, hearing Rich laugh.

Two months

Amanda

My guy needs a break.  Thank God!  I need to pee again.  I think of Tess; Zeke was born a few days ago, she’s a lucky bitch and I told her so.  ‘Twenty seven more days of this’ I keep thinking; I tell Bob the countdown every day.  He just smiles at me.  He said he's going to miss my belly because it's 'sexy as fuck'.  That's only because he doesn't have to carry it around.  Peeing every five damn minutes doesn't feel sexy.  I come back to my station and sit before my guy gets back.

I hear yelling outside and a scuffle at the door.  What the hell?  I hold my stomach and move to the door fast.  "You bitch!  Where is she?"  The Prospect stands in front of me.  The fuckin guy shoots him.

"What the fuck is wrong with you!  You’re damn lucky you got his arm!"  I yell at him.

"Where's Nina and my daughter?"  He's yelling from the doorway.

Kellan stands in front of me.  I think that's nice but this guy just shot the Prospect. "Buddy, she's fuckin eight months pregnant with twins.  She isn't going to hurt you; put the gun away."

I see Security pull up in front of the parlor.  Bob gets out with his gun drawn.  The guy shoots then Bob does.  Kellan falls back, knocking me to the floor with him.  Everyone is yelling.  I'm just trying to get Kellan off me; he's fuckin heavy!  He moves and Bob bends down to me.  "How you doing, babe?"

"He was crushing me, thanks."  He nods and pulls me to sitting.  I get a stab of pain and suck in a breath.  "I think I need to go to the hospital."  I get another sharp pain.  "Yep.  I need to go now."  I look at what he's looking at; I have blood staining my skirt.  He's already on his phone with Doc.  He puts his phone in his pocket and lifts me up; looking at Jax, he tells him to drive.

"Doc's calling the hospital."  He tells me.  He's so fuckin calm and I'm scared.  I ask about Kellan.  "He got it in the shoulder."  He doesn't say any more and I don't ask.  I'm scared and keep getting the sharp pains.  I feel a gush and look up at him; since I'm sitting in his lap I know he felt that.  "It's going to be ok.  We're almost there."  Again that damn calm!  I really want to cry but try to hold it in and lay my head on his chest.  His heart is beating fast, for some reason this makes me feel better.  The truck stops short and Bob opens the door. He carries me in just saying our last name; they point him to a stretcher.  He puts me down and kisses my lips then stands.  "A man was shot and fell on her.  He weighs about two fifty.  She's eight months with twins."

"No twenty seven days.  I keep getting pains."  I tell them as they're wheeling me down a hall.  A pain hits me and I cry out.  Bob grabs my hand; I squeeze and clamp my mouth shut.  Everything is moving fast; I lose Bob's hand and can't see him.  That's when I cry.  A nurse is talking to me but I don't want to see her.  "I know he'll make sure it's ok if he's here.  My babies need to be ok, he'll make sure.  Help me Meely.  Help me get him back."  I feel the shot but keep crying asking for him.

Bob

It's taking too long.  They have her in the OR and there's no way for me to get back there.  I feel numb.  She was bleeding bad; that picture won't leave me.  Danny and Kate show with Ben.  I just keep pacing.  Danny gets me clothes. "Go clean up, Brother.  They'll need you when she comes out."  I throw chin and go in the bathroom; having something to do keeps me from seeing the picture.

When I come out, I know they haven't heard anything by the tense looks on their faces.  I pace.  More people show.  I've been the one showing for people before; I know there's nothing to say.  Thank God they don't try to talk to me. I keep pacing.

A doctor comes out of the doors.  "Tailley?"  I nod stepping forward.  "She's doing fine.  She had tearing..."

I put my hand up.   "The babies?"

She smiles.  "Sorry, they're fine.  She had tearing..."

I put my hand up again.  "I can't do this now; can you tell Danny and can you take me to her?"

She nods. "Who’s Danny?"  She looks back.  "Please follow me.  She'll be moved to maternity."  She says to everyone else.  I just want her to take me to Amanda.

She starts walking and I follow.  We go into a big room with beds along the walls.  I see Amanda and walk to her.  Danny talks to the doctor.  I hold her hand; she's out.  I look around but don't see the babies.  Danny comes to me.  "They're in the nursery.  The doctor thought she'll be calm when she wakes up if she can see you.  She was upset when they put her under but they didn't have time to explain; she was losing a lot of blood."

He's watching for my reaction.  "What do I need to know?"

"They did a hysterectomy.  She can't have anymore. I'm sorry, Brother."  He puts his hand on my shoulder.

"She's fine; the babies are fine?"  He nods.  "It will be ok."

"The doctor warns about depression.  Women feel like they're not complete if they can't have kids."  He's concerned.  I don't know why but I think Mandy will be ok with the twins.  I just nod at him.  "I'm going to meet you upstairs.  She said they'll be moving her in a few minutes.  Are you ok, Brother?"

I look at him.  "Yeah.  Better now."  He nods and goes out the doors.  I walk with the orderly pushing the bed.

They get her settled and leave.  A nurse stays, checking her out.  "I'll bring your babies in."  I thank her.  I move a chair to the bed and hold her hand.  The nurse comes back with another, pushing two baby beds.  I get up and look at my babies.

"They're both fine.  They'll both need to go back under the light but you can keep them in here if you want; we'll be in to check them and your wife regularly.  I need you to check their bands and you need one."  I put my arm out and she clips it on me.

I thank them and pick up my boy.  He's so tiny.  Danny comes in, smiling.  "Looks good on you."  He says picking up my girl.  "She's five eight.  He's five twelve."  I nod.  "Do they have names?"

"Yeah, he's Colton; she's Harley, spelled like the bike.  Don't give me shit; Mandy picked them.  Middle names Robert and Amelia."

"Fuckin good names, Brother."

I look at him to see if he's fuckin with me.  He's smiling, guess not.  I look over at Amanda, she moved her arm.  I sit and hold her hand with Colton on my chest.  "I'm calling him Colt."

He smiles at me.  "I got shit for calling Brenna Bren.  Good luck, Brother."  I smile; she already knows.  She's saving the whole name for when he's in trouble, my girls cool as shit.

She moans and I squeeze her hand.  She opens her eyes and smiles.  "I knew you'd make it ok."  Fuck, I want to kiss her.  Her voice is thick but she's smiling.

"Love you, babe.  This is Colt, Danny has Harley."  I tell her as I stand.  I let her hand go and raise her bed.  She has tears on her face.  "They're both fine.  They need a light but that's it."  I put Colt in her arms and wipe her face.  

Danny hands me Harley.  "I'll give you about twenty minutes; then I'll let them loose."  I throw him chin.  He gives me a look; I know he wants me to tell her, I nod.

As soon as the door closes she asks, "What did I miss?"

Fuck.  Now I'm not so sure she'll be ok with it.  "You had to have a hysterectomy, you were bleeding out."  I watch her face change to confusion.

"No more periods and no more kids?"  She asks.  Fuck, she's doesn't have a mom to talk about this shit with.

"Yeah, babe."  I don't know what else to say.

"Thank God!  I thought that's what that meant."  She looks up at me.  "Sorry, did you want more than two?"  She looks like she's going to cry.

"No, babe, I'm good with two.  You're all healthy; I could have lost you.  What the fuck would I do with two kids and no you?  I wouldn't want to chance that again."

She smiles.  "Tess says we'll do fine with the two."  She yawns.  I put Harley in her bed and take Colt.  "I have to hold her.  She has to know I love her too."  Fuck, she's got tears again.

"You looked tired."  I say as I pick up my little girl and put her on her arm.  I wipe her tears again.

"They're beautiful, aren't they?"  She asks me.

I thought it was just me, "Yeah, they are.  Thank fuck they look like you."

She smiles, then closes her eyes.  I take Harley and sit by her.  Kate sticks her head in and smiles.  Everyone pours in after her.  They're quiet so I don't say anything.  Tiny slaps my arm, making the ‘gimme’ motion.  I hand my girl over, smiling.  Jeremy, Jacob and Christian stand around Amanda.  I smile and throw chin at them.

"I love their names."  Kate says.

"Badass as they get.  We got Blaze and Harley now."  Tiny says, giving Nancy a dirty look.  I laugh.

She rolls her eyes, "He wanted to name her Duke."  Everyone laughs.  I look at Amanda, she doesn't wake up.

"She wouldn't get shit with a name like Duke."  Nancy shushes him.

Kate gives Colt to Pres then bends down to me.  "Did you tell her?"

"Yeah, she didn't get it at first; she doesn't have a mother to tell her about that stuff.  She's good with it.  She was worried that I wanted more."

She nods smiling.  "That's good.  Her hormones will be all over the place until they get her on something.  She'll have to have it until she would normally hit menopause but it will keep her even keeled."

What the fuck does that mean?  "Can you talk to her about that?  I don't even know what you said."

She laughs.  "I will.  It will be ok if she's more worried about your reaction.  If she needs it, I can get her with a counselor."

"Thanks, Kate.  I didn't know how to explain it because I don't understand myself.  I just realized how young she is."  I tell her.  Everyone is talking so I don't feel like a pussy.

"You're only six years older than her Bob.  She'll be fine.  I'll make sure me, Nancy and Jess look out for her.  I didn't know she didn't have support or we would have already been there for her.  Let me know if you have questions or you're worried."  She pats my arm.

"Thanks, Kate.  I will."   I'm so fuckin relieved.  I don't know what she needs but now I can ask without sounding like a pussy.  Christian laughs.  Fuck.  Jeremy climbs on my lap; I give him a hug.  "Thanks, Little Brother."  He puts his head on my shoulder and watches everyone.

Danny puts Colt in his arms.  I support his arm and smile.  He's so gentle; he kisses his head.  I feel the heat right away.  Is something wrong?  Why does he need the heat?  "Jeremy says he's perfect.  He just needs to know he's not alone."  I look at Danny.  What does that mean?  He takes Colt and gives Jeremy Harley.  I get the same heat.  I kiss Jeremy's head; he always looks out for everyone.

Cloud comes in.  "Is she good, Brother?  I just got in or I would have been here."

I smile.  "Perfect.  They're all perfect."  He smiles.

People are leaving and coming in.  When the babies cry, everyone leaves but Kate.  Amanda wakes up right away like it's an alarm clock; I smile.  She smiles at Kate.  "I think they're hungry."

Kate nods, "Do you know how to feed them, Amanda?"

She looks at me, scared.  "We read about it in a book."  She has tears again.  Fuck.

Kate looks at me.  "Can you give us about thirty minutes?"

Fuck yeah.  I nod and kiss Mandy, putting a crying Colton in her arms.  Kate smiles.  I wonder if she knows I can't wait to get the fuck out.  I screw before she can call me back in.  Danny is on his phone at the end of the hall.  I walk his way.  He looks at me and hangs up.  "Kate helping her?"

"Yeah.  She doesn't know how to feed them.  We read the book but she looked scared and they were crying."  I wipe my hand down my face feeling bad that I left.  "I don't know how to help her.  I should have known; she doesn't have anyone to ask all these things."

He laughs.  "None of us did, relax Bob.  Kate's got her.  Nancy gave Kate studs that will be easy to take out for feedings.  Tess had twins so she can help with questions.  Let the old ladies handle the old lady shit.  The Brothers will have your back.  We always do."

That throws relief.  I blow out a breath.  "Yeah.  Always."

"You got beautiful kids, Bob.  They won't cry unless you're late with a feeding; they'll be alert right away but won't make much noise.  They need to be together to sleep or they'll fuss until they are."  He's looking at me while I'm thinking, ‘oh fuck’.  "Jeremy said they belong."

I lean against the wall.  Oh fuck.  Mandy doesn't know half the fuckin shit the kids do.  "Can we just leave this for now, maybe ever?"

He laughs; fuckin laughing now isn't fuckin cool.  "Yeah, Brother, just make sure they eat every four hours."  I nod; I can do that.  We can start small.  "Let's take a walk; I need a drink and some fuckin food."  I laugh.  Fuckin Danny and his starving.

We meet Rich downstairs; he's running through the door and Danny whistles stopping him.  He shakes his head and follows us to the cafeteria.  "Dad, you got a fuckin problem with food.  Get a fuckin physical or something."

Danny looks at him.  "I don't have a fuckin problem with food; I have a problem with fuckin shit going down before I have a chance to eat.  I haven't eaten since last night.  I missed breakfast because of a meeting you called last minute and lunch because of a fuckin shooting.  I need you to schedule around my fuckin meals."  I laugh.  He's right, shit always happens that way.  He looks at me.  "Did you have breakfast?"  I nod, still laughing.  "Fuckin Brothers."  He's pissed, making me want to laugh more.