Monroe, Marla - The Bikers and the Socialite [The Dirty Dozen 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (14 page)

“Thanks.” She hurried to the bathroom.

Shane listened to be sure she wasn’t sick, then sat up and pulled his boots back on before standing up and stretching. He was a bit stiff from lying in one place for so long. He wouldn’t have traded that time for anything, though.

“What time is it?” Parker walked out of the bathroom combing her hair.

“It’s almost four thirty. Allen is cooking dinner for us. It should be ready soon.”

“Hmm, I think I can smell it. Let me get my shoes on and I’ll be right down.”

“Sit down on the bed, baby. I’ll put them on for you.”

When he’d slipped them on her feet, she stood up and laid her hand against his arm for a brief second, then smiled and walked out the door. His skin burned where she’d touched him. He just stood there for several seconds before following her downstairs. It was easy to follow her laughter into the kitchen.

“Can you believe it? She’s never had catfish,” Allen said.

“That’s a crime, baby. Allen fixes the best grilled fish you’ve ever tasted.” Shane wrapped his arms around Parker from behind.

She didn’t pull away. It was a good sign. Instead, she leaned back against him and used his chest as a resting place for her head.

“I’ve had swordfish and rockfish before. I guess I’ve never noticed it on the menu before.”

“Well, now you will know just how good catfish is.” Allen began to move everything to the table. “Time to eat. Grab a chair.”

Shane reluctantly released her to sit at the table. He held her chair then took one on the other side of her. Allen took the opposite one. They both waited to see what she thought of the grilled fish. Allen seemed to be hanging on by a thread until she smiled and nodded her head.

“It’s very good. Doesn’t really taste like fish at all.”

“Everyone says it tastes like chicken, but it’s flaky and moist.” Allen regaled the benefits of catfish to her while they ate.

By the time they had finished and the kitchen was clean, it was nearly six. Shane noticed that Parker had become more distant and anxious. He looked at Allen and nodded toward her. He quickly figured out what he was trying to say. His buddy was better at relaxing her.

“Baby, how about a shoulder massage while we wait on them to show up? I’ll tell you about some of them.”

“I guess I’m a little nervous.” She relaxed against the couch as he stood behind her and began to rub her tense shoulders.

Shane watched as Allen worked his magic.

“You’ve met Cole and Zack, they’re our leaders. Their wife is a nurse, and her name is Tina. Then there’s Brandy and her men, Kyle and West. You’ll like Brandy, she’s really sweet. Dillon and Gavin are very protective of their wife, Briana, and their twins.”

Shane picked up the list. “Ranger and Drew are married to Carly, and Neal and Mark are married to Alexis. Now she’s interesting. She is this really uptight lady who has only recently learned how to relax. Once they taught her how, she totally embraced it.”

“Tell me about your work. I know you are in construction. When do you work?”

Allen continued to massage her shoulders and neck, so Shane continued talking.

“We just got off a job that was six weeks in Houston. The next one will be in another few weeks. We’re not going until you’re settled and safe, though. So you don’t need to worry about that.”

“I can’t keep you from working. You need to work, I’m sure. I’m fine. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, guys.”

“But you didn’t have a baby to consider, and you didn’t have Michael breathing down your neck. I don’t trust him not to try something. He’s desperate for that money, baby.”

“I just can’t see him as being that much of a danger. A nuisance, yeah, but dangerous? I just don’t see it.”

“Trust me, Parker,” Allen said. “I’ve seen plenty like him. When you get your back to the wall like he has his, you’re willing to do anything to get away.”

“I didn’t realize he was in that big of a need of money. He always seems to have plenty of it.”

“I think he has some business deals that aren’t doing so well. I haven’t really delved that deeply into his finances, but if he keeps bothering you, all bets are off. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, baby.”

A knock at the door signaled an end to their conversation. Shane got up and went to let them in. He introduced Parker to everyone as they slowly filed in. By six fifteen, everyone was accounted for with the exception of the twins. Briana had gotten a babysitter for the night.

“I’m surprised you let someone else take care of them,” Allen teased.

“I thought I was going to have to wrestle Dillon about it. He didn’t like anyone I suggested keep them,” Briana said with a smirk.

“Hey, they deserve the best,” Dillon fussed.

Parker seemed to get along with everyone from the moment they walked in. She was an accomplished hostess and had taken it on herself to make sure everyone was comfortable and had something to drink. Shane was proud of her. Cole had nodded at him that he approved as well.

“Okay, everyone. We need to have a meeting so gather ’round.”

Shane and Allen had brought all the kitchen chairs into the living room. The women sat on the couch and the recliners while the men took the floor and straight-back chairs.

“Everyone has met Parker, Shane and Allen’s, um, friend. We’ve got a potential problem and need everyone’s opinion on what the best course of action would be.” He stuck his hand in his pockets and continued.

“Parker is pregnant, and at this time, they don’t want to get married. The problem is Parker is from a high-profile family, Montgomery Oil. Her pregnancy will be a media mess with speculation on who the father is, among other things. Shane and Allen don’t plan on staying in the background. They’re claiming their child. What this means is that everything about them will be brought out in the open. That includes us.”

“So, what you’re saying is that the fact that we live in ménage relationships will be picked up on,” Dillon said.

“Right. Shane and Allen have already offered to quit and distance themselves to hopefully draw the attention away from the gang.”

“They have a right to claim their baby,” Neal pointed out. “I for one don’t blame them for that.”

“Me either,” several of the others agreed.

“I don’t see why he has to quit, either,” Ranger pointed out. “Carly manages just fine with her work despite our relationship.”

“It does cause some problems at times, though,” Carly pointed out.

“But you handle them just fine, and for the most part people mind their own business,” Tina added.

“So, how confident are you that this is going to blow up?” Gavin asked.

Shane looked over at Parker and Allen. “She has an old fiancé who is wanting to get hold of her money. He’s threatening to go public with not only all of the men she’s been with, but also with our relationship.”

“Bastard!” Alexis muttered.

West spoke up. “Well, I for one don’t want them to quit. We’ve weathered a hell of a lot more than this back overseas. I don’t think we should have to hide as it is.”

“Most of the people I know already know about my homelife. I don’t care if a stranger knows. They can’t hurt me,” Carly said.

“Are we ready for a vote, or is there anyone else who has something to say?” Zack asked.

“I’m not a member, but can I say something?” Parker stood up. Allen stood next to her with his hand on her waist.

“Of course you can,” Cole said.

“You’ve all been so nice to me without really knowing me. I don’t want to cause any of you any trouble, but if you let Allen and Shane stay, the media will be all over us. That means they will dredge up everything possible for a story. You’ll be splashed all over everything. Everything you do will be big news. This isn’t going to be a couple of stories in the newspaper and the gossip rags. This will be spread out across all the media.”

“You sound like you don’t want them to stay in the gang.” Zack frowned.

“I want them to stay. I want them to let me go.”

“Not happening, babe,” Shane and Allen both said.

“Okay, let’s vote. Everyone in favor of them staying on raise your hand.”

Shane almost closed his eyes. To see everything he had known sink away would probably cut like a knife. Instead of empty air, there were hands everywhere. Not a single person kept theirs down. He and Allen exchanged looks. He knew there were tears in his eyes.

“Looks like you guys are stuck in the gang. Parker, welcome to The Dirty Dozen.”

* * * *

“Did you guys hear me? They’ll drag your lives through the mud.”

“And we can handle it. You’re not alone anymore, Parker. You’ve got the gang behind you.” Alexis stood up. “Let’s leave the men to the nuts and bolts of it and take up in the kitchen.”

The men scrambled to carry the chairs back to the kitchen for them. The women gathered around the table to talk. Parker wasn’t sure what to do. She hovered by the coffeemaker with a fresh cup in her hand.

“Come on over here and sit down, Parker. We need to talk,” Tina said.

“What about?”

“Quite a few things, actually. One being did you know you’re not supposed to have caffeine while you’re pregnant?

“Um, no. I didn’t.” She sipped anyway.

Tina and Briana smirked.

“Enjoy it while you can. Once the men find out, you’ll be hard pressed to lay your hands on it anytime soon,” Briana informed her.

“They don’t live with me, so I can keep what I want at home.”

“That’s the other thing we wanted to talk to you about. Why aren’t you getting married, or at the very least, moving in with them?” Tina asked.

“It’s hard to explain. We’ve only known each other for a few weeks. Six of those weeks they were working, and I didn’t find out I was pregnant until the other day.”

“Ah, this was a weekend thing.” Briana nodded her head. “I get it. You don’t really know them well enough to live with them.”

“Right.” She was glad someone understood.

“Have you thought about how hard it’s going to be to do things by yourself? Like shop for groceries and put together baby furniture? Do you live on the first floor or do you have stairs?” Briana asked as if she knew what she was talking about.

“Um, I live in a condo that’s upstairs. I’ll start looking for something without stairs.”

She really hadn’t thought about any of that. She could hire most things done, but she wasn’t one to have strangers in and out of her home.

“I’m sure Allen and Shane will help some. I don’t plan on keeping them out of the baby’s life, but I can’t just move in with them without knowing them.”

“Excuse me, darling,” Alexis said. “But you jumped into bed without knowing them. I can talk. I did the same thing with Neal and Mark. I ran from them before I found out I was miserable without them. Don’t miss out on some of the best men you’ll ever meet.”

“I just don’t know.” Parker pushed the coffee aside. Her head was beginning to hurt.

“Okay, ladies. Let’s give Parker a rest. She’s overwhelmed.” Tina came to her rescue.

She listened as they talked about their daily lives and was fascinated that they did most everything together. They all lived within a few miles of each other and spent time at each other’s homes. It was like a community. She longed for that sort of friendship. She and Sarah Beth were good friends, but she still didn’t do very much with her. They had different interests. Plus, she was getting married in a few months.