Owning Destiny (Forsaken Sinners MC Series Book 4) (4 page)

“Are you serious, babe? I’m going to be a dad?” he asks once he sets her back on her feet.

She nods. Louie then drops down to his knees, kissing her stomach before looking up at her. “I’m gonna be a father,” he says, then stands back up, kissing her lips. Whipping around with one arm around Harlow’s shoulders and the other planted lovingly on her stomach, he shouts to Toby and Blaze, “I’m gonna be a father!”

“Yeah, we heard, fucker,” Toby says with a smile on his face, happy for his brother. Wait till he finds out he’s about to be a father too.

He doesn’t have to wait long. “Toby, I know it wasn’t planned, but I’m pregnant too,” Sara says.

Toby whips his head from Louie and Harlow to look at Sara. His smile turns bigger and he rushes over to Sara. Cradling her stomach, he says, “I fucking love you, doll.” Then he takes her lips in a kiss that rivals all kisses. I look away, not wanting to eavesdrop on their moment.

Blaze starts laughing, though it’s not cruel. He’s happy for them all, but can’t go without giving his brothers hell. “You fuckers just wait. You’ll have shitty diapers, puke on your cuts, and blue balls before the year is up. But it’ll all be worth it. You’ll see. I can’t wait to see you both take on the daddy role,” he says, still laughing while he pulls each brother in for a man hug to congratulate them.

“I don’t know why you’re laughing. I’m pregnant too, motherfucker,” Dani throws in there with her arms crossed. These two. I swear, they fight like cats and dogs. There is never a dull moment when you’re around them. But even though they argue—all the time—you’d be blind if you couldn’t see the love that shines in both their eyes, even when they are yelling at each other.

Blaze’s laughter dies down and he levels Dani with a hard stare. Being around him long enough, I know it’s not the fact that she just informed him she’s pregnant. It was the way she told him. While everyone else got sweet issued surprises, Blaze did not.

“You carryin’ my child, Baby Girl?” Blaze asks in a calm voice. I can just barely see the smile that is desperate to break free, but he holds it in. Fucker has balls of steel. Dani is going to rip him apart.

“Yeah, I’m carryin’ your child. What the fuck you gonna do about it?”

Blaze takes a threatening step forward, then stops. “Oh, I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do.” He pauses for a few hard seconds, then engulfs Dani in his arms. “I’m gonna fuckin’ take you home and fuck the shit outta ya cause I fuckin’ love you and I’m so fuckin’ happy that not only do I get you and the twins, but another baby to call my own.” He kisses her hard on the lips and grabs her ass.

“Daddy, wat is
pucking
?” Little Harley asks, pronouncing
fucking
with a “p” instead of an “f.” Hearing her little voice, it brings us all back into the moment where we have little ears in the room.

Pulling away from Dani just enough that he can look at his daughter, Blaze replies with a serious tone. “It’s something that will get any boy killed if he tries it with you, sweetie.”

Slapping Blaze on the chest, Dani pushes away from him and scoops up her little girl. “It’s nothing for you to worry about right now, honey.” Kissing her on the cheek, she puts Harley down and grabs both her little hand and EJ’s. “Come on, kids. Let’s go down to the cafeteria to see what kind of goodies they have for us while Daddy and your uncles talk to Papa for a bit.”

The men all watch as the women load the kids up and walk out of the room. After the door closes and we can no longer hear Harley’s little voice asking why she can’t know what
pucking
is, we get down to business.

“What happened at the meet?” I ask. I don’t really know to expect. The meet was a setup, I know that, but I’m hoping they were at least able to gain some information. I just don’t see what setting a meeting with us was going to do for them or what they were trying to do.

Sighing loudly, Blaze walks over to the chair Dani was sitting in earlier and takes a seat. “A truce,” Blaze says.

“It’s a fucking trap,” Louie comments, spitting out the words like they taste foul. They probably do to him. Fuck, just hearing it leaves a shit taste in my mouth.

“A trap for what, though?” I ask, irritation and confusion taking hold. It just doesn’t make any damn sense. Why call us out for a meeting and dangle a truce out there if that’s not what they intend? We
know
that’s not what they want, so what is it they’re trying to prove?

“I don’t know, brother. Everything was too perfect, ya know? The way they talked to us, the way they backed down from any harsh comments we made about that shithead Titus like they were pussies. But I can’t get a read on what their intention is. Fuck, if we hadn’t heard it with our own fucking ears that they don’t intend to ever call a truce with us from the bug in their clubhouse, then I might have even believed them.” Blaze runs his hand through his hair stiffly. It’s not sitting well with him not knowing what’s going on. Shit, it doesn’t sit well with me either, and if the looks of Toby and Louie are anything to go off of, they don’t like it, either.

“Did they say anything else?” I ask. Even the smallest things that they didn’t pick up on could tell us something. Maybe I’ll be able to decipher them.

“Not much. We talked shit to see if they’d start anything, and they didn’t. They threw the truce out there and we accepted,” Blaze explains.

“I did notice they have a new VP,” Toby adds in.

That’s interesting.

“What happened to Rocket?” I ask.

“Not sure, but he wasn’t there tonight. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s six feet under because every other member seemed to be in attendance,” Toby answers back.

Thinking that over, I figure he’s probably right, but how did he die? Was he murdered or did he die of natural causes? I may have Toby call our contact in the police department to get more information on that.

“Who’s the new VP?”

“Brutus,” Louie spits out through gritted teeth. Brutus doesn’t have a good reputation and may actually be the worst of the group. Though we haven’t caught him doing anything, he’s got a record probably as tall as I am.

Something is up for sure, though. Fake truces and new leadership. But what does it have to do with us?

“What’s the plan then?” I ask, leaving this up to Blaze since I wasn’t at the meet and I wasn’t there when they heard the hushed conversation from the bug.

“Only thing I can think of is to continue with the charade for now. We’ll play along like we accept the truce, but we’ll keep our eyes peeled and on alert at all times. We’ll have someone on the girls, keeping them at the clubhouse as much as possible. And I want someone here too.”

“What the fuck do I need someone here for? I’ve got Betty if any trouble comes knocking,” I growl, pissed he’s even suggesting I need protecting. I ain’t no fucking pussy or invalid. I can take care of my damn self.

“Mack, I know you can take care of yourself, but you’re still our president. I need to make sure you’re guarded, especially after the comment the Kings made. It left a bad taste in my mouth,” Blaze counters.

That part is news to me and has me curious. “What comment?”

“I can’t be sure, but I think they know you’re here. He said to give you his best and to get better soon.”

Yeah, that would leave a bad taste in my mouth too if I were him. But it still doesn’t mean I need a babysitter.

Opening my mouth to argue that fact further, Blaze holds up his hand. “Look. I know you got yourself covered and can handle any situation, but please. For my peace of mind? Let me place at least a prospect at your door. You’re still our president and I need to make sure we have you covered.”

Well, fuck me if that didn’t shut me up real quick.

“Ugh, I guess if it gives you fuckers peace of mind, then what the fuck ever. But only one prospect and you better tell him that he answers to me, got it? If I tell him to do something, he better fuckin’ jump and ask how high. You may be acting president but this show is still mine when I say so, and I’m saying fucking so on this one,” I rant, pissed off. I guess I’m willing to do almost anything so these fuckers will sleep better tonight, but this shit is not going to last long, I can tell you that right the fuck now.

“Yeah, yeah, old man. We hear ya.” Louie says, but I can hear the relief in his voice.

“All right, now get the heck outta here. It’s been a long day and I have a big day tomorrow.” A big day I’m looking forward to. I can’t wait for Rose to walk into the room and hopefully have more progress with the feeling and movement in my legs. I’m even going to do those damn exercises before she gets here so hopefully I can surprise her with how well I’m doing now. And it’ll all be thanks to her.

“Fucking right you do. Tomorrow you’re getting released. Doc stopped us in the hall before we got to your door and confirmed it,” Toby says, and it surprises me. I thought for sure I’d have a few more days here. But tomorrow?

I’m not sure if I’m ready to leave. Or maybe I’m just not ready to let Rose go yet.

***

After the boys left last night and the prospect came in to let me know he’d be right outside if I needed anything, I lay in bed counting sheep. I was too high off of the news Dani, Sara, and Harlow gave me earlier in the night. Too many thoughts rolling around in my head about what The Kings were up to. And lastly, and probably most importantly, I could not get Rose out of my mind.

The way she said my real name and the way she took my hand and praised me…I can’t get it out of my head. It keeps playing over and over again like a broken record…one I don’t want to fix or throw away.

It’s crazy to think that in such a short amount of time, she’s become like the air I breathe. I tried to think of every possible solution for what I was going to do today when I was released, but couldn’t come up with anything short of either staying in the hospital or kidnapping her. And since kidnapping isn’t something I’m fond of, unless it’s a piece of shit man who needs to be taught a fucking lesson, I guess that left me with the former option. I’ll just have to talk the doctor into keeping me just a bit longer.

Now, as I’m waiting for the clock to strike two, I go over my plan once more. When Rose comes in, I’m going to tell her I feel more comfortable continuing my care here. I’d be closer to the doctors in case I fell or had a setback. I know it sounds like a pussy’s way out, but at this point in time, I’m willing to become the pussy if it means getting Rose for a few more days. Just till I can get her out of my system. That’s all I need.

Looking at the clock again for the hundredth time in the last five minutes, I see it’s one-fifty-nine. One more minute till my ray of sunshine walks through that door.

The minute passes and my smile fades. No Rose. Maybe there was an emergency and she was called in to help. Yeah, that’s gotta be it. No way she’d be late for our session. She’s never late or ever early. She’s always on time.

Another minute passes, then five, then ten, and then fifteen. By now, I’m starting to get worried. Did she change her mind about doing the massages for me? Does she think that since I made progress yesterday that we’re done? Or maybe she was told I get released today, so she doesn’t think I need her here.

Two hours pass with no word from her. Just as I’m getting ready to pick up the phone to dial the nurses’ station to see what the fuck is going on, my door flies open and in walks a haggard-looking Rose. Her clothes are wrinkled like she slept in them overnight, her eyes are bloodshot, with black marks underneath them. But it’s the completely dead look on her face that has me really worried. There is no life in her eyes, none of her usual pep in her step.

“Where the
fuck
have you been?”

Chapter Four

Rose

After finding my brother’s note on my windshield last night, I was a mess. Driving home, I was constantly looking over my shoulder, expecting Anthony to appear around every corner or to be hiding in the shadows just waiting to jump out at me.

Walking through my front door, I immediately locked it, using all four locks I had installed for this exact reason. I fear my brother Anthony more than anything else in this world. I know there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to get what he wants, so the fact he sought me out and left that note makes me believe whatever it is he wants with me isn’t going to be good. Shit, what am I talking about? Nothing he wants from me is ever good.

I searched every nook and cranny in my apartment before I finally took a breath, but I still couldn’t relax. Anthony was out there somewhere and God only knows what he wants. A
surprise
, he had said. What the fuck could it be? I know for damn sure it’s not something I’ll want.

My initial plans for the night were to take a long hot bath, maybe have a few glasses of wine, and binge on Netflix and Damon Salvatore on
The Vampire Diaries
. But that just wasn’t going to happen now. I didn’t even change out of my clothes. I went right into my closet, grabbed the hand gun I had purchased years ago, and sat ramrod straight on my bed, staring at my closed bedroom door. And I watched. And I waited. For my world to come crashing down in the form of my devil of a brother and his band of ruthless, fucked up followers.

The hours passed and no one showed, but I couldn’t relax. My eyes were heavy and my body hurt with being so tense, but I never released my hold on my gun and I never took my eyes off the door. I worried that as soon as I closed my eyes, that’s when Anthony would make his move. Like he could sense when my guard was down, and that’s when he’d come.

No, I needed to be strong and stay awake.

As the morning light finally made its appearance, I finally started to relax a little. Sure, something could still happen or go wrong, but knowing my brother, he wouldn’t risk it in the light of day. He’d wait till he had the cover of night or try to catch me unaware or alone outside my apartment. Maybe on the way to work or in a dark alley. Good thing I don’t plan on taking any midnight strolls or even have time to wander around town during the day.

By nine in the morning, I finally allowed sleep to take me. I knew I had to be in to work at noon, but I needed to at least get an hour of rest if I was going to be any use to the doctors or patients. Or if I was going to have any chance of keeping my brother at bay.

***

Rolling over, my body aches and my eyes burn without even opening them. I don’t know how long I’ve been lying here but I don’t think I got any restful sleep. Sure, I may have dozed off a time or two, but it didn’t give me the reprieve I so desperately needed. I was restless and had nightmares of my brother doing unspeakable things. So much for getting any sleep.

As I lay here, I dread opening my eyes. I know I’m still in my room, but there’s this fear that if I open my eyes, my room will be trashed.

Anthony did that once before; he broke into my apartment after I denied him money. He threatened and stalked me, along with his band of merry-fucking-men. I had just worked a triple shift and was tired as hell. I went straight home and crashed for twelve hours straight, but when I woke up, my whole apartment was torn apart. Every photo hanging on my wall was ripped down and broken. My couch was turned over and the cushions were slashed. My kitchen was trashed and every little thing that was worth anything was gone. I’m surprised I didn’t wake up during the invasion, but I’m glad I didn’t. I have no idea what I would have done or what
he
would have done if I’d walked out in the middle of their
fun
.

I knew my brother was behind it, there was no doubt in my mind, but there was no point in reporting it. There was no proof and there wouldn’t be any. And the police wouldn’t do a damn thing anyway because they feared him…maybe more than I did. So instead of turning him in, I called in sick and spent the rest of the day making order of my once peaceful home.

Taking a deep breath, I try to open my eyes, but find that it’s nearly impossible. They feel gritty and burn like hell, but with a little extra effort, I’m able to crack one eyelid open. Everything looks in its in place, nothing trashed or showing any sign that anyone but me has been here, but I’m not breathing a sigh of relief yet.

Stepping out of bed, I tiptoe to my bedroom door with my gun still firmly planted in my hand. No way am I leaving it behind in case he’s waiting for me outside my room.

Making my way quietly but swiftly down the hall, I pass the bathroom and spare bedroom before I enter the living room. Since I have an open floor plan, I can see everything; the living room, the kitchen, and the front door. All looks normal. Nothing out of its place, nothing broken. But that’s not one hundred percent true. Nothing material may be broken inside my home, but I feel broken inside. Numb. Dead.

This is what my brother does to me. He’s vile and poisonous. He always has been. Why can’t he just let me be? I love my life. Sure, I don’t have riches and fame or even someone to share what I do have, but I’m okay with that. I have what I
need
. I just want to live my life without having to worry about who is behind the next corner or when he’s gonna show up again to take everything I hold dear away from me.

I
hate
him. I wish he were dead.

Once in my kitchen I start a pot of coffee. The clock reads two-forty-seven and I know I’m late for my shift, but I couldn’t care less. Maybe I’ll get fired and I can just move far away from here. Sure, I’d have to leave what few friends I have and a job I love, and a hospital that is amazing, but I’d be away from my brother. Hopefully in a place he can’t find me.

With that last though in mind, I grab a traveler’s mug filled with black coffee and my purse off the table. Not even bothering to change, I put my gun inside my bag and make my way out to my car, praying that Anthony will stay away for a few more hours. Just long enough for me to finish my last rotation at the hospital, tell my supervisor something came up and I have to leave. I think I’ll take a vacation until I can find a place I feel is far enough away before telling them I’m not coming back. Sure, it’s a shitty plan, and I’m sure I’ll feel horrible about it when I’m in my car, driving God knows where alone. But that’s just something I’m going to have to live with. For now, I’ll embrace the numbness and do what needs to be done.

The drive to the hospital is all a blur. I walked out to my car, only paying attention to my windshield, looking for another note. There was none, but there was no relief either. Something was going on and it was coming for me in the shape of my brother; I just didn’t know what it was. But I wasn’t going to stick around to find out.

Stopping at the nurse’s station, I look around for my boss. I know she’s here somewhere, and I need to find her so I can get this over with. The sooner, the better. I figure if I get it out of the way now, I can leave as soon as my shift is over. Or shit, maybe she’ll just tell me to leave now instead of waiting.

She’s not going to be happy with me about the short notice and needing the time off, but I’ve never even taken one holiday. And I think in all the years I’ve worked at this hospital, I’ve taken a total of three days off, one of which was to clean up after my brother, and the other two were because I was so sick I couldn’t even stand. And even then, I tried to work but they made me go home. So she’ll have no choice but to give me what I ask for, even if it will leave them shorthanded.

“Rose, there you are. Everything okay?” Gloria asks.

Gloria is a nurse here and someone I’ve thought of as a friend these last few years. She’s a little older than I am, but we have a lot in common. We both like to drink wine, we hate romance movies because we think they’re over the top stupid and unreal, and we both came from shitty families. Mine is my brother and hers is her mother. Though I guess my parents weren’t all that great either, but Anthony was by far the worst.

“Hey, Gloria. Sorry I’m late, but something’s come up. Do you know where Monica is? I need to speak with her,” I ask, noticing the dull note of my voice. I sound like a robot, but I’m afraid if I try to add feeling to my tone, then everything from the last twenty-four hours will come slamming into me and I’ll freak out. I can’t afford to do that right now, so the robot voice and act it is.

Looking at me with concern, she steps closer, like she wants to take me in her arms and tell me everything will be okay. But that’s a lie. As long as I’m here, close enough for Anthony to find me, things will never be okay.
I
won’t be okay.

“Yeah, of course. She’s in surgery, but she’ll be back in an hour or so.”

I nod and pick up a file from the top of a pile. I don’t even care whose file it is; I just need something to make me seem busy so Gloria will leave this alone. I can sense she wants to ask questions and try to comfort me, but I can’t go there.

My distraction method works. Gloria stands there for a few more seconds before placing her hand on my arm as she walks by me. “Let me know if you need anything, honey.” I don’t acknowledge her statement, but it does thaw me a little. She cares about me and only wants to help. God, I wish there was something she could do, but she’d be powerless against my brother. Just like I am.

No, the only thing that can help me is to get as far away from here as possible.

After I see Gloria turn the corner, I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Focusing on the file in my hand, I finally take in the words for the first time.

Michael DeVin

Patient # 001589

Discharge Notes: Releasing today with orders to continue therapy at home. Hire home care nurse and physical therapist to assist with recovery.

He’s getting released today.

I feel a part of my brain try to pull at me. Or maybe it was my heart. But I don’t let myself feel it. I can’t let myself be sad or even happy that Mack is going home today and I won’t ever see him again. With everything going on with my brother, it only solidifies the fact that I shouldn’t get myself caught up with Mack. He’s a biker. He probably doesn’t care about right or wrong. Shit, he’s in here because he was shot, which means he was probably in a gun fight. Sure, it could just be he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I highly doubt that.

Clearing my head of all thoughts of Mack, I pull out my phone. Checking my bank account, I see that I only have a few grand saved up. That’s not going to last long, especially if I go as far from here as I want. Gas isn’t cheap, plus hotel fees…I’m going to have to find work as soon as I get where I’m going. I doubt I’ll be able to find a job as a nurse that fast—if ever since I’m leaving here in a hurry and will no doubt get a bad recommendation, plus that’s probably the first place my brother would look for me—but maybe I can find something else. A bartender, waitress, or even working in an office. I could live with that. But doing that for the rest of my life?

Stashing my phone back in my purse, I stand to go back to my locker to grab everything I don’t want to leave behind. I’m hoping that after I talk to Monica, I can just go, and I don’t want to have to make any extra stops if I can help it. Maybe I can be on the road within the hour and across the state line heading east by nightfall.

I’m halfway down the hallway when I see Dr. Yorkshire coming toward me. He’s one of the attending physicians here at the hospital and is also the doctor that oversees Mack’s care.

“Nurse Rose, I’m glad I was able to catch you before you went on your rounds. I need you to do a final visit with Mr. DeVin and sign off on his release orders before I’m able to discharge him,” Dr. Yorkshire says as he reaches me.

Staring at him, I have no idea what to say. I can’t really deny him his request, but I also don’t want to go into Mack’s room. Going in there will mean I have to see him, talk to him. I’m not sure if I can do that without feeling anything. Or knowing I’m never going to see him again.

“I really need to talk to Monica. I could have Gloria go check on things with him. She’s well aware of his condition and progress,” I try, but I know without even waiting for him to reply that he won’t go for it. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t either. I’m the one who was working with him and doing his treatment. It doesn’t matter if anyone else knows about his progress. It
should
be me that signs off on everything.

Dr. Yorkshire crosses his arms and lets out a long sigh. “What’s going on with you, Rose? Normally you wouldn’t have any problem checking on your patients,
especially
if it’s to discharge them and make sure they’re set to go home. Personal issues aside, you always pick the patient.”

He sounds disappointed, tinged with a bit of worry. I could
almost
stand one, but it’s the other that really gets me.