X Marks the Spot (Executioners MC Book 1) (19 page)

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Kimmie is an Amazon International bestselling author who grew up traveling the country, rarely settling in one place for much longer than a minute. Being no stranger to heartache, she allows her unconventional childhood to fuel her writing. Kimmie is addicted to all things books, wine, cupcakes, and flip-flops. She is a homeschool momma, southern wife and pug wrangler. Kimmie can be found somewhere in the south writing wine worthy stories.

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Baby X

CHAPTER ONE

(JOLENE)

“There! Did you feel it this time?” I was getting a beat down on the inside of my swollen tummy.

“Holy shit!” Ronin’s chocolate eyes rounded, full of childlike excitement. “I can’t believe the baby’s that strong already.”

I had just hit week twenty-six. If you didn’t see my bare belly, you would have no idea that I was pregnant. My slim frame gave nothing away when it came to my sweet Baby X. Seven months ago, I had not given a first thought, much less a second, to having a child. Motherhood wasn’t anywhere on my radar.

However, life had another plan.

I remembered the day that I had to break the news to Ronin.

***

After being three weeks late, I took the plunge and bought a pregnancy test. My piss didn’t want to cooperate, but apparently, it only takes a drop. Blue words morphed across the little screen.

‘Pregnant’.

I struggled on my own, trying to decide what to do about my newfound situation. Do I tell Ronin? Do I tell my father? Do I take care of it? As I pondered my options, the thought of an abortion made me even more nauseous than the pregnancy. I’ve always been a firm believer in the fact that a woman should be allowed to be in control of her own body, allowing her every right to choose what is best for her situation.

As I was faced with that choice, I knew in my heart that I would never choose abortion. It wasn’t the best choice for me.

As the shock wore off, the excitement took root. I caught myself observing babies. Everywhere I went, I pictured what it would be like to be a mother, shopping for tiny clothes and making fucking baby food from scratch.

It really got in my head.

I finally decided to bite the bullet. Ronin deserved to know first. I tried to time it perfectly, meaning, right after some raw, heated sex. He may not know what he had to thank for it, but he was certainly not complaining about the new pregnancy hormones. I stay horny twenty-four seven.

“You’re not serious?”

As his face downturned, my heart sank into my stomach. He wasn’t happy.

I stood, wrapping myself in a sheet, and crossed the room. I gazed out the window, scared to face the disappointment in his eyes. I remained still, fighting the urge to bolt from his increasingly small bedroom. What felt like a lifetime had passed without Ronin uttering a single word.

Finally, the heat from his large hands warms my tummy as he wraps his arms around my waist. Silent, his touch reassured me. He wasn’t disappointed or angry. He was speechless. He nestled his head into my neck, his searing breath sending chills across my arms.

“As long as she looks just like you,” he whispered.

I choked on the sob that had been caught in my throat, spinning around to bury my face in his rock hard chest. I balled in his arms until I had nothing left. No more tears, no more words, and sure as shit, no more fear.

Ronin and I told the family together, starting with Pop and Ruth.

We stood hand in hand as Pop flew out of his chair. He couldn’t even look at me when he exited the room.

“Just give him some time, baby girl. He just has to get used to the idea.” Ruth pat my hand before pulling me in for a long embrace. “My girl’s having a baby. We have a lot to do to get ready. We’ll be making a trip into the city. Who’s up for shopping?”

Classic Ruth.

Ronin chuckled and stepped backwards while waving both hands in the air. “Yeah, you two are gonna have to do that without me. The old man has me on detail.”

Ruth stepped in and chucked him in the shoulder. Snickering, he coiled his massive arms around her, picking her up in the air.

“Careful Grandma!”

The three of us were caught smiling when Pop stalked back in, sporting his most intimidating scowl.

Ronin snapped his back straight. The muscles in his neck tightened.

“Stand down, son.” Pop stared at me for the longest time.

“You’re disappointed in me.” My words are no more than a slight whisper. I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. No more crying.

Pop tilted his head. “Baby girl, I could never be disappointed in you. You’re my whole world. You just had so many plans. You were going to get out of here and do great things.”

“I still will, Pop. I’m not giving anything up.”

“You say that now.” His voice cracked, prompting Ruth to link her arms through his. After gathering his resolve, Jesse focused his attention on his soldier. “You better make sure she does, got it?”

“Sir, absolutely.” Ronin narrowed his eyes. He clenched his jaw. Serious mode.

Pop extended his arms and stepped in, gifting his loyal soldier with a solid embrace. Once he let go, my father wrapped me up in his arms, cradling me to his chest. He planted a kiss on top of my head. His special token of affection, just for me. It’s our daddy-daughter thing.

That was the only invitation needed. The pooling tears flooded, spilling relentlessly down my red cheeks.

***

Now, tonight, the excitement in Ronin’s eyes makes me question what made me wait so long. There was no need to go through all of that hell by myself. Wasted time is by far my greatest regret.

“Baby, I’m hungry.” Thankfully, my metabolism has been able to keep up with my appetite. Being fat was not on my bucket list for eighteen years old.

Ronin propped himself up on the couch. “Again?”

My eyes widened. I pursed my lips in an over exaggerated pout. He curled his into a sly smirk.

“Alright, alright. I’m on my way. Corn burritos from the diner?”

I perked up and grinned. “Yes, please.”

Giving me a long, drawn out kiss, Ronin tipped my chin and gazed into my eyes. “Anything for my girls.”

“Oh, about that,” I teased. I have been waiting all night for this moment. Over the last month, we’d had two ultrasounds, neither of which could give a definitive gender. I went in for the third one this morning while Ronin was on a pick up.

A confused expression crossed his face as he came to a stop.

I stood and slipped my arms around his thick, chiseled waist. “As it turns out, Baby X is going to be a big, strapping boy.”

Ronin placed his hands on my shoulders and took a step backwards. “For real?” He stammered.

With my emotions strangling my windpipe, all I could do was nod.

“A boy.” He ran his hands through his short beard. “I don’t know why I just assumed it would be a girl. A perfect girl, just like you. Now it’s a boy and I don’t think I could handle it if he was like me.”

The twisted pain on his face was too much. “Baby, you’re everything good in my life and tis little man is going to be just like you. Compassionate and kind. Hardworking and loyal. You watch. You have so much love to give and that’s going to make him all the man he needs to be.”

“I’m only all of those things because of you.”

“Then it’s a good thing we’re in this together.” I kissed his chest.

A smile tugged in the corners of his yummy mouth. “So a double order, then? The boy needs to eat.” He winked before disappearing.

I heard him crank up his motorcycle and I rested my head back on my bed and tried to close my eyes. The few minutes of peace and quiet must have been exactly what I needed, because I drifted off to sleep without a care in the world, unaware of the fact that when I wake, my entire world will have gone up in smoke, literally.

***

The sirens flooded my pulsing temples. Multi-colored lights flashed in contrast with the blazing reddish orange flames intentionally consuming the crumbling house. Tattered pieces of siding crashed to the ground. Rescue crews pulled up and immediately got busy. Firefighters dragged long hoses across the dirt and worked feverishly to put out the inferno. Paramedics hauled boxes of equipment from their vehicle and usher to my side.

“Get out of the way, son. We gotta get in there.”

The voice was foreign, yet demanding. My vision blurred as unfamiliar faces surrounded me. I searched the crowd for Ronin. My chest heaved on the inside. I struggled for every winded breath. A loud blast came from the house as the thunderous roar of the motorcycles came to an abrupt stop.

“Jolene! Move! Get the fuck outta my way!”

Shifting my eyes without moving my head, I spotted Pop rushing through the crowd with Hercules clearing the way. I noticed the huddle of cops scatter as they sprang into action to stop the club from breaking through the line.

“You can’t be here.”

“Do you know who the fuck I am? That’s my fucking daughter over there. Move before I have you moved.”

“Let him through, Curt. He’s the girl’s father. And Miller, don’t even think about heading out before we have a chance to talk.”

He wasn’t able to get close, but I witnessed his distorted face.

“Pop, my baby…” My arms tingled as I gripped my aching stomach.

“I know baby girl. You just let these men do their jobs, ok. You’re gonna be fine, honey. I promise.”

“Ruth?”

“She’ll be here soon. Rest now, baby.” He stood, jerking his head in different directions. He was instructing his club without a single word.

The emergency technician asked me my name.

“Jolene Miller.”

“Alright Jolene, do you know what year it is?”

I nodded.

“Do you know where you are?”

I nodded again, tears streaming down my ashen cheeks.