“Frost!” I hit him with the back of my hand. “You have Taylor!”
His head jerks back. “Like I give a fuck. I ain’t a noble man, Ella, you and I both know that, and don’t ever fucking call her my woman again. There’s only one girl who has ever come close to wearing that title. She has a smart fucking mouth and a lethal right hook.”
I pull my bottom lip into my mouth. “Why are you here? What are we doing?”
“You’re mine.”
“Frost—”
“What?” he cuts back to me like it’s the simplest thing in the world. “Taylor will be gone. She was just a means to an end. A revenge fuck that turned into something else…and there’s somethi—”
“—Put me down,” I interrupt him. He complies, which is fucking surprising. “End things with her, then we can talk. But I’m not going to sleep with another girl’s man.” I push past him and head for the door.
“Hey!” he growls, and I freeze, my back turned to him. The blood in my veins turns chillingly cold, setting goosebumps to break out over my flesh and igniting every survival instinct inside of me.
I can sense him coming closer until I feel his lips brush against my ear and his warm chest press against my back. “I ain’t hers. I’m yours, Ella. When the fuck are you going to wake up.”
Deep breathing. In and out. In and out. I open my eyes. “When she’s gone.”
Chapter 23
“Lellow!”
“Whyyyy, child! Why can’t you sleep past seven a.m.!” I rub my eyes with the back of my hand and then freeze when I hear Frost’s full belly laugh. Shit, that’s right. My night visitor.
“Morning,” he whispers, and I open my eyes to his. What a fucking sight. His ruffled dark hair is messy, his dark blue eyes smoky from the early morning, and the grin on his face isn’t the one he usually parades. It’s full of teeth, and genuine sentiment.
“Eh.” I roll over and pull the blanket over my head.
“Is Mommy always this grumpy in the morning, my lil' princess?”
“Gwwummpy!” Ella squeals, and then giggles, falling back onto the bed. My heart warms, and I push the blanket down, turning to face them both, but Frost stops me, his hand flying out to my back. I feel the cushion of his thumb lightly graze over the nape of my neck and he takes a sharp intake of breath. “This for me?”
I turn to face them both and nod. “Sure is.” His eyes stay on mine, then when the silence gets a little loud, I smile and look to Pax. “Mommy needs coffee!”
“And dick…”
I whack him with the back of my hand. “Frost!”
Pax cradles into Frost’s neck, her lip trembling softly. “Mama!”
I watch the two of them, and it dawns on me. “She’s totally going to be a daddy’s girl.”
“Going to be?” He throws me a wink. “She already is, baby.”
I swing my legs off the bed and throw him a snarky glare before bringing my attention back to Pax sweetly. “Pancakes?”
She nods her head furiously. I tie my hair into a high ponytail and put my hands on my hips. “Pancakes?” I further ask Frost.
He chuckles, wrapping Pax in his arms. “Yeah, baby. Sounds good.”
I walk out of the room, leaving them to their thing. I have a feeling I’ll be getting ganged up on a lot in the coming years. I’m so fucked, but having Frost here with us, nothing can touch how that makes me feel. The selfish part of me doesn’t want this day to end.
“Morning, devil face!” Miles says, spooning granola into his mouth. He’s in loose grey sweatpants and no shirt. His hair is trimmed the shortest I’ve ever seen it. He has always worn it to hang around his collar, but now it’s shaved closely on the sides of his head and left really long on the top. Sort of like how Raze keeps his hair, only a lot longer.
“New look going on?”
He sniggers, emptying his bowl in the sink. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Where’s Willow?”
He shrugs, walking to the fridge and pulling out the OJ. “Don’t know. In her room I guess.”
I bob my head, pulling out a large mixing bowl and then moving to the pantry, grabbing out the flour, baking powder, eggs, and all the rest of the necessities that I need for pancakes.
“You ok?” he asks, just as I’m cracking eggs into the bowl.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
I start whisking, giving him a knowing look. I know he’s hiding something, and he knows I know he’s hiding something.
“You and the Iceman?” he redirects.
I snort. It’s no secret Miles loves to give people pet names, but Iceman makes Frost sound like a crack dealer.
“We’re going to be ok, Miles. Stop worrying.”
He smiles. “Jeez, I either don’t worry at all or I worry too much.”
I roll my eyes just as Willow comes into the kitchen. “Morning,” rubbing her eyes.
“You literally just rolled out of bed and strolled down here, huh?” I laugh, and she freezes, her hand going up to touch her hair—her hair that is a cluster of chaos on the top of her head. She can’t help it, with all those thick red curls.
“Shit.”
I gesture to Miles with my wooden spoon. “This is my other brother Miles, Miles, Willow.”
Miles nods curtly and then pushes off the counter. “I know. We met last night.” He pulls me in and kisses the top of my head.
“Where you going?” He turns his back to me, and just as he reaches the threshold, he shrugs “I’m meeting Amy. We’ll bring Jr around later to meet Pax.”
“Oh, ok, you and her?”
“No…” Miles tosses his head back, then his face scrunches. “No, no, no.”
“Okay, player. I get it.” I pour more milk into the thick mush with an eye roll.
“Is there anyone else though? I mean I haven’t seen you in so long.”
“There are two other people,” Frost interrupts, carrying Pax into the kitchen. He’s wearing no shirt, his fully inked chest, arms, and neck on full display. His tattoos aren’t beautiful. They’re terribly dark and scary. So much so that I’ve never asked him what they mean.
Miles is the same. Actually, all the men in my life are severely inked, just with different canvases and stories. They didn’t do it to add appeal though, they did it for all different reasons. Miles, for instance, is tattooed head to toe. The only part of him that hasn’t got any sign of ink is his face. His hands, jawline, neck, legs, chest, it’s all done. The reason why he turned to ink therapy was because of the battle between him and his demons. Self-punishment helped him a lot when he was growing up. Tattoos gave him a sense of that without self-harming.
The 6, who are now The 5. Raze, Angel, Viking, Joker, and Royal, they all have tattoos too. Which reminds me, I wonder if they ever found a sixth since Raze and Millie killed Soulless, The 6 has turned into The 5. They’re going to need a new name or a new member because The 5 does not sound bad ass. They, in short, take care of everything. I mean, everything. The government want a high-end personal taken care of, The 6 do it. They need someone to start a war in the middle east, The 6 do it. They need anything taken care of, something that even the best hitman can’t do, The 6 do it. Usually Raze… since he’s the executioner, but they all help or do it too. They hide their identities with silver masks, all different in color and designs. They’re dark, alluring, and spine-chillingly evil, but I’ve been around them all my life. They live separate lives too, away from The Army. Like Raze, his second life is being a global underground kingpin. That man holds way too much power for one person.
Frost stops, looks at Willow, who looks back at him nervously. Oh, that’s right, I forgot all about this sibling dynamic. Frost narrows his eyes and then shoots a look to Miles. Miles looks back at him and nods. I know what they’re doing. Miles is a human lie detector. The military used him a lot for this skill alone, let alone his others.
Frost puts Pax down onto the ground, his eyes not moving from Willow. “Do you mean any ill inten
t toward Pax?”
“What!” Willow’s face turns angry. “No!”
Frost doesn’t flinch. “Do you mean any harm to Ella?”
Again, she scowls. “No!”
Frost looks to Miles and Miles shrugs. “She isn’t lying.”
“What?” Willow turns to glare at Miles who is already walking out the foyer and toward the front door. “What does he mean by that?”
I flip the pancakes. “One day, I’ll tell you.”
“Hey.” Frost comes up behind me, his hand brushing over my hips. I peer up to catch Willow with one eyebrow cocked and a smirk hiding behind her mug. “I gotta bounce. But bring Pax up to the clubhouse later?” I try to ignore how close his mouth is to the back of my neck.
Closing my eyes and then opening them, I lick my bottom lip. “Um, sure, but Miles will be coming with Jr, so…”
“Yeah, that’s cool. We’re having a hog roast tonight anyway. Some guys from another chapter coming in.”
“Oh, what chapter?” I ask, trying to act interested when in reality, I don’t know what the fuck I’m talking about.
“Westbeach.” He looks to Willow. “Come. I’m sure the brothers will be dying to meet you.” Then he pushes a kiss on the back of my head before going back to Pax, bending down and kissing her on the top of her head. “I’ll see you tonight, princess.” Then he’s gone, and just like that, I feel as though I can breathe again. He didn’t even eat my damn pancakes.
“So,” Willow begins, bringing some maple syrup to the table that sits near the big pool in the backyard. I love this house, it has character and memories, and that’s what makes a home an actual home. I don’t care that my brother wipes his ass with hunnid dollar bills, therefore has the top of the line everything in his mansion. It’s just…home, and for the third time since I’ve been back, I regret leaving. “You and Frost?”
“Hmmm.” I pull out a chair and place Pax on it, after pilling up a few cushions to make her level. “I don’t know. I think in a simple world, yeah, it would be us. But because he has this Taylor girl, I don’t know.”
“Well, I know.” Willow places big chunks of butter onto her pancakes. “And I know what I saw.” She takes a huge piece of her pancake and chews. “Mmmm,” she groans.
“Your love for pancakes is a little disturbing.” I love pancakes but, come on. I prepare Pax’s pancake, even though her auntie is having a full-blown orgasm over some pancakes. I never actually thought about it, but I have never seen Willow with anyone.
“What do you mean!” she asks, honest to God shocked that I don’t understand how she could love them so much. “El! It’s only the best freaking breakfast food ever. And dessert, and hell, I could eat it for dinner too.”
“Willow, it’s literally flour, eggs, and milk. It has no substance.”
“Now, now.” Raze comes in and pulls out a chair on the other side of Pax. “You know Millie’s love for chicken nuggets. Those bullshit deep fried things have no substance either. That shit disturbs me for real.”
“Chicken nuggets?” Willow scrunches up her face. “Yeah, that’s not even chicken in those things.”
“Tell me about it.” Raze starts eating.
“Has she been craving with the baby?” I ask, finally eating my own pancake after chopping up Pax’s.
“Yeah, and she’s craving fucking nuggets and fries dipped in soft serve ice cream—also from McDonald’s.”
I tilt my head back and laugh. “That’s funny. I craved deep fried pickles and ice cream. Together.”
Raze shook his head. “Pregnancy is weird as fuck.” He tilts his head at me. “You and Frost?”
“We’re good.”
“Good.” Raze nods his head, and whistles out to Chucky and Bride, the two Dobermans he has that run wild in the backyard. They’re great with kids, great with other dogs, and well, humans in general, but they don’t like Miles. Which is comical, because he can be suave with humans, but he isn’t fooling the dogs. They can sense his darkness no doubt. “If he wasn’t so tied up in that club, I’d have him as my number 6.”
“Really?” I squeak and then clear my throat. That’s the biggest honor my brother can ever give. It takes huge respect and skill to even be considered, let alone hands down get the spot.
He cuts his gaze to me. “Ella, that man is as loyal to that club, and even to me, as they come. The boys like him, respect him and even agreed that they’d welcome him with open arms. He’s lethal, can hold his own, and is twisted enough in the head to carry out all the shit we have to do.” For a second, I forgot that Willow was still here, but she’s Willow. She minds her business for the most part.
“Have you told him that?” I ask, quirking my eyebrow and pouring Pax an orange juice.
He shakes his head. “No point. He’s been with the club since he was a young pup. The same reason as to why he won’t leave them is the same reason as to why I want him.”
I laugh. “Touché.”
He pushes back his chair, presses a small kiss on Pax’s head. “I gotta go to the compound, but what time are you going to the clubhouse?”
“Ah, I think I’m aiming for around four-ish?”
He nods and then gives Willow a small smile. “See you then.”
Chapter 24
“God, Willow, what the fuck am I doing?” I whisper to her, readjusting myself in the driver’s seat of my car. It sure is good to be back in my 911. Although, I’m thinking I need to buy a new car. Getting Pax in and out is by far the most annoying-est thing ever. We hit the start of the long private driveway that leads to the clubhouse.
“Everything will be fine. You want to be a surgeon, right? You’ve already done your three years, now you can slide into a post-grad degree or something. Actually, I have no idea what the fuck I’m talking about, but you get what I mean.”
“Yeah, if only it was that simple. I’ve already done the whole undergrad thing, and three years of the four I need of medical school, now I just need three to ten years of residency and fellowship training. Easy as chips!”
“How are chips easy?” Willow asks just as we pull into the parking lot at the front of the clubhouse. There’re bikes lined all to the right. Starting from Beast’s black Harley, and then Frost’s matte black Harley beside him. Usually, Hella’s candy red one would be beside Beast’s, but because he’s serving time, I gather it’s at his and Melissa’s home. I really need to talk with Melissa. I don’t think she’d be handling that very well, although it’s not like we are very close. Actually, I’m not even sure she likes me. Maybe I’ll just leave that to Meadow and Millie.
There’s a whole crowd of brothers at the front, and I’m guessing more inside, as well as probably even more out the back where they usually have the bonfire lit.
“I don’t know.”
I get out of the car and take Pax out of her chair.
“Ah, there she is!” Beast comes toward us, Meadow following closely behind him with Ivy holding her mom’s hand. She’s so tall and looks so much like Meadow.
“Here I am.”
“Not you.” His eyes slanted on me, then he goes back to Pax. “I’m Uncle Beast.” Pax dives into his big arms. “Your cousin can’t wait to meet you.”
“This is Willow!” I gesture to Willow and both Beast and Meadow welcome her. I look to Willow. “I’m probably going to get a huge grilling about leaving, so just ignore anything that is said or that happens.”
“Yeah, you are!” Meadow whacks me. “Seriously, El, that was a dick move. You have so many people who care and love you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. It was my survival instincts kicking in, what with who her dad is and everything.”
Meadow giggles and hooks her arm in with mine, guiding us to the entry of the barn. Ivy grabs onto Beast’s hand and watches Pax in fascination. “Totally get it.” She bends forward to look at Willow. “Thanks for taking care of our girl.”
Willow waves her off. “Oh, it was my pleasure. Truly. Even though she snores.??
?
I shove her. “Shut it.”
We walk into the barn and sure enough, it’s packed with people. Beast goes directly to the back sliding doors, so we walk outside where a few kids are playing, running around. Beast starts heading straight toward where the logs are lined around a bonfire. I’ve been here enough times to know my way around the place. Beast moves to the side to take a seat, and that’s when all air leaves my body for the hundredth time over the past couple of days. Frost is sitting lazily on one of the logs with Taylor beside him. Well, I’m guessing it’s Taylor. Her dark slacks and clean silk blouse make her stand out from the crowd like a sore thumb. She has dark raven hair that’s pulled up in a sleek ponytail, showcasing her high cheekbones and pouty pink lips. I’m annoyed at how beautiful she is.
“Well this is awkward,” Willow whispers.
“Ah, yeah.” Meadow’s eyes go between Frost and Taylor.
“Err, I’m just going to get a drink.” I gesture over my shoulder. “I’ll leave you guys to it.”
“Wait!” Taylor stands, and I catch the scratch of an accent, but just can’t put my finger on what it is. Great. So she’s exotic too. She puts her hand out, a smile plastered on her face. “I’m Taylor.”
I look down at her hand, and then back to her face. Turning my head slightly over my shoulder, I watch as Raze, Millie, Miles, Amy, and Miles Jr walk in, and then stop.
I need to play nice, I know that, but why the fuck is she here? Unless… understanding sinks in and I let out a breath of air. He chose to keep her. Of course. She has years with Frost on me, what did I expect.
I put my hand in hers and shake. “Nice to meet you.” Searching her eyes, she keeps them on me and I clench my jaw. You will not beat her ass, Ella. Not in front of your child. “Anyway,” I pull back. “I need a—”
“—drink!” Willow says, taking my hand. She snubs Taylor. “I’m Willow. The long-lost sister of Frost.” She tilts her head and drags her eyes up and down. “Not so nice to meet you, though.” I hear Beast chuckle under his breath and Frost whisper, “Jesus fucking Christ,” right before Willow drags me toward the sliding doors and back into the clubhouse. I head straight for the bar and take a seat. Meadow sits on the other side of Willow and then Millie takes a seat beside me on the other side before Amy, Miles’ baby mama, who has absolutely nothing else going on, on the other side of Millie.