“The doctor said it’s a miracle that baby is hanging on,” Cade says, his voice tired. “But that baby is part of me. That, and maybe there is a little bit of Christmas in the air. It must make for some luck.”
I smile. “A Christmas miracle.”
“Yeah,” he says. “I fuckin’ hope so.”
~*~*~*~
Janine
“So, you were having sex and you fell on your face?” Addison says later that night when we’re visiting her in her room. She looks tired, her eyes have dark rings under them and her face is a little puffy, but she has some hope in her eyes and she’s smiling, so that’s something.
“Never mind me, how are you?” I say, waving a hand.
“Uh, no, I want this story.” She pouts.
“Me too,” Ciara says, shifting her chair closer with an enthusiastic look on her face.
“Oh, me three,” Serenity adds from the end of Addi’s bed.
“Okay,” I sigh. “We were in an odd position.”
“Elaborate,” Addison encourages.
“He was holding me like a wheelbarrow.”
The girls are silent a moment, all of them deep in concentration like they’re picturing it in their heads.
“Oh, damn,” Ciara says, grinning.
“I can’t picture it,” Serenity pouts.
“Google it,” Addison suggests.
Serenity pulls out her phone while I slowly die in shame. She types something in and then her eyes widen. “Oh...wow!”
“Yeah,” I groan.
“So...he dropped you?” Ciara says, her expression concerned.
“No, when we were...um...enjoying the last moment...my hands gave way, and I couldn’t catch myself. I face planted the floor.”
Serenity bursts out laughing. “Oh my God, that’s hilarious!”
“It wasn’t at the time.” I sigh, feeling my head begin to pound.
“You look like crap, honey,” Addison says, fighting back a smile.
“Sorry, big day.”
Her smile fades. “Cade told me that there was a note left for you.”
Her eyes are sympathetic. I hate that. I hate sympathy. I don’t need it. I can deal with this. I will deal with this. I’m not going to get run off by a dropkick who has issues with my dead husband.
“Honey,” she says, reaching over and gripping my hand. “You’re looking really angry right now.”
“I am angry, Addi,” I say, meeting her gaze. “Because of my dead husband, I now have debts I can’t afford, and the only way out of them is to either a) pay them, or b) have the guys deal with it, which either results in them getting hurt or someone getting killed.”
“They know what they’re doing, hon,” Serenity says.
“I know, but it’s not their problem, it’s mine.”
“It is their problem. The moment you become one of their ladies, everything becomes their problem. You need to let Muff do what he needs to do and just trust he knows what’s right,” Ciara adds gently.
I put my head in my hands. “I know that, okay? I do, but it’s hard for me to just step back and let him take over.”
“It’ll get easier.” Addison sighs. “Trust me.”
“You girls ready to go?” Spike says, popping his head into the room. “Visiting hours are over, and precious needs some rest.”
Addison smiles at him, and he winks at her. Ciara gets up, and Serenity and I quickly follow. We all hug Addison.
“Thanks for coming. I appreciate everything you girls have done for me,” she says, holding Ciara’s hand.
“Always.” I smile.
“Forever,” Serenity adds.
“I can’t beat that.” Ciara laughs. “But, you know, I’ve always got your back.”
We hug Addi again and head out. My head is pounding by the time I get outside. As soon as Muff walks over to me, I fall into him, nestling into his chest, just wanting his comfort.
“Come on, Jaybird. Let’s get you home.”
I let him lead me to the truck, and crash before he even gets the chance to get onto the highway.
I’m exhausted.
Chapter 9
Gloooooria!
Muff
“We located him, Muff,” Jackson says, walking into my house the next morning.
I’m shuffling around the kitchen, looking for coffee. Janine is still sleeping after having an extremely painful night. At Jackson’s words though, I stop. “Where?”
“Warehouse, south of here. We managed to get enough information to figure out who that bastard owed money to. After a few questions, we worked out he was after J for money. We’re ready to go, if you decide you wanna deal with this now.”
I turn, walking out into the living area to get my jacket. I pull it over my shoulders, throw my boots on and grab my helmet. “You know I wanna fuckin’ deal with it now.”
“Where’s J?”
“She’s sleepin’. Rough night.”
Jackson nods, and jingles his keys. “Ready to sort this shit out?”
“Fuckin’ oath.”
“Where are you going?”
I hear the tiny voice from behind me, and turn to see Jaybird, hair ruffled, cute-ass pink pajamas on, staring at me. I walk over, gripping her shoulders and leaning down, kissing her softly. Her eyes are black, her nose is puffy, and I know she feels like shit. Poor thing. I wouldn’t have gotten so...creative, if I’d known it would bring her harm.
“I’m goin’ to sort this shit out. Stay here.”
Her eyes widen. “Y...y...you found him? Already?”
“We ain’t slow, baby. It doesn’t take long to track down someone like that.”
“W...w...what are you going to do?”
I stroke her cheek. “Club business, baby. You just stay here.”
“Muff...you don’t have to do this for me,” she whispers.
I take her chin. “When are you goin’ to realize that you’re my everything, Jaybird? I won’t rest until I know you’re safe. That’s what you do when someone is your everything.”
“I know, but...”
“Hush,” I say, giving her stern eyes. “You know that I gotta do this.”
“Are you in danger?”
I shake my head. “Naw, the guys have always got my back. You know that, angel.”
She swallows and nods, because she does know that. If there’s one thing she knows, it’s how clubs work. “Please...be careful.”
I lean down, kissing her lips. “Always.”
I turn, giving her one last smile before heading out with Jackson.
It’s time to kick some ass.
~*~*~*~
Muff
“Fucker is dumb as dog shit,” Spike says, rubbing his fists. “Left a fuckin’ trail a mile long.”
“Well, it’s time to sort him out so we can focus on fuckin’ Christmas,” I grunt.
“I’m hearin’ ya,” Cade says, lighting a cigarette.
“How are we gonna play this?” Jackson asks, lifting his sunglasses and staring into the warehouse.
“I say we threaten him, give him something to fear. Tell him to back down. If he doesn’t wanna back down, you know what we’ll do,” I say, thumbing the gun in my pants.
“Fine by me,” Spike growls. “Let’s do this.”
We kick the fence, three times, and it swings open. We all stride in, shades on, jackets showing, ready to beat someone. Three guys come out the front door of the huge shed out front, and yell something at us. Jackson steps forward. “Lookin’ for Harry,” he says, his tone harsh.
“He’s not here,” one of the guys yells.
“Funny that,” Jackson says, pulling his gun out and holding it up. We do the same. “I heard he was.”
The men move quickly, putting their hands up and calling out to heir boss. A moment later, an older man with greying hair and tattoos all over him walks out. He stares at us, and his body visibly stiffens.
“Can I help you?” he mutters, walking closer.
“Yeah, I believe you can,” Jackson growls. “I believe you’ve been threatening one of our ladies.”
The old man shakes his head. “Don’t know what you’re fuckin’ talkin’ about.”
I walk forward, shoving the note in the son-of-a-bitch’s face. I want to beat him until he’s bleeding, but there’s a way of dealing with this shit, and that ain’t it. Not right now anyway.
“What do you call that then?” I growl.
He stares down at the note, and back up at us. “Since when is that bitch with you boys? You know she’s married to a fuckin’ biker.”
“A biker we ended,” Jackson growls.
He shifts a little nervously. “Yeah, well he owes me money.”
“He’s fuckin’ dead,” I bark.
He shoots me a glare. “Then she owes me money.”
I storm forward, gripping his collar and twisting it, lowering his face. I press my gun to his temple and hiss, “She owes you nothing, you filthy scumbag.”
“Come on man,” he pleads. “Just doin’ what I gotta do.”
“That’s my woman, and I don’t take kindly to her bein’ fuckin’ threatened.”
“Just doin’ my job!” he yells.
I press my gun harder into his temple. “And I’m just doin’ mine.”
“Here’s your option,” Jackson says, stepping forward. “You drop it, and leave her the fuck alone, or we deal with you now.”
“She fuckin’ owes me money,” the bastard growls, twisting.
Jackson lifts his hand, bringing his gun down over the man’s head. He bellows and blood trickles from his head.
“We don’t fuck around. I’ll put a bullet in your skull without hesitation,” I snarl. “You have only one option, and that option is to fuck off away from my woman.”
“I got people after me. If I don’t pay...”
“Not my fuckin’ problem,” I hiss.
“I need that money; they’ll kill me...”
“I’ll fuckin’ kill you if you come near her again.”
“Okay, okay,” he yells. “I’ll let it go.”
I let him go, shoving him backwards. He growls and straightens, glaring at us. “You fuckers think you can just come in and do whatever the fuck you want.”
“Damn right,” Cade snorts from behind us.
“You should be more careful who you fuck with,” Spike growls.
“And you should be more careful who you threaten,” the man growls, reaching around behind him.
I’ve been in enough situations to know what he’s about to do. He’s got a weapon in his pants, and in a split second he’ll use it. I don’t give him a chance. I pull the trigger, hitting him in the middle of his chest. He drops to the ground with a bellow, face hitting the dirt. I walk over pressing my boot into his back. He screams.
“That was a stupid fuckin’ thing to do.”
I lean down and grip the gun from his pants, tossing it to Spike.
“Your call, Muff,” Jackson growls. “I say we take the fucker out. I don’t trust him to stay away. It’s your call, though.”
I lift my eyes to meet Jackson’s, and in a steely voice, I growl, “Let’s take him out.”
And that’s what we do.
No one messes with our family.
~*~*~*~
Janine
I pace backward and forward, knowing he’s out there, and not knowing if he’s okay. It’s been twelve hours, and I haven’t seen or heard from him. What if he’s hurt, and it’s because of me? What if I put him in a situation that will endanger his life? If I lost him...no...I can’t think like that. My chest seizes, and I take a deep, calming breath. Muff knows what he’s doing. He’s a biker; they all know what they’re doing.
In the distance I hear the rumble of a Harley-Davidson, and my heart thumps.
Is it him?
Is he okay?
I rush to the window, and peer out. I wait, my entire body stiff as a bike comes into view. As soon as I see it’s his, my entire body goes weak and tears tumble down my cheeks. A moment later Muff is at my front door, opening it. He sees me staring pathetically out, and walks over, gripping me and pulling me into his arms. I try not to notice the red on his knuckles, and how they’re swelling.
“Hey, baby, hush, I’m here,” he soothes.
“I thought...it’s been twelve hours, and...Muff...If I lost you...”
“But you didn’t,” he says. “I’m okay.”
“You’re...you’re hurt,” I whisper, stroking his knuckles.
“Nothin’ for you to worry about.”
“Muff, what...”
“No,” he says, his voice gentle but firm. “You know I ain’t answerin’ that, princess.”
“I just—I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
“We got it sorted, and you’ll be happy to know there ain’t no loan sharks comin’ after you now.”
I’ve been around bikers long enough to know what that means. They’ve gotten rid of him whichever way they saw fit, and that isn’t ever nice. I also know it’s none of my business, and it’s best if I just stay out of it. So that’s what I do. I have my man in my arms, and he did the one thing he promised he would. He kept me safe. He kept Ebony safe.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You’re my fuckin’ lady...” he murmurs. “Always.”
“So can we do this now?” I whisper. “Can we finally celebrate Christmas?”
“Baby,” he sighs deeply, “hell yeah.”
Thank God.
Chapter 10
Dreams really do come true.
Janine
“I missed you, Mommy,” Ebony cries, leaping into my arms as soon as I get to the front door.
“I missed you too, baby.”
“What happened to your face, Mommy?” she asks, concerned when she lays eyes on me.
“Mommy fell over; silly Mommy.”
She giggles.
“Are we going up to the snow?”
I nod. “We are, this afternoon.”
Her eyes light up. “I’m going to make a snowman!”
She turns and rushes off, and I walk inside to find my mom. She’s in the kitchen, pulling a tray of gingerbread cookies from the oven. When she turns and sees me, she drops the tray. “Janine, what happened?” she cries, rushing over.
“It’s okay, Mom,” I say, putting up my hands. “I fell, that’s all.”
She scrunches up her nose. “Is that a lie, Janine?”
“No, Mom, it’s not. I swear, I fell.”
“On your face?”
“Yes.”
She crosses her arms. “How do you fall on your face?”
I flush. “That’s a question you don’t want answered. Now, tell me, are we all ready to go?”
“Addison has the all-clear then?” she says, her eyes hopeful.
“She has the all-clear but she has to take it easy. The bleeding has stopped, and the baby still seems okay. I told her and Cade to stay home, but she insists on coming back up. But she promises to sit.”
“Silly girl. She should stay down here.”
I smile. “Yes, but it’s Christmas, and it’s a time for family.”
“That’s true.” She nods.
“So, I just popped in to get Eb’s, and go and get her ready.”
“You can leave her here, if you like,” she says, looking hopeful. “Go and get her things and come back for her.”
“If that’s okay with you,” I say.
“Of course.” She waves a hand.
“Eb,” I call out.
My daughter comes bounding in, looks at her gingerbread men on the floor and begins to cry.
“Oh, honey, it’s okay,” I soothe. “I’m sure granny will make more.”
Eb’s eyes lift to her grandma, “Will you?”
My mom smiles. “Of course. Come on, let’s make some to take up to the cabins.”
“I’ll let you do that, and I’ll come back for you both soon,” I say, pecking my mom on
the cheek.
“No problems, dear,” my mother says, lifting Eb’s and putting her on the counter.
I smile and leave.
Maybe this will turn out to be a good Christmas after all.
~*~*~*~
Muff
“Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches,” the girls sing at the top of their lungs.
I groan loudly, rolling my eyes. Christmas carols for the last fucking hour. Non-stop. Over and over. I want to pull my gun out and shove it in my mouth...
“Muff,” Jaybird giggles, grinning at me. “Sing along.”
“I’d rather cut my own tongue off,” I mutter.
“Aw, you big Grinch,” Ciara cries.
I don’t know how I ended up with Ciara in my truck, but I did. Spike had to take the kids, because his truck had the baby seat buckles, so I got the girls: Ebony, Jaybird and Ciara. I want to gouge my eyes out with a blunt instrument.
“I hate Christmas carols,” I grunt.
“You didn’t say that when you were wiggling around to them the other night,” Jaybird teases, poking my side.
“I was drinking, and had a half-naked woman around. It makes a difference.”
“Fun spoiler,” Ciara whines.
“Come on, Muff,” Eb’s cries in that cute-ass little voice. “Sing, sing!”
I groan. “You know I love ya baby girl, but there ain’t no way I’m singin’.”
“Aw.” She pouts. “You’re mean.”
“Don’t try and make me feel bad, baby.”
“I love you, Muffy.”
I groan, and then laugh. “You’re a terror, Ebony.”
Jaybird laughs. “She takes after her momma.”
“That she does.” I grin, reaching across and taking her hand. “Go on, keep singing ladies!”
“Wooooo!” Ciara giggles. “Deck the halls...”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t wipe the damned smile off my face.
This Christmas shit is getting to me.
Chapter 11
White Christmas
Janine
“Oh, God,” I whimper, arching my back.
“Shhhh,” Muff growls against my pussy. “Silence, baby.”
It’s hard to be silent when he’s got that divine mouth on my pussy, and his tongue is licking and twirling, bringing me to the edge. I’m propped up on the washing machine, feet on Muff’s shoulders. His mouth is driving me crazy, and he damn well knows it. I came in here to put some washcloths away, and ended up pressed against the washing machine, with Muff’s mouth in my pussy.