“No. I promise I’m fine. Silly me forgot to check the end date on the coffee creamer and only realized it was expired after I drank it this morning,” I lie, hoping he will let it go. I don’t want to tell him I may be pregnant only for it to be untrue. “I’m already in the car, on my way home. Londyn arranged a car service for me.”
“You should've called me. I would have caught the first flight home to take care of you.”
“I didn’t want to bother you, and I knew you were busy with your own work. Besides, I’ll be home soon. I just need to rest.”
“You’re never a bother to me, you know that. I don’t want you to worry about Robert, we can deal with him later.”
“I know. It’s one of the many reasons I love you,” I say, smiling. “I think I’ll work from home tomorrow if I’m still feeling sick. The tea and crackers I bought should help.”
“I love you too, baby, and I miss you,” he replies, causing my cheeks to flush. Even after all these years, hearing Silas tell me he loves me still makes my heart flutter. “I think it’s a good idea to work from home. Take it easy for a day or two and don’t stress about the merger. We’ll figure it out together.”
“Alright. Sounds good. I’m just ready to put this day behind me and relax. I should be home in about twenty minutes but you know how bad Atlanta traffic is this time of day,” I huff, hating that this is an everyday thing. Living in the suburbs, where we built our home was a great idea on our part but the commute to the office is a bitch!
“Promise you’ll go straight to bed when you get home?”
“Yes, I promise. Piper and I will snuggle, wishing you were home with us.”
“That would be perfect. But, I have to go. I’ll call you later, baby. I love you.”
“I love you too. Talk to you soon,” I reply, ending the call.
The little white lie I told doesn't sit well with me, but if I mentioned to Silas that I think I’m pregnant, he would have rushed home, insisting I go to the doctor. I find it overwhelming and prefer to confirm it myself first before letting him know. As we finally turn onto the long road leading to our house, I already feel a sense of relief. The view of our estate is always a welcome sight. It's a five-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home nestled on about six acres. Silas insisted on our privacy, wanting it to always feel like a retreat for us. Initially, I resisted the idea, but over time, I've come to appreciate the seclusion of our property.
A distant noise catches my attention, and I turn to look through the back window. There’s a guy speeding by on a motorcycle, the familiar rumble echoing in the wind. Although I couldn't see the driver clearly, I noticed his black kutte.
Seeing motorcyclists on these roads isn't unusual since they're relatively safe from city traffic and offer a scenic route. However, I've never spotted a biker from an MC in this area before. Maybe it's a sign that I need to tell Silas about my past and finally put it behind me. The fact that I moved across the country to distance myself from that life should show him that I’ve left it behind, choosing to start anew on my terms. He doesn’t even know that my father is part of an MC.
When we got married, I insisted my father not wear his kutte or anything representing the Rebel Riders around Silas. It was my burden to bear, and I refused to let that stigma into my new life. My father understood and respected my decision. Perhaps it’s time I reach out and try to build some kind of relationship.We both agreed to keep our distance because of the threats against my life, and thankfully, things have been quiet. We’ve spoken occasionally, but only briefly, just a “how’s life treating you” check-in.
One thing I’ve always dreamed of was having my father walk me down the aisle at my wedding. It wouldn’t have felt like a fairytale without him by my side. Our dance at the reception was the last time he held me in his arms, and if I’m being honest, I miss him more than I’d like to admit. But if I am pregnant, I know I’ll choose this baby over the potential danger of having my father involved.
It might sound harsh to some, but I want my child to have a life I never did, free from violence and constant threats. I’m so lost in thought that I don’t even notice the driver holding the door open, waiting for me. I thank him, unlock the house, and drop to my knees as Piper comes barreling into me. Being home early for a change makes my girl happy. I think I’ll work from home tomorrow and spend the day with our fur baby.
When we built this house, I insisted on a breakfast nook with a large bay window, facing east so the morning sunlight could filter through. It’s the perfect spot for quiet coffee moments, where you can think about your day and have some peace before the chaos starts. Piper trails behind me as I head into the kitchen, her nails tapping against the hardwood floors, making me smile.
Setting my keys on the counter, I open the fridge to grab a bottle of water when my phone pings with an email from Stephens Global. I frown, confused, especially after today’s failed negotiations. Opening the document, I’m stunned, completely caught off guard by what I see. In a complete turnaround, the board of directors has accepted our offer with the original terms and are eager to move forward with thepartnership. What on earth just happened, and why the sudden change of heart?
As I read further, it confirms what I suspected, Robert tried to cut a separate deal without the board’s approval and it basically backfired on him. They understand his desire to hold onto the company, but with their financial losses, this merger is their only hope for recovery. In other words, they strong armed him and most likely threatened to remove him if he didn’t comply. The tension in my shoulders eases as I fire off a quick text to Silas letting him know the good news. Despite still feeling like I’m about to hurl, my day just took a major turn for the better.
SEVEN
MAVERICK
HearingEmber’s voice was the only thing that brought peace to my hellish week. When I called her earlier, I wasn’t expecting her to tell me that the merger had fallen through. Although I told her I was calling in between meetings, Nightmare texted me that he saw her get into a car and I was curious why she wasn’t driving her own. He’d been assigned to her detail today and had just arrived at my office.
Ever since Elijah’s call, I’ve been on edge, wondering if the Savage Knights were lurking in the city, waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Thankfully, Nightmare confirmed the limo turned onto the road leading to our home. Londyn will be spending the weekend with her and it makes me feel a little better about being away this long.
After I hung up with Ember, I immediately called Robert Stephens and laid it all out. The embezzlement he tried to hide, the plans to ditch his employees and retirees while he disappeared to another country, leaving them with nothing. Turbo had dug into his financials and found several large transfers to an offshore account. Stephens tried to back out of the deal while I wasn’t there, proving what a spineless bastard heis. He’s lucky I’ve got too much on my plate right now, or I’d have Steel and Hellhound pay him a visit. Maybe even rough him up a little for trying to pull this shit.
“Pass me that wrench, Buck,” I ask, wiping grease off of my hands. Road Restorers, one of the club’s businesses, specializes in restoring and repairing vintage motorcycles. We do maintenance on the newer bikes, but there’s nothing like bringing a classic Harley back to life. Buckshot, one of my enforcers, hands me the wrench and inquires,
“How’s it coming along?”
“Almost there. Damn carburetor’s been giving me trouble all day. Think I’ve got it figured out, though,” I reply, tightening a bolt. It was a bitch getting the stripped one off, but it was a welcomed distraction after this shitty week. Being in the shop wasn’t work for me. It’s where I’m able to think clearly while fixing shit.
“You sure about that? Last time you ‘figured it out,’ the thing nearly exploded,” he taunts, leaning over to inspect the engine.
“Well considering you were the one who wired the damn ignition, I would say that was all your fault.”
