That was a name I was familiar with, primarily because when I’d finally done the name search on Kane and Ryder, Vitucci was linked to Brennan and O’Machain.On the hierarchy of alleged crime families, Vitucci reigned supreme.Kane’s family, as well as Ryder’s, were further down the ladder, along with the Bianchi family.
Abi’s husband was a very dangerous man.And Sammy was his freaking baby sister.The woman I’d become friends with probably knew my ex, perhaps both of them.
It didn’t feel like a coincidence that I’d ended up living so close to her.I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
Vega
When I’d decidedto leave my old life, I’d known it would have to be a clean break from everything.Otherwise, if Kane or Ryder came looking for me, I would have caved and gone back to them.I couldn’t lie to myself.I loved them more than anyone, including myself.But my baby deserved better, and it was for them that I wanted a fresh start.
One of the women’s shelters the hospital back at home worked with had become an organization I’d assisted with more than once.In what little spare time I had back then, I would volunteer.Many of the women hadn’t had a wellness check in years, and I would do pap smears and other gynecology exams for free.
The nonprofit helped women in dangerous domestic situations start new lives.Gave them any medical treatments they needed, paid for higher education and trade-school programs, and provided them with completely new identities, from Social Security numbers to fully documented fake backgrounds when needed.
I’d reached out, explained my situation, and asked for help.
No.I hadn’t been a victim of assault by either of my partners, but I hadn’tfeltsafe.Because the nonprofit considered me an ally, the organization had readily agreed and worked quickly to help me disappear.
Since moving to Northern California, I had discovered that small-town life was nothing like the city.I didn’t live directly in Creswell Springs, but I was still in Trinity County.Sanctuary, which was one of the shelters the nonprofit worked with, was in Creswell Springs.It was where Nishia lived since her husband and his family ran the shelter.Delaney volunteered there.Evie was a social worker at Sanctuary.
What were the chances that I’d end up so close to two Vitucci heirs?That wasn’t fate or some other form of divine intervention.People didn’t run from one mob family—or, in my case, multiple syndicates—and coincidentally land within the perimeters of another crime organization’s territory.
Not that I thought Abi and Sammy were part of that kind of thing.They were the least likely people to be thugs I’d ever come across.But then again, that was how people hid in plain sight, wasn’t it?
Abi’s husband, Vaughn, on the other hand…
And then there was also the glaring fact that the entire county seemed to be run primarily by a bunch of bikers.Lots and lots and lots of growly, delicious bikers.Men who looked like life had treated them rough, but that didn’t stop them from opening doors for every woman, tipping their heads respectfully, and saying “Yes, ma’am” and “Sweetheart” and “Honey” like their mamas had raised them right.
Crime in and around Creswell Springs was low.Not as in I was going to leave my doors unlocked, ever, but I hadn’t once had to walk around at night with my Mace in hand.Sammy’s husband was a member of the MC.Almost every member of our book club was married to or related to an Angel’s Halo patched member.
So far, I hadn’t voiced my suspicions to either Abi or Sammy, but I was sure neither of them would be surprised if I randomly told them who my exes were.Or who my baby’s father was.
As I walked into WomanLand, the boutique where we heldMocktails and Steamy Ever Aftersevery Friday night, I rubbed my hand over my baby bump.After a lot of back-and-forth with myself, I’d finally decided to find out which of my two men had fathered my little miracle.
Ryder’s DNA was in the system because of the tests Cullum O’Machain had done to confirm his paternity, which I’d known and utilized.Discreetly, with a little help from my friends who had assisted my move, that sample was compared to one of my blood samples.The results were still in an envelope in my bag, sealed.Just like the ultrasound report with my baby’s gender.I was working up the courage to look at both.
From a personal point of view, I didn’t care which of my men was the biological father.In my heart, both of them would always be my child’s daddy.But from a health care professional standpoint, it would be irresponsible not to know who my baby shared DNA with.Genetics had a significant impact on a person’s health, and I needed to be proactive for my kid’s sake.
Mila and River, who co-owned the boutique, had packed up both the Christmas and New Year’s displays.It was only the second week of January, and they were already putting out stuff for Valentine’s Day.That included date-night wear, from red dresses to lingerie, to sales on their fun items in the adults-only section.Hearts and roses were everywhere, along with glittery confetti.
Abi waddled in slowly, Sammy on one side, and Hayat on the other.Like many of Abi’s extended family, Hayat had arrived right before Christmas and was staying with her men until after Abi gave birth.I’d met several of the aunts, uncles, and cousins in the past few weeks.
Hayat fit the rocker-girl vibe.She was edgy, with her wild hair and exotic eyes in a beautiful face that included the deepest dimples I’d ever seen.Her height and figure drew attention all on their own, with her standing at least six-one.Each time I’d seen her, she’d been wearing the same style of joggers, a hoodie or sweater that was shredded, and a colorful sports bra beneath.
Between her and Sammy, I wasn’t sure who was more startlingly beautiful.Sammy was on the loud side when it came to clothes that revealed her amazing body, usually showing off her boobs or her perfect freaking ass.Hayat was more muted in her wardrobe, and that was its own brand of appeal.She didn’t dress provocatively.The only part of her body she actually showed was her midriff.It was the confidence that rolled off her that was the sexiest.
Something, I wasn’t sure what, but something had definitely happened to Hayat right before the holiday.She’d been beaten pretty badly and was still showing the bruises from it.
No one had said anything about it at the previous week’s book club meeting, and I didn’t want to pry.Having seen many domestic battery victims in the emergency department, though, I could tell she’d taken one hell of a beating.Since I’d seen all three of her men in town, I didn’t think they were the ones who had hurt her, though.None of the women I’d come to know and even love would let them continue to walk this earth if they had lifted a hand to Hayat.
Only days away from her due date, Abi looked about as miserable as the patient I’d left in Doc’s hands earlier.Abi’s belly had dropped lower than when I’d seen her the day before, while I’d stopped to pick up my dinner from Aggie’s, the only diner in town.
Hayat assisted Abi into the most comfortable chair in our circle, then took the seat opposite her best friend.Sammy offered her a glass of fruit juice, which Abi chugged like she hadn’t had water in days.Her brow was dotted with sweat, and she touched her hand to a spot on her belly that I’d noticed had already tightened twice since she’d walked in.
I met her gaze with an arched brow, and she grimaced.“How far apart are your contractions?”
Sammy and Hayat both gaped at her when she didn’t immediately answer my question.
“You’ve been having contractions and didn’t say anything?”Sammy cried, her eyes turning wild.
