“Clark wasn’t a good guy.Not only was he married, but he was a gamblin’ addict and abusive.Not physically, though I can’t say it wasn’t headin’ that way.He was constantly puttin’ Peyton and her children down.Especially in front of others.There are several videos I’ve discovered where he has her in tears with how horrible he is to her.I’ve already removed those from the internet and I’m tracin’ the person responsible for uploadin’ them.He left a ton of debt behind along with owin’ several loan sharks a ton of money from his losses at the casinos and poker games.Peyton worked on payin’ off his debt the second the collectors started callin’ her.Not sure why they didn’t call his first wife, but your girl paid it all off with the insurance payout.
“His first wife’s name is Aurora Smythe.They were high school sweethearts and got married right out of college.That’s why you don’t know him, Carbon.This fucker didn’t go to high school with us.The only reason Clark married her is because Peyton got pregnant with Cedric.His family forced him into it.They have no clue about his first wife from what I can gather from the information I’ve found.Aurora is the one who has chosen to remain hidden from the public and has known about Peyton from the very beginning.I’ve found messages to Clark from the beginning of Peyton’s relationship where she encouraged him to be with her.I think they believed Peyton was richer than she was and wanted to use her for money.Aurora has never worked a day in her life and relied on Clark for all the money she’s ever had.She’s pissed she didn’t see a dime from his death.He left her nothin’,” Brick informs us all, putting up a picture on the screen of Clark’s first wife.
“That bitch was here a few months ago.Right around the time the stuff was left on Carbon’s porch,” Omen speaks up, sitting up straighter in his seat as we all focus on the picture Brick has displayed.“She was a Slayer Slit and it makes sense now how someone got on the compound and we had no clue about anythin’ until it was too late.That bitch let them in and helped them so they wouldn’t be caught by our security system.”
Rage boils in my veins as I realize Omen’s right.This skank, Aurora, has been in our clubhouse, eaten our food, and fucked the men I call brothers.She purposefully infiltrated our world to get closer to Peyton to play this fucked up game of hers.I’ve never hit a woman in my life, but this skank makes me want to put my hands on her and destroy her world in ways she never imagined.It’s a good thing we have women to deal with sluts like her.
“Aurora has been messagin’ and callin’ a number on a daily basis since Clark died.Before he died if I remember correctly.I’m thinkin’ she’s the one behind everythin’.Not just the person stalkin’ Peyton now, but behind Clark’s accident and everythin’ else that’s been goin’ on.I’ve been tryin’ to trace the number, but so far I’m not havin’ any luck.This tells me it’s a burner phone and it will be impossible to trace or get any information on.You all know this.It seems Aurora isn’t just another dumb bitch and has truly thought every aspect of this plan out,” Brick informs us, his voice showing the anger he feels right now.
“Brick, keep diggin’ into Aurora and the person she’s constantly in contact with.Everyone else, look for this bitch Aurora.If you find her, bring her the fuck in so we can get some information from her directly.I’ll have the girls on standby.Carbon, what do Peyton and you need from the rest of us?”Rooster asks me, leaning back in his seat and turning his full attention to me.
“I don’t know what we need.Right now, Peyton’s revertin’ back to not wantin’ to leave the house for any reason.It’s worse than before if I’m bein’ honest.She’s a shell of herself and the kids are startin’ to notice.Cedric will rarely leave her side and Caydence is a mess.She spends more time cryin’ and wantin’ to be in Peyton’s arms than anythin’ else.Not even Peyton’s dad can hold her and she loves that man,” I answer Rooster as several of my brothers slam their hands on the table in front of them.“I’m ready to take her to the hospital because I’m worried about her and the babies she carries.She could go into labor any second now and that’s my main focus.I’m not workin’ until further notice.My place is by Peyton’s side and I won’t be away from her for any reason.Especially with us knowin’ so little about all of this shit.”
“We’ll figure out your shifts for the bar and get it taken care of.Homicide and Knuckles, get more men surroundin’ the house to make Peyton feel safe.Her mental health is important as she gets ready to have the twins.We can’t have her constantly stressed out and on high alert the way she has been,” Rooster orders everyone as I stand from my seat and prepare to head back home.“Carbon, Marie has been cookin’ up a storm and will be bringin’ all the food over to the house later today.I know some of the other ol’ ladies have also been bakin’ and shit too.You guys will be set for food until long after the twins are born.”
“Appreciate it,” I say as I continue walking out of church.I barely hear the gavel slam on the table as Rooster calls church to an end.
This is the first time I’ve ever walked out of church this way and I don’t give a fuck about what anyone thinks.They all know what’s going on with Peyton so I’m guessing they understand where I’m coming from.Right now, getting back home is all I can think of and it’s what I’m about to do.If I don’t get home with my girl, I’m liable to leave the compound and go out in search of the assholes threatening Peyton and our children.I won’t be nice and there’s no guarantee how far I’ll take things in the name of getting revenge for the woman I’ve loved longer than I can remember.
Chapter Sixteen
Peyton
OVER THE LAST week, Matt hasn’t left my side for longer than a few minutes at a time.He watches over me constantly and rarely lets me do anything on my own.Every single day he makes sure I have plenty of water and other fluids to drink, more than enough to eat, and that I’m not working too hard.The man is in and out of my office more often than anyone else has been since I started working from home.Cedric still doesn’t leave my side.I’ve caught him playing in the hallway right outside my door, his eyes constantly darting toward me to make sure nothing is wrong with me.My dad and Carbon have tried to talk to him about the situation and what’s going on with him, but Cedric only replies that he’s protecting his mom and nothing else.I’ll talk to him at some point about the situation, but I’ve been trying to ignore it.That’s been my go-to move regarding everything stalker related.It’s the only way I can deal with everything right now because I’m scared to death.
Matt knows I’m scared, but there’s nothing he can do to take the fear from me.Every shadow I see, I do a double take because I think it’s someone in the home I’m trying to build for our family.Each noise filling the house makes me jump no matter how large or small it is.I act as if there’s danger around every single corner despite the doors and windows being closed and locked so no one can get in.Matt and my dad constantly check to ensure everything is locked because they know it’s the only reason I have any semblance of peace in my life.
There are constantly people in our home.My family is here from the time they wake up until they have to go to bed each night.Various members of the club and the ol’ ladies are here throughout the day as well.They’ve brought us food, milkshakes, and enough sweets for the entire club and more.I’m not complaining because I’ve been eating it all.I can’t seem to get enough food in me right now and I know it’s because I haven’t been eating the way I should be over the last few weeks.Apparently I’m making up for lost time now and that’s about the only thing that’s made Matt happy over the last few days.
“Sweetheart, I’m here,” my dad calls out as Cedric looks down the hallway from his spot right outside the office door.
“In the office, Dad,” I return, trying not to be too loud as Caydence finally sleeps.
It’s been rough getting her to sleep in her crib.My daughter only seems to be happy if she’s in my arms or in bed between Matt and me.I’m not about to deny her sleeping with me because I know she’s feeding off of my emotions and all the tension filling my body.That’s why Cedric rarely lets me out of his sight.I hate that I’m doing this to my kids, but I can’t seem to hide my feelings from anyone around me right now.
Standing from my seat, I stretch my back and immediately know something is wrong.Pain shoots through my stomach.
