“Oh, shit, Soph, we’re assholes. Sorry,” Connie rushed to apologize.
I shrugged. “It’s my fault. I brought all this down on you.” I looked off to the side.
“Uh, no,” Jill shook her head emphatically. “Your asshole parents did that.”
“Soph, seriously. If we played the blame game, I’d be front and center for the shit my past caused,” Scarlet spoke up. “I learned a long time ago to let that shit go. Axel would much rather have you in his life and deal with this than the alternative. So would all of us.”
“Thanks,” I offered a small smile, accepting her one-armed hug.
“Where’s the chocolate?” Kat demanded from one of the couches where she was currently sprawled, swollen feet resting. The guys had disappeared down the hall a while ago, but that didn’t stop Sal from coming out periodically to make sure she was resting.
“Here,” I smiled, handing her a piece from our stash. The magazines and chocolate should get us through at least another hour. After that, we would need to get creative.
At least the kids were entertained. Mason, Maddox, and Gracie were playing together sweetly as we looked on. Well, more like Mason and Maddox were watching Gracie toddle around, but nevertheless, they seemed content.
“Axel wants another,” I confided. It had come up a few times, even in the last few days. Once all this drama died down, I was willing to consider it.
“Cole’s getting another,” Scarlet said, her eyes bright.
“What!” Kat shrieked.
“Keep your voice down,” Scarlet laughed. “And for God’s sake, don’t get up. We don’t need the pregnancy police back out here.”
“How far along are you?” Jill asked.
“About ten weeks, still early,” Scar answered, looking over at Gracie with a serene smile.
“Congratulations,” I offered, so happy for her.
“Thanks,” she grinned.
I looked at the women around me, thrilled our extended family was about to get just a little bit bigger.
“Still wanting to stay?” I asked Jill quietly a little while later. The kids were all down for a nap in the back rooms along with Kat and Scarlet. Jill and I sat side by side on one of the couches, browsing through magazines we’d already read ten times.
“Yeah,” she shrugged. “I like it here. And you’re here,” she poked me playfully.
“I’m glad,” I smiled.
“I need to start working. You all have been far too generous already,” she sighed.
“Take your time,” I soothed. “There’s no rush.”
“We’ll see,” she answered evasively.
I was nearly nodding off myself on the couch when a commotion woke me up. I had to blink a few times when I saw Axel and Wes hauling Benjamin McKenzie across the room. I shook my head as though to clear it.
Nope, I wasn’t seeing things. That was definitely Benjamin, the son of a New York senator being hauled across the Knights’ club floor.
Axel met my wide gaze and shocked me by tilting his head toward the back rooms with a cocked brow. He was asking if I wanted to follow or turn a blind eye.
I got up and followed, ignoring his exasperated sigh.
“What the fuck, man!” Benjamin protested as Axel hauled him into a room toward the back of the club. I followed tentatively, feeling like I was invading a space I didn’t belong in. Cole and Sal both leaned against the far wall, their arms crossed. Mack, Hank and Ryker all stood to my left watching Benjamin with pure hostility. I’d never seen this part of the club. It was a simple room with no furniture save for one piece. One chair sat in the middle of the room. Despite its simplicity, its placement invited a certain sinister-like quality. I swallowed audibly and I wasn’t even the one who was going to have to sit in it.
“Sit the fuck down,” Axel ordered, shoving Benjamin into it.
“What the hell? Do you have any idea who my father is?” he sputtered, trying to straighten his white polo. His eyes darted around the room, growing wider by the moment. When they fell on me, he recoiled with shock, – his expression confused.
