Page 32 of Van

“I’m not sure.”

“What’s wrong?” Free asks.

“I just don’t like her bein’ out there on her own,” I tell him.

“Think the ex might try somethin’?”

“I don’t know, brother. He was an ass the last time we saw him when we were out. Didn’t really wanna back down,” I tell him.

“She’ll be fine. Nicole is a scrappy bitch,” he laughs.

“True.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much,” he adds this time.

“Yeah. We need to worry about the meetin’ Mask is settin’ up.”

“Why is that?”

“Seven of them? We each take a shot, and they’re handled,” I tell him. Free laughs as he slaps a hand on my shoulder.

“You really do need to get your hands dirty, yeah? You are itchin’ to get some blood on your hands.”

“I just don’t see the point in talkin’. We know what they’re doin’. It’s the same thing every other MC has tried when they moved on our territory.”

Chapter 14

Chyanne

“So you and Van, huh? Never thought I’d see him with a woman with a kid,” Nicole muses as we finish up shopping. It’s been nice to get out and have some time away.

“So I’ve heard,” I tell her.

“I’m serious. He was dead set on not having kids.”

“That’s what he said too. He wasn’t sure about it before, but he said he’s changed his mind,” I tell her as I pick up another sleeper for the baby and look at it.

“That’s cute,” she says, nodding toward the little baseball bats on the sleeves. “I’m glad he changed his mind. He’s a good guy, and I know he’ll be good to you two.”

“I’m not looking for him to replace Derrick as a father. I’m happy to raise this baby by myself.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” That voice sends a chill down my spine as I look over my shoulder and see Derrick standing behind me.

“What the hell do you want?” Nicole snaps at him. He looks out of it. Not like himself. His eyes are wild as he glances between the two of us. No. Something isn’t right.

“What I’ve always wanted. Her,” he says, nodding toward me. I shake my head slowly as I set the sleeper back on the shelf and turn to leave the store. Derrick follows behind me until we’re both out of the store, and then I feel something hard press into my back as I swallow hard.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking back what’s mine,” he says. “Get rid of Nicole, or I’ll kill her.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” I hiss at him as Nicole comes to stand next to me.

“What’s going on?”

“You need to go, Nicole. Derrick is going to take me to work.”

“No. I’m taking you. Derrick isn’t doing shit,” she snaps.

---