Page 37 of JoJo

Chapter 11

We were headed to a party when I noticed the old Chevy taking all of the same turns. The damn thing had been following us since we were a mile down from our house. I’d say it was coincidence, but mine was the last house on that road.

“What’s wrong, babe?”

“I think that truck has been following us.”

“You do know there are only so many country roads, right? It’s not really a coincidence when we head in the same direction, considering we’re on our way towards town.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s just weird, and well, never mind. I probably have hormone induced paranoia going on.”

Steel grinned over at me before returning his eyes back to the road in front of us. “Besides, even if it is someone following us for your brother again, maybe we should give him the scoop to take back. You’re going to have my baby. I think that sort of legitimizes our marriage to the utmost degree.” He chuckled then. “It also gives you another next of kin in the lineup.”

He was right about that. We had found out that my brother had indeed hired a private investigator to get the dirt on our ‘fake marriage’ when he found out we had tied the knot. The man we’d seen in the bushes that day had taken back pictures that proved nothing more than we were a married couple with mutual friends. Obviously, it didn’t help his supposed case he was planning on destroying us with.

We pulled into the parking lot of the Aces High compound, which now had an extremely nice fence around it. It was all wood and stone for privacy, except for the front gate that was a series of strong iron bars. There was a larger sliding gate in the back that was large enough to admit eighteen wheelers if they needed it to. For now, the front gate was left open, and J.D., the youngest prospect stood guard there with the much older, new probationary member, Battle.

J.D. was on the driver’s side and leaned in to say hello to Steel as Battle gave me a once over. After realizing who I must be, since he heard J.D. greet Steel by name, the man smiled down at me with a warm light bleeding through his deep, velvety brown eyes. The goatee on his face hid away some of the smile that formed, but the crinkling around his eyes told me it was genuine anyway. “Congratulations, honey. I’ll probably be out here most of the night doing grunt work, so I figured I’d tell you now.”

“Thanks, Battle. And good to finally meet you by the way.” He tipped his head up at me in extended greeting.

“My daughter is here tonight,” he leaned in a little closer then. “She’s expressed interest in joining up with you ladies, so if you could kind of keep an eye on her, I’d greatly appreciate it. These creeps know she’s off limits, but there’s a few guys from other chapters here tonight too.”

“You have my word, and I’ll let our VP know about her interest too.” I didn’t bother to explain that I wasn’t exactly on speaking terms with our president at that moment. I knew I’d have to try to fix that soon, but honestly, I was tired and didn’t think I was the one who should have to fix anything since I hadn’t done anything to break it.

A beep from behind us had Steel turning my way, and leaning down far enough that he could see Battle too. “If you two hens are done gossiping, people are trying to get to a party!” Steel informed us. Battle’s laughter in response was deep and inviting. He didn’t even say a word about the teasing, instead he just backed up and smacked a big meaty paw on top of the truck cab to signal us to pass. Steel got us parked, and helped me out of the truck as if I were an invalid. When I rolled my eyes at him he just smirked and asked a dumb question. “What?”

“‘What?’ my ass. I’m barely pregnant, not handicapped.”

He dropped a kiss on my forehead and smiled down at me. “I love you.” Okay, well, I’d probably let him win this argument then. He grinned at me again as he turned us in the direction of the clubhouse, put his hand on my lower back, and walked me to the party.

“Hey! Look who’s here,” Quickshot called out as we entered the bar area. Yes, it seemed a little ironic to be celebrating a birth announcement in a bar since, you know, I’m pregnant and can’t drink. That’s just what bikers do though. Quick passed a shot, of what looked like whiskey, to Steel. For me, he passed a shot glass full of warm, white liquid. I quirked an eyebrow up in question and he laughed. “Warm milk, little momma.” I rolled my eyes and downed my ‘shot’ alongside my husband and his grown up drink to the cheers of everyone present.

“Warm milk shots,” I sighed out while shaking my head. “Only you, Quick!”

“Couldn’t have you feeling all left out and shit.” He came over and gently patted my belly then kissed my cheek. “Congratulations, JoJo.”

“Get your hands off my woman, Quick. I’m pretty sure you have your own to knock up.”

The color drained a little bit from Quickshot’s face as his eyes widened. “Not you too! Keys has already been hinting that your little squirt will need a playmate. I’m not ready for that shit, man. Jamie and Sweet’s kid will have to do.” I laughed at him. Granted, Keys and Quick hadn’t been together very long in the big scheme of things. They had officially gotten together sometime after Angel and Sweet’s wedding, which hadn’t been that long before my own. I didn’t blame him for not exactly being ready for kids. Steel and I were definitely the exception and not the rule. Hell, I wasn’t sure we were ready either. In our case we just had to be ready. If given the choice, I think both of us would have preferred to wait. He was also forgetting that there was a rift between Angel Girl and me that hadn’t been mended yet, and didn’t appear to be heading in that direction any time soon.

“Hi guys,” a quiet voice called out from somewhere behind Quickshot. I turned to see as MiMi stepped into view.

“MiMi!” I shouted as I ran and threw my arms around her.

“Hey JoJo, girl,” she whispered in my ear. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. How’s Grant?”

She pulled back and met my eyes. I could see the joy in them at the mention of the little boy, but also the sorrow hidden in her eyes. He’s doing all right. I haven’t told him yet,” she explained.

I couldn’t help the pitying look she probably saw on my face. I couldn’t imagine having to break the news that the boy’s mother had been murdered by his own psychopath of a father. Not that she could tell him all that now. He was far too young to put that on his shoulders, let alone understand since he hadn’t known about his dad. “You should come by the house sometime. I know you’re staying clear of the club right now, and I get it, but we’re friends. You need me, I’m there.”

“I know. I’ll come by this week some time and we’ll take little squirt to go play at the lake before it gets too cold.”

“That would be great. He’d love that too since I think he’s part fish.”

“What are you doing here, anyway?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me since MiMi wasn’t usually one to hang around the Aces High crew.

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