Page 84 of Hell & Back

“I wanted to check to make sure you were all up before I came over. I have some news.”

“Sure. I’ll finish getting dressed. Come to the back door.” He hung up and went to the dresser to pull out a pair of jeans, socks and a long-sleeve t-shirt. He was sitting on the edge of thebed and was pulling on his boots when Tuck wandered back in. “Race is coming over.” He spoke quietly, not wanting wake Kylie up. “He says he has news.”

“Perfect. I’ll get dressed and meet you guys out there.”

Darren found Race standing at the back door. He unlocked it and let him in, knowing his friend would lock up behind him. He went straight to the coffee maker and started a pot, then turned and leaned against the counter while he waited for the coffee to brew. He crossed his arms and his legs while Race pulled a chair out at the table.

“If your news is what I think it is, I’m surprised you didn’t text everyone and call for church,” Tuck said as he took a seat at the table to put his boots on.

“Well, I could have, but we’re out of coffee and I’m fucking dying for a cup.” He scrubbed a hand down his face as if still tired. “I need to take Bellamy to the store, but I haven’t had time.”

“You could have sent one of the prospects or hell, just about anybody at the clubhouse. I’m sure our guys or any of Chance’s guys would have jumped at the chance to get out for a while,” Tuck reminded him.

“I know, but after all that shit with Smoke fucking with Jackson and flirting with Calliope, I didn’t want to have to shoot any of Chance’s men. It would look bad if I started shooting up our support club.”

Darren and Tuck laughed as their president whined about his problems. He didn’t do it often and more often than not, it had something to do with his brother-in-law, Preacher.

The coffee finished and Darren poured three mugs before carrying them to the table. He went back for some sugar to add to his cup and odds were Race would add it to his, too. He pulled out a chair and took a seat. “So, what’s the news?”

“Preacher’s guys called in. They have what we need. They’re flying back and should be back in a hour. I’m having everyone meet up in a hour so that we’re all there when they arrive. I’m closing the clubhouse to everyone. Brothers only. Old ladies and kids can go to the rec building with our prospects and a couple of Preacher’s guys.”

“Finally. Now we can end this.” Tuck clinked his cup off Race’s then Darren’s.

“About fucking time.” Darren would finally have his revenge.

DARREN

Darren rode in the car with Kylie to the clubhouse while Tuck followed behind on his bike. Once the meeting was over he was going to have to see about getting two new tires for his bike. Macy, Stacy, Tracy—what the fuck was her name?—had sure done a number on them after Kylie ran her off. Thanks to her, he’d made it home right after the sun set. If Kylie hadn’t forgiven him, Little Miss Macy, Stacy, Tracy would be getting a very pissed off biker banging on her door. No, he wouldn’t have hurt her, but her car or even her house would have been fair game.

Pulling onto the clubhouse parking lot, he had a hard time finding an empty space close to the building. He couldn’t believe how many bikes and cars and trucks were already here. Race was right. With this many men involved, church definitely wouldn’t hold them all. Using the common room for the meeting was a good call.

“Honey, you can park anywhere. I don’t mind walking.” Kylie fought back a grin.

“You’re right. I just didn’t want you to have to walk so far.” He found an open spot in the third row and pulled in.

“While I appreciate the thought, not every pregnant old lady is going to be able to park next to the building.” She patted his arm as he shut off the car.

“I’d say I’m sorry for trying to take care of you, but it would be a lie. As long as Tuck and I are breathing, we’ll always try to make things easy for you.”

He shut the car off and was reaching for the door handle, planning to come around and help Kylie out of the car. She surprised him when she reached across the console to cup his cheek. She pulled him close and whispered against his lips, “I love you, Darren. Don’t ever forget that. And if you need me today, you know where I’ll be.” Then she leaned in to press her lips to his. She would have pulled away if he hadn’t fisted his hand in her hair at the back of her head and deepened it. When he was finished, he was pleased to find her eyes opening slowly. She looked a little dazed and he really liked the look on her.

“Love you, too, babe.” The woman was truly special. It made him feel calmer knowing she was only a text away if he couldn’t control the hold Euphoria had on him. She would go to the rec building with the other old ladies and families. If he needed her, he’d text Cutter or Miles to bring her to the back door. He wouldn’t take her to their room until the sheets had been changed and the room thoroughly cleaned. Instead, he’d take her to her office and make use of her comfy couch. On his way to the back door, he’d stop by his room to grab condoms from the nightstand, unless Chance used them all. Which reminded him, he really needed to find time to see Bacon before he left town to get tested. He never once took any of the women bare, but he wouldn’t chance passing something on to Kylie.

Her door opened behind her and Tuck’s hand reached inside to offer her his assistance for getting out of the car. They bothrecognized that she was pregnant and not handicapped and was fully capable of doing almost everything on her own. She also recognized that as their woman, they needed to be able to take care of her, whether that was in the form of helping around the house, taking her shopping (that one wasn’t his favorite), parking close to whatever building they were at, or simply opening her car door. He was aware that she sometimes felt their need to take care of her could be stifling and on those rare occasions, she let them know to back off a little. He loved that she had no fear of speaking her mind or, he chuckled to himself, pulling a gun if she felt the need for it.

He followed Kylie and Tuck inside and was immediately overwhelmed with the amount of people in the common area. It was more crowded than one of their hog roasts with all of their families and friends here. It probably had to do with the group of rather big men grouped off to the left near the pool tables dressed like ex-military and taking up a lot of space. Yeah, they had to have come with Preacher.

“Damn, Darren, they’re all as big as you,” Tuck commented.

Yes, they were. Where the hell did Preacher find them? Mercenaries For Hire?

Race, having spotted them, made his way across the room. “Hey, girl. How’s it goin’?” He smiled warmly at Kylie.

“Great. Things are going great.” She nodded and smiled wide, tossing a glance over her shoulder at Darren.

“As soon as you get your woman to the rec building, we’ll start the meeting.” Race slapped his shoulder and moved away, disappearing into the crowd.

“Come on, babe.” Darren reached down and clasped her hand in his. “We need to get you out of here so we can get started.” He was forced to shoulder his way through the crowd, pulling Kylie in his wake. It was slow going as he stopped togreet different members of the Black Horsemen. He bumped into Chance who gave him back his room key.

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