Page 113 of Legacy

Bea darts off to do what I ask, and I’m relieved her spirits are better this morning. I’m sure she’s still processing what happened at the store, but like I’ve told Jesse multiple times, she’s not naive to what comes with her father’s lifestyle either.

Jesse and I are going to have to figure out a way to protect her from the realities of his club while not hiding the truth from her as she gets older. From what Jesse has said, Steel and Tempe are already pretty open about the club in front of Austin, and with them being so close, Bea hears things. We will need to find that balance ourselves and decide together what conversations to involve her in.

Jesse said he wants me to be a part of all of it—for Bea and our future kids.

My stomach spins at that thought.

Or maybe it’s that my stomach is still unsettled this morning.

The test was negative, but I’ve felt off for days. So when I reach the top of the stairs, I consider taking another one to be sure.

Jesse and I have never used protection, and up until last night, he’s avoided the conversation of birth control entirely. Now that I know it’s because he secretly wanted the same things I did, I can’t help the fresh sense ofdisappointment that sweeps through me knowing we aren’t there yet.

Taking a turn into Bea’s bathroom, I consider more kids in this house.

More laughs.

More mini Jesse Kings running around.

I consider creating the family I’ve always wanted.

That thought rattles around as I make another stop before going back downstairs. I take one more test, just to be sure.

Jesse is still busy with Havoc when it’s time to take Bea and Austin to school, so he sends Venom to drive us.

Tempe and I trade off, and today is my day. Usually, Steel goes with her, and Jesse goes with me, but on rare occasions when they’re both busy, other members or prospects fill in. I’ve tried to explain I’m more than capable of getting the kids there myself, but after everything that’s happened in the past few weeks, I know he won’t let us leave the compound unprotected.

The ride with Venom is quiet. I’ve seen him around the clubhouse, but we’ve never spoken. And from the way he avoids so much as looking at me except when he said hello, I get the feeling Jesse told him to keep his distance.

But if I’m going to be part of Jesse’s life, I need to get familiar with his club and the members, so I refuse to sit here in awkward silence.

“How long have you been with the club?” I ask, trying to find anything to talk about.

Bea and Austin are busy flipping through a book about dinosaurs in the backseat, so they aren’t paying attention.

Venom leans back, one hand gripping the steering wheel. “Almost a year.”

“So you didn’t grow up with the club like Je—Legacy,” I correct myself.

He shakes his head. “Nah. Came to Vegas looking for a fresh start, and the Twisted Kings gave me one.”

I glance at the skull patched on the front of his cut. “You’re not a prospect anymore then? That’s how it works, right? You get that patch once you’re officially in?”

“Yeah, that’s how it works.” He grins, but it doesn’t feel mocking, even if I’m still embarrassed that I’m trying to figure out the details of how Jesse’s club works. “I patched in a few months ago.”

Right around the time that Jesse was shot.

“That’s good.” I look out the window as we make the final turn toward the school.

“So I hear you’re sticking around,” Venom says as he pulls to a stop.

“I am.”

“Glad to hear it.” He looks at me for the first time since we got in the truck together. “Legacy’s a good one.”

“He is.” In ways Venom couldn’t possibly know. The club gets one side of him, but I get all the others. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here.”

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