Page 49 of Giving It to the Man-Whore

Chapter Ten

Mel laughed as a large guy sat on the back of Pea’s bike, and off they went. Anyone could pay for a ride on an MC bike, and half of the town wanted the opportunity.

“You’re having fun,” Penny said, standing beside her.

Leonardo was with the other kids, enjoying the playground. She saw that Elena was watching them all.

“I am. It’s funny to watch Pea.” She rested a hand on her stomach. Their family was going to be along any day, and she found her patience was decreasing with every single day that passed. “Did you get impatient?”

“Toward the end? Hell, yeah. I couldn’t handle the baby being inside me. I wanted him to be born.” She turned toward the park where Leonardo was walking around, having fun with some of the other club children. He would be in nursery school soon. Time was flying by so fast.

“I can’t believe that not so long ago he was just a little baby,” Mel said. “Now he’s a big boy.”

Penny chuckled. “I know, right? I love him so much. Rage and I are trying for another one.”

“Congratulations.” She hugged her sister tightly.

Past Penny’s shoulder she saw Autumn standing alone, and she didn’t like to think of the young girl by herself. She’d lost her mother, and what life she had known. “I’ll be back, and we’ll talk soon.”

Leaving her sister, she made her way toward Autumn, who had turned to leave.

Picking up her step, Mel followed her.

“Hey, Autumn, what’s up?” Mel asked. The young girl stopped, and she saw the tears in her eyes. “Oh, honey.” She went to her, wrapping arms around her.

“I’m sorry. Just seeing everyone, it’s like a fair, and it brings back a lot of memories of my mother, and I thought I could handle that, but I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Mel pulled her away and wiped the tears from under Autumn’s eyes. “You’ve got nothing to apologize for. She was your mother, and I can tell that you loved her very much.”

Autumn did. “She was the nicest person in the world.”

“I lost my parents some time ago. I had to take care of Penny, and it was hard. Life is hard. No one ever tells you what to expect when you lose someone you love.”

Moving away from the chaos of the fair, Mel found them a private spot so that Autumn could weep without questions. Sitting beside her, she rubbed her back and tried to offer her comfort.

“She was just … she was always there for me. Nothing was ever too big or too small. I miss her. I didn’t want to leave the ranch, but I was forced to. My dad forced me to come here. He doesn’t want anyone to know that I exist.”

“I’m sure he has a very good reason,” she said.

“He’s a monster that walks in a world of monsters.”

“Your father wants to protect you more than anything.” She stroked Autumn’s hair. “He’s many things, Autumn. He’s still your father.”

Autumn rested her head against Mel’s shoulder, and she hugged the young woman, feeling her pain so acutely. It was hard for her to breathe past her own fears.

“Mel?”

She frowned as she turned to see Tara, the club whore she’d had a bitch fight with. Mel hadn’t seen her since that night, but Tara looked a mess. The need to protect her unborn child, Autumn, and herself rose up within her.

“I’m not here to cause trouble. I loved Pea. I love him, and I want him to be happy. You make him happy, and I wanted to say so—”

A gunshot rang out, and Tara dropped to the ground. Before Mel could do anything, she and Autumn were grabbed. A hand was placed over her mouth.

“I suggest you don’t say a word or you’ll end up like that other bitch.”

Tears sprang to her eyes. Tara was dead, and her baby’s life was in danger, as was Autumn. Whatever happened, she had to do something to save them.

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