Page 4 of Death's Devotion
“Thank you. All of you. There’s still a lot I have to figure out. However, today is about opening up Rebellious Sweets and Catering. Let’s focus on that so I can turn my attention to the engagement party coming up,” I say, not wanting the attention on myself for a second longer.
These guys are Death’s family and I don’t want them to think some type of way about him. It’s his decision to be in his child’s life or not. That’s not something I’ll ever force on a man because I don’t want to be a single mother. I’d rather be a single mom with no man in my life than to have someone in my life who doesn’t want to be there. It will only create chaos and resentment. That’s not the environment I want to raise my children in. I’ll also never put myself in that situation for any reason.
We head out to do one final walkthrough of the main room. Jaelyn’s checking the display case to make sure it’s exactly how she wants it. I’m making sure the table I’ve filled with food is still okay. I’ve got most of it in warming pans so it’s not cold by the time we let everyone inside it won’t be cold. Jaelyn is having everyone purchase a raffle ticket on their way inside. For the cost of the ticket, they get a plate of food, three samples from the display case we’ve prepared, and they’ll be entered into winning a fully catered event of their choice. There will also be a surprise prize for them the guys are still working out the details of. I’m not sure what it’s going to entail, but last I heard, they were talking about using it for one of the club’s businesses. To get a discount of some sort on the winner’s choice of service provided. They can work out the details amongst themselves. I’m really just here for the ride I guess.
Today has been a huge success. We’ve gone through the food I’ve prepared three times so far, samples of the sweet treats have been getting devoured as fast as Jae and I are getting them ready and on the plates. People have been in and out of the shop all day long. We haven’t heard a single complaint about anything either. Everyone has been laughing, talking, and just spending time with others from town and the club. It’s honestly a sight to see. Another club even showed up. They have the same information on the back of the vests they wear, but a different town name. Those are the men I have yet to meet as they mingle and wait to get in line for food.
As I make my way into the kitchen to grab more food, Jaelyn stops me.
“Kelsey, I’d like to introduce you to someone,” she says, a smirk on her face as a huge man walks up to us. “Judge, this is Kelsey. She’s my partner here. Kelsey, this is Judge. He’s the President of the Briar Glen chapter of the club. And Death’s oldest brother.”
My heart drops to my feet as I take in the man before me. While he may not look like his brother, there are definite similarities. I can’t even say a word to him as he holds his hand out for me to shake.
“It’s nice to meet you, Kelsey. Saw the little guy over there in Bronwan’s arms. I’m guessin’ he’s your son?” he says as I finally snap out of my trance to shake his hand in return.
“Nice to meet you too, Judge. Yes. That’s my son,” I answer, guilt filling me with the knowledge of knowing he’s going to be my son or daughter’s uncle.
I’m not sure where Briar Glen is, but maybe I could move closer to there. Not to get with Judge or anyone else. Simply to be near Death’s family so my son or daughter has someone in their life. Someone who’s blood and can be there for their niece or nephew. I bet Judge would be there for a child in his family.
“He’s really cute, Kelsey. The little guy is stealin’ all of Bronwan’s attention makin’ my brother pout like a baby,” Judge laughs, his entire face lighting up.
“Yeah, he has a tendency to do that. I think even for being so little he knows what he’s doing. Especially when it comes to Talon,” I admit, allowing myself to laugh while thinking of the little one currently inside me. “If you’ll both excuse me, I’ve got to get more food to fill the warmers back up again. It was really nice to meet you, again.”
Walking away, I press my hand against my chest. My heart is racing at being near one of Death’s brothers. I found out shortly after arriving here that Talon and Death were brothers. This is the first time I’m really meeting their older brother. It’s rattling me because I have no clue what he’s going to think of me once he learns of his younger brother’s current situation.
Before I can grab anything to take back out to the main floor, a loud commotion fills the air. I race to the room filled with need to find my son and have him in my arms. Especially since I don’t know what’s going on. Brent is in Bronwan’s arms as I quickly make my way over there. She immediately hands him over knowing how I am with him. Looking around the room, it’s not hard to determine what’s wrong. Jaelyn is bent over with her men on either side of her. There’s a puddle on the floor at her feet. She’s just gone into labor. I quickly make my way to her side.
“Fuck!” she grinds out, her face turning a shade of red I don’t believe I’ve ever seen on someone before.
“Let’s get you to the hospital,” Zeus says, clearly trying to force his rising panic down as he wraps an arm around her.
Sabotage simply lifts her up in his arms and begins walking through the path the men of the club have cleared out for them. Within minutes, the main room of Rebellious Sweets and Catering is empty of anyone in the club. I’m left alone with my son and the remaining customers filling the space.
“Um, I’ll be right back. I just need to get something to clean up this mess and then I’ll be right with you. Please don’t come in this area,” I say, rushing toward the kitchen door.
Setting Brent down in the playpen, I grab the mop and mop bucket that we’ve been filling all day long as we clean up around the place. It doesn’t take me long to get the mess cleaned up and begin taking care of customers from behind the counter. I can see Brent from where I’m standing as he sits up with his toys in the playpen. The backdoor is locked and shut. I don’t want him in there alone, but I need to help these people too. I’m literally stuck between a rock and hard place right this second.
I can’t even be mad about it. Jaelyn is a loved ol’ lady. Her men are well respected in the club and this town. It didn’t surprise me at all to watch on as both clubs clear out to be there for the addition of new family members. I wasn’t expecting to just be left alone here by myself, but that’s okay. Everyone was panicking and not thinking about anything other than getting Jaelyn to the hospital so she can safely have her children. I’m excited for her myself.
“I’m sorry for the delay everyone. As soon as I get this line taken care of, I’ll fill the food up again for you,” I call out so everyone knows I’m not trying to ignore them as I’ve been left alone.
“That’s okay. You take your time sweetheart. In fact, why don’t you go get your son and pull the playpen out here so you can keep a closer eye on him,” an older woman says, her voice soft and sweet as she smiles at me.
Several customers nod their head in agreement. Smiling at them all, I make my way over to pull Brent’s playpen out of the kitchen to leave just behind the counter with me for right now. I’ll move him again once he goes to sleep. Instantly I feel slightly calmer than just seconds ago. Having Brent close to me when I’m alone with him and not behind the fence of the compound is essential to my peace of mind. If I can see my son, I know Vince isn’t going to get his hands on him. Not while there’s still breath left in my body or my heart still beats in my chest.
After taking care of everyone wanting to buy something from the shop, I quickly restock all of the food and take a few more orders for things customers want to have prepared for them. I also manage to book two more parties for the catering side of the business. I’m going to be busy as hell in the upcoming weeks. I just hope I can make Jaelyn and everyone else here proud of what I do and the work I take on while I’m here alone. Jae has assured me the ol’ ladies will help whenever I need them to, but I won’t be asking them for it. Not when I can do things all by myself. Plus, other than Bronwan, I really don’t know the other ol’ ladies. It’s hard for me on a good day to talk to people I don’t really know. Being around the men and women of the club is downright intimidating. They’re all so strong and confident. Things I used to be but am no longer.
Once the last person leaves, I’m a wreck. I’m tired as hell and want to lock the doors and head to the apartment. However, that’s not how this works. I go through and clean the entire shop from top to bottom after feeding Brent his dinner. Once the last of the dishes are put away and I’ve emptied the display case, I can finally get out of here. I walk through the shop once more ensuring all the doors and windows are locked while shutting all of the lights off along the way. Making sure the diaper bag is packed up and ready to go, I grab my son and carry him out the back door. I load him in the SUV and get in the driver’s seat to head to the hospital.
I’m not going to stay at the hospital for long. Just enough time to ensure Jaelyn’s okay and she doesn’t need anything. I’d rather be the one to get her something than to have one of her family members leave when they should be the ones there with her. While I consider her a friend, she’s known these men and women longer than I have. Longer than I ever will. They’re the ones who should be at her side and see the babies when they’re born. I’ll just do a quick stop over and then head to the apartment. It’s been a long as hell day and I’m ready to sit down for longer than a second.
Pulling out from behind the shop, it doesn’t take me long to realize someone’s following me. A large blacked out SUV pulls from just down the road and takes every single turn I do. Yes, I even take some unnecessary ones in order to make sure I’m being followed and someone isn’t going in the same general direction as me. My heart races as panic fills me. Thoughts of Vince invade my mind and I know it’s just a matter of time before he gets his hands on me. He’s going to kill me this time and there’s not a single doubt in my mind about it.
Pressing down harder on the gas pedal, I keep an eye on the SUV following me. When I pull in the parking lot of the hospital, they slow down, but don’t pull in behind me. Instead, they slowly roll down the street and pull over just down from the end of the parking lot. Well, at least I know I won’t be parking in that general vicinity. I make my way to the opposite side and quickly find a spot. Getting out, I grab Brent and practically run into the main entrance of the hospital. It’s not until I’m in the main lobby of the hospital before I’m able to take a full breath again. Fuck!
Making my way up to the labor and delivery floor, I find the waiting room full of everyone from the club. Talon and Judge are talking quietly together in a corner. Both men look at me before heading directly over to me. Bronwan also shows up at my side in a matter of seconds as I try to slow my breathing down and calm my racing heart.
“What’s wrong?” Talon asks, his voice cold as he looks me over from head to toe.
