So yep, here I am, pregnant with a small bump to prove it.
“It can be, but since it’s Emerson’s birthday party, there’s a few extra people here. Such as Ricochet. He’s her claimed brother,” Momma B chuckles, pointing to a man I balk at. “Yep, that’s every woman’s first thought of him when they see him here. Come on, I’ll introduce you to Emerson and a few of the others while Luca and Corinne are content with Stoney.”
“Okay, might as well get the ‘hi’s’ and ‘how are you’s’ out of the way,” I mumble and walk with her over to Emerson.
“Happy Birthday,” Momma B says.
“Oh my God, Momma B, you made it. And you must be Stoney’s ol’ lady, Rachel,” Emerson says, hugging Momma B then me.
“Umm, yeah,” I say, smiling, though the feeling of discomfort fills me at the scrutiny Ricochet seems to be shooting my way.
I stay silent as Momma B and Emerson talk, asking questions and engaging Ricochet into the conversation as well.
“Ricochet was just telling me about Boss’ little girl right before you walked over. He showed me a picture and she’s the cutest little thing,” Emerson says. “Ricochet, show her the picture you showed me.” The excitement in her voice would make anyone around her just as excited.
“Sure thing,” he says and does something on his phone and turns it to us. I have to hide my need to vomit. The little girl looks so much like Stoney yet at the same time looks like the woman holding her.
“Isn’t she gorgeous,” Emerson says.
“She’s beautiful,” I nod, agreeing with her.
“Ray,” Kenny yells out my name, waving me over. Thank God I’m saved by the woman I’ve grown close to. Horse and Kenny had come to the clubhouse several times to visit so they could spend time with Luca and Corinne and so Stoney could hang out with his grandkids.
“I better go see what’s going on,” I say.
Walking away from them, I wonder if Stoney knows about Boss’ daughter. Does he know and hasn’t wanted to tell me? Nausea hits me and instead of making my way to Kenny, I rush into the clubhouse and into the bathroom. I barely make it before puking all over myself.
Tears roll down my cheeks as my heart breaks. Stoney has another child, one with a woman who looks similar to me in skin tone. Why wouldn’t he want to be with her?
“Doll, you okay?” Stoney’s voice comes from the other side of the door.
“Go away,” I groan as I sink to the floor.
“Not happening,” he says as he steps into the bathroom. His brows furrow at the sight of me sitting on the floor crying.
“Do you know you have a daughter? Did you know and not want to tell me? Are you with me because I look like her?” I stammer out question after question as tears fall down my cheeks.
“Baby, I need you to calm down,” Stoney murmurs as he squats down in front of me.
As I regain some control of my emotions, I lean my head against the wall behind me and close my eyes. “Did you know?” I ask again.
“What are you talking about, Doll? What has you this upset?” he demands, his body tensing.
“I’m asking if you knew you and Boss have a daughter,” I murmur.
“I don’t have a daughter with anyone but you, Doll. Corinne’s my little girl,” he says calmly.
“You do. I saw her picture. She looks just like you and her mom. She’s like the perfect combination of the both of you,” I say.
“Come on, Doll, let’s get you off the floor,” he states as he lifts me into his arms. He doesn’t let go when he stands to his full height, but turns and heads for the room we’re staying in. Laying me on the bed, he stretches out next to me. “If it’s true and this little girl is mine, then she’s mine and I won’t deny her. But I’m telling you, I didn’t know anything about her. Though I will be contacting Boss to find out from her. This is something I need to hear from Boss herself.”
“Did you want me because she and I share similarities?” I ask with a waited breath.
Please say no.
“Rachel, look at me,” Stoney orders.
Lifting my gaze to meet his, I wait for him to answer me.
“Did I ever treat you like you were a replacement for some other woman? No, because I love you for you. You own me just as much as I own you. I’d been waiting to give this to you and had intended to do this out there in front of everyone, but fuck it,” he says, standing up off the bed.
I sit up on the bed as Stoney steps over to one of our bags and pulls two things out.
“This, I want you to have so it shows the world you’re mine,” he states as he turns around to show me a cut that has ‘Property of Stoney’ on it. Placing the cut on the bed next to me, Stoney lifts the other thing, opening the box, and pulling out a ring. “Now, this will show the world you have my last name. Rachel, will you marry me?” he asks as he puts the ring on my finger.
“Yes,” I whisper.
I’d gladly marry this man any day of the week. And I’ll stand by him even with this news or any other situation that might arise. He deserves someone to be there no matter what. I’ll be his property because he owns my heart and I own his.
Owning Victoria
Devil’s Riot MC Originals Book 2
Owning Victoria
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Owning Victoria. Copyright © 2020 by E.C. Land. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in articles or reviews. For information, contact E.C. Land.
Within this book there will be mention of characters from the Iron Vex MC series by Elizabeth Knox. I have obtained written permission from her to use these characters. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to either myself or Elizabeth Knox.
https://www.facebook.com/e.c.landauthor
Publisher: Knox Publishing
Publishing Link: www.knoxpub.com
Cover Design by Charli Childs, Cosmic Letterz Cover Design
Developmental Editing by Courtney Lynn Rose, Knox Publishing
Copy Editing by Rebecca Vazquez, Full Bloom Editorial
Formatting by E.C. Land, Knox Publishing
Proofreading by Jackie Ziegler, Knox Publishing
Created with Vellum
To those of you who need to have control of some aspect of your life.
Never allow someone to tell you, you’re not good enough.
YOU ARE NO MATTER WHAT.
Don’t allow them to decide whether or not you’re beautiful. It’s up to you to make that decision. NO ONE ELSE.
Look in the mirror and own who you are. Don’t let the hateful words of people show on your skin.
YOU ARE PERFECT JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.
Acknowledgments