“Alright, you two, put your dicks away and step back. Breaker, meet Shadow, my man’s brother. Shadow, meet my cousin, Breaker,” I say in frustration.
“Cousin?” Shadow asks, lifting a brow in question.
“Your man? Hold up,” Breaker says at the same time.
“Ugh, yes to both of you. Now, where the hell is Chains,” I ask as I glance around the room for my brother.
“He’s over by the pool tables,” Breaker says, nodding over to the corner.
“Thanks. Can you play nice for a minute?” I ask as I make my way across the room to where I find my brother groping one of the club strays, as they’re called here.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight, Vi,” Shadow mutters as he follows.
“Whatcha' thinkin’, that she’d be hurt here? Please, any of these fuckers would get a beating for even trying,” Breaker growls.
“Then I suggest you get ahold of your prospect who mans the gate,” Shadow suggests.
“Will you two shut up,” I snap as I push my way through the crowd and make my way to Chains, who doesn’t even see me coming toward him.
Talk about gross as the stray starts to pull his dick out of his pants.
“Geez, do you not have any respect for keeping that shit hidden? I mean, seriously, I don’t wanna see your junk,” I grumble, causing my brother’s head to whip around in my direction.
A smile crosses his face instantly as he realizes I’m standing there and immediately straightens his pants. “Sorry, Tar, you’ll have to wait,” he says.
“Why do we have to wait? This bitch can hold on,” the stray whines while narrowing her eyes in my direction.
“I’d suggest you watch your mouth,” I bite out as I take a step toward her.
“And I suggest you learn your place,” she snaps.
Glancing in my brother's direction, I notice the smirk on his face and the nod giving me the go ahead. “Alright, I’ll learn my place just as you will,” I say before throwing a punch that sends the bitch backward. She cries out, covering her nose, blood already pouring out.
“You bitch,” she screams and jumps for me.
Stepping sideways, I hold my arm out just as she would have reached me and check her in the throat. Gasping, she falls to the floor. I grip her hair and yank her head back so she has no choice but to meet my gaze. “I’m going to be generous this time. Learn your place or the next time you’ll end up with your face blown off,” I say before throwing her to the floor.
Laughter and clapping of hands surround me as I straighten.
“Damn, Vi, I didn’t know you had it in you. Why didn’t you take care of those bitches at DP?” Shadow chuckles.
“Who the hell are you?” Chains growls, stepping toward Shadow before I could answer his question.
“Don’t worry about him, Prez. Evidently, he’s the brother of your sister’s ol’ man,” Breaker says through his laughter.
Stopping in his tracks, Chains turns to give me a look. “You forget to mention something to me?” he asks as he scans my body before landing on my stomach.
“Oh, shit, you're pregnant,” Breaker blurts out in shock.
“No shit, Sherlock.” I mutter to my cousin, placing my hand on my small bump as I meet my brother's gaze. “There’s a lot I need to talk to you about.”
Holding my stare for a long moment, he seems to be trying to figure something out in his head before nodding. “Let’s take this to church,” he growls as he steps into my space to put his arm around my shoulder. “I missed you, baby girl.”
And right there I can feel my emotions trying to push forward with the need to crawl in my brother’s lap to cry my eyes out. In my entire life, he’s the only other man besides Tracker who I’ve ever felt fully safe with.
“I’ve missed you too, Darren,” I murmur loud enough for only his ears.
The four of us step into the room where his club holds church. I can all but taste the tension that fills the room. It only gets worse as my other two cousins, Tyres and Brake, enter the room as well.
“What’s going on?” Brake demands.
“Why’s this asshole here?” Tyres snarls as he takes in Shadow.
“We’re about to find out. Victoria, go ahead and start explaining,” Chains demands as he takes his seat at the table.
Moving around the room, I sit in my own chair directly across from him at the long table as everyone but Shadow takes their seats. Shadow moves to stand behind me.
“Shadow, you can sit to my right,” I point at the empty spot. If it were a full table, he wouldn’t be able to. If it were any other time, neither of us would be able to, but all the members of the ICMC know when I’m in here, I sit directly across from Chains.
“I’m good right here,” Shadow mutters as he stays standing at my back.
“Suit yourself,” I shrug before turning my attention to the rest of the guys in the room.
“As Chains took in earlier, I’m pregnant,” I say, placing my hand over my belly, feeling my son kick.
“Who’s the father?” Chains demands.
“That’s why I’m here. Tracker was shot protecting me from a bullet,” I state and just like that my emotions are slammed back into place behind the door.
“Fuck,” Breaker mutters.
“To sum it up for you, I’m ending this shit once and for all. I know you work with Parker and why you're doing it. Out of respect for you, big brother, I’m letting you know I plan to take him out as well as my parents and anyone else who stands in my way.”
“Baby girl, you sure about this,” Chains asks, sitting forward in his seat, bracing his arms on the table.
Locking my gaze with my brother’s, I let him know the deal. “They drew the last straw trying to take Tracker’s life, and as it stands right now, he still might not make it.”
“He’ll make it, Vi,” Shadow says from behind me as he places his hand on my shoulder.
“Tell me why this dude is here,” Chains demands, nodding his head in Shadow’s direction.
“I’m here because my VP would have my balls if I didn’t protect his ol’ lady when he couldn’t,” Shadow says calmly.
Chains stares at Shadow for a long moment before turning his attention back to me.
“I’ll help you any way I can, baby girl, you know that, but I know you don’t need it. Even pregnant, you're still scary as hell. Now, last thing, then you go sleep in your room. What did Shadow here mean about bitches at DP?” he asks.
Sighing, I shake my head, not wanting to answer.
“I know you have your emotions shut down and don’t give a damn, but still answer the question,” Chains demands.
“I didn’t take care of them because I wanted Tracker to prove he loved me and didn’t want either of those whores,” I murmur.
“What’s that mean?” Brake asks.
“Means my little sister does have humanity in her,” Chains states as he stands up and rounds the table. “Go rest. We’ll discuss the rest in the morning over breakfast at Poe’s.”
“Thank you,” I say as I stand and step into my brother’s arms.