Prologue One
One year after Severed Ties That Bind
Krill
I have a son. Me, a dad. It’s hard to wrap my mind around the idea. Nine years I have had a son without knowing. Now I know how Dra felt. I don’t know anything about my son except he’s nine years old and his first name is Cage. If I had known that Jenny was pregnant with my child, I would have fought Dad. I would have fought the whole damn Troubled Fathoms MC to be with Jenny and our kid. Jenny and I loved each other but went our separate ways because of club business. We had plans for our future, and they were all blown to hell because Rico wanted more power and money. Greed, that’s what tore us apart. I know that’s what I’ve told myself all these years, but it’s about time that I take some responsibility for my own actions. I could have stood up to Dad and the club and claimed my woman. I didn’t even have my cut at the time, I was still a prospect. Putting the club first is what got me my cut. I traded being a dad for being a brother. I know the full responsibility doesn’t lay on my shoulders, but it is hitting me directly in my heart. Jenny was barely a woman at the time but then again, I was barely a man. I was only eighteen myself. I haven’t let a woman get close to me since her. She was the only woman that ever meant more to me than just getting my cock wet. I can’t ignore what Bethany told Dra. Has Jenny changed? She had to have changed. The Jenny that was mine wouldn’t have not told me when she found out she was pregnant. Did she know the night we said our goodbyes or is that the night she conceived our child and Rico kept her from telling me? Does Jenny have an agenda? Did Rico persuade Jenny to keep silent? Bethany took a risk warning us. Is she safe? Is Cage safe? Surely Rico isn’t such a bastard he would hurt a child. Rico has always hated my family. Their club has always dealt in drugs and our club won’t allow it in our territory, not by anyone. If Rico would just stay in his territory, then the only people he would need to worry about are the authorities, but he wants more territory and to get that he will have to go through the Troubled Fathoms and that won’t be happening. As president of the Troubled Fathoms MC, I am going into this situation with my eyes wide open. I am aware that it’s a big coincidence that drugs have started moving through our town and then suddenly Jenny shows up. Drugs were a big part of the Spirit Arms MC. Dad always said there is no such thing as a coincidence. He also said there is no going back in time. The pull between Jenny and me is still there. We had a sexual chemistry that I haven’t felt since then. There are too many unanswered questions. My mind keeps going back to sweet Bethany and Cage and their safety. Maybe I can save them all. I’m no white knight but I am going to do everything I can to find the answers I need. We have Ties Bonded By Blood and no one can break that.
Prologue Two
Bethany
I can’t abandon or be disloyal to my family, but Cage is my family too. Cage is more like a son to me than he is a nephew. I have taken care of and protected him from Jen and Rico, and it’s time for me to step up and do it one more time. I know what the consequences will be when I return, but I’ll get through it. Rico has promised me to Blade, and if I am going to get Cage out, it must be now. I just hope my gut reaction is right. I didn’t like the way Rico was glaring at Cage. I know it’s just a matter of time until Cage will feel Rico’s wrath the way I have for years. I just hope Krill is still the boy I remember from all those years ago, and he can deal with what I am going to do.
Chapter One
Krill
I pound the gavel to bring church to order. I look at my brother’s chair next to me and it’s empty, again. All the brothers’ eyes glance at the chair next to me one by one but no one says a word. The silence in the room is thick with anticipation. I spent another morning in court with Jen and her attorney and again, it was another big disappointment. I stand up and all eyes are on me. “The judge gave Jen and her attorney another continuance because of all the information that my attorney has found on not only Jen but also Rico and their club. He rescheduled for next Monday and warned my attorney, Mr. Lawler, that there would be no more stalling. Children’s services are also doing another visit at Jen and Bethany’s apartment. They’ll be doing their final check at my house this week as well. I have completed everything the state has required so Dupont, my attorney in Boulder, thinks we should have visitation by next Monday and it’s about damn time. I know I decided to go about this the legal way, but I never thought it would take me over a year to get to meet my son.” I take a moment and just breathe and my eye catches Dra’s chair again. “Has anyone heard from Dra? He knew we were having church this morning. I talked to him yesterday evening.” No one says anything. I wait a minute and then my eyes land on Raven.
“Dra and Banger haven’t been around a lot lately, but they’re always together. Banger has been sleeping at Dra’s house.” I don’t know what my brother has been up to lately. I can’t remember the last time that I was at Dra and Maddie’s house. Now that I think about it, the last time I remember seeing Maddie is right after Lucas was born and that must be two months ago. I need to get over there and visit my niece and nephew. Hell, I still consider Maddie one of my best friends and I have neglected her. I will get by there tonight.
“Has Banger been keeping up with his prospecting duties?” I know I should know this, but I’ve been a bit distracted.
“Dra said that he was keeping Banger busy and when Banger wasn’t with him that he would be on Maddie and kid duty,” Scout tells me with a bit of heavy sarcasm that catches my attention.
“Scout, if you have something to say just say it. I know I’ve been distracted, but I thought Dra was picking up my slack. Every time I’ve asked him how things were going, he said everything was under control.” All the brothers laugh. What the hell has my brother been up to? “Someone better start explaining.”
“Dra has gone back to his ways before he and Maddie were married, and he and Banger are joined at the hip. Maddie has been having a challenging time with Lucas and Maudi has been helping her out so she can get some sleep. Dra is spending his time at the clubhouse in Kim’s room. I’m surprised that you haven’t put a boot in his ass yet. Maudi said that Maddie is at the end of her rope and it’s only a matter of time before she walks, and I don’t blame her one damn bit,” Scout says with malice in his voice. I look at the old man that I’ve always looked up to. “Your dad has to be rolling over in his grave right now. We have rules in this club for a reason and Dra is breaking every fucking one of them. He’s bringing a damn prospect in on club business, business that a prospect has no right knowing. He’s leaving his family unprotected just so he has a fuck buddy on the side.” I look at Scout and I know he’s only speaking the truth. Scout helped raise all the children that have been in the Troubled Fathoms’ clubhouse and he would never lie to any of us.
“Coralyn has even started helping Maddie out. Lucas has the colic and he cries a lot, but Dra started straying as soon as Kim hit the clubhouse. I don’t feel right getting in a brother’s business but Maddie needs help. Maddie asked us not to say anything to you because you need to concentrate on getting your son, but we’ve heard rumors that Rico is trying to get the Kingston’s Crew to move into Sunshine,” Bandy our tech guy adds.