Vixen: (Devil's Handmaidens MC: Timber-Ghost, Montana Chapter), page 24
When the kids came out and then the young girls, if I could, I’d have killed Juice with my own hands. The worst was when Poodles and Sunburst exited their vehicle. I can’t tell who got the worst beating. How could a man lay his hands on a woman like that? And Poodles is obviously pregnant. Then there’s Vivian and Lee. My God my heart is breaking but also thrilled that we got them out of there still breathing and alive.
We’re finishing up eating and everyone is just relaxing and chilling. Lucas had to take a call, not sure who from, but he’s been gone almost ten minutes. I’ll give him another five before I go looking for him. I’m not usually jealous but with him I am. That brings a smile to my face, especially thinking what he did to me this morning. Damn, that man and his hands and tongue. Feeling a flush coming over my face, I lean forward to try and cool off.
The room suddenly goes quiet with a hush surrounding it. I cautiously lift my head and look around. Everyone is looking at the door, so I turn and feel like someone punched me in the chest. Lucas is standing with an older couple and a young couple. He looks just like his dad, while his mom is a true Polish lady just as he described her. His sister, Jenna, is gorgeous and Fritz is tall and very muscular. But it’s the two kids in Lucas’s arms that have my full attention. My twins. He gently puts them down and kneels down with them, softly talking. They are nodding and murmuring amongst themselves.
Looking around, every one of my sisters in the club has moved closer to me for support. Some have wet eyes while others like Peanut, Squirt, and Raven actually have tears running down their faces. Glory, Tink, and Shadow are right next to me. I feel like I’m going to fall over as I try to stand up. Shadow grabs my arm, helping me up, and then she’s right behind me in case I fall. When I hear it the first time it goes right over my head. Then again in a different voice.
I look to see both kids looking around the room calling for ‘Mommy.’ Well shit, that’s me. When I go to move, they see me and take off like bullets. Shadow and Tink steady me before I start toward them. By the time we are in front of each other they are laughing while I’m crying.
“Look, Declan, it’s her. She’s our mommy, just like Auntie Jenna said.”
“Lia, you look just like her. Hi!”
Reaching down to hug them, they shock me by attacking me and I fall on my ass laughing. Both kids are kissing my face and Lia is playing with my hair. Declan is sitting next to me, his arms around my waist while Amelia is actually standing between my legs, her hands on my shoulders. When someone sits behind me, I lean back into Lucas’s body. The twins look up and stare at the both of us.
“We know you as Mommy, but we know you as Uncle Lucas. Are you our daddy now?”
“Do you want me to be?”
“Well duh, yeah.”
This comes from Declan. Amelia just reaches behind me trying to grab at Lucas. All of a sudden everyone starts to clap and that’s when it hits me. This is the all-time best day of my life; I think as I see both Lucas’s mom and sister making their way to us crying. Lucas’s family joins our circle, all sitting on the floor. Everyone else goes back to eating their meal.
“Hey, Mira, I’m Jenna and this is Fritz. You’ve got some good kids there.”
I see her try to wipe a tear away. I can’t imagine how she feels, she’s raised them for five years. Grabbing her hand, I look her in the eyes and tell her the truth.
“Nope, Jenna, we have good kids and that’s as much you as my genes. Thank you both for what you’ve done. And we’ll figure out how this works for everyone. For now, today, let’s enjoy it and each other.”
I’m sitting in one of the bedrooms in Tank and Momma Diane’s house watching my twins sleep together in one bed. Even though there are bunkbeds in here, a nice oversized chair, and some futons. That isn’t counting all the toys and shelves of books. I’m going to need to talk to Momma Diane for sure because when we were walking in, I could have sworn I saw Tank, Enforcer, and Avalanche putting together bikes. Tank had a blue/black one, Enforcer had a yellow/purple one, and poor Avalanche had a hot pink/white one.
Lucas walks in with a cup of tea for me. God, he’s always thinking of me.
“Thanks so much, honey. They finally fell asleep. There was a bit of a fight between them because they both want the same donkey.”
“We’ll buy them their own donkeys down the road, once we figure out where we’re going to live. How are you holding up? Lots happening and you are right in the middle. Whatever you need you know I’m here.”
“What about you, Lucas? Are you going back to the FBI?”
“Hell to the no, that’s not going to happen. No, gonna find something out here in Timber-Ghost, Montana to do. I hear you need some sheriff’s deputies, so I can apply there to start. My question to you is are you happy, Mira?”
Giving him my biggest smile, I’ve got I tell him the God’s honest truth.
“Never in my entire life have I’ve been happier. And it’s all because of you, Lucas. You saved me back then and you did it again now. Thanks for never giving up on me and, more importantly, for taking care of them.”
We glance at the kids once again. They are asleep on the bottom bunk, cuddled together. Each one has a beautiful bear, one is gray and one is soft lilac, from Momma Diane. On the top bunk is Teddy and his own bear, who is green. On the little futon in the corner is Olivia with her pink bear. Tuna is sleeping right under Olivia’s bed and the two German shepherds, Skylar and Atticus, are each by the bunks.
“Lucas, what’s next? I mean, yeah, we’re together but Jenna and Fritz raised these two. Even went as far as to keep me alive in the kids eyes all these years. How can I take them away? Not to mention they love your parents. And what are you going to do for a job if there are no deputy positions open? I mean, for you to have quit the FBI, that’s huge, honey. I mean, I make good money with the club, and I’m sure Tink would sell me some land for a house. I can talk to her.”
Before I can continue, Lucas pulls me to him and places kisses all over my face. When he’s done, he stands up and then kneels in front of me.
“Okay, let me get this out of the way. Fuck the FBI, someone in there gave me away and risked not only my life but the life of my family and you. I’ve been waiting, as I bought this five years ago and Mom was holding on to it for me. Mira, will you do me the honor of being my wife, mother to our children, and sharing the rest of our years together?”
I’m crying and shaking as he shows me the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. The center diamond is cut in an oval cut with the band being covered in round diamonds, except on either side of the oval diamond are two colored stones. Both the same color. Before I can ask about them, I hear Olivia whisper-talk.
“It’s a yes-no question, Miss Mira, I mean Mommy. He’s waiting.”
“Yeah, Mommy don’t make Daddy wait, tell him yes.”
Laughing at the commentary in the background, I nod as Lucas places the ring on my finger. It fits perfectly. When he leans over and starts to kiss me, I hear an ‘ooh’ right before Teddy puts his two cents in, as usual.
“Oh my gosh, is tat all you adults do is kiss? I’m going to seep, night.”
We sit together on the oversized chair, cuddling as the children fall asleep and the dogs start snoring and farting. Once we know they are out for the night, fingers crossed, new place and all, we walk hand in hand to the downstairs living room. I’m surprised to see four couples still up. Lucas’s parents and sister and brother-in-law. My sister, Taz and Enforcer, and finally Tank and Momma Diane. Not sure what’s going on, we both sit on the large sectional across from Taz and Enforcer. Everyone is smiling. Then Lucas slaps his head.
“Damn it, Mom, I told you to keep it a secret. What the hell would we do if she said no? Mira, they know my mom blabbed, as usual. I’m sorry, Skarbie.”
“Oh my God, he calls you that? I’m going to lose it. His father has called me that since our first date. Oh, my boy is getting married.”
We all watch as Lucas’s mom bawls and his dad pulls her into his side, patting her on the shoulder. Jenna and Momma Diane come over to congratulate me and look at the ring. This is how Rebel finds us. I look over to see she has two bottles of champagne. She’s smiling at me and I get up and go to her, showing her the ring.
“Damn, girl, he did good. Not only in the ring. I’m always here if you need a friend.”
“I would have never made it without you, sister. You’re my family as much as he is and those two beautiful kids. Never forget that. Now is that champagne to celebrate because I’m ready to let my hair down and start the rest of my life tonight.”
FORTY-THREE
‘SHADOW’
ZOEY
My body is killing me, it’s been a long-ass night. After dinner and everyone celebrating life in general, then getting the women, kids, and babies settled in. What a job that was. Thank God the prospects volunteered to be the monitors with Dr. Cora and her staff for the babies. Then the others are split up in the larger building we have, and that’s where Cynthia and her two kids are staying. She’s now in charge of when we have survivors staying at the ranch. I’m still on the fence with that one, but Tink and Taz have soft forgiving hearts. They are like, all we can do is see if she’s going to work out. Time will tell. Poodles is in the cabin not because we don’t trust her but because we all think she deserves it, especially being as pregnant as she is. Dr. Cora said she’s dilated a bit already. That woman needs to finally relax because she’s free just like Vixen.
Hearing moaning tells me one of them is coming to. Bloody Mary did a good job of moderating the pain. She called me to tell me that even though she had the green light to get everything she could from them, she was going to keep them on ice, so to speak. So right now she’s at the small table in the corner, playing with all of my tools to maybe give them a bit of encouragement to answer my questions.
Throwing ice-cold water on the three of them, they barely move. Moving to the cabinet, I pull out three syringes already filled with epinephrine. Not enough to kill them but more than enough to give them the push they need to wake the fuck up. I throw one to Bloody Mary, who catches it with her left hand and approaches the one slightly awake. When she jams it in his outer thigh, it takes seconds before he sits straight up, eyes huge as can be. I hit asshole number two, and he repeats what his buddy did. Asshole number three is fading fast. Well, might as well use what I’m handed.
Pulling him up, I figure time to start winding this up. Not sure these assholes know anything. I reach for my gun on the table, just as he opens his eyes. Fear and regret are there, but I don’t give a fuck after seeing what they were doing to those kids and women, not to mention stealing babies and keeping them drugged. What the hell is wrong with these jagoffs?
“One last time, tell me where the Thunder Club Knuckle Brotherhood, who Juice was working with, was going with those girls they took? I’m not joking, answer my question and this will end for you. If not, I start shooting out joints. You know… knees, ankles, elbows, wrists to start with. I know how to keep you alive and blow holes in you, so your choice.”
I see him glance at the other two, who are acting like nothing is going on and they’re not next in line to die. To make it interesting, I turn and aim at the one closest to the wall. Pulling the trigger is loud in this room, but the screaming is even louder. I put a bullet right through asshole number one’s right eye. Now. there’s only two.
“What’s it going to be? You have five seconds, jagoff.”
Right before the five seconds are up, he nods.
“From what I heard, the brotherhood was coming back to Montana to settle a score or two. Something about some bitch club that got under their skin. Their words, not mine. And how a few assholes fucked with their brotherhood and needed to be taught a lesson. From what Jared was saying, they both are involved with motorcycle clubs. Swear to Christ, that’s all I know. Can I go now, please?”
I feel a tinge of sorrow for him as I know he just told the truth. The other one jerked up as he started to speak. And even though I feel sorry, I never leave witnesses or people who can come back to haunt me. I glance at Bloody Mary, who has a garrote in her hands, just waiting for my signal. I barely nod and she’s on that jagoff in a flash. At first, he struggles but then she leans back, and I swear to God his head pops right off. My last guy is screaming so much he’s giving me a headache.
“Sorry, not sorry, asshole.”
Then I blow his brains out too. Looking around, we’ve done some serious damage to the new and improved wet room. I gather all the tools and equipment and place most in the deep farm sink, while the drill and saw are left out because they need to be cleaned by hand. Four bodies need to vanish; Bloody Mary took care of one before I even got here. The cleanup of this fucking mess, that’s not my job. My job is done. Reaching for my phone, I look down and hit the button I want.
“Yeah, Shadow, what you need?”
Love how Dottie always answers like that, no whining or bitching. Just what you need?
“Sorry, sister, got a cleanup in my wet room in the new pole barn. A fuckin’ mess, so bring one or two of the other prospects though not, fuck, are you on baby duty?”
“Yeah, but I’ll leave the others here and I’ll come and clean up, no problem, sister, just give me like five minutes.”
She hangs up and that right there just got her the Devil’s Handmaidens patch and rocker. She’s going to be a good sister, that’s for damn sure.
“You can take off, girl, got a prospect to come clean this up. I’m fuckin’ wiped or I’d help her.”
“Shadow, no worries, I’ll stay and help clean my mess. I don’t sleep most nights anyway. Thanks for letting me sit in. You got a rhythm I’ve never seen before. Remind me never to piss you off.”
“Okay, then never piss me off. And what do I call you ’cause Bloody Mary is kind of ridiculous. Do you want just Mary?”
She looks my way, watching me with those steel-violet eyes of hers. She braided her long black hair right before we started. Not sure what’s going through her head or what she’s been through, that’s her story to tell. I do know I’m exhausted and have my ol’ man sitting in the conference room waiting for me to finish.
“Hey, don’t want to come across as a bitch, but again, I’m tired and my ol’ man is sitting in the conference room waiting on me. So what am I gonna call ya, sister?”
“Shadow, you can use my call name. It’s Spirit.”
I look at her for a minute and just know in my gut there’s a story, just wish I had the energy to get it out of her.
“Thanks again, Spirit, appreciate the assist. Gotta show me how you made the garrote work like that so fast. And I owe you a drink or ten. Again thanks. Dottie should be here shortly but you don’t have to stay. Night, Spirit.”
Then I turn and walk out, not realizing the woman in there just had an epiphany and opened up to me more than anyone else since she came to Blue Sky Sanctuary. If only I knew, but thank God when Dottie got here Spirit was gone.
Tomorrow I’ll fill in Tink and Glory with what little information we got. Until then, I plan to fall asleep on Panther’s chest because that’s where I chase my demons away each and every night.
FORTY-FOUR
‘VIXEN’
MIRA
Getting in the shower in Tank and Momma Diane’s spare room, I’m surprised at how fancy it is. And big, damn, you could have a party in here. I can feel that the champagne made me a bit drunk, but in a good way. So much has happened that I can’t wrap my head around it. I hit a button and almost piss myself when jets come on and water is hitting me everywhere. The waterfall shower is above me and the jets are all around me. Looking to shut them off, I push another button and steam starts to fill the shower. What the hell?
“Having fun, Mira? This is some fuckin’ shower, isn’t it?”
Turning, I see a totally naked Lucas making his way into the shower. He reaches over pushes a button and the jets go away, and then he turns something and the steams stays but at a lower heat level.
“Mind some company, fiancée of mine?”
“Nope, not at all, my handsome fiancé.”
As we come together, we both are smiling and laughing a bit. When Lucas hits a button on the other wall, lights start to flash in all different colors. I can’t hold it in, I’m laughing hysterically and trying to keep it down, don’t want to wake up the children.
“What the hell are Tank and Momma Diane into? Shit. gotta let the sisters know but hell, got to be careful, can’t tell Tink and Squirt.”
Lucas is watching me, not saying a thing. I wipe at my face and push my hair back.
“Something on my face, Lucas? Why you staring like that?”
“Mira, it just hit me that if anything else I’ve asked for never comes my way, I’m good with that. I’m standing in this freaking obnoxious shower with my fiancée, who happens to be the woman I fell for at first sight, over five years ago. Damn, this could be a book.”
“Wow, watch what you say. There is someone out there who has been writing books similar to some of the Devil’s Handmaidens’ life stories. And we can’t figure out who this person is, so don’t joke like that in front of any of my sisters.”
“Shit, okay. Now seriously, you were asking earlier about what we are going to do. My dad was talking to Ollie’s father and from what I’m gathering, they are in the process of making a deal for some land. Not sure how much or what, but my parents, sister and brother-in-law, along with all their pets have decided to move to Timber-Ghost, Montana. A neighbor called them earlier to tell them someone broke into my folks’ house. Cops wanted to talk to the homeowner. Dad told them they were gone and would have the house packed up. That is until the cop told him not much was even left. Thank God they had the sense to bring what was important. And Mom and Dad’s investments are safe for now. Fritz works from home and Jenna was actually looking for a job, she’s a psychologist. So not only are you stuck with me, but my family too.”
