Layne's Capture (Blazing Outlaws MC, #6), page 19
Stepping inside the common room, all the men are sitting in various tables and at the bar while the ol’ ladies are missing. I’m sure they’re getting ready for today even though they’ve not really been given the proper amount of time to find a dress and all that shit for a wedding. As long as they’re dressed, I don’t give a fuck what they’re wearing today.
“You sure know how the fuck to turn this place into a room for the women of the club and not us men,” Pyro grumbles, his voice cutting off as he raises a bottle of beer to his lips and chugs it.
“It’s been done for every weddin’ we’ve had here. Do you have a problem with her, Pyro?” I question him, declining the beer being offered to me.
“Not a problem at all. Just want the clubhouse left alone especially for a weddin’ that’s outside,” he responds, not even looking at me.
Without saying another word, I head for my room. It’s time for me to shower and get dressed in the new jeans and shirt I bought for today. They’ve been in my room since buying them so Layne wouldn’t have any idea what Gunner and I have planned for her. Unlocking my door, I step in and close it behind me before locking it so no one can get in. These house bunnies are getting bad about their attempts to get a man of their own. Raine has already had to talk to them several times about it. So, we all take precautions and turn them down as harshly as we have to. They’ll learn or get tossed out on their asses.
Stepping in my bathroom, I turn the water on as hot as it will go before stripping out of my dirty, sweaty clothes. Without hesitation, I step under the hot water and let it run over my body easing the aches and tension from my body. With my head bent down so the water isn’t running over my face, I stand there for several minutes. Finally, knowing I can’t put off washing any longer, I take care of my hair and body before rinsing off and shutting the water off. Before getting dressed, I brush my teeth, trim up my beard, and take a few minutes to look in the mirror before getting dressed and waiting in my room until I know for sure Gunner and Layne are back.
She’s going to be ushered straight up to his room with the ol’ ladies to help her. Gunner will shower and get dressed in my room while they’re taking care of our ol’ lady. Raine has assured me she won’t let Layne look out the window of his room at the backyard, so the surprise is ruined. Then, I’ll go down and have one beer with the guys before marrying the woman who has wormed her way under my skin, and I’ll spend the rest of my life showing her exactly how much she means to me. Gunner will too.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Gunner
LAYNE AND I spent the day running meaningless errands we didn’t really need to do. Starting with a trip to the hardware store. I told her we needed to pick out new paint for the guest room. She picked out a light beige so it would go with whatever we chose to put in there. Then, she picked out a simple white for the room we had started converting into a nursery. Venom and I hadn’t done much more than paint the walls a soft yellow since we didn’t know the gender of the baby but figured it would work for a boy or girl. She doesn’t want the daily reminder of what the room was going to be even if we keep the door closed so she doesn’t have to see it. There’s no way any of us want the reminder right now. So, we got her white paint to cover the walls.
After hitting up a few more stores and running to Outlaw Den in a fake attempt to see if Venom was there, we made our way to Charisma’s diner for something to eat. Obviously, he wasn’t there, and we were told he wouldn’t be in until later. The exact thing he had one of his new bartenders say. She might not have a clue what’s going on, but she’ll do what her boss tells her to. Charisma didn’t come out to talk to us, but she did wave from behind the window they pass the finished plates out through. My brother and Brianna were back there with her and all three had red faces. Their hair looked as if they’d been running their fingers through it repeatedly and I know without a doubt they’re trying to keep up with the demand of the customers along with preparing the food for the reception.
“Sweetheart, do you mind if we swing by the clubhouse for a minute? I need to talk to Satan about somethin’ really quick,” I ask her as Layne finishes up her lunch of a cheeseburger and fries.
“That’s not a problem for me. Anything else after we finish there?” she returns, her voice fading away as she finishes her drink.
“Nope. We’ll be done for the day after stoppin’ at the clubhouse. Are you okay?” I ask her, taking in her pale skin and her big, round eyes.
“I’m okay. My stomach just feels a little off right now,” she answers, her voice again fading away as she stands from our table and heads for the bathroom.
I’m worried about her, but if there was something wrong, she’d tell me. After what we’ve all been through, we have learned to talk about our shit and not hold anything back. So, when Layne is ready or knows what’s going on, she’ll tell Venom and me. Until then, I’ll sit back and keep an eye on her. However, her going to the bathroom means I can head to the kitchen for a minute. There are trays both filled and waiting for food sitting on every available surface as if something exploded and food landed all over the place. There are mini appetizers, burgers, chicken parmigiana, potatoes of every variety, and so many other things I can’t even tell you what they are.
“How are things goin’ here?” I ask, not touching anything they have set up.
“Almost done. We’ll have everythin’ there within a half hour. Just waitin’ to pull the ribs from the oven and make sure the salads in the fridge are ready to go. It won’t take me long to get ready,” my brother assures me as he smiles in Brianna’s direction.
“Brianna, you’re comin’ right?” I question her as she turns to face me.
“Um, I don’t think so,” she states, her voice low.
“Why the hell not? You’re a part of the family whether you know it or not,” I tell her.
“Oh, okay. Thank you.”
“Where’s Layne?” my cousin asks me, turning around to face me.
“In the bathroom. I’m gonna head back out. Thanks for doin’ this guys. Do you need me to send some Prospects over to help?”
“No. I’m going to load everything up in the SUV and they can help when we get to the clubhouse. Go get her there so you guys can get ready for your big day,” Riss admonishes me as if I were a toddler and not a grown ass man who towers over her.
“You’re lucky you’re my cousin and I love the shit outta you,” I growl at her in mock outrage.
“Yeah.”
Leaving the kitchen, I run into Layne as she exits the bathroom. If possible, she looks even worse than she did when she walked in the bathroom. Pulling her into my arms, I feel her forehead to find she’s not running a fever. That’s a good sign. Still, something is going on with her.
“Are you good to ride to the clubhouse?” I question her, wrapping my arm tighter around her.
“Yeah. I feel a little better already,” she answers, placing a kiss in the middle of my chest over my shirt.
“Let’s get out of here,” I state as I put her helmet on her head and fasten the straps before helping her on my bike.
Layne was absolutely surprised with what everyone in the club did to make her wedding day special and exactly what she wanted. Hollie and Victoria picked out the perfect dress for her. It’s a white dress without any fanfare or extra, molding to her body as if it’s a second skin. Small spaghetti straps hold it up and ensure it covers her chest as she walked toward us alone. At least until my dad stood from his seat and raced to her side. He let her know not a single one of us would walk alone. Including his new daughter. Tears filled her eyes and threatened to spill over even though she stopped them before they ruined her make-up. It took everything in me to remain rooted to my spot, so I didn’t run to grab her in my arms and kiss the shit outta her. Because covering her plain, sexy, white dress is her rag proclaiming to everyone in our family she’s ours and we’re making it so it’s not just in the eyes of the club.
What surprised me is a few of the guys from the Steel Mills chapter showing up. Lynch, Raven, and a few others made an appearance and stuck around for the wedding. They were happy to see the two of us getting married. Even if it was to a damn lawyer according to Lynch. Still, they were here, and I was happy to share our day with them. It’s no less than what we’d do for them. Our two clubs might not always get along with one another but when we do hang out, we always have a good time.
Venom and Layne said their vows before I got to say a few words. I let her know how much I love her, respect her, and how bad I want to spend the rest of my life with her. She also said a few words to me about love, loss, strength, and Venom and I being the air she needs on the days it’s hard to breathe. All the ol’ ladies were in tears by the time we were done speaking as they sat with their men. We chose not to have anyone standing up with the three of us. There is no way we could choose. So, we made it easy and didn’t.
Now, we’re all sitting at various tables eating and talking. The kids are running around the yard as they take a few minutes out every now and then to take a few more bites of their food. We’re all laughing at them as they race around and act as if they’d had a million pounds of sugar throughout the day instead of just being their normal, crazy selves. It makes me miss what we’d have right now if Lester and his brother hadn’t gotten their hands on our woman. Our child wouldn’t be running around like crazy, but he or she would still be here.
“Guys, can I talk to you about something?” Layne asks, wringing her hands in her lap as she sits between us.
“What’s goin’ on, darlin’?”
“I’m not sure how to tell you this. So, I’m going to just spit it out,” she says, taking a deep breath before looking between the two of us. “I’m pregnant.”
Venom and I don’t say a word for a few minutes. Without warning, a smile fills my face as I stare down at her stomach covered by the slinky, silk material of her dress. Venom pulls her into his body and kisses her deeply before placing a hand against her stomach as I pull her in to give her my own kiss. When we finally break away to clapping, hooting and hollering, and loud whistles, I place my hand on my side of her stomach. The three of us are lost in our own world for a few minutes until my cousin walks up to the table with a smile covering her face.
“Congratulations guys! The three of you deserve this,” she says, pressing a kiss against my cheek before pulling Venom and Layne in for a hug. “Now, it’s time for you to have your dances. Which one of you are going first?”
“Venom can,” I state, leaning back in my chair without removing my hand from Layne’s stomach.
I sit back in my chair and watch the two of them make their way to the makeshift dance floor. It’s not long before My Person by Spencer Crandall fills the air. One of the Prospects moved the speakers outside and hooked up a phone or the stereo system so we could have music out here today. It’s what we normally do when we have a cookout or party which inevitably always spills over outside weather permitting. Watching my best friend dance with our ol’ lady I can’t stop the smile from covering my face. Layne showed both of us what we were missing and has done nothing but fill our lives with happiness, love, and the strength we need when shit hits the fan.
With a nod from Venom just about halfway through the song, I stand from my seat and make my way toward them on the dance floor. Not a single other person is dancing as they all watch us and remain seated. Most with their ol’ ladies on their lap as the men keep one eye on their children and the other on their woman. I’m holding Layne close to my body as she lays her head on my chest and keeps her arms wrapped tight around my neck. When I tip my head down to look at her, Layne’s eyes are closed with a small smile on her face. She truly looks happy in this moment. The same she did when she was in Venom’s arms.
Before the song ends, our lives have a possibility to change irrevocably. Chaos erupts as gunfire fills the air just before the screams of our women and the children do. Everything seems to happen in slow motion as my head snaps up while I simultaneously push Layne to the ground being mindful of her stomach. Men are racing around the compound as the women lay as flat as possible on the ground. They’re heading straight for the kids as I watch my little brother head in the opposite direction to the woman who’s standing at the corner of the clubhouse as she begins to take steps further into the yard still pulling the trigger as my brother tackles her to the ground.
Fear fills me for Axel as my eyes scan the surrounding area to make sure there isn’t another shooter we haven’t seen yet. When I don’t spot one, I press a quick kiss against Layne’s head, taking in her trembling body and pale face. She looks up at me with tears rolling down her face and fear filling her wide eyes. Venom quickly takes my place with her as I race to help my brother and make sure he doesn’t get hurt or worse. Pulling his body from the woman beneath him, he rips the gun from her hand and keeps a hold of it.
“What the fuck are you thinkin’?” I growl out, my voice harsh and shaking as adrenaline courses through my body. “Who the fuck are you and what are you doin’ here?”
The woman looks up at me with contempt filling her hazel eyes. I have never once seen this woman in my life and am puzzled about what the fuck she’s doing here now. Whoever is watching over the gate better have a good fucking answer when I get my hands on him.
“You all killed my fucking husband!” she finally shouts as more of the men begin to surround her.
Hate fills this woman’s eyes and face as she starts to take in each man surrounding her. Grinder steps forward and looks down at the woman with an odd expression on his face. I can’t even tell what the hell is going on in his head right now as he continues to look down at this woman we all have such hate in our bodies for right now.
“Collette?” Grinder asks, stepping right up next to the woman. “What are you doin’ here? And with a fuckin’ gun no less.”
“It’s all your fault. I fucking told him being in this club would get him killed and it looks like I was right,” she grinds out, still not moving from where my brother tackled her to the ground.
“Who the fuck is this?” Satan explodes, his glare leveled on this woman.
I take a chance to look behind me as all the men surround us and the ol’ ladies remain in the back as far away as they can with the children huddled in the middle of their small group. Layne is sitting at the table we’ve all been at since getting married. Exhaustion and fear fill her face so bad I can see it from where I’m standing. With a final look at her, I turn my attention back to the woman named Collette.
“This is Wrath’s wife. Well, I guess you could say almost ex-wife. He was in the process of divorcin’ her ass. Collette, you have no reason to be here. Especially bringin’ a fuckin’ gun and shootin’ with women and kids here,” Grinder says, his anger coming out full force.
“You have no clue what the hell was goin’ on between Lucas and me!” she screeches out.
“Yes, I do. I was his best friend and he told me every-fuckin’-thin’. He was done with you and there is no reason for you to have taken it upon yourself to come here. What the fuck is your damage?” Grinder states, now the pain of Wrath’s death filling his voice.
“What are you going to do about it?” she questions, not taking her eyes off Grinder with an evil smirk on her face. “Hurt me? Rape me? Kill me?”
“No. That’s not what we do. If you’re upset about your estranged husband, I get it. We’ve all felt the loss of Wrath. That doesn’t give you the right to come on our property and try to hurt our women and children,” Satan says, releasing a deep breath. “We can handle this a few ways. One is to call our contact and have Simone show up to take care of this bitch. Simone will have no problem beatin’ the fuck outta her and makin’ sure she knows never to come near any of our properties again. Or, we can call the cops on her. Let them haul her off to jail. We have more than enough security cameras to prove her guilt. Maybe we need to take a vote on the bitch’s fate.”
“Why don’t you let us take her back to Steel Mills with us. We’ll keep her away from your club and make sure she pays for her sins here today,” Lynch states, his voice laced with hatred. “We won’t fuckin’ hurt you, but you will know you’ve done wrong by comin’ here and pullin’ this shit on the day of a fuckin’ weddin’ when women and children are here.”
“Anyone have an issue with this?” Satan asks, looking around at us.
“If I find out somethin’ happened to our wife because of this, you will feel pain and I’ll make sure I’m there, so you know why you’re bein’ tortured,” I promise this bitch as she finally begins to show another emotion besides hate. “I will make sure you pay for the rest of your miserable fuckin’ life and you can try to spin it anyway you want. I will make it happen.”
No one else speaks out. With a nod from Satan, Lynch and Raven pick the bitch up from the ground and haul her around the clubhouse as she screams, and I’m sure fights the two men. This woman is not going to get her way and escape from them. They’ll make sure of it. With Wrath’s ex no longer here with us, I turn to make my way toward Layne. She’s the only one on my mind as Venom steps up next to me and we pull her into our arms as we try to calm her down before we leave the compound. For tonight, it’s all about her and we plan on showing her exactly what she means to us. For me, Layne is my entire world, and she will know it one way or another. Now, on top of marrying us and taking our last names, but she’s giving us a second chance to have a family of our own. Nothing could have shocked me more than hearing she’s pregnant again. We’re all happy and that’s what matters in life.
