CHAPTER SIX

Two weeks later

– DEANNA –

“Bullshit,” Bran snaps, making me turn my head her way.

I shrug, trying to seem indifferent when I state, “Whatever.”

Bran jumps off the couch. “Whatever? How about you start telling me the truth, Dee? This whole act of not caring and being a docile little bitch doesn’t suit you. Hell, it’s been two weeks since they took us to their house. You were clawing at my eyes and ears when they held us for two days at the clubhouse, and when it turned to four freaking days, we both were ready to sneak out. Now you’re just going to sit on your ass and tell me what-freaking-ever when I ask you if you want to leave town or stay?”

I narrow my eyes and easily turn the discussion in another direction when I say, “You’re the one bullshitting yourself because you don’t want to leave. That door separating the two homes is thin enough to hear you scream his name in ecstasy, Bran. You could at least fuck in the bedroom or any other place in that freaking house instead of on the couch. Thank fuck I never sat on the damn thing.”

Her cheeks heat and I swear she mutters under her breath, “We never make it to any other part in the house. We’re fucking like bunnies on crack, as if we’re competing in some sort of mating triathlon frenzy.”

I rub my temples and close my eyes. “Didn’t need to know that either.”

Bran sinks down onto the couch, the one in Hayden’s living room. I should probably tell her Hayden and I had sex on it to give her a little payback. Yet, sadness hits me because it’s the only time we had sex. It’s not like we have time to ‘fuck like bunnies on crack, going for first place in a mating triathlon,’ to put it in my twin’s words.

Hayden and I are completely exhausted when we get home. We’ve been riding through town during the day and most of the night to scan for any sign of Tar Lines. It’s as if they’ve completely vanished while we know they can strike at any time.

There’s no way Loco is going to let it go. Let me go . I killed his father, who happens to be my, and Bran’s, biological father as well. Loco doesn’t know I have a twin sister, and it’s why I made a deal with Hayden; the information we gathered stays between us.

Well, we did share with his cousin, Archer, only because we needed him to run some checks. One of those checks involved a DNA test. Good thing I killed the president of Tar Lines with a bullet to the throat. No, I wasn’t aiming for his throat, I was going for his head. Moving targets are hard to hit, but the result was the same with ending up dead. Blood everywhere meant a DNA overload. The biker I tortured wasn’t lying; I killed my biological father.

I release a deep sigh and glance at Bran when I ask, “Did you win the pregnancy trophy yet in the whole mating triathlon frenzy?”

She stares at me, blinks a few times, and mutters, “Fuck.”

“You’re the one with the regular periods,” I remind her. “While mine are practically nonexistent.”

“That’s because yours is always in survival mode with the hard training schedule,” she grumbles, tilts her head and adds, “You haven’t been training as much for the past few weeks. What about you?”

I look away from her penetrating gaze. “Still nonexistent, but we’re talking about you here. Do I need to go out and get a pregnancy test?”

Dee wrings her hands. “Lyla brought one over for me this morning, before she had to open the tattoo shop.”

“Lyla?” Surprise hits me, along with a dash of hurt.

I guess I’m not allowed to feel hurt since I’ve barely been there for my sister these past two weeks. Though, here I thought Heath was keeping her busy. Lyla’s a great girl, and rapidly becoming a good friend to both of us. Lyla is a bit rough around the edges because of what she went through, but deep down she has a heart of gold with high as fuck walls built around it.

“How’s she doing?” I question. “Shit. I feel like we haven’t talked in ages.”

Bran pats my knee. “I know you and Hayden have been working together, trying to find the other guy from Tar Lines who’s responsible for killing Dad. I can’t really blame you for not giving me any of your time when you’re trying to keep us safe.”

Ugh. Way to rub the guilt in an already sore spot. I feel guilty as hell for keeping information from her, basically lying for not giving her all the crucial details, basically doing shit behind her back. All while she gives me sweet words and excuses I don’t deserve.

All of this makes me wonder why I didn’t want her to know the truth. It’s a heavy burden to carry and not share with my twin. It only takes a breath or two before I realize how I felt when I heard the gory details of our past and present colliding.

“Heath had to deal with something at the clubhouse yesterday, so he asked Lee to stay with me for protection. I don’t get why you can go out with Hayden all day, every day, while I need to stay cooped up in this place. I mean, I get how we appeared to be one person, hiding behind one name when we were awaiting trial, but now? Both of us have a target on our back and it’s just as dangerous for me to get out as it is for you. Anyway, Lee brought Lyla ’cause he didn’t want her to stay locked up in her room at the clubhouse, or at her apartment since that’s all she ever does if she isn’t working at the tattoo shop. Lyla stayed the whole day, we baked cookies. Not as good as your cupcakes, though. Hey.” Bran leans in and lowers her voice. “Wanna know something really twisted?”

I already know lots of twisted shit I’m not ready to share yet. I wince at my own train of thought. Especially with the added scoop of guilt she just gave me by stating how I get to go out while she needs to stay safely inside this building. The reason? I think Tar Lines doesn’t know we’re twins, since they only want me.

I give a cough and croak, “Sure.”

“Archer and Lee set up an appointment, so Lyla had to pierce Pax, a member of Broken Deeds.” Bran grins. “Seriously, the president of Broken Deeds ordered one of his brothers to take a needle to the dick and set up a date between those two. Lee said Pax was interested and asked about her, that’s why they set it up for her. I think it’s sweet. Weird and twisted, but kinda sweet…in a bizarre way.”

I can feel my eyes widen at the little tidbit of gossip. “No shit? Her own brother arranged for her to get a dick in hand because the dude is interested in fucking her? Wow. Didn’t she complain to you the first day at work how overbearing all of them were? Keeping every potential lay at a distance? Now they’re hooking her up by making an appointment for him to put his dick in her hand? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Lee is worried Lyla’s slipping into a dark place. He’d rather have her thinking about other things, possibilities. Her brother isn’t too fond of the idea, but Broken Deeds members are basically bikers with badges, upholding justice and shit. Areion Fury and Broken Deeds go way back, you know that. Lynn, Blue, and Bee told us all about their background and how connected these two MCs are.”

I groan. “Please tell me Lyla knows they set it up.”

Bran lets her head fall back and releases a deep sigh. “Nope. Lee whispered the details to me when I was making coffee. He wanted me to hear her out and give her advice and shit. I mean, I’m all for helping out. Lyla surely deserves something good in her life, but this just feels wrong. And you know what’s worse?”

“I’m afraid to ask, and I know you’re going to tell me anyway,” I grumble.

“She really likes him too.”

“Sure, she does.” I slowly shake my head. “Why is everything always fucked-up? People ruining shit without others knowing and then have it blow up right in front of your face.”

“Simple. We live in a world that’s not just our own. Sharing is throwing shit back and forth, and some can’t throw or catch even if their lives depend on it.”

I snicker at her version of logic. “You know I can’t throw for shit, except when it involves throwing punches.”

“Same here, catching sucks as well. My head is like a magnet whenever things are thrown my way. Anyway, let’s hope Lyla never finds out the first time they were thrown together was set up. Even if they all mean well.” Bran chuckles. “At least she knows he’s packing something thick and large in his pants.”

“Yeah? What kind of piercing did she give him?”

“A magic cross.” Bran sounds way too excited.

I frown and have to admit, I never heard of it. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I google and… “Wow. A combination of an ampallang and an apadravya form a cross which is an ultimate blend of magic, earning its name.”

“I’m not getting another needle shoved through my cock. It’ll take months to heal, not really liking the sound of–”

“Not being able to fuck me on the couch again?” I dryly finish for Hayden who saunters into the living room while I smirk at my sister.

Bran jumps off the couch. “Oh, yuck. Seriously, Dee? Scolding me while you…ugh. Both of us need to get a few folding chairs.”

Hayden leans in, places his hand on my neck to hold me in place, and covers his mouth with mine. I taste the mint of his toothpaste and groan in protest when he pulls back way too soon.

He gives me a satisfied grin. “You taste like good coffee. Any left for me?”

“In the kitchen,” I croak and clear my throat when he walks off.

Bran plunks down on the couch, almost sitting on top of me when she whispers, “When did you two become all lovin’ and no fighting?”

Since we struck a deal , my mind offers. I don’t voice that sentence, though. It would involve a lot of explanation including details that will shatter our childhood as she knows it. I wouldn’t exactly put the label “loving” on me and Hayden. I do have to admit we’ve grown closer over the past two weeks.

Working in close proximity day in, day out as a unit with the same goals will do that. Hayden’s only demand for keeping the information to ourselves was, and I quote, “Give our connection a real shot.” Which basically meant I had to slightly curb my defensive attitude, and the need to lash out at the man.

Lashing out has always been part of my armor. Training and competing with men isn’t always a nice spot to be in. Some assholes feel the need to protect their ego and degrade me whenever I’m nearby. It took a while for me to gain a thicker skin, and being a hothead surely helped.

My sister, on the other hand, only trained and fought women in her own weight class. She kept in her lane, as my father used to say. A father who wasn’t our biological one. I wonder if he knew we weren’t his children by blood? I fucking hate this shit.

“Personal space, Bran,” I grumble, shove her shoulder, and get to my feet. “We just found some middle ground, that’s all.”

“Middle ground being the couch,” she states and jumps up to glare at the couch in question, making me chuckle.

“Now you know how I feel,” I remind her.

She flips me off.

“Go pee on a stick.” Another reminder for her, and my-freaking-self.

“Ah, is my brother going to win the bet?” Hayden asks when he steps out of the kitchen with a steaming mug in his hand.

“What bet?” my sister and I ask in sync.

Hayden chuckles, takes a sip of his hot coffee before he only says one word, or name for that matter, “Lynn.”

I cross my arms in front of my chest. “Explain.”

Though, saying the woman’s name explains a lot all by itself. She’s a smartass with a load of wisdom and most times gets her way. Bugging the shit out of others is what she thrives on and moonlights as a matchmaker.

“Something about who knocks up who first.” The corner of his mouth twitches. “It’s all moot anyway since she placed bets on both of us.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” I mutter.

I frown while my twin states, “She’s smarter than that.”

“She mentioned something about the end result being the same, so it wasn’t any fun to place a bet.” Hayden shrugs.

Bran sighs. “I guess I’m off to pee on a stick. Hey, I have more than one test if you need one too.”

A jolt of panic hits me, something I hardly ever experience, and blurt without thinking, “Dad wasn’t our father, and I killed the one who actually was our biological father.”

“What the fuck?” Bran mutters and gapes at me. “Are you high or in denial and trying to say something weird so we skip over you checking if you’re pregnant too.”

“Hayden and I only fucked once, we didn’t enter the fucking like bunnies on crack triathlon frenzy, going for the golden egg, or kid for that matter, like you and Heath,” I snap. “I’ll pee on a fucking stick after I show you the evidence.” Turning to face Hayden, I shake my head. “I can’t do this. She needs to know everything. You should tell Heath as well.”

“I already know everything,” Heath rumbles, and I only now notice him leaning against the doorway which connects the two homes.

Narrowing my eyes at Hayden, I sneer, “So much for making a deal. I should have known better than to trust you when you gave me your word to keep this between us.”

The asshole shrugs. “Club business, babe. He needed to know. Besides, your top priority was protecting your sister because we suspect they don’t know about her. The one person who would lay down his life for her is Heath and you fucking know it once you see past the anger.”

“Still doesn’t diminish the fact that you lied to me,” I snap.

“Can someone explain what the fuck this is all about? Because it sounds like everyone is standing on one side while I’m here by myself in the fucking dark,” Bran seethes.

I wince and honestly don’t know where to start.

Heath’s voice rumbles through the air. “Hayden didn’t knock out Dee at the hospital when Tar Lines took our mother. That turned out to be Mia who kidnapped her, not the MC. Dee agreed to help ’cause they called with a demand that only one of us should deliver Kent and Brandee. Hayden knew how good she is and used it to our advantage. Dee recognized the president of Tar Lines when they showed up. He’s one of the two who caused your father’s death. She pulled the trigger and took him out. When they managed to get away they took a biker hostage and managed to squeeze some information from him. They ran checks to make sure he wasn’t lying. DNA results show the president of Tar Lines, known as Figo DeCone, was your biological father.”

“No,” Bran whispers and stumbles back, letting herself drop onto the couch.

My shoulders sag as I take over explaining from Heath. “Belder, he’s the biker we grabbed, and the one we squeezed the information from. Archer is the only one beside us who knows these details, and he also took Belder into custody.” I swallow hard, emotions clogging my throat for what I’m about to say.

A hand slides over my hip and covers my belly, pulling me against a hard chest. Hayden’s scent surrounds me and I feel his lips brush the top of my head. He doesn’t take over, he simply gives me his strength. I’m still pissed at him, and yet I understand why he gave Heath the information.

Huffing out a breath I know this shit won’t change no matter when or how I tell her; it’s going to hurt like a bitch either way.

“Our mother was kidnapped when she was dating Dad. She managed to escape after being held captive by Figo for six days. Now, this part is all speculation because Belder only knows some details he’s heard. We think Mom and Dad didn’t turn to the police to file a report. Belder mentioned Figo kept women drugged, so maybe she didn’t remember much? We don’t know, but they moved to another state to put it behind them and start over. Who knows? Dad told us Mom left when we were barely a year old. Belder mentioned that Figo never stopped looking for Mom. He had pictures of her and was obsessed. Figo called in the help of different chapters and that’s how they found Mom, working at Dad’s gym, managing the front desk. They kidnapped her again and Belder said that this time they made her write a note that she was leaving the country. How she wanted a change and was sick of her old life. All to make sure no one searched for her.” My chest squeezes painfully when I add on a whisper, “I guess Dad believed the note.”

“That’s fucked-up,” Bran bellows and stands on the couch to yell at me. “You’re crazy if you believe that. Dad wouldn’t simply let her go, not if whatever shit you just said happened. Nothing makes sense. You’re lying. Show me the proof. We have freaking birth records with our father’s name on there. No fucking way is some biker scum who, who–”

“Killed the man who raised us?” I snap, cutting her off. “Kidnapped our mother twice and kept her as his whore to impregnate her again? Was he successful? Yes. Do we have a sibling we weren’t aware of? Yes. A brother who wants to turn me into his own personal whore.”

My last sentence bounces off the wall. Heath scoops Bran off the couch and is now holding her the same way Hayden is holding me.

“Insane,” Bran mutters. “It’s so freaking crazy, it must be true. I mean, you can’t invent such a story, no rhyme or reason, too twisted to be real.” Her voice is harsh when she snaps, “But you could have fucking told me the second you knew.”

Heath murmurs something in her ear and I feel myself sag against Hayden. I know she’s right. I should have told her instead of trying to protect her from everything, it was only delaying the inevitable.

“I know,” I whisper brokenly, feeling the hurt and the guilt weighing me down.

Why the hell does it feel like I’m losing a grip on everything? I’m always the strong one, not backing down from anything. Yet, here I am feeling the need to crawl in a corner. A corner where darkness resides, just like there’s darkness inside me.

I guess there’s my answer as to why I felt different all my life. The reason why I needed to have an outlet in underground fighting. Another reminder I brought this upon us; our biological father took one look at me and saw my mother in my features. His DNA runs through me, the dark and twisty.

“It’s my fault,” I state, my voice raw and drenched with the guilt that’s eating me from the inside out.