Chapter Three

***C.Rash***

I watch the woman—whose sinful memories popped into my head more than a few times over the years—disappear into the kitchen. I have to take a few deep breaths to let the fact sink in I'm now tied to her by blood. Have been for years, dammit. Neither of us knew how to contact one another and yet faith made it possible for us to reconnect.

Damn. If my sister hadn't run into her today, I still would be oblivious to the fact I have a son. I shoot a text Darby's way to thank her for getting my ass here or I wouldn't have known I had a son. My phone instantly dings with a reply.

DARBY:

I was shocked when I saw Joshua. He looks so much like you. Easton, I swear Magnolia didn't know who you were. I saw the relief on her face when I bluntly asked her if Joshua could be my brother's kid. I showed her a picture of you and she told me what happened that night you two met. I'm here if you need me. Call me!

I text her a quick reply in return to let her know I'm dealing with everything right now and promise to call soon. How fast can things take a damn turn? When I woke up this morning, I was having a hard time deciding what to do today and yet here I am, no longer alone but suddenly connected to a tiny person who is half of my DNA.

I wait for the panic and turmoil to flare inside my head and yet it all settles. Pretty sure it also has something to do with the fact his mother is Magnolia, the one chick who managed to burn sweet memories into my brain, even if it was one damn night we spent together. I can do this. I've seen my brothers and their old ladies grow tight and raise their kids.

I know for sure they all have my back, and from what Magnolia said and the impression she gives me…she's open to have me in her life to be there for her son. My son. Our son. Dammit. Seriously, this will take some getting used to. I reach for my phone and without thinking call one of my brothers who I know would understand.

"Hang on," Pokey barks into the phone and I hear rustling and then a few doors slam before his voice is back. "I can't tell you how glad I am you're calling, pulling me out of a discussion with my old lady and kid. Well, not so much of a discussion, mainly my old lady reprimanding our oldest. And for fucking real, man…don't ever have kids. Adopt grown-ass people if you get affectionate. Me for instance. Adopt my old ass, I could use an escape. Because teenagers? I think I'd rather swim in a tank filled with sharks while sticking myself with a fork, because take it from me, the adrenaline spike for survival is fairly the same."

The nonsense falling from this guy's mouth is something that always makes me snort and yet this is something that hits the nail on the head about my reason for calling.

"Too late, man. I just found out I'm the father of a five-year-old," I tell him and only silence greets me.

"Mind running that by me again? Because with what you just said, I'm fairly sure you got a head start in becoming a daddy and you kinda missed the boat for the first five years," Pokey states and his voice is tainted with a hint of shock before there's some anger sliding in when he says, "Or did some bitch come knocking on your door, demanding money or some shit? Then you need to take distance first and demand a DNA test, ‘cause there are some women out there trying to grab you by the dick and squeeze for some easy money."

"Did I ever tell you about the one that got away?" I ask, knowing very well I did.

There have been a few times over the years where some drunk discussions turned into talks about "the hottest piece of ass" or "the one that got away." I would always bring up the nameless one, 'cause she was the perfect package. Well, she's not so nameless now.

"You're talking about the ‘oops I forgot the condom but if I don't tell it didn't happen' one? Well," Pokey snorts. "I'd gather she won't be getting away now, right? With the kid you just mentioned. And fuck, man. Why didn't she say anything? Why now? Wait. You didn't know who she was…did that mean she didn't know who you were either? You're talking about the night you went to your sister's neighborhood holiday party and had the best pussy ever, right? I mean, you've told the story more than a handful of times. That's the only reason I remember."

"Yeah," I can only answer in reply before I add, "Neither of us knew anything about each other. So damn stupid but it wasn't like we exchanged more than a handful of words, it was more like instant lust and the both of us acting on pure instinct. My sister stumbled into her at the grocery store today. Joshua looks exactly like me, that's how Darby knew he had to be my kid. She bluntly threw the question at Magnolia and showed her my picture."

There's more silence before Pokey says, "What do you want, now that you know? Because all I can tell you is to listen to your heart and follow your gut instinct along with it. I did, and look where I am now. And fuck, forget what I said about the sharks and sticking a fork in me. As a parent you will know what it's like to love the shit out of your kids while voluntarily letting them pull out your fingernails, because that's what family is all about, man. The whole love hard, fight dirty, and reap sweet victory for the rest of your life. Completion shit, that's what I'm talking about. But I stumbled onto my kid when he was a mere baby, you're skipping the whole diaper phase. I probably shouldn't have reminded you. Damn. I'm talking too much. Like I said…what do you want, man?"

His words tumble over me and again I wait for the panic and turmoil to flare inside my head but still it doesn't hit. Being a father, and to have these added responsibilities, doesn't scare me.

"I want it all, Pokey," I tell him with determination. "I can't turn my back on either one now that I know she wanted to reach me. It's all so damn easy to explain and then add all the fucked-up circumstances...talking about the fucked-up circumstances…exactly six years ago something happened to her, about three weeks after we met, and this fucker who hurt her seems to return every year around the same time. I need him found and handled because six years ago? He kidnapped the mother of my kid, held her hostage for three weeks, beat her and left her for dead alongside of the road."

"You need me, I'll get on my damn bike right now. I will always have your back, whatever you need," Pokey growls.

"I know, brother." I let the pride and thankfulness I feel shimmer through my voice. "I'm gonna put up a security system bright and early tomorrow morning, and I talked to Casey and Calix before I got here. Casey is going to have his contacts at the FBI look into her case."

"Good. If there's anything we can do, call." His tone is fierce and I know he will be there for me in a heartbeat.

I might have switched chapters years ago but we never cut ties. Calix and I were both a part of Areion Fury MC where Zack is the president. All before Calix and I switched to AF MC Ohio, and Calix became the president while I became his VP. Like Pokey just mentioned, we're still brothers; we're there for each other no matter what.

"Will do. And thanks, man," I tell him and hear him grunt before he hangs up.

I stare at my phone for a few heartbeats before I tuck it away. Things might still be all scrambled and up in the air, but I feel like my talk with Pokey made me realize everything can work out as long as you fight for what you want and are straightforward with it. And I sure as fuck want this. Even if I didn't plan any of it or never so much as thought of wanting kids in my future. He's here. He's mine, no doubt about it, so I am damn well going to live up to the things life throws in my path.

I stalk into the kitchen and watch how Magnolia places a steaming cup in front of her while there's already one in front of Joshua. The look she gives him is all love and devotion. To think this woman faced everything all those years on her own is unbelievable. Not to mention the shit she went through, and the fucker is still out there tormenting her.

And it's also hard to believe the things that fucker did to her when that boy just took root inside her belly. For fuck's sake…she could have lost the baby without even realizing she was pregnant. Then I wouldn't be standing here looking in on this intimate mother and son moment. Fuck. I rub my sternum and try to shove the feelings rising inside me down. I need to focus on the now and keep them safe.

I clear my throat and both their gazes swing my way. "Did you make me a cup?"

Magnolia gives me a shy smile and turns to grab a steaming mug from the counter to place in front of me.

Joshua jumps off his chair and breaks his cookie in front of me, crumbles all over, as he holds out his hand. The corner of my mouth twitches and I try to cup my hands and catch all the crumbs but I'm sure some will end up on the floor anyway.

There's a huge smile on the kid's face when I take a bite of the chocolate chip cookie, and I have to say, "This is amazing. Where did you buy them?"

"I made it," Joshua says and I'm pretty sure his cheeks are hurting from grinning so damn big. "With a little help from Mom."

"Thanks for sharing with me, kid," I tell him and grab the mug, blowing over the hot cocoa as I watch Magnolia over the rim.

Her face is exactly how I remembered her all those years ago. Delicate, oval-shaped with piercing eyes and plump, strawberry lips. Except for the tiny faded scars I now notice as I let my gaze travel over her features. The longest one slides from her chin down to her throat and I quickly admire her hair because anger flares when I see those scars. It makes me feel as if I failed her. Nonsense, I know, but still.

Her hair was darker back then, and her eyebrows are still the same color and yet her hair is dyed different shiny shades of gray. It dances around her shoulders as she wipes the counter. I remember how good she felt in my arms but she was a bit slender back then. Still a magnificent ass, though. I've always been an ass man and it seems this woman tipped the balance of awesomeness on the curvy scale.

A cloth hits my chest and I glance down at it and back to Mags. Mags . I don't know why my mind came up with the short version of her name but I'm liking it. She raises an eyebrow and it's then I realize I was absolutely picturing her naked and remembering every minute of what my tongue, fingers, mouth, dick…dammit, I need to focus, there's a kid in the room. A kid we made the last time I was balls deep inside her.

Yeah, it seems this woman is still branded into my brain, even if it was years ago. Pokey's words come to mind again; what do you want? And I know for damn sure…I do want it all. I've wanted this woman when I first laid eyes on her, and I got her into my bed…regretting every second she walked out and not knowing who, or where she was. I'm not making the same mistake again. I'm grabbing hold and not going to give her an option to slip out of my life this time.