SIOBHAN

A starting pistol goes off in me as soon as Hunter gives birth to Lotus in late spring. Once I see her tiny redheaded baby, I feel like the race is on to get my life in order before Lorcan is born.

First off, I stop stalling on redoing the guest room for Glen and Nora. The queen mattress is replaced with two full-sized ones. Half of the room is styled for his tastes, the other half for hers. Though we still haven’t pulled the trigger on full custody of them, they spend every non-school day at our house.

I create little files for all their important information. I get them haircuts when I take the twins. I schedule physical and dental checkups. I buy them clothes and toys. I start thinking of their tastes when I plan meals for the week. They’re part of the family, even before they come to stay with us for summer break.

Whenever I’m overwhelmed, I can turn to Indigo for support. He likes taking the kids outside in the yard or for walks. He can watch the same kids’ movies without going insane. If I need tenderness, he’ll offer me massages. When I feel too round to feel sexy, he’ll fuck me back into my princess status.

Indigo is so handsome, even as we enter the Play Hut with the kids. He’s wearing his club vest over a black T-shirt. His jeans fit his ass perfectly. I admire his muscles while I waddle next to him in my maternity shirt and leggings.

“You look gorgeous,” he whispers, leaning down to brush his lips against my cheek. “Your belly is making my dick hard.”

As I enjoy how much his dirty talk has improved, our group claims a table at the center of the Play Hut. On one end of the large building is a massive climbing monstrosity with nets, tubes, and slides. The other end is filled with arcade games.

Kiera, Deirdre, and Nora are dressed in matching pink-and-white leopard print shirts and black leggings to make it easier for me to spot them in the crowd. As they walk toward the play area, their ponytails bounce at the same rhythm.

Indigo strokes my ponytail as his other hand caresses my belly. I smile up at him and simply swoon at how handsome he looks today. His hair is tied back and his beard was recently trimmed. His skin is golden. Love has left him healthy and happy .

“Glen and I are going to play games,” Indigo says and kisses my forehead before his lips find mine.

As Indigo and Glen try out the games, I sit at a table and watch the girls make their way through the tubing. Soon, Carys texts to say she’s running late, and we shouldn’t wait for them.

I haven’t seen my sister in two weeks, which is a record for me. Though I want to hang out with Carys and my mom, I’ve grown wary of driving to the farm alone. Three different times in the last month, I’ve gotten pulled over by cops on the way to the farm. They’ve issued tickets for speeding, driving too slowly, and changing lanes without signaling. For the first ticket, my family remained skeptical of my claim of innocence. I’m known to speed. However, Zoot got more suspicious after my second ticket. By the third one, he knew I was getting hounded by the cops. After all, that road only has two lanes, and there’s no way I’d drive too slowly.

Since I haven’t worked in months, I went to court for each ticket. The cops never showed up, and I got the citations dismissed. Still, I felt targeted, so I got weird about driving out there alone.

“I set fire to that last cop’s boat,” Zoot told me one weekend when he saw me at the farm. “I got a local kid to steal a new truck belonging to another one of the cops. I’m handling the situation, so stop being a wuss and visit more often. Aunt Fred’s getting mopey.”

Mom nodded at his bitchiness. “I do feel like you can’t visit except on the weekends.”

When I drove out there yesterday during the week, no one hassled me. I assume the cops got Zoot’s message.

At lunch, Indigo orders a pizza as the kids wash their hands. Once we’re all at the table, he sits across from the twins and me. Glen and Nora flank him. I smile at how relaxed he seems right now. The chaos around us doesn’t register. Every time our gazes meet, I can’t help smiling. Indigo has all the qualities I loved about Sync, yet none of the negatives. I still marvel at how my perfect man was within reach for so long.

“I can make better pizza than this,” Nora tells me when she only eats the toppings.

“When we go shopping this week, we’ll pick up ingredients to make a pizza. You can show off your skills,” I reply, and her pale blue eyes light up .

After lunch, the girls return to the tubing system to pretend they’re princess warriors saving captured princes. Indigo and Glen return to a pinball game they’re trying to defeat.

At one point, I see them walking to the men’s restroom. More families arrive. Kids start to crowd each other in the tubing system. The girls decide they’re done playing once a few rowdy children bother them.

“They’re being mean,” Kiera says while Deirdre gets mopey and Nora looks around like she’s in trouble. “The boys were pushing us. We want to play at home.”

“Let’s make sure Indigo and Glen are ready to leave, too.”

“It’s too loud,” Deirdre whines and rests one hand on Kiera’s ear and the other on Nora’s.

They imitate her, so they can block out the noise. I look around for Indigo. At six-three, he usually stands over normal folk, but I don’t see him.

However, as I pack up, I do notice a line of uniformed pigs walking through the room. A few minutes later, Glen rushes over, fighting tears.

“They’re arresting Indigo,” he mumbles when I bend down to hear him better. “They said they’re going to call CPS and take me away.”

Cupping his face, I stare in his eyes so he’ll focus on me instead of all the rowdy kids. “Baby, calm down and explain what happened.”

“A man said Indigo was being perverted in the bathroom, but he wasn’t. It’s my fault. Now CPS is coming. Indigo told me to run to you and leave fast.”

I look over his head at the restrooms, where I see several officers moving in our direction.

“This isn’t about you,” I promise the kids as I grip my bag. “The police are always hassling Indigo and my family. You did nothing wrong, okay?”

Despite my calm words, I’m glued to my spot. There’s no clear path to the front door. The kids are panicking. I see the cops coming our direction. I’m afraid for Indigo.

“Kiera, take Deirdre’s hand. Nora, take Glen’s hand,” I say and hold their free hands. “We have to go. No crying. No fits. We have to leave now. ”

We’re halfway to the door when a uniformed cop steps in my way. A second pig is at my side.

“Miss O’Malley, we’re going to need you to come to the station. We’ve called CPS to look after the kids.”

“When Alec Brennan gets his deal with the club, do you think he’ll protect you from my family’s wrath?” I ask when the cop reaches for me. “Because if you take Elvis O’Malley’s pregnant daughter to a patrol car and send his grandkids with CPS, your life is ruined. No way will Alec Brennan waste time saving your ass.”

I know instantly how these two aren’t members of the Brennan family. They’ll be left out in the cold when the Backcountry Kings come calling.

The cop in front of me steps aside. “Leave now. The next officer won’t show any pity.”

Walking as fast as my belly will allow, I tug the kids past the other customers and out the front door. We arrive at my new SUV when more police cars arrive. Glen and Nora hurry to the third row while the twins belt themselves into the second row. Scooting down in my seat, I nearly drop my phone as I call my mom.

“The pigs are making a play,” I say in a voice dripping with panic. “They showed up at the Play Hut and claimed Indigo was doing something weird in the men’s room. They’re arresting him. They’ve threatened to arrest me and call CPS.”

“Where are you now?”

“In the SUV,” I mumble as the cops yank Indigo through the Play Hut’s front doors and slam him against a patrol car. “The pigs have Indigo outside now. They’re being rough. I think they’re looking for a reason to hurt him. Should I be recording what’s happening?”

“There are cameras all over the place. Just get out of that location. If they try to grab you, they’ll get hold of the kids. You have to leave.”

“But they’re going to hurt Indigo,” I whimper, tearing up.

In the third row, Nora begins to cry. Her brother tells her that nothing matters.

“You have to get out of there before one of those cops does something to your babies,” Mom insists, sounding on the move. “Indigo knows how to handle himself. We’re sending out an alert now. Let his club brothers watch his back. Don’t go home. Drive to Natasha’s house. Her security will keep the cops from entering. ”

I hear the cops yelling “Stop fighting!” When I look at Indigo, he seems so passive. His gaze flashes to the SUV. I feel him begging me to leave.

The cops yank him away from the car before slamming him against it again. I know he could kick their asses in a fair fight. I’ve seen him in a brawl. The man is impressively powerful. He never fights like he’s showing off. He just demolishes every target.

Yet, right now, he’s docile, even as the first cop strikes him with a baton. Deirdre touches the window and whimpers his name.

“Siobhan, snap out of it,” Mom demands, sounding like a woman capable of running with wild men. Her tone instantly cuts through my fear. “Shove aside your feelings and be an O’Malley right now.”

“I love you. I’ve got to go,” I say and hang up. Behind me, Deirdre begins to cry harder. “Don’t look out the windows,” I tell the kids. “Get down low in case someone tries to see us. I want you to slide down as low as you can without getting out of your seats.”

The twins reach for each other and lean down. I see Glen and Nora’s blond heads disappear behind the seats. As a few cops point in our direction, I pull the SUV out of the parking lot and race through a yellow light.

Today isn’t about cops hassling a random man and his family. They’ve gone after a Backcountry Kings member in a city the club runs. I might be powerless to help Indigo, but he knows his people are coming to his rescue.