Jauhnna Chapter 12

Another boring day. I'd already gone to see the horses and spent time feeding and grooming them. The house was clean. I was trying to read a book, but my attention kept wandering. Instead, I was sitting here daydreaming about Diablo.

Yesterday, after he got home from work, he filled me in on his day. He told me about the annoying asshole customer who didn't want to pay his bill. It was nice to be able to just relax and talk to someone about mundane things. I'd never had that with Galway or even when I lived at home. My mom sure never did it with my dad.

When it was time to go to bed, I was back in his bed with him. He refused to allow me in mine. There had been another intense round of mutual gratification, which made me sleep like a baby. This morning, I sent him off after kissing the hell out of him. He tried to stay, but I knew he had to make the rounds on the other businesses, so I pushed him out the door. It was cute to see such a powerful man pouting.

Glancing at the clock, I saw it was one in the afternoon. Just four more hours, and he should be home. I was making a huge pot of vegetable soup and homemade bread. He'd told me it was one of the things he enjoyed. I made enough to last for a few days. When I was growing up, my mom and the family chef taught me how to cook. Hopefully, mine would be to his taste. So far, anything I'd made, he praised. Speaking of soup, I recalled it was time to stir it again.

In the kitchen, I gave it a stir and then tasted it. It needed a pinch of salt. I was adding it when I heard the front door open. Smiling, I whirled around to greet him. My words died on my tongue. Coming into the living room slash kitchen was a man. The only thing that kept me from screaming and running was one, we were within the compound, and two, he was holding a toddler. Right behind him was a young woman carrying a baby. I gulped. I recognized them. There were pictures of them all over the house. It was Diablo's daughter and her family. What were they doing here? They were eyeing me as I stared back at them. What broke the silence was the oldest boy.

"Down. Where's Pop-pop?" he demanded. His father, Torch, I recalled was his name, set him on his feet. He immediately ran over to me.

"Who you?" My heart melted seeing his little face and hearing the demand in it along with curiosity. Shit, what did I say? Did they know about me? Had he told them? If he had, why hadn't he warned me or told me they were coming?

Thane was a carbon copy of his daddy with his dark brown hair, piercing light blue eyes, and handsome face. Not knowing what else to do, I crouched down so I was closer to eye level with him. I smiled. "Hi, my name is Jauhnna. You must be Thane."

He nodded and smiled as he pointed to himself and proudly said, "Tane." I guess "th" was hard for him to say. God, he was so adorable I wanted to squeeze him. Seeing him made my heart hurt. I'd always wanted kids. Knowing I would never have any like him was a knife through me. Standing back up, I gave the others a strained smile.

"Hello, I'm Jauhnna. I know who you are. I recognize you from your pictures. Uhm, your dad isn't home yet from work. Does he know you're coming?" If they said yes, I'd have to kill him for not warning me. I was standing there barefoot, in a plain t-shirt and shorts without a scrap of makeup on and my hair up in a sloppy ponytail. Not how I wanted to look when meeting his daughter for the first time.

It was Torch who answered me. He gave me what I thought was a sympathetic smile. "Hello, Jauhnna. I'm Torch, and you've met Thane. This is my old lady, Brooklyn, and our son Jai, just to make it official. No, Diablo doesn't know we're coming. Something I didn't know until we got here." He frowned at Brooklyn before continuing. "Although, I have no doubt he's on his way. The prospect at the gate was scrambling when we passed him. Sorry for descending on you this way."

"Why are you apologizing to her? This is my dad's house, not hers. This place has been my home all my life. I have the right to visit whenever I want, and I've never had to wait to be invited or approved before. What're you doing here alone while my dad is at work? Shouldn't you be at the clubhouse waiting or wherever you live until he calls for you?"

Her tone made it clear she was putting me in the same category as the club sluts and hangers-on. Anger flickered within me. She didn't know me. What gave her the right to make assumptions or to treat me as if I were beneath her?

"Tornado," Torch said in a warning tone.

"Don't. We don't know this woman. Dad has barely known her for a month, and she's all comfortable in his house, cooking and God knows what else. I'm not about to let some gold-digger user come in and take advantage of him because he's lonely. Look at her! She's my age. You need to get your stuff and leave," she ordered me.

The old me would have avoided confrontation. The new me didn't. I straightened to my full height, and I let her know she had no say over me. "I'm sorry this is a surprise for you, but that doesn't give you the right to come in here, insult me, and issue orders. This is Diablo's house and club. He's the only one who can ask me to leave. If he does, then I will. Why don't we get comfortable while we wait for him to get home? Can I get you something to drink?"

She huffed, and then, as she passed Torch, she handed Jai to him. She stomped to the fridge as she glared at me. "I don't need you to get me anything in my dad's house. Why delay the inevitable? When Dad gets here, you'll be gone." She gave me a smirk. Torch rolled his eyes at me.

I wasn't sure of their dynamic. I doubted Diablo would let me act this way. Why did Torch? Deciding to hell with it, I shrugged and then walked over to the living room. I took a seat in Diablo's favorite chair. It made me feel secure surrounded by his scent. I wished I had a cell phone right now so I could text him and see what he wanted me to do. But if he had been told they were here, he was probably on his bike. I didn't want to distract him while he was riding.

An uneasy silence surrounded us. Well, it did the adults. Thane didn't appear to notice. He went to one of the built-in cabinets along the wall. He opened it and grunted as he pulled out a box. I watched as he began to dig through it, tossing toys left and right. He was so cute doing it. I smiled. He let out a triumphant yell as he held up a toy truck. He got down on his hands and knees and started to push the truck around, making engine noises.

"So, are you just gonna sit there, or are you gonna tell me how you got your hooks into my dad? I've got to admit, there've been a lot of sluts who've tried over the years, but none have ever done it. What's your story? Where did he meet you? Why are you staying here? I wouldn't get comfortable if I were you."

"Listen, I don't know what I did to have you acting so hateful, but I won't argue with you. Your dad will explain when he gets here. Although, I don't think he'll be happy that his daughter is acting this way with someone he cares about," I admonished her. In reality, I wanted to slap her.

She laughed. "Cares about? Please, just because he's screwing you doesn't mean he cares. You're just where he puts his—" she paused and glanced at Thane.

Fury flowed through me. In order not to punch her in the face, I turned my attention to Torch. He was sitting on the couch next to her, holding Jai, who was asleep. "How was your trip? How long of a drive is it?"

"It wasn't bad. The drive is eight-and-a-half hours, but with the kids, we had to stop a couple of times, so closer to ten. Gotta admit, the temperature down here is warmer than at home right now, although it's not bad. It would've been good riding weather."

"Are you like Diablo and ride everywhere, no matter the time of year?"

"If I can, although it's harder to do with the family. Haven't figured out how to get two car seats and all their junk on the bike with us," he joked. I laughed. He grinned.

"Why are you being so nice to her?" Brooklyn snapped.

"Because until we talk to your dad, I'm not making any judgments."

She snorted. Ignoring her, he and I spent several minutes chatting about the weather, the drive, and bikes. I didn't know a lot about bikes, but I was learning from Diablo.

Suddenly, she shot to her feet and glared at me. "Don't think you can charm my old man. He's not into women like you, either. Why don't you save yourself the humiliation and leave before Dad gets here? He'll be kicking you to the curb with the rest of the trash."

I'd had enough. I came to my feet. "I don't know what your problem is other than you're a spoiled brat who he should've spanked more growing up. I can't believe you. Diablo will be ashamed of your attitude."

"You don't know jack about me, my upbringing, or my dad!" she snarled back.

"Ladies, cool it," Torch interjected.

Jai woke up crying, and Thane was yelling now due to the loud voices. It was a crazy mess.

I flinched when a sharp whistle split the air, and a voice I recognized bellowed, "What the hell is going on in here?"

Whipping around, I saw Diablo standing at the entrance to the living room. He was scowling. Needing his comfort, I reacted by rushing to him. He opened his arms and tugged me against his chest when I got to him. His lips landed on the top of my head as he gave me a gentle squeeze.

"Pop-pop," Thane yelled. The next thing I knew, he was bouncing into our legs as he tried to hug his granddad's legs around mine, and then he clamored for him to pick him up. I eased back to let him. Diablo bent down and picked him up, then placed an arm back around me.

"Dad, you have to get rid of this woman," Brooklyn demanded. Jai was screaming, and Torch was trying to be heard over it all. Thane was babbling about his trip. It was utter chaos. If I wasn't upset over how she'd been treating me, I would've laughed.

"Everyone needs to quiet down. I can't get a word in, and my head is pounding!" he hollered over the din. He whispered something to Thane, kissed him, then set him on his feet. He happily went back to his toys. Diablo held out his free arm to Torch, who came over to us and placed a crying Jai in his granddad's arm. Instantly, he stopped bawling and beamed up at him. Brooklyn was standing there wearing a mutinous expression.

Thinking it might be better to leave them alone to talk as a family, I suggested, "Why don't I let you talk to them? I'll be upstairs unless you want me to go to the clubhouse," I said softly.

"Yes, leave," Brooklyn said.

At the same time Diablo answered, "No, you stay right here. This is your home. I'm not kicking you out."

"Her home? Since when? Dad, what is going on here? I swear, I know you've been lonely for a long time, but she isn't the answer. Is this a mid-life crisis?"

"Brooklyn, enough! You're being a brat. Let's sit down, and then you can start by telling me why you're here. When I spoke to you yesterday, you didn't mention you were coming."

He eased us toward his chair. He sat down, tugging me to come with him. I ended up on his lap with Jai lying on his chest, drifting off. The man must be some kind of child whisperer or something. Brooklyn and Torch sat on the couch. She was watching me. I wasn't able to decipher the look on her face. It almost appeared satisfied, though why that would be, I had no clue. This wasn't the way I pictured my first meeting with her and her family to go or the reaction I hoped for.

"Diablo, I've got to apologize. I had no idea you didn't know we were coming. Brooklyn led me to believe you invited us to come and meet Jauhnna as soon as possible. It wasn't until we got here that I found out you hadn't." He gave her a censorious look, which she ignored.

"Why doesn't that surprise me? Brooklyn, care to explain yourself? Why not call?"

"Because I wanted her not to have advance warning. I needed to see who you've brought into your life. You told me you had her checked out, but how deeply? What makes you think she didn't engineer a meeting so she could wiggle her way into the club and your life? There are countless women who want to be an old lady. You've always eluded them. Why not her?"

"That's enough of that talk! Jauhnna didn't engineer anything. She isn't playing a game to get a property cut. She's nothing like those women. I won't have you saying she is or making her uncomfortable. And yes, this is her home."

Brooklyn crossed her arms over her chest, and her gaze drilled into me. "Okay, then tell us about yourself. Who are you? Where do you come from? Family? How did you meet my dad?"

"Darlin', you don't have to tell her anything," Diablo informed me.

"No, I think I do. Obviously, she came here to run me off, and she has no desire to know me, but I'll tell her what she wants to know. First, let me say I was really hoping you and I could be friends. Diablo has told me nothing but good things about you. He adores you and your family. Anyway, let's see. You know my name. I'm thirty-two. I'm originally from Nevada, the Las Vegas area. I have no family worth speaking of. For the past three years, I've lived in Savannah, Georgia. What else do you want to know?"

"If you live in Georgia, how did you and Dad meet?"

I glanced at him. I wasn't thrilled to share my pain with her, especially with her attitude. Did he want me to say anything? I was learning about what he referred to as club business. Did this fall under that?

"Why are you looking at my dad? Is there something you don't want me to know? Why the mystery?" she snapped.

"Brook, if you can't be civil, this is done. You can cart your ass to the clubhouse," Diablo warned her. Thinking of what I should say, I shivered. This caused him to hug me closer and kiss me gently on the lips. It was a quick one, but it gave me comfort.

"Want me to tell them?" he asked.

"No, I can do it. I met your dad when he and the club returned from a ride. They stopped and helped me. Actually, they saved my life…" I paused before continuing. There was a lump in my throat. Just thinking about it made me sick. How close I came to dying.

"How did they save you?" Torch asked kindly.

"There was a car abandoned alongside the road. They stopped to check it out when they noted it remained there for several hours. Diablo saw clothing sticking out of the trunk, so he opened it. He found me inside, unconscious and bloody. He brought me here since the ambulances were tied up in town with a major accident, and Wolverine doctored me."

I noted the shock overcoming Brooklyn's face and the speculation on Torch's. He glanced at Diablo, who I saw nod. They were silently communicating over something. My attention was diverted back to Brooklyn when she spoke.

"You were in a trunk. Why were you in it? What happened? What does that mean for the club, Dad?" She wore a worried frown.

"I was in it because when I was leaving my home to go to work, I was jumped by two men. There was an altercation, which ultimately they won, and I was rendered unconscious and thrown in the trunk. I have no idea why they brought me to Florida. We speculate they left me in the car when it broke down because they panicked, thinking I was dead. I've been here ever since. The club and your dad have been wonderful about ensuring I'm safe." I left it at that. If he wanted to tell her more about what the club was doing, he could.

"They just jumped you? Surely, you have an idea why," was her comeback.

"We suspect we know why. You asked what it means for the club. Simple. It means we're working to prove who did it and why. Once all the pieces are verified and in place, we plan to go after them and ensure they never bother her or anyone else again. There's a slight chance it was human traffickers who happened upon her, but I don't believe it was. We're working with the Dark Patriots right now," Diablo explained.

"Have you spoken to Terror about us helping?" Torch asked.

"I haven't. I didn't want to drag anyone else into it unless it became necessary. The Patriots have men watching the suspected culprits behind it while Micro and their people do the investigating. It's taking time, which is frustrating. Hence, why Jauhnna has to remain on the compound. We don't know who did it, so we have no idea if they might be hanging around and are still a threat."

Brook scooted closer to the edge of the couch cushion. "So this is really all an act. You're pretending to be involved so you can use it to draw out these people when the time comes. Why didn't you just say so? I know how protective you and the guys are when it comes to those in need. You're just like the Warriors," she said with a smile.

"We are protective, but this is no act. Jauhnna is mine. I'm claiming her as my old lady. The club is aware and in agreement. It's my duty and privilege to protect her. The ones behind this will pay. Even if the men who took her aren't connected to the others, they'll still feel our wrath," he growled.

"Why would anyone want to hurt her? What did she do?" she asked.

"I didn't do anything! Why does it have to be that I did or didn't do something? Do you think I deserve to be hurt, humiliated, and traumatized for years?" I asked angrily. I was trying to get to my feet, but Diablo's arm kept me in place.

"Let me up," I demanded.

"Stay here. You're not going anywhere. Brooklyn, you've been told enough. All I want is for you to treat her with courtesy. If you plan to stay for a couple of days, you won't attack her, make her want to leave her home, or anything else. This is her home. I won't have you or anyone running her off. Don't test me," Diablo warned.

"Do you love her?" she asked suddenly.

"I do. She's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. You knew when you met Torch that he was for you. Well, it's the same for me." He said it without missing a beat. He was staring into my eyes.

My insides turned to goo. I knew he was growing to care for me more every day, hence claiming me, but he hadn't said he was in love with me. Was he just saying it to appease her?

"My Serenity, I'm not saying that to make Brooklyn settle. I mean it. Not the way I wanted to tell you, but it's the damn truth. I love you." He gave me an apologetic smirk.

Unable to resist and not caring who was watching us, I leaned into him and grasped the back of his head to bring his mouth to mine. I kissed him, pouring everything I felt into it. I took my time, and when I pulled away, we were both flushed and slightly breathless.

"I love you too, and I didn't intend to tell you like this either," I said with a grin. He laughed.

"Well, that's sweet. So are you planning to marry her or just have her be your old lady?" his daughter asked. I didn't hear any animosity in her tone, which surprised me.

"Babe," Torch said.

"Well, I want to know."

"Marriage is a discussion between her and I. If she doesn't want that, then we won't. Regardless, it's a moot point at the moment. We can't do it."

I was back to feeling anxious for two reasons. One was his declaration that he was thinking of marriage, and the other was his reminder that I was already married.

"Honey, you know I won't be free unless…"

"Unless?" Torch asked.

I glanced over at them. They were watching us avidly. I saw they were holding hands. "Unless my husband dies. There's no way as long as he's alive that I'll be free. He'll never let me go."

Astonishment turned to upset on her face. Torch's face was strangely blank. "You're hooked up with a married woman! Dad, I never thought you'd do that." There was censure in her voice.

"She's not married to him in her heart. She never has been. I wouldn't have crossed that line if this was a typical situation."

I hated her having a bad opinion of him, which was what made me spill the details. "I was forced at twenty by my father to marry my husband. It was a business deal. He was an awful man by reputation. I begged my father not to allow it, but he refused to listen. See, it benefited his yearning for more power and wealth. I was merely a tool to get it. From the day I wed until three years ago when I ran, I was verbally abused, physically abused, terrorized, and humiliated. When I got free, I swore I would never go back. We think the men who grabbed me are after the reward my husband and brother have put up for my return. Lucky for me, it's only to be paid if I'm alive. Undoubtedly, Galway wants to continue to torture me. As long as he's alive, he will never grant me a divorce. He'll always be a threat to me and anyone who helps me.

"I begged your dad and the club not to get involved, but they wouldn't listen. They keep promising me they can remove his loathsome self and that of my brother and their criminal organizations forever. All I have to do is let them work, get the information they need, and get their people into place. I swear, hand to God, that I'm not here using your dad or the club. I'm not a gold digger. I have money. I never thought I'd end up in a biker compound, falling for the head biker, but I did. I love him and want to spend the rest of my life with him. If I was free and he asked, I'd say yes to being his wife in an instant, which for me is big. I swore if given the chance, I'd never marry again. I didn't want anyone having that kind of control over me."

My chest was aching when I finished. Suddenly, she was on her feet and charging toward us. I jerked back and then steeled myself. If she took a swing at me, I'd defend myself regardless of whether she was his daughter or not. No one hit me anymore. Imagine my shock when she didn't hit me. Instead, she flung her arms around me and hugged me as she talked.

"You poor thing. I'm so sorry you went through so much. Trust Dad and his guys will get you free of them. I know our club will help, too. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see him finally have someone and to be in love. He deserves it. I've been trying for years to get him to find someone. Thank you."

I was confused. Did she have split personalities? I patted her back hesitantly. When she stepped away, she giggled.

"No, I'm not crazy. Sorry, I had to know for sure you and he were serious. That this wasn't some phase. Forgive me."

"A phase? I don't understand," I muttered.

"Maybe I can explain. Forgive me, too. I went along with her plan. She filled me in on her call with Diablo yesterday. She insisted we had to get here ASAP to make sure he wasn't being used and he wasn't making a mistake. Brooklyn, being the devious woman she is, devised the plan to come at you and see how you reacted and what you'd say. She knew her dad would be called the instant we entered the compound. She needed to see how he'd react and interact with you," Torch explained.

"You're fucking kidding me," Diablo grumbled.

"It was all an act?" I asked, trying hard to be sure I understood.

"It was. I love Dad, but he's been alone a long time. I never once heard or saw him get close to a woman. When he told me about you, I knew I had to meet you and see for myself. You can never be too careful, so I acted the bitch. I have to say, you showed considerable restraint. I would've punched me in the mouth and kicked my ass a few times if I was you. You were strong yet controlled about it. That's good. As the old lady of the president, you'll be looked to by other women when these idiots start settling down, as well as outsiders to the club who will depend on you. You'll be the queen to his king." She gestured to Diablo, who was studying us. There was a faint smile on his face.

I gulped. My mouth was dry. I'd be a leader? Queen to his king? Oh my God. "Nope, sorry, but all bets are off. You never told me I'd have to be a leader," I told him in a panic. I liked to stay in the background where it was safe.

Brooklyn took a sleeping Jai away from her dad. This left him with two arms to encircle me with. "Baby, calm down. You've got this. You're a strong-ass woman, which is what a man like me needs. Yes, others will look up to you as mine. However, you always have me to help you if you need it. It's true as other old ladies are added, they'll look to you to guide them, but I'll be here to guide you."

"And you can always ask me. I'm not the queen bee in Dublin Falls. That's Harlow at home, but I know the majority of the job. Although, I do have one question."

I was beginning to calm down enough to speak to her. "What's that?"

"Do I need to call you mom because that just feels weird when you're only a few years older than me? Dad, I never knew you'd be such a cradle robber, you dirty old man," she said with a giggle and wink.

A growl came rumbling out of him. "I'll show you an old man. I still have a lot of years of fight in me. And I'm not a goddamn cradle robber."

I couldn't help but laugh. "No, please don't call me mom. Imagine people's faces if you did."

This made her laugh harder. "Oh God, yes. That's it. I'll have to do it occasionally, just for the shock factor."

And just like that, the tension of the past hour melted away. It was as if a whole different person inhabited her body as she chatted with me, and I got to know them.