Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Mandy

I wake to the golden morning light streaming through the window, Doc's warm, muscular arms wrapped around me.

His chest rises and falls steadily against my back as he sleeps.

I smile to myself, savoring his touch for a moment before the urge to pee rouses me.

Slowly, carefully, I slip out from under the duvet, trying to be stealthy as a cat burglar so I don't wake my man.

The cool morning air kisses my bare skin as I tip-toe naked across the cramped bedroom of Doc's double-wide trailer.

I rummage through the two drawers he cleared out for me a few weeks back and pull on a tank top and a pair of cotton shorts.

Before heading to the bathroom, I peek into the bassinet in the corner where little Kash is kicking his chubby baby legs, gurgling and smiling as he entertains himself.

My heart swells at the sight.

The little dude is pure sunshine, even this early.

I do my business quick and splash some water on my face at the sink.

In the mirror, my reflection looks back—blonde hair that’s fading into my natural brown at the root, mussed from sleep and other nocturnal activities, lips still a little swollen from Doc's kisses.

There are finger-shaped bruises on my hips from how tightly he gripped me when he drove into me from behind last night.

The sting between my thighs is a delicious reminder.

Kash starts fussing as I dry my face, so I scoop him up and nuzzle his downy head. "Morning, little man. How about some grub, huh?"

I carry him out to the small kitchen, the linoleum cool under my bare feet.

Kash gurgles and grabs at my hair as I mix up a bottle of formula one-handed.

Multitasking like a damn pro.

"Easy, dude. The hair is attached," I joke as I free the blonde strands from his pudgy grip.

He just smiles his gummy baby smile at me.

It’s impossible to be annoyed at this pint-sized charmer.

I test the formula on my wrist, then settle onto the threadbare couch to feed him.

He latches on and sucks greedily, his eyes fluttering shut in contentment.

I stroke his silky cheek as he eats, humming "You are my Sunshine" under my breath.

My mind wanders while Kash is busy filling his belly.

To Doc, snoring softly in the other room.

To the way his hands feel roaming my body, calloused and strong.

The intensity in his green eyes when he's buried deep inside me.

I squirm a little on the couch, turned on by my own daydreams.

Damn, that man does things to me.

But he's more than a fantastic lay.

He's given me a place here.

With him, with his son.

He’s calling me his girlfriend, his woman, and nothing feels better than that.

It feels right, belonging to Doc this way.

Natural.

Like how I feel cradling Kash—that surge of protectiveness and care.

We're a little family.

Dysfunctional as hell, but still.

"All done, buddy?" I murmur as Kash finishes the bottle, milk dribbling down his chin.

I set it aside and shift him to my shoulder, patting his back in firm strokes until he lets out an impressive belch.

"Atta boy. Takes after your daddy already," I tease.

Doc could probably win belching contests with how loud and long his are.

Such a dude.

Kash's eyelids are drooping now, milk-drunk and ready for a post-breakfast snooze.

I start to rise and carry him back to his bassinet, but a large, tattooed hand on my knee stops me.

"Mornin', darlin'."

Doc's gravelly drawl sends a shiver down my spine.

He's leaning in the bedroom doorway wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer-briefs that hug his muscular thighs and do nothing to hide his sizeable morning wood.

Damn, he's a sight to wake up to.

"Mornin' yourself," I reply, my voice husky. "Sleep well?"

A wicked, satisfied smile spreads across his face. "Sure did. Some sexy little minx rode me like a pogo stick and then passed right out. Reckon that's why."

I roll my eyes but can't hide my smirk. "Glad to be of service."

Doc pushes off the doorframe and comes over to take a now-snoozing Kash from my arms.

He brushes a bristly kiss to the baby's head before tucking him back into his bassinet.

So gentle with him, even with those big, rough biker hands.

It makes my ovaries ache.

When he straightens, his heated gaze finds mine, raking over my body like a physical caress.

He steps closer, right up in my space, and hooks his fingers in the waistband of my shorts to tug me against him.

I can feel how hard he is through the thin cotton.

"Seems to me my sexy little minx deserves a reward for her...services," he rumbles, nuzzling my neck.

Nibbling that sensitive spot behind my ear that makes me melt. "Whaddya say? Ready for round two?"

"Mmm, you mean round twenty-two sweetheart," I hum, tilting my head to give him better access even as I half heartedly protest. "But, I want to get us some breakfast fixed up. Plus, Kash is?—”

Doc slips a hand under my tank top to palm my breast, rolling a nipple between his calloused fingers. "Is sleepin' like a rock."

I jab Doc playfully with my elbow, “Stop it and let me make us some breakfast.”

Shiver stumbles out of his room looking like roadkill.

"Oh my god," I can't help but wince at the livid bruising around his nose and eyes, the split in his swollen bottom lip. "You okay?"

"I'll live," he grunts, easing himself down at the dinette with a pained grimace.

He looks up at Doc, then his gaze shifts over to me.

There’s something uncharacteristically serious and almost sheepish in his expression. "Listen, Mandy...I'm sorry for all the shit I say sometimes. I don't mean nothin' by it, ya know?"

I'm a bit taken aback by the unexpected apology, but I nod slowly. "I know you don't, Shiver. But it's still not cool. Especially since Doc and I are together."

Shiver rubs the back of his neck, looking chastised. "Yeah, I get it. I'll try to rein it in. I didn’t realize you were his ol’ lady. Just thought you two were foolin’ around." He clears his throat awkwardly. "So uh, we good?"

"We're good," I assure him, flashing a small smile.

Shiver stretches his arms overhead with a groan. "Aight, I gotta head out. Got some club shit to take care of."

He shoots me a smirk.

I roll my eyes, fighting back a smile. "Get outta here, weirdo. And put some ice on that eye!"

Shiver flips me the bird as he gets out of the trailer, careful to not let the door slam shut.

Doc whistles lowly, “Well, I didn’t expect that.”

Humming under my breath, I putter around the small kitchen, assembling ingredients. “Neither did I, but I’m not upset about it.”

Doc’s stomach grumbles, “Gotta go to the shitter, baby. Be back in a bit.”

I almost want to roll my eyes at his bluntness, but what would it even matter?

While he’s gone I whip up some scrambled eggs with cheese and salsa, turkey bacon fried to crispy perfection, toast slathered with butter. Simple but satisfying.

I pile it all on two plates, pouring a mug of strong black coffee for Doc.

He'll need the fuel after last night.

He emerges from the bathroom.

I hold up the steaming mug. "Coffee?"

Doc smiles slow, gaze raking over me in a way that makes my cheeks heat. "Hell yeah. Damn, mama, somethin' smells good."

He pads over and takes the mug, pressing a kiss to my forehead before sinking into one of the rickety kitchen chairs.

I set his plate in front of him and take my own seat, hooking my foot around his ankle under the table. “So, Doc, Shiver mentioned I’m your ol’ lady… so is that what I am?”

He reaches across the table, capturing my hand in his big, rough one. "Damn straight you are. You're mine, Mandy. I ain't lettin' you go."

My heart flips and I squeeze his fingers. "Good. Because you're stuck with me now, buddy. No take-backsies."

Doc laughs, a deep, rich sound that warms me to my toes. "I'll take that deal, baby girl."

We go back to eating but it's hard to focus on the food when I'm so damn happy I could burst.

Doc wants me.

He's all in.

And god help me, so am I.

Come hell or high water, I'm his.

After we finish eating, I clear the plates while Doc goes to take a shower.

He presses a kiss to my temple as he passes by, making me smile like a lovesick fool.

I wash up the dishes and tidy the kitchen, then head over to the clubhouse to find Zoe.

The main room is mostly empty this early, just a couple prospects milling around.

I spot Zoe perched on a barstool, sipping coffee and scrolling through her phone.

Her face lights up when she sees me.

"Hey girl!" She waves me over. "You're looking chipper this morning. Good night?" Her eyebrows waggle suggestively.

I roll my eyes but can't stop grinning as I hop up on the stool next to her. "Maaaybe. A lady doesn't kiss and tell."

Zoe snorts. "Since when are you a lady? Spill!"

"Fine, fine." I lean in conspiratorially. "So Doc called me his ol' lady..."

"What? Oh my god!" Zoe squeals, throwing her arms around me in a hug that nearly topples us both off our seats. "That happened fast! I'm so happy for you guys."

"Thanks, Z." I squeeze her back just as hard. "It feels really good, you know? Like this is exactly where I'm meant to be."

She pulls back, her expression softening. "I totally get that. Finding your person, your place in this crazy world... There's nothing else like it."

I nod, knowing she understands completely.

The life we've chosen, loving a biker, isn't easy.

It takes strength and loyalty and an iron spine.

But god, is it ever worth it.

Zoe clinks her mug against my shoulder. "Welcome to the ol' lady club, babe. You're gonna rock it."

I clear my throat, shifting gears. "So, I’m glad I ran into you. I actually wanted to talk to you about work stuff too."

Zoe arches a brow. "Oh yeah? What's up?"

"Well, it's been a hot minute since we shot any content together. I don't want us losing momentum, you know?" I trace the rim of my mug.

She nods thoughtfully. "You're right, we should get something on the books soon. What about tomorrow, if you're free?"

I wince. "Oof, tomorrow's no good for me. Kash has a checkup in the morning and then I promised Sakura I'd help her reorganize the med kit supplies."

"No worries, I get it. Hmm..." Zoe taps her chin. "To be honest, I just started my period last night, so I'll probably be out of commission for a couple days anyway."

"Ugh, that blows. You need anything? Chocolate? Advil?" I offer sympathetically.

"Nah, I'm all stocked up, but thanks babe." She smiles wryly. "How about we tentatively plan to shoot in like three days? I should be in the clear by then."

"Works for me. I'll text Spark later and make sure he's good to go too."

We clink mugs to seal the plan.

Then I tilt my head, studying Zoe.

She seems a little subdued compared to her usual firecracker energy.

"Hey, you okay? I mean, besides the obvious crimson tide situation." I nudge her foot with mine. "How's Seraphina doing?"

Zoe sighs heavily, her shoulders slumping. "She's...I don't know, holding up as best she can, I guess. But fuck, Mandy, she's hurting so bad. I've never seen her like this."

My heart clenches.

I can only imagine the grief and rage Sera must be drowning in right now.

Her mother quite literally had her tortured, her skin ripped from her body, her tattoos carved out like she’s a fucking pumpkin.

"I'm not surprised. Something like that, it breaks a person." I reach over and squeeze Zoe's hand. "She's lucky to have you, you know. Don't underestimate how much your support means. In time, I know she’ll make it through this."

"I'm trying my best to be there for her, I just...I feel so damn helpless sometimes." She looks down, blinking back tears. "She barely leaves the trailer. I don't think she'll be around the clubhouse much until she starts to feel even a little better."

"Maybe we could go visit her in a few days, if she's up for it? Not to smother her or anything, just to remind her she's got people in her corner."

Zoe nods slowly. "Yeah, that's a good idea. I'll text her later and see what she thinks."

We sit in heavy silence for a moment, the crushing unfairness of it all filling the space between us.

This life gives so much, but god, it can rip your fucking heart out too.

I finally take a breath, injecting some forced lightness into my tone. "Well, in the meantime, is there anything fun on the agenda for tonight? I could use a distraction from...everything."

Zoe straightens up, mustering a smile. "Actually, yes. Spark’s taking me out to that fancy new steakhouse downtown. Says I deserve a nice night after all the shit that's gone down."

"Ooh la la!" I grin, waggling my eyebrows. "Sounds like you're in for some wining, dining, and sixty-nineing tonight!"

She barks out a surprised laugh, her eyes regaining a bit of their usual sparkle. "Here's hoping! God knows we could both use some stress relief."

"You can say that again." I clink my mug against hers. "To blowing off steam and riding dick like a pony!"

We break into a fight of laughter, the heaviness lifting for a precious moment.

Our world may be chaotic and treacherous...but at least we have each other to lean on through the storms.

We keep chatting about a variety of other things until I shift the conversation to something a bit more serious. “So, how do you not get psyched out about all the dangers that come with the club life?”

Zoe takes a thoughtful sip of her coffee before answering.

"Girl, it ain't easy," she admits with a solemn nod. "Sometimes it feels like the whole world is just waiting to pounce on us. I was born into this life, though, so I didn’t have much of a choice."

She sets her mug down, turning to fully face me.

Her eyes are somber but determined. "But the way I see it, danger is part of life. Doesn't matter if you're in a club or not. You can't live in fear of the what-ifs."

She shrugs a little, gesturing broadly around us at the clubhouse. "And besides, being a part of this... It's worth any risk. These people are my family. This place is my home. I'd fight tooth and nail for it, and I know each and every one of them would do the same for me."

Zoe's words echo in my head, seeping into my heart.

Her raw honesty strikes something deep within me.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that when you love something enough, the danger doesn't seem so scary anymore," Zoe says, holding my gaze steadily. "You lean on each other, trust each other to watch your back. That's what makes this club so damn special."

I nod slowly, her words sinking in.

It's true.

Despite the treacherous world around us, I've never felt safer than when I'm with Doc and the rest of the Reapers Rejects MC.

"Thanks for that, Z," I say sincerely. "I needed to hear it."

Zoe flashes me a small, knowing smile. "Anytime, babe."