CHAPTER ONE

-:- JIG -:-

Sunday afternoon and I’ve ridden out to a park that overlooks the town. I often come here when I need to think about life and what’s happening, where it’s going, and what I want for my future.

I’m only twenty-nine and yet some days I feel ancient. I don’t know why I can’t get myself a woman. One that wants to be with me for the long haul, to be an Ol’ Lady and wife.

Sighing, I rest my forearms on my knees, getting comfortable where I’m sitting near my hog. Not letting my baby out of my sight ‘cause you just never know who’d try to steal her. But, I can assure anyone that if they touch what’s mine, it will not be long before they are in the ER and need lifesaving treatment.

One thing I love about my life is working in the garage. I’ve been a mechanic for a long time now, and although I was qualified, I had to do a short apprenticeship under Grease. It wasn’t a hardship, and as I was very close to finishing my prospecting stage and becoming a full brother of the MC, I understood they wanted to see how my credentials held up.

I work alongside Grease, who is the boss of the garage, and Cora and Raven, who are both easy to work alongside. Raven and Grease are together, and they are sickening to watch at times with their lovey-dovey shit. Cora is a bit of a loner. She goes to some things held at the clubhouse and occasionally Sunday training with the other women. But you can’t say she is a woman of the club either. Although everyone sees her as such these days.

She’s not one that I would consider for myself. For some reason, I don’t feel a pull toward her at all. Now, Nell, I like, but fuck, I’m not even going to try ‘cause she’s likely to feed you to her gators if you pissed her off too much. Besides that, I reckon Vitale is staking a claim, and we’re all waiting to see what develops.

Maggie is our reception and office woman. She’s great, but again, I’m not interested. Siggy I was interested in, and we had a night out, a meal, but even though I did some of the romance shit like flowers and text messages, she was cold. I gave in, we’ll stay friends, but that’s it. Lina now, I took to Lina, but another one who eventually gave me the cold shoulder.

Pinching between my eyes, I take a deep breath before looking at the scenery once more. I think it’s time I gave up on women and resigned myself to being alone. I wanted a wife, kids, and a white picket fence. I even have my plot on the compound ordered. I’ll build the house because I can and it’ll keep my mind busy apart from work. I’ll have to speak with Hammer, as I think he’s done with Rock’s place now.

Hearing giggles, I turn and see a little girl running my way with her parents right behind her. Spotting me, she heads for me, and I can’t help but smile as she launches herself at me at the last minute. I grab hold of her so she doesn’t fall, and the couple behind her gasp.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. She’s becoming a monster lately.” The woman gives me a small smile as she takes the girl from me.

“It’s okay, nothing hurt. She’s a little cutie, but I bet she takes some keeping up with.” I get to my feet and give the little girl a tickle under the chin, causing her to giggle and hide her face in her mother's neck.

“You have no idea.” The man holds his hand out for me to shake. “Kind of you to catch her. Thank you.”

“No problem at all.”

I watch them walk away and think how I’d love to be in that position. Axel has his twin boys and a daughter on the way. Silver has Harrison and Hammer has Quinn. I’d love to be in their shoes, but it looks like it's not meant to be.

We have thirteen Ol’ Ladies in the club now, and boy, I’d love to have been one of the lucky fuckers to have found their woman. Okay, come on Jig, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Shaking my head, I pick up my helmet and straddle my hog. Taking one last look over the park, I fire her up and make my way to Club Whisky, where I’m going to have lunch.

Parking up behind the club, I walk into the back and give a chin lift to Silver, who is sitting in the office as I pass the open door. “You okay, Jig?”

Stopping, I backtrack slightly and lean on the doorframe. “Yeah, I thought I’d stop and get some lunch.”

“Okay. If you want anything, give me a shout. I’m only here for another hour, then I’m going to take Eden and Harrison to the clubhouse. We’re going to have the evening meal there tonight ‘cause Meat is doing his smoked ribs.” Silver is giving me a solid look over, but I’m not discussing how I feel with a brother. Not at the moment, anyway. Tipping two fingers to my temple, I walk down the corridor and into the bar area. It’s not too busy, but it’s children's hour, I think, as one area is cordoned off so the family area is apart from the normal day-to-day patrons.

Taking a seat at the bar, I give Connie, the bar staff for the day, a smile. “Just a beer and the menu, Connie.”

“Here you go, Jig. Tony has a new item on the menu. I reckon you should try them. If you like spicy with heat, these could be your thing.”

“Okay, give me some of those along with anything else you think I want to try. I’m up for it today.”

Connie bustles to the kitchen once she’s handed me my beer, and I only ever have one when I’m in charge of any vehicle, so I need to make this last. Taking a sip, I turn so my back is leaning on the bar counter and survey the room. It’s a popular club and has a huge following now, what with the food and the children's hour. Different from TJs, but as necessary.

“Hi, Jig.”

Turning toward the voice, I melt a little when Mia waddles over to me, closely followed by Axel, of course. Buzz and Drag are behind him, making sure both of them are secure.

“Hi, Mia, Pres. How you doing with that bundle you’re carrying?”

“I’m good. Got a backache something fierce today, but Amelia said she’d watch the twins so I could come and have some of Tony’s new hot wings. Have you had them? They are awesome,” Mia babbles, and all without taking a breath.

“I’ve ordered them, but not tried them yet. You can’t get up here, Mia. Take a table, ‘cause you don’t want to fall down. Not when you are carrying precious cargo.”

“Mia, let’s sit at the booth over here,” Axel coaxes and takes her arm gently, guiding her. “Jig, come sit with us.”

Giving Axel a nod in response because it came across as more of an order than a request. I grab my helmet which I’d placed on the bar stool next to me and slide it under the bench seat before sitting in the booth. It’s a good thing these booths sit six or eight because we’d be like sardines in a can if not.

“What you up to today?” Axel asks.

“Nothing much. I’ve been for a ride, and now gonna eat these new hot wings I’ve been told about. Kind of surprised to see you out with Mia being so close to having the baby,” I reply, giving Mia a frown as she’s scrunching up her face and I’m not sure why.

“Mia needed hot wings… you know, like right now!” Axel rolls his eyes, which has me chuckle as he’s caught that habit from the women, and uses it now and again, much to all the brothers’ amusement. I’m positive he knows what he’s doing, too.

Fay, one of the servers, walks over and hands me a plate piled high with wings, chicken strips, and fries. I take out my wallet but Axel speaks out, “Fay, put it on my tab. We’ll have the same all around, but add anything that Tony thinks we’d like.”

“Sure, I’ll do that. Mia, do you want a drink of anything?”

“No, thank you, Fay. I’m only hungry.” Mia turns to me again and opens her mouth to speak when we hear a nasally voice piercing the room. Turning to see who the fuck that is, I roll my eyes when I see it’s TikTok, so-called because she’s always got her face on her phone and watching some shit or other.

Drag cringes and Buzz smirks. Not sure what that’s about, but I soon find out when TikTok hightails it over to our table.

“Hi, Drag, you want to come for a drink?”

“Nope.” Drag is looking at the table and I must have raised eyebrows in shock because, really…Drag has been with this one?

Now, Mia is protective over the brothers and has gotten into trouble more than once for sticking her nose into something she doesn’t fully understand, but when Drag gives her a ‘help me’ look I can’t help the snicker that escapes my mouth.

Axel looks from TikTok to Drag, to Mia, and then back to Drag. But when he gives a loud, deep rumble of laughter, I know Drag is on his own. Well, I think he is until Mia pipes in with, “Go away, can’t you see when someone isn’t interested? Drag is not acknowledging you, so just go away quietly.”

“Drag, what’s going on? You were okay with being behind the laundromat last week,” she whines, stomping her foot and chewing gum at the same time. My eyes flick to Drag because really, behind the laundromat?

“You did not? Tell me you did not resort to being in your horny teens again, Drag?” Mia is now giving Drag the filthiest of looks. Axel is doing his best to hold back his laughter, and Buzz is stealing chicken strips off my plate, taking no notice of the conversation going on around him right this minute.

“Look, it was a one-off. I’m not interested. You were just an itch I had to scratch.” Drag is trying to be nice but not that nice, as she continues with this drama.

“But, Drag…”

“Be quiet and go away. I’m done with this. As Drag said, it was a one-off. He stuck his dick in your snatch and it’s over with. Now find someone else to pester.” Mia stands, trying to look intimidating, but when you're no bigger than a dime, and so round you have to stand belly first, it seems to lose its threat value. We all look at her shocked, mind you, with the language she has used.

Buzz comes to life as he realizes this is stressing Mia. Axel is getting to his feet, showing how large he actually is, and Drag looks like he wants to strangle the bitch. Me! I grab another chicken wing and enjoy the drama going on.

“Get lost, or I’ll make you get lost for good,” Buzz warns and leans over toward TikTok and she staggers back before seeing just how serious Buzz is. She quickly turns and nearly jogs out of the club, which is fairly difficult with those goddamn ugly shoes she’s wearing.

Mia takes her seat with Axel’s help and glares at Drag. “You stop sticking your dick in women like her. Find a pleasant woman and settle down. For God’s sake, you’re all getting on my last nerve of late. What with one thing or another, it’s downright manic.”

We all turn to look at Mia, who is red in the face, breathing hard, and looking like a boiler ready to blow. Then she groans, grunts, and looks down at the same time she says, ‘Shit’… We all look down to see what she’s looking at and she’s standing in a puddle. Now, none of us react as we seem to be stuck on the fact that there is water on the floor. Where did it come from?

“Axel…” Mia states firmly.

“Yeah, babe.”

“I need to go to the hospital. My water just broke. The baby’s coming.”

Now, you can imagine you’ve not seen the President of an MC, his VP, and one of his enforcers move so fast. They all three run out of the club, leaving me sitting here looking at Mia, who is looking back at me with a smirk.

“3…2…1…” Mia murmurs, and then we hear, “Mia, sorry, babe. Come on, we need to get you to the hospital.”

Axel helps Mia waddle away, and I remain sitting because Fay just brought all the food that was ordered. I’ll catch up with them in a while at the hospital. I send a message to Silver that if he wants to eat, I have plenty to spare. He also needs to get someone to clean up the mess Mia made.

Two minutes later, Silver throws himself into a seat as he grabs a hot wing. “What’s going on?”

“Axel ordered food, then Mia’s water broke so they’ve gone to the hospital. That’s the mess I told you about that needs cleaning. Eat up, it’ll only go to waste otherwise, and it’s on Axel’s tab.”

“Oh, okay, babies take time, so we’ll go to the hospital once we’ve eaten,” Silver adds, and I nod in agreement while shoving more chicken strips into my mouth. Fay bustles over with a mop and bucket to clean up the mess on the floor. The last thing we want is someone suing because they slid on baby fluid!