Chapter Fourteen

"She'll answer, Mac. Maggie said she"d make sure of it when she called me last night. Your mom was insistent on seeing you, something about having a bad feeling." Spencer hands me a foam cup of steaming coffee he and Kincaid picked up from the shop on their way back from visiting Mom. They dropped off a burner phone so I can speak to her after Aleko and the others had to leave when the prez called, rather than me blowing my I'm dead cover and walking right into a building full of doctors and nurses.

Ninja is snuggled into a cute little ball on my lap after his vegetable feast, and I'm thankful for his silent support. They say animals are great companions in times of need, they can boost your serotonin and dopamine levels, and fussing beneath Ninja's soft chin just confirms that for me. I'm calmer and more relaxed than I feel like I should be.

The nurse, who was always kind to me, Maggie, had been on my wavelength with thinking something strange was going on with Mom and her care. She had kept me up to date with any visits from my brother and his cronies, especially those rare times she was becoming lucid. Which, funnily enough, did have a pattern. I just couldn't find anyone, other than Maggie, willing to listen to me and help me prove it.

Maggie had obviously done everything I'd asked of her in my letter before I "died", because Spencer was being kept up to date and allowed to visit at any time—something that would never have been allowed while my brother was in control.

It seems the doctors on the Toxic Rebels' payroll no longer held an interest in mom's case once the cash stopped coming because she's been more lucid than ever for the last few days.

Aleko took it upon himself to delete the message Spencer sent me last night and arranged for things to get moving this morning. I'm a little pissed that he kept it from me to begin with, but I also understand his reasoning.

And I'm never going to complain about multiple orgasms.

That being said, there's no way I'm letting him get away with making decisions for me. While there are days his over-the-top obsessive behavior makes my pussy wet, when it comes to my free will the line gets real thin, real quick. But that's a tomorrow problem—another one.

"But what if she's not lucid anymore? It's just a fluke and I was wrong this whole time? There's a chance I won't win the last race, so I can't afford that doctor in New York, and all of this will have been for nothing, then what if—"

"Mac, babe. Stop. You're rambling. I saw your mom a little over an hour ago, handed her the phone myself. And you know what happened…?" He pauses for dramatic effect. "She said, thank you. My daughter is lucky to have a friend like you." Spence preens a little at the last part, never one to turn down compliments. And I can't blame him, he deserves all the praise he gets.

Everything he's done for me is nothing short of amazing and well above the usual best friend duties. The words from my mom though…? Wow. A lump forms in my throat and the backs of my eyes heat up. Ninja snuggles further into my lap, and gets himself comfortable, closing his tiny black eyes as he rubs his head against my stomach.

"Caidy, could you pass some tissues from the bathroom please?" Spencer brings his attention straight back to me, cupping my cheeks with his palms. "Cry, get it all out, but when you call your mom, you stay strong, okay? She's confused and she needs you. If you need to cry again afterward, I've got a bottle of wine in that brown bag in the kitchen."

I can't help chuckling as a few tears roll down my cheeks. It's been so long since Mom formed full sentences, I barely remember what she sounds like.

"Thanks." Spence takes the offered box of tissues from a silent Kincaid, pulling a couple out and passing them to me before leaning in to whisper, "That girl is bad ass. Did you know she murdered her husband?" Kincaid is standing beside Bash again by the front door. Whereas her arms are folded across her chest, Bash is casually leaning against the wall.

"Really?" Sarcasm drips from my tone, because Spence's picture would be next to gullible in the dictionary, but the fact he's already on nickname status with the newest Khaos prospect is just like my best friend.

"Whatever. I believe her." He pulls out some more tissues and throws them at my face. "C'mon, clean up. Let's make the call. I have to work tomorrow night, ya know."

"What does working tomorrow night have to do with anything?" I dab at my cheeks, drying the wetness from the few tears that spilled.

"First, I just thought I'd remind you what us living and working folk need to do, and that my new partner is awful. Thanks for that, by the way. Secondly, if you ponder whether to make the call for much longer, it'll be next week before you do it. Wine?" Laughing, Spencer stands and walks into the kitchen, pulling out two tall glasses from one of the high cupboards. "These will have to do. Seems your man isn't equipped for wine yet. I'll bring some of my glasses over next time. Because there will be a next time." Spencer continues to talk as he pours out two red wines before coming back to the couch and passing one to me. "I like this you. You're happier, lighter, but we've still got work to do." Holding up his glass, he encourages me to clink mine against his, then we drink.

I have more than a couple of mouthfuls, but the glass is huge, so it won't run out anytime soon.

"Okay. I've got this. It's fine. We're all fine." I shimmy to prepare myself, picking up the cell I bought in the name of Scarlett Green and pressing to call the saved number while Spence shakes his head and laughs at me. He's even more amused when I flip him off with a mouthed, "fuck you," as the dull tones of the phone ringing sound against my ear.

Ninja moves to the arm of the sofa, onto what Aleko told me was one of his favorite sleeping cushions, walks in a few circles, then settles again, his head resting on his front paws as he keeps his eyes on me.

"Hello? Is that really you, darlin'?" Mom's voice is scratchy and weak, sending a mixture of joy and fear through my body. I fear for what I have to tell her, for what she's been through, for what she could still probably have to go through, but I'm happy because she's actually talking and she sounds fully lucid, like the Mom I can barely remember.

"Hi, Mom. Yeah, it's me." I have to inhale deeply to steady my breathing before emotion gets the better of me.

Killing my own brother didn't even have this effect on me. I guess that's the difference between someone important and someone lower than shit on my shoe.

"Oh, thank God. I knew it wasn't true or that nice lady, Maggie, would have told me. Those doctors give me the creeps."

Holy shit, the way Mom's talking… I couldn't bring myself to imagine it was possible. And I totally know what she means about those doctors.

"You knew what wasn't true?"

"Doctor Alley told me that you and your brother had died." She stops and sniffs, a little stuttered as though she's crying. "But as with everything else, they lied."

"Everything else?" I'm curious as to how much Mom's actually been able to take in over the years. She's been practically comatose, but then she was always a very smart woman. She was a special education teacher at Stonebridge High School. Until the love of her life died.

"We can talk about all of that when you come and get me out of this damn place. They want to discharge me, under supervision—because I don't always have complete control over my body yet—by the end of the month."

Being so close to me on the couch, Spence can hear every word, and what my mom just said makes him balk on the gulp of wine he just guzzled.

"Wow! That's amazing, Mom." And it really is, I just need to get a few things organized first. Fuck, I need somewhere to live. I'd still like to get Mom seen by a reputable doctor too, one not on the payroll of dickheads. A thousand things run through my brain at once; the news definitely not what I was expecting with this phone call. "We'll get it all arranged. You'll be out of there in no time." I'm actually giddy at the thought.

"I wouldn't like to stay at that biker compound you've told me about with your brother and his friends, though."

"Err…" How do I tell her?

"Is everything alright, darlin'?" She seems so happy, and I'm about to burst her bubble. The whole reason she's in that place to begin with is because she lost her husband. Maybe it's best to tell her now while she's still there… just in case.

Sighing heavily, I ready myself to tell Mom some semi-truths.

"Jake's dead, Mom. That part was true. I'm so sor—"

"Oh thank the Lord that evil has gone." The relief in her voice and interruption were absolutely not what I was expecting. If I'm honest with myself, I'm a little—no, a lot—shocked, and I kinda wanna laugh, but that would show my crazy.

"Mom, did you hear what I said?" I feel like I need to make sure she's understanding me.

"Yes, darlin'. Your brother is dead. I also heard everything you told me about what he and his friends did to you on your visits." Her voice cracks a little toward the end, but I won't point it out.

Mom may have been in a psych hospital for years, but before she completely broke down, she was always one of the strongest women I knew. Still is.

"So you're okay with that?" My question is tentative, and I feel like all I've done so far is question my mom when I should just be happy to have a whole conversation with her.

"No. I'm not okay with any of it, but I can't live like this anymore, darlin'. Your brother and his friends were my jailors. I longed for your visits. I wanted to take away all your hurt and pain, and now it's gone. Mine too." She sighs sadly. "I still miss your father though. Always will."

"Me too, Mom. Me too." I don't feel like now is a good time to bring up what Jake said about Dad not being my dad. As much as I really want to, now's not the time.

"So earlier, when you said we'll arrange it, did you mean you and that nice boy who's been coming around to see me? Spencer, is it? He's very good looking, darlin'. Well done." Masterfully changing the subject, Mom's tone brightens a little.

Overhearing this, Spence begins wagging his brows suggestively, holding a hand to his chest and pretending to be bashful, like, "Who? Me?"

"I didn't mean Spencer, no. He's my best friend, not my boyfriend." I stick my tongue out at him and flip him off again when he fakes shock and offense at my denial.

"That's a shame. We who, then?"

"My actual boyfriend, Aleko." Is he my boyfriend though? We haven't exactly had a discussion about it, but I'm also not a dumbass. He's claimed me as his old lady, which I'm well aware is a big deal in the motorcycle community. Fuck it, I've said it. It's out there.

"I can't wait to meet him, then." I can hear the smile in her voice, clear as day, and it soothes my soul to know I haven't destroyed hers by killing Jake—not that she knows exactly that, but it's fine.

My mom and I talk for another fifteen minutes about the weather and the puzzle Spence took to her last week. Seems puzzling was a bit of a thing for the two of them. It was mostly Spence to begin with, but as Mom became more lucid, she started helping and they've built a budding little friendship.

I finish the call with promises to keep in touch on the phone, not yet having the chance to explain why I can't visit in person. Although, I was adamant about her not telling anyone that I'm alive, with promises of answers once she's out of there.

Everything is moving forward a lot more quickly than I'd planned. I mean, I had my suspicions about Jake and Co. being responsible for my mom's situation, but to have it basically confirmed for sure? Well, I'll have to give that doctor in New York a call or email to see if he has any advice. As for now, there's nothing I can do tonight, so tomorrow's me can deal with it.

Spencer and I finish off the bottle of wine he bought after Bash and Kincaid refuse our offerings. Instead, they stand like sentries by Aleko's front door, on their very best behavior. They're taking their prospecting duties seriously, rather than fucking around, and I can respect that.

A few hours later, Aleko, Bear, Grinder, and Boner arrive home, the rumble of motorcycles before they walked in was drowned out by the loud thumping of Rayne Over Knights playing through the bluetooth speaker. Which means Spencer and I were found mid-dance, having the time of our lives.

Apparently, Sledge had some work to finish in the garage so he went straight back to the compound.

Grinder and Boner need no invitation, and they both join us dancing behind the couch as Bear chuckles with a shake of his head. At the sound of his timber voice, Ninja perks up from his cushion and scuttles over to Bear, who immediately picks him up for a belly rub.

"Fucking love this song, man." Grinder raises an arm in the air as the chorus drops, as does Spencer while Boner's dancing is a little more like what I'd dub Dad-dancing, but he's trying. I can't help laughing at them, mimicking their moves just as a strong arm wraps around my waist from behind me.

"You look fucking delectable, Cherry." Aleko's deep voice is at my ear just before he pushes the sucker in his hand between my lips. I groan and lean my head back against his hard chest, enjoying the warmth being close to him brings.

We dance, I suck, and when the song is over, Aleko encourages me to continue swaying. Grinder walks to the fridge and grabs a few bottles of water, passing them out to Spencer, Boner, and Bash before taking a huge swig of his own. Aleko and I both declined the offer, too entwined in each other to bother.

"We're gonna split, Psycho." Boner nods toward the door as he pushes his arms into the sleeve holes of his cut.

I look over and see that Bear and Kincaid have already gone. I'd been so caught up in my own little world I didn't even notice. Ninja is already asleep too, curled up on the gray cushion on the sofa, his tiny body moving slowly up and down as he breathes.

"Do you need a ride?" Grinder's addressing Spencer, and I notice a little disappointment in his eyes when Spencer shakes his head.

"Nah, I'm good, thanks. I've got an Uber waiting and I need to get back to my boyfriend. Besides, as an EMT I try to avoid death traps on wheels." I take note of the way Spencer says boyfriend, because he definitely emphasized it, meaning he can sense Grinder's interest in him too and this is his way of letting him down gently.

"Cool. Later!" With a tilt of his head toward Bash, they both leave.

"I'm not going anywhere without a hug." Spencer opens his arms out, waiting for me to come to him to say goodbye. With a little resistance from Aleko, I peel myself away, pecking him on the cheek before wrapping my arms around Spencer. "You did good today, babe."

"Thank you. For everything."

Our words are mumbled into each other's necks, but we know what we're saying.

"You still owe me one… or ten, so don't thank me yet." Spencer laughs as he pulls away, ruffling my hair and blowing a laughing kiss to the growling man over my shoulder. "Learn to share your toys, Aleko." Spence winks before grabbing his jacket and cell, then walks out the door.

"I missed you today." Aleko's arms snake around my waist again, his whole front pressed against my back as he whispers into my neck.

"I missed you too." Spinning in his hold, I face him, looking up at the tall, tattooed man I'm lucky enough to call mine.

This time, I kiss him, not waiting for his move first. I devour him, taste him, but it doesn't take long before he takes control again. Breathing heavily, we separate, and I rest my forehead against his chest. Aleko takes hold of my hands and brings them up to his mouth, kissing my knuckles with a seductive grin.

I notice his knuckles are bloodied, but I know what he does, what his job with the MC is, and I also know he'd never harm an innocent man, so I don't ask questions because I really don't care.

"Now, about sharing my toys… I have some new ones I think we should try, but I'm not sharing any of those either."