Chapter Twenty

The sun is hidden by the clouds, but it's warm enough for a short walk around the gardens with Mom. Most of the club brothers are working in the garages or on deliveries and so this area behind the main building is beautifully secluded enough for Mom to be comfortable. It's full of shrubs and flowers, mostly overgrown now, but I imagine this is where they used to bring patients when this was a working Psychiatric hospital.

"Are we going to talk about what's on your mind or continue to walk in silence, darlin'?" Mom squeezes my hand where it's linked through her arm. "I'm well aware that I haven't been myself for the last six years, but I'm still your mom. I know when my girl's got something to say."

I chuckle, because she's right, she's always had a sixth sense when it comes to her kids. It's just that I'm not sure how to tell her. Do I build up to it with a long speech, or do blurt it out without explanation?

"It must be good news to give you a smile like that." She's grinning too, and I love her enthusiasm already.

"I'm pregnant." Blurting it out, it is!

My feet freeze when I notice I'm just walking alone now because my mother is no longer by my side. Then I breathe out a sigh of relief when I hear her squeal.

"Oh my goodness! My baby's having a baby!" Mom's excitement is a little overwhelming as she immediately wraps her arms around me, but I hug her back and allow the happy tears to flow.

It's a mixed feeling of relief and joy flowing through me because as much as I was looking forward to telling Mom, I also had the fear of judgment that she'd think I'm too young.

"How far along are you?" She steps back, tears brimming in her eyes too.

"About fourteen weeks. I have a favor to ask though." As the only living grandparent, I think this responsibility is the perfect way to keep Mom involved.

"Of course, darlin', anything." Confusion combined with eagerness crosses her face, the curve of her smile unbreakable.

"The doc wrote the sex of the baby in this envelope." I pull it from the small pocket of my summer dress. "Would you take it and keep it safe until we're ready to find out?"

Her hands fly to her face in surprise, the tears that she was fighting before now falling down her cheeks. "Oh, darlin', what an honor." She takes the offered envelope, clasping it to her chest as though it's precious when she realizes I've handed her a sonogram picture as well. "What a beautiful thing."

In this moment, with both of us crying happy tears, hugging each other so tightly, it's as though the last six years never happened. This is how we should have always been, but that time was stolen from us.

"I love you."

"I love you, too, Mom."

"How many have gone missing from Steve's morgue since last count?" I sip at the fizzy lemon drink Vi made for me as Spencer and I catch up in a booth in the SOK clubhouse bar area. Vi is a whizz behind that bar, like a freaking magician with her knowledge of drinks.

"Another two in the last month. Steve said he's seen some armed men talking with the CEO of the hospital on the regular, so he's assuming they're paying her off for her silence. He's reported the missing bodies to the hospital authorities, but all the paperwork just goes missing. It's how he got away with ‘losing' you and Jake so easily." Spence rests his head back against the soft cushion and rolls it to look at me with a shrug. "There's definitely something going on, but no one knows what, exactly, that is. Weird as hell though. I'd go so far as to say that helping you fake die to then torture and kill your half-brother was less of a mind-fuck."

When I called Spence to tell him I'm pregnant, he insisted on coming over so he could meet his new niece or nephew and get them used to his voice early on. I told him about the whole different dads thing too, but he was way less interested in that.

Aleko and I have been staying at the compound since Mom arrived so that she has me nearby if she needs me, and I don't hate it. There's always someone around to talk to, so I'm never alone when Aleko goes off with his brothers to work or deal with club business, unless I want to be. Sometimes Ninja goes with him, sometimes he stays with me, and I love playing with the tiny ball of joy. He's great company.

As of right now, Aleko and Ninja are somewhere outside of town with Bear, Boner, and Bash. I have no idea what they're doing and I'm acutely aware that it's none of my business either.

"I mean, I still stand by the fact that you're the best friend in the world." The mention of what I did doesn't bring any of the emotions I'd consider normal. Instead, I'm impartial. Okay, no, that's a lie. I'm happy about it. I'm glad it happened and feel like the world is a better place.

"I know. I am pretty amazing." We both laugh, then Spence's phone pings, vibrating against the table. He picks it up to unlock it and glance at the message that's come through. "I've gotta go. Steve and I have to get ready for the new pharma convention that'll be in town over the next few days for this new medication. Supposed to combat the seizures or some shit. Like I said. Weird." He downs the rest of his coffee—yeah, Vi is a whizz at those too, but Aleko is refusing to let me have more than one cup of the black life-force a day. Even then, it's decaf. Ugh.

"Which company thinks they have a cure to street drugs then?" Because, essentially, that's what is causing the seizures, the deaths…

As far as the missing bodies from the morgue goes, I have no fucking clue what that's about.

"I think it's called Risus Pharmaceuticals. They're based in New York but they've had office space just outside of town for the last year." Spence picks up his car keys and phone before standing.

"Well, sounds like fun. Hope you and Steve find some time to enjoy yourselves while you're there. I'm assuming y'all are staying at the venue?"

"Yeah. Got my next shift covered too, so I'm ready to just get away for a few days." His smile doesn't quite reach his eyes, but he's clearly eager to leave. I know when he gets in his own head about something he likes to squirrel about it for a while first. I'll save my questions for the next time we speak, because something's up with him. I just don't know what yet.

"Hey, sexy. Where have they been keeping you hidden away?" Rea appears from nowhere, her hand sliding up Spencer's chest.

Now, though, the smile does reach his eyes as we look at each other and burst out laughing.

"Oh, sweet thing. No, thank you." He's gentle as he peels her off him, trying to let her down gently.

"Are you sure? You shouldn't waste your time on this one, handsome. She's got a crazy mom and a—"

All my patience for this particular Khunt disappears in an instant as I step forward and punch her in the face. The satisfying crack makes me smile, and she wails like a banshee, throwing back her arm to return the favor. Obviously, I step out of the way, because I'm not about to stand there and get punched in the face, but it was a redundant move anyway because Kincaid is immediately restraining her with expert finesse.

"Don't touch club members or old ladies without their permission, Khunt. Got it?" Kincaid's words are seething, but they're spoken with such a deadly calm that my respect for her has skyrocketed.

"She fucking punched me!" Rea squirms, but Kincaid's hold is firm so she isn't going anywhere.

"Don't talk shit about my mom, and we won't have a problem." My fists are clenched against my hips, as though I'm ready to go another ten rounds… I'm not. My knuckles ache and I won't risk our baby for this dumb fuck.

Rea isn't moving her hands away from her face, blood is beginning to drip between her fingers, and rather than feeling sorry for what I've done, I smile.

"I'm gonna let you go and you're gonna get the fuck out of here. Okay?" Kincaid's tone remains steady and Rea replies with a light nod before she's set free.

She storms toward the double doors that lead into the room, turning with her palm resting against the glass panel.

"Fucking psycho bitch!" Rea spits, then quickly exits like the fucking coward she is.

Okay, so she was made to leave, but still. She's the only one of the Khunts that I don't vibe with. I never really had any feelings toward her of any kind, I was neutral, so to speak, but now? Well, she can sleep on a bed of rusty knives for all I care.

"That was exciting! I was about to insist she let me take a look at the damage, but she can deal with it herself. Just, wow. Anyway, I've really gotta go, Steve's blowing up my phone. I love you, girl. So much." Spence wraps his arms around me, kissing my forehead before gently patting my stomach.

"Talk to you tomorrow when you arrive? You can give me a tour of your hotel room."

"Absolutely, babe." He winks and starts walking away, but he pauses beside Kincaid, who is now sitting down again at her table with a beer in hand, as though that whole thing with Rea didn't just happen. "Thanks for having my girl's back, Caidy. And that tiger tattoo on your neck is beautiful by the way." She responds by tipping her bottle with a small incline of her head, and Spence nods in response before walking out of the room.

I head back to my seat and nurse my leftover drink. I'm bored.

Working with Spencer was one of the only things I used to look forward to, and now that's all gone. I love that we still get to spend time together but I feel like I'm lacking purpose.

Mom is out of the psych hospital, which means I no longer need to take her to New York for second opinions on her condition. The street racing season is nearly over, after the next race night, there'll be no more official meets until March next year. Which means, I no longer have a goal because this win should set Mom up in a great new house—that's if Aleko even lets me race. And I have no job, no way of working anywhere in this town without being recognized, which means I'm fucking useless.

Ugh. I hate being on a self-destructive spiral. I need to do something. Maybe I can look into the whole smiley-face-drug thing. Ooh. Spencer's convention…

I pick up my cell from the table and type Risus Pharmaceuticals into the search bar. There are thousands of results, so I start at the top, the one that appears to be their official website. It all looks very dull, an average website with basic information, links to articles… I tap on the scientists tab because now that I'm down this rabbit hole, I'm curious.

Why do I recognize that dude? Harrison Beaufort. Who are you and why do I recognize you?

I type his name into my search bar and the results popping up seem to point toward him being the CEO of the whole company. There's a local article I click on and it loads to show this Harrison dude outside a huge white house, with tall pillars framing him and the front door. He's standing beside a petite woman wearing a deep-blue knee-length pencil dress, and a fake smile covered in a pretty rouge. The small print says this is his home in Stonebrook Falls. Holy shit, I know where that is!

Where better to get information on this antidote than straight from the horse's mouth.

Shit, there's no way I'm getting off of this compound to speak to a random man about some pills. Kincaid may appear to be enjoying her beer, but she's basically my bodyguard and that woman has the eyes of an eagle.

"Hey, Kincaid, wanna come get some ice cream? I have a huge craving for some mint chocolate chip." I don't, because as with the lack of morning sickness, I seem to be getting through this with no cravings so far, too.

"I can get it for you. It'll be quicker." She stands, picking up her cell and sliding it into the back pocket of her skin-tight black jeans full of rips and tears.

"Okay, I just need to get out of here for a bit. I'm feeling a little claustrophobic, if you get me." Not a total lie.

"I'll grab the keys to one of the club trucks from behind the bar. We go, you stay in the cab with your wig on while I grab the ice cream, then we head straight back." There's no conversation to be had, and I stand, a big smile on my face.

If I can somehow figure out all this pill shit, I'll feel like less of a waste of space. The club is taking such good care of Mom and me, and I know the sheriff's department is on their case about dealing with the problem. Keeping dangerous pills off the streets of Rockford beach is one of the deals SOK and the law have to keep the peace.

"Did someone say ice cream?" Grinder, who is sitting in the far corner of the bar room, lifts his head from his phone with wide eyes as he stands. Next to him, Boner shakes his head, rolling his eyes with a light laugh and stays sitting.

"Yeah, taking Psycho's old lady to get some. You wanna come?" Kincaid takes charge, now with the keys in her hand, waving them above her head as we walk through the door without waiting for Grinder to reply.

"Fuck yeah, I do." His shout can be heard, clear as day, and he's behind us as we reach the courtyard and head toward one of the trucks used on race nights.

"Can I drive? I'm kind of a bad passenger." Another lie. I'm racking them up with Kincaid, and I do feel bad about it, but it's for the greater good. "Plus, you had that beer in the bar and I haven't had a drop of alcohol. Obvs." I pat my stomach and laugh.

"Sure. Here." She throws me the keys and slides into the back seat. Grinder hops into the passenger side, and I climb into the driver's side, starting up the engine once we're all settled.

"Boner not coming?" Having fewer club members on this little field trip of mine is ideal, but Grinder and Boner usually go everywhere together.

"He will be as soon as Eden's ready to spill his ballsack before he heads back to the garage."

I don't know why I ever expect anything other than this kind of comment from Grinder, but it makes me laugh and shake my head.

Fifteen minutes into the journey, they're both suspicious, and I'm not going to be able to hide my true intention for much longer.

"We've passed at least three places we could've stopped for ice cream, Mac. Where are we going?" Grinder is first to question my motives.

"Oh, have we?" Let's see how long I can play it dumb for…

"Yeah, we have. Where are we really going?" Kincaid is in there with the next question. She's not pulling any punches or dancing around the subject, she's straight in there. Direct. I like it. But I also don't. Not in this moment, anyway.

"Just to do a bit of research is all. Then we can still get ice cream on the way back." I shrug as if it's no big deal really.

"Research for what, Mac, and where? Because the library is in the other direction and I know you've got access to the Internet on your cell." I've never heard Grinder be so serious.

I sigh, heavily. Resigned to the fact that I'm going to have to spill something.

"The smiley pills. There's this scientist guy—"

"I don't think so. Pull over. Psycho would have my fucking nuts for breakfast if he finds out I'm letting you go all rogue investigator. Not on my watch, darlin'."

"Sorry, can't pull over. There are no safe places to stop." I smile smugly and shrug again.

"I swear, Mac. I'll take control of the wheel myself. Don't test me." Angry Grinder is kinda hot. Not as hot as my very own Psycho, of course.

"If you do that, you could cause an accident. Aleko would be much angrier with you if you caused an accident, now, wouldn't he?" I look suggestively down to my stomach, resting a hand against it softly. It's a low move, I know, but I'm determined to figure out what this guy knows, if anything.

"You don't play fair, Mac." Grinder huffs and folds his arms across his chest, his eyes narrowed and looking straight ahead.

"I know. If it helps, I'm sorry?"

"If you were sorry, you'd turn around."

"No can do."

"Didn't think so."

Another thirty minutes later, the small and pointless gates of the house from the picture come into view. It's a large plantation-style home and the surrounding property is beautiful. A lot of greenery and shrubs. I think the back leads out to the river, where they probably have a beautifully picturesque view of the sunrise and sunset every day.

I park the truck a few yards down the road and jump out, heading straight for the gates being manned by some kind of security. Not that they're really keeping anyone out of the property because the waist-height gates are literally only in front of the drive.

Grinder is hot on my heels saying something about recognizing this place, but I'm on a mission.

"Hi, is Harrison Beaufort in? I need to talk to him." My question is directed toward the tallest one. They're both wearing all black, bomber jackets and combats, combined with shit-kicker boots and an earpiece to match.

"No, he's out of town, so you won't be getting in today, little girl. Not even with your little buddies." His face scrunches up in disgust and disdain, and it's only now that I realize this probably wasn't the best idea. I thought I had caught a bone and I wanted to chew on it, but I should regroup and spend more than like, fifteen minutes on the Internet.

"Less of the little, man." Grinder speaks from directly beside me, grabbing his crotch and causing both men to put a hand to their hips. Shit.

"I really think we should go, Mac," Grinder whispers in my ear as he tries to turn me around. I definitely concur, if the looks on these guys' faces are anything to go by.

"Okay, thanks." I'll find another way. Easy. No need to bring the big guns out, probably literally in this case. I almost headbutt Grinder's chest, pushing him to move in the direction of the car too, where Kincaid is standing with her arms crossed over her chest and a grim look on her pretty face.

"I'll drive back. Keys." She holds out the palm of her hand as we get closer and I roll my eyes, throwing them over to her. She catches them with impeccable reflexes, and I just know she's the kind of woman that can turn other women gay.

With my palm on the handle of the door, I pause at the clicking sound beside my ear. The freshly cocked gun keeps me frozen in place, my fight leaving me quickly because I don't want to die.

From the corner of my eye, I see the other security guy pushing a gun into Grinder's mouth, and one that appeared from nowhere holding a gun against the back of Kincaid's head.

"Where do you three think you're going?"

Fuck.