10. Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Mackenzie

T he coffee has almost finished brewing, the waffles are on the plates, and for the first time in I don’t know how long, I feel kinda human. There was no spotting on my pad this morning, which I’m grateful for, but it also signifies that it’s all really over. My baby is really gone.

I’ve been living in a constant zombie-like state, everything passing me by in a blur, but I’m determined to push through the torturing pain. I’m aware that I’ll never be the same again, that the memory will live with me for all eternity and losing my baby is not something I’ll ever get over. The pain will always be there, but eventually it’ll become engulfed in happiness, in good memories, making it far more bearable to live with.

Shaking my head and taking a deep breath, I pour the coffee, put everything onto one of the bar trays I grabbed earlier, and head to our room. I stopped needing my crutch about a week ago, now able to put pressure on my leg without my thigh screaming at me, and I’m thankful that it’s just one more thing I can leave in the past.

Today is about a celebration of life, Aleko’s to be exact, and I need to do what I can to let him know how much he truly means to me.

I was a bitch before he left for New York—and when he came back—yet he’s been the engine that’s kept me running, the light to my dark, the unwavering mountain in a never ending sea.

Coming back to the compound was Mom’s idea. To be honest, I didn’t even realize we were here until just over a week ago. And even though leaving this place was the only thing on my mind when we went to the cabin, I’m glad we’re here. The way the brothers have all rallied around Aleko—and me—has been like nothing I ever thought possible. I’ve been going through the motions, being polite, joining in conversations, and it may have seemed as though I was uninterested but every word spoken, every smile given…well, I can’t put into comprehensible thoughts how much it’s all meant to my soul.

Just as I’m about to open the door to our suite, it flies open and there stands a half-naked Aleko, eyes frantic with worry. “Oh Jesus, shit!” Relief fills his tone and his gaze softens. “Are you okay, Cherry?” He moves to hug me but I step back, the tray in my hands jostling and sloshing the coffee. When he realizes what I’m holding, up goes that eyebrow.

I could swoon, because it still does things to my insides that I hope never goes away.

“What’ve you got there? Here, let me help.” Before he can take it from me, I shake my head.

“I’ve got it. Can we go back inside the suite now? I don’t wanna spill any more coffee.” I may have already had a cup while I was making breakfast, but that doesn’t mean I want to waste what’s here.

Grinning, Aleko steps aside and ushers me in. “What my Cherry wants, my Cherry shall get.”

Ninja is scuffling away on the dresser, adjusting his blankets because he’s no doubt going back to sleep and only woke to see what was happening. It’s four-thirty in the morning. I wanted to serve him breakfast in bed before Aleko realized I had left the room; which clearly didn’t work.

I put the tray on the table beside the armchair Mom loves in the corner and turn to face the man who has saved me at every turn. His bare torso, covered in those delectable tattoos highlighting every perfect ridge, his eyebrow raised, which is my When Harry Met Sally hello, and his half grin that could make anyone drool have my head in a daze.

I smile back.

“Happy birthday, Aleko.” I know he loves it when I say his name, his eyes seem to heat every time he hears it, and I want to be the reason for his heat every day for the rest of our lives.

“How di—no, don’t answer that. Which brother told you?” He’s not upset that I know because he’s still smiling, but there’s a definite curiosity there, and maybe a little shame that he didn’t tell me himself.

“Vanessa told me a few days ago. I’m sorry I haven’t got a present for you though, I tried to o—”

“Nope. Don’t do that.” In three strides, he’s directly in front of me, hands at my waist, head bent so our eyes are making full contact, and I’m a little confused.

“Er…”

“ I’m sorry. You don’t need to be sorry. Ever. Okay? The only present I need is you in my arms until my dying day. Nothing else matters.” Then he kisses me, and tears prick my eyes because it’s rough, it’s demanding as his tongue finds mine, and it’s everything in this moment.

I’ve missed this. Him.

We’ve kissed in the last few weeks, but it has been soft, tentative, and I could sense how difficult it has been for him to hold back—doctor’s orders after my operation. Now, though, I can feel hope coursing through my veins. Hope that I didn’t fuck up my chances with this man. Hope that life can go on again. Hope that we will both come out of this thing together.

I never wanted to leave him, that was never my intention, it was space I thought I needed, but I was wrong. He was a dick, locking me in this very suite, but I now know that he was just trying to take care of me as best he could. He went about it the wrong way, but it was justified because I did exactly what he was trying to avoid. I ran away.

Aleko’s hands move from my waist, one reaching around to grip my ass, the other sliding up my spine and firmly cupping the back of my head. I moan into him, pliant in his hold, finally ready to give myself over fully again, before he pulls away and rests his forehead against mine, our breaths coming short and fast.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for weeks.” He looks me in the eye as he kisses the tip of my nose. “I fucking love you, Mackenzie Wilson. Never in all my years have I needed something as much as I need you. You are my lifeblood.” As if a lightbulb just came on in his head, his eyes widen and his grin grows. “I can think of one thing that will make my birthday better.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that then?” I rest my hands against his chest, the rhythm of his beating heart like a balm to my soul.

“I want nothing more than to give you something.”

He’s still grinning and now I’m a little confused.

“I’m supposed to be giving you things for your birthday. Not the other way around.” I chuckle, because this man!

“You’ll be giving me the fucking world if you’ll let me give you my last name.”

It takes me a moment, maybe two, then what he’s saying begins to sink in and I’m not sure if I’m hearing him right.

“You want me to change my last name to Kastellanos?”

“I do.” He winks, waiting for my brain to catch up with his words. When it does, my body trembles and a happiness I haven’t felt in too long fills my heart. “Marry me.”

“Oh my God, yes!” Easiest decision I’ve ever made. I smash my lips against his, elated tears now streaming down my cheeks. “I fucking love you too,” I manage between kisses.

His grip on my head gets firmer, more dominant, and his hand on my ass squeezes tightly, pulling me closer to him so his rock-hard cock is pressing against my stomach. The doc recommended one week with no sex, not that I’ve been up for it, and it’s been at least two…I’m ready.

Forgetting the waffles and coffee, I leap up and wrap my legs around Aleko’s waist. There’s a twinge in my thigh, but it’s not unbearable and I welcome the pain because I know the pleasure will far outweigh anything.

We moan into each other’s mouths as I grind up against him, the friction like a sweet nectar I’ve been craving. Aleko lets out a low growl and pushes my back to the wall beside the bed, getting impossibly closer to every inch of me. I’ve missed clawing at his skin, feeling the hard ridges at my fingertips, and our kiss deepens.

A loud shouting from downstairs breaks us apart and Aleko growls again, this time in frustration. We’re both panting, and I can’t hold back the giggle when I realize what all the shouting is and Aleko curses.

“I’m back, motherfuckers!”

“Fucking Grinder.”

Sexy time didn’t happen. Boner wheeled Grinder around like the king of the land, making sure all the brothers staying at the compound were awake and came to greet him after being in the hospital for so long. He still has a cast on his arm and a new scar across his forehead, but he’s no longer in a coma, can walk, and doesn’t need the wheelchair. The fact that he’s now sitting next to Boner in the corner of the bar, in their usual spot, directing Vanessa, Violet, Bash, Jonesy, and me, as we decorate, is something I’m not gonna complain about.

Grinder saved my life too. Back in the house that doesn’t bear thinking about, he took the heat off me, just like Kincaid did, and he got fucked up in the process. I owe him, and if that means letting him be dictator of decorations, then so be it.

Soon after waking up anyone who was here, as well as calling everyone who had gone back to their own homes, Prez called church. I don’t know what they discussed because I don’t make it my business to know, but Aleko, Bear, and Prez had to go over to the club’s strip joint, Rocks Off, to deal with some security things. While I hate being apart from Aleko, being an enforcer is his role here and I’ll never take that away from him. I know how proud he is to be a member of the Sons, and his role is important for the safety of us all.

“Want me to blow up some of those balloons? I’m good at blowing things.” Grinder’s laugh is booming and he taps his can against Boner’s as they both crack up.

“Actually, yeah. Good idea, Grinder.” Vanessa chuckles too, passing the leftover balloons to him. “Boner, you can help him, then hand them to Jonesy or Bash to hang somewhere outside.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Boner nods, getting straight to work because nobody argues with Prez’s wife.

Ninja climbs down Grinder’s shoulder, where he was nestled into his neck, and jumps onto the table to sniff the balloons in curiosity. It seems the brothers aren’t the only ones who have missed Grinder being around, because Ninja moved like a rocket, climbing down from the dresser and scuttling out of our suite to practically pounce on him as soon as we heard his voice this morning.

“Don’t chew on that, little guy.” Grinder scratches beneath Ninja’s chin, pulling the balloon from beneath him. I swear Ninja gives him the side-eye and turns away like the tiny diva he is before coming over to my table, padding through the paint, walking over the paper I’m working on, and settling in my lap. I have no doubt I now have tiny red paw prints on my thighs, but it’s nothing that can’t be washed away later.

It may seem juvenile to some, but I’m in the process of painting a huge happy birthday sign in preparation for Aleko’s surprise party when he and Bear get back this evening. The brothers and Vanessa are going along with my plans, no questions asked, and the Khunts are being…well, cunts. Except Sabrina, who is in the kitchen with my mom, whipping up a storm and getting ready to feed everyone.

Bear is in on the surprise party plan and desperately wanted to do a BBQ feast, so that’s the plan. But because he’s out with Aleko all day, he hasn’t had any time to prepare, which is why Mom and Sabrina are busy doing just that.

“Hey, Mac. How’re you doin’?” Vanessa sits beside me, a jumble of string lights in her hands, ready to be untangled.

“Honestly? I don’t know.” We haven’t had a chance to really tell anyone that we’re getting married yet, and I’m not sure if Aleko wants to do that together or what. “I don’t want the world to swallow me whole today. I’m breathing. And I’m preparing a birthday party for my man. I’d say better than yesterday, but not as good as tomorrow.”

“That’s the way forward. It’s okay to have sad days, and it’s also okay to be happy. Don’t let the guilt for feeling happy eat away at you, okay? Because it will try, but you’re stronger than that. I know it.” She bumps her shoulder against mine. “I’m here if you need to talk to someone that knows what you’re going through. To some extent. I mean, I never killed my brother…which was badass, by the way.” We both laugh, because as inappropriate as it may seem, I appreciate the shit out of this woman. She experienced a miscarriage years ago and she and Prez have never gotten pregnant since. I don’t know the full story, but I know it was traumatic for her and I’d never make her relive that. She had counseling though, and now I guess she’s using her own experience to help me.

For all the bad I’ve endured, the good is beginning to far outweigh it.

A few hours later, the barbeque is prepped and Bear just texted Vanessa to say they’ll be back in the next ten minutes.

I don’t know why I’m so nervous waiting for the rumble of Aleko’s engine to come riding down the long drive. Fiddling with the sleeves of Aleko’s hoodie that I’m wearing, I sip at the soda Violet gave me from the makeshift bar out here. The black hoodie covers my jean cut-offs, making it look as though I’m wearing nothing else, and I’m desperately hoping Aleko won’t be able to keep his hands off me, because I’m beginning to understand his whole obsessive thing.

He’s my addiction.

“Fuck me, now that’s a spread and a half.” Sledge and Hoops come through the doors from the building, out to the back courtyard with the rest of us—minus Bear, Prez, and Aleko, who have yet to arrive. “One of these days we’ll have a proper English buffet. I’ll treat ya to a pineapple and cheese on sticks hedgehog.” Sledge wags his brows as if he’s just given me the best news ever, and I chuckle at Hoops beside him, rolling his eyes and shaking his head.

“I’m sure your cheesy hedgehog is a wonder, darlin’. How about you show me how to make it before the next cookout?” Mom has settled here again like a duck to water. She’s only planning on hanging around at the party to eat a little before going back to her own suite—no doubt with Sabrina in tow—because she doesn’t want anyone to have to hold back with yelling when they get rowdy with a few drinks inside them. Figuring out what her triggers are isn’t easy, but sudden yelling is one of them. She’s prepared for the big surprise when Aleko arrives, she’s aware it’s coming, but anything after that could get tricky.

The rumble of engines gets louder, everyone gets quieter, and excitement begins flowing through my veins. For the first time in I don’t know how long, I’m not wallowing in my own misery. It’s a terrible place to be, and for today especially, I want to find joy in the world again.

It sounds as though there are more than three motorcycles riding in, some of them growlier than the likes of Philia, Aleko’s bike. They’re not sports bikes.

I look to Vanessa, confused, and she shrugs but doesn’t appear to be worried at all. Violet must have turned the radio up because music is now coming from the speakers in the center of the courtyard, just as the double doors open up and my heart skips a beat at the sight of Aleko. His eyes find mine immediately, his grin grows, and damn that eyebrow.

Determination clear in his features, Aleko strides toward me, lifts me by the ass and kisses the ever-loving fuck out of me.

“Thank you, Cherry Pie.”

I’m breathless, my legs wrapped around his waist, and the public display of affection doing nothing to cool off my lust.

“Is it okay?” Alright, so with all my bravado and bright ideas, I’m worried he’ll hate the whole surprise birthday thing.

“Baby, it’s fucking perfection. Don’t ever be ashamed of doing shit like this. In fact, you’ve set the bar now. My turn next.” He winks, and if he wasn’t still holding me against him, I’d fall into a puddle at his feet.

“I mean, you made my last birthday pretty great already.” Heat creeps up to my cheeks as I remember that night, in the back of a pickup truck, when hope suddenly bloomed in my chest for the first time in years.

“And I’m gonna make the next ones even better.” Aleko kisses me again, hard and fast, before letting me slide down his hard body to plant my feet on the ground.

“You big softy.” I smile up at him, the world around us reduced to nothing as I stare into his pale blues.

“Only for you, Cherry.”

This time, our kiss is interrupted by a loud cheer when the prez hollers, “Sons, the Reapers have arrived!”