30. Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Mackenzie

“ I ’ve expressed enough to last a week, Aleko, so no, you won’t run out of milk for Gryffin in the three, maybe four hours I’m at Rocks Off with the girls.”

Aleko mock-scowls at me, the upturn of his lips giving him away as he pins me against the truck with his palms against the metal. Gryffin is in my arms, literally the center of our world.

“Just making sure my boy has plenty of the good stuff.” First, he bends to kiss Gryffin’s forehead, then straightens to kiss me, ever so softly.

“Have you tried it yet?” Grinder interrupts our little moment, reminding me of our surroundings.

With an amused expression, Aleko arches his brow first to me, before flipping off Grinder. “Fuck off, man.”

“Oh, you have! I tried it once, thicker than I imagined, but it tas—”

“Shut the fuck up, Grinder.” Aleko shoves him playfully, and I cover Gryffin’s tiny ears from all the cursing.

“Don’t worry about covering his ears, Mac. Uncle Grindy’s gonna teach Baby Psycho all kindsa words when he grows up.” His grin is wide and full of mischief, making me roll my eyes because this poor kid is certainly going to have a colorful life.

I won’t always shield him from it though. I love each and every one of these people, why wouldn’t I want my son to be like them? Well, maybe not Grinder specifically. I heard him talking about an eyeball collection at one point and just no.

“Y’all better call him by his name this evening, because Baby Psycho is not it.” Pointing my finger at them both, I give them my best “I’m serious” glare.

“There you are, darlin’. Is that lovely Emily lady meeting us there?” Mom hasn’t had one of her episodes for about nine months and has been involving herself in more group activities, tonight being one of them, and she looks better than I remember seeing her for a long ass time. Her dark hair is smooth, like it’s been straightened, and it sits just above her shoulders. She’s wearing a cute navy-blue dress that floats around her knees and a black jacket to cover the tops of her arms because she’s self conscious about them.

Her beautiful blue eyes are outlined with a dark kohl, and damn, my mom is stunning.

“She is, yeah. You look great, Mom.”

“So do you, darlin’. Now where’s my grandson? I haven’t seen him for at least four hours.” Mom scurries over to me from the entrance of the building, with Vanessa and Sabrina in tow, both also looking equally beautiful having made an extra effort for our girls’ night out. “Move aside, Aleko, Nana’s coming through.” Gently pushing Aleko aside—because he totally allows it—Mom softly strokes Gryffin’s hand. “See you tomorrow, little man. Nana loves you.” She then blows him a kiss and smiles at me before getting into the back seat of the truck behind us.

Sabrina follows Mom, and Vanessa makes a point of coming over too.

“Be good for Daddy, little one.” She gently strokes her fingers over his tummy and he stirs a little in my arms, reaching for her thumb and gripping it. The day Gryffin was born, Aleko asked her if she’d like to be one of his unofficial grandparents. Seeing as these are the people he sees as his family, it seemed right. She snuggled Gryffin so damn close when she heard his name for the first time and said she’d be honored to be his grammy. It was all very emotional, and it still makes my heart swell every time I remember the moment.

Vanessa kisses Gryffin’s tiny fingers and carefully releases her thumb before sighing contently and heading to the truck.

Gryffin’s falling asleep after a big feed before we came outside, which means now is the perfect time to hand him over. But I don’t wanna. He’s so friggin’ cute.

“C’mon, Mama K, hand him over. Time for you ladies to head on out. Jonesy’s getting impatient.” Bear approaches, his arms out wide. I know what he really wants is some Gryffin cuddles. It’s like we’re all addicted to this tiny bundle of awesome and can never get enough.

Emotions almost get the better of me as I think about how many people love and adore this beautiful baby boy, tears threatening to spill, but I push them back because it took far too long to do my makeup.

“I’ll see you in a few hours, baby boy.” I lightly kiss the top of his head, inhaling his unique baby scent before handing him over to Bear, who immediately softens and looks ten times larger when Gryffin is in his arms. At a month old already, he seems so big, but with Bear, it takes me right back to day one.

“I’ll be inside once the girls are on the way, Brother.” Aleko pats Bear on the shoulder, but he’s looking at Gryffin rather than his best friend.

Like I said, addicted. Everyone.

“C’mon, Grinder, Shade has the poker game set up and ready to roll. Psycho, if you’re not quick, we’ll blind you out.” Bear strolls into the building as if he didn’t just say he’s about to take my baby to a poker game.

“Don’t do anything I would do, ladies.” Grinder winks and practically skips inside after Bear.

“Poker? Really?” I look up through my lashes to Aleko, who just shrugs, giving me that trademark smile I love to hate. “Whatever. No smoking in the same room as Gryffin. Instructions on how to heat up his milk are in the kitchen, pinned to the fridge. Diapers and everything else he needs are in the diaper bag. His—”

“We’ve got this, Cherry baby. Go. Have fun with the girls.” Aleko pins me back against the truck and my clit honestly and truly flutters. “I love you, Mrs. Kastellanos.” His lips on mine almost make me forget the world until a banging on the window behind me makes him pull away.

“I think Vanessa’s just as ready for this night out as you are.” Aleko chuckles against my neck as he nuzzles in.

It’s been almost ten months since Prez’s death, and while she’s been a lot more social, Vanessa has barely left the compound. I feel like she’s just as excited as the rest of us to be going out though.

However, I feel the whole mom-guilt thing too, and while I know Gryffin is in safe hands, I can’t help thinking I should just stay with him.

Mom and Vanessa have both taken him off our hands for a few hours at a time in the last couple of weeks—I’ve used those hours to sleep or take a long-as-fuck shower—but this time I’m not simply down the hall or even in the same vicinity. At a month old, Gryffin’s not yet sleeping through the night fully, but he’s a happy, healthy baby, and I couldn’t ask for anything better. Yeah, I’m gonna complain like fuck, because this parenting thing is hard—and apparently it doesn’t get any easier—but that doesn’t mean I’ll ever be ungrateful for him.

“I should go and say goodbye, just once more.” I pout as Aleko opens the passenger door to the truck and tries to usher me inside.

“Cherry baby, you said goodbye a thousand times when you fed him, changed his diaper, and I saw you whispering when Bear came out to get him. He’ll be fine.” He slips his fingers between mine, squeezing my hand.

Glaring at him through my lashes, I slap my palm against his chest. “I know.” I sigh, and Ninja appears on his shoulder a second later. I swear he’s judging me with those cute tiny eyes of his.

“You’re supposed to be on my side, Ninja. Where’s Bandit?” As if she heard her name, I see the fabric of Aleko’s hood moving, but she stays where she is, preferring to sleep in this heat.

“Bandit is being sensible and staying out of this one. Have a good evening with the girls. Jonesy will be with you for the duration, and the security at the club will have eyes on you too.” Palming my cheeks, he kisses my forehead, then my nose, my chin, and finally, he reaches my lips.

It’s not the kind of kiss you want your mom to see, but there isn’t a world where Aleko and I could hide our need for each other.

When he pulls away, Ninja has already scurried back to the comfort of Aleko’s hood with Bandit. Meanwhile, my clit is throbbing for attention. Not that I’m ready for anything yet because it still feels like my insides are falling out of my broken vagina, but it’s something for me to look forward to. Hopefully sooner rather than later because my husband is fucking phenomenal.

“Put her down, Psycho.” Vanessa laughs and Aleko shakes his head. My cheeks heat, but I’m not embarrassed.

“Okay, ladies. Have a great night. The brothers and I have Baby Psycho all set up. We’re good.” He winks, grips the tops of my arms and spins me to face the truck, then spanks my ass and walks toward the building. Quickly.

“That’s not a thing!” I yell as he gets farther away, pulling a sucker from his pocket and holding it in the air.

“Totally is!” His shouted reply makes the others laugh and I turn to glare at them all.

Mom, at least, pretends to look sorry, holding her empty hand over her mouth as though she wasn’t just laughing. Vanessa and Sabrina? Well, they’re dabbing at their eyes, trying to stop any tears from falling.

“Okay, ladies. Who’s ready for some drinks and dancing?” I’m ignoring the Baby Psycho comment now, because the name is kinda cute, but I’ll never admit it to anyone. Maybe Aleko…on my deathbed.

Tonight was arranged for us by the brothers. To be honest, I think it was mostly Shade as he’s been pushing for Vanessa to leave the compound more often. Of course, though, we’re going to Rocks Off because they have security surrounding the place, and we have Jonesy as our designated driver.

It doesn’t take too long before we’re pulling up outside the club, the neon sign flashing above the building. One of the security guys is by the door within seconds of Jonesy turning off the engine and he opens the passenger door, followed by the back door, to let us all out.

“Good evening, ladies. Candie is waiting just inside, ready to take you to your private room.” He tilts his head ever so slightly before gesturing inside with his arm.

“Thanks, John.” Jonesy fist bumps him then stands by the entrance, waiting for us.

“Is this really where the men have sent us? To a strip club?” Mom is more curious than anything, having never been here before.

Sabrina places two fingers on top of her closed left fist with a light nod. I actually know that one, it means “of course.”

“Well, I guess even now I can still experience new things.” Mom chuckles as we walk inside, the muffled beats from the music helping me to get into the night out mood.

“Vanessa! I’m so glad they made you come out tonight, girl.” Candie opens her arms wide and wraps them around Vanessa, her dusky-blue hair looking a little purple with the reflections of the red lighting.

“Hey, Candie. Good to see you again.” I wave awkwardly because it’s been over a year since I met her, and I’m not even sure if she’ll remember me from my whole one night of working here.

“Girl, get over here.” She lets go of Vanessa and wraps me in a hug too. “Well done on taming the Psycho. How’s Baby Psycho?” She pulls away, grinning.

“Oh no, not you too. Nope. No. Not a thing.” I shake my head and mom’s arm falls across my shoulder.

“Oh, darlin’. I think it’s a thing.” Laughing, she lightly pinches my chin and winks. It’s so good to see Mom like this.

“Candie, this is Darlene, and I think you might have met Sabrina at the compound before.” Vanessa introduces everyone.

“I have.” Candie slides one palm across the other, then brings two separated fingers to her eye before pointing to Sabrina. “My ASL is a little rusty, but I’m trying to say nice to see you again.” Candie smiles and holds her hands up like she’s surrendering.

Holding out her thumb and pinky, Sabrina shakes her fist back and forth, mouthing, “You too.”

“Your other friend is already here. She’s in the private room waiting for y’all. I asked Bruno to prepare you each a Cherry Bounce. They’re my fave…” Candie begins to lead us through the club, the rest of what she’s saying drowned out by the thumping music.

The fact that the drink and Aleko’s nickname for me are super similar is funny, but I know that a Cherry Bounce is like a staple cocktail for North Carolina. Having only been able to legally drink for like, just over a year, and being pregnant for over half of that, I haven’t exactly broadened my horizons in alcohol tasting. Beer and shots don’t count.

A woman with short black hair and a sparkling gold bikini is dancing around the pole to the beat and she’s fucking amazing. The way she works that pole is impressive, and in those heels…? Well, she’s pretty phenomenal.

“There you all are!” Emily stands as we enter the large private room, her perfectly manicured hands clapping together. The sticks in Emily’s hair look like something I’ve seen in a K-drama, and they’re so pretty, but there’s no way they would hold all my hair up as neatly as hers.

“Hi, Em!” We all greet each other and grab a seat.

There’s space in here for us to dance, and to sit around the three square tables that have been pushed together to make it bigger. It’s just as luxurious as the main part of the club, but the music isn’t quite as loud, like we can actually hear ourselves think, and it’s just on a much smaller scale.

Glasses of red liquid are waiting on the table in front of the luxurious red velvet chairs, and matching red drapes cover one of the walls.

“I’ll wait at the door. There aren’t any other ways into this room, so you’re all good.” Jonesy nods and places a chair by the entrance of the room, just on the outside.

I won’t even try and persuade him to stay inside with us because the entertainment outside of the room is much more to his taste.

“Have a good night, ladies. There’s a glass jug on the table for refills, and when you’re ready for more, tell Jonesy to get Bruno on it.” Candie blows us all a kiss and leaves after Jonesy.

A few drinks later, we’re all laughing with one hand raised in the air, waiting for someone to say, “Uno!” Except Vanessa, because she is the one who laid the wild card and decided on this consequence.

It’s something we could easily be doing while sitting around the clubhouse, but the new surroundings make it more fun somehow. Yeah, we’re wild.

“Nooo! I was so close.” I add four fresh cards to my hand and Mom pretends she’s not laughing as she decides what color to play next.

“Yellow.” Mom leans in to me. “Sorry, but not sorry, darlin’.” She chuckles.

“Uno!” Emily places her second-to-last card on the deck, triumph all over her features.

“Thank God for that. My arm was beginning to ache.” Mom translates for Sabrina, making us all laugh.

“Drink up, ladies. Uno means drink.” Vanessa holds up her glass and we all swig a few mouthfuls of our drink.

I think I’m close to done with the drinking though. My nose is tingly and I want the alcohol to get out of my system quickly for Gryffin.

“Yes!” Emily lays down her final card and throws her fists in the air. “Pretty sure that’s the only thing I’ve ever won in my whole life.” She bounces with excitement, sipping at her drink.

“One more round then we should head home, I don’t care if it makes me a sap, but I’m missing my baby.” I shrug, baring my teeth in a please-agree-with-me smile and pass the cards to Vanessa as it’s her turn to shuffle and deal.

“Sure thing, darlin’.” Mom winks and nudges my shoulder with hers.

“Can we compromise with two rounds? I’m not ready to go home yet. I haven’t had this much fun for months,” Emily pleads.

“You should come to the compound for a barbeque night sometime. They’re always fun.”

Emily’s eye twitches a little before she responds to Mom. “I could, but I get the impression I’m not particularly welcome there.”

“I won’t hear it.” Vanessa stops shuffling and looks at Emily, her glare fierce. “You’re a wonderfully resilient and strong woman. You’re not responsible for the piece of shit you call a husband.” Then, as if she didn’t just get all serious on us, Vanessa resumes shuffling and takes a deep breath. “This round, if you’re on the receiving end of the wild card, you need to tell a joke. If anyone laughs, you can play your card, if not, miss a turn.” The smile is back, as though she’s shoved the hurt back down, deep inside herself.

“There you go. What she said.” I gesture to Vanessa. “Have you still not heard from him?” I can’t help but ask because he’s been missing for fucking months. Not that it’s actually any of my business. I’m curious.

Emily sighs before speaking. “No. Nothing at all. The thing is, I know he’s a bad man, but he gave me everything I have. He…he saved me and made me his. I liked that, you know?”

“No judgment here, Em. It’s a difficult and painful situation I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”

“Girls…the room…it’s…sp—” Vanessa’s head falls forward, banging against the table, swiftly followed by Sabrina, making Mom and I jump.

“What the fuck? They haven’t drank that much, have they?” I’m beginning to worry that we’ve broken them.

“Emily, what’s going on?” Mom’s tone is firm, not a hint of the panic I’m feeling in her voice.

Looking away from Vanessa and Sabrina, I see Emily’s smirk. But it’s not the nice and friendly kind that says this is a funny situation, it’s the I have a secret and I’m doing something wrong kind.

“If either of you screams or calls for help, they’re both dead. I’ve poisoned them. And they’ll only get the antidote once you two have calmly escorted me out of the building and into the car that will be waiting for us.” Calmer than I’ve ever seen her, Emily explains what the fuck is happening, and it’s fucking insane.

“Emily, what is this all about?” Mom’s voice has a slight tremble, but she’s holding it together well.

“You’ll see, won’t you? This is his plan. I made him wait until you had the baby first, Mac, of course. Not being able to have them myself, I couldn’t deprive the world of that beautiful child. Gryffin really is a lovely boy.” Emily stands and I see red.

Throwing my chair backward, I punch Emily in the face and her head swings to the side with the force.

“You keep my baby’s name out of your traitor mouth.” I could keep going, but her threat against Vanessa and Sabrina holds firm. To be fair though, she only said not to scream and to walk out calmly…she said nothing about not punching her.

“You can have that one for free, but he won’t be happy.” Emily clutches the side of her face and scowls, a little fear in her eyes, but it’s gone quicker than it appeared.

“What did you give them?” I have a little knowledge of some poisons, but it depends how fancy this bitch went.

“That’s not your concern. Now get your bags, and we’re out of here.”

“Fine.” Jonesy is just outside the door. He’ll know for sure that something is wrong when Vanessa and Sabrina don’t walk out with us and we get into a car that isn’t his truck.

With one last look at the girls, I know they’re still breathing because I can see their bodies slowly rising and falling with each breath. It’s as though they’re in a deep sleep.

Emily loops her hands through Mom’s and my elbows, leading us out of the room toward whatever the fuck this crazy ass has planned.

How can someone go from wanting to invest in my new casual racing team to fucking kidnapping and poisoning?

We get to the main exit and we haven’t been stopped. Jonesy wasn’t at his post by the private room door, and now my adrenaline is flowing.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Mom seems surprisingly calm, but I note she’s breathing in and out, very slowly, no doubt counting in her head to keep from freaking the fuck out.

I wouldn’t blame her.

Nobody stops us, but I try signaling to Candie behind the bar. I think she realizes we’re not all leaving. Hopefully. My eyes feel strained from trying to make her go check the private room.

It’s too late for me and Mom though as we slide into the back of the waiting black car. I don’t look up, pulling my cell from my bag as discreetly as I can and keeping it low.

Me: Emily crazy.back of black car East from Rockford Drive help.

I turn on my live location and shove my cell back into my bag after putting it on silent. I don’t want to draw attention to the fact that Emily is a shit kidnapper who clearly didn’t think of everything.

“You doing okay, Mom?” I grip Mom’s hand and squeeze because she is very much not doing okay. She squeezes back, still counting her breath lengths and closing her eyes.

“Fine, darlin’.”

“Will you two shut the fuck up? I’m making a call.”

Looking up, I see Emily turning to us and waving her phone, but that’s not the thing that has my stomach leaping into my throat.

What the fuck is he doing here?