Chapter Sixteen

Genesis

LAST NIGHT WAS so overwhelming. I met so many people and have no chance of remembering any of their names. Everyone seems very nice and they were very interested in learning all about me. I opened up a little bit, but it was so hard and I'm sure I made a horrible impression on Devil and Raptor's family members. I did manage to last an hour with everyone before Caleb saw how nervous I was and came to the rescue. He told everyone it was time for me to take more medicine so he was gonna take Matie and me to the house to chill with us for a while before he returned for dinner. I couldn't even help the ol' ladies make dinner for everyone because of the damn sling. I felt useless and out of my depth in every way imaginable.

Caleb didn't stay with me for very long. I assured him that Matie was napping and he'd be that way for a few hours. When he started to wake up, I promised him I'd call someone to come up and help me. After walking him to the door, I made sure it was locked and the alarm was set as Raptor just showed me how to do that a few days ago. With nothing else to do, I went through the house and grabbed the meager belongings for Matie and myself, packing them in the two duffle bags they were brought from the apartment in. I'm not sure who they belong to, but I'll make sure to leave some money behind for them with everything else the guys and others have bought for us since being here to recover.

Other than important papers we'd need to move on, I made sure to pack all of Matie's clothing, most of his toys, all the food that's been bought for him, formula, diapers, wipes, and his bath stuff. I grabbed the unopened bottles to ensure they didn't leak in the bags and that someone could still bathe him tonight before putting him to bed after he's had his dinner. Unless someone is actually looking for the things I've packed, they won't notice anything missing. When I pack my things, I make sure to leave everything behind that belong to Raptor and Devil. Yes, they are both Raptor and Devil to me once again.

Seeing the two of them completely open and happy surrounded by their loved ones, made something heal deep inside me while shattering something else at the same time. I've started to fall in love with both of the stubborn men who are so completely in love with one another. Yes, I know they're looking to share a woman between the two of them. That woman isn't me though. I come with too much baggage and my only concern is Matie. I have to do what's best for him and only him. There is no time in my life for love or a relationship. Not now and maybe not ever. Things might be different if I weren't worried about Ricky finding us again, but I am. The club doesn't truly understand who this fucker is or what he's capable of. Not just from King digging up information on him.

Ricky is essentially a low level thug who thinks he's bigger than what the reality is. He's a manipulator, abuser, and serial cheater among so many other things. No one into anything major will deal with him because he feels as if his way is right and that he doesn't ever have to listen to anyone else above him. The idiots he gets to work for him are dumb as hell and can't pull off even simple tasks he gives them. Yes, I told the guys he pimped out Melinda and I meant that. It wasn't to strangers or anything like that. He forced her to fuck his so-called friends and associates for money or favors. Melinda never saw a penny of the money and the favors never went to her. She was just who they fucked so Ricky could get what he wants. Honestly, Melinda doesn't even know if Ricky is Matie's dad. His name isn't even on the birth certificate.

After packing our things, I pull out my phone and enlist the help of someone from the club. I might not be close with a ton of people there, but the dancers have all been pretty decent to me. Mandy is someone I've had multiple conversations with and she's a sweet girl. I make arrangements with her to pick me up first thing in the morning. Raptor and Devil won't be at work because their family is in town. I'll just tell them I'm going to the clubhouse to hang out with Morgan and Kat if I have to get past them. Mandy is happy to help me out because she doesn't know that I'm sneaking away from the club and guys I want to be with more than anything else.

Before Matie wakes up, I head to the kitchen and grab what I need to make a sandwich and the bag of chips Raptor was eating last night when Devil was sleeping. With everything out that I need, I quickly make something to eat on a paper plate and add the chips. Thankfully this is a meal I can make one handed and it doesn't bother me any to do this for myself. While I might not be able to fully use both hands at this point, I'm going to do what I have to in order to leave the house and give Raptor and Devil the time and space they need. They're building their relationship back up again and I'm happy as hell for them.

Someone showed up earlier, but I didn't let them in the house. I'm not sure who it was, but I know it wasn't Devil and Raptor. They would've come in the house without knocking on the door. If it were any of their family members, they also would've just walked right in. Caleb knows the code to get in the house and has used it daily since he showed up. Thankfully, no one else has come to the door so I haven't had to hide or pretend I'm sleeping while Matie is. By the time he's waking up, I have his diaper and wipes ready to change him and a bottle made for him. When we get away from the compound, I'll worry about feeding him dinner later so he can go to bed and sleep longer than usual.

Heading into the room Raptor's been sleeping in, I find Matie awake and talking to himself in that baby babble he does on a daily basis. With careful movements, I remove my arm from the sling and test out moving my arm a little bit. When I don't have a ton of pain shooting down my arm, I feel as if I'm prepared to change his diaper and get him loaded up in the car seat that goes in the stroller here in the closet. It's not the best option, but the only one I have to gather two duffle bags, the baby, and get him away from the compound.

Leaning over the side of the pack ‘n play, I remove Matie's pants and change his diaper the best I can, trying not to use my arm that was dislocated as much as possible. Matie barely moves around as I change him. Instead, he gives me huge smiles and babbles as if he's telling me a story. I love these moments with him because every now and then I manage to make out him saying ‘mama' or ‘dada'. When I'm done changing him, I get Matie's pants back on and use my good arm to lift his body from the makeshift bed he's been in the last few weeks. For the first time in forever, I'm able to hold this sweet baby and my heart beats with pure happiness as he snuggles into my chest. After getting him loaded up in the car seat, I grab the pacifier from the pack ‘n play, his bottle, and the duffle bags.

Once I have everything in the living room ready to go, I grab the car seat from the closet and take it outside after turning the alarm off and opening the front door. Setting up the stroller takes no time at all as I look around to make sure no one's around. Even this far away from the clubhouse, I can hear the music blaring from inside and know everyone is partying right now. I'm happy for them. In my mind, it's just another reason I don't belong with the club. I'm at the house alone and everyone is having a good time and living their best lives. Yes, I know someone tried to come up and hang out or take me back, but if they truly wanted me around, I'd be down there with everyone.

Shaking my head to clear the negative thoughts, I make my way back inside to grab the duffle bags next. Taking them down next to the stroller, I head back inside to grab the car seat with Matie strapped in it. He might be getting bigger, but I'm still able to carry him with my good arm while only using my other one for support so I'm not doing any further damage to the healing area. I make sure the car seat is settled into the stroller and latched completely before stashing one of the duffle bags under the bottom of the car seat and setting the other one over the handle. The strap is long enough to drape over the handle of the stroller and it doesn't hang low enough to brush against the ground or wheels as I move it forward.

Ready to head out, I make my way down the driveway and the paved road the club added in to get from the front of the compound to the back. Matie drinks his bottle as I walk and looks all around at the sky above him. Pausing my movements, I carefully put my arm back in the sling and adjust it so it's in a more comfortable position before moving forward once again. When I reach the clubhouse, I slow my steps and cautiously look around the area for anyone lingering around outside. When I don't see anyone, I quicken my pace once again until I'm at the front corner. Again, I don't see anyone and know I only have to contend with whatever Prospect is working the front gate. Hopefully they don't give me any fuss and let me out without calling Devil or Raptor to make sure I'm supposed to be leaving. I'll lie if I have to because there's no way in hell I'm staying here.

"Genesis," a male voice says, startling me as I squeak out in fear before turning around and almost landing on my ass with the loose gravel under my feet. "Easy there."

King reaches out and places his hand on my good arm so I don't fall. He doesn't remove his hand until he's sure I'm steady on my feet.

"Hi, King. Um, what are you doing out here?" I ask him, looking around to see if anyone else has joined him.

"I've been workin' on somethin' for you. Raptor asked me to do this and with everythin' else goin' on, it kind of got pushed to the side. This mornin' I finalized the adoption of Matie to you. Here's all the paperwork you'll need. No one will ever be able to take him from you," King informs me as tears fill my eyes and I take the papers he's holding between the two of us.

"Why would he do this?" I ask, opening the folder and looking through everything.

"After all the shit he said to you when you caught him and Devil at Enchantment, he wanted to make sure no one could ever use Matie against you again. I'm pretty sure it was the very next mornin' when he came to me and asked me to get this taken care of for you. Ricky can't touch him and neither can Melinda's parents. Melinda isn't an issue because she signed her rights away before she left him with you. Matie is all yours and everythin' is legitimate. A judge we know signed the papers this mornin' and faxed them back to me," King says, a smile on his face as he looks down at me. "So, where ya goin'?"

"I'm gonna go spend a day or two with one of the dancers from the club. With everyone here, it's chaotic and I feel in the way. I'll see you soon," I tell him, making my way closer to the gate as King watches me walk away. "Thank you for this, King. I'll make sure to thank Raptor when I see him again."

"I'm sure you will," he answers cryptically as I continue to walk away.

Mandy is sitting in her car just past the gate. I wave to her and know King is still watching me. The feeling of his eyes on me fills me with dread because I'm refusing to look at him to find out what he's doing. If he's got his phone out, I know he'll be contacting either Raptor or Devil to tell them I'm leaving with one of the girls. I don't really want to get Mandy in trouble, but I can't remain here either.

Getting up to the gate house, I find Deegan inside, leaning against the door frame and smirking at me.

"What's up, Genesis? Were you plannin' on goin' somewhere?" he asks me, looking over my head in King's direction.

I don't have to turn around to realize they're having some kind of secret, silent communication between the two of them. It's frustrating as hell because I know this isn't going to work in my favor. Honestly, I'm not sure why I even thought it would, considering everyone is here and not out back or something. It just sucks because King came outside when he did.

"I'm gonna head over to Mandy's house for a few days. Can you open the gate for me, please?" I ask Deegan, smiling at him as innocently as I can while not looking him in the eyes.

"I can't do that, Genesis. You're not cleared to take care of the baby on your own yet. I'm surprised you even got this far without any help. Did you use the arm that's still healing?" Deegan questions me, narrowing his eyes and bending down so he's looking me in the eyes.

"I didn't hurt myself. I was really careful and hardly used that arm at all," I state, my voice going hard because I'm not some helpless damsel in distress or whatever.

"Dammit, Genesis. You're not supposed to use that arm at all yet. Just because you didn't feel any pain or anythin' doesn't mean you haven't done more damage to it. Do you want to be out of work for the full four months? That's where you're headin' if you don't stop this shit," Deegan says, his voice still low and gentle as he admonishes me.

"There's a lot going on here, Deegan. I just need to get away for a while."

"No, you're runnin' away. You were inside when the guys shared their secret and now you feel in the way of them. You're not. Everyone here knows they've been goin' slow with you and givin' you time to get to know both of them. You're the only one who can't see they're head over fuckin' heels in love with you. I know you, Genesis. You're makin' up some bullshit in your head about your situation, Ricky, and givin' them space to fix what went wrong between them," Deegan states as if he's read my mind. "You have nowhere to go, Genesis. If you leave the compound, you're not only gonna put Mandy in danger by leavin' with her, but you won't be able to protect Matie. I know you love that baby with every piece of your heart and soul. Talk to the guys and stay here until that bastard has been dealt with."

"I've got her, Deegan. Why don't you let the girl know Genesis won't be needin' a ride after all. I'll make sure she gets inside to Raptor and Devil. Thanks for havin' her back," King says, taking the stroller from my hand and turning it around so he can head back to the clubhouse.

I have no choice but to follow him since he's just taken Matie from me. Dropping my head, I barely look back to see Deegan motion Mandy to back up before he slips out of a door in the gate I never noticed. They talk for a minute before he waves her off and enters the compound once again. Before he can smirk at me or anything else, I turn back around and keep following King to the main door of the clubhouse and let him hold it open for me as I take the stroller back from him. Tears fill my eyes as I realize I'm stuck here. Now that I've tried to escape once, the guys aren't gonna let me out of their sight for any reason. If anything, more guys will have to come up and surround the house. That's my opinion based on what I've heard from Hope and Morgan. Fuck! I really messed this shit up today.