CHAPTER SIXTEEN

-:- DESTINY -:-

This morning was Jessica’s appointment for the doctor to check her arm. All seems to be good and the compression bandage has stopped the aching pain that she’s been having. A week makes a huge difference with things like this, and I’m more than happy that I took Jessica to emergency to have it checked out.

After dropping Jessica at school, I quickly make my way home as I have a lot of work to do. One of my authors has done an interview for a book blogger on YouTube, and I want to see it when it’s uploaded this morning. If it’s as good as I’m hoping, I’ll put Jo’s name forward for an interview as soon as a spot is available. Jo’s books have a huge following, and I’m not surprised after reading the first three of the series. Red hot in places is what they are.

Making a drink of lemon and honey tea, I sit at the kitchen table and open my laptop, fire up my baby, and get ready to start the day. First job is answering all the emails, which are always prolific as my authors are more than a little chatty, and on purpose, I don’t open Messenger any morning or I’ll be distracted, and not get my quota of chores done.

When my phone vibrates I automatically check to see which author is contacting, and I hope we don’t have a problem for me to sort out. But when I see Jerica’s name, I frown.

Jerica: What the hell, Destiny? You know I need that money. I’ve got fkg bikers chasing me around now and it’s taking me all my time to stay out of their sights. Get me some money in the account. I’ll speak to Garrett when I can safely contact him.

Now, I’m a fairly mild person, it takes some to get me angry and fire off, but my red hair means when I do fire, I fire big style, and Jerica has me on the verge of letting my red-haired temper take over.

Destiny: I’m not your keeper! I’m already financially looking after YOUR daughter that YOU dumped when you ran. Garrett is in prison and you just up and ran looking after your own ass. It’s time to grow up and stop asking me to wipe your ass for you.

Jerica: I need money if I’m going to stay out of the way of everyone. So come on, pay something into the bank.

Destiny: I’m not paying you a dime. You have money in your other account that Garrett told you to use. I’ve spent MY SAVINGS on your daughter’s medical bills. I’ve nothing to give you. Get a freaking job like the rest of us. Oh, and let’s be real, you only had Stone after you not a horde of people.

Jerica: You really are a bitch. You know I have that monster after me.

I’ve had it with her. Jabbing the green phone button, I make the call. Tapping my fingers on the desk, I wait for her to answer, and when she does I let her have it. “Get off your ass and earn money for yourself. Garrett told you to use the savings, but no, not you. You thought it was good to ride off my back. Well, I’m done with it, and you. I’m looking after Jessica and I’m doing it for Garrett. You are a selfish bitch who deserves to meet me face-to-face and when we do, Jerica, you are going to be sorry. Now get off your lazy ass and look after yourself. Oh, and the asshole has moved on from you, I’m sure, because let’s be honest here, you are hardly memorable.” Cutting the damn call, I block her number and she can get on with it. I’m done.

Opening an email, I grin as I see a vacant seat is available at a book signing event for romance authors. Now, this is one I can get Jo signed up for if she’s willing. Denver is only one state over and it’s a renowned event. It could get Jo a lot of new readers.

Picking up my phone again, I make the call to Jo, which she picks up quickly. “Morning Jo. Do you have a little spare time at lunch to discuss an upcoming book signing event?”

“Morning, Destiny. Yes, do you want to come here, me to you, meet at the coffee house or what?” Jo quickly bursts out. Honestly, she has me smiling because she is so open and easygoing that it’s a pleasure to speak to, or be around her.

“Hm, I’ll come to you if that’s okay?” It’s my job to run after the authors, but it costs me in cab and Uber fares.

“Okay, come around twelve and we’ll have lunch. I’ll ask Meat to do something for us.”

“I’ll see you at twelve.” Quickly emailing that I want the vacant seat because if Jo doesn’t want it, I know Jackie, another of my authors, will.

I keep my eye on the time as I’d booked a cab, so I’m not going to be scrambling for an Uber when it’s time to leave. Knowing time is getting near, I run upstairs, freshen up and change my slippers for espadrilles, which I wear a lot, as they stop my feet from hurting when I know I’m going to be walking or standing a lot.

I’m nearly ready and hearing my phone ringing, I pick it up and answer as I see it's Jo. “Hi, Jo!”

“I’m sorry Destiny, but we’ll have to cancel. I’ve got to go somewhere, and it had totally slipped my mind, but can you book me for the signing and we’ll get together in the next few days?”

“Of course, that is perfectly fine. No worries, give me a buzz when you are ready to get together.” I reassure her it’s fine and not to fret as things like this happen, as its real life after all.

Canceling the cab, I’m happy I’m saving a few dollars, and change back into my slippers before making a start on chores I have to get done. Laundry is one of those chores, but I need to do it as it’s getting fairly piled up in the small utility the house has.

Stopping at lunch to grab myself a piece of toast, I ponder what I’m going to do for our meal tonight. Maybe splash out and have a pizza, because we’ve had nothing like that in a long time. I’m going to miss Jessica badly when Garrett gets out of prison and has her with him again. I know it’s where she belongs, but she’s deep in my heart now. I don’t know what’s going to happen to Jerica, and if I’m really honest, I don’t care.

Knocking on the door has me quickly walk over, and looking through the spyhole, I’m surprised to see Stitch. Now what the heck is he doing here?

Opening the door, I give Stitch and a heavily pregnant woman a questioning smile. I don’t get a chance to say anything, when the woman pushes past and walks into the kitchen, putting the kettle on and making herself at home. Stitch is chuckling as he throws his arm around my shoulders and tells me whilst smirking, “Just go with it, Dest. Tilly will be your best friend in no time.”

In the kitchen I’m dazed, as in no time at all we three are drinking ginger tea. Now I don’t have ginger tea in the house, so Tilly had obviously brought it with her with all the intention of staying and drinking it with me.

Placing her mug on the table, Tilly gives me a huge smile. "I'm sorry for barging in, but it's the hormones. I’m not normally this forward, but the further in this pregnancy I get, the less of a fuck I give.”

Stitch nearly spits his tea all over the table, and I grab the kitchen towel, handing it to him to dry his chin. My eyes must be round like an owl because all this seems surreal to me.

“I see,” is all I’m thinking in reply. But I don’t really see at all! I just don’t know what I’m supposed to say to her after that comment about giving fucks! Taking a sip of this disgusting ginger tea, I wait for whatever is going to be said, or happen, next.

“Okay, I’m here to inform you that you are to be at the clubhouse this evening at seven o’clock sharp. We are having a girl-gang meeting and Mia has invited you. As Rock’s woman, you’ll be expected to attend these meetings, and they are like church to the men. You don’t discuss what is said, what you hear, or anything else with anyone else but a woman of the gang.” Tilly rattles off this information, but my mind is stuck on ‘As Rock’s woman,’… “Oh, and the Three Stooges will look after Jessica while you are in the meeting, so no worry on that score.”

Stitch is smirking again, and I’m sure it’s because of the look on my face. He squeezes my forearm gently, giving me an encouraging nod. “Go with it, Dest. Like I said, it’s easier if you go with it. You’ll meet my woman, Gemmy, tonight.”

Giving a nod, but not actually saying a word before Tilly was up on her feet, which is the awkward, ‘ belly first followed by the rest of her body’ type of standing up. Tilly gives me a beaming smile. “Toodles, see you later.”

I watch Tilly waddle out of the house with Stitch right behind her and close the front door. I’m standing here for probably ten minutes before I shake myself into motion, and continue with my day.

The rest of the day passes in a blur. Jessica is excited about going to see everyone at the clubhouse, and to my shock she said she’s going to play with Gamma Amelia, Gamma Bitty and Gamma Sybil… I’m not sure what’s going on since I met these people from the MC but its mind bending.

Walking into the clubhouse after paying another cab fare, I smile at everyone as they give me a nod, chin lift or smile. But when I’m waved over to Mia, I give Jessica a kiss on the forehead as she excitedly squeals she’s going with Gamma Bitty.

Stepping past everyone I’m taken by surprise when I’m turned and pulled into a hard chest. Looking up, Rock is giving me one heck of a hot look, and I swallow hard because freaking heck, I’m not sure what’s going on most of the time. Yet, I feel safe with everyone here, and more so with Rock.

“I’ll see you when you’ve had your meeting, and I’ll be taking you home, so don’t go worrying about a fuckin’ cab,” Rock states firmly, kissing me lightly, much to everyone’s amusement and my embarrassment.

"Come on, Dest, we've gotta get this meeting started," Mia calls and I quickly make my way to her and follow everyone into a large room.

Taking a seat next to Tilly, who is stroking her belly, I watch as I can see her belly moving where the baby is active. “Do you know what you are having?” I ask.

Tilly smiles softly before replying. “No, Hammer, that’s my man, and I want it to be a surprise. So, no gender reveals. We’ll wait for the nugget to appear and then we’ll know.”

“I think I would go down that road because the surprise would be great. I understand wanting to know so you can decorate and get the things according to what you are having. Like pink or purple for a little girl.” I sigh at the thought of having my own children. I just adore them, and if I’d had the option, I’d have loved to have been a teacher.

“Okay, you all have to know that we could have a problem coming to town. It seems we have a gang that is snatching mostly women off the street and forcing them into prostitution. From what Axel has told me, it’s not trafficking, as in selling these people abroad to individuals. It’s sending them all over and, yes, even abroad, but to be held in brothels as prostitutes. We all know how to use weapons, and from now on, you carry. No option on that. You carry and you protect yourself if you need to.” Mia is straight into the subject at hand, shocking all of us in the process.

“Maggie Benson!” I mumble more to myself because I wonder if that’s what happened to her?

“What about Maggie Benson?” Tilly asks me.

Turning my head to look at her, I explain what happened at the grocery store. What I overheard. But at that time, I did not know we had a problem in town. “Is this part of the Stone gang thing?” I ask, looking at Mia.

“I don’t think Axel knows that they are already in town. I’ll inform him after our meeting. I’ll want you all to check in with me every second day. That way, I’ll know what’s happening with you all. You see or hear anything you let me know, pronto. Oh, Raven, make sure Cora knows, and tell every one of your crew, Heather. We don’t want a single person we know getting snatched,” Mia clearly states.

“So, what’s happening with you and Rock?” A woman introduced as Winter asks me, and I admit I blink a few times before replying.

“I’m not sure. He keeps saying I’m his, and everyone keeps saying, ‘Rock’s woman’, but I don’t know what’s going on. We’ve only been out once on a picnic, and we took Jessica with us.” Snickering has us all looking at the woman named Star.

“Did you like the picnic one basket?” Star asks, smiling.

“Jessica loved it, she squealed with delight. It was a brilliant afternoon, and the picnic was lovely. Thank you.”

“Well, it’s time you got in his pants and tied him down. No messing around and dillydallying. You are here in the girl-gang meeting, so it’s time you took one for the team, get with the program, and got properly enrolled, or whatever you want to call it,” Kya says. As everyone had introduced themselves as I came into the room, it’s a miracle I’m keeping up.

“I’ll take one for the team,” Jo grins.

But what has me giggling is the way every woman turns to Jo and states, “We know.”

Now Jo is blushing, but giggles too. “I don’t care. My man’s good at what he does, you know…”

“Be quiet, Jo. We hear you regularly and we don’t want to visualize what you get up to behind all those doors you get behind.” Mia rolls her eyes and then laughs, along with everyone else.

I’m sitting here thinking, ‘take one for the team’, ‘get with the program’, but I’m still not sure what the heck is going on!