Chapter Seven

"Tell me how you met my son."

For a moment, Leia's mind went blank. She and Brim hadn't really gotten into discussing their backstory, so she decided to stay as close to the truth as possible.

"I worked in a bar," she said. "A drunk was harassing me, and Brim stepped and told him to scram."

"I bet he used more colorful language," Martha said with a smirk.

Leia smiled. "Yes, he did."

Martha clasped her hands together and got a dreamy expression on her face. "So, it was love at first sight."

Leia's smile faltered. "Um … let's just say Brim is very persuasive."

"That he is!" Martha laughed. "His father was the same way, rest his soul. When he died, I thought my love life was done, but then I met Striker. He showed me life doesn't end at my age."

She winked at Leia.

Piper's little girl waddled up to her and Leia bent down to smile at the little girl.

"Hello," she said. "What's your name?"

The little girl put a finger in her mouth and smiled around the digit.

"That's Bexley and her brother is Knox," Piper said as she grabbed a juice box from the fridge. She handed it over to her daughter. "Kix insisted we use the letter x somewhere in their names since his has one in it."

She rolled her eyes. Bexley waddled over with her juice box to the television and pointed. Martha grabbed the remote and turned on a cartoon channel.

"You said you're having another boy?" Leia asked.

"Yep," she said, touching her belly. "Penises are going to outnumber us. Haven't picked a name, but I'm sure my husband will find something weird."

"Brim isn't too old to have more children," Martha said as she came back into the kitchen.

"Oh, well, we haven't discussed any of that yet," Leia replied, uncomfortable. That was straying into unscripted territory. "I'm not sure Brim would want that."

Martha sighed. "Men never know what they want until a good woman convinces them they need it. You're the miracle I was praying for, Leia. You go back with him to his club and you clean house. I'm sure it's turned into a pigsty."

"I can assure you, Martha, that Brim is determined to do just that."

Martha grinned and clapped her hands together. "Let's get dinner started. There're a lot of hungry bellies to fill."

The rest of the afternoon was spent preparing food. Lots and lots of food. Piper told stories of how she used to keep her brother's MC in order. How at age eighteen she'd had to witness the death of her family. How she'd hidden under the protection of her brother until she'd met Kix. So far, everything Leia thought she knew about motorcycle clubs had been completely wrong.

****

Brim stepped into the freezing modular behind Kix. Cables, monitors, and keyboards were everywhere. He had to watch where he stepped. Mac, Kix's hacker, didn't even bother looking at them as he yelled for them to quickly close the door. He was a tall, skinny man, wearing fingerless gloves and scarf around his neck.

"Got a project for you, Mac," Kix said. "Need you to find any scuttlebutt on the Death Riders."

Mac looked pointedly at Brim. "Isn't that his job?"

"This goes no farther than this trailer," Brim warned.

Mac sat up straight. "What type of shit am I looking for?"

"Assassination shit," Brim replied grimly. Mac's eyes widened. "I need to know what the hell is going on with my club and who might be a traitor."

Mac glanced at Kix, who nodded, before twirling around in his chair and typing furiously on his keyboard.

"Does your club use any type of web-based surveillance equipment?" Mac asked.

"No—"

"Got it."

"What?" Brim asked just as the monitor next to him went black before flickering to show the courtyard of his club. "What the hell is this?"

"It's your club."

"Yes, I know that, but we've never had cameras before."

"Seems like someone went above your head."

Brim studied the live feed. He didn't know if he liked having his V.P. approve things without him. "Can you get audio?"

Mac shook his head. "It's not that type of system."

"Then this is a dead-end."

"Want me to keep it running?"

Brim shook his head. "Nah. What I'm looking for, this doesn't help. Thanks, man, for trying."

"If you have a phone, I can hack into the data. Even burner phones have text messages I can retrieve."

"Good to know. I'll be in touch if I need anything else."

Mac saluted him as he exited the cold interior.

****

As twilight fell, more wives showed up. After being introduced to Leia, they bustled around, helping to prepare the food. Leia listened to all the gossip as the women chatted amongst themselves, and even though she had nothing to contribute, she simply enjoyed being part of their community. Piper effortlessly dealt with it all as she gave advice, words of encouragement, and even settled a few grievances.

"I know it seems overwhelming," Piper said when some of the women began transporting the food outside.

"I can't imagine having to deal with all this while pregnant," Leia replied, shaking her head bemusedly.

"You get used to it." Piper shrugged and patted her tummy. "I know this community has my back and will lay down their lives for one another."

It seemed too good to be true. As much as Leia wanted to get lost in the fantasy, she kept reminding herself that this wasn't her life.

"Just remember, there is a definite delineation of class structure within a club. Even though you may be new, as the President's old lady you'll have senior rank above them all. Don't let the other wives boss you around."

"Oh, okay." Leia had no intention of telling Piper her real roll in Brim's life, but she was curious. "Tell me, what's this life like?"

"It's really the only life I know," Piper replied. "Television has turned us into lawless thugs. I mean, there are some dangerous clubs out there, and yes, there's illegal activity as well. But we are first and foremost a family. I have no doubt that every single person here would lay down their life for me or my family. And I'd do the same for them."

Leia couldn't fathom that. It sounded too perfect to be true. "I've never had that."

Piper patted her on the hand. "You do now. And don't put up with Brim's high-handedness."

This was her moment. All she had to do was say something and she'd be free of Brim. She glanced out of the kitchen window and saw him walking toward the garage, deep in conversation with Kix, and something shifted inside her. He'd brought her to his turf, taken her away from her shell existence. Their acquaintance might have started out rocky, but she rather thought she'd come to understand Brimstone Jandreux a little bit.

"He can be irritating," Leia murmured. "Frustrating. Exasperating. But he's also fascinating."

"Not sure that last one is the adjective I'd use."

"I've kept to myself for a long time," Leia said, continuing. "Brim came along and forced me to step outside my comfort zone. I thought surviving was living, but now I realize just how different those two things are. And he gave me that."

"I'm glad you're here, Leia, and I want you to know that if you ever need anything, just let me know. You're always welcome."

They were words Leia didn't realize she needed to hear. The next hour was about setting everything up outside, including getting the hamburger patties and hot dogs onto the grill. One of the men took over cooking while some of the women set up tables. A bonfire ignited and music blared from some hidden sound system. As twilight gave way to evening, more men and women joined, and a party flared to life. All around Leia people laughed, joked, and told stories. Some couples broke off to dance. The scent of marijuana permeated the air. Alcohol was passed around like water. Leia found herself smiling more than she'd had in the past year.

After filling her plate, Leia grabbed a beer and found a place to sit out of the way. She watched everyone from the sidelines, a place she was comfortable with. Martha came over and pulled a chair up beside her. An unlit cigarette dangled from the corner of her mouth and in her lap rested several picture albums.

"I've brought the baby photos!"

Leia smiled and placed her half-finished plate of food on the ground. "I'm ready."

Martha opened the first book and began giving a pictorial history of Brim's childhood. She had a story for each picture.

"Here it is," Martha said, talking around cigarette. "The obligatory naked baby in the bathtub. Wasn't he just adorable?"

"And still is," Leia murmured, although she would never call him such to his face. A different baby picture caught her eye, one that didn't seem as old as the others. "Is this Nate?"

Martha reached up and grabbed the cigarette, tossing it to the ground. She was silent for a moment as she traced over the baby's features. "Yes. He looked just like his father."

Leia studied the baby, noticing how he did, indeed, look a lot like his father. She turned each page and followed Nate growing up. His school photos. Shots of him on various motorcycles. Sitting on Brim's shoulders. Laughing. Posing. The album ended with Nate's official military picture, where he stood in uniform in front of the flag.

"He was a handsome boy, wasn't he?" Martha gave a sad smile. "Brim is still in the denial phase of his grief."

"May I ask what happened?"

"Nate's convoy was hit. They told us he died instantly. It was a relief, knowing he didn't suffer." She gave a deep sigh. "I was so proud of him. We all were, including his father. His mother not so much, but by then she and Brim had divorced. I cut her out of the pics as much as I could, but she's lingering in the background of some. Good riddance to the skank."

"She lost her son, too," Leia murmured as she closed the book and handed it back to Martha.

"You're too kind." Martha stood and gathered the albums. "But that's what my son needs. Someone good. I can tell by your eyes that you're kind and compassionate. I'm glad he found you, Leia."

She leaned over and kissed Leia on the top of the head before ambling away, the photo albums clutched against her chest.

Leia glanced over at Brim talking to Kix and some other bikers. As if sensing her gaze, he looked over at her. She didn't know him all that well, but each moment she spent with him, she discovered a deeper layer she hadn't anticipated. The longer she was in his company, the more she actually liked him. She wasn't sure what was happening, and she only hoped when her services were no longer needed, she could walk away without looking back.

A moment later, Brim sat in Martha's abandoned chair.

"I hope my mother hasn't been too stressful," he said, nudging her knee with his own.

"Nah, she's been enlightening."

"Uh oh. What does that mean?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" she asked with a smirk.

"Don't tell me she told you about what happened on my sixteenth birthday."

"No, she hadn't, but now that you have, tell me everything." Leia rested her chin in her palm as she stared at him, waiting.

Brim slinked down to mimic her pose, but his big frame only looked ridiculous. "Not on your life."

"That embarrassing?"

"That's for me to know and for you to never find out."

She narrowed her eyes. "That makes me want to know all the more."

He smirked. "Good luck."

They stared at one another, a challenge on each of their faces. Slowly, Leia stood up and while still holding his gaze called out.

"Oh, Marth—"

Quicker than she could finish, Brim jumped up, grabbed her hand, and tugged her away from the bonfire.

"Nope," he said. "Come on."

She laughed as he led her away from the revelry,

"Shouldn't we stay?" Leia asked, pointing back toward the gathering.

"I want to show you something." He led her further away, toward the line of trees. As they got farther from the fire, darkness gathered around them.

Leia blinked a few times to readjust her sight. Soon, they were all alone. "Should I be nervous?"

"Nah, you're going to love this."

Finally, they came to a clearing in the trees, and he pointed up. Leia tilted her head and saw a vast ocean of stars set against the inky black of space.

"Oh, wow," she breathed, captivated. "It's beautiful."

"I thought you'd love it."

"I don't think I've ever seen so many stars before."

He took a few steps away from her and slowly spun around as he stared upward. "Nate once said the stars were fireflies. As amazing as our sun, yet only visible to us as twinkling lights."

Brim came to a halt, still staring upward. Leia walked over to him and joined him, following his gaze. "They're a constant presence that connects us. That no matter how far apart we are from one another, we can both look up and see the same stars."

As the moment stretched contentedly between them, Brim took hold of her hand. She didn't pull away. Somehow the connection felt right as he shared a brief glimpse of his grief.

"I brought him here, too," he murmured. "When he was little, of course. As soon as he turned a teenager, he was suddenly too cool to stare at the stars."

"What was he like?" she asked softly.

"Smart. Driven. Handsome like his dad." He flashed her a quick grin. "He had dreams of traveling the world."

The smile faded and he cleared his throat. He tried to pull away, but she wouldn't let him. She gave her strength through their clasped hands. The moment stretched endlessly, as if they were the only two people in the universe.

"It's okay to miss him," she murmured. "And it's okay to be mad at him. At yourself. At God. At everyone."

"I told him to go," Brim whispered.

"It's not your fault."

"I feel like it is."

"And you might feel like that for your whole life. It's natural. But we're all temporal. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so we must make the most of the time we have. If Nate was anything like you, I'm sure he followed his own drum, and nothing you said could've swayed him. You might have suggested the military, but he was the one who chose to go."

He nodded, head bowed. She squeezed his hand.

"Thank you for showing me the stars," she said, continuing. "They're breathtaking."

He gulped a deep breath and turned, facing her. The moon offered some light, although she couldn't read his expression. He raised his free hand and ran his knuckles over her cheek. "You're breathtaking."

Electricity danced along the caress. Her heartrate sped up as butterflies flittered through her belly. She licked her suddenly dry lips because she knew what was coming. Slowly, he lowered his head, giving her ample time to pull away, but Leia didn't want to. Instead, she leaned closer. He wrapped his arms around her and slanted his mouth against hers. Fire and need consumed her, burning her up. She moaned and he tightened his arms around her, backing her up until she hit a tree.

"I thought you were beautiful the first time I saw you," he breathed into her ear. His fingers trailed down her body, the touch a little ticklish across her ribs. "I want you, Leia."

"It's too soon," she panted.

"Is it?" He nuzzled the spot behind her ear.

"Y-yes."

"You don't sound too sure."

"We can't have sex after knowing each other only a few days."

He nipped her lobe. His warm breath tickled her hair. "Why not?"

"S-stop it, I can't think when you do that."

"That's the idea." He rained little kisses over her jaw to land on her mouth. She opened for him, deepening the kiss. Their tongues met. Entwined. She moaned in pleasure, wanting more. "Can I touch you, Leia?"

"Aren't you touching me now?" she asked, a bit breathless.

"More. With you, I want more."

"Don't seduce me."

He grinned against her mouth. "All right. No seduction. At least let me return the pleasure you gave me."

She cocked her head. "How did I do that?"

"By being you."

She didn't know if he was being truthful or simply telling her things she wanted to hear. "Yes."

At her acquiescence, his ran his fingers down her body, reaching the apex of her thighs. He pressed his finger against her, and she parted her legs. He rubbed her denim covered pussy, kissing her breathless. She moaned and rubbed against him.

"Can I touch you some more?"

This time she couldn't talk, only nod. Slowly, he unbuttoned her jeans and reached inside. Sliding down farther, under the elastic of her panties to brush over her clit. She undulated against him, wanting more. He sank a finger into her. Time stopped just a little as she froze with how good it felt. Pinned against the tree, she wrapped her arms around his neck, giving herself over to the pleasure he had promised. His thumb teased her clit driving her even higher into the stratosphere. He thrust his fingers deeper, increasing tempo. He blew against her ear, and she cried out as she gave into the bliss. She hadn't been touched in a long time, but even with her one boyfriend she'd never felt the intensity that Brim created. He caressed her until she trembled then removed his hand to hug her close.

She buried her face in his chest, not sure how to feel about what just happened.

"Don't be embarrassed," he murmured.

"I've never done anything like this."

"What, enjoy yourself?" He eased her back to look down at her. "You did enjoy yourself, right?"

Leia was glad the cover of darkness hid her warm cheeks. "Yes," she said.

He kissed the tip of her nose. "Good."

"But … but you…"

"Shh," he said. "Plenty of time for me later. For the record, I understand why you said it's too soon, and you're right. I have been angry. At myself. At the world. Why my son? Why couldn't it have been some other person's son? Or me? I'd take his place in a heartbeat if I could."

"I know," she whispered, hugging him tightly.

They stayed like that for a long time under the pale glow of the moon. Brim had just gone and confronted three stages of the grieving process in the matter of minutes, and Leia knew he needed time to come to terms with it all. Finally, he pulled back and wiped his eyes before smiling down at her.

"Come on, let's go enjoy some music, beer, and company."

Brim let go of her, but reached down to take hold of her hand.

"By the way," she said. "You're sleeping in Martha's house."

"What?"

"And I'm in the grandstand."

He sighed. "Of course."

They walked back through the woods toward the bonfire. Leia kept steeling glances at him, knowing that in the blink of an eye, everything had changed between them.