Chapter Four

Storm

"Well, Storm, everything looks good," Bane muttered, writing something in my chart as I buttoned up my shirt.

"Could have told you that," I grumbled, getting to my feet.

I fucking hated getting physicals. If it wasn't mandatory for me to be part of this club, I would never bother visiting a doctor. Besides, I had more important things to do than let Bane poke and prod to his heart's content. Fucker wasn't happy unless he was making one of us scream. Too bad for him. I refused to play along this time.

"So, I can get the fuck out of here now?"

"No," the annoying fucker whispered.

"Why the hell not?"

"Need to update your blood work."

"Why?"

"Because it's been two years, and you are not getting any younger."

"Fucker, I'm barely forty-one."

"And prime meat for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and a slew of other shit. Now shut the fuck up and sit back down. I promise not to take too much."

"I fucking hate you," I snarled, rolling up my sleeve.

"Feeling's mutual."

A loud knock rattled the door before it was flung open to reveal Montana, his expression furious. "You done with him, Bane?"

"No."

"Can it wait?"

"No?"

Rolling my eyes, I groaned. "What do you need, Montana? He's only taking blood."

"Make sure you get enough for a paternity test."

"Excuse me?"

"Hiya, fucknut!" One of my sister's childhood friends, Finley James, smiled, stepping around Montana as she slid into the room.

I hated Finley. Finley, who was a close friend of my sister Robin, was like a persistent sore tooth that just wouldn't go away. The only one worse was Ares, and I was thankful that the crazy bitch wasn't here. Just thinking of that chick had my nuts seeking shelter. Still, it was rare for Finley to show up out of the blue, considering out of all my sister's friends, she was the only one who knew the truth about my association with the club.

"What the fuck are you doing here? Is everything okay with my mom? Did Robin get hurt?"

Everyone fucking knew I hated that my sister was a fucking cop. Made my position known many times. To make matters worse, because of the club, I had to keep a good portion of my life a secret from my baby sister. I hated it, but it was for her protection and mine. Still, I cared about her and worried constantly that someday I was going to get the call that she'd been shot in the line of duty.

I dreaded that day.

Finley waved her hand in the air. "Oh, they are fine. Not sure about you when Robin learns the truth, but hey, I'm always up for some Calloway family drama. Hey, August."

"Finley," the grumpy doctor muttered, while he jabbed the needle into my arm.

"Motherfucker!" I snarled. "You did that shit on purpose."

"You flinched."

"My fist is gonna flinch in your face."

"So, dickcheese, remember about two something years ago, when the AC unit went out at the bar and your mom was getting hassled until you showed up?"

"Barely." I glared. "Why?"

"I remember." Montana glowered, crossing his arms over his chest. "We beat the hell out of that fucker for jacking up the price and threatening your mom."

"Oh yeah." I grinned, nodding my head. "Now I remember. That was fun."

"Anything else you remember from that visit?" Finley glared.

"No. Why?"

"Does the name Delany Campbell ring a bell?"

Bane's head snapped up as he looked at me before turning to Finley. "My patient?"

Finley grinned. "Yep."

Bane growled, slowly turning back to face me. "You piece of shit. I should give you a colonoscopy."

Ignoring the good doctor, I asked, "Who the fuck is Delany Campbell?"

"She is the mother of the sweetest, most adorable two-year-old on the planet and your baby momma!"

"The fuck you say!" I roared, pushing Bane out of my way as I jumped to my feet. "Look, I admit I'm many things, but I am no one's baby daddy!"

When no one said anything, I added, "I never dip without a swimsuit on. Ever."

"It was either you or Montana. You guys were the only ones at the bar that day," Finley argued as Montana growled at me.

I took a step back.

Yeah, Prez wasn't in a joking mood.

"I don't sleep with innocents. I prefer my women tied up and submissive."

"EWE!" Finley frowned. "That's just gross."

Bane chuckled.

"It doesn't matter. The only reason I'm here is because a little girl is seriously sick and one of you two is possibly her father. August, tell them."

Bane sighed. "This goes against every law I'm sworn to uphold, but if it can help my patient, I'll take the hit. About a week ago, a young mother brought her very sick little girl into the emergency room. I knew right away it wasn't the flu. The little girl was small for her age. Like really small. That was a major indicator, and when I started running tests, Tess and I knew it was something more. The little girl, Harlow, has been diagnosed with Thalassemia, a rare genetic disorder that affects her red blood cells. She needs a bone marrow transplant. Her mother can't because she is a carrier. The only hope is her biological father."

"Don't hospitals have databases for shit like this?" Montana asked.

"They do, yes, and Tess has been checking, but no one is a match. Harlow has a rare enzyme in her blood that makes it difficult. Only a perfect match will save this girl."

Finley nodded as she added, "And you two assholes were the only bikers at the bar that day."

"Jesus fuck," Montana groaned, rubbing his hands down his face. "Tess is going to cut my balls off."

"Only if you are the father," Bane snickered as Montana flipped him the one-finger bird.

"Don't worry. It's not you, Montana," Finley said, glaring at me.

"How can you be sure?" Montana asked.

"Because Harlow looks just like dickcheese. Same hair and eyes. They could be twins."

"Doesn't matter." Bane smiled, grabbing two sterile needles before saying, "Blood time, boys."

Montana and I groaned.

Late in the evening, Montana and I, accompanied by a few of our brothers, emerged from the elevators onto the pediatric ward of St. John's Presbyterian Hospital. Neither of us wanted to be there, but it was about a little kid. The Soulless Sinners were about many things, but we didn't fuck around when it came to kids.

After Bane took fresh samples of our blood, he had them couriered over to his lab upstate for DNA testing. Since he already had a sample of Harlow's blood, he said it would be at least twenty-four to forty-eight hours before he got the preliminary results.

However, it was Finley who suggested that both Montana and I go visit Harlow and see how the mother reacted.

Maybe jog a memory apparently none of us had.

Despite my reluctance to interrupt a worried mother with a sick child, I was willing to participate if it meant resolving the situation more swiftly.

I still remembered a little from that day, just bits and pieces, but I remembered being there. So did Montana.

"Hey, guys," Tessa greeted softly, walking over, hugging her husband. "How are you both holding up?"

"Fucking nervous as hell," I muttered, wiping my sweaty palms against my jeans.

"So, Harlow and Delany are asleep. It wasn't a good day. But if you give me a minute, I will go wake up Delany. I don't want to overwhelm Harlow."

Tess didn't wait for Montana or me to respond as she entered the room, only to reappear moments later with a beautiful brunette woman behind her. The second the woman looked up and I stared into her dreamy caramel eyes, everything came rushing back.