Chapter 16

16

Aurora – One Week Later

I bite my bottom lip, watching Autumn follow Noah, Breaker's son, around like he hangs the moon, making me smile a little. I quickly wipe it away, not wanting to show anyone.

As far as they are concerned, I'm a pissed-off woman being held against her will, not someone whose heart has melted seeing her daughter happy.

We've been at Theo's or, well, our home for about a week, and I refuse to admit loving it; I'm still pissed at him.

As it stands, I'm not allowed to be alone. Right now, Phil, a prospect and old man to Theo's cousin, Cannon, is watching me from the bar. The brothers are in church, and this is where I've been told to stay, like a damn dog.

Theo hasn't even let me go to work, only giving me a laptop to do my online classes. How he's explained my absence from work is a mystery.

I know Brook is an old lady. He let that little bit of information slip last week when he was trying to get me to talk to him, but somehow, I doubt she knows what's been going on.

Heck, she's just had a baby, and I didn't even know she was pregnant.

Some friend I am, huh?

I haven't spoken to Theo since he dropped me on his bed and left for club business. He's tried, but I think the silent treatment may be best for his safety. I'm angry at him for lying to me and hiding the truth even after we married. I'm angry that he forced this pregnancy on us, and pissed he locked me up, which shockingly, I didn't get any flashbacks, but I guess that's because I trust Theo with everything in me, which right now is flipping stupid, considering he decided to leave out a whole identity to me.

I look down, trying to control the urge to cry, his betrayal hurting too much.

God, I wish I could speak to Emily.

I haven't spoken to her in the two weeks I've been here. I've wanted to, especially being locked up again after a year in captivity, but how do you tell your counselor, your flipping therapist, that your husband has locked you up?

I sigh, wiping away a few tears that have fallen.

"Well, this explains why you haven't answered my calls…."

I lift my head in shock, looking to my right, when Emily's sad smile comes into view. She's in her usual comfy sweater and black slacks, her dark blonde hair down instead of up in the twist she normally has it in, and her green eyes look at me with concern.

The only difference, she's wearing a cut.

"You're an old lady," I murmur, and she nods. My tears fall again.

She's the only one other than him who knows everything I've gone through, and here she is at a clubhouse.

This is her family, her home, and she must have known I would have never continued seeing her if I was aware of this.

She wipes away my tears and whispers, "My cut, my husband and children, they have nothing to do with my career, my job. Tats, the enforcer of the club, is my stepson, whom I adopted after his father and I got married. That doesn't define me, though, Rory. I know your pain with MCs, and have I ever swayed you toward them?"

I shake my head because she hasn't, only listened, and I ask, "Did you know Theo was going to do this?"

She furrows her brows and asks, "Your husband?" I nod, and she continues, "Going to do what? As far as I know, he's been nothing but amazing, Theo…." She pauses, her brows furrowing before her eyes widen in shock, I only just realize she has no idea what's happened before she confirms it, snapping, "Please tell me Theodore Taylor, my flipping godson, is not your husband!" I open my mouth but she puts her hand up and growls, "Please tell me my godson did not lie to you about being a club brother, a council one at that, and that you're not the woman he married and locked up because his wife was filing for divorce?"

I wince and admit, "If it helps, I haven't had any flashbacks, only images of wanting to knee Theo really hard."

She groans and drops her head, mumbling, "Well, that explains why Annie Rose keeps looking your way with concern."

I clear my throat and rasp, "I'm guessing that's his momma?"

She nods with a sigh. "I'm so sorry, Rory…."

I shrug. "I think if he knew my past, he wouldn't have locked me up in his house. Would he still have someone watching me so I don't leave him? Yeah, probably, but I don't know…." My words trail off.

Emily furrows her brows and commands, "Talk to me, Rory. What are you thinking?"

More tears fall, and I whisper, "I'm thinking I can't forgive him for this. I'm thinking he ensured I got pregnant just like he did, only in a different manner, and his voice is in my mind telling me to get rid of the baby. I'm thinking I can't stay with Theo anymore because he's lost my emotional trust. If I can't trust him, how can I tell him about my past?" Emily grips my hand, not judging me, knowing my past, and I admit, "I've been looking into abortions. I-I can't have another baby I may resent, may not love…."

Emily wraps her arm around my shoulder, placing her forehead against my head, whispering, "Right now, I think what's best for you is to give it a few weeks before making any major decisions. You're at the club now, so I'll see you here every day for a session and help you figure out your mentality so you don't make any rash decisions that you may regret in the long run. As for Theo, I see your love for him, sweetheart. Try and hold onto that before you throw it away out of hurt and anger."

I nod, allowing her to hold me, my eyes going around the room. All I see is leather, and my breathing stutters. One moment, I'll remember running around the club with Piston and Acid, laughing, but then suddenly, I'll see him holding me down, tearing into me while pregnant because he's caught me trying to run.

I tried five times before I couldn't deal with the punishments. If it weren't for Hannah, I never would have been able to escape.

God, I miss her, and I'm so worried for her safety.

Did she manage to escape?

Did he catch her?

My heart pounds, and I whisper, "I want to try and find Hannah…."

Emily nods. "We can look into it for you. Once you're ready to explain everything to Tech, he can find her; he can find anyone, and, in the meantime, we'll try to help you figure out how to open yourself up, because I think, once you do, it will set you free and stop you from being blinded by your past."

I nod and close my eyes, happy to have someone here to turn to.

An hour later, I'm on my own again. Emily had to pick her daughter up from the airport because church was still underway. Autumn is in the kitchen enjoying herself, and I'm trying not to buckle under Theo's mother's stare.

I don't know if she hates me or what, but right now, I don't want to find out. What I do know is that she treats my daughter like she's one of her own blood, which is all that matters to me right now.

Half an hour ago, she had Autumn in her arms for a while, holding tight. It made my eyes tear up….

"Brook, give me my grandson!" someone snaps, and I blink, coming out of my head.

I look to the other side of the room to see Carol standing by Brook and her baby, hands on her hips.

When did Brook come into the room?

"Momma Richardson, it's his feeding time, and besides, I've only just got him back from my momma," she says, trying to feed her son, placing the bottle to his rooting lips.

Theo hasn't told me much, all I know is someone tried to take her baby, and she was left for dead. She had to have emergency surgery but is doing okay, and he only told me that to get me to talk.

Newsflash, it didn't work, although the panic for my friend took over and I ended up calling Tech after going through Theo's phone for his number. He told me she was alright, before he tried to convince me to talk to his brother.

Again, didn't work.

I haven't had the chance to talk to Brook yet, especially about my job; I've already missed two weeks, no thanks to my jackass husband.

God, I really need to hit him.

"I'm just worried, sweetheart," Carol rasps, and Brook gives her a soft smile, replying, "I know, and I love you for that, but I'm just feeding him, and I'm-I'm feeling disconnected from him because I can't bathe him or change him, and I hate that I haven't been able to nurse him. I need this time…."

My heart hurts for her. I know the feeling of being disconnected from your child.

Swallowing hard, I get up and head toward them, being brave for my friend as the Carol's body deflates. She nods in defeat. "Okay, I get it, sweetheart, but if you feel like you're getting too tired, then, I mean it, shout for me."

Brook nods, and I whisper, "I'll sit with her."

Brook grins wide, seeing me, and exclaims excitedly, "Aurora!" making me chuckle a little.

The woman beside me furrows her brows and asks, "You two know each other?"

I nod and smile, confirming, "We do. This lovely woman took a chance on a part-time college student who wanted to become a veterinary nurse. She hired me as her intern a couple of months ago."

Carol's eyes soften looking at me, and she nods. "Okay. If she looks tired, please take the baby off her, and then, you know, handing him to me would be good…."

I grin at her words, knowing full well I won't call for her, because I will be getting my baby cuddles. Her eyes squint with silent laughter, before she kisses Brook's head, and then her grandson's, before going over to the bar, where Theo's momma is with another woman.

Alexander pushes the bottle from his mouth, making me smile as Brook tries to rearrange him in her arms. She winces in pain, making me tut at the stubborn woman.

Without a thought, I gently take him from her arms and sit beside her, placing Alexander over my shoulder, patting his back, burping him.

Brook looks at me with awe, and I chuckle and say, "The perks of having a three-year-old…."

She grins, then looks around the room and asks, "Where is the cutie? She still owes me four cuddles and a kiss from the last game of Snap we played."

I laugh and admit, "She's in the kitchen with Noah, April, Ollie, and Josy. Your brother and sister have taken quite the shine to her. Quinn's watching them all."

And my little princess loves the attention, that's for sure.

Brook furrows her brows. "I didn't realize you knew Quinn."

I snort. "I didn't." She looks at me confused, and it hits me. Tilting my head, I rub her son's back and ask, "You don't know, do you?"

She shakes her head. "I've kind of been in a ‘my son was nearly killed, and I nearly died' bubble."

I wince. "Crap, right, uh, well turns out my husband, who I gave my heart to, lied about who he was…." Her eyes widen in shock. "I've never trusted MC members because of my personal experiences, and well, it turns out my husband is a brother, and he failed to tell me, even after we got married, and then he let slip that he messed with my birth control pills and knocked me up."

I had found the pills in the trash, but I wasn't 100% sure until I saw his reaction. Jackass.

Brook's mouth drops open before she blabbers, "A brother, I mean, which one would, I mean…." She pauses for a moment, then blurts, "Sniper!"

I nod, and state, "But I know him as Theodore or Theo. He never wore his cut or spoke of the MC. When I saw his devil tattoo over his left pec, he said he thought it was cool at the time."

She scoffs, "I would have never thought he could do something like that."

I snort, and ask, "What about kidnapping someone and locking them up in his house, only allowing them out when a brother is watching them."

She freezes in shock, and I nod, rearranging Alexander into the crook of my elbow as he sleeps contently against me.

"How are you even sane right now?" she asks in shock.

I shrug. "I have my daughter to think of, you know. And now this baby that I'm not even sure I should have." Guilt hits me hard at my words. "God, when we met, it was so innocent you know, and my heart fluttered; he was my one, and despite my pain, my trauma, I gave him a chance, I gave him my heart, but he lied, then lied some more, and when I decided I couldn't stay with someone who broke my trust, he threw me over his shoulder and dragged me back here while one of his brothers took my willing child, following us."

Brook drops her chin and mutters, "For God's sake, Sniper."

I chuckle. "Yeah, and to make it worse, right now, Phil, who I thought was a friend after we met at Olivia's bakery, has his eyes on me."

She looks around the room and her eyes find Phil, who is holding April, his daughter, while his eyes are on me. She huffs, "Who knew a man could multitask?"

We both laugh before she looks at me with a furrowed brow. "What happened?"

I look at her with confusion. She smiles and adds, "For you to hate brothers, because, honestly, the ones I've met are absolutely amazing, and you also fell for Sniper, so…. What happened to you?"

Axe slamming me into the wall, his front to my back as he rips my top down, grabbing my nipple hard…. I blink, willing the image to leave as bile rises.

I whisper, "If I tell you, then I need to tell Theo, and I'm not ready for that; I'm mad at him, yes, I told him I want a divorce when really, I don't. But I'm not ready for him to know, and I'm not ready to forgive him…."

She nods in understanding, and whispers, "I'm here for you when you're ready, Aurora."

My heart melts at her support, and I reply, "Thank you. Now, enough about me. How are you doing, my badass boss?"

She laughs but shrugs. "I'm having nightmares. Emily, Tats' momma, will start seeing me for counseling sessions, so I hope that will help."

I instantly relaxed and confirm, "Counselling is good. You get everything off your chest without having to look at your loved ones, who look back at you with pity or concern."

She smiles. "You sound like you know."

I half smile back and admit, "More than you'd think."

She hums and continues, "Being a momma is amazing, but I feel disconnected because I can't do anything. I'm-I'm worried he won't love me enough, that we won't get that bond…."

I know that feeling. Slowly, I gently rub along Alexander's head. "You do have the bond, Brook. As soon as he's with you, he's settled…." She gives me a small smile, not believing my words, and I sigh. "Have you spoken to Tech about how you're feeling?"

She shakes her head. "In the hospital, we promised to leave the past in the past, but every time I see him spacing out when he looks at me, or looks at our son, I see guilt. He feels guilty about sleeping with someone else, even though I left him. He feels responsible for Nina and what she put me and Alexander through, and then my guilt builds because he feels guilty, and I don't understand why he does…."

My eyes soften before a voice says, "Because I love you, Brook," making us both gasp and jump, our heads turning toward the newcomer. He's standing beside Theo.

The new guy has scruffy, blonde hair, and blue eyes looks at Brook like she's his universe, and again, for the hundredth time since being at the club, I'm wondering if these men are different from the Huntsmen. But then, I remember this is how the Huntsmen were, yet one of them raped me, held me captive.

Did they know?

Did he hide his true self from everyone?

I blink and look at the man who is with Theo, they're both smiling, but I turn my body toward Brook, ignoring my husband. He sighs before stating firmly, "Firecracker, let's give them a minute, yeah?"

Did he seriously just speak down to me?

That mother….

He knows I won't kick his ass right then because I'm holding a baby, but right now…God, what I would give to punch him in his pretty face.

Growling at his tone, I stand abruptly, ensuring Alexander is safe in my arms, and say, "Brook, I'm stealing your baby for a little while, and no, your momma nor Carol are having him. You two talk!" I storm away to where I was originally sitting.

As soon as I've sat down, feeling the women's eyes from the bar on me, Theo joins me, but before he can open his mouth, Autumn runs over and jumps in his lap, making him chuckle.

My body melts at seeing her lay her head on his shoulder, and again, I want to hurt him for doing this to us, for hurting us.

He looks my way, his eyes softening as he sees me gently rocking Alexander, and he rasps, "Soon it'll be our baby you're holding while our girl is in my arms." His gaze takes in my face. "I know you're angry at me, Firecracker, and I know I deserve it, but you know I love you, you know I love our daughter. I didn't know how to tell you the truth without losing you, and I may not have gone about it the right way but I don't regret it, because you're here."

Leaning forward, he kisses my head, and I close my eyes, willing the tears away.

"You'll forgive me in time, and we'll be okay because we're meant to be," he whispers before leaning away, and gently running his fingers through our daughter's hair.

I look down at a sleeping Alexander.

It's all good for him to comment on how we're meant to be because I know we are, but he still hurt me.

Some days, I wish I'd met him before my ordeal, but then I'd feel guilty because it would mean I wouldn't have my Autumn—maybe another child, yes, but not her.

I move Alexander a little, my arm brushing against my bump, and my heart shatters. I don't know if I can keep this baby. All I can hear is his voice in my head, and to bring another child into a world full of lies and grief….

I can't do that, I just can't.

But can I destroy an innocent and hurt my husband that way?

Wouldn't that make me just like him?