Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Kendell

THIS LAST WEEK has flown by. Between all of the counseling sessions my sister and nephew have attended at the clubhouse and me trying to forget about the call from Martin, each day seems to pass in a blur. My mind has been trying to process the pregnancy as well. Every day it seems to get easier to think about the baby I'm carrying as Hawk and I work on the relationship we're trying to build. I don't know if what we're doing is right, but Hawk shows me every single day that he meant it when he said he's all in and he's been there for us in ways I never dreamed anyone else would be. For so long I've tried to take care of my sister and nephew all on my own. Now, Hawk has stepped up and he helps me without having to ask.

More often than not, I find Hawk playing with baby G when he's home. They'll sit in the living room and build with the blocks we got him or race cars around the floor. They make a mess with the toys and Hawk doesn't complain one bit. When they're done, he helps Gideon pick up the mess they've made and shows him how to take care of his things and put them away when he's done. Everything he does with my nephew shows what a good dad he's going to make to our little one. This is what has me getting a little more excited and happier about the pregnancy every day we get through.

"Sis, where have you gone?" Kelsey asks me as we finish clearing up the dishes from breakfast so I can start the dishwasher.

"I'm here, Kels. Sorry. I guess my mind is all over the place lately," I tell her honestly.

"It happens. So, what's going on with you and Hawk? I know you're sleeping in his bed and you're always whispering to one another about something. For the first time you seem really happy, Kendell. Is Hawk the one making you this happy?" Kelsey asks me, leaning closer to me so Hawk and Gideon don't overhear our conversation.

"He is. There's so much I want to tell you but it's not important right now. What's important is that you and Gideon are healing and figuring out what to do in order to move on with your life," I tell her, looking at my baby sister for the first time in a long time.

Everything about Kelsey seems so different to when we came here. Not only is her skin free of the marks she used to be covered in, but her entire personality has shifted. There's a weightlessness about her that I haven't seen in a very long time. She's not carrying the weight of the entire world on her shoulders and the shadows in her eyes are slowly receding. Kelsey's eating whatever she wants again and has put on weight. She still has a long way to go, but you can definitely see that she's starting to get healthy again. Her clothes don't hang off of her body as badly. The best part about her healing journey so far is seeing her smile again. Not the fake one she pasted on her face in front of Martin when she felt she was supposed to. I'm talking about her genuine smile that lights up her eyes and usually leads to laughter. A laugh I didn't think I'd ever hear again, but have been hearing every single day. Kelsey is going to be just fine and I'm so proud of her.

"I might be in the middle of getting my life together, Kendell, but it doesn't mean that I don't want to hear about what's going on with you. You've always been the one to take care of me. When we were living with the asshole sperm donor, you worked multiple jobs just to make sure we had a roof over our heads and food in our stomachs. You're the one that made sure my homework was done and that I went to school each day. From the very second you met Martin, you told me there was something off with him. I chose not to listen to you because I thought I was in love with him. It wasn't ever love, I can see that now. Then, when Gideon was born, you took on the role of doing whatever you could to protect the both of us. Even when you knew it would piss Martin off, you showed up and were there every single day. Now, it's time for you to live your life and be as happy as you can be. If that means being with a badass biker like Hawk, then I'm all for it," she tells me as tears fill my eyes because I never once knew she appreciated everything I've done for her.

Don't get me wrong, Kelsey and I are always talking and sharing things with one another. This is just something she's held back from telling me for some reason. Or maybe she thought her actions showed how much she appreciates everything I've done over the years. All I know is that her words mean everything to me. Pulling her into my arms, I hug my baby sister and she doesn't flinch away from me. It's been a long time since she hasn't flinched when I've given her a hug. It only makes me cry harder because every little thing I see shows me how much she's truly improving, that she's putting in the work it's gonna take to heal from the damage that fucker has done to her.

"You're so fucking strong, baby sister. I'm so proud of you and the woman that you're becoming each and every day. You will always have my support and I want you to know how much I love you," I tell her before releasing her from my hold.

"I love you too, Kendell. You're my rock and the only person I've ever looked up to because of everything you chose to give up for me. Things you shouldn't have had to give up because we definitely lost the pool when it comes to parents and the paths we chose to take in life. You're my hero and I want you to be so happy in every aspect of your life. Hopefully Hawk can give that to you," she says as I watch him enter the kitchen behind her.

"I plan on makin' your sister happy every day of her life movin' forward, Kelsey. That's somethin' you don't ever have to worry about. I'll also be there every day for you and Gideon. You're Kendell's family which means you're my family now too. You've all got the backin' of the Fallen Brethren MC and we'll all support you no matter what's goin' on," Hawk says, stepping around my sister and pulling me back against his hard body while wrapping his arms around my stomach.

"Good. Every man here has shown me that there are still good men out in the world. I'm not anywhere near ready to be with anyone, but I have hope for the future when I am ready to take that step and it's all because of your club, Hawk. I can't thank all of you enough for everythin' you've done to help us out of the horrible situation I got us in," my sister tells him making my heart soar with the knowledge that she does realize there are truly good men in this world and not everyone is a monster like her husband.

"You didn't get yourself in any situation, Kelsey," Hawk tells her, his voice going a little hard. "Martin put you in a situation because he lied to you, manipulated the situation to get what he wanted, and then beat you down until you didn't see a way out. Even with your sister's help, you couldn't see that it was possible to get away from him. That's on him and only him. When you were ready to leave him, you took the opportunity and have been puttin' in the hard work to get back to who you're meant to be ever since. That takes guts, shows how strong you truly are, and proves to me that you wanted to get out for a long time but he scared you so bad you didn't want to risk those you love gettin' hurt. Don't take the blame for what he did."

"I keep trying to tell myself that, but it's hard some days. I'll get past feeling like that though. It's what I'm working to achieve," Kelsey says as Gideon runs into the kitchen and wraps his arms around Kelsey's legs. "Hey buddy. Did you have fun playing with Hawk after breakfast?"

"Yeah, Mama," he says, a smile lighting up his face.

"Good. Why don't we go in so you can take a bath and clean the syrup out of your hair?" my sister asks, her fingers sticking in Gideon's hair.

We watch on as my nephew unwraps his arms from his mom's legs and races toward the bathroom. I can hear his excited babbling as Kelsey follows him, laughing at whatever he's doing. Hawk doesn't let go of me as we remain standing in the kitchen with his body wrapped around mine. He rests his chin on my shoulder and I close my eyes as I soak up his warmth and strength.

"Reagan called. Zoey's at the clubhouse with the twins and wants you to go over to see them," Hawk says as I turn in his arms. "I've got some things to grab and I want to check on a few programs I've left runnin'. I'll have Jay come up to the house to keep an eye on your sister and Gideon. The rest of the guys are gettin' ready for a run they have to leave on. I'm goin' with them so I won't be here for the next two days. Remember?"

"I remember. Yeah, I'd like to go see the twins and Zoey. Let me tell Kelsey and we can head out," I tell him, walking to the bathroom and letting Kelsey know what's going on.

Hawk and I leave the house as Jay gets there. He nods his head at us and stands guard as Hawk helps me get in his truck. Once I'm settled in the passenger seat, he closes my door for me and walks around to the driver's side. Getting in, he doesn't waste time starting the engine and leaving his house. Hawk knows I don't want to be away from my sister for very long. Not when there's only one guy here looking after them. The club has had at least four or five guys on her since Martin called me. Today that's not the case, so I'm a little nervous.

We haven't heard from Martin since the day he called me. I keep looking over my shoulder and thinking about what his next move will be. If he's tried to get onto the compound, I haven't noticed it at all. Instead, he seems to be hiding in the shadows and biding his time until he can catch us with our guard down. Well, he can go fuck himself because I won't ever let my guard down when it comes to my sister and nephew. They're my family and he won't get his hands on them again if I have anything to say about it.

I spent about an hour at the clubhouse with Zoey and the twins. They're so fucking adorable. They named them Blake and Cameron. I got to hold them and I could only stare down at them with awe. The boys truly are identical and I have no clue how they're going to tell them apart as they get older. At least until the boys start deciding how they want to dress and figure out what their style is. Though, I can definitely see them pulling that whole twin switch thing when they get older. I don't envy Zoey and Savage at all. They're gonna have their hands full.

It was good to sit with the girls again and talk without thinking about Martin and his next move. They made me forget all about him for the hour I was there. However, I don't want to leave Kelsey and Gideon at the house for too long on their own. So, after promising that I'd talk to Kelsey about coming to the clubhouse for dinner tonight, I leave. Hawk is still working and I don't want to bother him, so I just walk out the back door and head for the house.

I'm about halfway back to the house when a sudden feeling of fear and dread fill me. I start to run toward the house instead of walking as I normally do. My eyes are peeled for any sign of Martin as the house comes into view. I don't see him, and I'm not seeing Jay either. Everything is telling me to call out for Jay, but I know better than to do that. If Martin is still here, then I'll alert him to Jay's presence and that's the last thing I want to do. I'm not sure how Martin would even get onto the compound, but I'm sure he can find a way to get it done if he's dead set on getting my sister and nephew back.

Before getting too close to the house, I start to walk once again. I don't want anyone to hear me and I'm definitely not a runner as I pant from the exertion. Trying to suck in the much-needed air, I slow my steps even more. Instead of going through the front door of the house, I make my way carefully around the side and straight for the back door. Hesitating at the corner of the house, I duck my head around the corner to make sure no one's there. I don't see anyone, but the back door is wide open. It takes every ounce of strength I have to push down the fear and panic filling me. Jay is nowhere around and the door of the house is open. Hawk did set the alarm when we left, but it's not going off. If he had been alerted, Hawk and whoever's at the clubhouse would be here already.

I slowly inch my way over to the door and look in. The sight that greets me causes me to let out a loud, ragged sob. There's definitely been a struggle in the house. The dining room table has been turned over, all the chairs are tossed all over, at least two of the chairs have been busted into nothing more than splinters. Everything that was on the counter is now on the floor. There's glass that's been shattered from somewhere littering the floor.

"Kelsey!" I call out, my voice echoing in the silent house. "Kelsey, where are you?"

Nothing. There's no sound or movement from in here.

"Baby G! Are you here, buddy. It's Aunt Kendell," I call out, knowing my sister would tell her son to hide in her attempt to protect him the only way she can.

I start moving through the house, taking in all of the destruction. There isn't a single room of the house that I'm walking through without some sort of evidence of a fight going on. I pull out the phone Hawk just gave me back so I can call him while moving through the house in my attempt to find my sister and Gideon. I continue calling out for them when a thought hits me. I rush toward Hawk's bedroom. He's got a huge closet and there's a small section that's just big enough for Gideon to hide in. I saw it one day last week and mentioned it to Kelsey when the weight of Martin's call had been weighing on me.

"What's goin' on, Sparky?" Hawk answers his phone as I enter the closet and head straight for the little spot I'm hoping Gideon's in.

"Get to the house, Hawk. Please. I need you at the house. Something happened and I don't know if Kelsey and Gideon are still here. There was a struggle and the back door was left wide open. Please, get here," I tell him, getting down on my hands and knees and moving a few things out of the way to see if my nephew is in here. "Oh, thank God! Gideon, it's alright baby. I'm here. Come out to me, buddy."

"Mama," he cries, his voice breaking with the fear filling his little body.

Gideon slowly crawls out to me and I wrap him in my arms. He wraps his arms and legs around me the best he can as I stand up. I don't let go of my nephew as I hold him tight to my body and try to calm him down the best I can.

"Kendell, I'm on my way. You've got Gideon?" Hawk questions me, movement and commotion coming from his end of the line.

"I've got him. He hid in your closet in that spot I told you would be perfect for him if anything were to happen. Kelsey must have shown it to him after I showed her," I tell him, trying to calm myself down so I don't make Gideon panic even more than he already is.

"Good, baby. We're on our way. I want you to go out the front door and head straight for the gazebo. Stay in there with Gideon until I come get you. We're not gonna hang up. Keep your eyes open and if you see anythin', tell me immediately. I'm almost there, Sparky," Hawk tells me, fear filling his own voice as I hear him running.

Leaving the house with Gideon still in my arms, I shield his face from the mess in the house. He doesn't need to see this shit. The second we're outside, I head for the gazebo and take a seat on the bench that I usually sit on when I come out here. Gideon doesn't attempt to get off my lap or unwrap his arms from around my neck. I rub my hand up and down his back while waiting for any news from Hawk. I can hear muffled conversations going on from his end of the call and the sound of multiple guys walking over broken glass and cursing with every room they enter.

Not only is my sister missing, but Jay is too. I'm worried about him as much as my sister because he was innocent in this entire situation. If Martin hurt him, I'll be the first one in line to kick his fucking ass. It's bad enough that he"s beaten my sister and hurt her so much over the years. Now he's bringing other people into this simply because they want to help keep Kelsey safe. I'm so sick of Martin's shit and the way he feels he can walk all over everyone else around him. I hope Hawk and the guys rip him apart and leave nothing to be found. After I get in my hits though.

"Sparky, I'm here," Hawk says, finally hanging up the phone and sliding it back in his pocket. "There's no sign of your sister in there. I'm so sorry."

"What about Jay? Did you find him?" I ask, trying to keep the tears in check because I have Gideon and he doesn't need to see me breaking down right now.

"We found him. He's been knocked out so the guys are takin' him to see Doc right now. Doc has a room here in the clubhouse and is on his way. Come on, Cash and I will walk you to the clubhouse. Neither of you are goin' back in the house until we can get it cleaned up and have a chance to look around more for clues," he says, helping me stand from the bench with Gideon in my arms.

Hawk wraps an arm around me and leads us from the gazebo. Cash steps up on the other side of me and we head for the clubhouse. Both men are constantly looking around our surroundings as we make the walk there. About halfway to the clubhouse, a few more guys show up and surround us so no one can get to us. No one speaks at all as we finally reach the back of the clubhouse and Hawk leads me inside and straight to his room. He closes us away from the rest of the club and takes Gideon from me so I can finally break down. While he has my nephew, I go in the bathroom and close the door behind me. Now, I can break and let myself shatter because I let Kelsey and Gideon down. I wasn't there when they needed me the most and now my sister is the one paying for that.