Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

OMARI

"Wake up, precioso," Raf says as he kisses me softly. I sigh against his lips, then kiss him back. Small hands press against my belly and I grin. This is the first time Big Raf has gotten Little Raf up for the day. I'm shocked and happier than I can say.

It's been a couple of days since we were together and I want it to happen again as soon as possible. Hopefully tonight when he gets back from the clubhouse.

After that night, I tried to hop on his dick again, but Raf said I have to wait until I'm no longer sore. No amount of pouting had him changing his mind. Now that I'm not sore, I plan to have Raf inside me tonight.

I blink my eyes open slowly and look into the eyes of two of my favorite people. "Good morning, Big Raf." I sit up and scoop Little Raf up from where he's perched on the bed by my thighs. "Good morning, big man. Did you sleep well? Yeah? Yeah?" He giggles, wrapping his arms around my neck to give me a hug. "What are you doing here?" I ask Big Raf. "I thought you'd be gone by now. "

He sits beside me, rubbing the baby's back. "I'm not working today. And neither are you."

"Huh?" I ask with a yawn. "What do you mean?"

"I'm going to take Little Raf today. You're getting the day off."

I meet his eyes in shock. "Huh?" I ask again.

Raf smiles, his beautiful teeth flashing and his sharp eyes glowing. "Me and Little Raf are hanging out today. I'm kicking you out of the house until this evening. Do what you want to do, but you have the day off."

"Thank you," I say with a grin. "But are you sure? It's not a hardship being with Little Raf all day."

"I'm sure. I haven't …" he pauses and pats the baby's back again. "I haven't been alone with him since you started working here. I can handle it now."

Little Raf turns around to the rumbling voice of his uncle and holds his arms out. Big Raf smiles, taking the baby in his arms. He kisses the top of his head, then gives me a soft kiss. "Get out," he whispers and I chuckle.

After I get dressed, I give Little Raf a kiss on the cheek and slide Big Raf my tongue. "I'll only be a few hours."

"All day. Go. We'll be fine."

"Raf—"

"I have his food, his diapers, his change of clothes, his favorite toy. We're covered. Go enjoy your day."

Sighing, I bid them both goodbye and head out. For a little while, I drive around aimlessly, not knowing what to do with myself. I usually have the baby with me when I'm out and we're running errands and shopping. Now I'm lost.

The twins are in school so I can't go pester them. Maybe Hazel can get off early. When I get to a red light, I pick up my phone and call her.

"Hey, Mari. What are you up to? "

I whine pathetically. "I'm bored, Hazel. Raf gave me the day off and I don't know what to do with myself."

She chuckles. "Come over. I'm going in late today."

"Say less. I'll be there soon."

I hang up and point the car in the direction of her house. When I arrive, I hop out, dancing up to her door so we can spend some uninterrupted time together.

Hazel opens the door before I can knock. "Hey! How does it feel to be child free?" she asks as she wraps her arms around my neck.

"Ugh," I pout. "I hate it."

"That's how it is the first time. Remember the first day I went back to work?" I nod. "I was a mess. I couldn't wait to get back home with the twins. So, I get it."

We have a seat in her living room and Hazel makes me a cup of coffee. I accept it gratefully, taking a long sip.

"So, how are things going? How's your boyfriend?"

I blush as I sip more of the amazing coffee. "He's good. Things are going well."

I told Hazel that Big Raf claimed me in front of his brothers after what happened with Little Raf at the hospital. She, of course, told me to be careful, especially after I told her who Raf really is.

I didn't purposely keep from her that he was the president of the infamous Devil's Mayhem MC that people think terrorize this town. I mean, they might, what with how he treated me in his night club all those months ago. I've heard of a few instances, but they're not the terrorists some in the community try to make them out to be. They've all been good to me and Little Raf. They're like tame wolves. They're loyal to their own but will rip a motherfucker apart for fucking with what's theirs.

My sister gives me a knowing smile. "I like seeing you this happy. I feel like I haven't seen you smile like this in years. When do I get to meet him?"

"I'm not sure. Will you tell him you have a gun in your purse like you did Brock?"

She barks a laugh, drinking her coffee before she says, "No. I'm sure he has a gun of his own. I just want to meet the man that my little brother fell in love with."

I cough and sputter, almost choking on my coffee. "What?" I croak out, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm not stupid or blind, Mari. Your eyes say it all. You love that man."

Sighing, I nod, not even trying to deny it now. "I do. God, am I an idiot? He's not exactly on the right side of the law. I don't know the ins and outs, but I'm sure he's into something illegal. I should … find someone more my speed?"

Hazel puts her cup down. "Has ‘your speed' ever worked out?" she asks, air quoting the words. I chuckle, shaking my head. "I don't think you're an idiot for loving someone. Just be careful."

"I will." I exhale roughly, sitting back on the couch. "I'm not sure how he'll feel about my falling in love with him. It's like … he's holding himself back from me. I don't know what that means or how, but it's like he won't give himself to me fully. He's better with Little Raf, which is what matters, but I'd really like for him to want me too."

She grabs my hands, squeezing gently. "I don't have any advice. But I do know that you're worthy of wanting and worthy of loving. He'll see that too."

I smile at my sister, feeling better about everything.

Loving Rafael is not something I planned. I thought I'd get to know him until he was able to handle being with Little Raf alone. Now, I can't handle being away from either of them. I've grown to love Little Raf and I've fallen in love with his uncle.

Hazel and I hang out for another hour until she has to go to work. It's just after noon when I leave her house and I still have no idea what to do from here. I take myself to the movies, then out to eat. It's not as much fun without Little Raf, but it's nice to move around without having to juggle a diaper bag.

The next time I look at my watch, it's three in the afternoon. That's long enough to be away from home. Raf can bitch about it, but whatever. If it makes him feel better, I'll stay in his room and watch TV, but I'm bored out of my mind and want to go home.

Home. I didn't think I would consider Raf's house mine when I started working for him. Sure, all my stuff was there, but I figured I'd be living out of my bags until the year was over.

But I've grown so comfortable there, my stuff migrating from the room Rafael gave me to his room over the past few weeks. It's my home, where my favorite people are.

There's no place I'd rather be.

I smile as I drive to the grocery store, thinking about home and my Rafs. Big Raf liked the lasagna I made weeks back, so I plan to make some for him tonight. I'm sure he'll enjoy a hot meal after being with a baby all day.

I meander into the supermarket, pushing the cart down the aisles. I toss in the ingredients I need for dinner, humming along to the music playing on the speakers.

I'm lost in thought about what me and Little Raf have to do for the week when I hear my name being called. I look up, trying to find out who's calling me and come face to face with Brock. My breath seizes in my chest as I meet his eyes. I haven't seen him in weeks and haven't heard from him, not since I blocked his number .

Before I can hurry away from him, forgetting about the fucking groceries, he catches my arm and pushes my back against the spaghetti sauce.

"Let me go," I say through clenched teeth.

"Why would I do that?" he asks in an obnoxious voice. "You owe me money. It's time I collect."

"I don't owe you shit!" I shout, snatching my arm away. "I paid you the money I owe you. I've had enough of your shit."

I try to move around him but Brock pushes me back and I knock my head on the shelf. "I don't give a fuck about what you've had enough of. I said one thousand dollars in a week. It's been three and you ain't paid up. You need?—"

"Is everything okay here?" someone says behind Brock. We turn and see store security standing there. I let out a sigh of relief and inch away from Brock.

"No," I answer, gripping my cart. "He's harassing me." I point to Brock, watching his eyes flash with anger.

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave," the guard says, grabbing Brock by the arm. Brock snatches away as if he wants to try the guard, but he's not only taller than Brock, but he's more muscular. Brock backs down immediately.

He turns hard eyes on me. "This isn't over, bitch," he growls, then storms off.

The security guard watches him leave, then turns back to me. "You okay, sir?"

"Fine," I breathe out. "Thank you."

Fuck these groceries. I'll pick something up closer to home. I should have known to go shopping on the Northside where I live. The Southside is Brock's stomping grounds. My mind was so clouded with thinking of home that I didn't think to go anywhere else.

Leaving the cart where it is, I hurry to the exit, looking left and right as I speed walk across the street. Like Hazel said, someone like Brock is dangerous and unhinged. He doesn't like to be told no. He knows I don't owe him money. I think he's hoping I can't get my hands on it and will finally let him fuck me. That will never happen.

When I see the SUV come into view, I pull out the keys, looking down to find the right one. Just as I look up, a fist connects with my jaw. I immediately drop to the ground, holding my mouth. A foot lands in my gut and I wheeze as the wind is knocked out of me. I look up with blurry eyes and see Brock standing over me, his face contorted in rage.

"You fucking motherfucker! You thought you could rob me?" he snarls, picking me up by the collar of my shirt and shaking me. He punches me in the stomach and I double over, coughing as he does it again. "You owe me, bitch." He wraps his hand around my throat, choking me as he pushes me against my car. "Now, I said you owe me a grand. Now it's two. You better have it tonight. Understand?" He drops me to the ground, but knees me in the chin before he walks away. My teeth knock together and I bite my tongue before I hit the pavement. My mouth immediately fills with blood and I cough and sputter, choking on it. I spit the blood out, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. The contrast of the blood is sharp against my light brown skin.

I'm not sure how long I sit there. I parked in the back of the lot so no one would ding Raf's car, which means no one saw what happened.

Slowly, I drag myself up and climb into the car, my body in pain. It's not too bad where I can't move, but I want to lie down and rest for the next week.

The drive home is painful and I feel like I'm going to pass out, but I keep my eyes open and make it back home in one piece.

A motorcycle that's not Big Raf's is in the driveway. He must have company. Fuck, I wish no one else had to see me like this. I don't want anyone else to see how weak I am and how I wasn't able to take care of myself.

I wipe the blood from my chin as best I can, trying to straighten my clothes so it doesn't look like I just got my ass beat in the parking lot of a supermarket. Maybe Raf and his company aren't in the living room and I can slip by and hurry to the bathroom to clean myself up. There won't be any hiding the bruises, but I can try.

No such luck. When I push the door open, Raf and Zeke turn to look at me. Raf's smile drops when he takes in the state of my face and my dirty, wrinkled clothes.

With a growl, Raf walks over to me, shutting the door and crowding me, giving me the once over. Little Raf reaches for me with a giggle, unaware of what's going on.

Gently, Raf takes my chin in his hand, his eyebrows drawn down and fire in his eyes. His voice is deceptively soft when he asks, "Who did this to you?"

"No one," I whisper, not wanting him to get into any shit for me. Brock is an unhinged asshole, but he'll go away eventually. Raf doesn't need to involve himself with any of that bullshit.

"Omari, I'll ask you again and if you lie to me, I'm going to be really fucking pissed." His eyes roam my face, zeroing in on all the spots with bumps and bruises. "Who. Did this. To you?"

My bottom lip trembles. "Brock."

"Last name."

"Flynn."

Raf grunts. "Zeke."

"Prez," Zeke says, appearing behind Raf as if he materialized. Just like Raf, his eyes burn with anger as they roam over my face.

Raf hands me the baby, who I gratefully accept. "Grab your keys. Let's go. "

I open my mouth to ask him to stay with me, but Zeke beats me to it. He lays a hand on Raf's shoulder and says, "Prez, we can handle it. Stay with Omari."

Raf growls, fire dancing in his eyes as his eyes ping pong around my face. They turn stormy when I lick my lips and hiss. His jaw ticks as he runs a thumb under my eye where I'm sure I'm bruised from Brock's fist. The indecision is clear on his face and I pray he doesn't go. I don't want to be alone right now.

After a few tense moments, Raf curses and nods. "Yeah, okay. Get Jace and go find …" his lips curl in disgust, "Brock Flynn. Send him a message for me, yeah?"

"You got it," Zeke says, a sinister smile on his face. Maybe I should be more afraid of Zeke than I am. No one that doesn't like violence would have that look of glee on their faces. But for that very reason, I'm not afraid of him. I know his need for blood is on my behalf. I'm half in love with him for it.

"You tell that piece of shit," Raf says as he looks at me, "he doesn't touch what's mine."

Zeke grunts in approval. "We'll get him, Omari. Don't worry."

I nod, holding Little Raf close to me. "Thank you. Don't … kill him."

Zeke laughs. "No promises." He winks at me and hustles out the door.

"Come on," Raf says, pulling me to the main bathroom. "Let me clean you up,"

His jaw clenches as he wipes my face, fire still blazing in his eyes. When he's done wiping the blood from my mouth, he goes back to the sink to rinse the cloth. "Fuck!" he snarls, throwing the rag into the sink. I jump violently, which scares Little Raf and he starts crying.

"Ssshhh." I comfort the baby, patting his back. "It's okay. "

Raf holds on to the lip of the sink for a moment, then comes over to us, kneeling in front of me. "You don't know how badly I want to go rip his fucking arms off and beat him to death with them. I didn't protect you. I let you down."

I give him a confused look. "Baby, you didn't know you had to protect me from him. I didn't know he was still harping on me owing him money."

Raf's eyes widen. "Owing him money? I thought you paid him. That's what you needed the advance for, right?"

Sighing, I tell him what happened when I went to pay Brock the money I owed for the pills and how I blocked his number after he started sending me harassing texts for a made-up amount of money I still owe him.

His hands on both sides of my face, Raf says, "Don't keep secrets like that from me again. I can't protect you if I don't know what you're up against. I could have gotten rid of that motherfucker weeks ago."

"No," I say, hugging Little Raf closer to me. "I'm not worth you killing anyone over."

Vehemently, he asks, "Says fucking who?"

I shake my head. "All he did was knock me around a little. It's fine. I'm okay. After what Jace and Zeke will do to him, he won't bother me anymore. Brock likes to beat on people smaller than him." My mind flashes to Kit, hoping he's not being hurt. I've tried to call him a few times since I saw his bruised face, but he sends me to voicemail. I don't know how he is and that hurts. After what he said to me, I shouldn't care, but I do, especially because I know Brock is a piece of shit abuser.

Little Raf yawns widely and rests his head on my shoulder. "Let me put him down for a nap. Then I'll get you some ice and hold you until you're better," Raf says, holding out his hands.

I nod and pass him the baby. Then I inch towards the couch and sit down heavily, listening to Raf talk quietly to his nephew. The lilt of his accented words washes over me and I feel safe.

I'm not sure what he meant about letting me down though. He could never do that. He's my home, my safe space.

When he comes back to the living room, Raf sits behind me, wrapping his arms around me. "Are you hurting?"

I start to shake my head, but he told me not to lie to him anymore. "A little. My face. He hit me a few times in the stomach, but it doesn't hurt anymore. He just knocked the wind out of me." Raf growls and I pat his hand. "I'm okay. I promise. He said I owe him two thousand dollars by tonight. I?—"

Raf shushes me, then pulls out his phone. He presses a few buttons and puts the phone to his ear. "Zeke. Make it obvious to that piece of shit that Omari won't pay him any more money. You tell that hijo de puta that if he tries to collect again, I'll remove his head from his fucking shoulders." He hangs up the phone and kisses my cheek. "Handled."

Sighing, I snuggle closer to him and close my eyes, wanting to rest after all the bullshit.

I must have dropped off to sleep at some point. I wake up to Zeke stepping inside the house. "Message received," he says happily. I focus on him and see spots of blood on his shirt and the bruises on his knuckles.

Sitting up, I look him over. "Are you hurt?"

Zeke laughs. "Nah. He was a bitch. Apologizing and shit when we gave him the message. He won't bother you again after the ass whooping we gave him."

I sit up to allow Raf to move from behind me. "Thanks, brother," Raf says.

Zeke claps hands with Raf and brings him in, whispering in his ear. I go into the nursery to give them some privacy. Little Raf is squirming in his crib and I scoop him up, soothing him as I pat his back.

Raf peeks in, his eyes softening when he looks at us. He crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe, his face growing serious. "You know I'll always take care of you, right? I'll always protect you."

Smiling—even though my lip is sore—I walk over to him and kiss his cheek gently. "I know, baby."