Chapter Thirteen

Whiskey glanced around the bar one last time. It had been eight weeks since Bailey's birth. Once all the upgrades had been made to the bar, Vivi had pushed for them to move back home. Although she'd loved being around the women of Bluff Creek and having Ezra able to play with the kids, she wanted to be at home.

He felt like his heart would outgrow his chest when she'd called the bar home. He hoped today's meeting would shed some light on how he was going to continue to keep his family safe. Having Ezra watched twenty-four/seven wasn't conducive to Ezra making friends. Three weeks ago, after Vivi's ex-father-in-law and his son had been arrested for human trafficking and tax evasion, they had disappeared after being released on bail.

Scoop and Sarah had researched and found out why the two were after Vivi and Ezra. Vivi's ex-husband was actually the registered owner of the companies. His brother and dad held no ownership. His will named Ezra as his sole heir. The only way for them to control the companies was to either have control of Ezra or make him disappear.

Whiskey wasn't letting anything happen to his son, and Ezra was his son, just like Bailey was his daughter. His family was going to stay safe, and his children were going to grow up in a loving household. Whiskey was looking forward to taking Ezra to school on his motorcycle or walking him there. Thank goodness Vivi had arrived at the first of summer, and they hadn't needed to worry about it yet.

Today's meeting between his family, the Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC and the Saint's Outlaws MC was so they could get a plan together going forward. Whiskey smiled at fate putting Vivi in his path.

They'd found out that Vivi's rescuer Justice was the VP of the Saint's Outlaws MC based out of Kansas City. He and Remington had worked together before. His MC had helped numerous women escape abusive situations over the years. He'd been sending Vivi to get help at Remington's secret charity, Kathryn's Wings.

Now, Justice along with his Pres. Pit and other members of their MC were coming to help. Their MC was listed as a 1% MC, but Remington had assured Whiskey that although they may function outside the law, she trusted them.

Lost in thought, Whiskey missed when Vivi walked up behind him until her arms slid around his middle.

"How's my man doing?"

He tugged on her arm until she slipped under his arm, and he could see the face he loved. Holding her in his arms helped, but he needed more.

Claiming the lips he'd found he couldn't live without, Whiskey ignored what he should be doing and loved on his woman. Having her squirming against him, letting him know she wanted him as much as he wanted her, had him forgetting where they were.

"Oh yuck. Not again. Is nowhere safe to be?"

He reluctantly pulled his lips from Vivi's, smiling at their son's antics. He fucking adored how much Ezra had changed and felt comfortable voicing his thoughts.

"Ezra, I've told you when a man loves a woman, he wants to show her every day how special she is. I can't help it."

Ezra walked over, pushing his lower lip out and rolling his eyes. "Okay. Could you be a little less gross and maybe not make those groaning sounds when you do it, though?"

Whiskey reached out, pulling Ezra into them and kissing his forehead. "Yeah, son. We'll try to keep the groaning noises to a minimum. Where's your sister?"

Ezra shook his head. "Where do you think? They're fighting over her again. First, it was who got to hold her. Then she pooped her pants and then they were fighting over who had to change her. Hennessy lost and tied a bandana over his nose to do it. He still puked in the trash can by her changing table, though."

Ezra's glee at Hennessy's puking had Whiskey smiling. He had everything he'd always wanted. Now to figure out how to keep them all safe.

"Our guests will be here soon. Will you check the tables to make sure all the items are refilled?"

"Sure, Mom," Ezra kissed his mom's cheek and ran off to check the tables. Ezra was fascinated with learning everything. He was like a sponge, soaking up all the information. Whiskey was positive he had an eidetic memory with how he could repeat what he'd learned. When Whiskey had shown him how to shoot a gun at Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC's range, Ezra had immediately been able to reassemble the gun when they cleaned it. Even Whiskey and his brothers had needed a couple of times when they first learned.

Whiskey heard the rumble of motorcycles and headed to the door to unlock it. Vivi kissed his cheek.

"I'm going to go get Bailey."

Whiskey watched his woman's backside before walking out to greet their guests.

Whiskey clocked the Pres and the VP. He owed a huge thanks to Justice. He put his hand out to the Pres. "Welcome!"

Pit grasped his hand. "We're glad to be here."

Whiskey turned to Justice and tried to keep his emotions in check but couldn't.

"Thank you is not enough for what you did for my family. You gave her a chance and I'll be forever grateful for you putting her in my path. You'll always drink and eat free here because nothing I do will ever repay you."

Justice shook his hand. "I'm just glad she found a good man and a place that deserves her. Now, let's go inside and figure out how to rid the world of her problem."

Whiskey got them inside and set them up with beers and some of Crewe's food. The Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC and the Bluff Creek Beauties entered and now he was calling the women that too. He man-hugged War and handed him a beer.

"We're going to need to up our orders for Bluff Creek Brews. We sell out as soon as we get a shipment. Your brother is a master at brewing a good beer."

War chuckled, "He is. Dad has taken to hiding a case in their house because the brothers drink it so fast at the clubhouse."

"Justice!"

Vivi's exuberant yell had him turning.

Vivi carried Bailey and walked with Ezra into the bar. She couldn't wait to thank Justice. He'd changed her life, and she wanted to introduce him to her daughter. She looked around the room and saw him standing with a group of men in leather vests like his. How did you thank someone who changed your whole life? Who saw you in distress and gave you a hand up?

"Justice!"

When he turned at her yell, she walked toward the first man to offer her a helping hand. His choice had made it possible for her to fall in love with a man who loved her and her children with his whole heart.

Whiskey joined her when she stood in front of Justice. "I'd like to introduce you to Bailey and you know Ezra. We can't thank you enough."

Justice's huge hand reached toward Bailey, then paused, looking for Vivi's approval. Vivi smiled at him and then handed her daughter to him. She'd gotten used to big, strong tattooed men who adored children and Justice fell into that category.

"She's gorgeous. Ezra, I love the name change. It suits you."

"Thank you. It's a brand of whiskey, so my name fits with my dad's."

Justice laughed and rocked the baby. Vivi slipped her arm around Whiskey's waist and met Justice's President and other club members. They might call themselves outlaws and have the one percent patch on their vest, but she would always view them as heroes.

As their friends from Bluff Creek trickled in, Ezra ran over to Phoebe. "Good morning, gorgeous."

Vivi glanced at Whiskey. "Did he just use Hennessy's line on her?"

Bear stepped up to them. "Am I going to need to keep an eye on your son? And who let Justice hold her first?"

"Fuck off, Bear. Pit's already called dibs next."

"Swear jar," Phoebe and Ezra yelled, turning and holding their hands out to Justice.

"What's a swear jar?" Justice questioned.

"Well, you can't say stuff like that around my baby sister. What if her first word isn't Mama or Dada but a swear?"

Justice nodded his head, fighting a smile. Vivi loved the fact he was listening to both kids as if what they were saying was the most important thing.

"So, I'm guessing I owe money for the swear?"

"Yes. You probably won't be around to need the subscription." Vivi smiled at how close Ezra and Phoebe had become. The fact he had friends was such a gift.

"How about since everyone is our guest here to help, why don't I give fifty dollars to cover any swears said here today? And you both, along with your siblings and cousins, will not comment on any swears. Deal?"

Vivi appreciated Whiskey offering a solution.

"Deal."

"Now, why don't you both round up all the other kids and head upstairs. A couple of adults will be up there in charge."

Vivi waited until the kids headed upstairs before breathing a sigh of relief. She didn't want Ezra to hear how horrible his grandfather and uncle were.

Pit walked up, holding out his hands. Justice backed away, shaking his head. "You're next but I'm not done yet."

Pit ignored him and lifted Bailey out of his arms. "I've already met everyone from Bluff Creek in person. Go do your duty and meet them."

Pit grinned, then chuckled, "Sometimes, it's good being President. She's a beauty. I hope you guys have a good amount of guns. If not, we're always happy to help provide. You'll be fighting the boys off."

Whiskey nodded at Pit. "Good to know. It's always good to have friends who can help with the harder to find items. We'd thought we'd give everyone a half hour to eat and chat before starting if that works for you."

Pit nodded. "I can eat one-handed and hold this beauty. I know one of the other guys will be stealing her as soon as possible."

Vivi followed Whiskey over and sat down. Whiskey filled a plate with all her favorites and placed it in front of her before filling his. She listened as people chatted and soaked up the atmosphere. Even though they were here to solve her problem, she felt peace. It had taken her a while to identify the feeling that came over her when she was around Whiskey and what was now her family. Growing up, she'd never known she could feel this way. She was actually able to make plans. Whiskey had encouraged her to think about what she wanted to do. He was supportive of her devoting her time to the kids but also was supportive of her finding out if she wanted to do something else. Having a little one limited her time, but she had been researching different options. So far, she was thrilled with being a mom and helping in the bar sometimes. The women of Bluff Creek had come to visit a couple times.

Pit stood to explain what they'd found out, and Bear had the baby in his arms before Beth could take her. She'd gotten to know them all so well that she felt almost as close to them as she did to her Nelson family.

Ezra and Phoebe were best friends. Maybe a little too close after they'd decided to use Beth's surveillance equipment and listen in on a meeting. Oh the uproar it had caused when everyone figured out that Beth had loaned Phoebe the equipment to train for surveillance. She'd learned whether she was at Bluff Creek or here at home, life was never dull.

She only hoped the meeting didn't last too long. Once she and Whiskey had finally been able to consummate their marriage, she couldn't get enough of her man. With two kids, they had to take every chance they had for alone time.

"I'm glad the kids are out of the room. You know that your father-in-law and brother-in-law were arrested for tax evasion and human trafficking. We think they paid off someone to be given bail because they were both a flight risk. A friend who has been looking into this for us found some disturbing postings on the dark web. There's no easy way to say this. Your father-in-law posted you and Bailey for sale. The countdown clock shows he'd needs you both by the end of next week when the auction ends."

Pit paused because the outburst from the group was so loud. It was a horrible thing to hear about, but all these people jumping to her defense had her knowing that her ex-family would not win.

Whiskey's arms slipped around her, grounding her and reminding her that she wasn't alone. A hand on her shoulder had her looking up. Her father-in-law, Peck, nodded at her. She'd gotten to know Peck very well because he and his brothers spent a lot of time with the kids. Peck was a man of few words, but his eyes and face could convey a multitude of things. Peck would not allow anything to happen to her children.

Pit allowed the room to quiet. "We, at the Saint's, have been brainstorming, but we figured this group would have a lot more ideas. And let's face it, we're stronger together."

Whiskey dropped a kiss on the top of her head and stood up. "Back in a sec."

His dad and Hennessy seamlessly took his place, each placing a hand on her arm. Whiskey stood by Pit.

"I appreciate all of you having Vivi's back, but Vivi has just gotten to start making decisions for herself. Although I'd like to make sure they never breathe the air my wife does, it's not how fierce women live. Vivi, what do you want to do?"

Vivi fought tears because, even when her man wanted to take control, he asked for her opinion. She didn't care if she never saw her father-in-law and his son ever again. She didn't need a triumphant moment. She had a husband who adored her and showed her that every day. He was the dad she'd always wanted for Ezra. He came with a huge family who gave her all those wonderful moments she'd watched other families have on TV.

Peck's hand patted her wrist. "If you don't want to talk, tell me what you want to say," Peck whispered. She grasped Peck's hand as she stood. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"You're the dad I always dreamed I'd have. I love you wanting to protect me, but with all of you, I can be strong."

His smile and the tears in his eyes had her turning and heading to Whiskey. When she'd taken a chance and drove away from Kansas City, she hadn't known she was running toward love. She took his hand and stood beside him. The room quieted again. The Bluff Creek Beauties were giving her thumbs up and gestures of encouragement. She knew what she wanted.

"I want to thank you all for coming today. Justice and his club gave me a gift when they offered me a way out. When Whiskey, his family, and friends showed my son and me that there were good people who helped others, I had hope for the first time. Despite the threat of Bailey and me being on a horrible website, I know you all can beat them. I want my children to grow up without threats hanging over them. I want my life here in the bar with Whiskey to continue. I plan on helping all his brothers and cousins find the love we have."

She giggled at the yells from Hennessy and the other men of the family. Even at this scary time, they helped her.

"You let me know and we'll help you. It's time these boys found their partners," Peck's brothers Burt and Bill yelled.

"Oh, I included you all in that too. Didn't you know sixty is the new forty?"

Vivi waited for the laughter to calm down. "Whatever you all need to plan and do to make sure they can never hurt anyone else again is fine with me. I don't care."

A loud clatter from the kitchen had her turning. Ezra came running out of the kitchen.

"Mom, Dad," he yelled as he slid to a stop in front of them.

"What's going on, son?" Whiskey questioned, pulling Ezra closer.

"I saw Grandfather and Uncle in the parking lot getting out of a car."

At his words, men and women started getting up and moving toward the door.

"How'd you get down here?"

"Phoebe caused a distraction, and I came down the dumbwaiter."

"Hennessy, can you take him upstairs?" Whiskey asked.

"No, Hennessy can protect him, but I want him to see how cowards crumple when family stands together."

Whiskey nodded at Vivi, and Hennessy pulled Ezra behind him toward the back of the room. Justice was by the front door as the men who terrorized her and her son walked in. Her former father-in-law spotted her and motioned to his son, who strode toward her. He reached toward her to grab her, but Remi was there, smacking his hand away.

"Uh, uh, uh. No touching."

He glared at her but turned to Vivi. "Your vacation is over. You and Ambrose and your daughter will be coming with us."

Months ago, his words would have struck fear into her, but not today.

"You mean because you have to have us back to sell us?"

He pulled back, obviously surprised she knew. His eyes slid around the room, and for the first time ever, she saw fear on his face. He paused then turned around and looked toward his father. They had obviously realized they didn't have the upper hand, but her former father-in-law still thought he was the biggest threat in the room. She was going to enjoy watching him learn he wasn't even close.

"Onessa, you will take your place now. If you want your children to live, you'll get your sloppy, ugly butt out to the car along with the children. Do so and we'll leave your friends in peace." The father-in-law she'd feared walked toward her as he gave the ultimatum. He shook his finger in her face to make his point.

Vivi stood waiting because Whiskey was vibrating beside her.

"Ezra, remember when we talked about hitting?" Whiskey asked.

"Yes, we're supposed to try talking first."

"Right. This is one of those times where talking won't work and we defend our family."

Whiskey pulled back his fist and let it fly. Vivi was glad Ezra was back a little. She didn't think her grin at the sound of bones crunching and blood gushing was very mother-like, but it was very satisfying. Before Whiskey could hit him again, her former father-in-law dropped to the ground.

"Son, I taught you to hit, but I was kind of looking forward to all of us getting a chance to play with the food a little."

She chuckled and then couldn't hold it in. These men who were her family had taken what could have been a scary situation and turned it into a family story that would be told for years. A smaller body pushed between her and Whiskey. Before either of them could grab him, Ezra was stomping his foot on his grandfather's hand.

"Nobody hurts my mom," Ezra growled.

Whiskey pulled Ezra back against him. "You're a good son defending your mom. I'm so glad you warned us but next time, how about you tell an adult? You and Phoebe are so smart and so strong that I know you could have figured out a better way without putting yourself in danger."

"Hey, there's still one left trying to leave, but it looks like Justice is blocking him in, Peck." Beth's voice rang out as she pointed toward the door. Ezra's uncle had taken the chance while Whiskey was hitting her ex-father-in-law to try to escape. He was such a coward when he couldn't hurt someone.

Justice pushed against Paul's chest, shoving him back toward Whiskey. Whiskey slid his arm around her. "You sure you don't want to get a hit or kick in?"

"Nah, I'm not hurting my hand when it's so much more satisfying to see all of you doing it. Plus, how demoralizing that an eight-year-old beat him up too."

Vivi stared at the man who had terrorized her while she was married to his brother and then had chosen to try to force her to marry him. He didn't look quite so dangerous now with her family, the Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC and the Saint's Outlaws MC standing around.

Justice forced him to his knees in front of her and Whiskey. Peck didn't give Whiskey time to do anything before he cold-cocked her former brother-in-law, knocking him out.

"This old guy has still got it." Whiskey and Vivi joined in the laughter. She never in her wildest dreams believed she'd be laughing ever in the presence of these men. Pit walked closer.

"Peck, I'm a little salty you didn't let any of us get any action. What do you all think about when we're ready to head back, we'll escort these two along with whomever from the bail bonds will be collecting the bounty on them? Maybe they'll share a little more information with us."

Remi stepped closer, along with Beth. "That sounds perfect. We'll be happy to split the bounty with you. Anybody else want to come along later? We can do a little shopping in Kansas City once we drop off the trash?"

Whiskey's lips brushed against her forehead. "It looks like everything is handled. Shall we enjoy the rest of the party? My cousins will secure these two for transport before joining us."

Vivi turned and pulled Whiskey's face closer. "Yes, then maybe we could get one of your many brothers to watch the kids for just a little while. You've lit a fire and I'm craving my husband."

Whiskey's lips claimed hers, and Vivi let herself enjoy every moment. She had everything she'd always wanted and never dreamed she'd have.