Shane

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

I watch as my ex-wife walks confidently around my mother's house like the queen of fuckin' England.

"Shane, do you know where your mother keeps her coffee mugs? She wants another cup and I can't find any clean ones."

"You should check your house." I mutter but she turns around clearly hearing me.

Getting that call from the hospital letting me know that my mom had been immitted into the emergency room was surreal. I had been at home with Adrianna after picking her up from preschool. Miles had been watching her, but I took over when I left club Sin after doing the books for the missing days. Once Lisa arrived, I took off, hating that I never called Lyla to let her know what was going on.

Mom had a mini stroke. Doctor told her it wasn't an actual stoke, but close enough that she may have one in the near future if she doesn't start changing her ways. Mom never takes care of her body and knowing that she may be in a state where no one would be around her when it happens, I came right after she was administered and spent the night with her, cramped in a small waiting room chair. Once she was released with strict instructions to take it easy, I came to her house and set up some cameras and alarms. To say seeing my bitch of an ex-wife exit her car at the same as us once we pulled into my mother's driveway was a shock, would be an understatement.

"I'm trying to help here Shane." Ronnie says turning back around to look once again for this goddamn mug.

"Why are you here anyways?"

Turns out Ronnie was on the emergency contact list to call for my mother on her insurance. I never knew my mother had her listed and when I confronted her she simply shrugged and told me she never got around to changing it.

Doubted that.

"I'm here because she's my mother-in-law and I got the same call you did. I love her Shane, just as I love you and I'm trying to help. Meanwhile you are chewing me out for simply being here. It's not making me feel good."

"That's because you don't fuckin' love me Ronnie. You don't know the goddamn meaning. I don't know what the hell you want, but don't come back here and act like nothing happened between us. She ain't your mother-in-law and we ain't married."

I can hear my mother calling my name, so I walk away from the fake tears my ex-wife is pulling up and head to her room. Once inside, I take my mother's small frail body in. She is laying on her bed with the television on. Her eyes are closed, and she has a small glass of water on the nightstand next to her bed.

"You shouldn't be so rotten to her Shane." She says with her eyes remaining closed.

"She shouldn't fuckin' be here. Want to tell me why she is?" I ask pointing to the closed bedroom door at Ronnie's general direction as she continues to make loud noises in the kitchen.

Damn coffee mug. How hard is it to fuckin' find one?

"She said she wanted to help, and with me barely speaking to my own son, I loved the idea of someone coming out here to visit me." I lean against the door hating that she's right. She may not be mom of year, but she's all I got left. Torrance Matthews had enough when it came to children when I was born and never wanted to have more.

"Sorry mom. I set everything up so that if you need me or any of the brothers, we are here in less than twenty minutes. Also set up an alarm that will call the ambulance just in case somethin' else happens. Now, can you please tell me why my ex-wife is here, and has been blowin' up my cell for the last few weeks?"

Mom huffs out a deep breath, coughing a few times. I walk over and help her sit up then sit on the bed next to her.

"I never stopped speaking with her Shane. I know she did you wrong sweetheart, but I always hoped you two would find your way back to each other. When I met Lyla and that adorable little Adrianna, I knew Ronnie was the last thing on your mind. I just never wanted to hurt her by getting rid of her. She's not a bad person honey, just made some mistakes. She has no one, you know that."

"Yeah I remember." I stand up and walk over to the window basking in the small amount of heat I can feel from the sun outside. "Also remember that never being a problem for her when she ran out on me and didn't speak to me for years. If you don't want to tell me why the hell she is suddenly in my life than forget it." I kiss her on her cheek, then head out to the kitchen where I find Ronnie and about ten different mugs with the coffee pot brewing. "Need to speak with you." I say then head outside to my bike.

Once outside, I crank up my bike and wait while Ronnie makes her way to me. She is wearing her typical outfit. Short as hell shorts, and a white half tank that shows her red bra. I find myself wondering how the hell I ever became attracted to someone that would dress like a slut while taking care of a sick woman. I also find myself comparing her to Lyla. I never called her yesterday to let her know what happened and I need to apologize about that. She's called a few dozen times but being around Ronnie has gotten me in a prissy mood and I ignored each one.

"I know you're mad at me Shane, and I know I deserve your anger, but I'm here now. I'm here for mom and you and if you let me, we could start over, maybe reconnect?"

I stare into her blue eyes and see nothing but lies and deceit. I don't know the real reason for her being here or suddenly wanting me in her life, but I don't buy that shit for one minute.

"Listen up, because I'm only going to say this shit once. Stop fuckin' callin' me. Stop coming by my house and stop comin' by the compound. We're fuckin' divorced, and because you're such a fuckin' skank, we will always have that title. I have a new girl and her pussy isn't as loose as yours. She fuckin' gets the life and gets me. Now if you'll excuse me, I plan on going over there and fuckin' her real good, then sleeping like a fuckin' baby with her on my chest." I watch as Ronnie mouth opens and eyes narrow. I take my cue and head out of there.

My phone rings the moment I'm on the road and I glance down to see Lyla calling again. I owe her an explanation, an apology about my distance, but right now I'm too irate to see her or Adrianna. Instead, I head over to my place and get drunk.

Time to let go of a bitch of an ex-wife.

ùùù

An annoying vibrating noise jars me awake the next morning. It continues its assault to my eardrums as I look around and take in my surroundings. I'm on the kitchen floor of my home and of what I can tell, I had quite the fuckin' pity party.

There are bottles scattered everyone and a small blood trail that leads right under me. I wipe at my eyes, focused on getting the lingering migraine to take a fuckin' hike. It's been years since I've gone that far with my alcohol, not since my father passed, but after seeing my ex-wife and mom being cozy with each other, I needed an outlet.

The vibration sounds again, and I look up at the kitchen counter to see my phone sliding around. I slowly stand, taking in the feeling of numbness from my left arm to my left leg. I can also feel a twinge of something sharp where my hip is and when I look down I see some splattered blood on my shirt.

Shit, what the hell did I do last night?

The phone vibrates against the cold gray countertop once again and I grab it with anger and open it to see Max calling. I check the time and see that it's only eight in the morning. I answer it quickly thinking something may be wrong with Shawna and the baby.

"Max?" I grumble. My throat aches to talk and I sound like a gargled with glass.

"Cops at the clubhouse. Get here now." He whispers then hangs up eagerly. With not a moment to spare, I run to the bathroom and grab some painkillers out of the medicine cabinet. Chucking a few, I then grab a bottle of water from the fridge and my keys, and head out to my bike.

I drank way too much last night and judging by the state I was in this morning, and the way I'm still swaying a little, I need to make sure I keep my cool in front of these fuckin' cops.

It doesn't take me long to get to the clubhouse. When I pull up, there are about ten different cop cars, along with a large van meant for transporting. Outrage fuels me as I take in the sight in front of me. Alberts stands there parading back in forth like some fuckin' shmuck as my brothers stand before him, Austin in the forefront.

I see Max walking up at the same time as me and we both catch Alberts eye when we get close enough. A few cops tense up when they see my size and I glare at each and every one of them.

"Shane, Max. Glad you could join us. I was just telling your notorious leader here that we needed to have a chat. I don't want to make things messy boys. Wouldn't want to dirty your fine establishment." Alberts articulates waving his arms around at our compound.

"I already told you, no warrant, then your ass ain't getting in here. I'm sick of this cat and mouse shit with you. You want to arrest me, you better give me a better fuckin' reason than following the law." Austin snarls.

"Don't need a warrant Mr. Stone. We can do this a different way if you would like." Alberts says then looks over at me with a deviant smile on his face. "Mr. Matthews, I thought I would let you know that we now have a witness that was able to I.D. the assailant from the zoo. Turns out she only saw one person with a gun that day, and that man was you."

"That's bullshit, and you know it." Chance yells coming to the front. Austin and Miles attempt to hold him back, but the fucker is hell bent on getting to Alberts.

"Maybe, maybe not. You willing to chance that Mr. Matthews?" He calls out but is still facing Chance.

These two definitely have a history together.

"What do you want?" I ask glaring at the trigger-happy fucks behind Alberts. He faces me once more and his smirk grows to a full-blown smile.

"Excellent question Mr. Matthews. I would like you all to give up on your gun trade." A growl erupts from Austin's mouth and everything goes into slow motion as he steps forward and gets into Alberts face, causing a few of his officers to draw their guns on us.

That's what this fucker is after? Our gun trade?

"Step back Austin." Max whispers but Austin ignores him. I've never seen Austin this retrained but he must sense what attacking this piece of shit could not only do to the club, but to Candice and Julia.

"Listen, you fuckin' piece of shit. We ain't givin' up shit. I know a slimy fuckin' cop when I see one and you're at the top of that list. You wanted a war, you found one. Should have never fuckin' messed with us Alberts. It'll be the last thing you do."

Alberts stands there with the same smirk then nods his head in understanding and turns around walking way and waving his hands in some sort of signal. The cops all lower their guns and hop into their cars, then drive off.

"Don't know if that was stupid or not bro. But it was fuckin' awesome." Max shouts and we all join and whoop and holler.

Austin walks over to me and slaps me on the back in a man hug then looks up at me. "Fuck man. Sorry I put you in that spot, but you had to know that we wouldn't have let the fucker arrest you. I know some people higher than he thinks and I'll call in some favors if I have to." I nod my head and look back at all my brothers as Austin shouts for church in ten.

We all file in, still buzzing from the altercation. Austin has practically declared war on Alberts and as much as I hate that we are still in the dark about a lot of shit, I was glad to hear we are finally playing offense.

"Alright listen up ladies. Know that was a bunch of hard shit to swallow, but we need to have a meeting and discuss everything that we have found out in the last few days. Torque." Austin nods his head as Torque stands up and walks around the room touching the walls gently with one hand and holding a small device in the other.

"The fuck you doin' boy?" Bone shouts, causing Torque to turn quickly in response.

"One second." Torque answers then turns back to his job. We all face Austin who holds his hand up in silencing the million questions we all have spouting from our brains.

After a few more agonizing moments, Torque gives Austin a thumbs up and sits back down in his chair. I look over at Max directly in front of me, who gives me a confused shrug.

"Alright, sorry boys. Torque had found out that someone tapped into our surveillance. He's thinking they were seeing everything going on in the clubhouse and I couldn't risk it. I had him cut it and check to see if there were any new wires someone might have input when we weren't looking."

"How the hell would someone come in here unnoticed?" Slice calls out causing Austin to growl.

"Do you not remember the fuckin' snake we had in here that nearly killed my fianc¨¦? Or how about the nonstop flow of sweetbutts? Or that fuckin' group of hang arounds we had the other night after the engagement party?" Slice leans back in his chair looking defeated. "We need to fuckin' cool it. We've already gotten more people hurt than need be. Alberts has been going easy on us lately and I for one am tired of underestimating our enemies. I won't risk our members. Won't risk my family."

A few brothers nod, and I hear a hell yeah thrown in there somewhere too. I knock my knuckles on the hardwood circular table that has our emblem embedded on top of it. The same table our fathers sat, in these very seats, in this very room. Austin's right, we need to be smart, and sometimes being smart means, we need to understand that our enemy knows our weaknesses.

"He went after our women. After our children. Fucker has no problem gettin' dirty and putting the blame on this make-believe Rejects MC. We need an angle. Need to see what he's working at." I say causing a few brothers to knock on the wood as well.

"I agree. Torque and Ghost went and spoke with Jimmy." A few groans meet the room, but Austin holds his hand up and silences the room once again. "I know he's a fuckin' rat, but he's our fuckin' rat. He knows the only thing keeping him alive is us. He gave them some intel."

Ghost, who is located standing tall in the back comes forward as Austin sits back in his chair. "He's a slippery fucker, but he was able to get us what we needed. We got some info on the guy that shot at Lyla and Adrianna at the zoo that day." Ghost pulls out a couple of pieces of paper and throws them down on the table, from brother to brother they make their way up to Austin, Max and me.

I look up at Ghost with a humbled look. I was the one that brought Ghost in and was proud as hell when he was patched in less than a year later. I had found him at a bar, some college frat boy was drunk and wanting to pick a fight. Ghost is six four and three hundred pounds of muscle. Kid was out in less than a minute. Ghost has some demons, that much is evident when you see the names of the men he has killed with his bare hands tattooed on his back.

"Shane?" Austin asks as I take in the two pictures.

One is a photograph of a man walking away from a bike. He's smoking a cigarette and has on sunglasses. I've never seen him before, but I do notice he's wearing a cut. He's tall, at least six foot, and isn't scrawny, fucker looks like he might have just gotten out of prison. The other photo is a mugshot and I can see right away that it's of the man I had shot in the shoulder. Michael Evans. His face is a little bruised and he has a puffy eye. Definitely didn't do that.

"Who fucked him up?" I ask looking over at Ghost.

"Jimmy thinks it was Alberts when he brought him in for questioning. Supposedly, whenever Alberts comes by for a visit to the warden, one of the inmates goes up to meet him, but no one ever comes back out."

"He ain't Freddy Krueger, Ghost." Max jokes.

"No, don't believe he's killing them. At least not until they turn him down for a job. Think about it, you need to hire people that will do anything you say. Convicts makes the most sense. If they fail, it just makes them look like they went rogue. Shane said that bastard couldn't shoot for shit. One of the first things you all taught me when I began prospecting, was how to hold a gun." Ghost finishes.

"Not that your ass needed much training." Max jokes once more and Austin stands to address the room once more.

"Alright, so we got something. I don't want us going back to Jimmy for a while. Last thing I want is him dead, then there goes our intel. We stick to what we have and go from there. Trail Alberts but be fuckin' discreet. Also need to keep our women safe. Slice have Mindy make up a schedule for the others. It's fine if one of them at a time, per day, comes in here and fills the fridge and shit. Other than that, this club is still on lock down. Shane, need you to stick with Lyla since she's outside the club on this one. They went after her because she's an easy target, they may do it again. Meeting adjourned." Everyone gets up and begins walking out of the room one at a time. I can hear some chatter and roars of needing drinks since there is no more pussy for a while.

Austin stops me from leaving so soon and I hang back to wait until all the brothers are gone except for him and Max.

"Need you to show Lyla the picture of that bastard Shane. See if it's the same guy that threatened her and Adrianna." He states, and I glare my eyes down at him.

"Why can't we just try and find this fucker? Why make her relive that shit all over again?"

"He's got a point Aus. Would you ask the same of Candice?" Max adds.

"Look, I know this ain't easy, but the closer we get to the bottom of all this shit, the sooner she and Adrianna can be safe for good. I told Alberts I was done with cat and mouse game and I was honest with him. Now I'm being honest with you. Show her the picture brother."

"Fine but give me twenty-four hours. I haven't even seen her yet."

"Oh, I get it. Got to lay it down on her first, eh Shane?" Max chuckles and Austin and I roll our eyes simultaneously.

"No dummy. Wasn't exactly honest with her about where I've been the last couple of days. She doesn't know about mom or how my ex was around. Need to talk to her first, then I'll hand this to her."

"What the hell else is new?" Austin states rubbing his eyes with his thumbs. "Fine twenty-four hours, then I expect a message from you saying yes or no. I know I got your yes on this man, but another pair of eyes is always a good call. See you guys, I need to head over to lay down my life's savings on a goddamn venue."

"Thought Candy wanted it simple and small and here at the clubhouse?" Max shouts causing Austin to turn around to answer him.

"Did. Then mom found out. Found something in the middle that Candy would like and would be elegant enough. Too bad it cost me my right nut."

Max chuckles and I slap him on his back to get his attention.

"How's Shawna?" I ask as Austin leaves.

"Huge. But fuck man, don't tell her I said that. She's moody as hell because she's in so much pain. Her back, her feet, fuck man, yesterday she said her brain hurt." He says with a large smile on his face.

"Happy for you man. She's perfect, and your kid's going to be too."

"Thanks brother. I never thought I would get here with my dark past, but I'm ready. I'm ready for all of it."

Max and Shawna agreed not to know about the sex of the baby. Julia, Austin and Max's mother, knows but was sworn to secrecy. Max was worried he wouldn't be enough, but has proven at every doctor's appointment and each time he had to go and get ice cream at three am that he's all in. If anyone deserves this happiness, it's him.

"What about you and Lyla? You guys good?"

"Hope so brother. Going to head there now and see her. Feel like shit that I've been ignoring her. I know Dipp is there watchin' over now, but I need to go and make this right."

I head out to my bike where I parked it after I had arrived in a hurry. It takes me no more than thirty minutes to get to Lyla's house and when I pull in, both her and Lisa's cars are parked in the driveway. Lyla comes to the front door when she hears my bike and comes running when I take my helmet off.I barely hop off my bike by the time she shoves her finger in my face.

"How dare you Mr. Matthews. I was sitting here waiting myself to death and you think you can just come and go as ya please? I don't think so mister. You could have come with some flowers or at least a damn card." She shouts placing her hands on her bitable hips. Fuck, her attitude gets me hard. Her accent always comes through when she is pissed which is even more of a turn on.

"Babe listen."

"No, you listen. Your job is to be here and let me in that cold steal trap door you call a heart. If you can't do that, I can't be with you."

"Babe."

"And don't get me started on not calling me back or answering my calls. I found out about your mom being sick and tried to reach out to you and because I am a kind, loving hearted, amazing woman, I called your mother myself to check up on her. She told me you went home yesterday. Yesterday Shane. So, no you don't get to just show up at my house and"

Before she could say more, my mouth closes down onto hers shutting her up with my tongue down her throat. She immediately grabs onto my shoulders and pulls me down further, making the kiss deeper. My erection grows, pushing into her belly, causing us both to groan. I release her and stare down into her dark green eyes.

"Fuck, babe. If you let a man talk once in a while I would be able to tell you that I'm sorry. I fucked up, I had some bad news delivered and I didn't know how you would react, so I closed down and shut you out. I'm done doin' that shit. No more. I'm here, and I'm sorry. if you still don't accept my apology, then I'll handcuff you to a chair and fuck your mouth until you do."

Lyla trembles a little and I raise my eyes browns.

"Fuck babe, I was fuckin' kidding, but judging by your reaction I can see that shit's definitely going to be on the agenda."

"Oh shut up. I was worried about you. Damn it Shane, I'm not a yoyo. You can't ignore me, not now with all this crazy stuff going on with your club. I couldn't deal if something were to happen to you."

I lean down once more and kiss her gently. This woman fuckin' undoes me.

"Think I'll take Adrianna out for some much-needed ice cream." Lisa says from the doorstop causing Lyla and I to break apart. I can see Adrianna bouncing on her tip toes smiling up at me. Fuck, I hope this feeling never gets old.

"We would appreciate that Lisa." Lyla says grabbing my hand and walking us up to the front door.

"Shane, I thought I wasn't going to see you for a long time. Now that you're here, you have to play Candyland when I get back, okay?"

I smirk and lean down to come face to face with the little girl that has no doubt stolen my heart. "You got it darlin'. I'm lookin' forward to losing to you again." Her smile gets brighter and she waves goodbye to me and her mama and heads out with Lisa to her car. After placing her in the backseat, she backs up and drives out, I give a wave at Miles as he zooms past the house on his bike right after them.

"You guys still need to watch over us?" Lyla asks as we enter the house.

"For a little bit longer, yeah." I hold her to me once we close the door and place my hand gently on her cheek.

"Maybe I should call Lisa back and have her bring Adrianna back here?"

"She's safe darlin'. Now if you don't mind. I have a date with your mouth. Heard you were into shit like that." I smirk.

Lyla smiles and winks at me. She bends down to her knees and unbuttons my pants. My cock pops out at her and she immediately takes me into her soft warm hands. I groan when she begins moving faster and nearly lose my mind once she places her mouth on me.

"Fuck babe, you feel fuckin' incredible." I moan as she takes me deeper. I feel her pull herself off me then look up at me with a smirk.

"Thought you were gonna fuck my mouth baby. Heard you were into shit like that." I waste no time when I lift her up by her waist and carry her into her room.

Placing Lyla on her bed. I lay her on her back and scoot her down to the edge of the bed. She takes off her shirt and bra while I pull my pants and boxers all the way down. Just seeing her like this, half naked, tits out, waiting on my cock to fill that pretty mouth of hers, has me wanting to blow right here and now.

"Fuck babe, this ain't gonna last long."

"Then hurry up and put your cock in my mouth Shane." She whispers pushing her hands up and pushing her tits together.

I do as she asks and place one hand one on the center of her chests where her tits meet and the other guides me into her wet mouth. I'm gentle at first, not wanting to scare her, but when she sticks her tongue out so that my cock can go even further, I lose it. I shove myself all the way down, getting off on her gagging and bend down enough to push her shorts and panties down. She automatically spreads her legs for me and my fingers find her wet center.

I moan while pushing my cock in and out, letting her breathe enough to pant at my fingers entering her. Feeling myself about to blow, I push another finger inside her and fuck her hard with my hand. Seconds later she comes with my cock in her mouth and I follow right along. I yank my cock out and blow right on her tits.

Hottest fuckin' sight ever.

"Fuck me babe. Had I known you were okay with that shit, we would have been doin' that from the beginning."

Lyla turns around on me and smiles at me. "I'm not nearly as done with you yet handsome."

Well fuck me. Tonight, is going to be a long night.