Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen

ALIANA

Two weeks have passed since we got home, and the club has been tirelessly strategizing in the chapel, day and night. They’re trying to figure out how to win the impending war before it even begins.

I had hoped that Alex’s death would be the end of it all, but that was just wishful thinking. Naturally, his club, his father, and his brother would want to avenge him.

In my view, the entire club needs to be wiped out, or someone who isn’t a complete psycho needs to take over. Someone needs to step in and clean up the mess.

Today, I hit the four-month mark of my pregnancy. Just five more months until I can deliver these twins. I can hardly wait. Carrying twins is no easy task. I mean, carrying one baby would be tough, but two?

It’s like carrying double the weight and having a belly twice the size. I still have weekly check-ups with Doc to ensure the babies are doing well after everything that happened, but I hope those can end soon. I must say, my girls are fighters.

They had to be, to survive all that Alex put them through. I was terrified that I had lost them when I woke up in the hospital.

Axyl has been wonderful, when he’s around. He’s been spending a lot of time with the club in the chapel and less time in our room since they started preparing. I miss him, but the boys keep me company for the most part.

Plus, there’s been a steady stream of visitors checking in on me and making sure I don’t need anything.

“Aliana!” My train of thought is interrupted by my best friend from college.

“Hannah! I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow!” Hannah was my roommate throughout college, and she knew all about my ordeal with Alex. She was my confidante, my sounding board.

She tried to help me escape and offered her support, but I didn’t want her to get involved. I didn’t want to risk losing the one good thing I had during the darkest period of my life. She’s also the one who saved my life that day.

She nursed me back to health and ensured my survival.

“I thought I’d surprise you today. I missed you! I’m so glad you’re out of that fucked up situation.” She hugs me and then steps back, her eyes wide as she takes in my protruding belly.

“Look at you! You told me you were pregnant, but I guess I didn’t really believe it until now!” I laugh at her because that’s just so Hannah.

“Four months today. Twin girls, and let me tell you…it’s quite the experience.”

“I want to meet these men you’ve been telling me about. I want to see if they’re as hot as you say they are.”

“She better not be looking at any fucking man other than me,” Axyl says, appearing out of nowhere.

“Hannah, this is Axyl. Axyl, meet my best friend from college, Hannah.”

“Damn. Sexy as sin. Just like you said.” I shoot Hannah a glare, and she flashes me that innocent smile of hers.

“You better stay the fuck away from my man. I’m not afraid to put a bullet in you.”

“Bitch, please. You wouldn’t do shit. Besides, I think I have my eye on the one standing behind your man.” I look past Axyl to see Reaper standing there.

“Reaper?” I ask.

“That’s the one. Is that his real name or road name?”

“Road name. He’s been my best friend since we were kids.” I turn from Hannah and beckon Reaper over. “Hey, Reaper. This is my best friend Hannah.

“Hannah, meet Reaper, my childhood best friend.”

“Nice to meet you, Reaper.”

“Likewise.”

“Man of few words,” Hannah comments. Reaper isn’t much of a talker around new people.

“Well, that’s just how he is until he gets to know you. Knowing you, he’ll be chatting away in no time. I need to go check on the boys. Have fun, you two.”

I rise from the table and head to the media room to check on the boys, Axyl trailing behind me.

“So, you think some of the other members are sexy, do you?” I just roll my eyes and keep walking. “Don’t walk away from me, Aliana.”

“You’re being ridiculous. I’m not going to argue with you over something so trivial. I’m sure you look at other women. It’s not like I’m pursuing them. So what if the men here are good-looking?

“You’d have to be blind not to notice. I see you checking out the club girls, but you don’t see me getting all worked up about it, do you? I only have eyes for you, Axyl. I want no one else.”

“That’s not the point. You’re mine. Not any of these other guys’. I don’t care if they are my brothers. If you go near them or they go near you in that way, I’ll put a bullet in them.”

“How caveman-like of you. Nothing is going to happen. They all know I’m your ol’ lady, Axyl. Get the fuck over it. Your insecurities are showing, and quite frankly, it pisses me off that you think I would do something like that to you.

“Especially with anyone in the club. They’re family. Grow the fuck up, Axyl, before you dig yourself a deeper hole than you’re already in. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to feed our sons.”

I turn away from him and walk into the media room. “Boys, it’s time for lunch.”

“Coming, mama.” They respond in unison. I turn to leave the room and run into a wall of solid muscle. My man.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t like the idea of you looking at other men. I love you.”

“I love you too, but quit being a jerk. Maybe try showing up before I’m asleep once in a while.”

“You know why we’ve been swamped. Westyn and I can’t let this club get dragged into a war unprepared. Do you think I enjoy not being able to tuck the boys in with you? Or even share a bed with you?

“I hate it, but this stuff needs to be done. We can’t be caught off guard and you know it.”

“I understand. You should head back to the chapel then. Wouldn’t want you to miss anything crucial while you’re dealing with me. The boys and I are heading to the park with Hannah after lunch.

“We might come back tonight, or we might just stay with Hannah at the hotel. We’re supposed to check out apartments for her tomorrow. She’s moving to town.”

“You’re not staying anywhere but here. Don’t mess around like that. You shouldn’t even be risking yourself or ~my~ sons by going to the park.”

I can see the regret in his wide eyes the moment his words sink in. “Ali, I didn’t mean it like that. They’re yours too.” I raise my hand to stop him from saying anything more. His words sting, but he’s not wrong.

I have no claim to them. They’re not my sons. They’re his and Lana’s. I’m just his ol’ lady. Nothing more, nothing less.

“No, you’re right. I’m not their mother. I’m just the woman sleeping with their father. You feed them lunch and then take them to the park. I’m leaving. Don’t wait up.” With that, I walk over to Hannah.

“Let’s go. Boys, daddy is going to give you lunch and take you to the park. Be good.”

“Don’t you dare leave this clubhouse Aliana! Boys, go into the kitchen and get your lunch from Mimi.” The boys rush off to see Axyl’s mom and eat.

I turn and glare at Axyl. “You’re not leaving this club without someone with you.”

“Screw you, ~Cannon~. Enjoy the park and if any of these men follow me out of here, there will be hell to pay. I need a break.”

“Reaper, follow them.”

“Don’t you dare Jackson!” With that, Hannah and I walk out of the clubhouse and to her car with Axyl shouting my name. Screw him.