Chapter Twenty-Three

ALIANA

Four months have passed since the last time we heard from Lana. I’m now eight months pregnant and feeling like a beached whale.

Axyl has been hovering over me like a mother hen ever since my belly started to show. And he’s not the only one. Doc insists I need to be on bed rest because I’m small and carrying twins.

I’ve been stuck in bed for a month now and it’s driving me nuts. Axyl won’t even let me walk to the bathroom by myself. It’s like a replay of when I was three months pregnant.

We haven’t heard a peep from Alex’s club and it’s making the guys antsy. They’re on edge, not knowing when the next attack might come. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous too.

I can’t shake this gut feeling that they’re waiting for the girls to be born before they make their move. It’s driving me up the wall with worry and I hate it. But being stuck in bed all day gives me plenty of time to think—and overthink.

Maybe I’m letting my imagination run wild, but can you blame me? I’m stuck in bed with nothing to do but sleep, eat, and watch TV.

It gets old after a while. Like right now, I’m bored out of my mind. I’ve already binge-watched Heartland, Criminal Minds, and Grey’s Anatomy.

Now I’m working my way through Slasher. I’d watch more DC shows, but Axyl insists we watch them together from the beginning because he’s a fan too.

The hardest part of all this was missing the boys’ first day of school. Danny started preschool this year and I wasn’t there. I did help them get ready that morning, though.

It wasn’t the same, but it was the best I could do. If I’d tried to get in the car to drop them off, Axyl or my brother would have hauled me back inside and put me under my brother’s watchful eye.

I’m not a helpless baby. I don’t need a babysitter. But try telling that to a bunch of men who see you as their woman, daughter, or sister. You won’t get very far. Right now, though, I need to pee and I’m starving.

Reluctantly, I call Axyl to help me out of bed. It rings and rings until it goes to voicemail. I try my brother next, but get the same result. What the hell is going on?

They usually pick up right away. I decide to call Reaper before I try my dad. Reaper is the sergeant at arms and he always answers when I call.

But his phone goes to voicemail too. Now I’m starting to panic. Why isn’t anyone answering their phones? My dad’s phone is the same.

I can’t wait any longer or I’ll wet the bed.

Getting out of bed is a struggle. I manage to roll onto my side and swing my legs over the edge. I push myself up into a sitting position.

Even this small effort leaves me breathless. It takes me another five minutes to get out of bed and make it to the bathroom.

If I could move more easily, I’d be doing a victory dance right now.

I decide to put my worries about the unanswered calls aside and take a hot shower. They’re probably just busy, or maybe they’re in church.

They don’t allow phones in the chapel during meetings because they don’t want any information leaking to other clubs—especially their enemies.

I strip off my clothes and turn on the shower, waiting for the water to warm up. I look at my reflection in the full-length mirror on the bathroom door, taking in my huge belly. I place my hands on my bump and rub it gently.

The bathroom is filling with steam from the shower, so I step in. The hot water cascades over my body, relaxing my tense muscles. I wish I could reach someone. Maybe they’re downstairs.

We haven’t left the clubhouse since we moved to the safe house, and I don’t think we will until this whole mess is over.

Axyl and I bought a house a few months ago. We haven’t lived in it yet, but it’s waiting for us when this threat to our family is finally over.

We managed to set up the kitchen, living room, dining room, and our bedroom. The other rooms are filled with furniture, but they’re not set up yet.

I stay in the shower until the water starts to cool. I quickly wash my hair and body, then turn off the water. I wrap a towel around my hair and body, then walk back into the bedroom—and freeze.

“W-what are you doing here?” I stutter, feeling a sharp pain in my lower abdomen.

AXYL

I’m lying next to Aliana, watching her sleep. Ever since she started showing, I’ve turned into the overprotective boyfriend. And when Doc put her on bed rest, I became even more protective.

She’s tiny, barely tipping the scales at a hundred and fifty pounds, even soaking wet. For the past four months, we’ve heard nothing from the Blue Moon MC, and it’s making everyone jumpy.

I haven’t told Aliana, but a couple of months ago, Diego told me Lana checked into rehab. I hope she gets the help she needs, but any relationship we have will be strictly about our kids.

I’m pulled from my thoughts by a knock on the door. I mumble a ‘come in,’ and the door opens a crack. It’s Westyn. “She’s still sleeping?”

“Yeah. She’s been getting more and more tired the farther along she gets.” I tell him, rubbing soothing circles on her belly, feeling the girls kick in response.

“I can see it. She can barely move without seeming like she’s about to have an asthma attack. If you ever get her pregnant, aim for one kid, not more. I don’t think her body can handle more than that.”

“I don’t have control over that. What did you need? I know you didn’t just drop by to check on your sister.”

“I was hoping she’d be asleep. We’ve got a lead on the Blue Moons. Alex’s VP took over and wants a meeting with us. We roll out in thirty.” He kisses his sister on the cheek and leaves the room.

Damn it. This can only end badly. I have a bad feeling about this meeting. It’s easier to get out of bed now that she’s bigger because she can’t twist herself around me.

Usually, we end up with my arm around her waist. She can’t stay on her side for long because it’s uncomfortable, so she ends up on her back.

I know she’s frustrated with how things are going, and she has plenty of time to overthink things. I won’t let her do anything right now. I won’t even let her go to the bathroom alone.

Overkill, I know, but I don’t want to risk anything.

I can tell she’s trying to keep up a happy front for me, but I know her better than anyone.

She’s thinking they’re after the girls, and I won’t lie and say that exact thought hasn’t crossed all our minds, but I think if they were going to do something, they would have done it by now.

I guess we’ll find out at this meeting, although I’m not exactly sure about it.

I finish getting ready and kiss Aliana on the forehead before leaving the room. I head down the stairs and stop in the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee.

Aliana was restless last night, and I’m pretty sure that’s why she didn’t stir when Westyn came in or when I left the room. Reaper is in the kitchen when I walk in.

“Hey, brother.” I nod at him in response and go grab my coffee. “How’s Ali doing?”

“She’s wiped out. She’s not going to be happy when she wakes up and realizes no one woke her to tell her we were leaving. It’s going to be World War Three when we get back.”

“Do you have as bad a feeling about this as I do?” One thing about Reaper is you always trust his gut instinct.

“You have no idea. I feel like it’s a distraction, but I’m not sure exactly what for.”

“I’m not sure, but it’s not like we can’t go. We need to see if this is something that will help us end this war before it even begins.

“Who knows, maybe this feeling is just from years of them being our enemy.” We walk into the chapel and take our seats. We have about five minutes before we roll out.

“Now that everyone is here, we’re rolling out in just a few minutes to meet with the Blue Moon MC. They called a meeting. I’m leaving the prospects here, and Trigger, you and Ink stay here as well. I don’t want my sister alone.

“We don’t know if this is a distraction to get to her.” There are some growls in the room as Trigger and Ink nod their agreements.

“Now, I know we don’t know what we’re walking into, but we need to be prepared. Gear up and load out. Let’s get this done and over with. Aliana is going to be a force when we get back.”

Everyone chuckles at that because we all know it’s true.

We get onto our bikes, with Snoopy bringing the SUV. They wanted to meet at the diner that Aliana’s mom runs, which is neutral territory for all MCs.

You would think it would be on our territory when our former president’s ol’ lady owns and runs it, but she wanted it this way and that’s the way it is.

It takes us ten minutes to get there, and we all park before heading inside. Elaine and Robert, along with my parents, are waiting inside when we get there. They closed the diner down today just in case things go south.

We don’t want to have any casualties if that does happen. I can’t help my mind wandering back to Ali. We’re doing this for her, I just hope she understands that when we get back.

I’m brought out of my thoughts by the sound of bikes pulling into the parking lot.

“Here we go. Keep your guard up and that trigger finger jumpy,” Westyn says.

Striker rolls in with about five of his guys. That means two are missing. As far as we know, they haven’t found a new Road Captain since he took him as his new VP.

They stroll in the diner like they own the place. I’m immediately on edge, and I can tell all the other men are as well. “Gentlemen.”

“Striker. Let’s get down to business. We have things to do today that don’t involve conspiring with the enemy,” Westyn retorts. That’s the good thing about him.

He jumps straight to the point. I don’t blame him though, something feels off about this whole thing.

“What? No drinks or food? Not very hospitable of you, Breaker.”

“You called the meeting, I agreed to have my men come. Get to the point or we walk.”

“Very well. I want my nieces. They belong to our club. I don’t care about my brother’s whore. I just want my family.” I can feel the whole table tense, and I’m barely containing my rage.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I just know that it’s Ali calling. She must have woken up. I can’t answer it right now. I hear Westyn’s phone buzzing shortly after.

He knows that she’s awake. About five minutes go by, and Reaper’s phone buzzes. She’s going to freak out.

“You can kiss that idea goodbye. There’s no way you’re getting close to my woman or my kids. You want peace? Then they’re off-limits.” I growl, just as Robert’s phone starts to buzz.

“Looks like someone’s trying to reach you. Might be a good idea to pick up. You never know what could be happening right now.” A chill runs through my veins. This was a damn trap, and we walked right into it.

“What the hell did you do to my sister?”

“Nothing…yet.” And that’s when everything went to hell.