Payne (The Soldiers of Wrath MC: Grit Chapter Book 3) (8 page)

W
atching
Payne and Beast with their old ladies had this ache settling inside of Reaper’s chest. He looked at his twin, Grim, wondering if his brother felt that longing, that need to find the perfect woman to help them in their fucked-up desires, but also be willing to be shared between them.

When they found a woman, if they did—they knew it would have to be one that would desire both of them.

They’d want an old lady that could be theirs.

But finding a female willing to have two sadistic bastards like us in her life is probably never going to fucking happen.

Hell, even seeing King giving his old lady so much PDA that it made him want to tear his eyes out had this strange emotion filling him.

Grim shouted something foul to Smalls, whom he was playing a hand of cards with.

At first Reaper didn’t know what in the fuck his emotions meant, and why he felt it. But then it hit him like a ton of fucking bricks at seeing how happy the other patches were.

I want what they have. I want an old lady that can look at me and know she’ll be well cared for, protected, and loved above all else.

Shit.

Yeah, he wanted it, but it wasn’t going to happen. Not that Reaper didn’t think he could properly love a woman … because he wanted to, or at least try and be a good man for a female. It wasn’t even that he didn’t think he could commit, because fuck, he wanted that, too. But he had his own issues and baggage to deal with.

So, fucking the loose-ass club whores was what he did to relieve his stress, and truth was he felt fucking dirty because of it. He reached out for the bottle of whiskey, but the fucking thing fell off the bar top and onto the floor, shattering. He cursed and bent down to start cleaning it up.

“Fuck,” he cursed low when a shard sliced through his hand. Fuck, he was so damn uncoordinated because of his thoughts. Reaper felt so damn tired. It wasn’t just the physical exhaustion, but mental too.

“Hey, are you okay?” The female voice that came from behind him had Smalls turning and looking at her.

He started with her feet since he was on the ground, and took note of her pink painted toenails that could be seen peeking out from her sandals. He moved his gaze up her legs—long, smooth, and cream-colored legs that had his body tightening. She wore a denim skirt, one that wasn’t like the cunt-showing mini ones the bitches who hung out at the club wore.

Wide, luscious hips, a nice belly that was flat, but rounded … womanly, greeted him as he kept checking her out. He was making no point in trying to hide what he was doing.

When he reached her huge, clearly natural breasts, his cock decided to jerk to attention.

But it was when he looked into her face that his heart picked up. Her red hair was in long waves over her shoulders, and her wide green eyes showed concern. Her face was delicate in features, but her lips were full, pouty, and pink.

She was fucking gorgeous … but who was she and why was she at the club? He’d never seen her before.

She was looking at his hand, and it was then he realized blood was making a small puddle on the floor.

“Fuck,” he said and curled his hand into a fist. That had a shooting pain radiating up his arm.

“Let me see.” She pulled it closer to her, leaned down, and he got a whiff of her hair. “Don’t clench like that. You’re making it worse.” Her voice was sweet, gentle, and he felt this warmth move through him.

He could have groaned right then and there from the saccharine, flora scent that slammed into him.

“That looks really bad,” she said and crouched beside him. She set the papers she’d been holding on the ground, and before he knew what she was doing she grabbed his wrist and pulled him closer. Reaper was transfixed at the way she was focused on his cut—as if she was so concerned it made her genuinely react.

She is sincerely concerned. I can see it in her face.

“Come on, I’ll help clean it up, although it might need stitches.” She lifted her eyes to him, and he was mesmerized by the vibrant green color.

“I’ll live.” He watched her lick her lips. “What’s your name?” he found himself asking.

“Catherine, but everyone just calls me Cat.”

That name seemed to fit her perfectly, especially her gorgeous animal-like eyes.

“And your name?” she asked with a smile.

“Reaper.”

“Not the best way to first meet someone,” she said, that smile still on her face. “But it is what it is. Come on.”

He let her lead him out of the bar area and to the small bathroom off of the main floor. She rummaged under the sink, couldn’t find whatever she was looking for, and let out a huff of breath. She placed her hands on her hips and looked around.

“I know you guys have to own a first aid kit.” She eyed his hand again. “Being an MC I assume you tend to your own wounds.”

Who was this woman?

“Who are you?” he asked, knowing what her name was, but not what he wanted to know again. He also took note of his voice. It was low, deep, and his need for her was unlike anything he’d ever felt.

“She’s my baby sister.” The deep voice behind him had Reaper tensing. He looked over his shoulder to see Smalls glaring at him. Grim was walking up, too, clearly wanting to know what the fuck was going on. When he reached the doorway and looked over Smalls’ shoulder, Reaper could see the instant desire on his twin’s face.

They had the same needs and desires … always.

Yeah, judging by the look on Smalls’ face, he was pretty protective of Cat.

Reaper couldn’t blame him, but it also didn’t deter him from wanting to know more about her.

And he sure as fuck would.

V
icky lay
on the couch with a bowl of chips resting beside her. She took a chip, watching a cartoon. Payne had left five hours ago, and hadn’t come back since. She didn’t have a clue what to do, and she couldn’t get her ass up without some help. Stuck on the sofa, the tears were a pain today. The last thing she wanted to do was cry, but she couldn’t move.

The phone rang, and she had it resting beside her.

“Hello,” she said.

“What’s wrong?” Clara asked.

“Why does there have to be anything wrong?” Vicky asked.

“I know you, sweetie. You sound so sad.”

“My stomach is like a large balloon in front of me. I can’t see my feet or my pussy. I’m laid on the couch because I can’t move. Oh, and my source of entertainment? My stomach every now and then pushes my bowl of chips up.”

“Do you want me to come over there and help?”

“Yes, please, if only for some company.”

“I’m on my way.”

Disconnecting the phone, she blew out a breath. The strain on her bladder was making it really uncomfortable, and she knew it was only going to get worse. She had a couple of months to go, and either she was just a big grower in the pregnancy department, or Payne produced huge babies.

She had a feeling it was the latter.

Seconds passed, and then minutes. She was seriously going to pee herself, but lying and relaxing sounded so nice. Seeing no other alternative, she placed the bowl of chips on the coffee table.

“You can do this, Vicky,” she joked with herself.

Slowly, she started to push herself up. However, she lost her grip on the side of the couch, and before she could right herself, she fell on her side, jarring her whole body. The pain was intense.

Bursts of pain radiating throughout her whole body, and not wanting to take any chances, she grabbed the phone off the coffee table and called for an ambulance.

* * *

T
he moment Payne
had gotten the phone call that Vicky was in the hospital he’d stopped everything and rushed to her.

Now here he was, pacing up and down the hospital waiting room, waiting to hear something on how she was. Most of his club was here, and Clara had been there in the ambulance ride all the way to the hospital, and he was so thankful she’d been there for Vicky.

Fuck.

When he’d gotten the call he’d been in a meeting about the upcoming drug runs. Ever since Vicky had come back into his life he’d been neglecting his duties as Prez for the Grit Chapter. Demon, President of the original Soldiers charter, could still handle his shit, why couldn’t he?

He saw Clara rounding the corner and immediately started in with the questions.

“How is she? Is the baby okay? She fell?” Payne asked the questions in rapid succession.

“She’s fine, but the doctors won’t let anyone back, or tell us anything. I’m in the dark as much as you are. Although since you’re the father I’m sure they’ll update you soon.” Tears filled her eyes, and she looked completely lost.

He nodded. “She needs me.”

Before he could say anything else, the doctor calling his name interrupted him.

“How is she?” he asked right away. “How’s the baby?”

“Vicky and the baby are fine. She’s had a shock, and it could have been quite serious. She was right to get to the hospital. There was some vaginal bleeding, so we’re keeping her in overnight to observe her and monitor the baby for distress.”

Payne let out a breath. “Can I go and see her?”

“Certainly. It can only be you, I’m afraid. She needs her rest.”

“No problem.”

He followed the doctor back to Vicky’s room. She was lying in a hospital bed and looking so damn fragile. She had an IV in her arm, a monitor on her finger, cords under her hospital gown, and an elastic belt-looking thing wrapped around her belly.

“Can you hear him, Payne?” she asked, pointing at another machine. “That’s our little boy.”

He took a seat, and held onto her hand as he stared at the machine monitoring their son’s strong heartbeat.

“I’m so sorry,” she said.

“Don’t, baby. This is not your fault.”

“I needed to use the toilet, and I couldn’t even keep my balance, it seemed.”

“Shhh, don’t stress. Shit happens.”

She closed her eyes and sighed.

Payne couldn’t hold back his pain, and knew it painted his face. “I can’t lose you. I love you too much. Being without you is not a pain I can live with.”

She stroked his cheek and smiled. “We’re a right pair right now.”

He pressed a kiss to her lips, and the machine connected to her beeped faster. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. My heart rate just increased.” She smiled. “It always happens when I’m around you. You turn me into mush.”

He chuckled, stroking the hair back from her eyes.

“Clara call you?” she asked.

“Of course she did. Gave me a fucking heart attack.”

“I hope rushing here didn’t have you risking anything with the club.”

He shook his head.

“Listen to me, Payne. I know you love me, and I also know you’ll do whatever it takes to make sure me and baby are fine. Promise me you won’t do anything stupid that will risk your life? I mean it, Payne. I’m bringing our son into this world, and I won’t be able to stand it if something happened to you.”

He nodded. “I won’t. I’ll do what I can to come home to you every single night. It’s you and I, Vicky, and soon this little boy. You two are my life.”