Sanctuary (Freaks MC Book 2) (24 page)

Emma laughed. “Obviously you're hard to resist, but the female population would hate me if I deprived them.”

“
True, true.” He chuckled and looked past her to Tiny. “Vince wants a word. I'll wait here till you get back. You okay with that, sweetheart?”

She looked over to where Deke was standing, talking to the Bay View President and some people she didn't recognize, and he gave a tiny nod. “Yeah. I'll try and resist jumping you till Tiny or Deke rescues you.”

“I can see that'll be hard. I'm one hot motherfucker.”

~ oOo ~

“You're kidding me.” Samson scowled at Tiny. “You seriously planning on upping sticks and moving to Cali?”

“
Ain't planning – considering.”

“
And you're okay with this?” He turned to Vince.

“
Tiny's always welcome at my table. Spike is looking for a change of scene. Him and the veep got some issues, Tiny's ma is in Cali, so it makes sense.”

It did make sense – Samson knew that – but Tiny was his closest friend, and Emma was really fond of him and Beth. “What's your ol' lady think of this?”

Tiny shrugged. “Beth'll be cool, whatever I decide.”

Samson wasn't so sure about that. Beth had built a life for herself here – she had a job she loved, friends, her home – he loved his brother, but he wondered whether he realized just what she had sacrificed for him. “You planning on doing this before or after your kids are born?”

“Kids?” Vince's eyebrows shot up. “Beth's pregnant again?”

“
Yep. Twins this time. An' I told you,” he turned to Samson. “Considering. Not planning.”

“
Well I suggest you share what you're
considering
with her. You owe her that much, Tiny.”

Tiny looked over to Emma. “You sure it's Beth you're worried about, brother?” He laid his hand on his shoulder. “Emma don't need me. You're here now.”

“Yeah, I am.” He threw the Jack down his throat and strutted over to where she was giggling at something Spike had said. “Hey, baby girl. I think it's time you an' me got wasted.” He took her hand and grinned at Spike. “Thanks for looking out for my girl.”

“
Pleasure was all mine, man.” Spike laughed and planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek. “Catch ya later, Sparky. I'm gonna go and get laid.”

“
Sparky?”

“
You're going to have to ask him.” Emma reached up on tiptoes and kissed him. “So do I get to monopolize you for the rest of the night?”

“
Yep. I'm all yours.”

~ oOo ~

“Oh god.” Emma groaned and rolled over on the musty mattress. Next to her Deke, snored loudly, and by the sounds of the grunts and snores in the corner, they weren't alone. “Deke?”

He grunted but didn't open his eyes. “Wha'?”

“There are people in here.” She wasn't entirely sure where 'here' was.

“
Are they in bed with us?”

“
Don't think so. Can't move my head. I think I'm paralyzed from the neck up.”

“
Are you naked?”

“
No.”

“
Good. Go back to sleep.”

“
Deke?”

“
Go back to sleep, Emma.”

“
Can't. I need to pee.”

“
So go.”

“
I don't want to go on my own.”

“
I'm not accompanying you to the john, Emma. It's just across the hall.”

“
But..”

“
Just go take a piss, baby girl.”

Sighing, she sat up. “Ow, fuck. Even my hair hurts.” She groped around the bottom of the bed.”

“Deke?”

“
What now?”

“
I can't find my shoes.”

“
So go barefoot.”

“
You're kidding.”

“
Jesus, woman. I'm too old for this.” He sat up with a groan, pulled off his boots and passed them to her. “Here. Now just go, please.” He lay back down. “I need to die in peace.”

She didn't even step across the threshold of the toilet across the hall. There was no way she was going to hold onto the contents of her stomach in there. Steeling herself, she clumped into the barroom. She'd seen a toilet at the back of the kitchen; hopefully that would be cleaner – it certainly couldn't have been dirtier – and she'd risk treading on semi-conscious Freaks in Deke's huge boots for a clean toilet.

The place looked like a war zone. Emma had done a fair amount of traveling after leaving art school, and had been to some pretty wild parties, but she'd never seen anything like this. Patches, half-dressed women, and hangarounds were sprawled over every available flat surface. The place stank of stale beer, weed and pussy, and the only sounds were snores and the occasional groan.

Carefully she picked her way through the bodies and, trying not to look at the body parts on display, headed to the kitchen. The only thing that was on her mind was her full bladder, the need for water and the pounding in her skull.

It wasn't clean exactly, but at least it smelled better. Emma peed, then stomped back into the kitchen and began hunting through the cupboards for a clean glass.

“
Can't see that look catching on, darling.”

Emma spun around and nearly fell over her feet. “Jesus, Tiny. You scared the shit out of me.”

He laughed. “Where's Samson?”

“
Out back, dying.”

He reached up and grabbed a glass. “Here.”

“Thanks. I don't suppose there's any Advil up there.”

“
Can't see any. You feeling rough, little one?”

“
I've felt better. Tell me I didn't make a complete ass of myself last night.”

“
Nah, you were just having fun. It was good to see.” He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “You gonna drop by later? Beth and the kids would love to see you.”

“
Not this time. I don't want the animals locked up for too long. Genghis gets anxious if he's shut up in his run. But I'll be in town during the week, I'll swing by then.”

For a moment she thought there was something he was going to tell her. But he just bent and kissed her cheek. “You'd better get back to your ol' man. He'll be wondering where you are.”

TWENTY-THREE

Emma opened the car door and watched the dog run to the house, his tail wagging and whining excitedly. Playing with Abi and Luke was his favorite thing in the whole world. She smiled as Beth opened the door and he rushed past her, in search of the kids. “Hey, how are you?” She really didn't need to ask. Beth looked exhausted and sick... really sick. She was pale, there were dark shadows under her eyes and, despite her baby bump, looked painfully thin.

“Like shit. I'm puking all the time and I'm so tired. Anyone who tells you it stops in the second trimester is a liar.” Beth looked like she was about to burst into tears. “It wasn't like this with the other two.” She gave a wan smile. “Sorry, I'm having a pity party today. Come on in. Sorry about the mess, I don't have the energy to clean.”

“
Why don't you go to bed, I'll take care of the kids till Tiny gets home.”

“
Oh no, I can't ask you to do that.”

“
You're not asking. I'm offering. Genghis will keep the kids entertained, and I'll clean up and get dinner started. What were you planning on cooking?”

“
I wasn't. Joe usually brings something home. The smell of cooking makes me heave.” She rubbed her hand across her forehead. “Poor guy hasn't had a home-cooked meal for months.”

“
Go to bed, Beth.” Emma kissed her cheek. “Let someone take care of you for a change.”

“
Thank you.” Beth's shoulders sagged. “If the kids get too much, wake me.”

“
They won’t.” She looked over to the puppy/kid pile in the corner. “Go. Get some rest.”

By the time Tiny got home, Emma had done a load of laundry, cleaned the kitchen and fed and bathed the kids. He walked in and dropped the take-out onto the table. “Hey, little one. Where's Beth?”

“
I sent her to bed. She looked done in.”

“
Yeah, she's really struggling.” He looked over to the kids and dog, fast asleep on the sofa. “I'll take them up, and you can share my dinner. You like Chinese, right?”

“
As long as it doesn't have dead animals in it, I do.”

“
Reckon there'll be stuff there you'll eat. Gimme five.” He bent and kissed her cheek. “Thanks for this.”

Emma shrugged. “It was nothing, and we had fun. We kind of flooded the bathroom a little, though. Genghis wanted a bath too.”

“Floor needed cleaning anyways.” He grinned. “And don't look at me like that, I've been helping out when I can.”

“Hey.” Beth sank on the chair and leaned her arms on the table. She still looked dog tired, and would hardly look in Tiny's direction. “Thank you so much. That's the first sleep I've had for days.” She lifted the lid of one of the cartons and wrinkled her nose, then grabbed an apple. “Are you staying to eat?”

“
Yeah, if that's okay.” She could have cut the atmosphere in the kitchen with a knife. “Deke's working security in that new strip club tonight, so he won’t be there when I get home.”

“
How's he liking living like the gen pop?” Tiny grabbed some plates and put them in the middle of the table.

“
It's only been a week, Tiny.” Emma laughed. “I'm sure he'll be going stir crazy by the end of the month, although I love having him home.”

“
I think the fact that he's doing this for you is wonderful.” Emma got the distinct impression this comment was directed at Tiny. She dropped the apple on the table. “Excuse me, I need to puke.”

Emma looked at the big man opposite her. “Are you and Beth okay? She seems kind of tense.”

He shrugged. “She's pissed cuz I want us to move back to Cali.”

“
What? No, you can't.” Emma could feel her chest tighten. “I need you here.” It was selfish of her, but she'd grown used to having Tiny to lean on.”

“
No you don't, little one. Samson will take good care of you, and you're doing great.”

“
I'm guessing this is already decided.”

He shrugged. “Pretty much. Chapter needs me there, an' my ma is getting real frail. It'll be cool. Beth will come around.”

“And if she doesn't?”

“
She will. She ain't got a choice.”

“
There's always a choice, Tiny.” Suddenly she wasn't hungry. “Actually, I think I'm going to head home. Tell Beth I'll call me.” She stood and called the dog. “I'll see you at the end of the month.”

~ oOo ~

“Did you know about this?”

Deke didn't need to ask what she was talking about. “Fuck, woman. At least let me get through the door before you start bitching.” He dropped his keys onto the bookshelf. “Yeah, I knew.”

“Why didn't you say anything?”

“
Because it's none of our business. You need to stay outta their shit, Emma.”

“
You mean I need to stay out of Tiny's shit. What about Beth? You really expect me to sit back and say nothing while that selfish asshole drags her halfway across the country?”

“
That’s exactly what I expect you to do. Stay out of this, Emma.” He pulled out a chair and started to pull off his boots. He understood Emma's anger – shared it, even – but Tiny had made up his mind that he was needed in Cali, so that was where they were going. “Beth will be fine.”

“
No, she won’t. She's sick, Deke. Real sick. She doesn't need the stress of moving on top of everything else.”

“
She's not sick, she's pregnant.”

“
Have you seen her recently? I'm really worried about her. I can't believe Tiny is putting her through this.”

“
Yeah, I've seen her. I know she's having a rough time right now, but she'll be okay once the twins are born.” Truthfully, he'd been shocked by her appearance. Tiny's old lady had always been so beautiful – strong and in control – but now she looked gaunt and exhausted. “She's not young, Emma, and being pregnant with twins when you've got two young kids can't be easy, but she's tough. She'll be fine.” He sighed. “Tiny's needed in Cali. Spike is transferring to Seattle and Tiny wants to be near his ma. Beth will come around.”

“
And if she doesn't?”

“
She will.”

Emma scowled and slammed a bowl of some sort of bean stew in front of him – a sure sign she was pissed – and headed for the back door. “Cus, that's what good old ladies do, right? Whatever their men tell them to. Doesn't matter that they're sick and pregnant, or that they'll be giving up their jobs and homes they love. When their old men tell them to jump, they ask how high.” She stuffed her feet into her boots. “I'm going for a cigarette. I'd appreciate it if you washed your bowl when you're done.”

“Hey! I ain't the villain here.” He pushed his chair back and stood with his hands flat on the table. “I gave up my nomad patch for you. I'm working security in a shitty club, cuz you wanted me to earn straight. What you giving me a hard time for?”

“
Because you know as well as I that if it came down to the wire, you would put the club ahead of me, just like Tiny is doing to Beth.”

“
Tiny loves Beth.”

“
Well right now, I'm having a hard time believing that.” Sighing, she turned and walked outside.

“
Fuck.”

He sat back down and put his boots back on, then followed her outside. “Emma.” She was in her usual place at the end of the yard, staring out into the darkness. “C'mon, baby girl. Don't be like this.” He stood behind her and rested his hands on her hips. “I know you're mad. Shit. I ain't exactly thrilled myself, but Beth will be okay. They'll probably get a place near Tiny's ma. She grew up there. It won’t be so bad.”

She turned and, wrapping her arms around his waist, pressed her forehead against his chest. “I really don't want them to go.”

“I know, baby. I don't want them to go, either. But they'll only be two days’ ride away. Less than three hours, if you fly.”

“
I know.” She sniffed. “I'm going to miss them, is all. And I really want to kick Tiny's ass.”

He did, too. He lifted her chin and kissed her. “Just remember, baby. I ain't Tiny.”

~ oOo ~

When it came to bad ideas, this would definitely be in Emma's top ten.

It was Deke's birthday, and in a moment of insanity, she'd decided that they should have a party to celebrate. Now, though, as she prepared the food that she was pretty sure no one would eat, she was seriously regretting that decision.

Emma didn't hate parties, but they would never her be her favorite thing, and she really didn't like the idea of his brothers invading her home – her space – en masse.

She had quickly realized that excluding any of his brothers who wanted to come was an absolute 'no,' but girls like Lola would not be welcome. Then there was the fact that their little house was a two hour ride from Seattle, and as there would be a lot of booze flowing, they would have to accommodate them somehow. Fortunately the plot of land the house stood on was pretty large, and a good portion was still uncultivated, so they could make camp out there, and as the nearest neighbors were over a mile away, there was little danger of them disturbing anyone.

Added to this, she and Deke were hardly speaking after a huge fight over the garage space under her studio. He had decided that, as he hated standing around looking menacing for a living, he would buy up cheap bikes, fix them up and sell them. This in theory was a great idea – he'd be home more and doing something he loved – however, the sound of power tools while she was trying to paint had proven too much, and until a compromise could be found, the standoff was ongoing. She was a spoiled bitch that always had to get her own way, and he was an insensitive asshole. Emma looked through the kitchen window to where he was wrestling with the temporary gazebo. “It does come with instructions, you know.”

He rescued a piece of pole from Genghis and looked up. “Yeah, those would be the instructions that say this is a two man job.”

“
If you stopped talking to me like I'm the village idiot, I might be more inclined to help.”

“
Just get your ass out here and hold this end, Emma. It was your idea to have the stupid, fucking thing.”

With a sigh, she dropped the salad into a bowl and headed outside. “What do you want me to do?”

“Hold that end up. No higher, for fuck's sake.”

“
This is as high as I go, and there's no need to swear. I'm doing this for you, asshole.”

Deke dropped the pole and, stalking over to her, grabbed her ponytail and kissed her hard. “You are so hot when you're angry.”

She whimpered as she felt her knees buckle. “Deke. We can't.. Your bothers...”

“
Fuck my brothers.” He moved down to her neck.

“
Mmm, oh Jesus. I'd rather just fuck you.”

The sound of an approaching Harley stopped them in their tracks. Deke groaned. “Shit, that's gotta be Spike. Always first to arrive and last to leave.” He kissed her again. “Raincheck?”

She sighed. “Yeah. At least he can help you put this thing up.” Reluctantly, she pushed herself away from him. “I'll get the beer.”

“Hey, Sparky.” Spike thrust a bottle of tequila into her hand and, ignoring Deke's scowl, kissed her full on the lips. “That's your poison, right?”

“
Yeah, it is. Thanks.” She patted him on the chest. “Now stop trying to piss off my old man and help him put that gazebo up.”

He gave her a shit-eating grin, and kissed her again, this time on the cheek. “If he's gonna insist on having the hottest ol' lady in Washington State, he'd better get used to it.” He turned to Deke, his face a picture of innocence. “Brother. Nice setup you got here.”

“Yeah, we like it.” He grinned. “Now take your hands off my woman and make yourself useful.”

~ oOo ~

Deke leaned back on the bench and took another pull on his beer as his brothers, their old ladies and kids milled around. He loved Emma for this. He knew that she wasn't much of a party animal, and this little corner of the world was her safe place – her sanctuary – but she'd organized this, just for him.

Things had been kinda tense between them for the last few weeks. She was still upset about Tiny and Beth leaving, and then they'd had a big bust-up over him using power tools when she was trying to paint in the studio above him. He wasn't sure how they were going to resolve this. His back couldn't take him standing for an eight hour shift coupled with a four hour round trip – although he hadn't told her this – and if he didn't find some other way to earn, he would be crippled by the time he hit fifty. He'd always loved building bikes, and it had seemed like an ideal solution, but they both needed to work, and sharing the same space clearly wasn't an option. So for now, he lived with a permanent backache, and would try to get some work on his latest acquisition done while she worked on her vegetable garden, or was in Seattle, organizing her upcoming exhibition. It was far from ideal, and she'd been on the receiving end of his bad moods way too often, but he owed it to her to try.