Legacy - Night Horde SoCal 3 Read online

  LEGACY

  FREAKS MC.

  BOOK THREE

  Sarah Osborne

  THE FREAK CIRCLE PRESS

  Legacy © 2015 Sarah Osborne

  All rights reserved

  Sarah Osborne has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this book under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  For my freaky family.

  Wherever they may be.

  A long time ago, way before I'd ever put pen to paper, I knew I had a story to tell.

  This is the end of that story.

  It may not be the story you want to read, but it is the one I wanted to tell.

  PART ONE

  THE END

  What we call the beginning is often the end.

  And to make an end is to make a beginning.

  The end is where we start from.

  T.S. Eliot

  ONE

  Life right now was pretty damned good. Deke leaned back on the old wooden bench and winced. Not perfect – life rarely was – but about as good as it got. Across the yard, in the shade of the trees, Emma and Beth were chatting animatedly while the kids played with Genghis or, in the case of Lottie and Alice, slept in their strollers.

  He turned as Tiny sat down and passed him a beer. “Thanks, bro. Looks like you're pretty settled here.”

  “Yeah. We like it.” He chuckled. “Ain't sure it's big enough, though. Can't move without falling over the kids' crap.”

  “I feel ya, brother. Lottie's not even walking and her shit is everywhere. Can't figure how something so small needs so much stuff.” He glanced over to the strollers under the tree. “How's Alice doing?”

  “Good... Better. Docs still ain't saying much, an' they wanna test her hearing again, but she can sit up on her own now an' has started to pull herself up on the furniture.” Tiny's smile was sad as he followed his brother's gaze. “She's smart, though. Reckon there ain't gonna be much that holds her back.”

  “Reckon you're right. Beth said you've enrolled in classes to learn how to sign.”

  “Yeah. Figured we'd best do it while she's still small. Kids are picking it up quicker than me, though.”

  “That's cuz they inherited their mom's smarts.”

  “Yep. An' my attitude.” He grinned. “They're gonna drive me to an early grave. Anyone who says kids keep you young is a liar.”

  Deke wasn't so sure about that. Sure, he was beginning to forget what a full night's sleep felt like, and sometimes it felt like he was drowning in crappy diapers and piles of laundry. But when his little Lottie smiled at him, he felt like he could take on the whole world. With a smile, he closed his eyes. “You love every fucking minute of it.”

  “Man ain't nothing without his family, bro.” Tiny stood up. “I guess I'd better fire up this barbecue, or we ain't gonna eat tonight.”

  The sound of approaching bikes broke the peace, and out of the corner of his eye, Deke saw his girl sit up a little straighter. With a sigh, he hauled himself to his feet and wandered over to where she and Beth were sitting. While Emma was cool around his brothers in Seattle, she would probably always be wary around strangers, and the newer Bay View patches were less family-oriented than those in his home chapter. Vince in particular had very definite ideas about a woman's place, and it wasn't unusual for his ol' lady to been seen sporting a black eye. And while he knew Emma would be treated with respect, it was only out of deference to him, something that would never sit well with her.

  Their eyes met, and he smiled. “Hey. You two finished bitching about your men?”

  “Not really. But we can resume later.” Emma stood and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You don't have to stand guard. I'll be okay.”

  “I know.” Her lips were so soft as they brushed against his, and he felt his cock twitch. “Just indulge me, baby girl. I want those assholes to know you're mine.”

  “Caveman.” She pressed herself a little closer, and he suppressed a groan. “They know.”

  “Just wanna remind 'em.” Jesus, he was going to come in his pants if she didn't move. He swore she got more beautiful every day.

  Beth rolled her eyes and laughed. “There are children present.”

  “Can I help it if my ol' lady is the hottest bitch on the west coast.”

  “Only the west coast?” Emma stuck out her bottom lip.

  “Well there was this broad in New York....” He grinned and kissed her. “She knew some moves.”

  “Asshole.”

  “Witch.”

  Any further conversation was halted by Charlotte, who decided that now was a good time to tell the world she was awake.

  Emma grinned. “Your daughter's awake. I'm guessing she's hungry.”

  “She's your daughter, too.”

  “Not when she's in that mood. That is pure Samson. Her food's in the fridge.”

  Ignoring the new arrivals' smirks, he carried his daughter into Tiny and Beth's new house. Vince and his brothers may have believed that taking care of the kids was woman's work, but Deke was happy to spend every available second with his daughter. As far as he was concerned, not only was she the cutest kid on the planet, but there had been a time when he'd thought she'd never happen. His little Lottie was a gift, and he adored this little scrap, with her mother's eyes and her father's stubborn streak, even when she was screaming the place down and refusing to eat the lumpy, green goo her mother had concocted. She may have only been ten months old. But no one was gonna tell her what to do. “C'mon, baby.” He sniffed the spoon and wrinkled his nose. “It'll taste better than it smells, an' your mom will kick my ass if I give you something else.” He sighed at Lottie's innate ability to open her mouth to yell, but close it whenever the spoon got close. “Fine. You win.” He screwed the lid back on the pot. “I'll get your mom, maybe she'll give you a tit. That always cheers me up.”

  There was something about watching his ol' lady feeding his kid that filled his heart. He had no idea why he loved it so much, but he never tired of it. Maybe it was just that: his ol' lady and his kid. The family he'd never known he needed. He still loved the club as much as he ever did, but Emma and Lottie completed him in a way his brothers and all the faceless whores in the world never could. Tiny was right. A man was nothing without a family.

  Emma looked up and smiled. “Go out and join the party, Deke. We'll be out in a while.”

  “I'm good.” He'd always believed that the club would come first. Now though, he wasn't so sure. “I'll wait till you're done.”

  TWO

  Tiny couldn't help but wonder if he really deserved to be happy. He wasn't a good man, he knew that. He'd done things that would turn a man's stomach. Even Samson, who was the toughest son of a bitch he knew, shrank from the things that he did without a second thought. Surely a man like him didn't deserve the love of a family.

  He turned from the steaks he was grilling, and his eyes fell on Beth, sitting on a blanket with Alice on her lap. He sure as shit didn't deserve her.

  She looked up and, as her eyes met his, smiled. It never ceased to amaze him that, after all the crap he'd put her through, her love for him was unwavering. This strong, smart, hot as all hell woman, who could have any man she wanted, chose him. Only she knew just what he was capable of, but loved him anyway.

  He wasn't a man given to introspection – that was a trait he couldn't afford – but sometimes he wondered what kind of man he would be without her and his kids. All his life he'd been aware of the demons that snapped at his heels. Of the dar
kness deep inside him. There was little room inside him for humanity, and only they could push the darkness away and find it.

  Moving back to Cali had been tougher on his ol' lady than he cared to admit. She liked their new house on the outskirts of Bay View well enough, and agreed that it was a great environment for the kids to grow up in. But she was lonely, and her distrust of his Bay View bothers and their ol' ladies had only added to her sense of isolation. Despite this, it never once occurred to Tiny that they should move back to Seattle. He had a partnership in a garage which, while it would never make him rich, was legit. And more importantly, the chapter needed him, and no matter how much he loved his family – and he did love them – the club would always come first.

  “Tiny.”

  He scowled as a prospect – he couldn't remember his name – fidgeted nervously behind him. “What?”

  “Vince said I should watch the grill. He wants to talk to you.”

  Swallowing his annoyance – this was a family party, not the time to talk business – he flipped the steaks. “Don't let them burn.” Then he turned and headed to the bottom of the yard, where Vince was leaning on a tree, drinking a beer. “Waddya need, boss?”

  “You ever run across a Valentino Moretti when you were in Vegas?”

  “Not really. I know of him – he runs a strip joint and has his fingers in a lot o' pies – but I never met him, why?”

  “He called me last night with a business proposition, could be a lot of money for the club in it.”

  “You speak to Jez? Pretty sure the Vegas chapter must've done business with him.”

  “Yeah. I called him this morning. According to him, Moretti's a snake.”

  “Jez is a pretty good judge of character, boss.”

  “Jez is a fat, lazy piece of crap, who's had it easy for too long.”

  “He's always run a tight ship, as far as I can see. The Vegas chapter earns big and has good relations with the gen pop.” Tiny pulled a pack of smokes from his pocket and passed one to his President. “What does Moretti want?”

  “He's looking to expand into Cali – San Diego – but has come across some opposition. He needs some help removing it.”

  “And he wants the Freaks to do his dirty work.”

  Something like that.” Vince grinned. “Nice fat paycheck, a share of what his girls earn, an' you assholes get to indulge in some shit-kicking.”

  Tiny was pretty sure it wouldn't be as straightforward as that, and he didn't much like the idea of The Freaks getting involved in someone else's war. But for now, he kept his opinions to himself. “Talk to Samson. Ain't many people he don't know. He was on the road a lot longer than me.” He looked over to where a pall of smoke was rising from the grill. “If that's everything, I'm gonna rescue those steaks 'fore that idiot burns my fence down.”

  “Yeah, that's all. Just wanted to sound you out before bringing it to the table.” Vince looked around. “Where is Samson?”

  “Inside. He'll be out soon.” He straightened up and stole a glance at Beth. Things had been peaceful for a while, and he'd hoped that it was going to stay that way. His ol' lady had suffered enough – his gut knotted – he couldn't stand to see his family get hurt again.

  THREE

  As Beth sat in the shade of the tree, stroking Alice’s hair, she surreptitiously watched Joe and Vince. Although she couldn't hear what was being said, she knew her old man wasn't happy. He might have been the master of the unreadable expression, but she could spot the signs that gave him away. She pulled her daughter a little closer as she fretted – unsettled by the strangers around her. Beth had always stood by her man, no matter what. But she couldn't let her kids be put at risk... Not again.

  “Cute little family you have, sweetie.” Gloria sat, uninvited, on the blanket and lit a cigarette. “I guess they're the reason we haven't seen anything of you at the clubhouse.”

  Not entirely. “It's not easy getting a babysitter for four kids, and this one has a few issues. She's not good around strangers.” Beth smiled at Vince’s old lady. “And I've never been much of a party animal.”

  “I've got to admit. I don't know how you do it.” Gloria wrinkled her nose. “Screaming kids and crappy diapers. No thank you. And I'd never cope with one that's handicapped.”

  “Alice isn't handicapped.” God, Beth hated that word. “She's deaf and a little weak on her left side, but she'll be on her feet soon, and she's already learning how to sign.”

  “Oh, I've offended you. I'm sorry.” She didn't look it. “I just meant it must be tough, dealing with all that on your own.”

  “I'm not dealing on my own. I have Joe.”

  “Yes, but he has other priorities.”

  “Joe's priorities are his family.” Alice whimpered as she felt her mom tense. “I'm going to take her inside for a while, she's getting upset by all the people around her.” If she didn't remove herself, the self-proclaimed first lady was going to get a piece of her mind.

  Samson was leaning on the living room wall, still on sentry duty as Emma fed Charlotte. He turned and grinned as Beth entered the room. “Hey, baby.” He kissed her forehead and ran a finger across Alice's jet black curls. “How do I say 'hi' to her?”

  Beth swallowed the lump that formed in her throat – none of Joe's brothers had shown the slightest interest in communicating with the little girl – “Like this.”

  Alice smiled and held out her arms as he saluted hi. Samson's grin got wider as he took the toddler from her and sat her on his hip. “Reckon we'll have to take lessons. Don't seem right that she gets left out of conversations.”

  “You'd do that?”

  He looked over to Emma who nodded in agreement. “Sure. I'm pretty dumb, but I reckon this little one will put me right if I screw up.”

  “Thank you. Thank you so much.” Suddenly, Beth didn't feel quite so alone anymore.

  ~ oOo ~

  Emma smiled as Deke handed Alice back to her mom. Sometimes she wondered if he knew just how amazing he really was. He had the ability, without even trying, to do the right thing. An empathy that was rare among his brothers. He crossed the room and ran his hand over his daughter's hair, then bent and kissed her. “I'm gonna go get a beer. Don't hide away in here for too long.”

  “I won't. I just want to make sure she's settled first.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “Go play.”

  Beth put Alice on the floor and sat in the armchair, her eyes never leaving her daughter. “I've really missed you guys.”

  “I've missed you, too.” Emma smiled at her friend. “I fully intend to monopolize you for the next few days.”

  “Good to hear. This place is great, and the neighbors are nice, but...”

  She left the rest of the sentence unsaid. Emma knew she was lonely and was struggling to find her place in the tiny, close-knit community. She loved Tiny, and would always be grateful for the support he had given her, but right now, she couldn't help but be angry at the way he'd run roughshod over Beth's feelings. She didn't doubt for one moment that he loved her, but he would always put the club and his own needs first. Knowing there was no point in pursuing the subject, she looked over to where Alice was shuffling on her butt towards the toy box. “She's getting stronger.”

  “Yeah, she is. She gets tired, but she uses her arm now and can even stand on her own. I have a feeling she'll be walking soon.” Beth grinned as – as if to prove her right – Alice pulled herself to her feet and started to rummage through the toys. “I try not to think too much about the future, but I think she's going to be okay.”

  “I think you're right. She's a fighter.”

  “She's her father's daughter.”

  They spent longer hiding away in the house than either of them intended. Imi had joined them and was sitting on the floor with her twin 'reading' her a book and signing like a pro; Genghis had decided he was tired of running around the yard and was stretched out on the mat with Lottie. The sounds of the party filtered though the window, but neither woman f
elt inclined to join the fun. Emma yawned and stretched. “Do you think that maybe we should go out there?”

  “Probably. How about you go. I'll stay in here and watch the kids. Word of warning, though. Steer clear of Gloria. She makes Yaz look like a pussy cat.”

  “Actually, Yaz seems to have mellowed in her old age. I don't see a lot of her and we're never going to be best buddies, but all her vitriol seems to be directed at the club girls now.” Emma laughed. “She can sometimes go hours without sniping at Deke.”

  “Wow. It must be her hormones.”

  “Maybe.” Or the fact that I took her to one side and told her I knew all about her pushing up on Deke, and while he was a good guy who wouldn't tell her old man, I'll shout it from the rooftops if she didn't back off. “Whatever her reasons, it makes parties more pleasant.”

  “I'm sure it does.” Beth grinned. “Go and find your guy. We'll be fine.”

  She was barely through the door before Deke was at her side. “Hey, baby girl. I was beginning to think you were gonna be hiding there forever.”

  “Sorry. Beth and I were talking and time kinda ran away with us.”

  “I figured as much.” He kissed her head. “You wanna beer?”

  “No, I'm good. I don't suppose there's anything I can eat?”

  “There's plenty of salad and some pasta shit. C'mon.” With his hand on her shoulder, he led her to a trestle table. “Can't have you starving to death.”

  Despite the smiles and jokes, Emma could tell Deke wasn't happy. He was tense and determined to stick close to her. She was aware of his dislike of Vince and his old lady, although he'd never said anything – that wasn't his way, and he'd never disrespect one of his brothers, even from behind closed doors – and it was clear he was uncomfortable around the rest of the chapter. She nudged him with her shoulder. “Beth's watching Lottie, everyone seems preoccupied, and Beth and Tiny's guest bed is really comfortable....”