Hard Corps (Selected Sinners MC #7) Read online

  Now spending time with a woman for all of the right reasons, life seemed so much different. Sitting at the bar with Shane and Ripp, however, reminded me some things were likely to never change.

  “I can’t fuckin’ wait for this kid, Dekk. I been goin’ to the store, and when I go, I’m eyballin’ the aisles with kid shit in ‘em instead of the aisles with guns and fishin’ poles. Who’d a thought that?” Ripp said as he tipped up his bottle of beer.

  Dekk shrugged his shoulders and grinned. “Not me.”

  “Hell, Ripp, I might be more excited about these two kids than both of you combined. I’m fucking giddy,” I said.

  Ripp wrinkled his nose and lowered his bottle of beer. “Giddy?”

  “That’s what I said,” I said.

  He shook his head, glanced at Dekk as if seeking support, and upon getting nothing in return, turned to face me. “High school girls are giddy.”

  I cocked my head to the side and widened my eyes. “Add me to the list.”

  “You alright, Bro?” he asked.

  “Quite,” I said.

  “Sister of mine’s got you all fucked up. Shit before long you two’ll have a kid of your own,” he said.

  “Not yet,” I said.

  “Better be careful. Knock her up and Pop’ll make you get married,” he said.

  “Don’t have to worry about that,” I said as I reached for my bottle of beer.

  “Ain’t shootin’ blanks, are ya?” he asked.

  I coughed a laugh. “No, as far as I know my ammunition’s fine. We’d have to have sex first. That’s what I meant.”

  He leaned forward and pressed his forearms onto the edge of the table. As he fixed his eyes on mine, he cocked one eyebrow and cleared his throat. “Couple a months and you two ain’t fuckin’?”

  Normally such a question would have been rewarded with an escorted trip to the parking lot or a punch in the face. As Katie was his sister, and he really meant no disrespect, I decided I would allow it.

  “Listen. Most men ask questions after a guy dates a girl for a while like have you fucked her yet? Or is she good pussy? I don’t ask those questions, and I don’t appreciate them asked of me. Those things aren’t my reason for being with her. If they’re meant to be, they’ll happen. If they’re not, they won’t. But when they do,” I paused and reached for my beer.

  I took a long drink, placed the bottle to the side, and leaned onto the edge of the table. As he met my gaze, I locked eyes with him.

  “It’ll be between Katie and me,” I said.

  After a few seconds of our eyes being locked, he leaned back in his seat and grinned. “Fair enough. It’s nice knowing you ain’t takin’ advantage of my sis.”

  I nodded once and reached for my beer.

  Ripp twisted in his seat for a moment as if uncomfortable, drank the rest of his beer, and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the edge of the table. As he rubbed his hands together, he fixed his eyes on mine.

  “What?” I asked.

  “You whack off all the time, don’t you?” he asked.

  Dekk choked on his turkey sandwich and I let out a long belly laugh.

  “No, actually I don’t,” I said.

  “Shit. I whack off while I’m getttin’ ready to have sex. Sometimes after,” he said as he leaned into the back of his seat.

  “Good to know,” I said with a laugh.

  “You know why I like it so much?” he asked as he pointed at Dekk. “Don’t answer, Dekk. Dekk knows, and I don’t want him spoilin’ it.”

  “Wasn’t planning on it,” Dekk said.

  There wasn’t anything to spoil. I didn’t give a half-ounce of fucks why he whacked off as much as he did. But, as much as I fought against it, my mouth curled into a smile. “Why?”

  “Because the whole fuckin’ time, I’m in control. Speed. Passion. All of it,” he said.

  Passionate masturbation?

  I stared at him in disbelief. “Passion?”

  “Yep,” he said as he waved his hand at the waitress. “I can make it rough sex, passionate, slow and easy, fast and light, fast and rough, hell the possibilities are endless.”

  I shook my head and laughed. “Well, I choose to exercise more control than that. Keeps me strong, alert, and more passionate about relationships.”

  He tossed his head toward Shane. “Sound like Dekk, now. He ain’t much for whackin’ off either.”

  “What can I get for you?” the waitress asked.

  “Two things,” Ripp responded. “Bring us a glass of water, and two more beers.”

  “Is that it?” she asked.

  “No,” Ripp said. “I said there was two, that’s one. Here’s the other. I got a question.”

  She placed her hand on her hip and glanced at each of us individually. “Okay.”

  “Who here has the most self-control?” he asked.

  Without shifting her eyes away from him, she responded. “Those two. Probably a dead tie. My guess is you’ve got none.”

  “Seriously?” he asked.

  “Yeah, seriously,” she responded. “Is that it?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “That’s it.”

  “Sharp girl,” I said.

  “Is it that obvious?” he asked.

  “Just as well have it tattooed on your forehead,” Dekk said.

  Ripp shifted his focus to Dekk, and glared. “Shut it, Dekk. You ain’t got that much self-control. You beat the fuck out of people for a living.”

  “So do you,” Dekk responded.

  Sitting at the bar with Ripp and Shane wasn’t much different than being at Sunday dinner. It was anyone’s guess what the topic of discussion would be, and there was never a doubt that Ripp would be the center of attention. He didn’t do it out of necessity or desire, it was just that he was a very outspoken person with very little tact.

  “Whatever, Dekk,” Ripp said with a wave of his hand.

  “Back to the original subject,” I said. “I’m pretty excited about this kid thing. And if anybody needs a babysitter, I’m your guy.”

  “No shit?” Ripp said.

  I nodded my head. “I’m serious. I love kids.”

  “Know anything about ‘em?” he asked.

  “Damn bit more than you, if I was forced to guess,” I said with a laugh.

  “Ain’t never had any though, huh?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “No, not yet.”

  “Got any nephews or nieces?” he asked.

  I had never been a man to lie, and now wasn’t the time to start. In some respects, I led myself into the question and needed to answer it, but I sat staring at my bottle of beer trying to decide just how to answer it without answering it in full.

  “My sister had a little boy. I haven’t seen him in years,” I said.

  “Must not like ‘em too much,” he said.

  Now I have to answer….

  “Actually, I do. She put him up for adoption. I don’t have any right to see him any longer.” I said. “Long story.”

  It wasn’t a subject I liked to discuss with anyone, and it was the reason I hadn’t spoken to my father – or my sister – in so many years. In front of Shane, who I had already shared my nephew being a special needs child, I hated to bring up the subject. Although we hadn’t discussed the matter since I went to New Mexico and brought him home, I could only guess that he still struggled with the subject.

  “Sorry to hear it, Brother,” Ripp said.

  “Not as sorry as I am to say it,” I said. “It makes me sick.”

  And truer words had never been spoken.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Early Winter 2014, Austin, Texas, USA

  Life, at least for me, had always been full of surprises. To say that things happen when they’re least expected would be the understatement of a lifetime. Although Vee was further along than Kace in her pregnancy, Kace gave birth first, a little prematurely. I received a text message and multiple calls from both Shane and Ripp, but I was out for a ride on my mot
orcycle and didn’t see them until I stopped for gas.

  The ninety miles I rode from south of the city passed in less than an hour, and I came to a screeching halt beside the entrance of the hospital. After parking my motorcycle on the edge of sidewalk leading to the hospital, I rushed through the door and to the receptionist desk.

  “Dekkar. Childbirth, they’ve moved them. I need the room number, please,” I said.

  “Spell the name,” she receptionist said.

  “D. E. K. K. A. R. Dekkar,” I said excitedly.

  She pecked at the keys, stared at the monitor, and glanced up. “Room 724. Down the hall, on the elevator on the left, and up to seven. It’s on the right.”

  “Do you have a flower shop?” I asked.

  “Right down the hall, on the way to the elevator. Third door on the left,” she said.

  I chose the perfect bouquet of flowers and ran down the hall to the elevator. As the door opened on the seventh floor, I clutched the flowers, gazed down at the toes of my boots, and exhaled. I calmly walked down the hallway, glancing at each of the numbers until I reached their room.

  724.

  I rubbed the palms of my hands against the thighs of my jeans and took a deep breath. On the other side of the door I could hear Ripp’s voice over everything else. Another deep breath, and I pushed the door open.

  “Uncle A-Train is here,” I whispered as I walked into the room.

  Kace’s hair was an absolute mess, and she looked exhausted. Shane looked equally worn out, but was smiling from ear to ear. Ripp, dressed in his typical shorts, wife beater, and Chucks despite the fact it was winter, and Vee was wearing cotton pregnancy pants, a cute black top, and flats.

  As I walked into the room, Kace’s eyes shifted to the flowers I held, and she forced a slight smile as she tried to sit up.

  “These are for you,” I said as I leaned over the edge of the bed and kissed her cheek.

  I placed the vase of flowers on the table beside the bed.

  “Fellas,” I said as I nodded my head toward Shane and Ripp.

  “Congratulations,” I said as I shook Shane’s hand.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  I did my best to contain my excitement, but it didn’t last long. Beside the far side of the bed a bassinet sat with a heat lamp over it. I craned my neck and did my best to peer inside, but from the end of the bed I could see nothing.

  I tossed my head toward the side of the bed as I edged my way past Ripp. “Can I hold…”

  My throat constricted and my mouth went completely dry. It was much tougher than I imagined it would be. I wedged myself between the edge of the bed and the small bed the baby was sleeping in. I glanced at Shane, shifted my eyes toward Kace, and met her gaze. She nodded her head and grinned.

  I peered into the bassinet.

  Innocently sleeping and undoubtedly developing into a man with each passing second, he was much smaller than I remembered my first nephew being. After admiring him for a few seconds, my eyes began to well with tears.

  “Don’t worry, Alec. You won’t break him,” I heard Kace say from behind me.

  I turned away from the bassinet and faced the bathroom. “My hands. I need to wash my hands.”

  I walked into the bathroom, closed the door, and stared down at my boots as I washed my hands. After more than a decade of experiencing my fair share of death, embracing a new life being introduced to the earth was almost more than I could stand to witness. I dried my hands, inhaled a shallow breath, and stared blankly into the mirror. I couldn’t let this nephew escape me.

  You keep him healthy, Lord, and I’ll keep him safe.

  I reached for the door, pulled it open, and paused.

  Thank you.

  “Good to go,” I said as I raised my hands in the air.

  I quietly walked to the bassinet, reached inside, and carefully picked up my nephew.

  Ripp continued to tell a story, Shane argued about the size of the man Ripp had challenged to a fight, and Kace quietly laughed.

  For me, the room fell silent.

  I gazed down at the child cradled in my arms and couldn’t help but smile. A new life. Another chance for someone to grow into the next person to make a difference on earth. Potentially the future President of the United States, a doctor who may cure cancer, or possibly the man who just might convince the world to live in peace.

  I turned away from the crowd, began to hum him a tune, and allowed a tear to roll down my cheek.

  And for that moment, as I held my sleeping nephew in my arms, nothing else mattered.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Early Winter 2014, Austin, Texas, USA

  “Do you have anything in white gold? I’ve never much cared for yellow gold,” I said as I gazed at the display of jewelry he had placed in front of me.

  “We certainly do, it’s one case over, follow me,” he said as he reached for the jewelry.

  After securing the bracelets in the display I followed him to the next case, peered down at the jewelry, and grinned. They were exactly what I had in mind. The thought of giving Katie a gift she could enjoy for a lifetime was exciting to me, and although I realized life offered no assurances, I had no reason to believe we wouldn’t be spending the rest of our lives together.

  “Here are three that are my personal favorites,” he said as he placed three velvet-lined boxes on the glass surface.

  I picked up the one in the center, studied it, and slid the box to the side. The diamonds were larger, had better clarity, and the bracelet appeared to be of slightly better quality than the others. “These are custom, correct?”

  “That is correct, our jeweler hand-crafts them all,” he said with a nod. “That particular piece is 8 carats total weight. The stones are VS1 clarity and E color. We have less expensive pieces, but we do not have a better quality. If cost is something you’re concerned with…”

  I found it unnerving that because of how I was dressed and that I rode in on a Harley he would find me less capable to purchase his jewelry than anyone else who would happen into his store.

  “Did I mention cost?” I asked.

  “No, Sir. You did not,” he said.

  “I’ll take this one,” I said as I placed my hand over the bracelet I had set to the side.

  I watched his Adam’s apple rise and fall as his eyes shifted downward and recognized which one I had chosen.

  “That particular piece is $21,000. There will be state tax added, increasing the total to $21,650,” he said flatly.

  “Put the others back in the case, I’ll take it. Do you take cash?” I asked.

  He swallowed heavily again. “We certainly do.”

  I nodded my head and lowered the pack from my shoulders. After checking over each shoulder and determining the store was still empty, I carefully lifted the pack to the counter. I wanted Katie to have something that would act as a constant reminder of my presence in her life, and it’s been said diamonds are forever. Nothing would make me happier than to see her pleasure from a gift I had chosen for her.

  “Safe to count it here?” I asked.

  He glanced over his shoulder, flipped a switch on the wall, and nodded his head. “Yes, it is.”

  I counted 217 one-hundred dollar bills, placed them on the counter, and after his recounting and totaling the amount, he gave me fifty-dollars change.

  “Would you like me to gift wrap it?” he asked.

  I reached into my pack and removed a hand towel I had brought with me. “No, Sir. I’ll take care of that myself.”

  After wrapping the box in the towel and placing it in my pack, I zipped the pack up.

  “All secure?” he asked.

  I pulled the pack over my shoulder. “Couldn’t be safer if it was in Fort Knox.”

  He reached to the side and flipped the switch, deactivating the electronic door lock. “You’re free to browse the store if you like, or the door’s uple kissinglocked whenever you’re ready.”

  “Appreciate it,” I said ove
r my shoulder.

  “My pleasure,” he said. “Glad we could be of service.”

  I pushed the door open, paused, and turned to face the store. “Do you make custom rings as well?”

  “We certainly do,” he said with a smile.

  I nodded my head and turned away.

  Good to know.

  If things keep going my way, I may need one here pretty soon.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Early Winter 2014, Austin, Texas, USA

  In Katie’s presence, the events of my day disappeared, regardless of what they might be. I found her to be cleansing to me, and each time we were together I felt myself becoming a fractionally better man that I was when we saw each other last.

  Our time together seemed to pass quickly, and I couldn’t get enough exposure to her no matter how frequently I was able to see her. While we were in each other’s arms or embraced in a kiss, my watch seemed to spin at a much slower pace; allowing me to always enjoy our intimacy for what I perceived as a longer period of time.

  I positioned the steak on the plate beside the grilled vegetables and placed the small bowl of peaches to the side. As I carefully lifted a portion of the salad from the bowl to the plate, she shouted from the other room.

  “You sure you don’t want me to help?” she asked from the other room.

  “Just about done. Be there in just a minute,” I responded.

  “But you don’t want any help?” she asked.

  “Sure don’t,” I said. “Just sit still.”

  “Preparing her a meal was more enjoyable than I ever would have imagined. Making something I hoped she would enjoy with my own hands gave me a sense of accomplishment I couldn’t recall ever feeling. If it happened that she actually enjoyed eating it as much as I enjoyed preparing it, I would be an extremely happy man.

  I lifted the plates from the counter and carefully walked to the dining room.

  “Viola,” I said as I lowered her plate to the table.

  “Wow,” she said. “It looks great.”

  “Unless you got the wrong plate, your steak should be medium-well. Mine’s medium-rare, so if you cut into it and it’s wrong, hand it over,” I said as I sat down.