Page 43 of Falcon

“It can be at times, but luckily, we get along. We’re potentially looking to buy the contractor business because the man is fuckin’ useless. He was constantly delaying, and we’ve so many houses that need building, Calamity got shot of him. We’re using a company that two brothers in the National Chapter own, but that’s based in Rapid City. If we can buy the construction company we fired and manage it ourselves, it would help loads.” Falcon sounded angry.

“Is yours one that’s delayed?”

“Yeah. It’s a matter of contention, though. While we were at the in-between stage of moving, so setting everything up, we agreed on the order of builds. Savage’s Uncle Earle and Gauntlet’s gran’s were first constructed. They’re family members who needed looking after, and they wouldn’t have coped with the clubhouse. Their homes were finished at the same time as Calamity’s and the clubhouse.” Falcon chuckled and looked amused at what I assumed was a memory.

“Calamity claimed we were giving him preferential treatment and refused the house. The man’s our President and whining about special consideration. His old lady agreed with us, and we just went ahead without his permission. We also started Ghost’s, Savage’s, and Gauntlet’s homes at the same time. Ghost didn’t mind, but Savage and Gauntlet kicked off a little, saying others needed theirs first.”

“Why? I don’t understand,” I admitted.

“Some of the brothers have families. So, we prioritised them. Ghost had lived rough for over a decade, so we agreed he deserved to be amongst the first. But Savage and Gauntlet claimed others had seniority. Such as Texas. In the end, Calamity put his foot down, and everyone was given a time slot.”

I got it. “And because you don’t have a family, you shouldn’t come before the others.”

“Exactly! Although mine, Texas, and Klutz’s are being built now, Hunter, Ice, and Harley have families. I could have gone to the bottom of the list, but they said as Veep, I need a house. Don’t see why.”

I hid a smile. Falcon came across a petulant child. And I bet he sounded like Calamity had. I didn’t know much about motorbike clubs. Just the basics. They don’t like being called gangs; they wore cuts that they treated with absolute respect, and they backed each other up to death. If I were right, Vice-President was a huge role, and I could understand their thinking. It sent a warm sensation flooding through me, but at the same time, it drove home my loneliness.

The double doors to the clubhouse opened, and a group of kids spilled out. I watched as they raced towards a grassy area. A guy came out bellowing at them to stay together, or there’d be no swimming later. He was a big man, but when he turned, my fear faded when I caught his slight smile.

“That’s Ghost,” Falcon said, climbing out. Ghost turned to watch.

“I’ll get Penny,” he called and disappeared back inside. Who was Penny? I didn’t get to ask because several things happened simultaneously. More kids came out of the clubhouse whooping, and some older teens followed them. A group of women appeared, with some men. One of them pushed a wheelchair, and then I spotted my reason for living. Jayes saw me in the truck and released a scream.

That shocked me in itself, but he burst into a frantic run, heading straight for me. Falcon moved back as Jayes climbed up and wrapped his arms around my neck. For the first time in a week, a knot loosened in me, and I cuddled my precious son. Tears trickled down my face as I hauled him in. Shit, I’d missed him. I didn’t care about the pain I was in; I held Jayes close, breathing him in.

“Gently, Jayes, Mommy’s still not all healed,” Falcon said softly

Jayes went to pull away, but I clutched him tighter. “Myka, he’s okay. Go easy on your ribs,” Falcon warned.

Though it felt like hours, it was merely moments before I let Jayes go, and he grinned. I couldn’t believe this was my son. Jayes would never have screamed with joy, wouldn’t have dared run at home, nor would he be beaming. Dawson had driven that out of him, yet a week here and Jayes was acting like a normal kid.

“Are you okay, Mommy?” Jayes asked, cupping my face.

“I’m fine. Mommy was sick, but I’m getting better. Are you going to let me out?” I murmured, wiping my tears away.

“Yup. And Mommy, we have to stay here. They have a kitchen, and there’s food all the time,” Jayes declared.

“Wow, really?” I gasped with a watery smile.

“Yes. Not like at home with Daddy. I don’t want Daddy to come. He’s mean. Falcon has been teaching me to swim. He says I’m amazing and a pro…prod.”

“Prodigy?” I asked, smiling.

“Yes! That means I’m super cool at swimming,” Jayes exclaimed.

“That’s wonderful news! Mommy will watch you later!” I said.

Grinning, Jayes wriggled and climbed down. Falcon caught him and set him on his feet, and Jayes rushed off to play with the other children. Falcon helped me down, and I settled into the chair the guy had pushed over.

“Myka, this is Calamity,” Falcon introduced, and I blushed as I realised the club president had brought me my wheelchair.

“Thanks.”

“Come on, Myka, those rabid bitches won’t hold back for much longer,” Calamity said with a stern expression. For a moment, I faltered. Was I not welcome?

“I heard that, husband!” a woman snapped, and Calamity grinned. Wow, that changed his dour countenance completely.

“Tell me I’m wrong, wife of mine! You lot are like a bunch of gossiping old—”