Joy (Hell's Handlers MC 7)

“Almost lost her before I had her,” Copper said.

Jig didn’t respond. Just a nod. Then he slid the bottle across the desktop.

Fuck the glass. Copper lifted it, taking three long swallows straight from the bottle. By now, the liquor had dulled some of his senses, taking away the immediate panic he’d felt on Shell’s admission. This chat with Jig was partly responsible, as well. Now, he was left with a sickening feeling of shame and guilt.

“Pretty sure I fucked up, royally.”

Jig’s head fell back as he let out a hearty laugh. “Yeah, I’d say you did. Luckily that woman will forgive you pretty much anything. Though you may wanna practice your grovel a bit.”

Yeah, he’d be getting on his knees all right. Hopefully, he could stay down there once Shell forgave him. Lick her till she screamed. None of this erased his fears or the very real problems facing his club, but Jig helped him realize he still had to live his life. Had to allow his woman to live hers. He’d just make sure he did anything and everything in his power to keep his family safe.

“She’s gonna be just fine, Cop. Her and the baby. You know that, right? Every man in this club has your back. This isn’t on you alone. We’re a team. A fucking family.”

“Up here,” he said, pointing to his head. “Sure, I know it.”

“Too bad that organ doesn’t run the show most of the time, huh?”

“You ain’t kidding. Hey, can you give me a ride home? Pretty sure I’d attract every cop in the state at this point,” he said, indicating the near-empty bottle.

Before he had the chance to answer, Jig’s phone chimed with an incoming text. He had it read in record time. “Oh, fuck me,” he said.

“What’s up?”

“You might as well stay here, brother. Izzy apparently sent out an SOS to all the girls. They’re gathering at your house to do some kinda workout DVD in the hopes of getting the baby moving.”

Part of him felt relieved. The distraction would do Shell good, but now that he’d dislodged his head from his ass, he wanted to see his woman. Setting the bottle down, he pushed back from the desk. “Guess we’re settling in here for a few hours.”

“Looks like it. But I’ll take you when you’re ready to go. Long as I’m not at the hospital.”

“Thanks brother. Rode here.”

Jig laughed. “You fucking crazy? It’s freezing.”

“I know. Just needed it. Hate this time of year.”

“I hear you, brother. Let’s go hang with the rest of the jokers while our women are doing squats and shit.” Jig stood and headed for the door.

“Hey.”

Jig turned.

Copper walked to him and held out a fist. “Thanks, brother. Proud to have you at my back.”

After bumping his fist, Jig nodded. “I owed you one. Don’t fuck up again cuz I’m done.”

Finally, Copper laughed, and the feeling of dread left him. He hung back as Jig made his way to the bar.

A baby.

Shell was having his fucking baby.

A grin split his face. Damn, the next few months were going to be amazing. Watching her change and grow with his child. Just the thought of her rounding out had his dick plumping.

He was a lucky bastard.

One who had a shit load of apologizing to do.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

IZZY

Izzy adjusted her over-the-belly maternity workout pants as she stood waiting for direction.

Apparently, her girls had grown tired of listening to her complain about still being pregnant, so they took matters into their own hands. Viper and Mamma V had taken Beth for the night. Shell had called about twenty minutes ago, ordering Izzy to her home with instructions to be dressed and ready to workout. Then she’d climbed in Thunder’s truck and made him pick up all the girls. Their ol’ men would grab them later.

Izzy snorted to herself. Workout. Ha. Her belly was so damn big she could barely walk, let alone exercise. But she’d do just about any damn thing to get this kid rocking and rolling. Nothing else had worked. Not spicy foods, not sex, not membrane stripping. Figures, the kid of a biker being stubborn even before birth.

“Okay!” Jazz clapped her hands together, getting the attention of the group. “Listen up, girls.”

Tonight, their group consisted of Toni, Shell, Jazz, Steph, Chloe, and Holly. Pretty much all the ol’ ladies and Jazz. The usual gang. The women Izzy loved like sisters. Something she didn’t often admit out loud, but certainly felt.

“I’ve got Steph coming around with a tray of tequila shots. There’s two for each of you.”

“What?” Toni said with a laugh. “You serious?”

“Yes. Shoot ’em back to back, okay?” Jazz said as she scanned the group.

“You’re joking,” Holly said, wide-eyed. “Are we doing a naked workout? Because that’s what’ll happen if I down two shots of tequila in ten seconds.”