... and Forever (Next Generation: Chaos Bleeds 1)

Devil twirled his glass on the table. Simon’s patience was starting to wear a little thin. No, not a little, a lot. He looked toward his mother when Devil finally spoke again. “The president was there, a few of his boys, and Ryan’s dad. The one who you killed.”

“He had no right to be there.”

“I know, so did Lash. Anyway, he was in the process of getting them off club property, and I was about a second away from shooting them all in the face, when Tabitha walked in. Damn it, do you remember?” Devil asked, looking at Lexie.

“It was the first time we saw her smile. Whatever Dick had done, he’d brought her peace.”

“Yep, and within a second, it was gone because of those assholes. Believe me, a lot of people wanted to start a war that day. Tabitha had been holding her shit together but barely. One look at them, and she seemed to know. Ryan’s dad, and the Monster Dogs wanted her to come and live at their clubhouse. To … I don’t know, become one of them. She was carrying one of them, and it was only fair.” Devil smiled. “She told them all to eat shit and die.” Lexie chuckled. “I swear at times, she didn’t know what her words could have caused.”

Simon couldn’t help but smile, imagining his woman. He also knew she would have been a mess afterward.

“She told them that what Ryan did to her, none of them had any right or claim. The baby was hers. She also explained, much to my and Lexie’s embarrassment, there was also a chance it was yours, about a failed condom.”

Simon nodded. “We were going to wait a month and see. Take a test if she didn’t start her period.”

“The Dogs weren’t easily swayed until Tabitha very vividly told them exactly what Ryan did. How as far as she was concerned, they would never have any claim, and if they so much as touched her, she would make sure they never knew a quiet moment because as Ryan attacked, he’d whispered little secrets about the club.” Devil sighed. “The Dogs left. Tabitha got left alone.”

“She has secrets on them?”

“Not a damn thing,” Devil said. He laughed. “It sure made Whizz pull his shit together and start digging. They were on a countdown. He got the dirty crap he needed. Enough to keep Tabitha and Nathan safe. That’s how I knew she didn’t need you. Tabitha is a strong woman, Simon. I made a judgment call and you don’t like it, fine. I don’t care. You’ve seen how amazing she’s been with that boy.”

“I don’t want to know,” he said.

“You don’t want to know what?” Devil asked.

“If he’s mine or not. I know you’ve got the answers and if you don’t, you’d find them. Nathan’s mine.” He got to his feet. “He’s my son and I want him to be seen as my flesh and blood in the eyes of the club.”

“The only way to make this work is to claim her, son. You know that. Stick around. Earn your patch. Show the boys you mean business. I expect you at the clubhouse tomorrow.”

Simon got to his feet and held his hand out. “Thank you for taking care of her.”

Devil chuckled. “You don’t need to go around shaking my hand. We both know she’s family.”

Simon left his parents and found Tabby in bed. She was curled up but her eyes were open.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Did you have a good family meeting?”

“Not really. I’ve got to earn everything back. The respect, you know, the works.”

“Did you expect anything else from him?” Tabby asked.

“No, not a damn thing.” He stroked her hair back from her cheek. “Can I stay with you tonight?”

“If you’d like.”

“I’m going to need a place to live,” he said.

“Simon, I don’t want to move too fast.”

“I’ll take the sofa at your place. No rush.”

“Fine.”

He kissed her cheek. “You do know I’m not going anywhere from now on. You’ve got me.”

“Yay, I can’t wait.”

He laughed. “You’re a giant pain in the ass.”

“And that’s what you love about me.”

“It’s not the only thing I love about you, but it’s right up there of things to love.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek before getting up and heading toward the bathroom. On his way to have a quick shower, he heard some whimpering coming from his son’s room.

Opening the door, he glanced in to see Nathan twitch and whimper. He suddenly jerked awake, calling for his mother. Simon wrapped his arms around his son, holding him close. “I’ve got you.”

“I was being eaten by sharks.”

“No sharks.”

“I hate the water.”

“Don’t worry. Everyone hates sharks,” he said. Nathan slowly started to calm down.

He lay back against the pillows and he stroked his son’s head. “Are you feeling better now?”

“Yeah, I don’t like sharks.”