Broken Angels MC Book 2

HANNAH

As Jackson and I entered the main room of the clubhouse, he joined the guys, and I headed straight to Ali.

I could see from her posture that she was hurting. I’d bet she’d been on her feet too much today, and now she was paying the price. But knowing it’s the girls’ birthday party, she wouldn’t let on. I was surprised Axyl hadn’t picked up on it, but he was busy laughing with the guys. “Hey, mama. How’re you holding up?”

“I’m okay. Just a bit of backache. Did you and Reaper sort things out? I was half expecting to have to step in…even if you two were getting it on,” Ali responded, her tone sharp.

Typical Ali. She’d done it before. Her relationship with Reaper was complicated, and I wasn’t about to meddle. They’d been friends for much longer than she and I.

I wouldn’t have stopped her from barging in anyway. I found it kind of exciting to have an audience while we fucked. People might judge us, but I couldn’t care less.

I didn’t judge their sex lives—they had no business judging mine.

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” I told her, starting to massage her back to help with the pain.

She was good at hiding her discomfort, but I knew what to look for. She’d always been good at concealing the pain Alexander caused her, but I could always see through it.

It was like a sixth sense I’d developed after witnessing my sister’s suffering for so long.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You might fool others, but I know you. I recognize the signs when you’re hurting. Maybe you should take a break.

“I bet you’ve been running around all day trying to make this the best party for the girls. You’re six months pregnant, Ali. You need to rest.”

I decided to confront her about it. Not that she’d admit it. She wanted everything to be perfect for the twins.

“I’ll be okay, Han. Trust me.”

What else could I do? She was stubborn. She’d do what she wanted, and no one could stop her. I just hoped she’d make it through the party.

“So, did you tell him about your family?” she asked.

“I’ll let you change the subject, this time. But remember, I’m the doctor here.” I glanced over at the guys, who were in their own world, joking and having a good time.

“Yeah, I did,” I replied. “I told him everything. About the blood on my hands and my sister. He said he doesn’t care.

“He asked if I knew how he got his road name. Of course, I do. You’ve told me that story multiple times. He’s told me that story too.”

“So you thought that because you’ve done what he’s done multiple times that he’d look at you differently? Why?”

“I don’t know. I just thought that he wouldn’t want a woman with blood on her hands.

“That he’d want some innocent woman that he could protect. One that hides when things get tough instead of wanting to be on the front lines fighting alongside her man.”

Ali burst out laughing.

“It’s not that funny.”

She was doubled over, laughing so hard. I thought it was a legitimate concern.

“You should know him better than that,” Ali finally said, straightening up. “You’ve been sleeping together for almost two years. You’ve been fighting your feelings for him since the first year.

“I can see how much you want him, and I know exactly how much he wants you. He would sit at my house for hours talking about it. Asking my advice on how to get you to reciprocate his feelings. To love him as much as he loves you.

“I told him that I warned you not to mess with him unless you were ready for a relationship. He didn’t take that well, but I knew you weren’t looking for anything serious.

“If I had to choose between him and you, it would have been tough, but ultimately, I would have chosen him because he’s been there for me through everything since we were kids.

“And then there’s you. You were there for me through everything with Alex. You saved my life when he left me for dead. I’m just glad that you two sorted things out.”

I couldn’t be mad about what she’d told me. I knew that from the start, and I wouldn’t have put her in that position. I would have come around eventually. I just wish it hadn’t taken me two damn years, but it did.

I looked up, and my gaze immediately found Reaper. They were all laughing and enjoying themselves. Reaper’s eyes met mine, and Axyl’s met Ali’s.

I was drawn to him, walking over and stepping into his embrace.

“Hey, babe,” he said, kissing the top of my head.

He felt like home. Every time I was in his arms, I felt safe and like I belonged. Like I was home. As long as he was with me, I knew I was safe.

“Hey. Ali’s hurting but won’t admit it. She doesn’t want to spoil the girls’ party. I tried to tell her that she’s pregnant and that all the running around she did today would only make her pain worse.

“She needs to take it easy. She may not have had any issues with Brantley so far, but if she doesn’t slow down, I’m worried she’ll go into early labor.

“Given that we’re not entirely sure if it was just the stress Alex caused during her pregnancy with the twins.”

“I get it, sweetheart. But there’s not much we can do if Aliana doesn’t want to take action. All we can do is watch over her and hope it was just the stress.”

I nod against his chest. He’s right. Aliana is a headstrong woman who won’t do anything unless she’s ready.

“I’m okay, Axyl. Let’s get this party started,” she retorts at her husband.

“You’re in pain, Ali. How can you say you’re okay? You know what could happen if you don’t take it easy! I don’t want a repeat of last time!” Axyl yells.

“Hannah is here. She knows what to look for. Doc is here too! Axyl, nothing is going to happen. I’m okay. My back just hurts.

“I’m carrying an Axyl-sized baby. I’m sorry, but you’re huge! Your son is going to be the same! Now back off and go get your kids.”

With that, she turns her back to him and places the candles on the cake. Axyl huffs and walks away, muttering under his breath.

Reaper wraps his arms around me and guides us to the table in the main room where the girls are sitting in front of their cake.

The kids gather around the table, and the girls sit right in the middle in front of their cake. Everyone sings the Happy Birthday song to them, and they blow out their candles, with a little help from their dad.

Soon, cake is being served, and I keep a close eye on Ali. Over the past hour, her back pain has been getting worse, but as of now, I think as long as she sits down, she’ll be okay.

At least, I hope that’s the case.

Having a baby three months early compared to a month early is a whole different story.

“Can you please sit down?” Axyl begs his wife once more.

She ignores him and heads into the kitchen. I glance at Axyl and nod. I’ll make sure she doesn’t do anything to trigger premature labor.

I walk into the kitchen, and the smell makes me homesick.

Since it’s mid-November, the party couldn’t be held outside without everyone freezing, so the women decided to have a cozy family dinner after cake and presents.

“Ladies,” I greet the mothers of the group. “Can you make Ali sit down before she overdoes it and has this baby three months early?”

Ali shoots me a death glare because the moms are the only ones who can make her do anything she doesn’t want to. I shrug at her while giving her a pointed look.

“I’m okay! Why does everyone keep telling me to sit down? I swear! It’s just back pain!” she growls before plopping down on a stool. I sit next to her and notice the immediate relief on her face.

I rub her back, and she relaxes even more.

“I had Gavin four months early. It was the worst time in my life,” Novaleigh, Snoopy’s mom, says. “I was just like you, Ali.

“I wanted to be up and about. I was rushing around trying to help prepare the clubhouse for the guys to return from a run. Everyone kept telling me to sit down and take a break, but I didn’t listen.

“I wanted to do my part in getting things ready. I should have listened though because the next thing I knew, Brock’s walking through the door at the same time as I went into labor.

“I remember being so scared that Gavin wouldn’t make it, and the months that followed were even worse. Seeing him with all those tubes and wires coming out of him from everywhere… He was no bigger than Brock’s hand.”

“I remember sitting there with you the whole time,” Brock adds. “Holding you while you cried, blaming yourself. He was our miracle baby. The doctors gave him less than a one percent chance at survival but survive he did.

“I remember being terrified. I wasn’t able to go back there with her. They had to work fast. She worked herself so hard, her placenta detached.”

Brock walks over to his wife and wipes away a few of her tears. “We had to watch him in that incubator as he fought for his life. I wouldn’t wish that on even my worst enemy.”

“I think I was too young to even remember that. He’s so strong now.

“I’ve read about preemies having the chance of having a lot of problems growing up, but Gavin is the smartest one out of all of us. He’s sixteen and already a senior!” Ali says through her tears.

“He was a lucky one. We were blessed, and he was watched over by someone above. He’s our little genius, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.

“Now, I didn’t tell you this story to scare you. I just wanted you to understand that it’s okay to let someone else be in charge. Take the breaks you need. I understand why you’re doing it.

“You want this day to be perfect for your daughters, but it is. They won’t remember a bit of it. Let everyone help you.

“A party is not worth the risk of spending months watching your baby in an incubator with tubes and wires.”

“She’s right, Aliana Jean Marie. We’re all here to help you. It was the hardest thing I’ve had to watch in my life. Knowing one of my best friends and his wife were in so much pain, and I couldn’t do anything to help.

“I just had to sit there and offer them my support and a shoulder to lean on when they needed it. We all love your children. Now, go tell everyone dinner is ready,” her dad says.

He had helped the ladies cook to give them a break, but we all know it was so he could taste test the food. He said it was to make sure it wasn’t poisoned.

“Appreciate your honesty,” Ali responds. “I’ll start slowing down. I just wanted everything to be flawless. I’d prefer our little one to bake a bit more. I’m eager to meet him, but not just yet.”

Ali rises from her chair and strides into the living room. “Dinner’s served!” She scurries back to the kitchen as everyone stampedes into the dining area.

We carry the food out and arrange it on the table before settling into our chairs. Robert initiates a prayer, and it transports me back to family meals at home before Demy passed away.

After her death, our family meals became less frequent. Being here now, I find myself longing for those times.

Once Robert finishes, we circulate dishes of food and heap our plates. I glance at Jackson and realize that no matter where we find ourselves, as long as we’re together, I’ll always feel at home.