Page 39 of Spider
Fuck.My.Life.
It took me four fucking days to sort out the shit with the D.E.A.and help them find the real culprit behind the drugs at the school.Some days my connections were a pain in my ass.If I had been your average biker President, they wouldn’t have dirtied their hands by asking for my help.The second they left the compound, I got on my new ride and hit the road.The tires ate up the miles as I headed south toward Alabama.
Night had fallen before I reached the Dixie Reapers’ compound, and I had started feeling a few aches along the way.The blast had bruised me and I had a few scrapes, but nothing that would keep me from getting to my wife.I hadn’t been able to reach Teller, or anyone at the Reapers’ compound except for a brief conversation with Torch over a landline in my office, and I was getting worried.It was probably my fucking cell phone, and I’d need a new one, but right now I just wanted to get to Luciana as fast as possible.As I pulled up to the gates, a Prospect I hadn’t seen before stopped me.
He eyed my cut and gave me a smile.“Someone will be really damn happy to see you.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“Your wife has been rather worried, fearing the worst.Go right once you’re in the gate and follow the road.She’s staying in a blue house with a red door.Can’t miss it.I’m sure you’ll recognize your club’s SUV in the driveway.”
“Thanks.”
The man held out his hand.“I’m King.It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I shook his hand and made my way inside the compound.He was right.The house was easy to find.I parked my bike and walked up to the door, taking a moment to run a hand through my hair and smooth my shirt.I probably looked like hell, but I needed to hold Luciana, to see for myself that she was all right.
The door was locked, so I knocked and waited.Teller opened it and grinned.
“‘Bout damn time,” he said.“Get in here, Pres, and see if you can get your woman to eat something.She’s worried herself to death.”
I stepped inside and followed the sound of female voices.Luciana and her two sisters were at the kitchen table.Violeta and Sofia had nearly cleared their plates, but Luciana didn’t seem to have taken a single bite.She was smiling, but it didn’t reach her eyes.Teller moved farther into the room and I followed.Luciana didn’t even look my way.I smiled as I went closer and knelt by her side.
“Luciana,” I said.
Her head whipped around in my direction and her jaw dropped, then the tears started.She sobbed and threw herself at me, her arms going around my neck.
“It’s okay, baby girl.I’m here.”
Even though I hadn’t been able to reach Teller, I had spoken to Torch.Once, at any rate.If she’d been so scared, why hadn’t someone told her that I was all right?It was ridiculous that she’d worried herself sick when I was perfectly fine, and if Torch knew, then it was likely that several Dixie Reapers had known that as well.His officers at the very least.I’d be having words with Torch before the night was over, whether I was on his territory or not.
“I-I thought you were d-dead.”
“Gonna take more than that to kill me,” I said.
“I convinced her to take the master bedroom,” Teller said.“I think the two of you could use some alone time.The girls and I will head out for a walk.”
I gave him a nod and lifted Luciana into my arms, then carried her to the back of the house.I opened two doors before I finally found what seemed to be her room.The clothes she’d been wearing the day we’d met her father were washed and folded on the dresser.After I shut the door, I carried her into the bathroom and eased her down onto the counter.There was a stack of folded cloths so I grabbed one and ran it under some cool water, then pressed it to her face, dabbing at her tears and hoping it would calm her down.
“I had a reason to stay alive,” I told her.“Three of them.”
Her lip trembled and she started crying again, gripping my arms tight.
“Luciana?What’s wrong?”
“I lost them,” she said softly.“I lost the babies.”
I gathered her close and breathed in her scent.“I’m so damn sorry, sweetheart.I know you were looking forward to having them.”
“Now I’ll never be a mother,” she said, her words cutting me deep.It was my fault she felt that way.If I hadn’t been snipped, then I could possibly give her some kids.
“We’ll adopt,” I said.“Lots of kids out there need a home.Look at me, Luciana.”
She pulled back and her gaze held mine.
“I love you.So damn much,” I said.“The doctor warned us the babies weren’t doing well, hadn’t developed properly.Maybe it’s for the best.You could have gotten into the delivery room and had two stillborn kids.Or maybe we’d have been lucky and they’d have lived.Everything happens for a reason, Luciana.”
“Everything?”she asked, and I knew she was thinking about her past.
