Page 44 of Baja
“Can you tell already?” Lily hiccups.
“We can.” Juneau moves the wand around. “I can tell you right now if you want to know.”
Lily wipes a tear from her eye. “I want to know.”
Juneau clicks the keyboard, freezes the image on the screen, and then points between the baby’s legs.
“Wow, there is no mistaking.” I laugh.
“Is that what I think it is?” Lily squints at the monitor.
Juneau’s lip twitches. “You are indeed having a boy, Lily. A perfect, healthy baby boy.”
Then Lily does something that shocks the hell out of me.
She sits forward and throws her arms around Juneau. “Thank you so much.”
16
BAJA
“Fifteen minutes until church.” Salem strides toward the door, stepping outside and merging with the darkness of night, his mind likely processing the chaos brought to our doorstep.
The room gradually empties, and tension thickens as we exchange silent glances. Each of us is fully aware that this isn’t just another meeting. It is about the club, family, and the looming trouble that threatens to erupt.
I stay put for a moment, then head toward the bar and pour myself a shot of whiskey. I turn to my uncle, who remains frozen on the couch, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that cuts through the tension like a knife. He’s quiet, his face lined with exhaustion and something else—guilt, maybe.
“Speak your mind.” Uncle Jax inhales sharply, his breath heavy.
“You’ve cornered me and the club, showin’ up unannounced and dumpin’ this in our laps. Not fuckin’ cool, man.”
He nods slowly, a grim acknowledgment. “I know.”
“While I get your perspective, a threat looms over our heads now with an MC we have no history with. A threat you’ve thrust upon us.”
“I’ll handle it. I promise. All I ask is that you keep Lily safe,” my uncle insists, his voice steady yet pleading.
I’ve got nothing else to say. I’m still processing everything myself. So, we sit silently until Salem strides back inside, commanding attention with every step.
“Jax, you need to be part of this as well.” Salem strides across the room, his gaze locked straight ahead and an intense expression etched on his face, charged with urgency.
I stroll over to the couch with a bottle of whiskey in my hand, then hook my free hand under my uncle’s arm, helping him stand. “You good for this?” I hand him the bottle, and he downs a heavy shot.
“I’ve got no choice, do I?” He winces, leaning on my support as we join the others.
The table fills fast, everyone taking their usual spots. Salem sits at the head, his expression as unreadable as ever. There’s already an extra chair next to mine. I take my place, and my uncle settles next to me.
Salem’s gaze sweeps the table. “Now that we’ve all had a minute to absorb the situation we have on our hands, we’re not leaving this room until a plan is put in place. But first, I want every goddamn detail.” He cuts his eyes at my uncle. “Start talkin’.”
I slump back in my chair, the wood groaning under my weight, and lock my gaze on my uncle. This goes beyond ordinary club matters. The stakes are high. My uncle has been through hell and dragged himself back, carrying an extra load with him, but there’s something raw in his eyes—a desperation I’ve never witnessed before as he steels himself to speak. “The President’s name is Zane Kane, but he calls himself Havoc. Their club has about a eleven members, give or take.” His voice is rough like gravel. “They have a nasty reputation.”
“So do we,” Laredo mutters.
“Then you’ll understand when I say they don’t play by any rules either. They are vicious and unafraid to get their hands dirty to get and keep power,” Uncle Jax pauses, taking a deep breath. “Havoc is the kind of man who doesn’t tolerate betrayal, and my daughter leaving him… to him, that is betrayal.”
The room remains silent for a beat.
My uncle glances down at the table and then looks at Salem, swallowing hard. “Lily trusted the wrong man. She thought he’d take care of her. Instead, he broke her. Broke her spirit and body. She didn’t tell me until it was too late. Not until after she was pregnant. By then, the bastard had already done his damage.” He pauses, his words sinking like a lead weight.
