sure feels like I am.
Now I’m in the center of Billings, at the local hospital, walking through the cream-colored halls of the maternity ward. I stop right at the nurses’ station and see a short Native American woman with long black hair. “Can I help you?”
“You sure can. I’m looking for Octavia Spencer-Monroe, and Zane Monroe.”
“Are you family? Only family can be back with them.”
I nod, lovin’ the fact we can play this card. “Yep, I’m Grim Braxton, his half-brother.”
“Mhm, ‘half-brother’.” I look past her and see Regina, who I’ve known for eons. She’s a labor and delivery nurse here at the hospital, who I’m pretty sure helped deliver Blackjack and Ashley’s two kids.
“Um . . . I’m detecting a facetious tone. Do I let him back?” The woman behind the station asks her.
Regina’s flipping through a chart and lets out a laugh. “You’d better. The ol’ ladies in that club don’t like to be told ‘no’, and I know for a fact Octavia personally requested Grim’s presence.”
“Alright . . . um, she’s in room 505. It’s the third one on the left if you keep going straight down the hall.”
“Thank you,” I say before walking down the hallway. What she didn’t tell me is how the numbers didn’t start until what feels like half a mile. Hot damn. Once I get to the room, I knock lightly on the door.
Zane opens it and allows me to come inside, I walk by him and see Octavia holding a lil’ man in a blue blanket. “Damn, if he ain’t the most precious thing I’ve ever laid my eyes on.”
“I’m sure you say that to all the kids,” Octavia teases, and she’s damn straight.
“I will neither confirm nor deny. So, what’s this little dude’s name?” I ask, lookin’ down to his jet-black hair and tan complexion.
“Neo,” Octavia smirks, lookin’ down at her new bundle of joy.
“Well, that’s a unique name.” I mutter.
“You just now figurin’ that out? We’re a unique bunch at the Reapers.” Zane slaps my back, causin’ Neo to wake up and scream his little head off.
“Oh, it’s okay. Your daddy’s just a fool.” Octavia tells Neo in the sweetest voice ever.
Zane glares at her, but she glares back, obviously not pleased he woke Neo up. “So, I’m debatin’ asking you both this question. Figure I ought to, though.”
Zane seems curious, while Octavia appears to be in protection mode. “You gonna tell him, about the kid?” I’m not dumb. I know who these two probably had a night with, the man Octavia was with for years prior to marryin’ Zane. Inc.
“He made his choice, Grim. I’ll say this to you and to anyone who asks. Inc walked out on us, said what we wanted wasn’t for him. He fucking left. He . . . he made his choice, and what a fucking mistake he made, because look at him. He’s perfect. He’s so fucking perfect.” Octavia tears up, lookin’ at Neo.
“Hey, I’m not here to judge. Just wanted to know.” Fuck, I need to know. Especially if I’m still gonna be watchin’ over Octavia whenever she leaves the club. Normally a Prez would send a prospect, but after shit happenin’ to the Skulls Renegade MC over a decade ago with Daisy bein’ kidnapped . . . well, lets just say I don’t blame Zane for havin’ me watch over the most precious thing in his life.
“You’re only bein’ a nosy shit, and I don’t like it.” Zane grumbles. He points to Neo. “He is my son. You got that? I said it to y’all once and I’ll say it again. Any of you act like he isn’t and I’ll rip your fuckin’ throats out myself.”
I bring my hands up in surrender. “Shit, Zane. You know I mean what I say and say what I mean. Chill, dude. While I’m here though, I have a girl who might take the job cookin’ for the club.”
“Oh? Who?”
“Natalie. She’s a single-mom who works at the chiropractor’s office.”
Zane smirks, “You mean the chick you had at the club last night?” How the fuck does he know about that? “I hear about everything that happens in my house, brother. You must really like her, though.”
I nod, “Yeah, I do. She’s kind, has a good heart. She’s been through hell, but that ain’t my story to share. You know?”
“Damn straight I do. Job sounds like it would work out for her. You told her she can bring her kids, right?”
This is exactly why I knew it