Chapter 111: Joy
*I’m sick and twisted. But not even I would wish that shit on anyone. – Dom*
Celt called Toad at three the following morning. At four, the clubhouse was buzzing with activity. All the patched members from the local chapters, the Tomlinson family and the Renegades and Cajuns were called in. Ink and Tank were also called and Ink went while Tank stayed with Evie.
When he was leaving, Ink snapped a picture of Evie asleep in the hospital bed with Tank spooning her. She was leaning against his chest taking pressure off her injured shoulder. His hand lay on her belly where it had remained for the majority of the day. Ink knew the other man was not quite asleep. But it was the most relaxed he had been since Isiah had called.
Once he arrived at the clubhouse, Ink wasted no time in showing off their babies to anyone. And everyone. When he found Athos, he gave him the copy that Tank had set aside.
“Are you sure he wants me to have this?” Athos asked looking at the grainy black and white image.
“Yeah.” He turned the picture over and walked away from the younger man.
On the back in Tank’s chicken scratch writing, it read:
To the best uncle our children will have. Your brother, Ian
He hated the name. It reminded him of his father who beat his mother until he fought back for her. At seven, Tank had shot his biological father. His mother took the blame and it was assumed that she finally had enough of being hit and fought back.
He didn’t remember shooting the gun. It was the first time he was truly lost in the darkness. Ink understood it. And when he had said that Evie was his light, Ink knew that his friend was finally able to see a way out.
If they had lost Evie, he would have lost the woman he loved and his best friend. Then he himself would be lost to the dark.
Ink had a very different childhood. Not once had he ever wondered where his next meal would come from. Or if there would be electricity, water or heat. They never had to move in the middle of the night before the landlord locked them out.
Ink never had to work at eight years old to help feed his family. He had graduated from an elite private school having never held a job.
Tank had dropped out to work and support his mom, brother and sisters. He had gotten his GED at night school to join the army.
Ink had gone to the Air Force Academy just as his father had.
Tank had grown up in a cold darkness compared to warm light that Ink’s life had been.
But Tank’s house was a home filled with love and people who cared for one another.
The grand estate that Ink’s family lived in was filled with manipulation, lies and greed.
And now they were going to have kids with their woman. He could only hope that this would pull Tank further into the light and away from his own personal dark hell.
As he was considering this, Toad entered church. Along with him, was a deputy from the sheriff’s department. They didn’t even attempt to make their way to the head of the already packed room. Instead, they simply stepped inside and closed the door.
“Most of you from around here already know Dawg from the Eagles. He’s here as a courtesy to us. And Dom, he needs to speak with you afterwards.”
The only female Saint nodded her head. Ink knew her well. Not only as a Saint but from Chains. It was her playroom downstairs. And her black room that he had seen the inside of once as a prospect and had to remove a body.
The woman scared him.
Even Whip, her partner and switch, admitted that he feared her at times. In fact, when she used the black room, everyone stayed away from her.
“Like Toad said, I’m here as a courtesy as an Eagle." He paused and looked around the room. "And not for the sheriff’s department. After the shooting yesterday, an APB was put out across the state for Joy Reagan and her car. It was later extended across the country. Around midnight she was stopped in Tennessee. During the felony stop, she pulled a gun on the state troopers.”
There was a rumble in the room.
“Did they Bonnie and Clyde the bitch?” Katie asked and all four of her parents gave her a warning glare.
“If not, they should have.” Cassie agreed with her twin.
“Girls.” Dixie warned.
“What?” the three daughters that were present and Law asked. Being the only boy of six kids, he was used to being lumped in with his sisters.
“Behave.” Isiah said pulling Dixie from Israel’s lap into his.
“Whatever.” Tammy huffed.
“Don’t-" Roscoe started but was quickly cut off by a large giant with a booming voice.
“Do not disrespect your mother in our house.”
All four women looked at the angry face of a giant Saint. Although they had all fawned over him, they suddenly found themselves feeling smaller than any of their barely just over five feet.
“Stand down, Trevor.” Toad ordered.
Dom smirked. “Don’t make me call Clay."
“Leave my man out of this.” The giant advised and the Saints chuckled as the Renegades looked shocked.
“Can I continue now?” Dawg asked. “Pretty sure that Ink wants to get back to his woman. I want to get back to mine.”
“Please do. Next interruption I’ll let Dom handle.” Toad suggested and Dom smiled.
“To use a very apt description, yes, they did Bonnie and Clyde her. She was declared dead at the scene.” Dawg finished.
“Are you done with me?” Ink demanded as he stood up.
“Yes.” Toad grinned. “Go back to Tank and your woman.”
“And our babies.” He added holding up his strip of sonogram pictures.
