Chapter 338: Spiders
*The Aranya are the only spiders that do not serve a purpose in this world. – Shiloh*
Pagan and his girls moved in with Shiloh in November. The Saturday after Halloween, Cookie and some of his crew painted the rooms just as the girls wanted. The following weekend, they moved in.
For Thanksgiving, he took the girls to the Shack. Shiloh apologized for not going, but this was one of her obligations. As much as she wanted to spend the holiday with them, she was not ready to take them to meet her family.
“Believe me, it has nothing to do with you.” Shiloh assured him as they kissed goodbye that morning. “They are horrible people, with a few exceptions. And I certainly don’t want them being cruel to the girls. And trust me, they would be.”
“But we’ll have Christmas together?” He asked as the girls buckled themselves into his SUV.
“Absolutely.”
It had been late when she finally got home. She sat on the couch with a girl snuggled into her sides and watched Disney movies. When the one that they had been watching when she got home was over, Pagan started Nightmare Before Christmas.
When Jack and Sally had found balance in the holiday world once again, he carried them up to bed. Ashlyn and Alyssa slept as he tucked them in. On his third trip, Shiloh woke up as they topped the stairs.
“I got you, babe.”
The tears that she had fought since she got home broke through. He carefully stripped her out of her black satin dress and red tulle petticoat. Once she was tucked against him in one of his t-shirts, he knew he made the right decision in not going with her.
Shiloh never told him what had happened. Pagan never pushed. What little bit he did know of her family, they were manipulative and narcissistic.
Now, it was the second week in November and church night. The old ladies were gathered in the main room watching this week’s movie. Ashlyn came with him and was down the hall learning to play pool from Molly’s daughters. Alyssa had the sniffles and stayed home with Shiloh.
The chapel was full, and they were waiting for Toad to come in. When he finally did come in, he did not look happy.
“Anybody know about spiders?”
“They have too many damned eyes, too many damned legs and are creepy as fuck.” Spider answered.
There were some chuckles around the room. The man who could beat Danny Trejo at a Danny Trejo lookalike contest, was terrified of spiders. As a prospect, he had screamed the walls down when he spotted one. Naturally, he was named Spider.
“Anybody else?”
“I know someone.” Dino said as he looked over at Werewolf. The older man nodded slightly.
“Get them here.” Toad demanded before moving on to other business.
The meeting was coming to an end when there was a knock on the door. After he bellowed for the prospect to open the door, a confused face appeared.
“The best way I can describe this, Halloween is here with Pagan’s daughter asking for Dino.”
“Halloween is a good description.” Dino grinned as Gremlin and Rocky chuckled.
“Show Halloween in.” Toad ordered.
The prospect stepped back and motioned for someone to enter. Shiloh stepped in holding Alyssa’s hand. She let go and ran over to her dad. Pagan pulled her into his lap and kissed the top of her head.
“Prospect,” Werewolf ordered, “take Alyssa to my wife.”
Pagan gave her a light squeeze before sitting her back on her feet. “Go on.”
“Did I do something wrong?” Alyssa asked as tears filled her eyes and voice.
“No, honey.” Shiloh said as she dropped to her knees, smoothing down the back of her red skirt before sitting on her heels. She held her hand out for the little girl who went to the offered hug.
“They just want to talk to me about boring adult stuff.”
“Promise?” the little girl asked with a trembling chin.
“I promise.” With a warm smile, Shiloh brushed some of Alyssa’s hair out of her face. “Now, go see Miss Charlotte.”
Alyssa gave her a hug and Shiloh returned it before standing and watching the little girl leave the room. Mouthing ‘thank you’ to the prospect, Shiloh gave him a warm smile.
She turned her attention to Dino. “You needed me?”
“First, what the hell?”
“Yeah!” Gremlin agreed. “I pierced that pussy; I should get to know when one of my brothers is in it.”
“This morning, his cock and piercings.” She rested her hand on her chest and pretended to swoon. “Five out of five stars, highly recommend, will orgasm again.”
There was a snicker from the far corner where Dom sat in the dark. Several of the brothers cheered him on while the ones around him pat him on his back and shoulders.
“OK, now that we know who Pagan is living with.” Toad interjected. “You know about spiders?”
“Some.” She said turning to him and accepted the small box that he held out.
Taking off the lid she gave a small gasp. “Poor baby.” She murmured as she sat the box down and walked towards Pagan, who was sitting next to Spider. Reaching under her dark curls, she grabbed Christina and handed her to Pagan.
“What the fuck is that?” Spider demanded as he tried to move away.
“Christina.” Pagan said she scurried up his arm to settle under his hair on his shoulder. “She’s a purple knee tarantula and a social anxiety spider.”
Shiloh smiled as she went back and took the other spider out of the box. Without asking, she took the lid off a water bottle and filled the lid. Setting it right in front of the brown and orange spider, he stuck his face in and began to drink.
“He’s dehydrated and probably needs to eat.” She stroked the body, causing little hairs to come out. “He’s a Mexican red knee, and I would say, young adult.”
“Any way of knowing where it came from?”
“It’s a he. And if he came from around here, Kelly’s Curious Creatures is the only place that keeps tarantulas on hand. Mexican red knee us the most common, and the cheapest.”
As she spoke, she pulled out her phone and called someone.
“Hey, sweetie. Have you sold any Mexicans lately?” She looked at Toad. “Is he the first one you got?”
“It’s the first one here. The other clubhouses have also gotten them."
“Yeah, there were others. Who?” She took a deep calming breath and closed her eyes. “You have a picture? Send it to me. Thanks.”
