“That’s such a beautiful name.” She rubbed her belly. “We’re naming one of the twins Rose.” She smiled warmly and touched my arm, and I scratched my leg. The monsters were stirring.
“You’re having twins?” I whispered as I gazed at her belly. My hand lifted, but I pulled it back and stuck it under my leg.
“It’s ok.” Sam pulled my hand out and placed it on her belly. I felt one of the babies kick against my hand and the monsters stirred more.
“What are you naming the other one?” I asked, my gaze fixed on my hand that still lay on the swollen cocoon that protected her babies.
“We can’t decide. We have a few months left, but Jack and I keep arguing about whether or not to give her a flower name, or something different.”
“Two girls,” I whispered. I pulled my hand back and fixed a fake smile on my face before looking back at Sam. That smile was my armor. My protection from the monsters.
Ellie introduced me to the other women sitting at the table. A few were club girls, then there were two girls about my age, Lily and Avery. Then there was Grace. I stared at her. She was as beautiful as I thought. Her long blonde hair and piercing green eyes were mystical.
“Ok, we need to finalize everything for the party on Friday,” Beck began. Then, looking up at me, she said, “Kytten, you should come.”
“Yes,” Sam agreed. “Friday is Mimic’s birthday. We’re throwing him a party.”
“His birthday?” I asked. The monsters were awake now. There was no keeping them contained. “How... how old will he be?”
“Twenty-three.”
My shoulders slumped.
It wasn’t him.
The door opened, and the bell jingled. When I looked up, I saw six of the Silver Shadows enter the diner. My eyes locked onto Cash and the monsters settled.
“Don’t even think about it!” Beck hollered. “You know the rules, Micah.”
“Baby, I am just here to get breakfast with my brothers. We won’t even sit near you.”
“Bastard,” she coughed out the word, and Blade laughed.
“That was my dad, baby. Not me.” He winked and the men sat at the other end of the diner. Cash didn’t speak to me, but he winked too. I wasn’t sure if I was happy or sad. But it didn’t matter. Because I felt them both and the monsters stayed asleep.
The next several hours were spent with the women while they planned the party. We ate and drank mimosas. All except Beck, Ellie, and Sam who were all pregnant.
When the guys left, they paid the bill for us as well as for themselves. I watched him as he left. I couldn’t take my eyes off him and I wanted to call him back.
By the time we were done, my skin was crawling. Haizley asked me vague questions that I hedged. I could tell by the look in her eyes she knew I was doing it.
Irene had been quiet. Only speaking when spoken to. I hated that for her. I didn’t want her to feel scared. I had spoken with her more than a few times since we’d placed her here.
She was happy.
She liked living in a small town.
I wasn’t sure how she had gotten involved with the club, and I wasn’t sure it was a good thing for her. She looked withdrawn. But that could be my fault.
She excused herself to the bathroom, and I followed a moment later.
“What are you doing here?” she hissed.
Her anger had me taking a step back. “I’m not here because of you. He doesn’t know where you are.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “You’re safe, Irene.”
“Don’t call me that! My name is Aspen. I will never be Irene again.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right,” I said. “I promise you’re safe here.”
