Chapter Three

ALIANA

What the hell just happened? It’s been a while since I felt this way, and it caught me off guard.

I was so angry about what went down, then she started arguing with Axyl, and then she had the nerve to snap at me. As if I’d ever done anything to her. I was just done.

Done with her, done with this whole damn situation, just completely done. I’ve always had a soft spot for Axyl, and I knew he had a girlfriend, so I never made a move, except for that one time, and then I left for school.

He made her his girlfriend and married her when she found out she was pregnant.

I’ve been sitting alone at a table in the back, lost in my thoughts, for the past twenty minutes trying to cool down. Trying to process everything that happened. Trying to figure out what exactly went down.

When I get angry enough, I black out and I don’t stop throwing punches until someone pulls me away from the person I’m beating the crap out of. I thought I left that part of me behind when I was locked up at the Blue Moon, MC.

I mean, she had it coming after what she did to Murdock and Danny. And what she said to me. Acting like she’s superior to everyone else. I just lost it.

Then Axyl defended her. So what if I killed the bitch. Karma’s a bitch and she always comes back with a vengeance.

I walked to the bar from my seat at the back and took a stool. I caught a glimpse of Lana’s face. Man, I really did a number on her. Do I feel guilty? Not one damn bit. She got what she deserved.

She glares at me and I just smirk at her before grabbing my beer and heading over to the jukebox to put on some music. Time to distract myself from everything that’s happening.

“Let’s party boys!” I shouted, starting to dance and taking a swig of my beer.

AXYL

I’d forgotten how fiery Aliana is. After she started telling her story of what happened to her, I wanted to tear that bastard’s head off his body and everyone that laid a hand on my girl.

I would never claim Lana as my girl because that spot has always been reserved for the girl who’s always had my heart but could never have, but that didn’t mean I replaced her role in my life.

She’d always be my girl. Even if we couldn’t be together. Before I met Lana, Aliana was my best friend’s little sister and was off-limits. Hell, she still is.

Lana came to town and she was the next best thing. She was easy and when Ali introduced her to the club, everyone knew it. Somehow, she got her hooks in me, and then, the next thing I knew, she was pregnant with Murdock.

Now, I know how she managed to do that. Her secret was out now and there was no denying it. She was the woman who had my kids.

She was so kind and loving and everything I wanted since I couldn’t have what, or rather ~who~, I truly wanted. It may sound like she’s my second choice, and she is, but I loved her, or I thought I did.

When I saw the bruises on my son’s body, I knew she had changed. She had a tough upbringing. Her parents were addicts and more concerned about their next fix, but that’s no excuse for what she did.

No excuse could ever justify what she did to my son.

When she burst into the chapel, I knew things were about to get messy. I thought she had left after I kicked her out after we went to court for custody and the divorce.

She lost everything, including her parental rights.

When she started attacking Aliana, I knew I had to get her out of there before she was killed, but I was too late, and Lana just wouldn’t shut up.

Aliana jumped on her and kept hitting her until Westyn pulled her off. Lana looked like hell, and I knew we pulled Ali off her just in time.

Aliana came to the bar, grabbed a beer, and turned on some music before she started drinking and dancing while calling the boys to party. We all enjoy a good party, but she’s the president’s little sister and the founder’s daughter.

No one wants to cross either of them. However, the way she moves when she dances has my cock standing at attention. Lana gives me a dirty look, and I just glare back at her.

I knew Ali thought I was defending Lana, but I wasn’t. I just didn’t want her death on Ali’s conscience. I was protecting her, not Lana.

“What the fuck are you staring at her for? She’s not your girl. I am.” She sneered at me. I rolled my eyes before turning toward the mother of my children. The woman I thought I loved.

The woman who makes my blood boil when I see her damn face after knowing what she did to my kid.

“You lost that right when you did what you did, and we’re divorced, or we will be, come morning. I also never claimed you as my girl. I loved you, but that was before I knew what you were doing to our sons.

“You knew you were never going to be my girl because that’s been reserved for someone, and it will stay that way. I just let you stay here to clean you up and send you on your way.

“If you don’t like what I’m doing, then there’s the damn door. Don’t let it hit you on the way out. I’m done with you, and you will never see my kids again. Now go.” I snarled. The nerve of this damn woman.

It makes me wish Westyn hadn’t pulled Aliana off her, but I know that if we didn’t stop it, I would have to be the one to break the news of what happened to her to Murdock and Danny, and I don’t want them looking at Ali like the person who killed their mom.

I didn’t want her to wake up, realize what she’d done, and be weighed down by guilt.

“Screw you, Cannon. I hope you rot in hell. I’ll be back to get my kids and take out your whore.” She spat before storming out the door. I’d like to see her try.

ALIANA

All I want is to escape my own thoughts. To forget everything that’s happened, even if it’s just for a little while. The only way I know how to do that now is to drown myself in alcohol. “Come on boys, don’t be shy. I won’t bite.” I chuckle.

“You might not, but your brother and your dad will put a bullet in our heads.” Ink retorts.

“Fine. Party of one it is then.” I dance a little more, swaying my hips before heading to the bar. “Long Island Iced Tea, please Jen.” I say, grinning at the girl working the bar tonight. “Oh! But first, I need to use the bathroom.”

I head into my room and into my bathroom to do what I need to do. The alcohol I’d consumed earlier during the meeting and just now is starting to make me feel warm.

So, I decide to change into my short shorts instead of my leggings. I slip my fuzzy slippers back on and head back to the main room to get my drink from Jen. I take a seat on a barstool next to Axyl, and Jen places my drink in front of me.

Jennifer was my best friend before I left for school. Well, next to Reaper, of course. He and I were inseparable. You wouldn’t see him without me and vice versa.

Jennifer was my best girlfriend, and Reaper was, and still is, my best guy friend. Then, Hannah became my best girlfriend when we met in college. “How have you been, girl?” I ask her.

“Not too bad. Missed you like crazy though. Things were much more interesting with you around, and I didn’t have to deal with the jerks by myself.

“I wish you would have told me what was going on with you though. I would have been there for you.” She said.

“I know, but I didn’t exactly have access to a phone or anything while I was there. I’m here now and hopefully, you’ll still be my friend.” I wink at her and flash her a smile. I missed her.

“Always and forever. Since you’ve been away, Hammer has claimed me as his old lady and you know this, but I’m pregnant!” She said, rubbing her round belly. I couldn’t believe it.

They have been trying for years without success, and for some crazy reason, I didn’t notice her protruding belly. Hammer is one of our regular patched-in members. He and Jennifer have been on and off since high school.

I’m glad to see he finally stepped up and claimed her. It was bound to happen anyway. He was just being a stubborn jerk.

“Oh, my goodness! I’m so happy for you! Congratulations girl! Well, how about you pour two shots and I’ll drink them both in celebration! Since you obviously can’t drink.” I say. She pours two shots of vodka.

I have never been good with vodka. It brings out my wild and horny side. I take the two shots, grimacing at the taste. “I’m gonna go find someone to dance with, or just dance by myself.

It seems that all these ~pussies~ here are too scared of my father and brother to party with a girl.” I say and Jennifer just chuckles and shakes her head at me.

“It’s not just them they’re scared of. Cannon here will kill anyone that puts his hands on the woman he’s saved the Ol’ Lady spot for.” She said, catching me off guard. I whip my head around to face Axyl.

“Say what now?” I shriek, looking directly into Axyl’s eyes. “Is that true?”

“Would it matter if it was?” He asked.

“Uh, yeah it would. You know what. I’m pretty damn sure you knew how I felt about you back then and you went and screwed my former friend. You chose someone else over me, because of what?

“My brother being your best friend? You know what? Figure out what the hell you want to do and then talk to me. I’m going to dance.”

I walk up to Reaper, knowing he doesn’t have an ol’ lady and he is sexy as hell. Not that it would matter because he’s my best friend. Just because we’re best friends doesn’t mean that I can’t admire the view.

He’s always been a looker and had women lining up to be with him. They’d all be jealous when I was around because of how close we were. “Reaper,” I whine, throwing my arms around his neck. “Dance with me. Please?”

I give him the best puppy dog eyes I can muster up.

“I don’t know Ali…your dad would kill me.” He said, rolling his eyes. We always do this. He knows my dad knows how close we are and won’t do anything to him.

“No, he won’t. I won’t let him. Besides, you’re my best friend. He didn’t kill you when we were younger, did he?” I said in return, grabbing his hand. He reluctantly gets up and follows me to the middle of the floor.

He hates dancing, but I always drag him to dance with me. I down the rest of my drink and set it on a table nearby as the song ~Sorry, Not Sorry~ comes on and I start to grind up against Reaper. No, I’m not a slut.

We’ve always danced like this. I haven’t had sex with anyone, willingly that is since I found out Alex’s true colors. I just like to get my groove on. I bring my arms up around his neck as I move my hips to the beat of the song until it’s over.

“Thanks for the dance, Reaper. I need another drink.”

“Sure thing, Ali. Always a pleasure,” he replied, his words laced with a playful wink and an eye roll. He’s a good-looking man, no doubt about it. But there’s another man here who’s even more attractive, yet he can’t seem to make up his mind.

If he truly cared for me like he claims, he wouldn’t give a damn about what my brother or father might say.

I head over to the bar, grabbing the bottle of Jack I’d been nursing earlier, before making my way to where Axyl is sitting. I plop down on the couch next to him.

“You know, if you’re going to spend the whole night staring at me, I might just have to make something of it,” I tease, resting my head on his shoulder.

“I haven’t been staring at you, Ali. And you dancing like that with Reaper could’ve gotten him hurt. If Westyn were here, he’d be livid,” he retorted.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were jealous. Besides, I’m a grown woman. He’s my best friend and everyone knows how we are together.

“You might’ve been my first, Axyl Sullivan, but you didn’t stick around to see where things could go. I’ve been through hell, but that doesn’t make me some damsel in distress.

“Besides, if I can handle you taking my virginity and then disappearing right after, I can handle anything,” I shot back. “For someone who claims to have held his Ol’ Lady spot for me, you haven’t done much about it.”

“Not jealous,” he muttered, looking into my eyes. But he was. Jealous or angry. I could tell because his eyes darkened, the way they always do when he’s wrestling with the demon inside him.

“I walked away because I knew I couldn’t have you. We were lucky we were careful. What if you’d gotten pregnant?

“I don’t regret being your first, Aliana, but I didn’t want to get my head blown off for taking the president’s daughter’s virginity.

“You’ve been my ol’ lady for as long as I can remember, and you letting me be your first only confirmed that.”

“If you say so,” I replied, standing up to play my all-time favorite song, ~Good One~.

As I began to sway and sing along to the music, my past came crashing through the door. Before I could react, someone grabbed me.

“Miss me, baby?” Alexander’s voice sent a chill down my spine. How did he know I was still alive? “I’ve been watching you, and I don’t appreciate you dancing with another man when you belong to me.

“I’m still trying to figure out how you survived the last round of torture I put you through,” he sneered, snapping me back to reality.

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe I was just tired of playing the victim, but I felt a sudden urge to tell him to fuck off.

I wanted to kill him for everything he’d done to me. For three long years, I’d let him torture me to protect my family, and I was furious.

“Get the fuck away from her,” Axyl growled, eliciting a chuckle from the man holding me.

I glanced around. All our guys had their guns drawn and aimed at Alex’s men, who in turn had their guns pointed at us. I had a sinking feeling this wasn’t going to end well.

“I’m not your baby. So don’t you ~ever~ call me that again,” I spat at him, turning to face him. “Get your fucking hands off me, or I’ll make you.”

“Oh, my weak little slut is finally growing a backbone. You won’t do anything. You never did all those years. We could have ruled together if you’d just given me the information I wanted.

“Now, be a good little bitch and get your ass out there on my bike,” he ordered.