Acid (Black Hearts MC #7)

Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

RHEA

3 weeks later

“Anyone else feeling a little anxious for the “gno” appointment?” Josie asks. The guys are all sat around the table eating breakfast, pretending not to hear a word she just said.

“You catch that game last night?” Hawk asks in a louder voice than he needed to.

I fight my smile. What is it with men and conversations about the vagina that makes them so uncomfortable? Yet you mention tits and suddenly they can talk for hours.

“I’m a little anxious,” I add, nodding.

Star puts down her fork. “There is nothing to be nervous about. It’s just a normal, regular thing women do. Sure, sometimes things can feel a little uncomfortable, but once you relax, you’ll find you actually enjoy yourselves,” she states.

Josie and I both nod. “It would be nice if there is no trouble. Maybe you could keep your knuckle dusters at home this time?” Josie suggests. That caught the guys’ attention. Josie’s eyes go wide when she realises what she said.

“Why would you need to take your knuckle dusters to the gyno appointment, darlin’?” Ghost asks, watching Star.

She glares down the table at Josie, giving her a what the fuck look before clearing her throat. She slowly cuts a piece of bacon on her fork and causally places it in her mouth. “Oh, you know, just in case the doctor gets a little too handsy down there,” she says, shrugging.

“Oh yeah, I carry my mace with me,” Maggie adds, making it sound like it’s the normal thing amongst women.

The guys keep looking at us, but thankfully Queenie comes out of the kitchen carrying another full pan of bacon. Only when she places it down, not one of them make a move to devour it.

“There you are. No more now, or pigs will end up extinct,” she chastises, whipping her towel around Beast’s head. She frowns at the silence. “What y’all talking about?” she asks, looking at us.

“Oh, we were talking about how Star brings her knuckle dusters to her “gno” appointment, and how Maggie says she takes her mace,” Nova explains, her eyes going wide for emphasis.

“Oh!” Queenie exclaims. “Yes, yes. On the regular I would take my handgun in my bag. I mean, when they insert the speculum, and then they crank you open like their jacking up a car to change the tyre...” Queenie states, folding her arms. The men all stop as Queenie continues. “And then the thing that gets me is when they use that scrapy stick thing to scrape the cells off your cervix. Although the last time I went, the doctor did say I had a wonderfully welcoming cervix.” She beams.

The guys all stand, mumbling their excuses and the evacuate the room.

“Where are you going?” Star laughs.

“I’m calling church!” Ghost yells over his shoulder. Once they’re all gone and it’s just us women and the children left, we burst out hysterically laughing. Tears run down my face and my stomach muscles are hurting by the time we stop laughing.

“Queenie, that was genius,” Belle compliments, wiping away her tears of laughter.

Queenie takes a bow. “Thank you, ladies. This isn’t my first time. Imagine talking about this thing twenty years ago. They practically ran away back then.” She laughs. “So, tomorrow is the day?” she questions. We all nod. “Excellent, I will make sure I am around for this.” She smirks.

“Not a word, Queenie,” Star warns, wagging her index finger at her.

“I promised, didn’t I? Not a word,” she says, pretending to zip her lips. “I shall just make sure I am here and available to look after the little ones should anything happen,” she states.

“Thank you. Although, nothing bad will happen. We are just going out to let off some steam and have a great time without the overprotective ogres.” She holds her hands up. “Loveable overprotective ogres, but just some freedom away from the club. Just one night,” Star adds.

“Well, we actually have to make it out first without them figuring out that we haven’t gone to the Gala,” Maggie points out.

“I’m just a little worried that Rage will not take it very well,” Dixie says anxiously.

I look at her worried. I thought all the guys were lovely and protective over their women for sure, but the way Dixie was looking, she looked worried. Star must read my expression as she reaches over and squeezes my hand.

“It’s not what you think. Rage is…. Well, he’s Rage. He thinks differently to most and he loves and cares for Dixie so fiercely. He would lay down his life and protect every one of us.” She pauses. “He just struggles with his emotions sometimes,” Star explains.

I nod in understanding, when in reality I don’t, but if Star is defending him then he must be a decent guy.

A little while later the guys come out, approaching with caution to make sure that we are done talking about our vaginas.

“What time are you going to this Gala tomorrow?” Ghost asks Star as he sits back down next to her. He reaches over and places his hand on the back of her neck, stroking his thumb up and down.

“Well, we are going to the mall first for hair and make-up, then getting our outfits. Then we’ve hired a car to take us there, so we can all have a drink and a good time,” Star states, only half telling the truth.

“Okay then, I will get the prospects to tail your car to and from the event,” Ghost states.

“You don’t need to do that. We will be fine without them,” she assures him.

“No, I want someone on you all. And I know Beast does too with Belle being in her condition,” he asserts.

“Fuck,” Star silently mouths to us.

“Can’t you just meet us at the event?” Maggie asks. “I mean, it’s for a woman’s charity. It will look at bit odd if we are escorted by a bunch of burly bikers,” she scoffs.

Cash looks at her. “Burly bikers?” he asks, his lips twitching.

“Okay, big scary bikers. That better?” she asks, rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

“I mean, if you’re in a limo and it’s going straight to the event, we can make sure the prospects are there and out of sight to ensure you arrive safely,” Ghost suggests as an alternative.

“Yes!” Star agrees a little too eagerly.

“That’s settled then.” He kisses Star on the top of her head before his eye pierce mine. “Rhea,” he says sharply.

I jump and freeze like a deer caught in headlights. “Yes?” I breathe anxiously.

“I have found something out that I find very interesting,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest.

I can feel the fear trickling down my spine. What is it they say? That they will do anything to protect their family? I’m not family. He could think this is all my fault, that I’m putting his love at risk, the mother of his child. Shit, is that sweat running down my back?

I swallow, my throat suddenly feeling dry like sandpaper. “Yes?” is all I manage to say.

“At first, I will be honest, I was sceptical about it. I mean, you don’t look like the type of person to do that,” he states.

“I’m not,” I whimper. I have no clue what he is talking about, but I swear, I can feel the sweat in my ass crack. I have a sweaty ass. I’m going to die with a sweaty ass. Do you think he will let me shower before they kill me?

“I have a proposition,” he states.

A proposition? Am I going to have to choose between being shot or having my throat slit? Will they raise Oliver? Oh god, Oliver .

“I have a son!” I say, panicked.

Ghost frowns, a little confused at my outburst. “I know, that’s why I would offer you the position of management. You can hire another tattooist or two, depending on business, and I figured you could even live in the apartment above it,” he suggests.

I blink as the words slowly penetrate my panicked mind. “Huh?” I blurt out.

Ghost’s lips twitch. “I have a shop, not very big, and it has a small 2 bedroom apartment at the top. It’s just a few stores down from Nova’s bakery. Acid mentioned your tattoo, so I’m offering you a job and a place to live,” he states.

I open and close my mouth, wanting to scream thank you, wanting to cry, but all that comes out is gibberish. “Aba, ba, huh?” Utter gibberish.

“Mama,” Acid says from beside me. His hand clasps the back of my neck, gently squeezing it. I look at him and he smiles. “It’s for real, if you want it?” he states.

I look back at Ghost who is not hiding his amusement at my flabbergasted state. “I, I haven’t got anything to put into it,” I state, my voice breaking. “I have nothing to offer you,” I add, emotion clogging my throat. Acid notices and squeeze the back of my neck again.

“I’m not wanting anything other than your talent for tattooing and running the shop. We will talk wages properly nearer the time, but I expect no rent for the apartment. You won’t need to pay for the bills, as it’s linked to the shop. Star will help you shop for the apartment and studio. What do you say?” he asks. Star watches me, smiling. She knew about this.

“I, I...” My voice completely shatters as tears run down my face. “Yes, yes,” I sob. Acid pulls me into him, holding me tight while I sob into his hard chest. His hand strokes up and down my back in a soothing motion. I lift my head and after wiping my tears away, I look to Acid’s warm gaze. “Thank you,” I say softly, meaning it from the bottom of my heart. Acid nods, his smile widening before he places a soft kiss on top of my head. I turn to Ghost and see those cold, hard eyes flicker with a dash of warmth. “And thank you, so much. You have no idea how much this means to me. What it will mean to Oliver, to have a room of his own, a safe home.” My bottom lip wobbles as the emotions and tears threaten to spill again.

Ghost merely shrugs. “No thanks needed. I know it will be in safe hands with you. One thing though.” He pauses, waiting for my response.

“Anything.” I nod.

“I want to have the first tattoo. I don’t care what it is. I just want you to do it,” he demands.

My eyes go wide. “But you’ve never seen my work, and it’s been years since I’ve tattooed anyone. I need to practice,” I ramble.

“Then get the necessary equipment to practice. That fake skin shit,” he orders.

“I’ve got some skin you could practice on,” Rage interjects.

I look at him, not realising he had tried his hand at tattooing. “Oh, that would be gre?—”

“Not the kind of spare skin you have, Rage,” Acid says, interrupting.

“Oh,” Rage sighs, seeming disappointed that he can’t be of any use.

“What kind of skin has he—” I go to ask, but Acid gives my neck another squeeze, this time in warning. He shakes his head slightly, telling me not to continue.

“You don’t want to be asking that, darlin’,” he whispers deeply in my ear.

“We will get you the stuff,” Ghost affirms before he turns his attention to the brothers. “Ready?” he asks.

They nod and stand. “Where are you going?” Star asks, looking up at Ghost.

He raises his brow. “Club business, darlin’.”

She huffs, rolling her eyes as she crosses her arms over her chest. Ghost stands directly behind her and firmly wraps his hand around her neck. He moves his hand up slightly towards her jaw, forcing her to tilt her head back to look at him, before he leans down possessively, taking her mouth with his. He breaks the kiss, brushing his lips over hers.

“Don’t sass me, woman,” he threatens on a low growl. I watch intently, feeling heat between my legs. Their interaction is hot. My cheeks burn with embarrassment that I’m feeling that way. Star smiles as he gives her neck a gentle yet dominating squeeze before kissing her again.

I look away, feeling like I’m encroaching on their private time. My eyes lock with Acids, and he smiles knowing exactly what is going through my mind. I jam my elbow into his ribs, which just makes him laugh.