Spike’s Perdition (Saints Purgatory MC #7)

20. Spike

CHAPTER 20

SPIKE

“That’ll be one seventeen fifty-two.”

I hand my card to the cashier and wait while she runs the transaction through. As soon as she hands it back, I return it to my wallet and grab the bag with my purchase.

“Have a good one,” I say as I walk out of the store.

I wasn’t planning on leaving Sinful Wheels at all today, but I broke one of my tools when I threw it at the wall for not cooperating and needed to replace it immediately. Besides, the ride to the store gave me a chance to clear my head and calm down.

As I’m walking to my bike, I pull out my cell to text Knuckles, who’s holding down the fort at the shop while I’m gone. Before I can hit send, my phone is knocked out of my hand when someone bumps into me. I lift my head and open my mouth to give the fucker an earful but quickly freeze.

“Ivory.”

She immediately puts the bag she’s carrying in front of her like a barrier. “Spike, I, uh…”

My eyes drop to the logo of a baby in a cradle on the bag, and my hackles rise. “Doing some shopping?”

She lowers her head for a moment before squaring her shoulders, leveling her dark eyes on mine, and dropping the bag to the ground next to her.

“You could say that,” she says, defiance in her tone.

Shock kicks me in the gut worse than any horse ever could. “You’re pregnant.”

“I am.”

“Wow, um… How far along are you?”

Ivory pulls her brows together. “About as far along as Aubrey,” she hisses.

“Aubrey?”

She huffs out a breath and picks up her bag. “Yeah, you know… your baby mama.”

“Glitter?” I ask. “How do you know Glitter?”

“Who’s Glitter?”

I bend to pick up my phone and shove it in my cut which gives me a moment to collect my thoughts. Running into Ivory was not on my to-do list for the day, not to mention finding out that she’s pregnant and knows Glitter.

“Can we start over?” I ask when I straighten.

“Where exactly?” she sasses. “Do you wanna go all the way back to before that dare of yours, or are you talking about just the last few minutes?”

I arch a brow. “Whichever one gets you to settle down and actually talk to me.”

For a split-second I worry she’ll turn around and storm in the opposite direction, but she surprises me when she nods curtly.

“I am kinda hungry,” she admits. “There’s a diner just up the street where I was gonna grab a quick bite to eat. You can join me if you want.”

Ivory steps around me to walk toward the restaurant, leaving me to follow. And shamelessly, I do.

“Just the two of you?” the hostess asks when we enter.

“Yes,” I confirm. “And if you’ve got a booth near the back, that’d be great.”

“Picky much,” Ivory mutters.

“As a matter of fact,” I begin as the hostess leads us through the diner. “Yes, I am. I like to be able to see the entire restaurant. Makes it easier to see any threats before trouble happens.”

We slide into the booth, and the hostess tosses the menus onto the table before walking away.

“You expecting trouble?” Ivory asks.

“Always.”

I don’t bother looking at the menu, but I remain silent while Ivory peruses her options. After the waitress comes to take our order, we’re finally alone.

“So, pregnant, huh?”

That’s the best you can do, idiot?

“Yep.”

“And you’re what… about five months along?”

“Same as Aubrey.”

“That bothers you,” I say dryly. “Why?”

“Because that means you slept with me while you weren’t exactly free to do so.”

“Wait a minute…” I shake my head. “I was, and still am, completely free , as you put it, to fuck whoever the hell I want.”

“And that’s all I was to you… a good fuck.” Tears glisten in her eyes, and she can’t stop them from spilling over. “Glad to know where I stand.”

“I’m sorry, Ivory,” I begin. “But, clearly, you’ve found someone else so what’s it matter?”

“It matt?—”

“Here ya go,” the waitress says as she slides our plates onto the table. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

“Excuse me,” Ivory mumbles and slips out of the booth to rush to the bathroom.

By the time she returns, our drinks have been delivered, and I’m halfway through my burger.

“This was a mistake,” she says when she sits.

“Just eat,” I instruct, no heat in my tone. “I’m sure the baby’s hungry.”

Ivory chuckles, genuine happiness shining through for the first time since we bumped into each other. “That he is.”

“He?”

Her head whips up, and her eyes widen. “Uh, yeah. I’m having a boy.”

How is it that I don’t even know what Glitter’s having?

“Congrats.”

She takes a deep breath. “You, too.”

“Oh, we don’t know what we’re having yet.”

“With Aubrey, maybe. But you are gonna have a son.”

“I don’t see how you could poss?—”

“You really haven’t figured it out, have you?”

Stiffening, I frown. “Figured what out?”

“Hunter, c’mon,” she cajoles, rubbing her round belly. “We hooked up a little over five months ago, and I’m pregnant. I haven’t slept with anyone other than you in almost a year. I’m sure even you can put two and two together.”

Her words register, and everything clicks into place. “It’s mine,” I say, not meaning for it to come out as a statement.

“He is.”

“You’re pregnant with my baby?”

“Yes, Hunter, I am.”

“You keep calling me Hunter. Why?”

Ivory shrugs. “When I’m talking to the father of my child, I’m gonna use his real name.”

“Okay, yeah, I’m good with that.” As the news settles, anger surfaces. “Were you ever gonna tell me?”

“That I’m pregnant?”

The more I think about it, the more enraged I become. “No, that you’re a woman,” I snap. “Yes, that you’re pregnant.”

“I wan?—”

“Never mind,” I bite out. “I forgot who I was talking to.”

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re the same chick who ran out on me the morning after because you were too ashamed to have slept with a biker.” I scoot out of the booth and stand. Yanking my wallet out of my back pocket, I grab two twenties and toss them on the table. “If you think for one second that you’re gonna keep my son from me, think again.”

And with that, I storm out of the diner, ignoring the stares of other patrons.

It’s not lost on me that I didn’t for one second question whether or not Ivory was telling the truth about the baby being mine. There’s just something about her that screams honesty. But then I remember that she lied about one pretty big thing.

What the fuck am I gonna do now?