Tyrant (Kings of Carnage MC: Alabama #1)

Chapter 19

Blair

W e ride together. I’m on the back of Tyrant’s motorcycle. It’s cold, but I grip him tightly, using his solid frame to break the bulk of the wind. His body heat, paired with my excitement over seeing my Gracie Girl, makes it not so bad. The ride does seem to take forever as anticipation fills me to the brim. One of the prospects follows us in the big truck they’d originally stuffed me into. They’re bringing it for my daughter. When I told them I could wind fabric around me to strap her to my chest, my suggestion was vetoed right away. I can understand their concern, and it’s not something I would typically suggest, but I was under the impression only the brothers were going and would be riding their motorcycles. The truck makes things much easier and then I don’t have to be concerned over her getting too cold in the chilliness of the fall night.

The gate comes into view, and we roll to a stop in front of it. There’s no one around, so I lean over, keying in the password to the gate box. Josef never changed it. A whirring sound fills the air, then some clanging, before the massive black steel gates begin to part, rolling in opposite directions. As soon as there’s enough space to fit the motorcycle, we’re darting through the slim opening.

I point to the biggest building sitting in the middle of the community, the House of Worship is bright white and stands as a beacon of hope. However, once you get inside, you’ll find nothing but evil resides in that so-called temple of purity. I know Graceful Joy will be kept there since Josef had organized the crazy act of violence, involving so many other members in his wretched behavior. I’d expect nothing less though, as he always has people around to do his dirty work, keeping his hands clean for the most part.

The bikes come to a rumbling stop out front of the building and the massive stained wooden doors are pushed open from the inside. Members pour outside, their shocked gazes fearful as they take in each rough biker surrounding me.

Havoc’s commanding voice floats over the crowd, “We’re here for a child. She doesn’t belong to you.”

The brothers and sisters hiss in his direction, and Tyrant suddenly sits taller. He reaches for his waist, and in the next moment, a shot rings out as he points his gun to the sky. “None of that bullshit. We’ve come for my woman’s child. You’ll give Graceful Joy up, or I will start killing the person closest to me. Mark my words when I say I do not give a fuck who you are. I killed your godawful Profit, and I will kill you next if the child isn’t brought to her mother. Right motherfuckin’ now.” His words are harsh, but it’s exactly what the people need to hear.

“How dare you! You’re a disgrace!” My mother comes forward, her irises dancing with disgust. She spits towards us, and luckily, it lands on the ground, or I have a feeling Tyrant would lose it completely.

His gun points directly in my mother’s face as he declares, “Disrespect my wife again and I will bury you. Blair is the best woman I’ve ever met. How dare you be too blind to notice.”

I gasp behind him, my hands on his sides, squeezing him. I can’t believe he just stood up for me like that to my own mother. My father steps forward, grabbing my mother’s arm. He tugs her back into the crowd. He won’t meet my gaze and while it would’ve crushed me before, it doesn’t hold a candle over me anymore. My parents died years ago when they crossed through the gates to this real-life hell. The people wearing their faces are no longer my family. No, I believe that title now falls on the boys surrounding me with motorcycles and the people back at the clubhouse cleaning up the carnage that was created by my previous people. The group that was supposed to be pure, caring, giving, and holy. They created mayhem, and the Kings had to put them to rest because of it.

Julie leaves the House of Worship. As she takes the steps down, I see the bundle she has wrapped in her arms. “You take care of her now. I did my best while you were gone, but she needs her momma.” Her words are whispered as she hands my little girl to me. She’s asleep, but as she’s passed to me, her big brown eyes open, gazing at me with so much joy and love, it makes my heart sing.

“Momma?” she whispers sleepily.

“That’s right, baby. I came for you and now I’m taking you home.”

“‘Tay, is rate, Momma. Bed time.”

I can’t help but chuckle. I would always tell her that it’s late and bedtime in the middle of the night when she’d wake up and beg me to hold her. She’s so little, and yet, I can’t help but feel like I’ve already missed so much. Julie hands over a big tote, and it’s packed so full, the stuffed bag looks ready to burst. She softly squeezes my bicep, meeting my gaze once more, and I silently thank her for taking care of my girl and for loving her while I was gone.

Tyrant kicks the stand down on the bike and stands up. He relinquishes the tote from my hands and walks me to the big truck idling beside the bikes. He has his gun firmly in his other hand, pointed to the side so if anyone approaches to take the baby or harm us, he can shoot them immediately. My massive biker is not messing around when it comes to our safety.

“You girls get in the truck,” he murmurs, opening the door for me. He places the hefty tote in the middle of the truck seat, then helps me up next since I’m holding my daughter.

“Hey Country,” I greet. “Thanks for doing this.”

“Anytime, lady, you only have to ask, and my ride is yours.” He offers me a kind smile, then nods to the powerful man behind me, watching as Tyrant lifts us into the truck.

“You two comfortable?” he asks, and I glance at my daughter before confirming. “We’re perfect. Thank you.”

“Damn right you are.” He leans in, buckling the seatbelt around us, then presses a soft kiss to the top of my head, then does the same to Graceful Joy. He meets Country’s stare, “Keep my girls safe, prospect. You don’t want to know what will happen if a hair is harmed on their heads.”

The fact he includes my daughter in his threats and concern has me choking up. I bite back my sob for the man who cares for me without hesitation and stare straight ahead. Everyone is still outside, watching the entire thing transpire.

“See you soon,” Tyrant promises, then closes the door. As soon as he does, Country’s hitting the lock button, securing us inside.

I don’t know what else is said. I’m sure the Kings toss out a few threats, but sooner than I expected, we’re on our way back to the clubhouse. Country keeps the truck idling with the heat on until Tyrant’s face is in the window, then he hits the unlock button. I’m guessing the prospect was acting under strict orders from the brothers.

The door opens and Tyrant is unbuckling my belt, only to lift us out of the truck like it’s nothing for him. My arms are growing tired just from holding Gracie Girl the past hour, but there’s no way I’m giving her up until she demands it.

The clubhouse is silent, empty, and under normal circumstances I’ve come to learn it would be out of place. Tonight, however, I know they are all out burying the dead. The brothers file in after us and I find myself stopping, facing the men who so selflessly just risked their lives to help me get my daughter back. They pause in their strides, expressions easy as they take in the sleeping child in my arms. She feels so much bigger since I left; she’s more toddler than baby and my heart aches with the time I’ve missed.

“Thank you,” I start and they try to interrupt, but I hold a hand out, making them grow quiet again. A few brows hike, not used to me being assertive towards them. “I know I don’t have to say it. I know Tyrant is your brother. I know you’d do it for any ol’ lady. I know. Trust me, I’ve spent my time here watching and taking everyone in and the thing I’ve learned the most about you all is your love and loyalty amongst each other. But tonight you let me into that fold. You didn’t risk your lives for your brother, you risked them for me. For Graceful Joy.” A tear trails over my cheek and Tyrant’s hand on my back moves to squeeze my side in support.

I continue, “Tonight you proved that you are not only his brothers, but that you are mine as well. I will never forget what you’ve done for my family. I love each one of you, and I can’t think of a better group of men for my little girl to grow up around. So, thank you.”

They each step forward, hugging my daughter and me softly, then carry on their way to their rooms or wherever it is they need to be. I know with their show of tenderness they heard me and understand the truth in my words.

“Are you-are you okay with this?” I gesture to us as Tyrant walks us to the room, and he sets her tote off to the side. It’s near enough where I sleep so I can get to it, but out of the way so I won’t trip over anything.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“With us in here, in your space.”

His face screws up in confusion. “Sugar, why would I have any issue?”

“Because we’re sharing our privacy with another little person. I don’t want to sleep anywhere away from her, so please, can she stay in here? We can use a sleeping bag and sleep on the floor or something.”

He glares. “Absolutely not. You’ll sleep in bed, as you always do. So will she.”

“It won’t bother you? She’s Josef’s.”

He grumbles for a beat before crouching in front of me so we’re eye level again. “Nah, Blair. You’re mine, means she’s mine. Graceful Joy never belonged to Josef, that man was the wrong type of monster to be her father. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to be the right type of monster for you both. You never have to be scared again. I will be your Knight. I will be your protector. Your defender. But most of all, you will be my everything. Having her is the bonus on top of it all.

I can’t help but stare at the massive man before me, wondering how I got so lucky to find him, and in that moment, I know the truth.

I love him. I always will. And my daughter will call him father, for the rest of our lives.