Satan's Sinners #1: Reid and Indiana

Chapter 5

Reid POV

Prez held church yesterday to let us know that Atlas would be with us full-time for the next two years. Then he looked at me and I saw what I thought was guilt flash quickly before it was gone. I glanced across the table at Hendrix. He looked a little flustered at the news. I thought they have.

“He’s staying because I promised him the club would protect his sister and nephew," he paused, looking at each one of us. His gaze lingered on me a little longer. s**t. "They’re running her from her husband, and the boy’s father.” His fist clenched. I took a deep breath. I hated motherfuckers that thought they could put hands on a woman. “They only got an hour out to get her checked out because she became unresponsive. She was beaten last night and that's how Atlas found her. We’ll know shortly what’s going on, hopefully.”

I just needed to breathe. I kept doing my breathing when Prez banged the gavel signifying the end of church. He walked over and sat next to me after the other brothers left. He looked at me, giving me time to look at him. This s**t never got easier. “I need you to be close, so I’m moving them into the empty cabin next to yours. She has a little boy, three, and his piece of s**t dad, hit him too because he tried to stop dad's abuse on mom last night.” My fist slammed down on the table. I hit it so hard it sounded like it cracked a little.

“Sorry,” I mumbled. Breathe in. Out. Breathe in and out. Calming thoughts. Flowers. Teddy bears. Punching that abusive piece of s**t in the nads. “I’m better. I’m good.” I lied.

“Okay," Prez said, knowing full well I'm lying my ass off. I'll be in the gym in my basement beating the hell out of the punching bag until my knuckles bleed. "Please keep an eye on them. Atlas seems to think that he’ll be after her.”

“He’ll meet me in a dark alley and that’ll be the last time anyone sees him.”

“I know, big guy. We all want this asshole. Kai said the file she has is almost three inches thick, but she told him the abuse only turned physical a year or so ago. He could have easily killed her this time.” Glancing at his watch, he stood up. “Their dad is gonna be here soon. Better go get ready. Would you mind helping Willow take stuff over there for them?”

“Sure.” Not much else to say. Better go find Willow before she tries to do it all herself and gets hurt. She’s only two months along, but the first lady will be the death of our Prez. After this, I would order a new punching bag as I'd probably finish this one off today.

Early the next morning, I heard voices outside. I’d just finished my morning routine and showered. Glancing through the blinds, I see Leif talking to Atlas and who I assume is his sister. I can’t really see her or the kid because Leif is blocking my view. Throwing on whatever’s clean, I brush my hair back and head outside to say hello. I slip on my HeyDudes, and go out on the back porch. Leif steps to the side to wave when he hears me, and it’s like time has stopped.

Good. Lord.

I think my heart may explode and stop at the same time. This tiny little thing, with gorgeous curves in all the right places, white blonde hair and these piercing light, ocean blue eyes. That thick bottom lip and smaller upper lip just looked like they were begging me to kiss her. I think I just f*****g fell in love. I can’t say anything, I’m too amazed by her. She's a little thin, and has bruises all over what skin I can see, but damn. If she isn't the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on.

Suddenly, she starts hyperventilating, looking right at me. Fear flashes in her eyes, and panic. All consuming panic. My mom had that look too many times. As soon as I see that look, I'm moving. It's like instinct just took over and I knew I needed to be where she was. I rushed across my backyard, through the gate and wrapped her in my arms. She went rigid, sinking further into her panic, when she fainted. Her little body just melted on top of her as I held her in my arms. It was like she turned into a noodle as I sunk to the porch with her so she didn’t get hurt.

“Mommy! MOMMY! Wake up, Mommy!” the little boy threw himself over his mother, shaking her arm. He’s got tears streaming down his cheeks, the fear in his eyes breaks me. I’ve felt that. I lived that moment. I hate that he's going through this. That all-consuming fear because she’s the only one who’s ever loved you and protected you and if she disappeared, what does that mean for you? Where do you go? Who will love you and tell you everything’s going to be, okay? I reached out and hugged the little guy on top of both of us. I held him there while he wailed over his mother. Eventually, he tired himself out. Falling asleep on top of her, while still in my arms. I just sat there, trying to stay present. Trying to focus all my energy on them, so I didn't fall into my own pit.

Kai and Leif just let him cry. They sat on the porch with us, Kai rubbing his back, telling him she was just sleeping. That mommy’s been through a lot the last day and her body just needs a quick nap. He never stopped rubbing his back. Kai is already an awesome uncle for this kid. Thank god he’s got this great example. While this gorgeous woman is passed out in my arms, I try not to make it obvious that I’m checking her out. She’s so beautiful, and she looks so peaceful when she’s sleeping. She felt so right in my arms. It was slightly unsettling.

“Hades, this is my sister. My dad will be here soon and he’ll take over. When she wakes up, she’ll more than likely be in a little space, and need to process everything that’s happened with my dad. It’s her coping mechanism. It’s been that way since our mom died. Thanks for catching her. I have no idea how you moved that fast.”

“Just good reactions.”

“Want me to” I looked slightly terrified I’m sure, when she began to stir. I froze. I didn’t want to scare her or anything. “Hey Indie. It’s Kai. Bear is on your lap. How are you feeling?”

She looked at him, and then looked back at me and didn’t say anything. She looked back at Kai, then snuggled the little guy on her lap.

“Hey baby. Mommy’s awake.” She whispered, kissing his cheeks and ruffling his hair. Being a mom was like breathing for her. You could see the love she had for this little boy in everything she did. She reminded me so much of my mom. It was beautiful and sad all at the same time. I would make sure she had a better future than my mom did. Indie and Bear would be okay. I’d make sure of it. I won't fail this time.

“Hello.” I tried not to scare or startle her, “My name is Reid, but these idiots call me Hades. It’s my road name. I’m sorry if I did anything to startle you earlier. I just wanted to introduce myself to my new neighbor.”

Kai and Leif both had their mouths hanging wide open. We never tell people our real, given names. I’ve never introduced myself to anyone that way. Not even when I went to join the MC. I’ve heard them use their given names with each other. Prez told us all the story of how they met and became friends in college when he patched Atlas in as a nomad for our MC. I also know Atlas’ dad; River, was a patched nomad for us also. He was the VP here til his wife was killed. He took his kids away from the MC, but Atlas never forgot. River would stop by every so often and tell us stories about his kids. Atlas said his dad was the one who gave them their road names.

“Hi.” She said in a small voice, still cuddling her little Bear. “Did you catch me?”

“Yeah. You started having a panic attack. I’m sorry if I was the cause. And I’m sorry your mommy fainted, little man.”

“Thank you.” She said, a slight blush to her cheeks, and it was everything I could do to just give her a nod and keep my d**k down. Her blush was so beautiful, pinking up her cheeks ever so slightly. Bear stood up, out of his mom’s arms and looked at me. I was sitting on the floor, his mother in my lap, leaning back on my hands, so I wouldn’t want to wrap them around her now that she was awake. I looked at him, and he looked like he was studying me. Suddenly, he launched his little body towards me. I quickly caught him, and he wrapped his tiny arms around my neck.

“Thank you for helping my mommy. You’re a good guy. Not a bad guy like my dad.” His little voice told me, sounding so sad about who his dad was. I took his little hands in mine and looked at him.

“Sometimes bad guys wear a really good disguise and we can’t tell they’re the bad guy at first. My dad was a bad guy too. He hurt my mom really bad and tried to hurt me too. My mom protected me though, just like your mommy did.”

His little eyes filled with tears, “I couldn’t make him stop hurting Mommy. He just pulled me away and called me names. Then he hit me for being bad.” Tears running down his little cheeks.

I pulled him in for another hug as he cried and just told him the truth, “Sometimes we need other big people to help. But you did not do a bad thing trying to stop your mom from being hurt. That’s a brave thing. But I’m sure it scared Mommy because she always wants you safe.”

“I want her safe too.” He mumbled into my neck. I looked at Indie, and she was crying now too, just watching our interaction.

“I know bud. If that situation ever happens again, you run next door to tell me, you call Uncle Kai or you call 9-1-1. They will come help too. There are a lot of people here who want to help you and Mommy stay safe. My house,” I paused, making sure he was watching, “is right there. The back door is always open. You can come in any time you need me. It’s just me living there. And Boomer, my dog. I’ll bring him over to meet you later, is that okay?” He nodded.

“Thank you. You don’t have to do all that.” Indie said quietly, blushing again. God, she looked good like that. I just turned up the corners of my mouth into a small smile. Leif nudged Kai.

Smiling at them, I just said, "Yes, I do. I promised Atlas I'd help keep you safe."

I already liked my neighbors.