Leather & Love. A True Biker Romance.

Chapter 15.

Shannon’s POV.

I’m wiped out from yesterday. I have gone over the will countless times and I still can’t believe my dad made me president.

Chance and I decorated our tree and the living room at the house. We made Christmas cookies like we always do and cuddled up on the sofa watching his favourite Christmas movie. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, then again, it is one of my faves, that and A Muppets Christmas Carol.

Once Chance was asleep, I carried him up to his bed and tried to sleep. I managed a few hours before I came back downstairs, grabbed my phone and started ordering some Christmas presents for my boy, even though I packed his from back home. I needed something to do because I wasn’t tired.

I think back to all the stories my dad used to tell me about the club and his dad, Mountain.

My grandfather founded and started the club when he was twenty years old. Mainly military men joined who had served with him. Then he married my grandma Bonnie, and four years later, dad was born.

My dad married my mom when he was twenty-seven. Mom was Irish born her name was Sorcha, but everyone called her Gypsy because of her free spirit. Two years later, Shane was born. Then I came five years later.

Dad was supposed to hand over the club to Shane when he turned twenty-four. But I think he saw that Shane was not cut out to take on that responsibility. Shane was always getting into trouble, didn’t like following orders and used the cut like so many do to get laid.

Now, I’m no saint. I have had my fair share of fights and it was mainly with the whores Shane brought home into our house, and yeah, I would scrap with them, especially when they accused me of f*****g their man, gross.

So I learnt to stop reasoning with those dumbass bitches and use my fists instead. Dad was furious not just at me but at Shane and what would Shand do? Roll his f*****g eyes. So, dad banned him from bringing women home unless they were the one. Especially with me living here.

Dad had seen this coming. He knew that he and Shane were marked for death, and so he turned everything over to me. And he did it in secret, from the looks of things.

I have to tell the club today. I have to tell them that Chase is not their president, and I know some will be pissed that a woman is going to be seated at the head of the table, but f**k them. I grew up in this club. The club belongs to my family, and a Kincaid has to sit at the head of that table no matter what.

“Mommy.” I look towards the stairs and stand up and stretch as I walk towards the bottom of the stairs and smile up at my little man, who looks like he has been electrocuted. His white-blonde ringlet curls are frizzy and tangled.

I walk up to meet him and lift him in my arms and kiss his chubby cheek as he rubs his eyes before burrowing his face in my neck, rubbing against me like a kitten does when getting comfortable.

“Hey little man.” I say in a quiet voice and he sighs. I smile at him as I walk back down the stairs and sit with him on the sofa. He shifts, swinging his legs so his feet are on the sofa and his head rests against my chest.

“You have a nice sleep?” I ask him, and he hums, still sleepy. It has been a big excitement for him being here and he is wiped out.

“What do you want for breakfast?” I ask him and he plays the buttons of my pyjama shirt. We are both in matching Christmas puppy dog pyjamas. The puppy-dogs are of all different breeds, and each is wearing either a Santa hat or some kind of antlers.

“Christmas pancakes.” He says and I chuckle and kiss his head.

“Ok, do you want to watch TV? and I will go and make you your Christmas pancakes?” I ask him and he nods his head and climbs off my lap and lays down. I grab the blanket and place it around him and flick the TV on and he turns on his side facing the TV.

“I’ll be in the kitchen. Don’t answer the door, ok?” I say to him, and he nods his head.

“Ok.” He says before yawning. Yeah, he is still waking up.

I head into the kitchen and make a start on his pancakes. Getting the batter ready and heating the pan. I find the Christmas-shaped pancake shapes. Dad used to do this for me and so I know he kept them. I smile softly as I get to work making Christmas tree, present, and snowman shaped pancakes for Chance.

I wash and cut up some strawberries and banana for him too. There is one thing I love about Chance. Well, I love everything about him but he is a good eater.

When he was born, he was eight pounds three ounces and twenty-two and a half inches long. So, I know he is going to be a big boy like his father. Chase is a monster of a man. I always said it is something in the water here, because all the men are massive. Even my mom — she was tall at five foot eleven. I remember her measuring me against the wall and I measured her. I turn and look at the wall, and there are the measurements.

Mine, Shane’s, Mom’s, Dad’s, even Chase’s. I turn back to the pancakes and flip them over before scooping them up and placing them on a plate with some fresh fruit for Chance when the doorbell rings.

“Chance, come to the table please, your pancakes are ready.” I call out and he responds.

“Coming, mommy, someone’s at the door.” She shouts as he runs and I chuckle before lifting him and placing him on the chair and hand him his cutlery.

“Ok, hold on whilst I go and answer it.” I say, kissing his head as he groans. I jog to the door and open it and find Chase standing there looking me up and down.

“Morning, nice pj’s. Can I come in?” He says and I roll my eyes and step aside and walk back to where Chance is waiting patiently and a few slices of banana are missing.

“Hey buddy.” Chase moves towards Chance and kisses his head.

“Daddy, look it. Mommy made Christmas pancakes.” Chance says and I watch him and smile as Chase gasps dramatically and then pouts.

“Do you think mommy will make some for daddy?” Chase asks and I find myself chuckling at him. I can see glimpses of the man he was, the boy I loved since I was little.

“Smooth, Chase, real smooth.” I say and both he and our son smile at me, both of them showing teeth and each having those damn dimples in their cheeks. Damn it.

“Ok, fine.” I say, and they both cheer and high-five. I don’t have the patience for this today but I make pancakes for Chase and add some bacon and scramble some eggs for him. I make a coffee for us both and when I’m done, I hand him his plate and I see Chance has eaten his breakfast and has gone back to the living room to watch Paw Patrol.

“Why are you here, Chase?” I ask him as I lean against the doorframe and look at him as I blow on my coffee before taking a sip, then grimace, realising I am drinking his coffee. I walk towards the table and take the one I put down and replace it with his one. Chase chuckles at me as he digs into his breakfast.

“Well, I came to see my favourite people and to tell you the club has information you need to hear.” He says and I stop myself from telling him to stop. When he mentions information that catches my attention.

“What kind of information?” I ask quietly so little ears don’t hear.

“Ruby was taken to the emergency room early hours this morning. She had been beaten badly and possibly raped. The hospital called me as I’m her next of kin. I don’t want there to be secrets between us, but I have to go and see what happened to her.” Well, s**t! I nod my head in understanding. I may hate the woman but no one deserves that, not even her.

“She is still your wife, but she is a traitor to the club. Even though we have no real proof of her involvement with the deaths of my dad, brother, and sister-in-law. Be careful Chase. I don’t trust her.” I tell him and he sighs and nods his head.

“Believe me, neither do I, but I need to make sure this isn’t some kind of sick attempt to stop the divorce. She is still my responsibility until then.” He says and I get it. I really do. Do I like it? No, but he is still her husband in the eyes of the law.

“Ok, be safe.” I say as he stands and walks towards me but I dodge out of his path. He sighs, knowing I won’t give in that easily.

“I will call you when I know what happened and we may need to take it to a vote.” He says and I nod my head. Whether I like it or not, Ruby is still his ol lady and even in club law, an attack on an ol lady is an attack on the club.

I don’t answer. I can’t. I have no rights until the club is made aware of my father’s wishes. In their eyes, for now, Chase is still their president. Something isn’t sitting right with me. This smells like a setup.

My gut is screaming at me that there is more to this and I need to keep those I trust closer to me.

I hate to think it but what if Ruby wasn’t the only rat in the club? I can’t risk exposing the wishes of my father. Not until I’m certain.

“Hey Chase.” I call out as he opens the front door.

“Yeah, what is it?” I take a breath.

“Don’t tell anyone about the will. Not yet.” I say, and he nods his head before he walks out and closes the door behind him.

I have a rat to catch and the only way I will do that is by being more present in the club. So that is what I will do. No one is going to take away my family’s legacy, no one.