Chapter 6- A Familiar Face

Natalie's POV When Crank and I returned to the main room, Butcher was waiting near the entrance. His eyes immediately dropped to my shoes before returning to my face. “Let's go.” Well, wasn't he just a ray of sunshine? I followed the men outside, where a large SUV was parked near the clubhouse. Crank headed toward his motorcycle. Oh, no. He couldn't be serious. “You're not riding with us?” I asked. Crank glanced over his shoulder. “Taking my bike, Darlin.” Wonderful. The one person I felt remotely comfortable around was abandoning me with the giant. “Of course you are,” I muttered. Crank chuckled before climbing onto his bike. Butcher opened the passenger door. “Get in.” I looked at him. “Please and thank you are wonderful words. You should try them sometime.” His jaw tightened. “Natalie.” “Fine.” I climbed into the SUV before he decided to drag me inside. He shut the door and walked around to the driver's side. The engine roared to life. Neither of us spoke as he pulled away from the compound. Music played softly through the speakers, but it did little to ease the tension between us. I kept my attention on the passing scenery. My throat was still sore, and every time I swallowed. I was reminded of that disgusting man's hand wrapped around my neck. Then there was my arm. The bruising from Butcher's grip had become more noticeable. I tugged at my sleeve, wishing I'd chosen something that covered it. “You eat?” I turned toward Butcher. “What?” “Asked if your ass ate.” “Yes.” “All of it?” “Half.” He glanced at me. “Why the f**k only half?” I stared at him. “Gee, Butcher. I can't imagine why my appetite might've disappeared.” His hands tightened around the steering wheel. “Don't f*****g start.” I turned back toward the window. Trust me, giant. Starting another argument with you was the last thing I wanted. .............................. We drove in silence after that. Thirty minutes later, Butcher turned onto a driveway leading toward a large two-story house. I stared at it. Well, damn. Apparently, motorcycle clubs paid better than I realized. The house was beautiful, with a spacious front porch and several vehicles parked outside. Crank's motorcycle was already there. Thank God. Butcher parked the SUV and shut off the engine. “We're here.” “No kidding.” He shot me a look. I quickly unbuckled my seat belt. One of these days, I really needed to learn when to keep my mouth shut. Especially around this man. Butcher met me at the front of the SUV. Crank was waiting nearby, thankfully. “Let's go,” Butcher ordered. I nodded and followed him toward the house, with Crank walking behind me. At least I wasn't completely alone. Butcher knocked on the front door. A moment later, it swung open. “About time your ass got here. Mom said you were bringing someone.” Holy crap. Another giant. The man standing in the doorway was actually a little taller than Butcher. How was that even possible? He had tattoos, broad shoulders, and nearly crystal-blue eyes. His hair was shorter than Butcher's, but the family resemblance was unmistakable. This had to be his brother. “Yeah, you could say that,” Butcher answered. He didn't sound particularly happy about bringing me. Trust me, buddy. The feeling was mutual. “Well, get your ass inside.” The man stepped aside. Butcher walked in first, leaving me to follow. As I passed the doorway, the other giant looked down at me. His expression was so intimidating that my chest tightened. Fantastic. Giant number three apparently had the same welcoming personality as giant number two. Then his gaze dropped to my stomach. For the briefest moment, surprise flashed across his face. He looked from my belly to Butcher. Interesting. Apparently, nobody had warned him about the pregnant woman coming to dinner. I continued inside before he could start asking questions. The house was beautiful, with an open living area and enough space for a large family. I could hear voices coming from another room. childrens voices, too. That was somewhat reassuring. Surely a house full of children couldn't be as frightening as the clubhouse. Then again, I'd thought the clubhouse was supposed to be safe. Look how that turned out. “Well? what is it you wanted to tell me?” A woman's voice carried across the room. Butcher stood directly in front of me, blocking my view. He shifted aside, scratching the back of his neck. I nearly smiled. Was the giant actually nervous? Now that was something I hadn't expected to see. A blonde woman with hazel eyes stood a few feet away, holding a large toddler on her hip. She appeared to be around my height. Her gaze moved toward me. Then dropped to my stomach. Her eyes widened. “Oh, Butcher! Please tell me this is your work! "That I'm finally getting another grandbaby, this time from another one of my children!” I blinked. Well. That was certainly one way to announce a pregnancy. “Yeah, Mom. This is Natalie. She's carrying my baby.” I managed a small smile. At least, I hoped it looked like a smile. After everything that had happened today, I wasn't sure my face remembered how. “Jack!” the woman shouted excitedly. “Your second son is finally giving us a grandkid!” The toddler on her hip bounced at the excitement. She turned back toward me, smiling warmly. “My sons lack manners. Sorry about that. I'm Valerie. It's lovely to meet you, Natalie.” She shifted the little boy on her hip and offered me her hand. I shook it. “Nice to meet you too.” And I meant it. Valerie seemed genuinely happy to see me. She hadn't looked at me like I was an inconvenience or something her son had dragged home. That alone was a relief. “Well, I'll be damned. That sure is a pregnant woman.” I turned toward the new voice. Oh, for crying out loud. Giant number four. Seriously, what were these people feeding their sons? The older man had the same imposing build as his boys. Along with an expression that suggested he wasn't someone to argue with. Obviously, Butcher's father. He looked at my stomach before his gaze traveled upward. Then his expression changed. “What the f**k happened to your neck?” I froze. His eyes narrowed. “And where the f**k did that bruise come from on your arm?” His voice was loud and harsh. I instinctively stepped backward, bumping into Crank. My heart began racing. Not again. Please, not again. The little boy on Valerie's hip suddenly let out a loud yell, apparently deciding to imitate the older man. I flinched. “Hey! Two of the three are down. Can we not scream, please?” That voice. I turned toward the woman who'd spoken. And nearly forgot how to breathe. “Violet?” The woman stopped. Her eyes widened. “Natalie?” Oh, thank God. “VI!” For the first time all day, a genuine smile spread across my face. Violet Brinks. Someone I actually knew! She hurried toward me, and I practically threw my arms around her. I hugged her tightly. Violet laughed, returning the embrace. “Look at you! It's so good to see you!” “You have no idea!” And she really didn't. Violet and I had gone to high school together. We'd been friends back then, but college and life had eventually pulled us in different directions. We hadn't seen each other in years. Still, I'd always considered her a friend. And right now? Seeing her felt like finding a familiar face in the middle of a nightmare. Violet pulled back, smiling. “You look so good!” I laughed. “That's generous, considering the day I've had.” Her smile faltered slightly, but I quickly changed the subject. “How have you been?” “Really good, actually.” She looked genuinely happy. “I just had a set of triplets three months ago.” I stared at her. Then blinked. “I'm sorry. Did you just say triplets?” Violet laughed. “Yep.” “Holy crap, lady! Your poor uterus!” She burst out laughing. I shook my head in disbelief. “Seriously, though. Congratulations! Three babies at once?” “Three,” she confirmed, still laughing. I looked around the room. “Please tell me you've got an army of people helping you.” “Oh, trust me. There's plenty of help around here.” I glanced toward the toddler Valerie was holding. “So I'm assuming that cutie is yours too?” Violet followed my gaze. “Yeah. That's our boy, Thane. He's a year and six months old.” I looked at her. Then at the little boy. Then back at her. “Holy crap!” Violet laughed again. “That's becoming your favorite phrase.” “Can you blame me? You've apparently been very busy!” She shook her head, amused. Then her attention shifted toward my stomach. “How far along are you?” I rested a hand over my belly. “Six months.” Her smile widened. “Oh, Natalie!” Before she could say anything else, Valerie approached us. “Wait a minute. You two know each other?” Violet grinned. “We went to high school together!” Valerie looked delighted. “Well, isn't that something?” I nodded. “It's been years since we've seen each other.” “Too many,” Violet agreed. I glanced toward Butcher. He was standing with his brother, watching us. Neither man looked particularly amused. Of course not. Apparently, smiling was against the giant family code. Violet followed my gaze before looking back at me. “So…” I knew that expression. Oh, no. She was about to start asking questions. And considering the fact that I was standing in her living room, six months pregnant with her brother-in-law's baby. I couldn't exactly blame her. I gave her a nervous smile. “It's a long story.” Violet raised an eyebrow. “I've got time.” I glanced at Butcher again. Wonderful. Of all the places I could've run into an old friend, it had to be the home of the giant's brother. And something told me this family dinner was about to become a whole lot more interesting.