Chapter 3- Blood Comes First

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence and Abuse In this chapter. Butcher's POV “Mom,” I greeted, answering my phone. “Butcher, you and your uncle should come to dinner tonight. We're having everyone over at your brother's house.” I rubbed a hand down my face. f*****g perfect timing. I'd been wondering how to break the news about Natalie and the baby. Apparently, I wouldn't have to wait long. “Mom, I'm bringing someone tonight. Got some s**t I need to discuss with everyone, but that ain't happening over the phone.” “Butch, honey, is everything alright?” I could hear the concern in her voice. That woman knew when something was up, even when I hadn't said a damn thing. “Yeah, Mom. Everything's fine. Just need to talk to you all in person.” She went quiet for a moment. “Alright, honey. I'll see you tonight. But if you're hiding something from me…” She left that s**t hanging in the air. I shook my head. Only one woman in this world could make me feel like a teenager getting caught doing something stupid. “No, Mom. That's why I'm saving it for tonight. So your ass knows I'm not hiding shit.” “Alright, Butch. I'll see you tonight. Love you.” “Love you too, Mom.” The call disconnected. I tossed my phone onto the table and leaned back. “What are your plans with Natalie?” Crank questioned. I glanced toward my uncle. The old bastard had been watching me since Natalie disappeared down the hallway. “What about her?” “Don't play stupid with me, boy. She's carrying your kid. What are you planning to do about it?” I shrugged. “Wait till she has the baby. Get a DNA test to f*****g confirm it's mine. "Then maybe pay her ass to take a hike and leave the kid.” Crank slowly lowered his coffee cup. The amusement he'd been wearing earlier disappeared. “You planning on taking that woman's baby away from her?” “I'm planning on raising my f*****g kid.” “And what about its mother?” “What about her?” Crank's eyes narrowed. “That's a b***h f*****g move if you pull that s**t, boy.” I clenched my jaw. “Didn't ask for your opinion.” “Too damn bad. You're getting it anyway.” My uncle stood, glaring down at me. “That woman saved your life. She tried telling you about the pregnancy, and one of your idiots turned her away. "She's been taking care of herself and that baby for six months. " Now you're talking about throwing money at her and taking her child?” “Watch it, Uncle.” “No, you watch it. Being president doesn't mean you get to treat everyone like they're beneath you.” With that, he walked off, pissed. I watched him go. Yeah, maybe it was a b***h move. Didn't mean I'd ruled it out. There wasn't a damn thing wrong with Natalie. The woman was f*****g beautiful. That red hair and those green eyes called to me like a siren. Hell, I'd spent the last six months remembering what she'd felt like beneath me. More nights than I cared to admit, I'd closed my eyes and imagined her beautiful face. But wanting to f**k a woman and wanting to settle down with one were two completely different things. I wasn't interested in an ol' lady. Didn't want a woman questioning my decisions, getting involved in club business, or expecting me to come home every night. That wasn't the life I'd chosen. But my blood? That was different. No f*****g way was I allowing my kid to grow up somewhere without me taking care of it. I'd figure the rest out later. ............................. Two hours later, two prospects returned with Natalie's belongings. One of them approached me, looking nervous. “Prez, we grabbed the stuff the lady requested, but we've got a problem.” I straightened. “What f*****g problem?” “Someone got there before us. Her place was trashed.” I was on my feet before he finished speaking. “What the f**k?” “Front door was busted. Drawers pulled out, furniture overturned. Looked like someone was searching for something.” My fists tightened. Natalie had been at the clubhouse for only a few hours, and someone had already broken into her f*****g house. “What happened?” Sword asked, approaching from across the room. “Someone broke into the woman's place.” My VP's expression hardened. “f**k. They're definitely going after your kid.” That was exactly what I'd been thinking. Sword turned toward the prospects. “Anything she eats, drinks, or puts in her body gets replaced. "Vitamins, medicine, toiletries, all of it. If someone's targeting the kid, we don't know what they might've tampered with.” I nodded. “Prospect! Anything that ain't clothes gets tossed. Go to the f*****g store and buy everything new. You hear me?” “Yes, Prez.” “And don't f**k around. Get exactly what's on her list.” The prospect hurried off. Sword looked at me. “You thinking whoever broke into her place is connected to the asshole who turned her away?” “Don't know yet. But somebody knew where she lived.” “And somebody knew she was pregnant.” I stared toward the hallway leading to Natalie's room. The woman had no f*****g idea what kind of trouble was coming her way. “Call church,” I ordered. “I want every f*****g detail we have on this.” Sword nodded and went to gather the brothers. Whoever had decided to involve my unborn child in their bullshit had just made a serious mistake. And when I found them, they'd f*****g regret it. ............................... Five hours later, Natalie finally appeared in the main room. Still wearing those damn scrubs. Her red curls were a mess, and she looked like she'd just rolled out of bed. My eyes dropped before I could stop them. Her n*****s were hard enough to show through her bra and scrub top. Fuck. I dragged my attention back to her face. “What is your ass doing out here?” She stopped and looked at me like I'd asked the stupidest question imaginable. “I need water and something to eat. I'm also checking whether my stuff arrived so I can take a shower.” I nodded toward one of the prospects. “Take the lady's belongings to her room.” “Yeah, Prez.” I turned back toward Natalie. “What does your ass want to eat?” “Don't know. Not exactly familiar with your menu.” Smartass. “Take a seat.” She gave me a look but settled onto the couch. “Prospect! Get the lady something to eat and some water.” “You like burgers, ma'am?” the prospect asked. “Who doesn't?” He grinned. “Just make sure it's cooked all the way through, please. No pink meat. It's not good for the baby.” “Absolutely.” She thanked him before he disappeared toward the kitchen. I sat beside her. “Tonight, we're heading over to my brother's place for dinner.” Natalie frowned. “No offense, but that's rude. I don't feel comfortable showing up at your family's house. That's a personal thing.” “Yeah, well, your ass is coming. Need to explain to my family about this.” I gestured toward her stomach. Her expression changed immediately. “Me and the baby are not a this. Thanks for the insult.” I clenched my jaw. “But seriously,” she continued. "I don't think it's important for us to meet each other's families. "Seeing how we're just going to be co-parenting, let's skip the whole meet-the-family thing.” I stared at her. Co-parenting? The woman had already decided how this s**t was going to work. Without asking me. The beer bottle in my hand shattered. Glass scattered across the floor. Natalie jumped, her eyes widening as she looked at my hand. “Too f*****g bad. I've got a family dinner, and I'm not leaving your ass alone.” She scoffed. “I'm not a child who needs to be watched. It's already bullshit that you're making me stay here. "Fine, I'll go sit in that f*****g room until I can head home.” Something inside me snapped. I stood, grabbed her arm, and yanked her off the couch. “Let's f*****g go.” “Butcher! You're hurting me!” I didn't stop. I hauled her toward the hallway, ignoring the brothers watching us. Her shorter legs struggled to keep up with my strides. “Slow down!” I tightened my grip and kept moving. When we reached her room, I shoved the door open and pulled her inside. The door slammed behind us hard enough to rattle the frame. Natalie stumbled backward. For the first time since I'd met her, she wasn't arguing. Her eyes were wide, and her face had gone pale. I stepped closer. “I've had enough of your f*****g disrespect. The only f*****g reason I've tolerated it is because my DNA is inside your ass.” She backed toward the wall. “Going forward, you watch how you f*****g speak to me. "I say you do something, you f*****g do it. Otherwise, you won't like the consequences.” Her hands trembled as she held them near her stomach. I towered over her. “DO YOU f*****g HEAR ME?” “Yes,” she whispered. “Keep your ass in this room. Your food will be delivered here. I'll come get you in two hours. Be f*****g ready.” I turned and walked out, slamming the door behind me. Whatever Natalie thought about our arrangement, she'd better understand one thing. I wasn't a man who tolerated being challenged. And I sure as hell wasn't starting now.