Chapter 1- The Man Who Came Back

“That my kid in your belly?” The deep voice came from behind me. As I suddenly found myself surrounded by several large men. Instinctively, my hand settled protectively over my six-month-pregnant belly as I slowly turned around. Oh, hell! Standing before me was the man whose life I'd saved six months ago. The same man who'd ended up in my bed that night, only to disappear before sunrise. Butcher. My heart began racing as the giant approached. “Not sure what you're talking about,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. This was the last thing I needed. I'd just finished a twelve-hour night shift. My feet were swollen, my back ached, and all I wanted was to go home and crawl into bed. “Don't fuckin' lie to me. Is that my baby?” I swallowed nervously. His greyish-blue eyes were filled with anger as he towered over me. The giant had to be pushing seven feet tall. From what I'd heard, being enormous ran in his family. “Look, I'm—” “ANSWER THE f*****g QUESTION!” Butcher roared. I jumped, taking two startled steps backward. “Yes!” I blurted out. His jaw tightened. “You were going to keep my kid away from me?” Oh, that did it. Fear turned into one pissed-off, hormonal pregnant woman. “I didn't have your contact information! "What exactly did you want me to do? Put up a giant banner saying. "‘Hey, Butcher! You knocked me up! Call me!’?” A few of the men standing nearby laughed. “I tried telling you three months ago. But when I finally tracked down your clubhouse. I was told at the gate that ‘the Prez’”—I made air quotes—“didn't need any gold diggers barking up his tree.' "I was told to take my bastard and bounce.” I folded my arms, glaring up at him. The sun was rise over the horizon. “Natalie, is everything good?” I turned to see Jackson, one of the security guards from the hospital, approaching us. “We're having a private conversation. f**k off!” Butcher snapped. Jackson stopped, looking between us. “Not going to happen unless I hear it from Natalie.” I watched Butcher clench his fists. The last thing I needed was Jackson getting caught in the middle of this. “Everything's fine, Jackson,” I assured him. “Thanks for checking on me. Have a good morning.” I gave him a small smile and waved. Jackson hesitated before finally walking away, although he glanced back at us. When I turned toward Butcher again, he grabbed my arm. “Your ass is coming with me.” I sighed. “Can't we just exchange phone numbers? I've had a long night, and I'd really like to go home.” I rubbed my lower back. “Or was confirming the pregnancy all you needed? "Because yes, I'm pregnant. And no, I won't be coming after you for anything. "You know, being the gold digger your gate buddy accused me of being.” Butcher glared down at me. “Your ass is coming with me.” Apparently, there would be no discussion. He started walking, pulling me along with him. “Hey! Can you slow down? I'm pregnant here,” I grumbled, struggling to keep up with his long strides. Butcher slowed, although he didn't release my arm. When we reached my old Kia Soul, he held out his hand. “Keys.” I frowned. “Why?” “Your ass isn't driving. Keys. Now.” Digging through my purse, I finally found them beside an old cinnamon candy at the bottom of my bag. The moment I pulled them out, Butcher took them. “Prospect!” A younger man approached. “Drive her car. Anything happens to her or my kid, you'll answer to me.” Butcher opened the passenger door, and I climbed inside. The prospect settled into the driver's seat, adjusting it as far back as it would go. “s**t, this is a small-ass cage,” he complained. “It wasn't designed for tall-ass people,” I pointed out. He glanced at me. “Buckle up.” I did. Not because he ordered me to, but because I believed in wearing seat belts. One had saved my life before. As we drove away, I stared out the window. The sun had risen, and I wondered how I'd managed to get myself into this situation. “So, are you a gold digger?” the prospect asked. I turned toward him. “Don't gold diggers usually keep bothering the people they're trying to get money from?” He scratched the back of his head. “Guess you've got a point.” I rolled my eyes. After several minutes, another thought crossed my mind. “So, am I being taken somewhere to die?” The prospect laughed. I didn't. “Seriously.” “Not sure, lady. I'm not a full-fledged brother yet.” I stared at him. “So there's actually a chance I'm going to die today?” “Doubt it. Prez has been looking for you.” I frowned. “What do you mean he's been looking for me?” He glanced over. “Prez kept calling that baby his kid, didn't he?” Well, he had a point. ........................ Thirty minutes later, we pulled through the gates of a large compound. By then, I desperately needed to pee. I was also thirsty, having left my water bottle at the nurses' station. The car had barely stopped when my passenger door opened. Butcher stood waiting. “Let's go.” He helped me out and guided me toward the building. “I need to use the restroom. Can you point me in the right direction?” Butcher nodded, keeping a hand on my arm. We'd barely stepped inside when a man approached us. “Prez, I told that gold digger she shouldn't bother barking up your tree. Thought she got the hint.” I recognized him immediately. The same man who'd turned me away three months earlier. Butcher went still. “Your ass did what?” “Prez, she's just looking for a payout.” I scoffed. “Not really, you miserable prick!” I'd tried keeping my mouth shut, but the man's smug expression was enough to make my blood boil. Without warning, Butcher punched him. I stumbled backward. “Lady, step aside.” The prospect who'd driven me moved in front of me. “That woman is pregnant with my fuckin' kid! You had the balls to turn her away?” Butcher roared. Another punch landed. Then another. The once-quiet room erupted with activity. As men and half-dressed women appeared from the hallways and stairs. The man on the floor was becoming a bloody mess. I was almost certain I heard bones breaking. “What the f**k is going on here?” An older man appeared, nearly as tall as Butcher. Judging by their similar features, I assumed they were related. Butcher threw another punch before finally stepping back. “Get that fucker out of my sight before I finish him!” The man lay motionless on the floor. Butcher stood over him, blood splattered across his hands and face. My stomach rolled. It wasn't the blood itself. I dealt with blood regularly at work. It was seeing Butcher like that. “Prospect, bathroom. I need to throw up,” I managed. “s**t! This way!” The prospect hurried me down the hallway. The moment I spotted the women's restroom, I rushed inside. Barely making it to the toilet before emptying what little remained in my stomach. The gagging was the worst part of pregnancy. When the nausea finally passed, I rinsed my mouth at the sink. Then my baby kicked my bladder. Wonderful. After taking care of that problem and washing my hands, I looked in the mirror. Dark circles surrounded my green eyes, and my red hair was a mess. I splashed some cool water on my face before taking several calming breaths. Finally, I stepped outside. The older man was waiting. “Sent my nephew to clean his ass up so you wouldn't have to see him like that again,” he explained. I nodded. “Name's Crank. You're Natalie.” “Yeah.” He studied me for a moment. “Look, it's been a long night,” I told him. “Can you please give your nephew my phone number? "He can call me, and we can discuss everything later.” “Sorry, darlin'. But you're not going anywhere until he says so.” I sighed. “Can I at least get some water?” Crank nodded. “Come on. You'll be safe with me. I swear it.” I followed him toward a group of couches. “Have a seat. You look like you could use it.” I gratefully sat down. “Prospect, get the lady some water,” Crank ordered as another young man passed by. Several people watched me curiously. Across the room, a prospect was cleaning blood from the floor. The sharp smell of bleach drifted through the air. Thankfully, someone brought me a cold bottle of water. I drank gratefully. About fifteen minutes later, Butcher returned. He sat beside me. “We need to talk.” I gave him an annoyed look. “What happened earlier didn't fuckin' happen. You hear me?” There was a clear threat in his voice. I stared at him. “Oh, for f**k's sake! Are we seriously going with that threat? "I never said anything to anyone about the night I patched you up!” I couldn't believe the nerve of this man. After everything I'd done for him six months ago, he was sitting here threatening me? I was quickly running out of patience with the giant sitting beside me.