Spike (Aces MC Series Book 3) (11 page)

"Do you like her?" Diesel asked with sincerity in
his voice.
"It's difficult man, I want to make sure that they're safe. I will do
everything within my power to make sure that her husband never hurts them
again."
"But!" Diesel said looking at me expectantly.
"But when I don't see her, I miss her. Fucking hell I'm soft!"
"Well, we all know that but that's what makes you, you! Ahhh, give me a
hug baby cousin."
Diesel opened his arms to give me a squeeze before pulling my cheeks and
wobbling them like you'd do to a child.
"Get off me you dickhead. I was wondering how long it would take before
you started taking the piss." I eagerly brushed him away with my hands.
"Seriously though, have you told her?" Diesel stood fumbling around
in his pocket for his keys.
"I may have suggested something today that indicated that I like
her," I grinned as I stood and followed him towards the door. "She's
so fucking jumpy when I'm near her, although she's getting better but I don't
know if she'll ever accept another man into her life."
"What's the matter, have you lost your charm?" Diesel nodded at
Ramsey who had been keeping a watchful eye over our rides while we were in the
pub.
"No! I just gotta be in it for the long haul."
"You obviously like her then." He stated mounting his ride.
"Yeah, I guess I do."

Louise

"Thanks Maggie I really appreciate this." I walked
into the living room placing the twin's bags on the floor. Maggie had agreed to
look after the children for me today as I had an important meeting at the
council office regarding benefits and housing. I didn't relish the idea of
taking the twins as I didn't know how long I was going to be but Amy had
suggested that Maggie could look after the children so that I didn't need to
worry. This obviously wouldn't stop me from worrying, I had only known the
group for a week but they had yet to give me any cause for concern. I found it
difficult to trust, especially after the way Liam and his mother had treated me
over the years but I was slowly coming around to the idea that there may be
hope for a better way of life.

"Not a problem Louise, I told you I don't mind having
them. I was hoping that one of my four children would've had kids by now."
Maggie raised her eyebrows and sighed as she directed me into the kitchen.
"Have you got time for a drink before you go?" she asked as she switched
on the kettle.
"No sorry Maggie, it's going to take me forty minutes to walk to the
council offices from here so I better get going."
I bent down to give Tommy and Devon a kiss as they sat on the sofa watching Scooby-Doo,
"Be good for Maggie please, she's doing me a huge favour." I
whispered as they both nodded in unison understanding what I'd just said.
"I'll call you a taxi Louise, you can't walk to Epping high street from
here." Maggie reached for her phone.
"Honestly Maggie, I'll be fine. The walk will do me good and I could do
with saving the money." I hung my bag around my neck and put my arm
through the large handle so that it was secure and made my way towards the
front door.
"I can give you some money Louise if you're short." Maggie said
sympathetically.
I shook my head, "That's lovely of you to offer but I'm fine. Thanks again
Maggie and please give me a call if there's a problem."
Maggie smiled, "They'll be fine, see you soon."
I waved as I walked down the brick paved path that led to the street and
started the long journey to the council offices.

I walked at a steady pace through the residential areas and
eventually found my way onto the high street and familiar territory. I used the
phone that Spike had given me for directions and was now grateful for the gift.
My tummy started to twist at the thought of Spike, he was everything that Liam
wasn't and everything that any parent would tell their child to stay away from
but he did things to my body that I didn't know were possible without even
being touched. The thought made my cheeks warm.
Get a grip Louise!
I let out a sigh as I continued down the high street until I came to the
council offices. Fumbling around in my bag I found the scrap of paper that had
the lady's name written on it that I needed to speak to but as I removed it
from my bag, a gust of wind took hold of the paper and I quickly took chase on
the grassed area adjacent to the building. As soon as I was upon it another
gust of wind took hold and blew it further away, to passersby's I probably
looked like a lunatic chasing litter down the street. I was about to give up
all hope when I noticed a man in a grey tracksuit step onto the note before
bending down to retrieve it from under his trainer. He stood and I noticed how
tall he was as he stepped forward and handed me the piece of paper.
"I'm assuming this is yours." He said with a smirk as he'd obviously
seen me running around like a crazed lady.
I could feel my skin redden under his scrutiny and quickly took the piece of
paper from his hand, "Thank you, I was worried that I'd be chasing it all
day." I said laughing nervously.
We stood there awkwardly looking at each other, "Well I'd better be going,
thanks again." I said before turning.
"Do you want to grab a drink?"
I quickly turned to see the man still rooted to the spot, looking at me
intently. "Erm...I've got an appointment," I said holding up the
piece of paper. "I'd better be going or I'll be late." I smiled
sweetly before turning around to walk back in the direction of the council
offices. Before I opened the big glass doors, I glanced over my shoulder to see
the man still standing in the same position glaring at me. I smiled
uncomfortably and entered the building feeling a little uneasy about my latest
encounter.

"Hello, can I help you?"
I was pulled from my thoughts as the smartly dressed lady spoke to me.
"Oh erm...I'm here to see Sarah Kennedy. My name is Louise Walker." I
stated as I read the name on the piece of paper.
The lady smiled and typed away on her computer as I took the opportunity to
look around the spacious lobby.
"You can either take the lift or the stairs to the second floor." She
said pointing in the direction I needed to go in, I smiled and nodded as I made
my way in the direction she had pointed.

The interview itself ran smoothly and Ms Kennedy was
sympathetic to my needs of keeping my information private due to the
circumstances. There were lots of forms to complete and I was conscious of how
long this was all taking. Ms Kennedy informed me that she would check the forms
but I should be finished within the hour, and was happy for me to take a quick
break so that I could contact Maggie to see if the children were okay. I had thankfully
programmed her number into my phone this morning but my earlier calm demeanour
was slowly slipping away as I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for her to
pick up the phone. It rang and eventually went to answer phone and I hastily
left a message for her to call me back as soon as she received my message.
I was worried, what would be keeping her from answering the phone?
I
tried making contact again but it also went to answer phone. I paced the corridor
not knowing what to do. Spike! I needed to call Spike.

He answered on the third ring, "How you doing
babe?"
"Spike, the kids are at Maggie's and I can't get hold of her. I'm going to
be at least another hour at the council office but now I'm worried that
something has happened. What should I do?" I could hear the anguish in my
own voice as I informed him of the situation.
"Louise, calm down. I'll give Maggie a call and if I can't get an answer
I'll either go to her house or get one of the guys to pop round there. Don't
worry, I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation."
He had a natural calm about him and was able to defuse a situation to make me
feel a little less anxious. I nodded my head and realised he couldn't see me,
"Okay but promise that you'll call me as soon as you know something."
 
"I promise. Now go and finish your form filling or whatever you're doing
and I'll sort it out."
"Thank you Spike." I said quietly.
"You're welcome."
I ended the call and put the phone into my pocket feeling a little better but still
concerned that I couldn't get hold of the children. Returning back to the
office where I was having my interview Ms Kennedy informed me that I only had
to complete a couple more forms and then I could go so I should be finished
earlier than anticipated.

I took a taxi from the council offices to Maggie's home and
could've done without the expense but Spike hadn't contacted me and I was about
five minutes away from calling the police. I paid the driver and quickly got
out of the car slamming the door behind me. This would probably piss the taxi
driver off but I needed to get to my children.
I franticly ran up the path and pounded on the front door but no one answered.
What
had I done?
I had left my children with virtual strangers, I was so fucking
stupid. I banged again on the door this time harder but as I did I could hear
laughter in the distance. I made my way around the side of the property and let
myself in the gate which led to the back garden. I continued down the alley
until I saw where the laughter was coming from.

Spike, Devon and Tommy were sitting in the hot tub, drinking
squash and clearly sharing a joke from the amount of laughter. I stood taking
in the scene, placing my hands on my hips in an unimpressed stance as my heart
rate returned to normal and my mind became a little more rational.

"Mummy you're back." Devon shouted as she waved in
my direction.
I smiled briefly and made eye contact with Spike as his smile dropped clearly
seeing how pissed off I was.
He quickly stepped out of the hot tub and made his way towards me across the
patio leaving a trail of water in his wake. The first thing I noticed were his
tattoo's that covered his torso and arms, a dagger sat central and I followed
the design further down his body. On closer inspection I could see his sculpted
body like he'd been carved from stone, I couldn't take my eyes off him and
licked my lips unconsciously.
"Louise...Louise!"
I shook my head and glanced at Spike to see him softly laugh at my obvious
appreciation of his body.
"Sorry I was...I was thinking about how annoyed I was with you!" My
composure was back and I tried to style out the situation by concealing the
fact that I'd just been caught ogling his magnificent body.
Spike put his hands on his hips and bowled his head slightly. "I'm sorry
Louise, I rushed over here and they were in the hot tub. Devon asked me
to..."
"Devon, Devon is five years old Spike." I crossed my arms across my
chest, "I asked you to let me know, I've been going out of my mind
worrying about the children."
"And I've apologised Louise, that's enough." Spike looked at me
sternly and I noticed how his tone had changed obviously pissed by my reaction.
I uncrossed my arms and placed my hands into my pockets as I hung my head. "Sorry,
I didn't mean to moan, I know what you've done for me Liam, I was just
worried."
I closed my eyes preparing myself for the pain but it didn't immediately come.
I lifted my head slowly looking through scrunched eyes as I braced myself for a
blow to the head when I noticed the hurt on his face.
I straightened my body and stepped closer resting a hand lightly on his chest,
"What is it Spike?"
There was a long pause as his eyes searched mine, "You called me
Liam."
I raised my hand to cover my open mouth, "I'm so sorry Spike, I didn't
mean to. You're nothing like him."
Spike nodded his head breathing heavily as he tried to contain his anger. I
didn't mean to call him Liam, it was just habit to plea for forgiveness and
apologise profusely after I had raised my voice or had been smart which wasn't
very often. The silence was deafening as we both stood sizing each other up. He
glanced at my hand that was still placed on his chest and I quickly removed it,
embarrassed by my actions.
"You look hot and bothered, why don't you get in the hot tub?" Spike
asked raising his eyebrows.
I looked down at my attire, "I haven't got a bathing suit."
Spike smiled, "That doesn't bother me!" He stepped closer and his
eyes darkened like a hunter stalking his prey.
"Spike no...I don't...NO!" Spike crouched and put his arms around my
waist picking me up like I weighed nothing before he flung me over his
shoulder, "Spike put me down!" I shouted as I pounded his back like a
drum wanting him to release me. This had no effect on such a hulk of a man and he
continued to walk towards the hot tub. I could hear the children laughing as
Spike quickly pulled off my shoes before he stepped into the water taking me
with him as he submerged us. I came up from the water coughing and spluttering,
rubbing my eyes quickly so that I could see.
Spike still had hold of me around my waist and brought me closer so that I was now
sitting on his lap. He gently pushed my wet hair from my face and left his hand
on my cheek where my bruises were stroking my tender skin with his thumb. "You're
beautiful, Angel," he said breathlessly staring into my eyes. Our lips
were now a breath apart, and his eyes held a seductive challenge. It took all
of my focus to not lean closer and claim his mouth as warmth filled every
crevice of my body.
The twins giggled and I turned to see Tommy and Devon staring at us, I tried to
wriggle from Spike's embrace but he held me firmly on his lap so I could feel
his arousal which shocked me. 

"Oh Louise, I didn't know you were here," Maggie smiled
as she noticed that I was sitting on Spike's lap but didn't say anything about
it which was a relief. "Sorry about earlier but I didn't hear the phone.
We were too busy playing pirates in the tree house, then the children wanted to
get in the hot tub."
I smiled, understanding that I'd probably overacted, I needed to learn to trust
but I was still finding it difficult.
"I was going to offer you a bathing suit but I think I may be a little too
late!" Maggie smirked as she sat in the recliner on the patio soaking up
the rays from the sun.
Spike had loosened his grip around my waist so I moved quickly to position
myself next to him feeling a little more comfortable but earning myself a moody
look.
"How's your day been kids?" I asked as Tommy came over to sit beside
me.
"Great, we painted pictures and played in the tree house. I really had fun
mum." I pulled him in close for a cuddle. The children continued to tell
me about their day and I couldn't help but notice just how normal this all
felt.

"Shit that's my phone." Spike got out of the hot
tub and stalked over to the table, wiping his hands on a towel before answering
his mobile.
"Hi...no I haven't forgotten...I'm at Maggie's...yeah I'll be there
soon." He hung up and used the towel to dry himself, quickly changing
underneath it as he held it around his waist.
"I'm gonna have to go, Ink's waiting for me. I'm taking her to get her hair
done at a new salon in the high street." He said by way of explanation.
I felt a twang of disappointment in the pit of my stomach that he was leaving
us but tried to act like I wasn't bothered.
"Thanks again for helping Maggie with the kids this afternoon." I
said as I slowly got out of the water. Spike looked me up and down seductively
lingering on my t-shirt that was now tightly formed around my breasts. The
water had turned my t-shirt and bra see through and the outline of my areolas
were clearly visible.
Spike shook his head and sighed loudly, "My pleasure, we had fun. Right I
better go or Ink will kick my arse, I'll see you later in the week." He
winked before walking out of the garden adjusting himself.