Caleb POVMy dad's voice cuts through the moment. “Rose! Get in 'ere and take Queenie to the back room for a bit.” His tone leaves no room for argument.Queenie looks up at me, her brows furrowed in protest. “I don’t want to leave—”“Queenie,” I interrupt softly, stroking her cheek. “Just for now. Let us handle this.”Her eyes fill with worry, but she nods reluctantly. Rose appears in the doorway, her expression kind but firm as she motions for Queenie to follow.I give Queenie one last hug, holding her close for a beat longer than necessary. “It’s okay,” I murmur. “I’ll see you soon.”She nods again, her arms loosening from around me, and follows Rose out of the room. The moment the door closes behind her, the suffocating tension settles back into the room like a thick fog.I walk through to the table where everyone is seated, my heart still racing. King leans forward, his expression serious as his gaze sweeps across the room.“Let’s get one thin' straight,” King says, his voice cutt
Caleb POVKing and I leave together, walking out of the tense atmosphere and into the quiet hallway. “Your room or mine?” he mutters, his voice low.“Doesn’t matter,” I reply with a shrug. “Let’s just talk and sort this shit.”We end up in my room. It’s less cluttered, less personal, and I figure Queenie might head to King’s room anyway, where all her and the baby’s things are. We sit in silence, the air heavy with unspoken words. Neither of us knows where to start, but we know this conversation needs to happen.“Look,” King says finally, his voice breaking the quiet. “I think it’s clear she wants to try with both of us, but she’s too scared to admit it. She thinks she’ll hurt us by not picking just one.”I nod, my hands resting on my knees. “Agreed. So what do we do if she doesn’t feel comfortable saying it?”“No more hidin',” he replies firmly, his eyes locking with mine. “We agreed to give 'er space, but going forward, we don’t. I promise not to skin ya alive if I see ya kiss or to
QueenieI wake and see the moon outside, the weight of exhaustion still heavy on my body. I shift slightly, feeling the absence of baby Caleb in my arms. My heart skips for a moment before I spot King sitting at the foot of the bed, his shoulders hunched as he gazes at the floor. His presence feels surreal, like I’m still dreaming.“You’re awake,” he says quietly, his voice rough as if he hasn’t spoken in hours. He doesn’t look at me right away, his hands clasped tightly in his lap.I push myself up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “Where’s the baby?” I ask, my voice still groggy.“Caleb’s got 'im,” King replies, finally lifting his head to meet my gaze. His eyes are softer than I’ve seen them in ages, a mixture of longing and regret shining through. “He wanted ya to rest.”I nod, unsure of what to say. The air between us feels heavy, thick with unspoken words and unresolved pain. I pull the blanket tighter around me, needing the warmth as I wait for him to speak.“I missed you,” King
Queenie POVKing straightens, his hands falling away as he turns toward the door.“Yeah?” he calls out, his voice rough.The door creaks open, and Caleb steps inside, baby Caleb crying loudly in his arms. He looks tired but amused, holding the baby out toward me. “I don’t think he wants anyone but you. Everyone’s tried, but apparently, his mom is the only one who can handle him.”I take the baby, and as soon as he’s in my arms, his cries turn into soft whimpers before fading completely. He snuggles into me, his tiny body relaxing. Caleb shakes his head with a laugh. “So I wasted an hour trying to get him settled, and he’s just as stubborn as his dad. Typical.”“Can we go home now?” I ask, looking between them.“Sure,” Caleb says, offering me a soft smile. “Sure, maybe being at home will keep him settled,” Caleb says with a soft smile, and I nod, feeling the weight of the evening pressing down on me. I’ve been on edge since we got here, never quite able to shake the discomfort that com
KingThe ride back to the cabin is quiet; the hum of my bike is the only sound, and the cool air bites at my face. Behind me, Caleb drives the car, and Queenie and baby Caleb are inside. I try to focus on the road, but my mind is tangled with everythin' that’s happened tonight. How did we even get 'ere? The club, the tension, the stares, it all feels suffocatin'. And Queenie… God, the look in 'er eyes when she said she felt selfish. It cut deeper than I expected.By the time we reach the cabin, I’ve made up my mind. Tonight, we talk. All of us. No more hidin', no more dancin' around the hard truths. We owe her that much.I park the bike as Caleb pulls in behind me. Queenie steps out of the car, cradlin' baby Caleb close, her exhaustion etched into every line of her face. She doesn’t say a word, just walks toward the cabin. Caleb and I exchange a look, an unspoken agreement passin' between us before we follow 'er inside.Upstairs, Queenie sits on the bed, baby Caleb restin' quietly in
Queenie POVThe soft haze of morning light filters through the curtains as I stir, feeling oddly refreshed despite the whirlwind of emotions from the past few days. A warm weight presses against me, and I instinctively go to stretch—only to realize I’m pinned on both sides. Someone's leg is draped possessively over mine, his body nestled close, and I can feel his breath feathering over my cheek. My eyes flutter open, meeting the sight of Caleb completely relaxed, his face free of the tension that’s gripped him lately.Before I can fully process the intimacy of the moment, I become aware of the firm arm wrapped around my waist from behind. King. His chest presses against my back, his arm securing me as if even in sleep, he refuses to let go. I’m cocooned between the two of them, surrounded by their warmth and the steady rhythm of their breaths.A soft smile tugs at my lips. Safe. That’s what this feels like—an unexpected sense of security in the chaos of our lives. But as I try to shif
Queenie POVI stay where I am, nestled against King, his arm tightening its hold on me as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear.“I don’t care about you finishing quickly, King,” I whisper, my voice barely audible in the quiet. His grip tightens, and for a moment, I feel the weight of his guilt pressing down on us both.“But I do,” he murmurs, his voice raw. I go to speak, but he cuts me off, his words tumbling out like a confession he’s been holding back for too long. “After how much I’ve messed up, I didn’t want this. I didn’t feel like I deserved it. I don’t deserve to take pleasure from you. Sex... it used to be how I made things up to you. And now? I can’t even do that right.”I start to turn to face him, to offer comfort, but his hand finds my chin, stopping me. “Don’t,” he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. “I missed you. I’ve missed everything about you, Queenie. And the fact that I couldn’t even last long enough to make it right, it’s killing me.”A small smile tugs at my lips d
King’s POVI sit on the bed, my elbows restin' on my knees, my head bowed, and I feel… hollow. The room is quiet now, too quiet. The kind of quiet that lets every thought, every regret, and every mistake creep in like unwelcome shadows. I rub my hands over my face, and the roughness of my palms is a sharp reminder of everythin' I’ve been through.I’m out. I’m free. But it doesn’t feel like freedom.The bed beneath me feels softer than I remember, too soft, like it might swallow me whole. Everythin' out here is strange. The walls don’t close in on me like they did in my cell, but somehow, they feel heavier. The space isn’t suffocatin'—it’s overwhelmin'. It’s too open, too vast. I’ve traded steel bars and cinder blocks for the world, but I don’t know how to fit back into it.I glance around the room. It’s not mine, not in any way that feels familiar. It’s Caleb’s now, filled with his things, his presence. Queenie’s touch is everywhere too—the scent of her lingerin' on the sheets, the fa
Caleb’s POVThe roar of the bikes fills the air as we pull up to the clubhouse. It’s been months since the twins were born, and life hasn’t slowed down for a second. I park my bike and glance over at King, who’s smirking like he’s already a step ahead of me. He probably is. He’s been in a good place lately—focused, lighter even. It’s strange to see after everything, but I can’t complain. He’s my brother, and for the first time in years, it feels like we’re truly in sync.The twins have turned our world upside down in the best way. Queenie’s been handling everything like a pro, balancing the chaos of our family with the chaos of club life. Baby Caleb is toddling around like he owns the place, and the twins, Ruby and Daisy, are always keeping us on our toes. Life is full, and though it’s overwhelming sometimes, it’s everything I didn’t know I wanted.I step off my bike and stretch. King does the same, then glances at me with a grin. “Ready for today?”“Yeah,” I reply, though my voice fe
King’s POVIt’s been two months since we found out Queenie was having girls—twins. Two months of chaos, laughter, and a whole lot of learnin'. Sittin' on the clubhouse steps with a cup of coffee in my hand, I let my thoughts drift. Life feels different now. Better, maybe. Calmer. Though “calm” isn’t exactly the word I’d use to describe this club or my family.I’ve been spendin' more time with Kian. It’s something I should’ve done years ago but never did. I was too wrapped up in myself, in the club, in provin' I was the best choice for Prez. Kian was always just the kid in the background. Now, I see him for who he is—a sharp, thoughtful kid with a wicked sense of humor. He’s not a biker, not in the traditional sense, but he’s found his place here. He’s good with numbers, helping with the financial side of things, and he’s got this way of readin' people that reminds me of his mom.He’s been givin' me shit lately, though. “Finally realized I exist, huh?” he joked a few weeks ago when I i
Queenie’s POVSix months. It feels like a lifetime ago and yet just yesterday that everything changed. Lying here waiting for the woman to do the scan, I watch King and Caleb as they stand together. The sight makes my heart swell in a way I never thought possible. They’re so in sync now, their bond stronger than it’s ever been, and it’s a relief to see the tension that once lingered between them completely gone.King laughs at something Caleb says, and it’s such a genuine, carefree sound that I find myself smiling too. I still can’t believe how far he’s come. The darkness that used to grip him so tightly seems to have loosened its hold. It’s not gone entirely—I doubt it ever will be—but it’s no longer the thing that defines him. He’s lighter now, freer, and seeing him like this makes me love him even more.We’ve been staying at the club more than the cabin these past few months, something I never thought I’d be okay with. When King first suggested splitting our time between here and t
CalebShe’s a menace. A complete and utter menace. But God help me, I can’t resist her, not when she’s looking at me like that. The way she bites her lip and presses against me, whispering my name like it’s a plea and a command all at once—I’m a goner.Her lips are on mine, hot and demanding, and my hands move instinctively, sliding over her to feel the warmth of her skin. She’s soft, all curves and fire, and I’m reminded just how good it feels to have her like this. Like she’s mine. Like there’s no one else in the world.“Queenie,” I murmur against her mouth, trying to find some semblance of control. My hands tighten on her waist, holding her still as she grinds against me, her body determined to undo whatever resolve I have left. “We’re going to be late for everything, you know that, right?”Her laugh is breathless, filled with mischief. “Worth it,” she says again, her voice low and teasing, and it’s all the encouragement I need.Flipping her onto her back, I pin her beneath me, my
Queenie POVI wake up wedged between Caleb and King, feeling the weight of yesterday pressing on my chest. My mind replays everything in vivid detail, questioning every moment. If I hadn’t fought, would Delcote have still searched me? Or was it all just a punishment for not complying? He left me with my phone, almost as if he wanted me to panic.Then there’s the question of whether kicking his seat and enraging him had been a smart move. Sure, it made him stop, and that gave them the chance to find me—but did I escalate things? My thoughts spiral until I glance over to Caleb Jr.’s crib and notice it’s empty. My heart skips a beat as I sit up in a panic.“Rose and Maz have 'im,” King mutters groggily beside me. His voice is thick with sleep, and he doesn’t even open his eyes. “He woke up around half six, wanted to play, so they took him.”Relief washes over me as I let out a long breath and flop back down beside him.“How are ya feeling?” he asks quietly, turning his head to look at me
King’s POVAs we leave the hospital, the nurse hands me a printout of the ultrasound. The blurry black-and-white image of two tiny figures takes my breath away. Twins. I stare at it for a moment, the reality sinkin' in. This wasn’t how I imagined gettin' 'er checked would go, but here we are. Sliding the picture into my jacket pocket, I pull out my phone and shoot a quick message to Rose, askin' 'er to grab the portable crib and a bag of essentials from the cabin. “We’re stayin' at the club tonight,” I explain to Caleb and Queenie, who both nod in agreement.The ride back feels heavier, quieter, as if we’re all lost in our thoughts. Queenie holds onto Caleb, her grip tighter than usual, while I keep glancin' over to make sure she’s okay. The wind whips around us, but the silence between us speaks louder than anything.When we finally arrive at the club, the warm light spillin' from the windows feels oddly comfortin'. The moment we walk through the doors, Queenie makes a beeline for ba
Caleb’s POVAs we step out of the club, Honey’s voice cuts through the cool night air. “Why is Delcote back in town?” she asks, her casual tone sharp against the tension bubbling inside me. She leans casually against her car, her eyes narrowing as she looks at us. “I saw his car near the college earlier today.”Her words feel like a punch to the gut. I stop dead in my tracks, turning to meet King’s gaze. His expression mirrors mine—panic mixed with raw anger. His fists clench at his sides as his jaw tightens.“What did ya just say?” King growls, his voice low and dangerous.Honey raises an eyebrow, sensing the change in the air. “I saw his car near the campus,” she repeats slowly, looking between us. “What’s going on?”Before either of us can answer, Dad stops behind us, his voice booming as he barks orders. “Rose! Maz!” he calls out and I see them coming to the door. “Keep the baby with you. Don’t leave the club for anythin'. Got it?”Rose’s arms tighten around baby Caleb instinctive
Queenie’s POVThe end of the workday couldn’t come fast enough. I step outside, shivering as the cool air nips at my skin. My eyes scan the parking lot, but there’s no sign of King’s bike or Caleb’s. My brows furrow in confusion. They said they’d pick me up—didn’t they?I wait a few minutes, pacing slightly, trying to keep warm. Pulling out my phone, I dial Caleb first. No answer. I try King next, but it goes straight to voicemail. A frustrated sigh escapes me, and I glance up and down the street. No way am I waiting. I begin walking, deciding it will be quicker than waiting if they have totally forgotten me.The walk home feels longer than it should. My feet ache from a long shift, and the chill in the air creeps through my jacket. I forgot my purse at home this morning, so no money for a taxi or bus. Just me and the quiet streets.The faint sound of an engine behind me draws my attention. I glance back, squinting under the dim glow of a streetlamp. A patrol car slows, rolling up bes
King POV“I don’t want it,” Caleb mutters after a beat, his voice low but firm. Everyone stares at him, stunned. “I didn’t bring up that shit to get a shot at taking over. Right now, I don’t want it. I don’t want to be stuck here constantly, not when Queenie…” He trails off, realizin' he’s said too much.“Not when Queenie what?” Ink’s sharp tone cuts through the tension like a knife.Caleb sighs heavily, his hands runnin' through his hair. “Not when things are finally settlin' down. I don’t want to be tied 'ere and have 'er back at the cabin, never seein' each other.”Dad’s expression hardens. “Then why the fuck bring it up if ya didn’t want to take over?”I groan, hatin' the way this is spiraling. “He didn’t bring it up to take over,” I snap, tryin' to shield Caleb from the risin' tension. “He told Queenie, and Queenie told me. I asked him about it—he wasn’t plannin' on makin' it public.”My dad glares at both of us, frustration clear.Before he can argue I talk again. “Even if he di