Free Shadow (Defenders MC Book 1) by Amanda Anderson Page B

call me?  Can I still come home?  Is it safe?  No one else knew the words.  They have never known the right words.  I want to come home now.”
    His expression had slowly evened out to that of the man she had known all her life.  There was nothing in his face, but his eyes were alive.
    “Who Shadow?”  Lacey placed her hand on his chest and he shuttered at the contact.
    “My mother.”  He looked so lost as he looked back at Lacey with confusion.  “Where is she?”  His eyes searched the room.
    Preach capped his hand over his mouth and hardened his jaw.  Lacey had heard stories of Shadow’s mother and the love Preach had for her, even now.  He reached out and gripped Shadow’s shoulder.  He had seen the way Lacey’s touch always got through to Shadow and maybe his would help the boy too.
    “She’s gone Marcus.  She can’t call you in anymore.  You have to decide to come home on your own.”
    “She always calls me home.  I have to wait for the right words.”  He looked to Lacey.  “She said the right words.  Now it’s safe and we can go get ice cream.”
    Lacey choked up.  “Do you want to go get ice cream Shadow?”
    “Lacey, we need to go or you will miss your appointment.”
    “Are you leaving?  Can I go?”
    Lacey looked to Rider and saw him frown.  “Fuck no you cannot go to the damn doctor with us.  Fuck no.  You can’t be anywhere around her Shad, you hear me?”
    Shadow’s body went rigid and his voice hardened.  “Why are you going to the doctor Lacey?”
    He was no longer that scared kid, now he was more like the boy from her childhood who demanded things from her with no feeling or compassion.
    “For a checkup.”  Lacey didn’t like the change.  She placed her hand protectively over her belly.
    “Bullshit.  You are a terrible liar.  What the fuck is wrong with you?”
    Shadow took a step forward and Lacey stepped back against Rider’s chest.  Rider wrapped his arms around her and Shadow’s face darkened.
    “Get your fucking hands off her Rider.  I told you before what will happen if you touch her. I will put you in the ground and I will take my fucking time.”
    Shadow was vibrating with rage, but so was Rider and Lacey was in the middle. 
    “Fuck you Shadow.  Lacey is mine.”
    “I won’t tell you again Rider.”  The menace in Shadow’s voice had Rider tightening his hold.
    “I don’t give a damn if you did claim her when you were kids.  I claim her now in front of the whole damned club.”
    Shadow let out a guttural growl. 
    Lacey reached out and touched his chest.
    “I’m pregnant Marcus.”
    He stumbled back away from her as if she had grown two heads.
    “Who?  Who touched you?  Fucking tell me so I can kill him.  He’s not here?  He fucking left you?  Who?!”  His voice rose with every word.
    Lacey looked around only then noticing that the clubhouse was totally empty.  Shadow was pacing like a caged tiger and it was breaking her heart, but he was also pissing her off.  She looked to Rider.  Why didn’t Shadow accuse Rider, he was the obvious choice.  Rider wouldn’t meet her eyes and that only made her angrier.
    “You!  You are the father and you are the one that left me to deal with it on my own and when I was afraid and alone it was Rider that held me and it was Rider that bathed my face when I was sick.  It has been Rider that has taken care of me while your child grows in my belly.  Because.  You.  Left!”
    A sob broke from her chest and she couldn’t stand it anymore.  She ripped herself from Rider’s arms and ran from the clubhouse. She climbed into her car.  Either Rider could come on or be left behind.  She cranked the car and started to back up when Rider slid into the seat beside her.  Neither spoke, there were no words.

18
     
    Lacey’s visit to the doctor went well.  Rider stood quiet and strong beside her as the doctor ran the ultrasound wand over her rounded belly.
    “The baby looks healthy.