Affliction

“‘Cause you love him and want to have little biker babies,” I remind her while laughing at her annoyance.

“Babies? Hell no. Just one, thank you.” Her face turns ashen at the thought of doing it all over again.

“So, what do you think you’re having?” I ask like I ask every time I see her. I have no idea why she wants to keep the surprise. I hate surprises.

“I don’t know. Some days I think it’s a girl, and then some days I think it’s a little Nix.” She smiles as she rubs her belly.

“I think you’re having a girl,” I surmise, looking forward to seeing Nix cope with a little girl. The man is screwed.

“If it’s a girl, I’ll need to get out of town. Nix will never survive,” she jokes. Nix Knight will not cope with a mini Kadence.

“So, what’s happening with you and Sy?” She turns the questioning back to me.

“Nothing exciting.” I smile at the thought of everything that is amazing with Sy.

“Yeah, sure looks like nothing,” she argues, even though she is used to me not sharing gossip about our relationship.

“It’s going really well. You know how private he is,” I say as a way of explanation for us keeping to ourselves. The others don’t know about Sy’s past. It’s something Sy has decided he will tell them in time, but for now, it’s between us. “We’re getting there,” I admit truthfully. “I feel like we’ve moved on from the drama and finally getting past it all,” I explain as our food is brought over to the table.

“I’m so happy for you, Holly, and you look happy,” she notes after a few minutes of eating in silence.

“And you are glowing.” I smile back, loving that this is our life at the moment.

“Do you think? I feel so tired and fat,” she replies, once again making me laugh.

“Well, you don’t look fat. How’s your bump coming along?” I ask, concerned about her scarring and what the specialist has told her.

“We’re just keeping an eye on it. If it gets too much in the next few weeks, we will look more into it.” She doesn’t look worried.

“Good, now you just need that husband of yours to lay off the bubble wrap.” I laugh at Nix and some of the stupid shit he has done since they found out Kadence was pregnant.

“Oh, God. Don’t remind me,” she laughs. I know she says it’s annoying, says she hates it, but I can see she secretly loves it.

“Excuse me, ladies.” A tall, well-dressed man approaches our table.

“Hello.” Kadence smiles up at him. His ash-blond, tailored haircut is disheveled and unkempt, like his hands have run continuously through it in frustration.

“You don’t mind if I sit, do you?” he asks, pulling a chair from a nearby table. The question is void when he pulls up a seat, but I keep my opinion to myself. Something is off about this guy. I just don’t know what.

“Umm, sure,” Kadence says, looking at me, trying to gauge if I know him.

“I was just watching you from across the diner,” he says, looking smug like he has a secret and is ready to share it.

“Yes?” I prompt him when he stops for some reason.

“And you are absolutely glowing.” His lips thin, attempting a smile, but failing miserably. Insincerity oozes out of him.

“Oh, well, thank you,” Kadence awkwardly replies.

“Yes, definitely glowing,” he repeats, reaching out and stealing a fry from my plate. Is this man for real?

“Excuse me, we’re enjoying a lunch date here, so if you don’t mind…” I try to be diplomatic and not come across as a bitch, but this guy is seriously starting to creep me out.

“I wonder what your husband would do if you just went missing one night? Perhaps not make it home from Rushford Primary,” he questions with a high dose of threat.

“I beg your pardon?” I exclaim and go to stand, but I don’t get far when his large grip is thrown out, squeezing tight around my upper arm to get my attention.

“Sit down, bitch. I’m not done,” he sneers, his grip tightening when I try to kick him under the table.

“Let go of her, asshole,” I hear Kadence say, and for some reason, I can’t help but get thrown back into a memory.

“Don’t fucking touch her, asshole,” I yell out to Zane.

“Don’t worry, Holly. You can watch. Then you’ll be next,” Zane taunts and the bile I had been holding down since being thrown in the van, slowly starts to rise.

“Don’t,” Kadence pleads with him. “You can have me, but please don’t touch her,” she says, giving herself over to him.

“What the fuck is wrong with her?” I hear someone ask, but it comes from a distance and I feel myself slowing starting to fade into the black. The threat of this man is pushing me back to that day in the shed.

“You're fucking scaring her, asshole,” Kadence says, her voice laced in concern. Breathe, Holly, my mind tells me, trying to take back control. I shake my thoughts clear, not letting myself get pulled back into the past. My eyes come to Kadence and her body relaxes when she realizes I’m not about to have a meltdown in the middle of the diner.

“I’ve got a message for your husband, Kadence,” the man spits out her name, which concerns me even more. Who is this man? His hold on my arm tightens when I try to pull out of his grasp. A whimper leaves my lips, his fingers digging deeper. I should shout out, lash out, but I still feel like I’m in a daze; like I’m watching the moment happen but have no control over it.