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3
“You sure that biker is taking good care of you?” Mitzi’s critical eyes bore into Mandy as they took a much need break at the back of the nail salon. “You looked tired.”
“It’s called the last three weeks of pregnancy. And yes, Mamba takes very good care of me.”
“But not as good as your best friend, right?” Mitzi’s sly smirk made Mandy laugh.
“No one is as good to me as you—except Mamba.”
“Okay, I guess that’s the best I’m gonna get.” Mitzi uncapped her water. “I knew the minute I saw you with him a year ago that you had the hots for him.”
“Even though you were against us at first.”
“You have to admit, you had a lot going against you. The ongoing war between the Marauders and the Serpents. You and him were like a real life West Side Story.”
“But then you saw the light and not only approved but had a hand in getting us back together.”
“Well, I am your best friend.” The two women hugged and Mitzi laughed. “It’s impossible to hug you these days.” She smoothed her hand over Mandy’s baby bump. “I wonder sometimes how your tiny body is carrying that huge man’s baby.”
“Please don’t remind me. The doctor already said I might go early. Of course, Mamba is still driving me crazy about not knowing the sex. He uses all kinds of excuses. From what color to paint the nursery to what clothes to buy. He even tried to bribe Dr. Harper.”
“What?”
“Yup, the outlaw biker thought he could offer her free oil changes at Joker’s garage if she gave up the secret.” Mandy laughed around her words picturing the scene with her professional, but sweet doctor telling her tatted up hard-edge biker his request was denied. The looks he got from the other pregnant women and father’s in the waiting room was funny, but that scenario must’ve been hysterical.
The two women laughed then Mandy sobered. “I just wish he’d relax a bit. After all it’s me having this baby, but he’s obsessed with everything going perfectly. I’d be embarrassed to tell you what he’s spent on the nursery already and she’s not even here yet.”
“She?” Mitzi’s quick mind immediately picked up her slip of the tongue.
They silently stared at each other, then Mitzi burst out, “You’re having a girl?”
“Shush.” Mandy clamped her palm over her friend’s mouth. “Yes, but you are sworn to secrecy under penalty of death or working every weekend for the rest of your days.”
Mandy slowly removed her hand and Mitzi grabbed her shoulders and did an actual happy dance. “OMG, this is the best news ever,” she stage-whispered. “I knew you’d have a girl and now I can go buy all those adorable baby clothes I saw at the mall.”
“You can’t tell a soul. If Mamba ever found out you knew before him, he’d be so hurt.”
“So, the biker has a sensitive side?” Mitzi pulled a goofy face. “I can just picture him with a little girl. The poor girl won’t be able to date until she’s like thirty.”
“I know, right? I’ll definitely have to be the voice of reason.”
Mitzi hugged her again. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve all this and more after all your family’s been through. Mitzi stroked Mandy’s belly. “You and this little girl will have it all.”
Mandy smiled at her best friend but she couldn’t help the slithering sense of doom. Her mother’s old school superstitions about being too happy kicked in big time. She tried to push them aside when someone congratulated her on the pregnancy or told her she had a wonderful life, but they always resurfaced.
Usually in the middle of the night when the anxiety became so great, she’d get up and pace the floor. She hadn’t shared any of her fears with Mamba because she didn’t want him to worry. He was already working extra shifts at Club Wicked plus his fighting. It was probably hormones and being so close to delivery, but lately the dark cloud of dread hovered over her in a frightening way.
* * *
Mamba enteredthe room at the back of the Gold Mine the Serpents used for church. Cobra called a special meeting so something must’ve been up needing immediate attention. One thing about their prez, he didn’t overreact or act without reason.
Cobra already sat at the head of the thick oak table with the Serpent carved up the middle. Entering this room filled Mamba with a deep dedication and a feeling of belonging. Like coming home. After numerous screw ups in the past, he’d finally proved himself to his brothers and mainly to Cobra. The man’s respect meant everything to him, and his club brothers were his family. Club First—Brother’s Always hung on a plaque behind Cobra, but to Mamba it was more than a motto, it was his life.
Joker and Python filed in taking their usual seats on Cobra’s right and left, respectively. The VP and Sergeant-at-arms were also stand-up guys who would do anything for their club. Cobra and Python started the club back in the day when they were both struggling. Club history said after an all-out brawl in the side alley of the Gold Mine, they picked up the pieces and formed the Serpents MC Las Vegas, the most powerful MC in southern Nevada.
The rest of the brothers filed in and took their seats along with Mamba, then they silently waited.
Cobra slammed the gavel signaling the meeting had begun then leaned into the table. “We got some deep shit to wade through, so I’m gonna get right to it.”
