“You stupid bitch! You’re going to die.” He grabbed her by her throat and she dug her nails into his wrists, but he was determined to end her life. She thought about Jax and Jameson and about the baby just beginning to grow inside of her. She was struggling to get free, crying as she kicked him and scratched at his eyes. She remembered the move that Gia taught her. The one she thought was sick and could never do. She tried to scream but nothing came out, the pressure of Buster’s hands against her throat were impeding her ability to breathe. With one final attempt to survive, to live to see Jax and Jameson and their baby, she grabbed a hold of Buster’s head and pressed her thumbs and nails into his eye sockets on both sides.
His hold loosened as she heard yelling, and then Jameson struck Buster in the side of his face. Buster released his hold on her throat as Jameson tumbled on top of Buster. She curled into the fetal position, coughing for breath, crying hysterically, and relieved that she was still alive.
“Oh God, baby, are you okay?” Jax asked as he immediately got down on the ground beside her. He caressed her hair away from her eyes as she tried to calm down. Her heart was racing, her belly ached, and she feared that something would happen to the baby.
“Jax,” she said then reached for him. He pulled her into his arms and across his lap. He looked her over, caressed his palm across her belly, then locked gazes with her.
“I’m so sorry we left you.” He softly ran a finger along her neck, and when she swallowed it hurt.
“No, it wasn’t your fault.” She coughed.
“Don’t talk. He hurt you. God, we saw him strangling you.”
“Is she okay?” Jameson fell on his knees beside her. She turned to look at him. His face was red, he was breathing heavy, and his fists were at his sides. She knew that he and Jax rescued her. She saw him tackle Buster, and by the expression on his face, he still appeared angry.
“Buster and Clover?” she began to ask, instantly worried about her and the baby as she covered her belly with her hand.
“Neither one will bother you ever again,” Jameson said.
“You didn’t kill them, did you, Jameson?” Jax asked.
He stared at Mariana, and she felt the tears roll down her cheeks. Jameson reached down and wiped the tears away. “No, but I’m sure they wish they were dead. They’ll both be in the hospital for quite some time.”
Epilogue
It was early spring. The men were all outside cooking on the grill and talking with friends. Eve and Freda were talking about the new art show and surprise artist that would be on display tomorrow at Roldolpho’s gallery.
“Hey, how come Jax didn’t change the name of the art gallery still? I thought after he purchased it and then hired you as director, he was going to change it?” Eve asked. Mariana smiled then looked out the window at Roldolpho standing around a bunch of heterosexual men. He had his eye on Shane, and Shane was shaking his head in exasperation at Roldolpho’s advances.
“Roldolpho means so much to us. We thought it should remain the name since he established the gallery years ago.”
Gia and Mariana stood side by side as they sipped from their glasses of sweet tea. Mariana had been shocked to find out that Jax bought the gallery from Roldolpho and even more surprised when he asked her to be the director. It was a dream come true.
“So, are you going to give us a hint about the surprise artist?” Eve asked with a wink.
“I can’t say, but maybe Gia can give a hint or two?” she said as Jax and Jameson walked into the house along with Gunny.
Gunny wrapped his arms around Gia and placed his hand over her small belly. She was expecting their first baby two months after Mariana’s was due. Mariana was thrilled to share this experience with her new best friend, and so was Gia.
“What’s going on?” Jax asked, giving Mariana a kiss on the cheek.”
“We’re trying to find out who the surprise artist is going to be tomorrow night,” Freda said.
&nb
sp; “Oh, the big secret. We don’t know either. Mariana has kept the information under wraps.”
“It will be worth the wait and the surprise, I promise,” Mariana said, and then they started to bring the steaks and hot dogs into the house while the women placed homemade corn bread, salad, and roasted garlic potatoes onto the dining table.
Shane, Sensei Lee, Gunner, Garrett, Wes, John Luke, Jasper, Davie, and Eve all began to fill their plates. Jameson walked by and kissed Mariana softly on the lips before taking a plate, and Jax kept his hands on her shoulders as the others walked in and waited to fill their plates, too. She laughed at Roldolpho who followed Shane and Duke and spoke to them about fashion and posing in their underwear for a new male calendar he was working on. Both men looked livid. She chuckled as Jax released her and started talking to Teddy and Dale As Deanna walked into the room after baby Julia woke up from a nap.
This was Mariana’s new family. Her baby would never be alone in the world again, and most importantly, her baby would always have a family that loved it.
“Hey, thanks for keeping my secret. If Gunny, Wes, and Garrett knew I was working so hard being pregnant, I’d never hear the end of it,” Gia whispered.
Mariana smiled. “I think as soon as they find out that you’re the secret artist about to be unveiled to the art world, they’re going to be so proud of you. You’re a beautiful artist and your paintings are going to be a huge hit. You’ll see.”
Gia gave Mariana a hug.