My stepbrother

Angel POV.

“Mommy … go.” I push the cart around the store as I watch my beautiful two-year-old daughter Rebel clap her hands as I go faster, and she squeals in delight.

She is so much like him. He who shall not be named kind of scenario. She doesn’t take after me much apart from the honey eyes and lips. Her dark blonde hair and nose are like his and boy, does she have his temper.

“Ok Rebel, we need to finish this. Then we will go to the park. How does that sound?” she kicks her legs and claps again. I chuckle at her behaviour. I lean down and kiss her head. I finish off shopping. I pay and head out to the car.

I left home over three years ago. Three years I ran. The same man that is Rebel’s father hurt and humiliated me. I never got to tell him he was about to become a father. The woman he claimed had already done that. I couldn’t risk my parents finding out, either. It would have caused a war between my family and his MC.

My dad is the Don of the Moretti empire and my momma, well, she is the head of the cartel and the DeNucci family. I am their only daughter. The princess of the combined empire. My twin brother Nathaniel is next in-line to take the position of Don after dad retires and me well I was supposed to take over the DeNucci family and my younger brother Nico would take over the cartel.

That all went to shit when I ran. I couldn’t tell my parents what happened. I didn’t want to disappoint them. I was twenty-one and pregnant, rejected and pushed aside by the man I loved, too afraid to ask for help, too ashamed to be the burden.

So when I left, I didn’t look back. I had to do this on my own. It was difficult at first going to a new place. Living not just for myself but for the life I was carrying inside of me. The savings I had I used to find a place to live, buy everything we needed and what was left, I invested it in a rundown bar.

I changed my name and never looked back. My bar is doing so well and it is nice to know that I have made it what it is today. The bar is called the Eclipse. The town we live in is a tourist town. So we get different people coming and going.

Most people come here to the lake in the summer and the skiing in the winter. It’s a friendly and safe place to live and I am happy here. When I first arrived here, I was lost, but I was welcomed and I wouldn’t leave even if you paid me too.

Once we have arrived at the house. It’s nothing like the Moretti mansion, but it’s home. With its white picket fence. White walls and blue door. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it’s open plan on the inside and modern. Upstairs there are three bedrooms, all with an en-suite and a family bathroom. Rebel has her own room next to mine and life is good.

She doesn’t want for anything; I carry the shopping inside and then carry Rebel in. Shutting the door, I place her in the living room with some of her toys as I put the shopping away. Just then, Boomer bounds inside. Rebel loves him as much as he loves her. I got Boomer when I was pregnant and both he and Rebel grew together.

He is a beautiful big softy. He is a Cane Corso. He is as black as night with a tiny patch of white on his chest. He is our protector, even if he does drool everywhere and talks back when you tell him no.

My phone rings and I take it out of my back pocket and see that it is Coral who is supposed to work the bar tonight. I groan, knowing she is about to ask me to cover her shift, no doubt because her douchebag ex won’t have their child tonight.

I sit down on the sofa as I watch Boomer and Rebel.

“Hey Coral, what’s up?”

“Hey Angie, look, I’m really sorry to do this, but Steve ditched me and I can’t find a sitter.” I roll my eyes. If I had a dollar for every time he has let her down over the last year, I would be a wealthy woman.

“Ok. Coral, no worries, but you and I need to have a chat about this. I will cover tonight, but you need to sort this out.” I hate being the bad guy, but she knows I have a toddler, too. I don’t have the support she does, even if it is my own doing.

“I will get it sorted. I’m so sorry Angie. I promise I will make it up to you.” We say goodbye and end the call. I look at Rebel and sigh. Still time to take the little miss to the park, and then I will have to call Mrs Lawson and see if she is available. I know she will be she loves Rebel.

“Boomer, leash.” I say and he is off to get what I’ve asked as I scoop up my now rowdy toddler and get her ready for the park.

“Go now?” I smile at her.

“Yes, sweetheart, we can go now.” I say, kissing her on her cheek. Grab the stroller and strap her in. Getting her in is always a workout. The child goes as stiff as a board and she finds it hilarious.

I make the call to Mrs Lawson as I put the leash on Boomer and pray she can help.

“Hello, Angie, how are my two favourite girls today?” I grab my keys and some snacks and drinks, placing them in the changing bag and attach it to the stroller.

“We are doing just fine. I hate to do this last minute, but Coral called and …”

“Say no more. I will be at your house at seven, then you can head out.” God love this woman. She is my lifeline.

“Thank you so much, I hate to spring it last minute.”

“Nonsense, sweetheart. You know I love to help out.”

“Thank you again, Mrs Lawson. I will see you soon.”

“How many times, call me Scar. You are family. No need to thank me. I will see you both soon. Bye Angie.” I hang up and head out.

After a couple of hours at the park and one tuckered out Rebel, she is fed and bathed and ready for bed. Mrs Lawson arrives and I head to work.

Pulling up at the bar, I notice we are packed out tonight. Well, at least the shift will go quickly.

Leaving the car, I head inside. I smile at some of the locals and make my way behind the bar. The night goes smoothly and begins to quiet down. I look at Max and tell him I’m going to office and if he needs me to come get me.

I head to the office to get some orders done and check the accounts and I lose track of time.

“Erm, Ang. I need you back at the bar.” I look up and smile as I stand and leave the office, shutting and locking the door behind me.

The music gets louder the closer I get to the bar. The sound of raucous laughter fills the air and something feels off. My gut twists and flutters the closer I get.

Stepping out behind the bar, I freeze. No, it can’t be. I notice the cuts.

The Princes of Darkness MC with white stitching against the black leather. An embroidered patch of a red devil with wings riding a Harley. The same MC that he runs, the very same MC that is in allegiance with my family. What are they doing this far out?

“Angel.” My eyes widen and my heart jumps into my throat as I look into the icy blue eyes of the man who broke my heart, the man who fucked his whore in front of me, the man I ran from, the father of my daughter.

Ryder ‘Savage’ Jackson.