Thicker Than Blood

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The next week is so hectic. I have an escort to and from work, someone at home with me when Juice can't be, and I am not even left alone when I am working in the office. Someone is always close by watching me and it is driving me crazy. Sitting out on the back deck at home with a bottle of wine, the prospect sitting in the chair next to me with a beer, I stare off into the yard. "You okay, Roli?" he asked. "What? Yeah. Just thinking about things." I say, pouring another glass of wine. "You know, you are the only one that doesn't treat me like a prospect, Roli. I like being around you. You kind of remind me of my sister." he tells me. "Kip, I think of you like a brother and I appreciate you looking after me but this whole shit is getting to me. I love you guys. Hell, you are all my family but I can't seem to get a moment alone without it being in the shower and I swear sometimes I think Juice has you all posted outside the door even then." I tell him as a tear falls down my face. "Well, last thing I want to be is near my sister in the shower." He laughs and it gets me laughing a little. "Roli, as hard as it is, don't worry. We will get this stopped. I promise." he tells me. Smiling softly, I take another drink of wine as we hear a motorcycle pulling up.

Juice walks into the house and Kip walks through the back door and tells him where I am. "Man, she stressed. Bad. I love her like a sister, man, and I hate seeing her like this. We have to stop this shit." Kip tells Juice. "I know, brother. But I think we have something." he tells Kip. "Head back to the clubhouse. We'll be there shortly." Juice says. Walking out to the deck, he sits down in the chair Kip was in and just stares at me. "Stop staring. I look like shit." I tell him. "No you don't. You look beautiful. As always." he says before taking my hand and pulling me into his lap. "We have to head to the clubhouse but I need to talk to you before we go." he tells me. Looking into his eyes, I see worry. "What is it, Juan?" I asked him, using the name I only use when we are alone. "Your Aunt Bev. We know why she is so adamant about you staying with her." I look at him confused, "Why?" I asked him. "When your parents died, they left you some money. You were supposed to get it when you got married. A sort of wedding gift from your parents." he said. "Okay, so she was trying to keep me around to keep me from getting the money? How does she benefit from that?" I asked even more confused. "Well, the papers state that if you weren't married by the time you turned twenty-five then the money went to Bev." he explains. "That's in a month, Juice. How much are we talking about?" I asked. "When they set the fund up, it was to accumulate interest. They started it out with half a million dollars. But over the years it has grown to just over five million." he tells me. Feeling sick, I jump up and lean over the banister to vomit. Juice rushes over and holds my hair back, rubbing my back. Once it passes, I look at Juice and say, "So that's it then. Once she gets the money, she will leave me alone. So, we just wait it out." I say as a tear rolls down my cheek. "No. We don't wait her out. That is why we need you at the clubhouse. We have an idea." he says. "What idea? That's the only way to get her to leave me alone." I say. "Roli, there's another way." he says. "What other way Juice?" I asked on a sigh. "You get married." he says simply. "Juice, getting married won't stop her. She will still come after me thinking that she will get it if something happens to me." I tell him. "No. The papers state that if you get married that the money is yours and in the event that something happens, the money will go to your parent's favorite charity organizations." he says. So, no matter what, once you are married, there's no way for her to get the money. Look, we can get married and all of this stops." he says. "No." I say. "You don't want to marry me?" He asked with a heartbroken look in his eyes and I realized how that came out. "I do, Juice. But not because you think you have to." I explain. "Really? You think I feel like I have to?" He asked almost offended. "I was planning something special for this but now is as good a time as any." he says. Getting down on one knee, Juice takes my hand and says, "Roli, I love you more than anything. It would make me the happiest I have ever been if you would do me the honor and marry me?" he asked. Looking at him and at the ring, I begin to sob as I nod my head yes. He puts the ring on my finger and stands up.

Pulling me to him he kisses me deeply and as he pulls away from my lips he whispers, "I love you Roli." Once I finally got calmed down, I asked him "You already planned on proposing?" He looks me in the eyes and says "Roli, I bought that ring the day you moved in." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He carries me up the stairs and gently laying me on the bed, he makes love to me, slowly and passionately.

After we both reached out blissful release, we head to the clubhouse. Walking in, I walk over to the bar and asked Kip for a shot of Jack. Giving me the shot, I told him to get one for himself. He did and we clinked the shot glasses and took the shots together. I walk over to the table where Juice is with the rest of the guys and they all look at me expectantly. "I know what you guys were asking. Juice and I talked about it and we are getting married. But I don't think that is going to stop Bev. She will still try to mess with me. It's just how she is." I tell them. "You let us worry about that, sweetheart." Clay says. "But guys. I get to be the one to tell her. At least give me that." I say. "Of course, Lass but you don't do it alone." Chibs says. "Me and Juice will be with her." Tig says. I pull Tig to the side. "Tig, I need a favor." I tell him. "Anything Doll." he responds. "I don't want a big wedding. I just want to go to the courthouse because anything we plan, she will find a way to tamper with it. But going to the courthouse, I would still love it if you could be there to give me away? You are the only father figure I have had and it would mean the world to me." He looks at me for a second and hugs me tight whispering in my ear "It would be my pleasure sweetheart."

Walking back over to the guys, I speak. "I have an idea, if you guys are willing to hear it." Clay looks at me and smiles "Of course, sweetheart. What is it?" he asked. "I don't want a big wedding because I know Bev will find a way to tamper with it. But that was never my dream anyway. I want to go to the courthouse as soon as possible and get married." I say smiling down at Juice. "Then I want to tell Bev after we leave the courthouse so that there is no way for her to try to stop it. That way, she will see that there is nothing that she can do about it." I continue. The guys all look at each other. "Roli, that sounds like a really good idea. But are you sure you want to get married at the courthouse?" Juice asked me. "Juice, I could marry you in the middle of a landfill and it wouldn't matter as long as I became Mrs. Ortiz." I tell him. He stands up and pulls me to him and kisses me in front of everyone. As we pull away, I say, "I did ask Tig to still give me away though." He smiles and says "Whatever you want." I see Jax step away pulling his phone to his ear. As we are all at the bar, Jax walks over to us with a smile and puts his hand on Juice's shoulder. "I just spoke to Rosen. He can meet us at the courthouse at noon tomorrow with the marriage license and you can be married while we are there." he tells us. Looking at Juice, I smile. "You okay with that?" I asked. Smiling from ear to ear he says "It's perfect."