I wanted to tell her that I couldn't have alcohol, not while I was pregnant, but I just couldn't get myself to bring it up. I wanted my mother to hear about it before my friends.

"Maybe," I said. "I'll call you."

"Sounds good."

After we hung up, I packed my stuff into the trunk of my car and headed out to Dazzle early. When I arrived, they were busy with customers.

"Hi there," said Jim, who was at his usual post, which was near the door. Tim was also in the shop, helping a customer at one of the counters. Other than that, the place looked pretty bare.

"Hi, Jim," I said, smiling at him.

He folded his newspaper and set it down. "How was your trip?"

"We had so much fun. With this crappy weather we're having, I wish I was back there. Have you ever been to Hawaii?"

"No, but I'd love to take a trip there some day."

"You and my mother should go," I said, lowering my voice. "You'd have so much fun. I know she'd love it."

He winked. "I was thinking the same thing."

Winking back, I headed toward the back of the store.

"Hi, Mom," I said, as she walked out of the break room.

"Oh, you're here early," she answered. "Good, we can use the help."

"Are you okay?" I asked, noticing that she was pasty looking.

She waved her hand. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

"You don't look fine. Why don't you go back and relax?" I said, worried about her.

"I was just doing that," she said. "Like I said, don't worry about me. I'm just a little tired."

"Do you want me to go and buy you one of those lattes that you like so much? From the coffee shop?"

"Maybe later."

"Okay," I said, still unsure. "I'll go put my jacket in back."

"Thanks for coming in early, by the way. Gerald is at lunch right now and I have a feeling we're going to get hit any minute with a slew of customers."

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'll be back in a second," I replied, heading toward the back room.

"Nice tan," said Tim, looking at me over his shoulder when I returned. "With this weather, you must miss being back in Maui."

"It was beautiful," I admitted. "Have you been there before?"

"Yes. I love it. I'm trying to talk Juan into going. He's afraid of flying, though."

"They have prescriptions for that," said Tim's customer, a middle-aged man who was looking at bracelets. "Sedatives. My wife hates flying, too. If it wasn't for the pills, she'd never get on a plane."

"That's good to know," said Tim. "We'll have to look into it. I need a vacation."

"To tell you the truth, I was a little nervous during our flight," I said, chuckling. "I could have used something myself."

"Vanda, are you okay?" asked Tim, staring over my head.

I turned to look at my mother, who was now standing next to the register and swaying slightly. I frowned. "Mom, what's wrong?"

"I... I don't feel well," she said in a breathy voice.

"Maybe you should sit down," I told her.

Instead of answering, her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fainted.

"Oh, my God!" I cried, dropping down to my knees next to her. "Mom!?"

Jim rushed over. "Vanda," he said, kneeling down. He felt for a pulse and looked at me, his eyes wide with fear. "We'd better call an ambulance."

Chapter Thirty-nine.

When we arrived back at the clubhouse, Slammer was sitting at the bar talking to someone I didn't recognize.

"Who's that?" I said to Tank, noticing the familiar patches. "Talking to your old man?"

"Jesus. I think that's Bastard."

"He doesn't look too happy."

"No, he doesn't."

Bastard had founded the Gold Vipers and was still running the Mother Chapter in Sacramento. I'd never met him but had heard that he was a pretty fair guy.

Tank and I walked over and introduced ourselves.

"So, you're Raptor," said Bastard, shaking my hand. "Shit's been piling up for you lately, hasn't it?"

I shrugged. "Nothing I can't handle."

"That's what I've also heard. Doesn't hurt to have a man like The Judge watching your back, either."

"I don't know if he's watching my back, but he's certainly been a big help."

"Just be glad he's on your side."

"Oh, I am. Believe me."

Bastard turned to Slammer. "I've got to head out. I just wanted to stop by and let you know we're stepping in now too. This shit has gone too far."

"I appreciate that. We all do," said Slammer.

"April," called Bastard. "We're heading out."

Tank and I turned to see the familiar blonde who had driven Adriana and Brandy away from Mud's clubhouse, on the night they'd been kidnapped. She walked over to Bastard and snuggled up to him.

"Long time no see," she said, winking at us.

We just stared at her, stunned.

"Like to introduce you to my new Old Lady," said Bastard, who was old enough to be her grandfather. "But I've heard that you've already met."

"The question is, how did you two meet?" asked Tank, now chuckling.

"At a biker bar," said April. "After I left Minnesota, I drove out to California and stayed with a girlfriend, I hadn't seen in years. She dragged me to this bar in Sacramento a couple of days ago, and we clicked right off the bat."

"Two days, huh?" said Slammer. "And he's claimed you already?"

"It was love at first sight for me," said Bastard, squeezing one of her breasts. "And when you get to be my age, you don't let go of something this beautiful when it falls into your lap. I patched her last night so we could make it official."

She slapped his hand playfully. "I think you patched me so you can keep playing with my boobs," she said, smiling. "Anyway, I couldn't believe the coincidence when I found out that he was in the same biker club that Mud had declared war on. I mean, what are the chances of that?"

"It was meant to be," said Bastard, winking at me.

I wasn't sure who she was trying to kid, but it was obvious that April had set her sights on Bastard for her own cause. He knew it. We knew it. But, nobody cared. Bastard wasn't getting any younger and April was definitely one hot chick. It was a win-win situation for the both of them.

"What about your brother?" asked Tank. "We heard what happened."

Her smile fell. "Bastard said he'd make sure they get what's coming to them."

"They will, April," he said, pulling her close. "It's already being handled."

"It is?" I asked, wondering if he'd also been in contact with The Judge.

"Yeah. We're just taking a trip up there to make sure nothing gets missed. April and I just wanted to stop by to let you know. Especially you, Raptor. Heard there's a hit on you. I don't think you're going to have to worry about it anymore."

"Good to hear," I said.

"We'd better go," said Bastard, looking tired. "We have a three hour trip and I'm already bushed."

"Don't worry, I'm driving," said April.

"I was hoping you'd say that," he replied.

"Tell Adriana I said 'hi'," said April. "She's an awesome chick. I'm hoping that we can get together and shoot the shit again one day. Under better circumstances than last time, of course."

"I will. Thanks again, April. You helped them escape. If it wasn't for you, Mud might have gotten to her before he was taken out. I owe you," I said.

She looked at Bastard and then winked at me. "Owe me? Nah, I think we're all good."

I smiled.

Chapter Forty.

My mother regained consciousness right before the ambulance arrived.

"Why did you call them?" she asked, looking embarrassed as she brushed off her dress and stood back up. "I'm fine. I'm just a little weak. Call them back and tell them to forget it."

"No," said Jim firmly. "You fainted and someone needs to check you out."

"It's my own fault," she said, forcing a smile to her face. "I haven't been eating or sleeping much. I'll work on it."

"No, it's more than that," said Jim. He looked at me and then back to her. "You need to see a doctor. You've been complaining about severe headaches and pressure... now this?"

"You've been having headaches?" I asked. "Why haven't you seen a doctor?"

"I saw one," she said, lowering her voice. "Last week."

"What did they say?" Jim and I asked in unison.

"Not a lot. Anyway, we'll talk about it later," she answered. "Just don't worry about me. I'm fine. I just need something to drink."

"What would you like?" I asked.

"An orange juice would be good," she answered and smiled. "Thank you."

"What about food?" I asked. "You said you haven't been eating right."

"A sandwich sounds good," she replied. "I'm sorry. I feel so stupid."

"You're not stupid," I said firmly. "But you should take better care of yourself."

"She's right," said Jim. "From now on, I'm going to make sure you get enough nutrients in your body, even if I had to hand-feed you myself."

Just then, two paramedics walked through the front door of the shop.