This story would make more sense if you read the chapters in order. It is a cuckold tale and should not be confused with my other BTB and romance style stories.
Tags: Epilogue. Happy Ending?
Eighteen Months Later.
"This is it here mate." The taxi edged off the road onto the wide concrete driveway. "Jesus, looks like Fort Knox mate."
"Yes," I said as I handed over a fifty. "Keep the change mate."
"You sure? It's nearly $20."
"Yeah, have a good day."
"I can wait for a bit if you want. Doesn't look like they welcome visitors."
"I'll be fine. I've got an appointment."
I got out and closed the door. It was imposing. Tall solid metal gates. Probably bullet proof steel plating with no foot or hand holds. Just in case the top had coils of razor wire running along it. The gates swung off two massive cement pillars. They both had cameras mounted on top. There was an intercom on one of the pillars. I went to it and pressed the button. I heard a whirring noise. Looking up to the top of the other pillar I saw the camera swing towards me. I turned so I was facing it. A distorted voice came through the speaker behind me.
"Someone will let you in shortly Nathan."
I waited for a long five minutes. The early summer sun was reflecting up off the whiter than white concrete. Sweat had just started to trickle down the middle of my back when I heard the sound of a lock disengaging. A smaller doorway in one of the metal gates swung back and a young woman popped her head out.
"Follow me Nathan." She said in a broad Scottish accent.
Inside we went up a narrow paved pathway that ran alongside the driveway. Mercifully it was mostly shaded by large trees. The path curved around the front of the house. We went past the front door, continuing around the side until we came to another metal gate. The girl punched a code into a keypad and the gate clicked open. She went through but held up her hand indicating I should stay where I was. While I waited she went to a box mounted on the wall of the house. I looked again at the gate. Just on the other side of it was a plastic arch. Then I realised it was a metal detector. The girl came back with a tray.
"Empty your pockets into this please." I did as I was instructed. "Any other metal? Belt? Shoes?"
I shook my head. She took the tray through ignoring the squeal of the machine.
"Okay, your turn."
The detector remained silent.
"Arms out and open your legs." The girl ordered as she approached me holding a black object in her hands.
"But the metal detector didn't go off." I complained.
"This isn't for metal. It's to make sure you aren't wired."
When I passed that test I was led further around the side of the house. There was another gate with a key pad then we were in the backyard. Children's voices rang out from a pool. I saw a body emerge from the water, run along the edge then dive in again.
"No running Simon! You'll fall and split your head open again."
I recognised the voice immediately. Eleanor came out from under the shade of a cabana to further berate the child. Once the child looked suitable chastened she turned to us.
"You can take over in here Sue."
The girl went through the pool gate and held it while Eleanor exited. The children in the pool began calling out for Sue to get in with them. The changing of the lifeguard seemed a popular decision.
"Follow me Nathan."
I fell into step behind Eleanor. We went into the back of the house. It wasn't quite as heavily fortified as the front. No steel doors and window shutters. Just another keypad. We went into a sitting area that had large glass windows looking across the pool.
"Bulletproof glass?" I asked as I rapped my knuckles against it.
"Of course." Eleanor replied as if it was a standard thing.
A small Asian woman appeared and she sent her away with an order of tea for two.
"You're looking well Nathan," Eleanor started. "The beard is an improvement. Gives you some character. Life on the road has agreed with you."
"Well it's better than jail." I deadpanned back.
"TouchΓ©," she said, "but I don't think we need to rehash the past.
"You're right Elle we don't. So how about we get this over with? I'm really not in the mood for afternoon tea polite conversation anyway."
Eleanor laughed out loud and slapped her leg.
"Damn Nathan, did they have assertiveness training at one of her majesty's motels?"
I didn't answer because the Asian lady came back in. While Eleanor took the tray she had bought I watched the children through the window. One boys darker skin made it obvious he was Tiny's offspring. He looked like he was taking after his dad in other ways as well. Although he must have been a couple of years younger he wasn't much smaller. The other two were like peas in a pod. Same height, body shape and attitude. Not completely identical. Their facial features seemed to have come from their mother's.
"Milk? Sugar?" Eleanor asked as she stood poised with the teapot.
"Just black for me."
As Eleanor bought my cup over her maid came in. She began setting up a table with afternoon treats for the swimmers. We stayed silent until she was finished.
"So why am I here Elle? I thought having a ex-con turning up at the head of a biker gang's house would be the last thing you'd want."
"Well, I'd better correct you before I explain. Ben is no longer associated with The Renegades. We parted ways a year ago. He's in the security business now."
"Yeah right," I rolled my eyes. "And the security around this place..."
"Is because not everyone realises we aren't involved anymore." My host butted in. "Also I have it on good authority that the police stopped keeping tabs on you about six months ago. So there's no issues there either."
"Okay then, so let's get it over with. What's the deal with the money?"
"I'll give you a bank account number and a letter of introduction when you leave. When you give them to the account manager they'll change the account to your name. What you do from there is your business."
"Have you got them with you now?"
"No, they are in a safe place. I'll get them when you leave."
"Let's make that now then." I drained the cup and stood up.
Eleanor remained unmoved in her seat.
"I thought you might have wanted to know about how she's getting on?"
"Fuck that! Glad to be rid of her."
"Not your ex dickhead, CC."
"Oh, er, right. Not really sure it's relevant to me either." I said while shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
"I think she's got a soft spot for you Nathan."
I was spared any further embarrassment by three hungry children barging into the room. They went straight to the table of food. Once they'd loaded up they went to crowd around Elle on the lounge. Tiny's boy climbed onto her lap. The other two took up positions either side of her and eyed me suspiciously.
"Who's that Auntie Elle?" The boy on her left asked pointing at me with a half eaten chocolate biscuit.
"This is Nathan. He's an old friend of mine and your mothers." Eleanor then pointed to the boy who'd asked the question. "Nathan, this is Simon, and Eli and this little monster on my knee is Sonny."
"Hi guys," I sat back down not really knowing what else to do.
Simon had Claire's eyes and nose. Eli was all Eleanor while Sonny was a mini Tiny. They continued eating and ignoring me. I wasn't a point of interest to them anymore. Once they'd cleaned all the food off the table Sue appeared. She ushered the boys out announcing it was time for a shower.
"Jim didn't get much of a look in," I said.
Eleanor opened her mouth to say something then stopped. I thought she'd misunderstood what I meant so I explained.
"The boys, their features. I could pick Simon was Claire's child and Eli yours. Apart from some small facial differences they are very similar, but I can't see Jim there at all."
Eleanor stood up and went to the door where Sue had taken the boys out. She opened it, had a quick look then closed it and turned the lock. When she sat back down Eleanor seemed flustered. She fidgeted with the gold band on her finger then it was like she came to a decision.
"Jim's not Eli's father."
"Oh okay, sorry. CC told me you were pregnant around the same time as Claire so I just assumed."
I felt embarrassed about mentioning it. CC speculation that Eleanor had already lined up Jim's replacement was on the money.
"Jim isn't Simon's father either."
"I think Claire made sure there were no other candidates for that position." I added dryly.