Butcher's Honor (Iron & Blood MC #2)

Chapter 9 - Butcher

Her bedroom is small but neat, moonlight spilling through thin curtains. I watch from the doorway as Ruby moves nervously around the space, straightening already-straight items.

"Sorry it's so tiny," she says, gesturing to the room. "I never expected to have someone your size in here."

The double meaning in her words makes heat pool in my gut. She blushes, realizing what she's said, but doesn't look away as she reaches for the hem of her sweater. The blue fabric rises slowly, revealing curves that have haunted my thoughts since yesterday.

"You don't have to—" I start, but my voice dies as more pale skin appears.

"I want to," she says softly, letting the sweater fall to the floor.

Her bra is simple cotton, practical rather than seductive, but somehow that makes it even more arousing. She's real, not some club girl playing dress-up. My hands itch to touch her, but I force myself to stay still, letting her set the pace.

Her jeans follow, and she stands before me in her underwear, vulnerability and trust written across her face. The moonlight plays across her curves, highlighting the slight tremor in her hands.

"Your turn," she whispers, fingers trailing over my cut.

I shrug it off, then pull my shirt over my head. Her sharp intake of breath makes me tense—my torso is a map of violence, bullet wounds and knife scars telling stories I'd rather forget.

But when she touches me, it's with reverence rather than fear. Her fingers trace each scar like she's learning their history, and something in my chest tightens painfully.

"We should sleep," I say softly, catching her hand before this goes further than either of us is ready for. "Tommy's just down the hall."

She nods, looking both relieved and disappointed. I strip down to my boxers while she pulls on an oversized t-shirt, and we climb into her small bed. She curls into my side immediately, her head finding a perfect spot on my chest.

"We need to talk about something," I say quietly, running my fingers through her hair.

"Hmm?"

"I want you to learn to shoot. Properly." I feel her tense slightly. "I know your dad taught you basics, but this is different. You need to know how to protect yourself and Tommy if I'm not around."

She props herself up on an elbow, looking at me seriously. "You really think it might come to that?"

"I hope not. But my world... it's dangerous. The Outlaws aren't going to back down easily, and if they ever found out about you and Tommy..." I trail off, not wanting to voice my fears.

"Okay," she says simply.

"Okay?"

"I'll learn. Whatever it takes to protect Tommy. To protect us." Her hand finds mine in the darkness. "Just... be patient with me?"

I pull her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Always."

She settles back against me with a contented sigh, her breath warm against my chest. Soon, her breathing evens out in sleep, but I lie awake longer, watching the moonlight play across her peaceful face.

I've had women before—plenty of them. Quick encounters in nameless motel rooms, club girls looking for a thrill, even a few attempts at relationships that never lasted.

But this... this feels different. This feels like coming home, like finding safe harbor after years at sea.

With her tucked against me, her gentle weight anchoring me to this moment, I feel a peace I haven't known since before my first tour in Afghanistan. Maybe even before that. Here, in this too-small bed in this too-small room, the violence that usually lives under my skin seems distant, tamed.

Sleep claims me eventually, my body curled protectively around hers, one hand resting near the gun I placed within easy reach on the nightstand. Old habits die hard.

Morning

The bed bouncing wakes me what feels like minutes later. Morning sun streams through the windows as Tommy launches himself between us.

"Mr. Joey stayed!" he exclaims, practically vibrating with excitement. "I knew it! I knew you were going to be my mom's boyfriend!"

Ruby sits up, tugging the covers higher. "Tommy, honey, Mr. Joey just wanted to make sure we were safe after yesterday—"

"Nuh-uh," Tommy says with all the wisdom of his five years. "Only boyfriends sleep in the same bed. That's what Billy at school said. And you were hugging like in the movies!"

I can't help but chuckle at his logic, earning a mock glare from Ruby. Tommy bounces again, clearly thrilled with this development.

"Does this mean you'll be here for breakfast every day?" he asks hopefully. "And dinner? And can you teach me to ride a motorcycle when I'm bigger?"

"Tommy!" Ruby looks horrified at the thought.

"Maybe when you're much bigger," I say diplomatically. "Like thirty."

A knock at the front door saves us from further negotiations about Tommy's future biker career. Ruby quickly pulls on her robe and hurries to answer it.

"Rose!" I hear her exclaim, followed by my mother's familiar laugh.

"Good morning, dear. Is my son decent? Actually, don't answer that." Mom's voice carries down the hall. "I'm here to take Tommy on a picnic. The park has a duck pond, and I made sandwiches."

"Really?" Tommy bounces off the bed. "Can I go, Mom? Please?"

I pull on my jeans and join them in the living room, finding my mother looking entirely too pleased with herself.

"What are you doing?" I ask her suspiciously.

She gives me an innocent look that wouldn't fool anyone. "Creating opportunities. Now Tommy, go get dressed. The ducks are waiting."

As Tommy races to his room, I narrow my eyes at her. "You planned this."

"Of course I did." She pats my cheek. "Someone had to give you two an extra push. Consider this my contribution to your happiness." She turns to Ruby, who's blushing prettily. "And don't worry, dear. I'll have him back by dinner. You two should talk, rest, maybe actually eat something at some point."

"Mom!"

But she just laughs, herding an excited Tommy out the door with promises of duck feeding and flower lessons, leaving us alone with a whole day stretching ahead of us.

As they leave, I hear him asking Mom if this means he can call me Dad now. The door closes before I catch her response.

Ruby and I stand in the sudden quiet, the morning sun streaming through the windows.

"So," she says finally, "your mom's subtle."

I laugh, pulling her into my arms.

"About as subtle as a brick through a window." I press a kiss to her temple. "But I can't say I mind having some time alone with you."

She tilts her face up to mine, smiling. "No? And what should we do with all this time?"

"Well," I say, lowering my head toward hers, "I can think of a few things..."

And as I capture her lips with mine, I send a silent thank you to my meddling mother. Sometimes people do need an extra push.

Even old, grumpy bikers who think they don't deserve happiness.

Especially them.