Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
Tor
The clubhouse is alive tonight, pulsing with energy and laughter.
I lean back in my chair, taking in the scene before me.
My girls, Meghan and Tindra, are at the center of it all, their smiles lighting up the room.
Pride swells in my chest as I watch them interact with the other members and their families.
Meghan throws her head back, laughing at something Fern just said.
The sound of her joy cuts through the noise of the clubhouse, drawing my attention like a moth to a flame.
Her ashy blonde hair catches the light, and for a moment, I'm mesmerized by the way it shimmers.
Tindra, my little firecracker, is perched on a barstool next to my father, regaling him with some wild tale.
Her hands fly through the air, punctuating each word with dramatic flair.
Dad’s eyebrows are raised so high they're practically touching his hairline, but the grin on his face tells me he's enjoying every second of it.
I can't help but smile, my heart full to bursting.
This is what I've always wanted—my family, my club, all together.
Safe. Happy.
It's a moment I want to bottle up and keep forever.
As I watch, Meghan's eyes find mine across the room.
The connection is instant, electric.
She gives me a little wink, and I feel a surge of heat course through my body.
Christ, the effect this woman has on me is unreal.
I beckon her over with a tilt of my head, and she excuses herself from her conversation.
As she makes her way toward me, I can't help but admire the way she moves.
There's a newfound confidence in her stride, a sureness that wasn't there before.
It's sexy as hell.
"Hey, handsome," she purrs as she reaches me, sliding onto my lap without hesitation. "You looked a little lonely over here."
I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close. "Not anymore," I murmur, nuzzling into her neck.
She smells like vanilla and something uniquely Meghan, a scent that never fails to drive me wild.
"You two are gross," Tindra's voice pipes up, and I look over to see her standing in front of us, hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of her mother.
Meghan laughs, the sound vibrating through her body and into mine. "And you, little miss, are supposed to be getting ready to go to grandma and grandpa's."
Tindra's face lights up. "Oh yeah! Do we need to go home and grab a couple of things? I have some stuff I’d like to take if that’s okay."
"Of course it is," I tell her, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "Now go tell them we’re gonna run back to your house to get some of your things."
As Tindra races off, I turn my attention back to Meghan.
The realization that we'll have the night to ourselves hits me like a freight train.
It's been too long since we've had any real alone time.
I lean in close, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear. "Kid free tonight," I whisper, my voice low and husky. "So I guess that means you can get a little wild, huh?"
A shiver runs through Meghan's body, and I feel a sense of masculine pride at her reaction.
She turns her head, her sage green eyes meeting mine.
There's a glint of mischief in them that makes my heart race.
"Maybe," she teases, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. "Depends on how good you are."
I growl playfully, tightening my grip on her waist. "Oh, I can be very good, darlin'. You know that."
Meghan's laugh is cut short as Magnus approaches, his imposing figure casting a shadow over us. "Sorry to interrupt," he rumbles, his voice as deep and solid as the wood he works with. "Tor, we've got a situation that needs your attention."
I suppress a sigh, already feeling the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders.
This is the downside of being in the club—you can never just clock out.
"Can it wait?" I ask, even though I already know the answer.
Magnus shakes his head, his expression grim. "Afraid not, brother. It's about the shipment coming in tonight."
Fuck.
I'd almost forgotten about that.
I look at Meghan apologetically, but she's already sliding off my lap.
"Go," she says, understanding in her eyes. "I'll make sure Tindra gets to your parents' safely."
I stand up, cupping Meghan's face in my hands. "I'll make it up to you later," I promise, pressing a quick kiss to her lips.
She smiles against my mouth. "You better."
As I follow Magnus toward the room where we hold kirkja , I can't help but throw one last glance over my shoulder.
Meghan's watching me go, a mixture of love and concern on her face.
It hits me how lucky I am to have her by my side through all of this.
Kirkja is already filled with the officers and full patches when Magnus and I enter.
The air is thick with tension, and I can see the worry etched on every face.
"What's the situation?" I ask, taking my place at the table.
Logi, our Sergeant at Arms, speaks up first. "Got word from our contact at the docks. There's been a change in security personnel tonight. New guys, not on our payroll."
"Shit," I mutter, running a hand through my hair.
This complicates things.
The club has spent months setting up this shipment, greasing all the right palms to ensure smooth sailing.
A last-minute change could blow the whole operation.
"That's not all," Ivar, our road captain, chimes in. "There's been chatter about increased police presence in the area. Could be routine, but..."
"But it could also mean someone's tipped them off," I finish for him.
Now that is too dangerous to ignore.
I take a moment to survey the room, meeting each member's eyes in turn.
These are my brothers, my family.
We all count on my father to make the right call, to keep us all safe.
"All right," My father finally speaks up, his voice steady. "Here's what we're going to do. Logi, I want you to take a team down to the docks. Scope out the situation, see if you can get eyes on these new security guys."
Logi nods, already prepared to jump at a moment’s notice.
"Ivar, dig deeper into that police chatter. Find out if it's just a coincidence or if we've got a leak somewhere."
"On it," Ivar says, pulling out his phone.
"The rest of you, I want on standby. If this goes sideways, we might need to move fast."
As the others file out of the room, each with their assigned tasks, my father hangs back.
I can see the question in his eyes before he even opens his mouth.
"What about you?" he asks. "Where do you want to be?"
I hesitate, torn between my duty to the club and my promise to Meghan.
The responsible thing would be to oversee the operation personally, to be there if shit hits the fan.
But the thought of missing out on a night alone with Meghan...
"I'll be a call away," I decide finally. "If you need me, I’ll ride out."
He nods, understanding in his eyes.
He knows what tonight means to me, to Meghan. "We've got this, son," he assures me. "Go be with your family."
As I watch him leave, I'm struck by a wave of gratitude for my club.
A lot of Prez’s wouldn’t just let one of the full patch’s hang back like this.
They're not just my brothers, they're the support system that allows me to have a life outside of all this.
I make my way back to the main room, my eyes immediately seeking out Meghan.
She's by the bar, chatting with one of the prospects.
As if sensing my gaze, she looks up, a question in her eyes.
I nod, letting her know everything's okay, and her shoulders visibly relax.
God, I love how in tune we are, how she can read me with just a look.
As I approach, the prospect, Hakon, scurries off.
Smart kid.
He knows better than to hang around this full patch’s ol’ lady for too long.
"Everything okay?" Meghan asks as I slide onto the barstool next to her.
I nod, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. "Nothing we can't handle," I assure her. "Where's Tindra?"
"I’d imagine she’s on her way to our place to get a couple of things. Fern offered to take her while you were in kirkja , and I didn’t say no."
I raise an eyebrow at that. "I’m surprised you didn't go with them?"
Meghan shrugs, a coy smile playing on her lips. "No, I’m not going to be a helicopter mom tonight. This mom needs a break. You know, to stick around and see if my man needs anything. Anything at all."
The suggestive tone in her voice sends a shiver down my spine.
I lean in close, my lips brushing her ear. "Oh, I definitely need something," I murmur, my hand sliding lower on her waist.
Meghan playfully smacks my leg, her light sage green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Behave yourself, Mister," she teases, but I can see the flush creeping up her neck.
I chuckle, loving how she can be both fierce and playful in the same breath.
It's one of the many things that draw me to her like a moth to a flame. "All right, all right," I concede, holding up my hands in mock surrender. "How about a drink instead? You want one?"
"I'd love one," she says, tucking a strand of her ashy blonde hair behind her ear.
I nod, catching Hakon's eye as he passes by. "Hey, prospect," I call out. "Get me a beer and a wine cooler for the lady."
"Yes, sir," Hakon replies, practically tripping over himself to comply.
It's almost comical how eager these prospects are to please.
As Hakon heads to the bar, I turn back to Meghan, drinking in the sight of her.
The clubhouse's dim lighting casts a warm glow on her skin, accentuating the curves that motherhood has given her.
I'm about to pull her in for a kiss when she puts a finger against my lips. "I'll be right back. I need to go use the bathroom."
My lips curl into a smirk. "All right, but hurry up."
She laughs and rolls her eyes as she walks off.
A couple of minutes pass when Hakon is bringing me a beer, and a wine cooler for Meghan.
Suddenly, there's pressure against the small of my back.
I turn, expecting to see Meghan's hand, but instead, I'm face to face with Lexi.
My smirk fades instantly. "What the hell?" I think, caught off guard by her sudden appearance.
The last thing I need right now is drama, especially with Meghan here.
"What the fuck are you doing?" I growl, my voice low and dangerous.
Lexi's lips curl into a coy smile, her blonde hair catching the dim light as she tilts her head. "Just coming to see if you need any company, Tor," she purrs, her hand still resting on my back.
I can't help but laugh, the sound harsh and humorless.
This girl's being a complete idiot, and I'm not in the mood to play games. "The last thing I need is any sort of company from you," I tell her point-blank, my green eyes boring into hers.
Lexi reels back, feigning hurt. "Gosh, Tor, how cruel can you be?" she pouts, but I can see the calculation behind her doe-eyed act.
I feel my jaw clench, irritation coursing through me.
Meghan will be coming back any moment, and the last thing I want is for her to feel uncomfortable in our home.
My home.
"Cut the crap, Lexi," I say, my voice steely. "You damn well know I have an ol' lady. You need to respect that, or I swear I'll bring it up at the next kirkja that we should vote you out."
The threat hangs in the air between us, heavy and real.
I mean every word of it, and from the flicker of uncertainty in Lexi's eyes, I can tell she knows it.
But then her expression shifts, a sultry smile replacing the pout. "Ooh, I like it when you get all spicy and dominant," she purrs, stepping closer.
Her hand trails down my chest, and I resist the urge to physically push her away.
I grab her wrist, removing her hand from my body. "This isn't a game, Lexi," I warn, my voice low. "Back off. Now."
As I stare her down, I can't help but think about how different she is from Meghan.
Where Meghan is genuine and warm, Lexi is all fake and cold calculation.
It only solidifies what I already know—Meghan is the only woman for me, and no amount of flirting or manipulation from Lexi is going to change that.
I hear the familiar sound of footsteps approaching, and my heart rate picks up.
I know those steps anywhere—Meghan.
She comes into view, her ashy blonde hair swinging as she pulls it up into a ponytail.
Her light sage green eyes narrow as they lock onto Lexi, who's still standing far too close to me.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Meghan's voice is sharp, cutting through the tension in the air.
Lexi turns, a smirk playing on her lips.
She chuckles, the sound grating on my nerves. "Whatever I damn well want to, sweetheart. After all, I'm the one who kept his bed warm while you were away."
My blood boils at her words.
I can't let Meghan think that's true. "Uh, no," I interject, my voice firm. "Any hora did that I wanted, not just your ass."
I watch Meghan's face carefully, worried about how she'll react.
But to my surprise, she looks right at Lexi, her expression cool and collected.
"If you're trying to make me jealous, it's not going to work," Meghan states, her voice steady. "We weren't together, so anything that happened in the time we were apart doesn't matter."
I feel a surge of pride at her words.
That's my girl, standing her ground.
But Lexi isn't backing down.
She runs her hand over my chest, her touch making my skin crawl.
I want to push her away, but I'm curious to see how Meghan will handle this.
"You're gonna wanna stop doing that," Meghan warns, her voice low and dangerous.
Lexi, oblivious to the storm brewing in Meghan's eyes, laughs. "Oh? And why would I want to do something like that?"
I can see the shift in Meghan's stance, the way her muscles tense.
I know what's coming, and a part of me is eager to see it.
Meghan's lips curl into a cold smile. "Because of this."
In a flash, Meghan's hand shoots out, grabbing a fistful of Lexi's hair.
With a strength that surprises even me, she slams Lexi's head into the ground.
The sound echoes through the clubhouse, drawing attention from everyone around us.
I watch, a mix of shock and admiration coursing through me, as Meghan straddles Lexi, raining down punch after punch.
Her fists connect with satisfying thuds, and I can see the fury in her eyes, the primal need to protect what's hers.
"Fuck," I mutter under my breath, torn between stepping in or letting Meghan finish what Lexi started.
My body thrums with an unexpected rush of desire.
Seeing Meghan like this, all fire and strength, it's doing things to me I didn't expect.
Lexi's face is a mess of smeared makeup and blood, but her sharp tongue hasn't dulled.
She spits blood and venom, her words slicing through the air. "Is that all you've got, you cheap whore? No wonder Tor needed real company while you were gone."
Meghan's fist connects with Lexi's jaw, the crack reverberating through the room. "Shut your fucking mouth," she snarls.
I clench my fists, resisting the urge to intervene.
This is Meghan's fight, and damn if she isn't holding her own.
Meghan leans in close, her voice low and menacing. "Listen up, you pathetic excuse for a club girl. You're gonna lay the fuck off all the ol’ men, or I swear I'll get every ol’ lady to take a round on your sorry ass."
Lexi's laugh is harsh and mocking.
She looks around the club, her eyes wild. "Who the fuck is this bitch to tell me this shit? I've been around for plenty long enough to establish my bearings, you dumb cunt."
I feel a surge of pride mixed with concern.
Meghan's holding her own, but Lexi's not backing down.
This could get uglier.
Suddenly, Charm appears, her face a mask of disgust.
She grabs Lexi by the hair, yanking her to her feet. "You're gonna sleep outside tonight, Lex. You wanna act like a spoiled brat, enjoy the fucking rain."
With a forceful shove, Charm sends Lexi stumbling.
She trips over her own feet, crashing to the floor in an ungraceful heap.
I can't help but smirk. "Looks like karma's a bitch, Lex," I mutter, wrapping an arm around Meghan's waist.
I can feel Meghan's body thrumming with adrenaline, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she catches her breath.
The sight of her like this—fierce, untamed, and utterly mine—sets my blood on fire.
Something primal stirs within me, a hunger that needs to be sated.
"You okay, babe?" I murmur, my lips brushing her ear.
She turns to me, her sage green eyes blazing. "Never better," she says, a wicked grin spreading across her face.
That's all it takes.
In one swift motion, I tighten my grip on her waist and practically lift her off her feet, steering us toward the stairs.
"We're not done here," I growl, low enough for only her to hear.
Meghan's breath hitches. "Tor, what are you?—"
"Shh," I cut her off, my voice rough with need. "You'll see."
We stumble up the stairs, barely able to keep our hands off each other.
The second we're through the door of my room, I slam it shut and pin Meghan against it.
Our lips crash together in a kiss that's all teeth and tongue, desperate and hungry.
"God, you're so fucking hot when you're fired up," I pant, trailing kisses down her neck.
Meghan's fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer. "Yeah? You like watching me put bitches in their place?"
I groan, pressing my hips against hers. "You have no idea."
In a flash, Meghan drops to her knees, her hands already working at my belt. "Let me show you how much I missed you," she purrs, looking up at me through her lashes.
I lean back against the door, my head thudding against the wood as Meghan takes me in her mouth.
"Fuck, babe," I hiss, my fingers threading through her ashy blonde hair.
The world narrows down to just this—the wet heat of Meghan's mouth, the sight of her on her knees before me, the intoxicating mix of pleasure and power.
It's almost too much, too fast.
"Wait," I manage to choke out, gently pulling her off me. "Not like this. I want to be inside you."
Meghan's eyes darken with lust. "How do you want me?"
I spin her around, pressing her chest against the door.
"Just like this," I growl, hiking up her skirt.
As I slide into her from behind, we both moan in unison.
It feels like coming home, like rediscovering a part of myself I'd forgotten.
With each thrust, I'm relearning her body, memorizing every curve and angle.
"Tor," Meghan gasps, her fingers scrabbling for purchase on the smooth door. "God, I missed this. Missed you."
I wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her flush against me. "I'm right here, babe," I murmur, nipping at her earlobe. "Not going anywhere."
Our bodies move together in a frenzied rhythm, the sound of skin on skin filling the room.
I can feel the tension building, coiling tighter and tighter until it's almost unbearable.
"Come for me, Meghan," I command, my voice hoarse.
She cries out, her body clenching around me, and it's enough to send me over the edge.
I bury my face in her neck as I come, her name a prayer on my lips.
As we catch our breath, still tangled together, I can't help but smile.
This woman, this fierce, beautiful creature in my arms—she's everything I never knew I needed.
"Welcome home," I whisper, pressing a soft kiss to her shoulder.
Meghan turns in my arms, her eyes shining with something that looks a lot like love. "It's good to be back."