Savage (Demented Souls #15)

29. 29

29

S avage waited to hear what Donna wanted to do with her afternoon. He wanted to ask if she’d been sick when she’d gotten up this morning, but didn’t want to ask in front of everyone. No. He’d wait until it was just the two of them to ask that.

“I don’t have anything I want to do. There has to be something we can go do or see. I’m sure there’s something unique to the area or if nothing else, we can find a movie, if you’d like to go see one.”

Her face lit up. “I haven’t seen a movie in so long. That sounds like fun. I don’t even care what’s playing.”

“This time of year there’s probably some kind of super hero movie and there will be something suitable for kids, too,” Bonnie put in from where she sat a few feet away. “There are usually five or six movies running at a time. The easiest way to find out what is playing is to pull up the theater’s website. It will have all the showings listed.”

“Oh good. I wasn’t sure things like websites had made it this far north,” Savage said giving Donna wink to let her know he was teasing. One arm still looped around Donna’s neck, he used his other hand to pull his phone from his jeans and looked up the theater. When he got to the website, he didn’t bother to read them out loud to her but angled the screen so she could read it as her head was only inches from his. “Anything there look good to you?”

Savage didn’t hesitate to hand over his phone when she reached for it. He watched as she opened the description for each movie and read it before moving on to the next one.

“Watch the way you talk to me, or I’ll have to find a clue by four to use on you,” Bonnie didn’t seem phased by Savage’s snark as she gave it back to him.

He knew she had no intention of hitting him, but it was good to know the other woman had some sass to her. From what he knew of Malice, she’d need it.

“What’s going on over here?” Malice asked as he approached, bending to drop a kiss on top of Bonnie’s head before glancing around the group. “Am I going to have to bust some ass?” He’d obviously heard at least a little of the conversation.

“Nah, someone was just being lippy, and I gave it back to him,” Bonnie said then tilted her head back so she looked up at Malice, then bumped him with the top of her head when he didn’t notice. Malice glanced down, smiled at her, and dropped another kiss on her lips. “They’re thinking about going into town for a movie.”

“The theater’s not a bad one, especially for a town this size. You might want to stop by the Harley dealership while you’re in town.” Malice met Savage’s gaze. “From what happened this morning, I suggest you get someone outfitted before the trip home.” Malice’s gaze flicked to Donna before going back to Savage’s. “After you get back, tell me what you think of that mural on the back wall.”

“What happened this morning?” Donna’s attention went from the phone she still held to Savage. She glanced at Malice but looked back to Savage for an answer.

“Someone decided to get smart and say something disrespectful. I set him straight. It’s fine and won’t happen again.”

Donna seemed to wilt beside him. “I assume whatever was said was about me. I don’t want you fighting your friends because of me.”

“No, babe.” He waited for her to look at him, but she stared down at the phone she now held in her lap, the screen gone dark. Savage gently took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and lifted it until she looked at him. “No. If he’d said the exact same thing about any of these women,” he used one thumb to motion to all the women in the clearing, “the same thing would have happened. And if their man hadn’t been there to do it, one of the others would have done it for him. What he said would have been acceptable if he were just talking about some bit of fender fluff hanging around to sleep with a biker or three, for one of our women, it won’t be tolerated. All I was doing was making sure he, and all of them know, that you’re here to stay.”

She frowned, glanced down as if she wasn’t sure if she should believe him but then lifted her gaze back to his. “Really?”

“Really, babe.” He leaned in and gave her a brief, gentle kiss on the lips. “Now have you picked a movie?” he asked as he broke the kiss and released her jaw.

“Um. I think so.” She lifted the phone so he could turn it back on. Then went back. “How about this one?” She tilted the screen so he could see it.

To Savage’s surprise it was the latest superhero movie to hit the theaters. “Are you sure? Is it something you want to see or what you think I’ll watch?”

“Well, a little of both.” Her face went pink as she looked away then navigated his browser back to the listings of what was playing. “I’m not interested in the cartoon movies.” She scrolled past two of those. “And if we see a horror movie, I’d spend more time with my face covered than not.”

“I can think of ways that might be fun,” Savage said, one corner of his mouth quirking up, “but we’ll save that for a later time. Keep going.” He liked hearing her reasoning. It let him see into her thought process and, he felt, get to know her better. Maybe after a while, he’d be able to pick a movie, or dinner or maybe a gift, knowing she’d love it. Until then, he would learn as much about her as he could.

“This one is a comedy and while I like comedies, I’m not in the mood for one today.” She continued scrolling. “That leaves us with this one or a drama.” She showed him the two remaining movies. “I read what it says about the drama, and it doesn’t draw me. Not like this one did. So yes, this is what I want. But it’s also what I thought you would like best of them.”

“Thank you.” He dropped a quick peck of a kiss on the end of her nose, then glanced at the screen again to see when it was showing and what time it was now. They had a little time before they’d need to leave, but not a lot. He glanced down at what she wore. “Why don’t you go change into jeans so we can leave? I want to take the bike.”

Her face lit up. “Oh. Sure.” He loosened his hold around her neck as she stood. He watched as she stepped out of the picnic table seating then started toward the tent only to stop and turn back. “I’m so sorry. We’ve been so rude. Would any of you like to go to the movies with us?” She glanced around, her face still pink and happy.

“We’re good, thanks,” London said.

“We already have plans, you go have fun,” Dana said.

There were a couple of other responses, but no one accepted the offer, which Savage was glad for. He wanted more time with her, where he could get to know her better, talk about things. He didn’t care if his brothers and their women heard them talking, but he suspected she wouldn’t want them around for it.

“You sure about making her your ol’ lady?” Lurch asked from where he sat, Kerry sitting sideways in his lap. “My understanding is you only met her on the way up here. Or did you know her before?”

“You heard right. I found her in Casper on the way up. But I’m sure.” Savage turned from where he’d been watching Donna until she disappeared from view. He looked at the local club president. “When you met her, how long until you knew, knew she was the one?”

Lurch was quite a moment. “Not right away when I met her, but once I started spending time with her? It was almost instant.” His hands tightened around Kerry, then eased again. As if he’d squeezed her to show how much she meant to him. She grinned then leaned over and laid her head against his shoulder.

“Would you have done any differently than I did this morning?”

“No. I can’t say I would have. And I wasn’t questioning that part. You were right when you said if he’d said the same thing about any of these women, one of us would have laid him out. He knew that. I’m sure that’s why he didn’t do it. But your girl? You’d just picked her up a few days ago, in his mind she can’t be more than fender fluff. She didn’t know what you meant by that though, did she?” Lurch nodded in the direction Donna had gone.

“I’m sure she didn’t. I’ll explain it to her later. I told you before that she’s on the run from her ex. He was a piece of work, got them mixed up in some commune,” he used his fingers to make air quotes on that last word, “that sounds a lot like a cult to me, though I’m not sure about the religious aspect of it.”

“Finding out more about where she came from?”

“Some. I don’t think she’d trying to hide anything, it’s just that the more she gets to know me, the more she trusts me, the more she’s willing to share. That fucker abused her physically, emotionally, sexually. If I wasn’t worried about keeping her safe, I’d be tempted to pay him a visit.”

“From the sounds of it, I’d be there with you. If you find out enough info, I might be willing to make the trip for you, after you’re back home and safe.” Lurch’s gaze flicked toward the area where the tents were then back to Savage.

“If I get the information, I just might let you,” he said before turning toward where Lurch had looked, having a good idea of what he would find. Donna was on her way back. He watched as she approached, unable to look away, not that he wanted to. As she moved, her eyes on her feet so she didn’t stumble over stakes or tent lines, he couldn’t help but watch, but at the same time he envisioned her round and heavily pregnant and wondered how it would feel if to have his hand against her belly as that tiny one moved inside.

“I’m ready when you are,” Donna said as she reached him.

Savage blinked, and realized he’d been lost in the vision he’d painted for himself. He shook his head and forced himself to focus.

“Then let’s go.” He stood, stepped out of the picnic table, hooked an arm around her waist and tugged her close. Unable to resist, he gave her a hard kiss, then stared down at her a moment, wondering how he’d ever gotten so lucky. “Come on. Let’s get out of here for a bit.”