Chapter 38
Lacy
A week had passed since the attempted kidnapping. Well, I guess it wasn’t attempted. We were kidnapped, but the overall plan was thwarted by Eagle and his friends. Shiv was all over his ass and on strict orders for no strenuous activities after he busted his stitches the day after she sewed him up.
Shiv stuck around. She checked on Eagle daily, but she also kept checking on Jackal. She was currently residing in an extra room at Mama Hen’s because she refused to let the doctor be mixed up with the bunnies. Honestly, I think Shiv had her mind on a biker daddy, and it seemed she was dead set on one in particular. She also seemed incredibly curious about the club as a whole. Probably piqued the psychology side of her brain. She was never judgy, but loaded with questions and excited about the weekend since some of the bunnies told her things picked up then.
I had settled perfectly back at the clubhouse, and for the time being, hadn’t been back to work. It wasn’t off the table, but honestly I was still shaken up, so when Hawk suggested I take some time off, I didn’t argue. I knew he was asking for Eagle, but I was starting to understand all the times Eagle and Falcon kept saying it wasn’t safe. I’d never directly say the words to them, but they were right.
It was annoying that if they had just mentioned some of what was happening around us, maybe I wouldn’t have been so anxious to leave the clubhouse and work at the strip club. I could have also been more cautious when driving around at night by myself.
Once Shiv gave a reluctant thumbs up to Eagle riding his bike again, he finally asked me to ride with him. The only other time I’d been on was when they brought us to Georgia. We spent a few afternoons cruising around, a couple times Daisy and Falcon joined us. There were some other members tagging along and I told myself it was a nice day for a ride, but a little voice in the back of my mind wondered if they were there because things were still not settled. Was it a coincidence that bad things kept happening when women involved in DE were around?
I learned that Raven was killed while he and Mama Hen were riding home one night. Then Daisy was taken but the only reason they had any idea where she could be found was because of the rat. Then me. Which still nagged at me. If Butch was the rat the whole time, why did he sick them on me but then try to take me with him at the last minute?
Needing answers and to feel more secure, Daisy and I made the guys take us out for a double date, and we explained that if they expected us to listen, we expected some basic info. We recounted all the events that happened since we arrived and how knowing a tiny bit of the things going on around us could have possibly changed the course of dangerous events that involved us.
“On that note, if you’re going to have trackers on us, you should let us know,” I had said as I picked at the appetizer.
Daisy didn’t like it at all and I had to remind her that without the tracker on my car and phone, I’d likely be dead or lost to them forever. I wasn’t opposed to it, but I explained why we deserved to know.
After a little negotiation, they agreed to let us know if there was anything we needed to know that could affect us. We agreed that we understood there were things we didn’t need to be privy to and if we asked questions that couldn’t be answered, we wouldn’t push. They also made us swear that when they had to go on their runs up North, we would only go where they said was safe, and we’d have handpicked escorts from the club.
I spoke to Keys and he helped me get my documents in order. Apparently, Daisy could have just told him she needed her license and a lot of her issues wouldn’t have happened. Although, without those things happening, Tony might still be alive. Keys made it seem like a child could have done it and told me they’d arrive in about two weeks. I don’t think he meant to make me feel stupid, but I did leave thinking I should take some computer classes.
I wasn’t sure if Eddie was serious about getting married, but since I had a car, I at least needed my license. I asked him to help me get a copy of my birth certificate, just in case.
It was silly, but growing up, I had always wanted to get married. As an only child, I really wanted to have at least two kids. Eddie was probably still a little stoned on pain meds when he said all that stuff. Plus, people say crazy things when their life has flashed before their eyes. I didn’t bring it back up and was happy to be back at the clubhouse and see where things went.
He didn’t go back to the old Eagle. He was doting and would even grovel if he came home five minutes later than he said he would. He made sure I had my diet soda bright and early, and kept me by his side unless I wanted to sit with the girls, or if he had Church, which happened a numerous times over the last week.
There was a lot going on, and everyone was shaken about Butch, even though they didn’t really talk about it, at least not to us. I tried to talk to Mama Hen about it, but she just kept saying she was fine and would change the subject. I didn’t want to push, but I was worried about her. She was the first real motherly woman I had in my life. Shiv was my nanny, but we were more like sisters than mother and daughter.
Daisy and I were sitting at the picnic tables outside with Shiv and some of the other ladies while we waited on the officers to be done with Church.
“So, is this it?” Shiv asked as she sipped her beer and looked around.
Daisy smiled but asked, “What do you mean?”
Shiv sighed. “I don’t know. It’s a motorcycle club. I thought there’d be men snorting lines out of some girl’s asscrack, or maybe public blow jobs or something. It’s like a ‘house party,’” she said with air quotes, “in medical school.” She gave a dramatic roll to her eyes before tipping back her beer.
We all giggled, but I said, “Shiv, I think you’ve been reading too many books or watching too many movies. It can get wild sometimes, but also, there’s a lot going on right now. I don’t know that the guys feel like celebrating.”
“Exactly. All the drama, betrayal, lies,” she said as she waved her bottle in the air. “You’d think they’d want to blow off some steam. I know I sure do.”
“Sounds like you need to release a little tension. I’m sure there’s some willing participants,” Daisy said with a grin.
“I think she has her eye on one already,” I said as I bumped her shoulder with mine.
“I was promised a biker daddy when we were about to be killed. I intend to cash in on that.”
Our laughter was broken up by Hawk’s wolf whistle. “Hey, bit of a light crowd tonight, but we have something important to announce.”
Everyone quieted down and I stood up, grabbing Shiv’s arm to encourage her to come closer with me. We joined the group just outside of the clubhouse door, hanging back to let the members get a good view.
Eagle stood tall next to Hawk, along with the other officers with his hands behind his back like the others. He winked and blew me a kiss and some of the members turned around and made cooing sounds. I rolled my eyes then blew one back to him.
“Alright, alright. We have an announcement. We recently had a position open up. In light of how that opening occurred, we needed someone we knew we could trust and had the club’s interest at heart. And I’m pleased to say that Jackal has agreed to patch in to the Atlanta chapter. He was friends with Pops and was always ready to come and help when needed. My only regret about this is that Pops wasn’t here to see it. I know he tried to get him to patch in for a long time. But,” Hawk said as he smacked Jackal’s back, “let’s give Jackal a warm welcome!”
Jackal was always kind to me, and seemed to be a bit of a mentor to the guys. As I clapped, I leaned in closer to Shiv. “Ohh, that means he’ll be around a lot.”
She raised her brows and gave a little wiggle to her shoulders. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a large hand landed on my shoulder from behind and I yelped.
As my heart raced, a few of the guys laughed, but Eagle yelled, “Shut the fuck up!” and they all quieted quickly.
“Sorry to scare you, sweetie,” Jimmy said. “Just wanted to swing by and say hello.”
I hugged him and blew out a breath of relief. “It’s okay, just still a little jumpy.”
“And rightfully so. How you holding up?” he asked.
“Been keeping busy here. Oh, this is my old friend from back home, Shiv.”
His face broke a little and he grabbed her in a bear hug. “You saved my boy. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
I was grinning ear to ear as Jimmy squeezed her and Shiv’s wide eyes were looking over his shoulder. He had been by, but Shiv was resting and I hadn’t even thought of introducing them at the time. “It’s okay. He kind of saved us, so we can call it even.”
He rocked as he kept squeezing her, then I jumped again as someone tapped my shoulder. Looking over my shoulder I let out a small growl. “Shit, Eagle why didn’t you just–”
When I turned Eddie was standing there with a cut in his hand that was way too small for any of the men.
“What’s that for?” I asked as he held it up.
He turned it around, and it said ‘Property of Eagle’ on the back. “It’s so these fuckers know you’re mine. Put it on,” he said with a smile.
I raised a brow mockingly, but my tear-filled eyes gave me away.
“I mean, would you please put this on for me, baby?”
Squatch leaned into Eagle’s ear and made a kissy sound then said with a high-pitched voice, “Oh baby, I’m your little bitch. Will you wear my colors?”
Eagle grinned, though, and held the cut up for me. Daisy turned me by the shoulders, and he slipped it on. I looked down and there was a small patch on the front with ‘Lacy’ embroidered on it.
Daisy’s hands were cupped over her mouth and tears filled her eyes. “It’s so beautiful. It’s like we’re sisters now,” she said as she assaulted me with a hug.
“Hey, can I cut in?” Eagle asked from behind me.
“You’re lucky to have her,” Daisy deadpanned.
Falcon pulled Daisy away and said, “Simmer down, woman,” but after she turned around, he held his hands up in surrender.
I was still laughing, but stopped when I turned around and Eagle was down on his knee. He had a grey box in his hand and I froze.
Daisy was squealing behind me and Shiv said, “Holy shit,” from beside me.
“I’m not sure what the best thing to say is, but I’m saying it before my brothers. I love you, I can’t live without you–”
“No shit. He was a little crazy, Lacy!” one of the guys yelled out.
Eagle whipped his head in their direction, then turned back to me and continued. “What was I saying? Oh, right. I can’t live without you. I can’t breathe without you. I need you, Lacy. And I want you to be my Old Lady, and my wife.” With that, he opened the box and a sparkly little solitaire stared at me.
“Eddie–I mean Eagle. Shit!”
“Just say yes, girl!” Daisy said from behind me.
I nodded quickly. “Yes. Yes, yes, yes!”
Eddie stood up and grabbed me, lifting me off the ground.
Shiv shouted, “Put her down, now! Why don’t you listen?”
I didn’t even try to fight the tears, but I kissed him and patted his chest so he’d put me down. He still had stitches and she would end up separating us if she wasn’t satisfied with how he was caring for them.
When my feet hit the ground again, he leaned down for a better kiss. The guys whistled and hooted around us, but he just kissed me harder. I gripped his cut, pulling him closer and loving the PDA.
He finally pulled away, then grabbed my hand, sliding the ring onto my finger. “If you don’t like it, you can go pick out two that you love.”
Sniffling, I wiped my cheeks. “I love it. It’s perfect.”
“I love you,” he said as he grabbed my new cut and pulled me back to him.
With my hand on his chest, I admired the ring again then looked up at him. “And I love you.” I leaned in and whispered, “Eddie.”