Chapter Twenty-Four
Maddy
I’m about to meet King’s mom and I’m freaking the heck out. What if she hates me? What if she doesn’t think I’m good enough? I mean, I know I’m not. He needs a supermodel girlfriend, not some fat woman who teaches elementary kids.
“Maybe we should just go,” I say.
“Baby, we’re not leaving our own home because you feel uncomfortable. If you really want, I can ask her to come another day. I promise she won’t be upset. She would just go over and spend the day with Cortney and Charlie.”
“Maybe they should come over, too,” I suggest. “Charlie could be a damper if it turns out your mom hates me. She couldn’t possibly get upset with that boy in the room. No one could.”
I finally met Charlie last week and fell instantly in love. He’s so precious.
“Madaline.”
“What if she hates that I’m white?”
Yeah, that’s my biggest fear. King, Charlie, and Cortney have the most beautiful dark brown skin whereas I’m paler than a vampire.
“Baby.”
Baby. That’s all he says.
“I’ll just call Mama and have her come another day,” he says calmly.
I snatch his phone out of his hand with a glare.
“Don’t do that,” I demand. “She’s been looking forward to this day for a week now. Don’t be rude.”
“My bad,” he says, raising his hands and backing away.
“I’m sorry,” I moan. “I know I’m acting like a crazy person. I’m just nervous.”
“You have nothing to be nervous about, Madaline. I promise.”
***
It turns out that King was right. I had nothing to be nervous about. Zuri, King’s mom, is an angel. She’s so softly spoken that I felt instantly at ease around her.
We spent hours laughing at all the stories about the antics that King and his dad used to get into. Then we spent another hour talking about King’s father. He passed away several years ago from a heart attack.
When King told her that he was retiring from his hitman career, she cried with so much happiness.
“I know you’re smart,” she told her son as he embraced her. “But I was always afraid something would happen to you. Now, you have someone to come home to and I was afraid for her. I spent years of my life fearing for you and your father. I didn’t want the same for this wonderful woman.”
He went on to tell her that there are dangers in being part of the Obsidian MC but she doesn’t seem to be worried about it.
I did tell her all about my family and what went down with my birth mother and twin. She simply shook her head and gave me a hug.
Needless to say, she welcomed me into her family with open arms.
I pull myself back into the present to hear what it is that Bitsy and Viper gathered us for. Everyone already knows she’s pregnant. Maybe they’re having twins.
“Out with it,” Pops says.
Sighing, Viper moves to stand behind Bitsy and wraps his arms around her. He looks down and seems to wait for her to nod before addressing the room.
“I’ve decided to step down from my position as Enforcer,” he announces, shocking us all. “With this pregnancy being high- risk, we want to move back into Bitsy’s old place so we can be near her family.”
“You all are my family, too,” Bitsy says, tears rolling down her face. “This decision has been hard on us both, but we think this would be the best move for my mental health.”
“I want her to be as stress-free as possible,” Viper continues. “I don’t feel confident enough to hold the title and responsibility as Enforcer from such a distance. I’m not leaving the club. I’ll never stop being an Obsidian, but I have to do what’s best for the future of my family.”
Not bothering to hide my tears, I race towards Bitsy and hold her tightly.
“I’m going to miss you so much,” I sniff. “Maybe we can come down and visit?”
“Every chance you get,” she sniffs back. “You two need to look after Knox.”
“Did you tell him?” Sophia asks from our now three-person hug.
“Yeah,” she says. “We were able to say our goodbyes but I’m so worried about him.”
“Don’t be,” I smile. “You focus on that baby, and we’ll make sure Knox is okay.”
“Keep me updated,” she says before pulling us both back in for another hug.
“I’m such an ugly crier,” I cry.
“You’re beautiful no matter what,” Bitsy says. “Now, that’s not all. There’s one more thing that needs to be said.”
“Oh, I don’t think I can take much more,” Sophia says against Venom’s chest.
“This is good news,” Viper chuckles. “Brother.”
Ghost steps forward with something small and black in his hands.
“Venom came to me a week ago with his request to step down,” Ghost says. “I wish nothing but the best for him, Bitsy, and my future nephew.”
“Or niece,” Bitsy laughs. Ghost is bound and determined that Bitsy is having a boy.
With a smirk Ghost simply ignores her.
“I met with Venom, Blaze, and Steel with an idea,” Ghost continues. “I know you turned down the position in the past because of your job, but, if you're up to it, King, we would love it if you would step up as our Enforcer.”
The room grows quiet, and I know this is a huge moment for the whole club. I take a step forward and turn to watch my wonderful man in this moment, but his eyes are only on me.
“What do you think, baby?” he asks.
“Do whatever makes you happy,” I smile.
“You make me happy,” he smiles back. “My family makes me happy.”
“Protecting us makes you happy, too,” I remind him.
“I think it’s part of his kink,” Blaze says causing us all to laugh.
“We better watch it,” Steel cautions. “If he accepts and we don’t follow the rules to a T we’re liable to end up in his kink chambers.”
“Fuckers,” King laughs. “All of you.”
“What do you say, brother?” Ghost says.
King looks to Viper who simply smiles and nods, tears in his eyes. I know he’s sad to be leaving but so much trust for his brother shines so brightly that it’s nearly blinding.
“Take care of our family for me,” Viper’s eyes say.
King walks to Viper and pulls him in for a hug.
Whispers are exchanged but what was said was only meant for them.
Turning to Ghost, King says, “Yes.”
The whole room erupts in cheers as Ghost places a new patch on King’s vest. When King looks down and reads his new title, he laughs.
Confused, I wait for him to turn to me before I read what’s now printed proudly on his chest.
Once upon a time, I mentioned that King needed his own title in the club. I suggested, Guardian. I even brought it up to Ghost when I was in the hospital but he said that it wasn’t an official title. Now, as I read King’s new title, fresh tears flow from my eyes.
On the right side of his chest is the patch everyone has, that says, Obsidians. On the left is his name, King. And right below his name is the new patch.
Enforcer/Guardian.
“Not very long ago, Maddy brought to my attention that King has always been a highly-ranked member of this club even without a title. She said he was our guardian, and she was right. You have always been there for us, brother. You’ve protected us even when we didn’t know we needed it. We’re all more than happy to give you this double title even though nothing will change. You’ve always been here for us.”
“Except now, he can vote,” Venom says.
Everyone laughs and I can’t help but soak in all the joy. Never in my life did I think I would be so happy.
“I love you,” I tell King as he makes his way to me.
“Marry me,” he says, sliding a ring onto my finger.
“Was that a question?” I laugh, not bothering to look at the ring.
“If you need it to be,” King says, kissing me softly.
The room is quiet as everyone waits for my answer.
“Of course, I’ll marry you,” I laugh.
“I love you so much, baby,” King says, pulling me against him and spinning me around in circles. I freak out when my feet leave the ground, but I know this man won’t drop me no matter how much I weigh.
***King***
My life is perfect. I’m surrounded by family, my mama’s moving in with my sister and I have my arms filled each night with the love of my life.
Not to mention the playtime I get in my chambers. Nick will be my guest for a very long time to come.
I made some huge mistakes that almost cost me this life and I’ll never forget those lessons. I’ll never forget how close I came to losing this woman.
I’ve broken all of my rules for her, and I would do it a thousand times over.
Because she is, and always will be, my greatest and most perfect temptation.
The End