Celeste Chapter 11
My head was still swimming with all that had been revealed and promised in the past hour.
I felt as if I were in a dream. Facing Capri, as we sat together on the couch, I tried to think where to start.
I hadn’t had time to formulate a speech.
What if she couldn’t deal with it? Was I selfish for introducing Hulk into our family when she had so much unresolved?
She needed me. Was I taking attention away from her that she needed?
Panic bubbled up as those thoughts swirled in my mind.
“Celeste, you’re scaring me. You said you wanted to talk to me. Now, you’re sitting here wearing a pained expression. What’s wrong?” Capri asked anxiously.
The anxiety in her voice snapped me out of my panic mode. It was time to be my usual decisive self. The woman that I had to mold myself into over the years. I picked up one of her hands.
“No, there’s nothing wrong. I’m trying to figure out how to tell you something, but the truth is, I just need to get it out, and then we’ll discuss it. I’ll answer all your questions.” I paused to see if she would say anything. She didn’t. I took a deep breath, then launched into my reveal.
“Since we met the Pagans, they have been so kind as to insist on helping us solve the mystery of who hurt you. You know what we did yesterday. They plan more, and Wire continues researching. Those are all amazing things. And on top of it, they’ve extended their friendship to us.
You enjoyed last night, didn’t you? The clubhouse and then staying with Aliya? ”
“Oh, yes, I did. Everyone has been so lovely to us, and I had a lot of fun with Aliya. She’s younger than me by four years, but she’s very mature for her age.
She told me she was attacked when she was fourteen, and luckily, she wasn’t actually raped.
Aliya said the Pagans ensured she wouldn’t be harmed again.
She didn’t say how they did it. I decided not to ask.
I really like her,” Capri rushed to say.
“I love hearing that. And I’m glad she told you.
Hulk told me yesterday about it. So, we have so much to be thankful for when it comes to the club.
However, there’s more. See, ever since our first meeting, I’ve been, well, fighting, I guess is the word.
I’ve been fighting my attraction to Hulk.
He has captured my attention like no other guy has.
I told myself not to think about it. I even told myself he doesn’t see me that way.
“Last night, when I stayed all night here, I discovered he absolutely does feel the same way. In fact, he’s gone as far as to ask me to have a lasting relationship with him. He told me that he wants me to be his old lady.” I finished in a rush.
Capri’s eyes were wide. I saw astonishment on her face. I waited to see what her expression would change to. Horror? Disappointment? Anger? However, to my astonishment, it changed to joy. She pulled her hand free of mine and clapped both of hers together. A tiny squeal escaped her mouth.
“Oh my God, are you serious? Hulk wants you to be his?”
“Yes, I’m serious.”
“We knew it. Aliya and I talked last night about how the two of you act around each other. We both said that you like him and he likes you. But we didn’t imagine he’d claim you this fast. Wow, what does this mean?”
I heard a slight uncertainty in her tone.
“It doesn’t affect us. Hulk knows you are always part of my life, and you’ll live with me until you’re ready to be on your own. He has no problem with that. And he understands that you need a lot of my time right now. I’m not abandoning you, Capri. I promise.”
The slight tension in her shoulders eased. “So, he’s not like you-know-who, Mr. Asshole Nelson?”
I shook my head. “God, no, he’s not like Nelson, thank God. He wants what I want. Someone special to love and rely on, and one day to have children.”
Suddenly, Capri lunged toward me and flung her arms around my neck. I was tightly squeezed as she said, “I’m so happy for you, Celeste. You deserve a man who will dote on you. And after what I saw from the other Pagans with old ladies, they do that. If Hulk doesn’t, he’ll have to answer to me.”
Her response made me giggle as tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision. We stayed like that for a couple of minutes. I heard her sniffing. Eventually, we eased apart. Both of our eyes were red and wet. But we were both smiling.
“Hulk wanted to talk to you about all this. I asked him to let me start, and then I’d see if you’d do it. Are you comfortable talking about this with both of us?”
“Yes, I’ll talk to him. Celeste, please don’t think I’m scared of every man because of what happened. I admit, I’m wary, but the Pagans have put me at ease with them. They’re big, loud, and dangerous, but I don’t believe they’d hurt me or you. Please ask him to join us.”
I took out my cell phone and sent him a short text.
Me: Pls join us.
He answered me by hurrying out of the bedroom seconds later. His eyes found mine. He frowned when he saw my face. I wiped at my cheeks. He came to me and crouched down in front of me.
“Babe, what’s wrong? Does she need more time? I can give her that.”
“No, Hulk, please, it’s not that. We’re ready to talk. These are happy tears,” I reassured him.
He glanced over at Capri. She smiled at him. “Yes, please, join us, Hulk. We’re women. We cry when we’re happy, sad, and angry. So be prepared. Is that going to make you run?” she teased.
He puffed out his chest. “Hell, no. I won’t run. I’m a real man. See,” he flexed his arms, making them and his chest expand.
That, combined with his smirk, caused her and me to laugh.
He rose, but only far enough to sit his ass on the coffee table in front of the couch.
He leaned forward, with his elbows on his thighs.
I thought he was trying to make himself appear smaller and less intimidating.
That move stole another piece of my heart.
“What do you want to know? Ask me. I’m an open book,” he told Capri.
“My aunt says that you want her to be your old lady. I understand that means forever to bikers. And as one, she’ll be supported and protected.
I want that for her. She said that you understand and are okay with me being a big part of her life.
Yes, I’m an adult, and I plan to move out as soon as I graduate from college and find a job.
I won’t live with her forever, so no need to worry about that. ”
“Wait, right there. I do understand your relationship with your aunt. And I have no problem with you being in her or our lives. As for moving out, we’re not pushing for it.
You can stay as long as you want. What I do want, though I haven’t mentioned it to Celeste yet, is for the two of you to live here with me.
I have this huge house that’s practically empty.
It needs life in it. And you will always have a home here.
When I claimed Celeste, I claimed you as my niece.
My club and I will protect, support, and love you like we will her.
I understand that past assholes pushed for you to be out of her life.
I’m not like those morons. Family means something to Pagans. ”
And that had us back to crying. As we did, Hulk slid closer and put an arm around both of us, drawing us to him. Capri went without resistance. We got ourselves under control within a minute or so. Pushing against his hold, he reluctantly let us go. As we sat up, he shook his head.
“Man, I’ve got to make sure none of my shirts are dry clean only. If they are, I gotta get rid of them. They won’t mix with tears.” He winked and smiled as he said it.
Capri laughed as I smiled. “You’re crazy,” I told him.
“Yeah, but that’s okay. I enjoy being crazy for you and this one. Capri, do you have more questions or anything else you want to say to me?”
“I’m not sure I have questions. If you treat her like a queen, then that’s what I want, besides staying a part of her life.
We’ve been through too much to be completely apart.
And I appreciate that you offered me a home with the two of you for however long I want.
Rest assured, though, it’s not forever. I hope you mean everything you said to her and me.
Because if not, if you hurt her, I’ll find a way to make you pay.
She deserves happiness after all she’s been through. ” My niece told him sternly.
“Sweetness, I’ll never break her heart or abandon her.
I’m already falling in love with her, hence the old lady thing.
I promise not only to treat her as a queen but you as a princess.
You both deserve happiness. And I hope you know, the entire club is behind us in finding and punishing whoever hurt you.
That kind of protection doesn’t expire. Honestly, even if you moved out, I’m not comfortable with you being outside the compound.
There’s more protection here. Another reason I want you to move in as soon as possible. But we can talk about that more later.”
“Thank you, Hulk. And welcome to the Malcolm inner circle,” she responded.
“Thank you for having me. I’m honored. Anything else?” he asked us.
We both shook our heads.
“Alright, then, I say we spend the day here for the most part. Capri, you can spend more time with Aliya if you want. I want you both to stay again tonight. I plan for us to go to the clubhouse later, when everyone is there, to officially introduce Celeste as mine, though my brothers have already voted her in as such. We’ll have fun like we did last night.
However, I’ll take you home sometime today so you can pack a bag. How does that sound?”
I wanted to have him publicly claim me, and the thought of another night in his bed was a hell yeah. “It’s up to Capri. Do you want to stay?”
“I’d like that, and the chance to get our own things sounds great. I hate borrowing from others, although they’ve been sweet to do it.”