Chapter 29 #2
Rock is the one who explains as he steps over to put his arm around his old lady. “Queenie slipped close and flipped the gun safety switch a second before Jasper introduced the pompous prick to his favorite hunting knife.”
“Brothers from a rival club showed up just when we needed them the most,” Jasper explains. “Them and our crew are cleaning up right now.”
Rock interjects, “Let’s have a look at the damage.”
As if on cue, Queenie steps out of his embrace and holds out her hand to me. “Let’s go help care for the wounded, while the club girls clean up the clubhouse.”
That’s when I realize that Jasper is wounded.
Rather than making a fuss that I know will embarrass him, I grab his hand and lead him upstairs and back to the church room.
I’ve been around long enough to know that’s where they’ll set up a temporary medical unit.
It’s not like the brothers can all pile into an ER without explaining how they got their injuries.
I’m strangely calm. That surprises me more than everyone else.
It’s clear that I’ve been hanging around the clubhouse long enough to get used to how they roll.
I know in my heart of hearts that these men don’t bring the fight, but they don’t back down when it comes to protecting their womenfolk and their club.
I totally understand why they are all broken up about having to hurt and even kill men from that rival club.
It’s because Jasper and his club brothers didn’t ask for any of this mess and had to fight because the local police won’t do anything in situations like this.
Jasper once explained that law enforcement just lets them fight it out and then targets the remaining club.
So, I don’t think they have anything to feel bad about, much less ashamed of today. It is what it is.
When we enter the meeting room where they hold church, it’s like I thought.
The wounded are laid out on the floor or sitting in chairs as the club medic rushes around, anyone with first aid training has been roped in to help him.
I sit Jasper down in a chair, go out to the supply table and bring back things to clean his wounds with.
I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing.
Eventually, he asks, “Are you okay? You look like you might be in shock.”
My eyes lift to his and his worry is reflected back at me. “No. I’m just thinking about how bad things got today. It was a little shocking.”
“You mean how balls to the wall the Hyenas were or that Whitmore showed up?”
I swallow thickly and nod. “Both, I guess. It’s particularly shocking that Whitmore teamed up with an outlaw biker gang.”
Jasper’s eyebrows fly up. “Me too. I don’t think anyone saw that coming.”
“He just didn’t seem like the type,” I say, shaking my head.
“Yeah, those rich guys never do seem like the type to go slummin’ with bikers. You sure you want to, darlin’?”
My head jerks up from the wound on his shoulder to stare at him. “Excuse me?”
He gestures around at the chaos with his free hand. “I’m askin’ if what happened today scared you off from wantin’ to be with me. I wouldn’t blame you if it did.”
“What? No. Of course it doesn’t.” I take my hands off him and try to parse this through in my mind for a couple of seconds.
“You know I come from a poor working-class family. Whitmore would be using me to carry his child, willing or not, right now if it weren’t for you.
I know the cops don’t always do the right thing, especially when rich guys take advantage of women like me.
The way I see it, your world’s more respectable and trustworthy than they are because you gave me a choice. ”
A slow smile spreads over his face. “So, you’re stayin’. Is that what I hear you sayin’?”
I nod, realizing all over again how handsome he is when he smiles.
This bruised and battered man fought for me today, risked his life over and over again.
He managed to take out not only Whitmore but the man who initiated the attack.
And in doing so, he ensured I don’t have to go through life looking over my shoulder.
Leaning forward, I give him a gentle kiss on the lips.
When I pull back, his expression is more relaxed.
“Hell yeah, I’m staying for as long as you’ll have me. Why would I go running from the only man who’s ever fought for me and treated me with genuine respect?”
“And what about running the clubhouse? You still willing to do that?”
“Of course. Since I’ve been training with Queenie, I’ve come to see what she sees in the club girls.
They’re all freewheeling, fun-loving, young women who have been dealt a bad hand in life.
They just need structure, tough love, and a safe place to grow into the person they were always meant to be. ”
“You really mean that?” he asks, looking a little emotional.
“Absolutely. For most of them, anyway. What I do know is that I want to be there for you and our family through the good times and the bad.”
His eyes lift to look over my shoulder and I turn to see his old man standing nearby. He gives us a single nod. “You’re up, Jasper. Change out your cut for one that says club president and find someone for the VP slot.”
Jasper grins, his smile a little bloody. “Thank you, sir.”
The expression on his father’s face is a mixture of fierce pride, happiness, and relief.
He jerks his chin towards me. “Running a club is a big responsibility. A lot of lives depend upon the decisions you make on a day-to-day basis, and I believe you truly understand that leading is more of a burden than a joy.”
“Yeah, I’m feeling that all the way down to my fuckin’ bones, especially after a day like today. Don’t worry, I won’t let you down, sir.”
“I know that you won’t let me down because now you’ve got a good woman at your side. If you do right by her and keep your brothers close, everything else will work itself out.”
When Rock walks off, I throw my arms around Jasper. “Congratulations, Jas. I knew you could do it.”
“Thanks, darlin’. Runnin’ this club is all I’ve ever wanted to do since I was a little kid.”
“Like your dad said, you understand what’s at stake and that makes you the best choice for the job.”
I know that our emotions are high, so I’m not too surprised when he tugs me closer and asks, “If I proposed to you right now, would you say yes?”
I can’t help but nod like a crazy bobblehead doll. “You know that I would. You’re everything to me. I don’t need some extravagant proposal or a big diamond. All I need is you.”
And in this moment, I truly mean every single word.