Chapter 19 #3
“Are you learning how to ride?” she asks.
“Our friend who is building her motorcycle also taught her while she was in South Dakota,” I explain.
“I wasn’t suggesting that she wasn’t being safe,” Cerenity says. “So who does the other motorcycle belong to?”
“My enforcer,” I say easily.
“I would say it’s adorable that you need one, but Jasper is Tommy’s enforcer, so I can’t,” she says.
“Is Tommy still losing it?” Marie asks.
“He’s worried, but I reminded him that you’re a grown woman,” Cerenity shrugs. “I want to ask how you are, but I feel as if it’s a loaded question.”
“I’m slowly feeling like myself,” she says honestly. “Every day is a new one. At the very least, I’m no longer puking my guts out.”
“Do I want to know?” Cerenity asks.
“I’m not pregnant,” she says. “I doubt that’ll last long around my alphas though.”
“It’s still your body,” Cerenity growls, as if reminding her of this.
“Marie’s stronger than people think, and she can use her words and weapons just fine,” I remind her. “As much as she hates guns, she’s very well versed in how to shoot one.”
“Tommy?” Cerenity asks.
“I learned how to take apart a gun, clean it, put it back together, stand and shoot it at gun point,” Marie sighs. “To say I’m well versed is an understatement.”
Fuck. When she says she had impatient teachers, I didn’t think she meant her brother.
“Wow,” Cerenity says. “I’m enrolling your brother in anger management classes.”
“What’s funny is that he doesn’t have anger issues at work unless something big happens,” Marie explains. “He said the best way to learn is under pressure.”
“If he wants children with me, that won’t be happening,” Cerenity says. “Do I need to know anything else?”
“I’m sure you’d kill him if you did,” Marie says.
“Girl,” Cerenity whispers.
“I’m fine,” Marie reassures her. “There are a lot of reasons why I don’t spend much time with him.”
“Well, I’m going to give him a lobotomy and see if that helps,” Cerenity says, getting up. “Don’t be a twatwaffle, Wilder.”
“Since I don’t know what that is, I’ll be sure not to be,” I tell her.
Cerenity rolls her eyes and leaves, just in time for the waiter to return with our water and food. I have a feeling he stayed away while we talked.
“She’s…intense,” I breathe.
“I love Cerenity,” Marie grins. “She’s good for my brother. Jasper is just as much of a knucklehead, so she keeps them honest.”
“They’re criminals,” I snort.
“Who is the pot calling the kettle black?” she asks, teasing me as she begins to eat.
The food is amazing, but it’s hard to beat the happiness radiating from Marie as she eats. I’m so fucking glad her stomach is no longer trying to eject her food.
Lunch passes by easily, and it’s nice to spend time with her.
“Are you up for going with us to the gun range once a week?” I ask her. “I promise no one is going to be grading your work.”
Marie smirks as she chews her bite of food and nods her agreement.
“I think that’s probably for the best. Every gun works a little differently, and I want to get used to them until I find something I really like,” she says.
No one can say that Marie doesn’t have a good head on her shoulders.
“Would you like dessert?” the waiter asks with a smile once we’re done eating.
“I couldn’t eat another bite,” Marie admits.
“This doesn’t mean you can’t take it with you,” he teases.
“What is your best dessert?” I ask, knowing he’s right. She can always have it later.
“Tiramisu,” he says immediately.
“I’ll take two,” I decide. “I’m sure the guys will be willing to help eat it.”
“I’ll make sure they’re extra large pieces,” the waiter winks, clearing our table before rushing off.
“Do you think Cerenity saw Lore?” Marie asks quietly.
Glancing over at him, I shake my head.
“She’s never met Lore, and his hair is making the man look unkept,” I chuckle. “It’s going to start to bug him soon.”
“I kind of like it,” she says, blushing.
Breathing in her scent, I shrug. “Then that’s all that matters.”
The three of us leave together once the dessert arrives boxed up and we pay the bill. I actually just pay for Lore, and the waiter doesn’t blink at it. Lore rolls his eyes at me because he’s carrying cash, but I very much enjoy fucking with him.
“Do you want to walk?” I ask them. “It’s not far from here.”
“Excuse me,” a woman says, stepping outside. She’s wearing a pantsuit and she’s really fucking tall. “You’re not from here, are you?”
“We’re new transplants,” I say easily.
“Antonia,” she says, offering her hand for me to shake. “Are you going to take the lady for a walk?”
“We are,” I grin. “I have a meeting with Cian. Do you mind if we leave our bikes in your lot?”
“Not at all. My sons will make sure no one touches them. I’ll take your boxes to store them until you’re back,” she says, snatching up the desserts. “They’re better cold.”
“Thank you,” Marie says, her hands deep in the pockets of her jackets.
“My pleasure. Enjoy,” she says before disappearing back inside.
None of us say anything until we’re far away. A family like that definitely has video surveillance of their property.
“I like Antonia, even though she’s scary,” Marie finally says.
“She definitely is that,” I murmur, kissing her forehead as I open the door to the gentlemen’s club.
“Can I help you?” a man who’s wider than Ransom and built like a brick shithouse in a double breasted suit asks.
“We’re here for Mr. Sullivan,” I reply politely. May as well play the game, right?
“Are you Pack Thunder?” he asks.
“We are.”
“Right this way, please.”
My non-dominant hand slips into Marie’s hand as we follow him, and I’m surprised no one asked for our weapons. As we walk through the club, I see people smoking cigars, drinking in peace, while others chat. One thing that is universal, is that everyone is strapped.
There’s the peek of a chest or an ankle holster here and there, and no one bats an eye at it.
“He’ll see you right through this door,” the man says.
I walk through first, intent to protect Lore and Marie if it comes down to it. Lore growls under his breath, but Cian is the only one at the table.
“Watch the door,” I say under my breath before he can follow me.
Cian isn’t an idiot, and he’ll know Lore for who he is if he sees him.
“Yes, Prez,” Lore rumbles in a deeper cadence than usual, staying behind to hold up the wall outside the room.
“Hello, Marie. Wilder,” Cian drawls as an afterthought.
Lore closes the door behind us, and Cian doesn’t pay him any mind. Marie’s body stiffens slightly, but it doesn’t seem to be enough to trigger the bond sickness.
“Hello to you too, old man,” I sigh. I help Marie into her seat and then sit beside her. “Can you run me through what the set up will be for us?”
“Of course. In a hurry?” he asks.
“I have an errand to run with Marie,” I say honestly.
Cian glances at Marie for an answer, while I grumble inside my head about how fucking nosy he is.
“They want to get me a couple of custom gun holsters,” she explains. “The one I have now snags just a little when I’m drawing my gun. It’s not the best fit.”
“Ah,” he says with a nod. “In that case, let’s move this along.
The club itself will be closed for your use.
There’s a large room in the middle of the club that’ll hold the amount of people that you’ll have, and then there are two other breakout rooms for meetings, should you need them. Do you need food catered in?”
“We shouldn’t,” I say. “I may just order a ton of bbq though if that’s alright with you, and we’ll bring our own alcohol. I’ll find a more long term solution soon.”
“Have you considered buying a clubhouse type of building?” Cian asks.
“I am now. The issue is that there’d never be many people there, until there’s a reason to call everyone in,” I explain. “I need it to have bedrooms for people to crash, and for it to be away from the main road.”
“What about a ranch style house?” he suggests. “It doesn’t need to be the typical version of a clubhouse in order to suit your needs, right?”
“Correct. Huh. You’re right,” I agree. “I’ll call my realtor to start looking, and discuss a home base with the guys. Thank you, Cian.”
“Let me show you the space, and then I can send you on your way,” he says.
He gets up and walks around, surprising Marie by helping her up. He holds her hand for a beat, searching her face for something before glancing at me with a mild glare.
Fuck. Lore and Marie are bonded. Can he fucking tell? Why didn’t I think about that?
“Is there something you’d like to tell me?” he asks.
“Would you like to be a little more clear?” I ask as a reply, standing. “You’re also too close to my girl.”
“Shush, you sound dumb as fuck,” Cian says. “Marie, not to be insensitive, but your eyes aren’t red, and you don’t seem like an omega who just lost their scent match.”
“Should I cry, puke my guts out, and kill myself over it?” Marie asks, snatching her hand away.
The entire room swims before my eyes as I think about how much worse things could have gotten if Lore really was dead. Dammit.
“No, though I kind of expected that,” Cian admits. “It’s only been a few weeks since Lore died.”
“It’s been a few weeks too long,” Marie says. “I have a pack to live for, so unless you’re suggesting I punch my own ticket, I think I’ve had enough. Wilder, I’ll have Ghost walk me out if that’s alright with you.”
Pushing past Cian, she walks to the door and throws it open. Lore doesn’t say a word as he disappears after her as she continues to walk, and I cross my arms over my chest.
“It’s nice to know you’re not always perfect.”
“I fucked that one up, didn’t I?” Cian grumbles.