Chapter Thirteen
Damon
The next time I see Corey is at her mural reveal party. I’ve been waiting to see the finished version ever since I’ve seen her working on it here and there, and although the timing isn’t great, for her I’m trying to act calm and let go of the pressure I’m carrying right now. Between trying to gather more intel on the Lost Lions MC and making sure we’re on high alert, I’m a walking stress ball.
The women have gone all out as usual, with plenty of food, drinks, and good music. I suppose it’s kept them busy and distracted today, which is a good thing. This is the first party the prospects will be attending, and although it’s probably going to be a little more family-oriented than they’d be expecting, it’s still going to be a good night with all of us together. However, we’re all still on alert, and taking turns checking the perimeter and cameras.
Corey comes out in tight ripped jeans, black heeled boots, and a white crop top, showing off her stomach. “You look beautiful,” I tell her when she approaches me.
It feels great to finally tell her this. To finally go after what I want.
I don’t care: whatever is standing in our way, we will handle. The timing is never going to be right, and I’ve been kidding myself thinking I can just leave her alone, even if it might be the easier option.
Easy never gets you anything.
She smiles and looks down, her long eyelashes fanning on her cheeks. “Thank you, Damon. You’ve been full of compliments lately.”
“We need to have a chat. Tonight?”
I want everything out on the table. I want to tell her how I feel and explain to her why I was so hesitant to admit that I want her. I want her to know where my mind has been at, and I want to know her thoughts, too.
“Sure.” She nods, and I take her hand in mine.
“Do you need me to do anything?”
“Um, you could carry out the last platter,” she says, pointing to a big wooden board filled with everything from cold meats to fruit and dips.
“On it.” I carry the platter out and place it with the rest of them. Whoever made all of this took a lot of time. I pick up a kiwi fruit in the shape of a star and inspect it.
“Pretty cool, hey?” Julianna says, picking up a strawberry and taking a bite. “We found a caterer to do it all because we couldn’t be bothered.”
I laugh. “And fair enough. It all looks amazing.”
After about an hour, we all gather in front of the back wall, draped with a large white sheet, and look up.
“I just wanted to thank Julianna for letting me paint my little heart out,” Corey says to the crowd, one hand on the sheet. “And yeah, I hope you all like it.”
She pulls down and shows us all what she’s been working on.
And it’s incredible.
I knew she was talented, but this piece of art is mind-blowing. There’s a big black Harley in the middle, the details so intricate, so perfect, and it’s parked on a painted road. One side has a lake and the other a sparse desert and on the bottom right corner it says Devils and Angels MC: Together We are Stronger .
And on closer inspection, I understand why I love the bike so much.
It’s mine.
She’s painted an exact replica of my treasured motorcycle.
I think I’m in fucking love.
We all clap and cheer and admire, and I’m the loudest, I don’t care. I stand back, letting everyone congratulate her first. As the crowd around her dies, I stalk toward her.
“You are so talented,” I tell her, my tone filled with pride. “That’s my bike, isn’t it?”
She ducks her face, but her pretty smile tells me all the answers that I need.
“I love it so much,” I add.
“Thank you,” she replies, glancing up at it. “I’m pretty happy with it.”
“You kidding? It’s unbelievable. You should learn how to tattoo because I’d let those hands all over my body,” I say, grinning at her blush.
“Corey, you are amazing, girl,” Julianna says as she approaches, hugging her warmly. “I love it so much. I knew I would.”
“I’m glad,” Corey says, beaming at the compliments. “I’m going to get a drink. I think I deserve one.”
She heads to the bar, and I watch her walk away. “What’s going on with you two?” Julianna asks when we are alone.
“Nothing. Yet,” I reply, turning back to her. “But I’ve decided I don’t care about any of it. The age gap, River. I want her. I can’t stop thinking about her. I’m done fighting it.”
I’ll take whatever River wants to throw my way.
Julianna smiles widely. “There are no rules in love and war.”
“Now I just need to either speak to River and get his approval, or fight him to the death,” I mutter.
“The latter is probably your best bet, then,” she jokes, her blue eyes dancing with amusement as she looks over at the man in question. “He can’t expect Corey to stay single forever. She’s a grown adult. But the whole situation with Tatum has him more on edge right now, so it might not be the best time to let him know you want to take his baby sister’s virginity.”
“Okay, maybe don’t say that so loud,” I say, also because the thought of it makes me hard. “It’s about a lot more than that with her. I don’t care if she’s been with other men or not. I just want her.”
“Well, that was cute, and it’s so nice to hear you finally admitting to this,” Julianna says, turning when Romeo approaches, Julian in his arms.
“What are you whispering about over here?” he asks, eyes still on his son.
“Nothing,” we both say at the same time, then start laughing.
Romeo looks at his wife. “Julianna—”
He’s going to know soon enough anyway, so I might as well tell him, I decide. “I want to make Corey my old lady.”
Romeo’s mouth opens, then closes. Finally, he mutters a curse. “You have a set of balls on you, Damon.”
“I know, and I know you all don’t need the extra drama, but I’ve thought about it and sat on it, and life’s just too short to live my life for other people,” I explain, hoping he understands. “Being with her isn’t going to hurt anyone, and surely River would want her with a brother instead of some other man.”
“I don’t think he wants her with anyone,” he replies in a dry tone, slapping my shoulder with an amused grin. “But I hear you. The heart wants what the heart wants. And you’re right, you’re a good man. She could do worse. Your timing is pretty fucked, though. River is worried that Tatum might hurt Corey to get to him, so he’s not in the best of moods.”
No one is going to hurt Corey.
Ever.
“He’s never in a good mood,” I grumble, and Romeo simply laughs.
“Attaching Corey to a high-ranking member sounds like a good plan to me. You’d protect her, and what more could River ask for?”
“I hope he sees it that same way,” I reply, and Romeo just grins and hands me his son.
“Can you hold him? I’m going to have a dance with my beautiful wife.”
He whisks her away and I look down into a now sleeping baby’s adorable face.
Smiling, I whisper, “You have it easy, you know that?”