Chapter Nine
March
The room was still dark, the soft glow of dawn just a promise behind closed curtains. We lay there, tangled in sweat-dampened sheets, the echo of our cries still hanging in the air. My fingers danced lightly over Violet’s skin, drawing aimless patterns along her spine. I could feel the rise and fall of her breath, slow and steady, but I wanted to memorize every curve and hollow of her body.
“Marcus,” she whispered. She stirred beside me, her body a portrait of vulnerability etched into the mattress. Her eyes fluttered open and I saw it. The shadow of a nightmare lurking in their depths. She hadn’t been vocal with this one. If I wasn’t looking at her right now, I’d have never known she had one. How many nights had she suffered in silence?
She shifted closer, seeking the warmth of my skin against hers -- a silent plea for comfort, for the assurance that the horrors of her mind couldn’t reach her here.
“Bad dream?” I asked, even though I knew the answer. I felt the slight nod against my chest, her hair brushing my skin. My arms tightened around her involuntarily, the protector in me roaring silently against anything that dared threaten her peace.
“You’re safe now,” I assured her. Nothing would touch her -- not the shadows of the past nor the dangers that prowled beyond our doors. I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.
She exhaled, a long, shuddering breath that seemed to release the last vestiges of her unease. “I know.”
I kissed her forehead softly. In the quiet that followed, I held her close, the steady beat of her heart syncing with mine. There was no need for more words. I remained awake, watching over her as she slept a few more hours. Light began to filter into the room, and I knew another day had started. I felt the tension in her before she fully woke.
She blinked, her eyes focusing slowly. Her body melded against mine, a perfect fit. I didn’t like thinking about the years we’d lost, time we could have been together if I hadn’t been running.
“Want to talk about your dream last night?” I asked.
Her breath hitched. “There were guns… and blood. They wouldn’t stop chasing me. It felt so real.”
“Shh,” I hushed her gently. “It’s over now.”
I’d stand as her shield against the darkness that wanted to swallow her whole. She wouldn’t face it alone -- not now, not ever.
“It’s like I can’t escape,” she murmured. “I think that’s what bothers me. They let me go. Why? I saw their faces. What if they’d planned to come back, but I ran? Will they track me down? The not knowing was bothering me. I was terrified every day, constantly looking over my shoulder. The only thing I could think of that would make me feel safe was you.”
“If they do, then I’ll take them down. Every last one.” I wasn’t going to confess I had Absolem looking into two of them already. I’d handle it quietly, assuming he could track them down. It wasn’t like I’d given him a lot to go on. I’d assumed they were from my hometown, and the two names she’d mentioned were common enough. But I had to hope Absolem could piece it all together, since Vi didn’t seem too keen on discussing it in detail.
I leaned in, my lips finding the warmth of her forehead. The act was simple but heavy with all the unsaid things between us. Love. Loyalty. And something deeper. She’d been a part of my life for as long as I could remember. I’d never once considered how her role might change over time, but now that I had her here in my arms, I wasn’t planning to ever let go.
My lips sought hers. It wasn’t just a touch. I did my best to brand myself onto her soul, lay claim to everything she was, and gave just as much of myself back.
Her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer. The urgency of her touch ignited something primal within me, a surge of desire that demanded I mark every inch of her as mine.
“You won’t ever let me go, right?” she asked.
“Never,” I vowed, sealing it with another kiss. Until her, I’d never felt like I was part of someone, incomplete without them. Violet was special to me in every way possible. I only hoped she realized it. I couldn’t remember if I’d told her exactly how I felt. “I love you more than I thought possible.”
Her gaze locked onto mine, tears shimmering, unshed but very much there. She blinked slowly and one tear escaped, rolling down her cheek. She didn’t have to say the words back to me. I already knew how she felt.
“I’ve found peace here… with you. This is where I belong. I’ve always belonged by your side, and I think I knew that even when I was only eight years old.”
My chest tightened as if a band of steel had wrapped around it. Her declaration, simple yet profound, cut through every layer of armor I’d ever worn.
I pulled the blanket over us, wanting to block out the world. Her fingers traced the lines of my tattoos, silent stories etched into my flesh. Each one a scar, a battle, a memory. But now, they were also a testament -- a map of survival that led to her.
Before I could even think of devouring her again, a soft meow drew my attention to the foot of the bed. Luna still stayed in the footlocker, but soon, I’d have to release her and let her roam the room. The day after I’d found her, I’d had a bag of kitten food delivered to the clubhouse, along with a dish. So far, she’d been good about using the litter box.
“Your furry child wants your attention,” Violet said, and I felt the curve of her lips against me as she smiled.
I placed my hand over her belly. “How many months until a human baby is crying for us?”
She went still beside me, and I realized I’d pretty much just claimed her kid as mine. She’d referred to it as “our” baby, but it was the first time I’d said as much. Truthfully, I’d decided almost from the start I’d be a dad to this baby. Without Ben, Violet didn’t have other men to rely on. It’s why she’d come to find me to begin with.
“Are you really ready to accept this baby as yours?” she asked.
“Didn’t realize that was even a question.” I leaned up on my elbow to look down at her. “You came here asking for help, for protection. Did you think I’d let you stay and tell you to get rid of the kid?”
She shook her head. “No, I guess I just…”
“What?”
“I’d hoped you might want to be part of my baby’s life, but I was too scared to believe it could ever really happen. Of course, I’d also thought you’d never see me as more than Ben’s little sister.”
“People change, Vi. I’m not the same man you used to know. For one, I was still a kid back then. We haven’t seen each other much since I enlisted, and not all the last few years.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “And whose fault is that?”
“Very much mine, and I’m sorry.”
The kitten cried again, and I got up to check on her. Luna had drunk all her water so I got her more and topped off her food. After giving her a scratch behind the ear, I sat on the edge of the bed. Before I could open my mouth and say anything, someone banged on the bedroom door.
“Hatter needs everyone in the common room. Women too,” Mock yelled through the door.
I helped Vi out of bed and we both quickly dressed before joining everyone else. I sat at the table with Jo, Eliza, and Cheshire, pulling Violet down onto my lap. She leaned against me, and we focused on the club president.
“First off, Knave is coming home later. He’ll have to take it easy for a bit, but he’s going to be fine.” Several people clapped and whistled, so Hatter waited for it to be quiet again. “And I have news about the mayor and Robert Lewis. Both men are in custody. The information we gave Sheriff Hurst, in addition to the mayor trying to have our club taken out, gave law enforcement everything they needed to lock those two up.”
“What about the girls?” Violet asked.
“Park said the FBI would be looking into it. The ones shipped overseas are likely out of reach, assuming they’re still alive. But our part in all this is finished. I don’t want you or Absolem digging anymore. Right now the FBI is looking the other way, but if you hack into any other government files, they may not be so nice about it.”
Violet nodded. “Understood.”
“So the town is now safe?” Jo asked. “It’s all over?”
“Park has done his best to weed out all the bad deputies, and I’m sure there may be a few bad apples still in the mayor’s office, but for the most part… yes.”
“What do we do now?” Tweedle asked. “We haven’t had a moment’s peace in a while. Not sure I know what to do with myself without an enemy to focus on.”
Hatter smiled. “Yeah, but it’s a problem I don’t mind solving. I thought we could do a few things, actually.”
“Like?” Cheshire prompted.
“Open a business in town. Maybe two. In addition to that, I want to help this community.”
I knew why we hadn’t made a move before now. We’d helped in small ways where we could, but we’d been so focused on gaining the town’s support, then weeding out the corrupt officials, none of us had had the time to dedicate to getting a business off the ground. Looked like the club was ready to take that leap now.
“We aren’t your typical club,” he continued. “I’m well aware of that. Doesn’t mean we can’t reach out to some other MCs and see if they’d be interested in a charity ride with all the proceeds going to help the shelter Sister Mary is running.”
“I can get behind that,” I said. “As long as we aren’t asking one percent clubs to join in. Not sure I want them around our women.”
Hatter arched an eyebrow. “Some of them aren’t any worse than we are, or need I remind you what happened to the dearly departed sheriff?”
I shrugged. If he found guys who were good and just did bad things for all the right reasons, then I wouldn’t have an issue with it. Might be nice to get more connections. There had to be other clubs out there with veterans too. It would be good to meet more men and women who’d come home and found the same solution to retaining a brotherhood, or sisterhood.
“There’s one more order of business. Our club is growing. Even though we aren’t accepting prospects or new members, we all seem to be starting families. Pretty soon this clubhouse won’t hold us all. I haven’t come up with a solution just yet, but I’m open to ideas.” Hatter waved us off. “Now, go back to whatever you were doing. That’s all I’ve got for now.”
Hatter came over and Jo stood. Once he’d sat down, she claimed his lap. Three of the club officers now had women and babies on the way. It made me wonder who might fall next. Rabbit? Tweedle? Absolem? I didn’t see it being Mock, Knave, or Carpenter. The first two enjoyed women too much, and Carpenter… well, I wasn’t sure what to think of him some days.
“Does this mean we can move about town freely now?” Eliza asked. “Because I’m a little tired of constantly needing a shadow.”
Cheshire smacked her on the thigh. “Wishful thinking. If you believe for one second I’m letting you leave this place without a guard, you’re crazier than I thought.”
“Dad is gone, and now so are the mayor and Mr. Lewis,” she said. “So why can’t I?”
Cheshire stared at her for a long moment. “I thought I would die when you disappeared before and I had no idea where you were. The monsters we know about are gone. Doesn’t mean there isn’t still evil here. I can’t go through that again, Eliza. Don’t ask me to.”
It was the most serious I’d seen him in a long time. Well, except during a battle. But I got it. I’d feel the same if Violet suddenly vanished. I’d probably lose my shit and want to tear the world apart in an attempt to find her.
“When are you going to let the kitten run free?” Jo asked. “I want to play with it.”
I raised an eyebrow at her sudden change of topic, but I saw the pleading look in her eyes and relented. “Not anytime soon. It’s so damn small I think I may lose it in the bedroom. Doesn’t mean you can’t come see her.”
“Can we get a cat?” Eliza asked, looking over at Cheshire.
He grinned and pointed to his face. “You already have one. A most superb species too.”
She rolled her eyes, and I had to cough to cover my laughter. Something told me, sooner or later, Cheshire would be welcoming a cat into his life. Because if Eliza really wanted one, he wouldn’t tell her no. Not for long anyway.
Was this what peace felt like? Would things become more laid back and normal now?
I had to say it didn’t totally suck.