Chapter Sixteen
Violet
Shine pounced, and the catnip mouse skittered across the floor. I couldn’t help but smile, as I watched March’s fingers deftly teasing the little tabby with the toy. Luna, our other kitten, regarded her sibling with cool disinterest from my lap.
“Come on, Shine,” March coaxed, his voice a soft rumble, so different from the authority it carried during club meetings. The kitten leaped, all clumsy enthusiasm, and batted the mouse back to him.
I stroked Luna’s sleek fur, feeling her purr vibrating against my palm. My mind drifted, worry gnawing at me despite the momentary peace. I glanced around the room. It was cozy, intimate, but space was a luxury we didn’t have.
“Where do you see us in a few years?” I asked.
He caught the mouse as Shine returned it, pausing to look at me. “We’ll figure it out. You know that.”
“Raising our baby here, around the club feels right,” I confessed, my gaze flickering to my still mostly flat belly, then back to his steady face. “But there’s not enough room here. Not for everyone.”
“Underland is more than walls and rooms,” he said, standing up and stretching his broad shoulders. “It’s family. And for family, we make space.”
I nodded, wanting to believe. “Okay.”
I trusted him, more than anyone. But the fear of the unknown, of cramped quarters and kids without their own corners to grow -- it weighed on me. They might not have a normal life by the average person’s standards, but I still wanted to give our baby the best life I could. And I wasn’t sure we were able to do that right now.
“Trust me,” March said. “I’ll talk to Hatter. We’ll find a way to make this work. I’m sure Jo and Eliza have wondered the same thing.”
“Okay,” I repeated, holding onto his words and the certainty they brought. Luna nuzzled into my hand, demanding more attention, pulling me back to the present. For now, we had enough room for love and growing kittens. That had to be enough.
March’s hand found mine, his grip firm and reassuring. “I’m going to talk to Hatter,” he said, his voice low and resolute. “And I mean that as in right now. We’ll work something out for us -- for the baby. You asked where I saw us, but where do you see us, Vi? What are your dreams?”
I leaned into him, the rough texture of his cut a contrast against my skin. “Just this. Being with you is all I’ve ever wanted. More than any dream.”
“Even if we never leave this place?” His eyes searched mine, looking for the truth beneath the words. I could understand his concern. I’d never left home until now. He probably worried I’d want to travel or move somewhere more exciting than a sleepy little mountain town.
“Even then.” I paused. “Before, when I was a little girl, I used to wonder what my wedding would look like. White dress, flowers. The usual I guess. Only one thing never changed. You. It was always you I dreamed of marrying.”
His laugh was a soft rumble in his chest. “Nothing about us is traditional, Vi. Doesn’t mean you have to give up on those dreams, though.”
“True.” I smiled. “But I don’t need a wedding, March. As long as I have you, as long as we’re together, that’s what matters.”
His lips curved in a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. I could tell my answer bothered him for some reason. Did he feel like I was giving up something important to be here with him? Because I wasn’t. Without him, I didn’t have a future worth mentioning.
* * *
March
As Violet’s laughter melded with the playful squeaks and mews of the kittens, I stood and slipped away, leaving her ensconced in a world of innocent joy.
The kitchen was thick with the scent of coffee and the low hum of serious conversation as I stepped into the room. Hatter leaned back against the counter, his posture relaxed but eyes sharp. Cheshire sat at the table, a half-smirk playing on his lips, while Rabbit fidgeted with a pen cap. Absolem’s glasses caught the light, a glint of focus in his gaze.
“Space,” I said, cutting through the murmur. “We’re running out of it.”
Hatter nodded slowly. “Our family is growing and we need some changes. We’ve discussed it before, but it’s time to get more serious about it.”
“Vi and I…” My voice trailed off. “We need a plan.”
“Expansion.” Absolem’s voice was calm and quiet. “Clear some trees, make room for tiny homes.”
“Tiny homes?” Rabbit’s eyebrow shot up, his voice jittery.
“Close to the clubhouse,” Absolem continued. “Keep everyone together but give them space.”
“Community,” Cheshire mused, his grin widening. “Still together, but with room to breathe.”
“Let’s walk the land tomorrow,” Hatter decided. “See what we’re working with.”
Cheshire tilted his head. “Tiny homes are fine for now, but what about when families expand? We can’t have our brothers crammed like sardines. A tiny home may work if you just have one kid. What if you have three or four?”
I nodded in agreement, feeling the tension knot in my stomach. I personally wouldn’t mind one of those homes, but Violet and I hadn’t really talked about how many kids we wanted. Cheshire had a good point. A tiny house might not work if we had a bunch of kids. Hell, I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t screw up one kid, much less a herd of them.
“Two, maybe three bedrooms, then,” I suggested, trying to picture kids running around, laughter weaving through the walls of a home. “Keep them snug but not suffocating.”
“Between one thousand and twelve hundred square feet,” Cheshire added, leaning forward, his elbows on the scarred wood of the table. “Enough room to grow without losing our closeness, and without spending a fortune on the construction.”
“Modular homes,” Absolem interrupted, his voice steady as always. The glasses perched on his nose gave him that look -- like he’d already solved the problem before we even knew there was one. “Fast to set up. Efficient.”
“Modular…” Hatter mused, his brow furrowing slightly. “We do need quick solutions. Families can’t wait.”
“Exactly,” Absolem agreed, tapping a finger against the table. “I’ll get the specs, find a vendor. We buy in bulk so we can negotiate.”
“Good call. I’ll mark off the lots with you. Once we have a plan, we get the trees cleared and meet with the sellers.”
“Strike a deal,” I said, the idea taking hold. “Give everyone a piece of something real.”
“Something theirs,” Cheshire echoed, his smile less mischievous now, more genuine. “I’m good with that. Bet Eliza will be too.”
We knew we were building more than houses. We were crafting a future. None of us had ever thought about settling down. When we moved here, we’d assumed we’d all be bachelors the rest of our lives. But things were rapidly changing, and for the better.
“I’ve got some cash saved up,” I said, thinking about the money in my account. But Absolem was already shaking his head, a sly grin tugging at his lips.
“Better idea.” He adjusted his glasses, eyes sharp behind the lenses. “The ex-sheriff, the mayor -- they’ve got accounts swollen with dirty money. Remember how I snagged some hidden funds before?”
“Absolem, you thinking what I think you are?” Hatter leaned in, interest piqued.
“Exactly that. A little financial retribution.” Absolem nodded. “The FBI will be watching anything to do with the mayor. That one might be tricky, but finding other assholes like him should be easy enough. No reason we can’t swipe their money. Doesn’t have to be someone we helped take down. I can search for predators and wipe their accounts before they even realize what’s happened. It will make it harder for them to operate as well.”
“Robbing hoodlums to house our own,” Cheshire quipped, a spark of admiration in his tone.
“Damn right,” I agreed, heart hammering with the prospect. It was justice, served cold and hard. And no, I had no qualms about using dirty money, not if we put it to good use. If there was enough, we could also use it to help out around town. Donate some to Sister Mary. Buy groceries for a family in need, or for the food pantry. Lots of possibilities. “Let’s do it.”
“It’s unanimous, then,” Hatter said.
“Stealing from scumbags isn’t theft, it’s a public service.” Cheshire snorted at my comment. I stood now that a decision had been made. I left my brothers and returned to Violet.
Back at the room, the sight made me pause. There she was, my Violet, curled up safe and snug on the bed, her chest rising and falling in a quiet rhythm. Luna and Shine, those little bundles of fur, nestled close to her warmth, all three lost to dreams.
Silently, I slipped off my boots and joined them. Soon, we’d have more than just this room -- more than just dreams. We’d have a real future, one I’d fight for with every breath, every dollar, every stolen cent.
I leaned in, my lips brushing Vi’s cheek softly. “I love you,” I murmured into the delicate shell of her ear, my breath stirring a few strands of her dark hair. She stirred ever so slightly, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Contentment washed over me as I stretched out beside her, my body a careful distance away to not wake her. I watched the steady rise and fall of her chest, lulling my own heart into a quiet calm.
The nightmares that once haunted her sleep had become a rare occurrence. She was at peace now. The kittens, Luna and Shine, formed a tiny, purring barrier between us. Their innocence was a stark contrast to the grit and grime outside these walls. It was a contrast I would protect with everything I had.
My gaze lingered on Vi’s face, the soft curve of her jawline, the fall of her eyelashes against her pale cheeks. Could I give her more? The question loomed in my mind, heavy and insistent. A ring… No, a vow.
Marriage. It would mean giving the baby my name, wrapping them both in an unbreakable bond to me. And for Vi, it would be a testament -- a promise that my commitment was as enduring as the stone in an engagement ring.
Quietly, I pulled my phone from my pocket, my fingers deft as they navigated through searches. Engagement rings. My eyes flitted over countless images, each sparkling band and gleaming gem whispering promises of forever. This wasn’t about tradition or appearances. This was about staking a claim, declaring to the world that Violet Benson was mine, and I was hers, now and always.
A simple band caught my eye, with a few diamond chips embedded in it. Elegant. Strong. Like her. I bookmarked the page, my heart thumping at the possibility of legally making her mine. For her, for our future, I’d ride into hell and back. Asking her to marry me seemed like a small thing in comparison. But I suddenly wanted that more than anything. Would she? She’d said she didn’t need a wedding, but I wondered if she really wanted one and was just too afraid to ask for it.
All I needed was for her to say yes. The thought soothed me in a way I couldn’t really understand. Being with Violet had changed me more than I had ever imagined. It wasn’t just about surviving anymore but about living -- breathing easy knowing whatever may come our way, we would face it together.
The decision was made then. There wasn’t much left to think about now. Once she woke up, I’d ask. Or maybe I needed to make the moment special. Find the right time. I didn’t want to half-ass this. Now that I’d made up my mind, I wanted to make sure I did it right.
I checked the ring on my phone again. I’d buy it right now, except I had no idea what size she wore. And I couldn’t think of a way to figure it out without giving away my intentions.
My gaze lingered on her hand resting on her belly. The sight made my chest tighten, love for her and our unborn child swelling in me. And yes, it was my child and I dared anyone to say otherwise.
A rough sigh escaped me as I skimmed through more rings, my mind wandering to places and moments where I could propose. A dinner date at some fancy restaurant? No. Violet seemed more at home here, within the familiar walls of the club, surrounded by people who cared for her. A picnic under the stars, perhaps? Or maybe right here in this room, a quiet moment between just the two of us… Why the hell was this so difficult?
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath. This was going to be tricky.
The kittens purred louder from where they nestled against Vi’s body. They had it easy -- no complications or struggles about rings and sizes.
My gaze trailed down to their small furry bodies, a thought sparking in my mind. Luna’s collar… it was made out of a thin leather strap with a small buckle that could be adjusted as she grew.
A wily grin spread across my face as I stared at the tiny leather collar buckled around Luna’s neck. It wasn’t perfect, but it could work as a makeshift measure.
I slid from the bed as quietly as I could manage, careful not to disturb Violet or her furry companions. Crouching down beside Luna, I gently lifted the small kitten into my hands, feeling her tiny heart fluttering against my palm.
“All right, Luna,” I whispered, “let’s see what we can do.”
With a nimble, careful touch, I unbuckled the leather collar and looped it around Violet’s ring finger. It slipped on easily enough, and with some minor adjustments, I managed to fit it around her finger.
Content with the rough size estimate, I slipped off the collar and carefully traced the circle on a piece of paper before I re-fastened the leather around Luna’s neck. She gave a muted purr as I set her back down beside Vi, her tail flicking lightly against my hand.
Pulling out my phone again, I found a printable sheet that would help me determine her ring size. I got up and went to Hatter’s office so I could print the sheet. Once I had it in hand, I used it to measure the circle I’d drawn and determined what size Violet wore.
With that done, I made my final decision on a ring and made my purchase. Best part was that the store was local and they offered delivery. I’d have the ring in my hands within the next hour or two.
Now I just needed to decide when and how to propose to her. Maybe on a moonlit bike ride? Or a big production in front of our family? No. I didn’t think Vi would really enjoy being in the spotlight like that. The ride might be better. Just the two of us, and the sooner the better.