26. Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Hunter
Blake fell asleep on the ride about an hour ago, and now we drive down the gravel road toward the clubhouse. I can hear the music from here, which means the party is already in full swing. I can only hope that what we will come face-to-face with isn’t too bad.
As the building comes into view, I see the bonfire already in full blaze, and multiple people sit around it. Children run around the front yard. Bikes are lined up along the left of the building in a long row. Looks like most of our members are here tonight. Our parties are always huge, and extras will litter the area as well, the house mice. Basically, they are the women who go from biker to biker and aren’t owned by any of us. They are used for their bodies, and they clean up the clubhouse after huge ragers like this one.
The car hits a pothole on the road, and Blake stirs in her seat. We are pulling her car into an empty spot by the time she fully comes to, and Viper parks the bike along with the others.
“Are we here already?” she asks groggily.
I find myself wanting to turn the car around and drive us any where else with the look of vulnerability I am met with. She looks so innocent. Nothing compared to the people we will be meeting tonight. Before my thoughts take action of their own I steel my gaze. “Yes.Remember what I told you. I will keep guys safe, I promise.” a promise I feel like I need to reiterate outloud even if only for myself. Because I will keep them safe… no matter what.
She looks out the window and slowly nods her head. “Okay.”
Then she looks in the back seat at her sleeping Charlie. “How long has she been asleep?”
I shrug. “About as long as you have been.”
We both make our way out of the car, and I reach in the back to grab Charlie into my arms. I am expecting her to stay asleep until I get her in the house, but as soon as I shut the car door, she squirms in my arms and opens her eyes.
“Hello, little one.” I smile.
She reaches up and strokes my beard just like Moo used to when she would wake up, and it warms my chest.
Kids laugh by the fire and it draws her attention. She gasps. “Can I go play?” She beams at me.
I chuckle. “I think that is up to your mother, sweetheart.”
We both look over at Blake, waiting for an answer. She surveys the area and shakes her head. “How about we get settled inside first before we join the fun?”
Charlie sulks in my arms before I lower her to the ground. “Okay, Mama.”
She grabs Blake's hand, and I grab their bags before we head toward the door.
The music blares as we walk through the front door. Multiple people dance—some of them grind against one another. I try to shield Charlie from the worst of it and shift our positions so that I stand between her and them.
“My room is right this way,” I grumble and work my way down the hall toward it. Each of the club's main members has a room designated for them, and then we have a large kids' room and a few spare bedrooms for those who want to stay here.
As the club's vice president, I get the next biggest room with a bathroom attached. It gives me a sense of solitude on nights like tonight.
I hold the door open and usher them inside, closing it behind us.
The room smells of sandalwood, and my dark oak furniture is as perfectly put in place as I left it. Thank God the other members respect my space while I am gone.