Chapter 16
Sixteen
DARCIE
Sitting on Bubba’s lap, I ran my fingers through his beard as he worked. His eyes were laser-focused on me, making my heart skip a beat. It was a slow day at the shop, and I was helping him with some paperwork. But so far, all we’d managed to do was spread the papers out on the desk and open the program.
“You know, I've heard how you found the guys and invited them into the Brotherhood, but how did you get it started in the first place?”
My hands ran over his smooth head, his eyes closing. One hand was wrapped around my waist, the other covering my thigh. He opened his eyes when I stopped moving my hands, assessing me.
“You really want to know?” he asked.
Nodding, I smiled. “Yeah, I do.”
“The guys told you about Jackson?”
“A little. They mentioned that his leaving was what made you all want to share.”
“Yeah.” He swallowed, his eyes a little sad.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to,” I hedged. I hadn’t meant to pry, but it seemed I’d opened an old scab.
“It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt anymore. Just makes me sad. He was my best friend for the longest time.”
I nodded, laying my head on his chest, hoping it was easier to talk if I wasn’t staring directly at him. Bubba shifted down, his legs spreading a little wider under the desk. He took a deep breath, my body moving with the action as he exhaled.
“Jackson and I grew up together. Our ma’s were best friends. He came to live with us when his mom died in a car wreck. Our friendship grew into that of brothers, and we were inseparable. I feel bad for Ma for having to deal with all the shit we pulled.” He chuckled, the sound low and deep.
“He was the one who got me into motorcycles. His dad wasn’t around much, but had left him an old beat-up Honda. The year we turned eighteen, he saved every penny that summer to fix it up. Once we had the bike running, I knew I needed one too. Mostly just so I wasn’t left behind. One night, over a bottle of cheap beer, we made a pact to always be brothers in every sense of the word. We’d seen a few older guys at the bars with their leathers and patches, and we figured we’d make our own. That was the night the Brotherhood was born.”
I rubbed his chest, not wanting to interrupt his story. Bubba had a dark, smooth voice when he was telling a story, and I enjoyed just listening to him.
“We didn’t like the initiation process some of the other clubs had, so we decided ours would be based on a man's character. We got our own patches and leather, made our symbol, and promised to always put the Brotherhood first. A few guys around town were interested in it for a while, but they’d fade out after a few months when it was no longer fun. When I met Grayson, I had a gut feeling he was the type of man we’d been looking for. The same with Brooks. They were like Jackson and me in many ways, looking for something to belong to that mattered, and the Brotherhood gave them that. We might not be the richest or most dangerous club, but that wasn’t what it was about for us.”
His voice trailed off, the emotion thick. I ran my hand over his chest, hoping to smooth some emotion away with my touch.
“What was it about, then?” I asked.
His eyes dropped down to me, softening around the edges. “Family. We found a family in each other, a brotherhood we could count on. Together, it seemed like we could do anything. I never expected a woman to be the thing that tore us apart. It was why, when he left, I was desperate enough to consider Brooks' insane idea. I didn’t want to endure the pain again of losing one of them. I’d get over my jealousy of watching them with my woman if it meant they were in my life.”
“Did you tell him you didn’t want him to leave?” I asked, curious how his best friend, his brother, could walk away.
“I wanted him to be happy. Mandy made him happy. I’ve never begrudged him for choosing to start a different life.”
“Do you see Jackson or talk to him much?”
He nodded, pushing my hair back. “Yeah. We still talk about once a week. I haven’t seen him and Mandy that much since they moved away. They even have two rugrats now. We’ll have to take a ride this fall and go visit. They’ll love you.”
“I’d like that.” I smiled, the thought of a future with these men warming my heart. Bubba leaned down and kissed my lips, his beard tickling me.
“Do you get jealous?” I asked, curious.
“Not how you’re thinking. It surprised me how happy I was to see you loved and cherished. I was only envious I wasn’t the one to do it.”
“And now?” I asked, licking my lips.
His answer came in the form of his blowing raspberries on my neck.
Giggling, I pulled back, smoothing my hands over his face. A knock at the door stopped the words that wanted to spill out.
“Yes?” Bubba grunted, shifting so we were sitting up more.
The door opened, and Clive, one of the newer tattoo artists, stepped in. “There’s a man here to see you,” he said.
“Tell him I’ll be there in a second,” Bubba said, sighing.
“No. He’s here for Darcie.”
Bubba growled, making me laugh. I patted his cheek. “It will be alright, Bubba Bear. It’s not like you’re going to let me walk up there on my own,” I teased.
He smirked, barely letting go so I could stand. Clive watched us, stepping out of the way as we neared. All the employees were happy for Bubba when they saw us together. They all loved and adored him here, telling me how special he was. It had been unnecessary since I already knew it. It was still sweet, nonetheless, to see how much they cared about his happiness.
Bubba trailed a centimeter behind me, barely giving me room to walk. Chuckling at his overbearingness, I pushed him aside as I turned to see who was there for me.
My breath stopped as my heart raced at the sight. The world wanted to spin around me until I remembered to breathe. Taking a step, I was soon running toward the figure.
Their eyes locked on me, watching every move I made as I neared. I could hear Bubba shouting at me, but nothing would stop me from going to this man.
Without thinking, I jumped into his arms, my legs wrapping around him. His arms held me securely to his chest, a hand on my head as his lips fell into my neck. Tears streamed down my face uncontrolled as I held on for dear life.
“You’re here. You’re here,” I murmured over and over.
“I am, Princess, I am.”
His hand rubbed up and down my back, my tears slowing. I pulled back, bracing my hands on his face, looking him over.
Maddox King looked older than when I last saw him. His eyes were darker with shadows, and I wondered what he’d been through. I kept touching his face, his hair, wherever I could reach, just to make sure he was real.
He chuckled, the sound soothing my heart. “I’m real, Princess.” His eyes shifted over my head, and I had a feeling whom he was seeing. “I think your bodyguard wants to kill me for touching you,” he whispered, smiling.
Exhaling, I tapped his arm to put me down. The urge to kiss him was strong, but this wasn’t the place. Nor did I know if he still wanted me that way. Landing on my feet, I turned, taking his hand and leading him over to where Bubba was scowling against a wall.
“Waylon, this is Maddox.” I lifted my eyes, trying to communicate now was not the time to cause a scene.
Maddox stretched his hand out to Bubba, offering an olive branch. “It’s nice to meet you, man.”
Bubba glared down at the offering, his possessiveness coming out to play. Stepping away from Maddox, I wrapped my arm around Bubba and squeezed.
“Play nice. I’ll explain.”
Bubba grunted, raising his hand to shake with Maddox’s. Now that was settled, I knew we had a lot of talking to do, and the shop was not the right place.
“Waylon, can we take lunch now and head over to the garage? There are some things I think everyone should hear.”
Bubba glanced down at me, his eyes moving over my face. After what felt like a lifetime, he nodded. “Yeah. Let me tell the guys.”
He stepped away, then turned, pulling me to him. Bubba kissed me hard, leaving me slightly breathless as he stomped back to the office.
Maddox coughed, a laugh wanting to spill out. Looking at him, I crossed my arms.
“What?” I asked, daring him to say something since he’d been gone for a few years.
“Nothing. Just seems I make the big guy nervous.” He lifted an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the showdown too much.
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my bag from the front desk as Bubba returned.
“Want to ride with me, Princess?” Maddox asked, probably to ruffle more of Bubba’s feathers. Bubba snorted this time, a smile appearing on his face, knowing what I would say.
“Nope.” I grinned, reaching in and grabbing my keys. “But you can ride bitch with me.”
Bubba chuckled, heading toward the door and opening it as I approached. Maddox stood stunned for only a second before spinning on his dirty motorcycle boots and heading toward me. He wore a huge smile that I couldn’t help but return.
He’d understand what it meant for me to have my own bike again more than anyone.
“Lead the way, Princess,” he said right before Bubba let go of the door in his face. Snorting, I shook my head. I shouldn’t be enjoying their little digs at one another so much, but I was.
Maddox laughed, shaking it off, and headed toward his bike. I stopped, staring at the Harley Davidson Low Rider, needing to appreciate the beast's beauty. It had been a while since I’d seen the bike, nostalgia coming to the surface as I smoothed my hand over the leather seat. Even Bubba stopped to give it an appreciative nod. They might not like one another, but you didn’t disrespect another man’s wheels.
The drive to the garage was quick, the three of us riding together, with me at the helm. It felt more natural than I wanted to admit leading them. The thought of Brooks and Cowboy joining our lineup made my skin tingle in anticipation.
Now that would be a sexy image. Me on my bike, leading four hot-ass men on motorcycles behind me.
Oh yeah. That needed to happen. And then a group orgy at the end.
Wait. What? I was getting ahead of myself. I wasn’t sure where Maddox stood or if he was even back for good. He had his own missions he was working on, and I wouldn’t stand in his way. It wasn’t how we worked.
Pulling around to the back of the garage, I soaked in the sound of our bikes together as we parked, my pussy throbbing in response. Seriously, I might have a problem. Probably just inhaled too many exhaust fumes. Yeah, that had to be it.
Brooks immediately came out of the garage, a smile on his face as he wiped his hands. He didn’t hesitate as I stepped closer to wrap me in his arms and kiss me. And as had become custom, as soon as he was done, Grayson twirled me into his, giving me his greeting.
Breathless and more turned on, I glanced back at Maddox, wondering what he thought. Surprisingly, he only watched me with a curious expression. There was no disgust or judgment at all in his expression.
“Brooks, Grayson, this is Maddox, my dearest and oldest friend.”
Brooks' eyes shot to mine, happiness filling his eyes at the name. He was the first to step forward, offering his hand.
“Hey, I’m Brooks. Darcie has told me a lot about you. I’m glad you found her.”
“Nice to meet you, Brooks.”
Grayson stood back, assessing Maddox, glancing at Bubba to gauge his response.
He stepped forward, keeping an arm around me as he shook Maddox’s hand.
“So, what’s the occasion?” he asked, looking at me.
“I figured we should all talk, and it was easier to do it here. Is your office free?”
Grayson searched my eyes before nodding. “Sure thang, Sunflower. Lead the way.”
We all gathered in the office, taking up positions. Bubba leaned against the door, and Maddox took a chair, that shit-eating grin still on his face letting me know he found this whole situation hilarious. Brooks sat next to Maddox in the other chair, and Grayson pulled me with him to the one behind the desk.
Everyone was quiet, and I realized they were waiting for me. Taking a deep breath, I turned to Maddox.
“There’s a lot that’s happened since you left. But to bring you up to date, Agonizer is looking for me; I might’ve killed Chase, and I’m in a relationship with these three men.”
Maddox’s smile dropped as he shifted forward, his face changing to one of concern and perhaps a little fear. I didn’t know which part worried him—the three men I was dating or our past.
“I’m glad I got here when I did then. It seems we have a lot to discuss.”
Nodding, I sat back, needing Grayson’s arms to comfort me and show Maddox I trusted these three with everything.
“Start at the beginning. What happened once you left me in Nashville?”
Maddox nodded, his eyes piercing mine as he filled in the blanks.