Chapter 50 Daisy #2
Glee streaked through my being, and I hung onto his arm as we hurried up the five steps that fronted the old church and up to the double doors.
A bouncer was there, grinning wide when he saw Cash coming. “I hear congrats are in order, brother.”
Cash didn’t shirk or hide. He simply pulled me closer to him. “Yep. Luckiest man alive. Jonah, meet my wife, Daisy.”
His grin widened. “I see what all the fuss is about.”
Redness flashed. I didn’t think I would ever get over that, but still, I managed to mumble, “It’s really nice to meet you, Jonah.”
“You, too.”
Cash gave him a jut of his head, and Jonah widened the door.
We stepped into the throbbing darkness of the club.
Awe wisped out of me.
“Oh wow…this is gorgeous.”
Lights strobed from over a dance floor that only had a few people on it at this time of night, dancing to the DJ’s music while it looked like a few people were setting up on the stage for a band to play.
Colorful lights rained down from the vertical stained-glass windows that disappeared into the vaulted ceiling.
The far-right wall had a bunch of secluded booths, and up closer to the door were high-top round tables, while on the left side was a long bar that took up the whole thing.
A crush of people pushed up to the carved mahogany, and a slew of bartenders worked behind it to fulfill the demand.
“This is not what I was expecting.”
Cash’s hand tightened on mine. “And what were you expecting?”
“I don’t even know. A few people loitering about in a dingy club?”
Cash let go of a rough chuckle as he began to lead me into the fray. His mouth dipped near my ear so I could hear over the raucous din. “I won’t tell Kane you said that. This place is his baby.”
“I just heard something about dives…” I kind of shrugged.
“Yeah, he owns a few other bars in town that are pretty much that. Soley used for funneling money through. But this place he wanted legit.”
People seemed to part as we came, getting out of Cash’s way, even though he didn’t say a word.
“It seems your reputation precedes you,” I whisper-shouted.
“Deep down, I think people know. It’s instinct.”
“Have you looked in the mirror?” I raised my brows with the tease.
“Never.” Mischief played over his mouth, and I leaned into his side as he guided me along the line of the bar toward the back.
“Oh my gosh.” My hands went to my mouth to stop the gush of surprise.
The entire back left corner was decorated.
A big, shimmery silver backdrop hung from the wall, and white balloons and flowers were everywhere. It was a major contrast with the dark, seductive vibe of the club, but still, somehow fitting.
A bunch of round tables were situated behind the rope, each adorned with bouquets and balloons. Food tables and a private bar were on the side, and in the far back was a large horseshoe booth.
But it was the people standing behind the rope, cheering and shouting their congratulations as puffs of confetti were shot off, that completely obliterated my heart.
My broken heart that had been empty for so long.
And now…
Tears blurred my eyes as I stood there with my hands over my face, overwhelmed by all the love.
Then a squeal of laughter ripped out of me when Cash suddenly swept me off my feet and tossed me over his shoulder.
“Cash Cunningham.”
“What? You dared me.”
“Everyone is going to see my behind.”
“Nah, baby, this behind is mine.”
He had one big hand over it as he carried me through the opening in the rope. Everyone clapped and laughed while I burned the reddest red.
It didn’t matter since my spirit soared.
Then Cash basically flipped me over and let me slide down his front, my back to his chest as he wrapped himself around my waist and rocked me back and forth.
Joy.
So much joy.
“Welcome to the family, Daisy Cunningham.” He murmured it at my ear.
There was no stopping the tears then, not when the girls surrounded me, all four of them pulling me forward to encircle me in a raving ball.
Laughter rolled free.
“We are so happy to get to call you sister,” Raven said, her dark eyes full of emotion.
Emery brushed back a piece of my hair. “The way it was supposed to be. All five of us together.”
Softness took over Charleigh’s pretty features. “I believe we were all drawn here. That this place—these hearts and these men—called us from out of the darkness. Pulled us out from where we were trapped and guided us toward a sublime destination.”
Triumph filled Piper’s expression. “It was a battle for all of us, but it is the best fight I’ve ever fought, and I’m so thankful for every single one of you.”
Everyone nodded, caught in a moment of awed appreciation, and I turned to look at Cash, who was surrounded by the guys, though his eyes were on me.
I was so ready for it.
For this battle to be over.
For us to step into the sublime.
Raven smacked her hands together. “I do believe champagne is in order. It’s time to get this party started.”
The band played from the stage, the energy alive and upbeat.
We remained within the confines of our area that I learned was always reserved for the family, all of us dancing to our own beat.
Laughing and drinking.
The food delicious and the mood sweet.
But it was Cash’s hands that were fire. Gliding over my body as he danced behind me. His presence profound. His lips running up and down my neck, his touch greedy as we gave ourselves over to the night.
He kept filling my ears with everything I’d longed to hear.
“You’re so sexy.”
“Can’t take my eyes off you.”
“Have loved you my whole life.”
“How’s it possible I have you?”
I let go in it. Swished my head from side to side as I ground my ass against his cock that had remained hard the entire night. His body a rigid storm, though his smiles were easy and his eyes were light.
I leaned against his chest, his heart hammering into my back, his breaths emitted at the curve of my jaw.
Bliss.
Bliss.
Bliss.
We danced that way forever.
I was a sweaty mess, stumbling around with laughter rolling out of me, intoxicated from both the champagne and the euphoria of the night.
With a big grin, I turned to Cash. “Your wife needs to pee.”
Amusement tugged at one side of his mouth. “If you want me to get you out of those panties, all you need to do is ask.”
I softly smacked his chest. “This isn’t code. I really need to pee.”
Soft laughter rolled from him, and he took my hand and pressed it to his chest. “Then your husband is happy to escort you.”
He threaded his fingers through mine and started to slip through the crush, his eyes continually scanning as we moved through the drove of people that had flocked to Kane’s. The crowd had doubled since we arrived, and now the place was packed shoulder to shoulder.
Cash led me to the far side of the club and down a hall to the doors at the end. “I’ll be right here,” he told me.
I gave him a nod and slipped inside, giggled as I peed because I couldn’t seem to stop.
I washed my hands, then fumbled back out and right into Cash’s waiting arms.
He murmured, “Need to get you home. Not sure I can take not being inside you for a second longer.”
He gripped my hand and hauled me back through the club.
I didn’t know what it was, but I stumbled a step.
Dread slicked my flesh.
A slow crawling of dread.
My breaths went short as I tried to figure out what had tripped me up.
Fear bubbling up from the depths, I peered into the riot of faces.
“What is it?” Cash was suddenly standing in front of me, his words hard.
“I…I don’t know.”
Every muscle in his body went rigid as he shifted to look behind him. Eyes like a predator’s that prowled through the crush.
He turned back to me. “Did you see something?”
I blinked. “No. I…I think maybe I’m just being paranoid.”
Worried I was going to lose something when I just found it.
Cash turned around to hunt again, standing like a fortress in front of me for the longest time, not caring about the strange looks we were getting.
Finally, he grabbed my hand. “Think we need to get out of here.”
I gave him a tight nod, and he hauled me to the sectioned-off area where our family still danced.
My mind nearly blipped out when I thought of them that way.
The magnitude of it almost more than I could receive.
“We’re gonna call it,” Cash grunted toward River.
Everyone’s heads snapped up, instantly aware that something was off.
River lowered his voice, his dark gaze sweeping the area before he demanded, “What’s going on?”
Cash barely shook his head. “We didn’t see anything, but Daisy got a strange feeling. I think we need to bail.”
“You want an escort?” Theo asked, aggression bunching the sinewy muscles in his body.
“No, I’ve got her. Just think we need to go.”
“It’s late anyway,” Raven said, far too bright.
I gave them all tight hugs, murmuring my appreciation and love, before Cash took my hand and pretty much dragged me through the mass and out the door.
His attention swept from side to side. Power undulating off him in waves. A strength unlike anything I’d witnessed before.
When he seemed content there was no threat, he pressed me to the wall in the shadows and kissed me hard.
Desperately.
With a fear that terrified me. “Won’t let anyone get to you, Daisy. I won’t. You’re mine. Forever.”
Cash dove back in, pressing me harder to the cool blocks of the building as the heat of him lit an inferno.
He groaned into the anguished kiss, his tongue lapping at mine and his hands framing both sides of my face.
“On the back of my bike, now.”
My head spun, unable to keep up with his commands.
He swung on, a beast at the helm, his entire body vibrating with greed and fury as he kicked it over. He helped me on, my body against his, and he took off into the night.
The powerful engine howled as he flew up the road.
My stomach was in knots. Uncertainty and need. My fingers curled into the front of his shirt over his stomach as I panted into his back.