Chapter 9 #3
“No making out with my baby sister in front of me,” Judge gripes as he approaches.
“Rusty and Hammer, take that bitch to the crypt and make sure she knows where she stands, then let her go at the town border. She’s never to step foot back in our territory, or she dies next time.
” He then gives the other guys their orders before turning back to me.
“As for her knowing that stunt, I watched her do that on her trainer when I was down in Eastport this past fall. I thought the guy was going to shit himself when she came up over him prepared to knock him out.” Judge chuckles as he wraps his arm around Evie.
“Come on, food is ready,” Boost says from the door, and just like that, everything is over.
We return to the kitchen and sit around one of the tables with a massive lasagna between us. Lyra and Boost join us, along with Spike, and we all eat together as a family.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Evie asks Ruby, and my body tenses up. I don’t want to hold her back or lock her down, but I don’t want her out there where this Kurti guy can get to her.
Law walks in and takes a slice. He’s my next person to talk to. Judge has said that he knows who this Kurti guy is, but we don’t want to talk in front of the girls.
“I was planning on checking out town. I’ve heard rumors that a couple new places have opened. A bakery and some other stores.”
“Babe,” I start, but Judge interrupts me.
“They will have a full member, along with the new bodyguard that Hammer hired. She’s female and primarily Evie’s, but she’ll be there with Ruby too.”
No one questions Judge, but we’re talking about my woman’s safety. “I’ll make sure she has her own detail.”
“I’ll do it,” Boost offers. “If not you or Spike, it will be me.”
I turn to stare him down. I’ve never doubted Boost’s allegiance, not since his crazy beginning, but again, this is my woman. When he doesn’t flinch, instead looking me in the eye, I know he’ll protect her with his life if necessary, so I give in. “Okay.”
After we are done, the ladies all stand up and begin cleaning up while we head to Judge’s office with Law in tow. This isn’t church, but it’s just as serious for us.
As soon as the door closes behind me, I take stock of all the guys in here: Hammer, Spike, Law, Judge, and myself. Judge will forward information to Loco, who is currently keeping an eye on the girls along with Boost. Spike or I will fill Boost in.
“I haven’t been able to reach Cameron,” Law starts. “He’s currently en route, from what I understand, so this topic is still closed because of attorney-client privilege. What I can tell you is that Kurti is the name of an Albanian family.”
My blood runs cold; the Albanians were the ones following Ruby. Also, they’re the ones I went after in revenge for the attack. They’re the group we have a treaty with. Gashi was the family that initially came after Ruby, but Bersha is the current head of the Albanians.
“Are the Kurtis associated with Bersha? He was the one Justin owed money to,” Judge supplies.
“I can’t answer that,” Law says cryptically. That’s when my dam bursts.
“Look, Law, you’re either faithful to us or to your client.
You can’t be both. We need to know who this involves.
This Kurti has put the Knight family, all of them, on his hit list.” I move from my position braced against the door to stalk across the room toward Law.
He doesn’t back down and stands to his full height as well.
“The club is the client in this case. I can’t say anything until Cameron or Swede gives me permission. That’s the way it is. That’s the way Swede wanted it. This is old business that even I don’t know about.”
I step back, my legs faltering. There is only so much old business that Swede wants the lock left on, and it involves Ruby. My blood runs cold for a moment. This is more dangerous than any of us thought. Holding up my hand, I stop Law.
“We need Swede here because if this is what I think it is, it’s on him.” I shake my head, upset that by not finding that fifth man, he could be back for Ruby now.
Judge stands. “What the fuck, Torch? How do you know club business that I’m not privy to?” He’s angry, and I get it. I’ll be picking my ass up off the floor when he finds out I knew and didn’t tell him.
I want to tell him it’s not like that, but it is, so all I can say is, “I can’t break the former president’s word.” It’s the truth, but it’s also fucked up.
“You could lose your patch for this,” Judge threatens, but he and I both know they’re only empty words.
“Let’s wait until Swede calls, then we’ll decide. Until then, both girls need extra security.”
“I agree,” Judge finally gives in.
Law shakes his head at me. “I don’t even know the details of the case; how do you?”
“I don’t. I just know this could be associated with some things, including our treaty with the Albanians.”
“Your father?” Judge asks.
“Among others.”
“Okay.” Judge gives me that, because he knows my father’s murder was not only very traumatic for me but was also what started the war with the Albanians.
We adjourn and go in search of our women. We end up finding them in my movie room watching Maleficent, one of Ruby’s favorite movies. The dogs and Evie’s cat are all cuddled up to them on the sofa under blankets.
Something settles in my heart. This is what I want, and I’ll kill to keep it.
The girls plan to get together in the morning. I need to make an appearance at the factory, and Judge has a meeting with Law about the acquisition of the town’s mortuary and the land the cemetery sits on. Law is primarily a criminal lawyer but helps with club business when necessary.
When I finally envelop my woman in my arms in our bed, I roll her under me. “Princess, I don’t like seeing you fight. I’m glad you know how, but it’s my job to protect you.”
Ruby’s hand cups my cheek in that way that makes my heart melt. “Ben, I love you.” Finally, the words I’ve wanted to hear. “But you can’t always be there, and I need to be able to take care of myself too.”
Her words only stop me for a moment. “I love you too. I’ll be right back.” I kiss her quickly before jumping from the bed and jogging to the closet.
Opening the safe, I remove the tissue paper-wrapped piece of leather that Swede gave me before he left. Shaking it out, I walk back into the bedroom to find Ruby sitting up in bed.
“I told you I love you, and you rush out of the room. This had better be good, Ben,” she sasses, and I can’t stifle my laughter, my head falling back.
“Oh, it’s important.” I stalk toward her, and when I reach the bed, I hand her the cut. “Put it on. Your father had it made before he and your mother left for their cruise. He told me he suspected I’d need it sooner rather than later.” I chuckle again because he was right.
Ruby’s fingers trace her name on the front, with “Baby Girl” sewn just above it, before turning it over to see the Kings of Anarchy patch and Property of Torch rocker on top.
When she looks at me, tears collect in her eyes.
She slips it on over her naked body, and I can’t help myself.
I kneel on the mattress and flip her over to look at the property patch, then slam into her body, taking her fiercely and repeatedly before we both fall into exhausted sleep.
She’s mine, and no one will take her from me.