Chapter 6 Be Her Peace
SIX
BE HER PEACE
Rage
Fuck yeah! I rev the throttle on my motorcycle. Rose wants to come to the clubhouse with me. I’m buzzin’. My smile is wide on the way home.
When I pull up, I put my bike in the shed alongside the others and stroll into the clubhouse.
The men wanted a hand with building more of the deck and roof out the back, and I had already told them I’d help them out, so I had to leave her.
I felt like shit, though. The way she held onto me .
. . She wanted to spend time with me, or at least she felt safe with me. That’s a win in my book.
I go through the house and to the kitchen and grab a water from the fridge. I can hear the chatter from the men outside and the sound of a drill. Leaning against the fridge, I send a message to Rose.
Just checking you haven’t backed out and you still want to come to the clubhouse with me?
Yes, I do. I can’t explain it, but I feel safe with you and trust you.
If possible, my smile widens. I swear, she just fell from the sky like an angel that night when I first met her.
“It’s great to see you smiling again.”
I glance up to see Ava walking in. Ava is Reaper’s partner. He’s the president of the War Brothers MC.
It’s funny—I said something like that to Rose today. “I met someone and I really like her.”
Her eyes brighten. “Is it the woman from the night of the engagement party?”
I tilt my head. How does she know?
“Sorry, Axle and Viper cannot keep secrets to save their lives. It’s been all the talk around here.” Ava frowns. “Is she okay? I heard she was staying at Misty’s Safe Haven.” Her voice is soft, fragile.
Ava went through a similar experience with her ex, so she knows what it’s like. I’ve known her since she came here asking for shelter and safety. Her kindness reminds me of Rose.
I’m quick to get a feel for the type of person people are. I struggle to trust people, and I am honored that Rose trusts me.
“She’s hanging in there considering everything she’s gone through.
” She still manages to force a smile even though she’s bleeding underneath.
I’ve felt that many times before. “Her ex cheated on her with her best friend, and that’s why she was at the bar that night.
” I clench my fists; I’d love to go another round with him.
“He had the nerve to scare her because he found out she slept with me. His delicate small-dick ego couldn’t handle it, so I picked her up and took her to the shelter.
” I shake my head. “She was so shaken up.”
Ava puts her hand on my arm. “She’s lucky she has you in her corner.”
Hell yeah, she does. I look around so no one hears me. “You know how you got to stay here after what happened with your ex?”
She nods.
“Do you think if I ask the men if Rose can stay here, they’ll say yes?”
Her smile grows. “Of course they’ll say yes. I have no doubt.”
Relief surges through me.
A sharp, piercing wail cuts through the air. On the counter is the baby monitor. Hope, Ava and Reaper’s daughter, is crying in her crib.
“I’ll go grab her. You organize a club meeting.” She looks at the ground.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Just don’t rush her into anything. Be gentle . . . kind . . . She needs a friend right now.”
I nod. “I can do that.”
Do I want to have sex with her again? I absolutely do, but I don’t want her to think of me as an immature man who just wants to sleep with her.
She’s had to deal with immaturity throughout her relationship with her ex, and I can be better than him.
I can prove to her that age is just a number and that I can be on her level.
I rake my fingers through my hair. I didn’t know it was possible to fall for someone so fast, but I’ve wanted her ever since I first saw her, and I’m stubborn as hell.
“If the MC says yes, just make sure you have a conversation with Dolly about Rose. We don’t need any more complications with the sweet butts.
With everything that happened between Twitch and Milly, it’s safer to be clear with Dolly about what’s happening, and if any conversations about her feelings toward you come up, you need to be able to handle it before Rose steps foot in this clubhouse.
Rose needs peace . . . Be her peace, Rage. ”
“I will,” I reply. Though her words—“be her peace”—linger.
She’s right, and I will be that for Rose.
I think Dolly will be okay about it; she’s never shown an ounce of nastiness to anyone.
She’s a cool chick, always up for a good time, but Ava is right.
I can’t bring Rose into the drama, so I need to be honest.
Outside I see the men working together. Bomber is sawing the wood; Demon is directing the others, pointing at the deck.
Some of the men’s partners, including Milly, Elena, and Sophie, are drinking cocktails, looking like they’re having the time of their lives watching the men at work.
Probably because some of the men have their shirts off.
Those women are just as perverted as the men here, I swear.
As soon as Bomber sees me, he narrows his eyes. I flinch. He’s spoken to Zara. I’m going to get my ass handed to me. I can fight, but Bomber is a scary man even for me. I’d never lay a hand on him even if he did throw the first punch.
He walks toward me with quick strides. “What the fuck were you thinking?” he grinds out as soon as he reaches me.
Everyone stops and stares. I go as stiff as stone. I’ve never been on Bomber’s bad side before. Reaper walks over to us.
“Zara’s pregnant—do not stress her out even more. I can’t even get her to take a day off, and you’re going around punching people’s partners. You knew the rules!” says Bomber.
I start to respond, but Reaper puts a hand on Bomber’s shoulder and looks at him. “You go take a quick break. Grab a drink if you need to. I’ll chat with Rage.”
I look between them. Bomber storms back inside.
“Don’t worry about it,” Reaper says reassuringly. “He’s stressed about Zara and the baby right now. What happened?”
“It was the woman I spent the night with at Twitch and Milly’s engagement party.
But I didn’t know the call was from her.
I just got told from Zara to pick up a woman who was afraid of her partner.
She told me the address. I saw she had the same first name, but I didn’t think it was the same person.
When I saw her so shaken up”—I run a hand down my face as I clench my teeth—“I fucking lost it. But I only hit him once,” I add, hopefully making it sound not as bad as it was.
Did I feel better when he hit the pavement, out cold? Yes, I did.
Reaper rubs his chin, taking a moment. “I get it, but you have to try and compose yourself in the future with those calls.”
I put my hands up defensively. “The guy came storming toward me, yelling. I just hit him first.”
“If you defended yourself, then don’t worry. I’ll talk to Bomber. It’s got nothing to do with you—he’s just worried about his wife.”
“I wouldn’t say it was self-defense, but he came at me.” I’m honest about it. “I was just with Rose,” I add.
“Oh, you should have stayed with her.” He looks at the men building the deck. “We’ve got this handled.”
I wish I’d known that before I left. “I promised I’d help.” I don’t go back on promises.
He nods.
I briefly peer at the ground. “Do I have to organize a club meeting? I’ve got a favor to ask the club.”
He raises a brow. “What is it?”
I stand up straight. “Rose feels safe with me. Can she stay at the clubhouse with me?”
His lips curve into a slow smile. “She’s more than welcome. I’ll run it by the men, but there shouldn’t be any issues. When’s she coming?” He pauses. “You better tell Ava. She likes to make sure she has everything here and ready to make other people feel welcome.”
A deep sense of relief settles in. “I can pick Rose up now or tonight, if it’s all okay with everyone.”
His face turns serious. “As long as you talk to Dolly first,” he says firmly.
“I’ll go talk to her now.” I look around. “Do you know where she is?”
He shrugs. “I have no idea. Go check the living room. That would be my guess.”
“Thanks, I’ll go check.” I was too excited to talk to the men about Rose; I was oblivious to my surroundings.
I go back inside, past the kitchen and into the living room. I spot Dolly and Trixie on the couch in front of a laptop. I take a seat beside them, and they both smile at me.
“What’re you guys looking at?” I peek at the computer, surprised to see a house for rent.
“It’s time for us to leave the club,” Trixie admits.
I frown. These two women have helped out and been great while they’ve been here. “Why are you leaving?”
“Everyone’s finding their own partners,” Trixie replies, “and it has made us think about the future and what we want, so we’ve decided to pursue that. And it’s starting to get a bit cramped.”
She’s right. Everyone has found an ol’ lady but me and Cash. I peer at Dolly. “I’ll be sad to see you guys go.” We’re friends. We play stupid games like strip poker, and we have drinks and joke around a lot. It’s always been a fun time with them.
She offers me a bittersweet smile. “Leaving will be hard,” she says softly. “I heard you’ve been there for someone, and it sounds like she’s lucky to have you. You’re a good man, Rage. You deserve someone amazing. But . . . I think it’s time I find someone special for myself too.”
I reach over and give her a hug. “I’ve asked the club if Rose can come here because she’s still scared and she trusts me. Is that going to be all okay with you?”
She waves her hand. “You have nothing to worry about. I’m not going to chuck a Mercedez and threaten to kill myself.”
Trixie and I both flinch. That whole drama was crazy! Poor Twitch.
“Too soon?” Dolly says in a teasing voice, a smirk on her face.
It’s like a load has been lifted. Reaper is okay, Dolly is okay with Rose coming. So far, so good.
Ava walks by with Hope, so I get up and go to her. “I think I’m going to pick up Rose now.”
Ava smiles. “I’ll see if Elena can watch Hope, and I’ll get everything ready.
I’ll leave a bathroom towel and toiletries upstairs in your room to give to her.
We’re having a late lunch, early dinner—chicken and vegetables.
” She averts her gaze, lost in thought. “I hope she likes that. Maybe I’ll cook something else too, in case she doesn’t like it. I’d hate for her to go hungry.”
“It’s all okay, Ava.” I pat her on the shoulder. “I’m sure she’ll love anything you cook. Thanks for your help.”
I hear her muttering, “I have to check the spare room is clean and put new sheets on the bed.”
She’s great and I know she’s going to make good friends with Rose, but I hope Rose wants to stay in my bed with me.
I go out on the porch and send Rose a message.
It’s all okay with the club, if you’d still like to stay here.
I’ll pack my bag. I spoke to Zara and she’s reassured me everything will be fine and if I don’t feel comfortable, I can always come back to the shelter.
I’d hate for her to leave the clubhouse. I really need to make sure she’s okay when she comes here.
I’ll be there soon.
I put my phone in my pocket and stroll to my bike.
I feel like I’m high. I left Rose only an hour ago, but I’m antsy to see her again.
She’s intoxicating. I just hope she wants to sleep in my bed.
I had such a good night’s sleep when she was next to me.
That’s some of the reason I exercise so much—to wipe myself out so I can sleep okay—but with her, I slept like a log.
She says I make her feel safe. Well, she makes me feel .
. . feel something. I just can’t put my finger on what.
I curse myself and think of what Ava said.
If Rose wants to sleep in a spare room at the clubhouse, well, I have to offer that to her.
I’m not going to like it, but I need to focus on her and not myself.
For so long it’s just been me, but things are different now.
Those boobs, that round ass, those hips .
. . I lick my lips. I need to calm the fuck down.
My heart races. Damnnn . . . she’s got me all nervous and shit.
I’ve always been confident with women, but I guess I’ve never had to try before.
With Rose I’m going to have to pull out all the stops.
I want to prove that I’m more than just a biker and a fighter.
That she’s safe with me. I’ll protect her.
I’d walk through hell for her because she’s someone special. She’d be worth the pain.