CHAPTER TWO
-:- RUGER -:-
I’m going to slap Penny’s ass if she keeps this ignoring me shit up. Colton thinks it’s highly amusing and has been grinning at me on and off all day. I’m seeing him as I pass through to grab things for Hammer that are needed for the basement job.
Lincoln has said nothing, but he’s seeing all that is happening. A raised eyebrow here, a smirk there lets me know he is finding this funny to watch.
Bones and Arrow, however, keep giving me hints of how to win Penny over. But, I’m going to just keep doing what I’m doing. I’m having a key to her place made and she’ll find out I’m very persistent, and she’s not going to be able to scrape me off easily. In fact, not at all.
Walking through reception, Bentley and Wren are working on the computer system Bones has set up.
They can make appointments for clients to see one of the bosses, which of course are Lincoln, Bones and Arrow.
So far they have booked a few appointments, and are building a database of basic costs of what the business will charge.
That way, they can skim off people that don’t want to pay the price.
For those that genuinely cannot afford it, the business is looking at payment plans to give these clients an opportunity.
I watch Penny teaching the two how she wants the reception area to be, and then she leaves the reception area, giving me a smile as she passes. Well, that’s encouraging I think to myself.
Hammer is standing with his hands on his hips when I return to the basement, carrying the equipment he’d asked for. Sting and Brag are sending smirks my way, so something is going on!
“What’s up?” I ask.
Hammer snorts, “What’s up? What’s up is you are leaving the team to join security. You are part of the main construction team. The four of us have built this from the ground up. Now, you think you’ll just fuck off and do something else?”
Now, I have to say Hammer is about screaming at me by the time he finishes his rant.
I take a deep breath before responding. “Hammer, I’m wanting to be around Penny.
I’m having some stubborn issues with her.
But I’ll get her onboard with being my woman.
I just need a little time. So, I’m staying here, so I’m underfoot and handy if any fucker thinks they can step in on her.
Once I’ve got her chained down, I’ll come back to construction. ”
Lunchtime and I’m heading back from the local diner. I paid to have a bowl of Mediterranean salad made with a slice of lemon cake to finish. I hold back the smile but feel fairly damn pleased with myself. I’m hoping this will earn me some good luck points.
“Come on, babe. I have brought lunch,” I hold up the bag with the lunch inside, and give Penny a massive smile. I don’t give her the opportunity to decline either. I take her arm gently, leading her out of what is now her administration office and to the canteen area.
“I don’t have much time, Ruger. I have a lot of work to wade through this afternoon.”
Kissing Penny’s nose, I watch as a blush rushes up her cheeks, and chuckle to myself. “You’ll have time to eat. Nobody expects you or anyone else to not have a break at lunchtime. Now come on, take a seat and let’s eat.”
“Thank you, Ruger.”
“Ruger is my handle. My legit name is Craig and you can call me that if you would prefer.” I hope not as I prefer Ruger, it’s who I am now. But an ol’ lady should know her man’s name. “Craig Smith at your service.” I grin after informing her and watch as she absorbs this information.
“Well, Craig Smith, I think I’ll continue calling you Ruger. That is who you are to me, and if I’m truthful with you, I don’t see you as a Craig.”
“Good, that’s good.” I kiss Penny’s forehead before sitting again in my seat and finish lunch. To my surprise, Nyx arrives and takes a seat at our table.
“Sorry for butting in, but I need the key to your place, Penny. Arabella shit so bad that it covered her lower half. We have bathed her and washed her clothes, but as soon as we redressed her she did it again. I need to pop over to get her some clean things. Oh, Stitch has taken a look at Arabella and said she’s okay.
She just must have eaten something to set her off.
” Nyx grimaces but gives Penny a questioning look as she holds her hand out.
“Oh…I need to go to the locker room and get the key. Wait here and I’ll be back in a few minutes.” I watch as Penny rushes away, then turn my attention back to Nyx.
“So, Ruger, how are you doing with the ol’ lady, Penny, idea?” Nyx is giving what is a genuine look, and not one of those sarcastic, I’m gonna laugh at you, ones.
“I’m trying. I’m going to be working security here, so I’m around more. She can’t ignore me if I’m working as part of the business. I’m bringing her lunch, as you can see. I keep checking in at her house in the evening. Just being in her space,” I admit, but I’m still not sure it’s enough.
“Penny is a little scared of relationships after that asshole. Show her how much you care. Treat Arabella well. She’ll come around. I’ll do my bit for you, Ruger.” Nyx pats my forearm, trying to comfort in her own way. “I’ll get you that copy of the key to her house. But don’t tell her it was me.”
“Oh, I’ll not give up. She is mine, and so is Punkin. Thanks, Nyx. I’ll see you later and get the key.”
“I’ll get it done today and let you have it sometime tomorrow.” Nyx jumps to her feet as Penny returns, and taking the key, she makes a swift escape. I clean up from lunch, kiss Penny thoroughly, then walk away whistling merrily.
Saturday came around quickly, and it’s my day to do as I like. I’m going to look at a plot in the compound. Put my name down and maybe think about plans for the house I’d like built. I’ll discuss this with Penny because she’ll be living there with me.
Handing my dishes from lunch to Amelia, we both turn when we hear screeching coming from outside. Of course, our curiosity gets the better of us and we peek outside.
How the fuck did she get in here? “Oh, fucking hell!” I growl as Amelia grabs my arm, giving me a fierce look.
Eden rushes over to us and cringes. “Sorry, she got in the gate when I entered.”
“Is she here because of you, Ruger?” Amelia asks and all I can do is nod because I’m watching the drama that is Rosemarie. “Well, you stay here and I’ll deal with the little shit.”
Amelia steps back into the kitchen, and comes out a moment later carrying her cane, and she now has Bitty, Sybil, Mia, Star and Jo behind her. All looking like they want to kill someone. But out of them all I think Star is the one I’m most worried about.
Now, I’m not scared of much, but watching these women haul ass to confront Rosemarie is a very frightening sight. Amelia is the first to reach her, and swings that cane with no sign of caring if she maims someone or not. I keep myself hidden behind Meat’s smoker and watch the drama play out.
“Get out of here. Ruger has a woman, and a decent woman. He has no use for someone like you.” Swinging that cane again. Rosemarie takes a hit on her shoulder and gives out a loud screech, which has Jo covering her ears while frowning.
“Are you crazy coming to a biker compound screaming about some misguided idea you have about one of the brothers?” Mia asks, well more like shouts. “You need to get gone before we decide you can be gone for good. You get me, lady?”
“He’s my man. We are together and he needs to stop following that bitch and her kid around.” Rosemarie is hysterical at this point.
Bitty steps up, swings her arm and slaps her across the face. Feigning sympathy, Bitty calmly murmurs, “Calm down, you’ll give yourself a heart attack, hernia, or something else disgusting.”
Richard, Star’s father, appears from goodness knows where. “What’s going on, Star?”
Star, bouncing on the balls of her feet, looking like this is the best afternoon she’s had in a long time, replies, “Well, this woman says she’s Ruger’s woman, but we all know she’s not.
Ruger is Penny’s and Arabella’s. So, we know this one is here to cause trouble, or she has mental health issues. Oh, that’s a worry…”
Now, before any of us can do or say anything, Star rushes away shouting, “MEAT BABE! WE HAVE AN ISSUE.”
Richard shakes his head, and we all hear him mumble, “For fuck’s sake!”
Sybil who has been quiet up to this point, turns and gives me a look, and I’m not sure if she’s trying to say I’m a coward for hiding, or if she’s thinking I’m clever for not letting Rosemarie know I’m here.
Spinning around fast, Sybil steps to Rosemarie, grabs her by the neck, and whispers something into her ear.
Rosemarie’s eyes pop so wide I’m surprised they don’t fall out of their sockets, but she nods right before spinning and running as fast as she can while wearing stupid high-heeled shoes out of the compound.
Straightening from my hiding place, Sybil walks past with all the women behind her, and as she passes she mumbles, “You're welcome.”
Richard stops beside me. “So, this was all your doing?”
“Seems it could have been,” I sheepishly reply. “But to be fair, I had told the stupid woman I was done and to leave me alone. She’s a damn stalker and I may have to do something drastic to get rid of her.”
Patting me on the shoulder, Richard chuckles. “It’s a young man’s problem. Nobody wants to stalk me these days.”
I look at Richard and can see the sparkle of laughter in his eyes, and I can’t stop the chuckle that escapes.
“Come on, I’ll get you a drink.” That’s how I amble into the clubhouse and get roaring drunk with none other than Star’s father.
But through that drunken haze, I watch Star instructing Meat on how to get rid of stalkers. Jiminy Cricket, she’s a badass.
A week later…
I’m officially working for security and have a fucking uniform.
Now, no-one had indicated we would have to wear uniforms, but I notice Penny keeps giving me a close look when I’m at work.
I have been to the barber, had my hair cut short on top, and shaved on the sides.
My beard was trimmed and the fucker even did my eyebrows because he said they were too bushy.
Fuck me, I felt like an idiot when I came back to the clubhouse, as everyone took the piss out of me about the eyebrows.
I’ve followed Penny to pick up Punkin every evening, taken meals, and used the key I got from Nyx.
Which surprised Penny. But she didn’t make too much of a fuss about it.
Progress, I’m thinking. I’ve changed Punkin a few times now, and got the hang of keeping her in one place while I change her diaper.
It’s tricky when there is a nasty mess in one I have to tell you, and it fucking stinks.
The freezers have come in handy, as I have gotten into the habit of taking out whatever is needed for the next day before I leave for the night. But this is going to have to stop soon, ‘cause I’m ready to move in and keep my eye on them both.
Friday again and Penny is working with Arrow and a new client. It’s time to leave and my evening shifts start next week. With that in mind, I tell Penny not to worry about Punkin, and I go over to the house to pick her up.
Walking into the kitchen, Nyx is laughing with the elderly ladies, and you know you walk in here and it is comforting. They are great ladies though they are extremely mischievous, we have that with the Three Stooges and some of the brothers, so it’s nothing to be concerned about.
“Good evening, ladies,” I throw out jovially as I walk inside and check Punkin is ready to leave.
“Hi, Ruger. Is Penny busy?” Joan asks as she hands me Arabella who is sleeping soundly.
“Working late with Arrow and a client. I’m going to take Punkin and get her bathed, fed and put down. Has she been good?” I kiss her forehead and she puckers her lips in her sleep before smacking those little lips as though she’s feeding.
“Of course, she’s perfect. We went to that kid’s play place today, you know the one where they have bouncy things, and mini tables and stuff. It wasn’t very nice to be honest, so we didn’t enjoy it much. The noise made Arabella cry. We didn’t stay over twenty minutes because of that,” Tina scowls.
“Oh. I’ve not been to the place. You’ll not be going again?” I tuck Punkin close to my chest as I pick up her baby essentials bag.
“No, it wasn’t our cup of tea, and not Arabella’s either. We’ll take her swimming next.” Sandy opens the door for me to step out, meaning I should get gone.
Nyx giggles and walks me to Penny’s vehicle, which I use when I pick up our girl. Arrow will drop Penny off when they are finished, so I don’t have to worry about her getting home safely.
I’m going to stay at Penny’s starting next week, and she’s going to have to suck it up.
She’ll not be able to stop me as I’m on duty patrolling from ten p.m. to six a.m. I can sneak in and nap on the sofa until she leaves for work, then I’ll climb into her bed and breathe in her aroma as I sleep. I can’t wait.