CHAPTER FIFTEEN
-:- PENNY -:-
The evening has been horrendous, what with emptying the truck Ruger has from the clubhouse, to finding the fridge only has beer inside.
Looking at the small number of belongings, I feel somewhat depressed. I’m at the bottom and need to scrape up to the top. A pair of arms wraps around my waist, and a kiss is planted on the top of my head.
“What’s up?”
I lean back onto Ruger’s chest. “I was thinking about how little I own. The only way is up really because I can’t get any lower.”
“Hey, we’ll have our home soon, and we can fill it with things, love and laughter.
Bring Punkin up along with however many more kids we have.
I’ve asked PT to get all the information I need to apply to adopt, but he thinks we should get a move on with the wedding first. It’ll be easier if we’re married when I apply.
” Ruger kisses the top of my head again, but I’m struggling to follow him…
marriage…wedding…adoption! I’m not even going to ask.
The house is newly modernized, and it’s cozier than I would expect from a single man.
Looking at Lincoln, you would think ultra-modern, black, silver, or chrome.
Leather seating and a first-rate music system.
What you have in fact are single armchairs that are very comfortable, a music system that looks old and treasured.
Warm and inviting is how the house comes across as you walk inside, and I like it.
It shows a side of Lincoln you don’t expect, but makes you like him all the more.
“I’ll get the grill on. Lincoln’s brought some stuff over for us.
Said he was sorry he’d left the fridge empty.
” Ruger chuckles as he heads outside, and I make sure Arabella is settled in the playpen in the living room.
I put the TV on so she has some noise, but low enough I can still hear her blabbering to herself.
Lincoln walks into the kitchen and gives me a smile as he lifts a bag of groceries in each hand before placing them on the counter. “Sorry about the lack of food. I’ve got a few things to help tide you over for a few days.”
“Thank you, Lincoln. I have two freezers that we need to bring, which are full of meals and desserts. Not sure how we are going to do that?” I unpack the bags and place the items into the fridge.
“Don’t worry about the freezers. I’ll make sure they get brought over here. We can use one of the security vans because they are more than big enough to bring them.”
Lincoln heads into the living room and picks Arabella up, kissing and cooing, which makes her baby talk even faster. She loves everyone who pays her attention, and the more she is around everyone the harder she is trying to crawl. A real attention seeker, I’m thinking.
Lincoln takes Arabella outside, and he sits on a patio chair with her on his knee while talking with Ruger.
I make sure the beds are made up ready for tonight, and I’m surprised that in the smaller bedroom next to the master is a baby’s sleigh bed.
It’s a crib basically, but the ends are shaped like a sleigh bed.
It’s beautiful, and I’m amazed at Lincoln’s thoughtfulness.
Back downstairs I step outside and look at Lincoln, who raises an eyebrow at me. “You are officially Arabella’s Uncle Lincoln, and nobody will ever say differently,” I blurt out surprising Lincoln and Ruger, but Ruger grins at his brother, and I know I did the right thing.
“You hear that, Bella-Wella? I’m officially your Uncle Linc.
You bet I’m your bestest uncle, too. I’ll beat the ass of anyone that says differently.
” Lincoln is grinning broadly, and Arabella is giggling as she grabs Lincoln's tee and then slobbers all over him. But he doesn’t seem to care even though she grabs hold harder and pushes the tee into her mouth, biting down to relieve her gums I imagine.
“Congratulations, brother. You know it makes you a babysitter too, don’t you?” Ruger laughs.
“I don’t mind that at all. Come on, Bella-Wella, let’s get the formula and feed you.” Lincoln walks back into the house with Arabella. As I look at Ruger, he winks which reassures me he has no worries regarding Lincoln feeding Arabella.
My eyes search around the yard, but I can’t see anything wrong. I have an itchy feeling. Something is off, but I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe it’s just that I’m jumpy after the phone threat?
“Go inside, Babe. I’ll bring all this inside when I’m done.” Ruger continues grilling, and I head indoors, but I give one more look around before I walk inside.
Lincoln is sitting at the kitchen table. He’s giving Arabella her formula, and I can’t help but think how good he looks with a baby in his arms. “Lincoln, have you nursed many babies?”
Chuckling, he answers, “No, but I love this little critter. She’s so damn cute.”
“Well, you are good at looking after her.” I walk over to the fridge and take out the salad ingredients and quickly get started making up a bowl before Ruger comes in with the meat. “You know something feels off. I have an itchy feeling.”
“Off? I’ve not noticed anything. But you have had that threat, so we can’t take anything for granted. If you see or hear anything unusual, you call one of us. Do you have the can of mace I gave you?”
“Yeah, I’ve kept it and been carrying it around with me. But I think I may get a small taser instead. I’ll be able to keep that in my pants pocket.” I look at Lincoln and see he nods in agreement. “I’ll ask when I get to work in the morning. I’m sure we have some in stock for the team to use.”
“I’ll add this place to our patrol checks. But that psychotic bitch shouldn’t know you are here. I am big on feelings, so if you are itchy, then we take it seriously.”
Before Lincoln can say more Ruger walks inside with a plate of grilled meat. “Who is itchy?”
Lincoln replies before I can. “Penny. She is itchy, and we need to take that seriously. I’ll put this place on our patrol list. They’ll pass here a few times during the evenings.
Make sure you put the alarm on when you are alone, Penny.
It’s hot-wired to the security office, and if anything sets it off, we get an alarm sounding.
We’ll be here fast, but you need to see where all the weapons are kept hidden.
I’ll walk you through the house once we’ve eaten and Bella-Wella is asleep. ”
Once we’ve eaten, cleared up, bathed and settled Arabella, Lincoln walks both Ruger and me through each room.
I’m flabbergasted when he opens cabinets, turns furniture and paintings on the wall.
All revealing one type of weapon or another.
I will use them if I have to, to protect my daughter.
I would not think twice about saving her life.
The next morning after Nyx picked up Arabella for the day Ruger and I made our way to work. I had to be early as I am meeting Scarlett for her first day working with us.
“Morning, Scarlett.” I give her a warm and friendly smile. I like her attitude, and she comes across like a breath of fresh air. She’s dressed in black pants and a deep green t-shirt. Her hair is tidy, and she looks ready to start.
“Morning, Penny.”
Ruger nods and heads to the canteen. I’m sure he’ll be drinking his share of coffee today since he’s not on official work duties.
“Okay, let’s show you the room we have reserved for the cleaning staff.
You’ll be responsible for keeping it in order, and anything you need let me know and I’ll make sure I get it ordered.
” I open the door, and we both step inside.
There is a large sink, cabinets, and a corner that has a tall cabinet where I made sure a wet mop and bucket were stored.
“This looks good, do you have the signs for wet floors and such?” Scarlett asks and I open a second tall cabinet with a stack of floor signs inside. “Great.”
“Come on, I’ll show you where you clean, and where you stay away from.
Some areas are secured with biometrics, so you’ll not be able to enter anyway, but I just need you to know where to clean, and thoroughly.
” I take Scarlett around the building, showing her the corridors, and the rooms she needs to clean.
The basement, main security office, Delta’s office and storeroom are all off limits.
The canteen and kitchen are Magnus' domain, and even though I took Scarlett to meet him, he was quick to tell her he cleaned and maintained his own area.
I eventually leave Scarlett who is organizing the cleaning room, and head back to my office.
But come to a complete stop when Jo is pacing back and forth with a tablet in her hand, reading out loud.
“His hand lowers down her torso slowly to cause tingles across her skin. Goosebumps rise on her arms, and her nipples harden…”
“Jo, stop. I don’t want to be listening to all your sex stories. Honest to goodness there is no wonder Knuckles is always dragging you away somewhere. Give my poor ears a rest. If I have to hear anymore sex stuff I’m going to scream.”
Jo has stopped walking in the middle of the office, giving me a sad look. “But…”
“No buts. Go read out loud somewhere else. Preferably where no one can hear you. Honestly, you came here to spend time with Lincoln, but all I’m seeing is you in here talking sex.
” I’m ranting and I know it, but I’ve had it with all this writing.
This author stuff is exhausting, and I’m not even the author.
Huffing, Jo packs up the table and passes me, giving me a dirty look right before sticking her tongue out and crossing her eyes at me. I’m so shocked I say nothing as she walks out.
I follow Jo out of the office but come to a grinding halt when I see three brothers of the club that I know as Meat, Wings, and Chaos.
But what has me standing with my mouth dropped open is that they are dressed as Roman Centurions.
As they pass Wings stops long enough to place a finger under my chin and close my mouth.
“You don’t want any flies landing in there, Penny. ”
I snap my mouth closed, turn around and stomp into my office. I slam the door and snap the lock because I’ve decided this girl needs a break.
****
I’m not sure how long it is before I’m sitting next to Ruger drinking a mint tea in the canteen listening to him talking to Drake.
Drake grins. “They looked damn good.”
“Yeah, but Meat isn’t even supposed to be here, so what the fuck is he doing with Wings and Chaos?” Ruger responds.
“Don’t know and don’t care. They look amazing.” Drake chortles.
“I gotta admit, Lincoln’s face was a sight to see.
But when he ordered them out and to stay out until they were dressed like normal people and not raving idiots, I nearly swallowed my tongue.
Meat reared up like he was going to blow, but Wings' hand on his shoulder calmed him enough for all three to get out without a full-on fight erupting.” Ruger looks at me, winks, then continues.
“I’m not sure who would win in that fight, Lincoln or Meat. ”
I pick up my mug, take it to Magnus and give him a small smile. “At least you’re normal.” I kiss his cheek and walk out of the canteen, leaving Magnus with a shocked look on his face, right before he smirks at Ruger.
Colton calls me to the patrol office, and I’m introduced to four men.
“These four are Matt Davis, Travis Miller, Lee Harris, and Nelson Carter. They are working here as part of the patrol office, but also will work doors at TJs and Club Whisky. I wanted to introduce you so you would not think we had strangers walking in and out of the place.”
I give them all a greeting and make my way out of the office. I’ve really had enough for the day. I know where I can have a minute… “Delta?” I whisper.
Delta turns from her seat, where she’s always glued to the monitor. “What’s up?” Dramatically whispering back to me.
“I need a minute. Can I hide in here?”
“Close the door.” Delta looks at something on her monitor and then clicks her keyboard. “There, no one will bother us for a while now. So, why you hiding?”
“It’s been one of those days. Did you see the three idiots dressed as Roman centurions? Honest to goodness I thought my mind had gone.”
Delta giggles. “I caught it on the monitor, and I’ve preserved the feed for future entertainment.”
“It’s a total madhouse, isn’t it?” I ask as I take a seat.
“Well, I’m away from most of the stuff that goes on, but I see a lot. Like Jo and Knuckles keep disappearing into the store room.”
“Oh, no. We’re going to need to put a lock on that door. I don’t want to walk in on those two going at it like rabbits.” I rub my forehead because a headache is going to happen, I’m sure.
“I agree with you on that, Penny. I monitor the storeroom because it has the business stock in it. I’ll make that happen.” Delta gives me a grin and a wink.
“I’m going to call it a day. I’ve had enough. Any idea where Ruger is?”
Clicking a few keys, and checking the monitors, we finally see Ruger in the canteen, head back against the wall, eyes closed, sleeping soundly.
I don’t particularly want to disturb him as he’s been so busy the last few weeks, but I do want to get home, and we have to get through the old lady crazy before we get home.
That’s a daily dose when we pick Arabella up, but they are all so good with her I would never complain that they are demented or just plain crazy.