CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
-:- PENNY -:-
A happy, excited smile spreads across my face as I rub my hands together, pleased with what I've accomplished. I talked to Winter and scheduled my first archery lesson next week. I can’t wait, and being able to take Arabella along with me is great, too.
While I spoke with Winter on my mobile, Jo happened to overhear it.
Actually, she was listening in, and thought she could do it too.
Therefore, with Jo as a partner, I can spend a half-hour with Winter and the crossbow while Jo watches Arabella is what I’m thinking.
“What are you grinning about?” Ruger asks as he kisses my neck while holding my back to his front, and wrapping his arms around me.
“I didn’t tell you I booked my first lesson with Winter for next Thursday afternoon.
I’m going to have the afternoon off work; I’ll sort that with Everlee and the bosses first. Jo is coming along with me so she can watch Arabella.
You will be at work, so Jo will watch Arabella while I have my lesson.
Then I’ll wait for Jo while she has hers.
” Turning in Ruger’s arms I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him softly.
I love the tender kisses we share; they always make my stomach wobble.
“Well, I can’t say I wouldn’t have liked to have been with you, but work is work and I’m teaming with Dallas and Pryce this week.
They are doing great, and they should be okay to go it together from next week.
Nobody looking over their shoulder,” Ruger grins, and I know from that look he and the others have been giving Dallas and Pryce a hard time.
“How is Pryce?” I am curious as Pryce has had fights with his grandfather about joining BaronsSecure Services.
Ruger kisses me again, nibbling my bottom lip, and you know I can feel he’s smiling as he’s doing it.
I nip his bottom lip to stop him, and he continues speaking.
“Pryce is doing great. He has fit easily with Dallas. They are like siblings, arguing and yet having each other's backs. They are going to make one hell of a team given time. Pryce told me his Gramps won’t speak to him. But he’s determined to make his own way from now on. ”
“The problem with his Gramps was not letting go of control when Pryce wanted to make changes. You can’t expect someone at his age to continue doing as he’s told.
He, of course, wants to throw ideas and try things that may improve the place.
But he’ll find it very different working security.
He’ll be outside more and not be at the beck and call of someone wanting a drink or anything else.
” I can’t help but feel Pryce has far more to give than being a server at his Gramps' place.
“He’s doing great. Colton and Holt are thrilled with how he’s doing, as well as Dallas. Okay, I’ve gotta check on the house. You have a good day, babe, and I’ll see you later. Oh, I’ll get Punkin before I go to work and bring her back here to the clubhouse.”
“Okay, Ruger, tell Nyx to enjoy her evening.” I know she has plans with Colton tonight, which includes a new set of lingerie she’s purchased.
Later in the morning, I bump into Lincoln and Arrow as I step into the canteen for a fresh mug of coffee, and a cinnamon roll that I know Magnus will have tucked away somewhere.
“Hey, Pen.” I give Lincoln a frown because every now and again he calls me Pen and not Penny. I don’t even think he realizes he does it because it’s only occasionally that it happens. “You getting good at slinging your tasers?”
Rolling my eyes at him because he’s role-playing a gunslinger, taking his guns out of holsters at his hips. Arrow is smirking at him, and I keep a deadpan face as I stare at him.
“Oh, come on, it was funny. She pissed her pants,” Lincoln continues.
“Well, I can give you a demonstration if you really want to see it. Let’s see if you piss your pants?” I cock a brow, and stop the smirk when Lincoln jumps back, both hands up in surrender much to Arrow’s amusement.
“I told you not to fuck with her,” Arrow laughs, pats my shoulder and continues walking past, while Lincoln keeps his hands up and sidles past me.
Shaking my head as they walk away because I can hear them talking about mace and tasers and women that have sass, and more attitude than they can handle.
Leaving the canteen a few minutes later with a tray that has two coffees and two plates with cinnamon rolls. I hope Everlee likes cinnamon rolls because I’m trying to watch my waistline, but if she doesn’t eat her roll, there is no way that I won’t finish them both.
Before stepping into my office, I see Bones again peeking around the corner. Sighing, I quickly drop the tray off in the office, much to Everlee’s surprise, and head back to see what Bones is doing.
“What are you up to?” I ask with a quiet voice, and watch as Bones calmly turns to me, not a bit of shame on his face for being caught again.
“Well, now we have two different women I have to make sure are here for the right reasons,” Bones looks me right in the eye.
“You sure that’s what you’re doing?”
Giving me a dirty look, Bones responds. “Hey, you don’t think I’m some sort of pervert do you?”
“Well, you are sneaking around. Peeking around corners and you’re only doing it with women!” I exclaim.
“What…wh…n…” that’s all the bluster he manages before he storms away muttering about not being a pervert, or anything else that’s sleazy.
Calming myself because I’d love to laugh loudly about what just transpired, but I don’t want Scarlett or Jordyn to be worried Bones is inappropriate. I will speak with Ruger about it and see what he advises I do, or should I ignore it and let it play out?
“Scarlett, Jordyn, are you both okay?” I ask as I near them.
Scarlett gives me a bright smile as she replies. “We are doing okay, Penny. Jordyn now knows where I keep everything. The schedule I’m running shows what gets cleaned, when and how. The place will be spotless from now on.”
“Excellent. You are happy with everything Jordyn?”
“I am, thank you, Penny. I’m still following Scarlett to see how she likes things done, and I’m ready for my rotation starting next week,” Jordyn clasps her hands in front of her, and I can see she has a few nerves running.
“That’s great. You will both be on at the same time some days, so I’m sure you’ll soon get to know everything. I’m always available to you, as is Everlee in the main office.”
“Oh, I had my tattoo done, Penny. Do you want to see?” Scarlett glows as she asks.
“Yes, please,” I quickly reply, and when she takes out her phone, finds a picture and turns her phone to me I can’t help but smile. She has lillies, butterflies and bows on her left ribcage. It is beautiful, and the artist is amazing. “Oh, my, that is beautiful, Scarlett.”
“Lilies were my momma's favorite, and she planted bushes in the garden to encourage butterflies and bees. So, this one is for my momma.”
I wrap an arm around Scarlett’s shoulders and give her a quick hug. “I love it. I’m sure she would have too.”
“Oh, she would have hated it,” Scarlett laughs. “She didn’t like tattoos at all, so she would have loved the design but not the fact that it was a tattoo. I am showing I love her even though she’s been gone quite a while, yet still rebelling.”
“I need to get mine done. I wonder if I can be fitted in for one evening? I could say we are having a girl’s night or something? Or what about Saturday afternoon after my archery lesson? Do you think your person could fit me in?”
“Penny, you are Ruger’s Ol' Lady, gonna be his wife. The tattoo shop is Rolling Thunder Tattoo Shop, and ReUse is a brother of the club. You will get top priority. Let me give them a call, explain and then get back to you.”
“Okay, thanks, Scarlett. I know what I want, and I want it to be a surprise for my wedding night.” I grin at the thought of what I want and what Ruger’s reaction will be.
The rest of the day buzzes past, and I’m thinking Everlee is trained enough for me to speak with the bosses. She is so capable I think I shot myself in the foot when I employed her. But, I’m okay with it because I have a sneaky suspicion I’m going to be working only two days a week soon, anyway.
“Penny, do you have a minute?”
Looking up from where I was picking up my purse, ready to leave for the day, I smile at Scarlett. “You are not still at work? You should have gone hours ago.” I’m shocked to see her still here.
“Oh, I’ve been gone and came back. I’m picking up a curry that Magnus made today.
I’m having a night in, watching TV and eating a well-made curry,” Scarlett says with a brilliant smile on her face.
“But, I wanted to tell you I spoke with ReUse, and he is happy to book you in whenever you want your tattoo done. He’ll keep it a secret as will Hashtag and Siggy.
The only thing is he and Hashtag won’t do it as they want to keep their hands and their lives, so Siggy will do it for you, because she’s female,” sighing and rolling her eyes.
I get her drift because the brothers and women at the club are not just crazy, they are territorial about their partners, too.
“I’m thinking he’ll see it if I have it done too soon. But how about I have it done two days before the wedding. I can hold him off for that long.” I look at Scarlett and she’s smirking, as she’s obviously got my drift. The blush rushes to my cheeks, which, of course, has her laughing.
“That’s a good idea. I’ll get it booked for you, and if you need Jordyn and me, I can keep you hidden and an excuse for you being gone.
We can look after Arabella so it looks like she is with you.
A bachelorette party would cover it. I’m sure the ladies from the club would help cover up what’s really happening,” Scarlett mumbles the last to herself more than me, but she’s right I can ask Star, Jo, Mia or all of them.
“Leave that with me, Scarlett, because I’m speaking with Mia on Sunday, and I can include this.”
Sunday came around far too quickly, and it’s not going to be long before the wedding. I’ve done some of the training that everyone does on a Sunday morning. I’m not sure I like all this physical exertion; it’s damn tiring and has my legs and arms feeling like they are going to fall off.
Sitting with Mia in a corner of the common room, she smirks at me. “The Sunday mornings get easier with time, Penny.”
“That’s if I’m not dead first,” I moan, which has her rolling her eyes at me.
We ran through the details for the wedding, and it’s going to be awesome. It’s different, and I can’t wait to see all the men’s reactions to it. Although Mia said Axel knows and said he’s only wearing his kutte and that’s it.
BS staggers past, and he’s sweating up a storm. Kya is walking behind him, shaking with laughter. She rolls her eyes as she passes us, showing she’s not worried about him at all.
“Buzz has BS running because he’s not as fit as he should be. Cardio BS, that’s what you need,” Mia says the last in an imitation of Buzz’s voice, which of course, has me giggling.
“Let me ask you about a fake bachelorette party,” I start to say, but when she gives me a finger to her lip to be quiet, I look up and see Knuckles is sitting at the bar. I don’t think he’s earwigging, but how do you know?
We talk about her twins, and the mischief they get into. Summer, who is growing up fast, and Arabella who is also starting to love everyone here.
“They could be besties in the future,” Mia smiles.
I nod. “It is such a nice thought, and with the twins, Hunter, Harrison and Quinn all of them will have friends to rely on.”
Knuckles walks away with his mug and heads into the kitchen. Mia then quickly asks. “What bachelorette party?”
“Well…” I fill Mia in on the tattoo I want done, and needing cover so Ruger isn’t suspicious. The ideal cover would be a bachelorette party, but where to have it?
“This is great. I love what you want done, and I’ll speak to Kya when she’s finished with BS as she’s organizing all the girl gang stuff now.
I’ll get her to update you,” Mia grins, rubs her hands together and pats my knee.
“This is going to be fun, because we can have a party while you are getting lots of pricks.”
Her comment about pricks had us both looking at each other and laughing until tears were running down our cheeks. It’s the relief I needed, and by the look of Mia, she needed it, too. Patting my leg again, “Come on, let’s go outside and see what the kids are up to.”
What we didn’t expect was to see the Three Stooges and Nyx’s four dressed in ladybug costumes.
But, to top it all the kids were dressed as ladybugs, too.
But the laughter that is coming from all the kids makes me very grateful that these people are in my life.
Arabella is with Bitty, and Arabella is laughing so hard her cheeks are bright red.
Looking around, all I see is family, there is no other word for it.
Each helping someone else, or talking, laughing and teasing.
One twin is being chased by Star's father, Richard, and is squealing with joy.
Ultimately, I'm happy to be here, and I trust Arabella would be looked after if anything happened to Ruger or me.