Chapter 8
Vex
Iguide Loyal and the twins to a table in the clubhouse with the DRMC women and then stumble my ass into the kitchen.
“Holy shit, what happened to you?” Rider asks, side eyeing me.
Blinking, I rub my eyes to focus, for some reason I’m seeing two of the big bastard.
“No use rubbing your eyes. What you are seeing is correct,” Wire says on his way past with coffee in one hand and one of Mama Debs’ donuts in another.
“Did we?” I mumble, looking around for my chapter brothers.
“Yes, it appears we got ourselves a Rider,” Dex answers drily.
“He’s fuckin awesome, cher! You know that he’s walkin ‘round missing half a nipple?” Damian asks, looking around at us like this is the most mindblowing thing he’s ever heard.
“Ignore them. They don’t understand real greatness or celebrity. Do you know when it happened the little kids wouldn’t even share their cookies? I was injured, man!”
“Savage cruelty, mon ami.” Damian shakes his head sadly.
I stare at them a moment longer, then decide coffee is more important and those two are starting to creep me out. Moving to the machine I pour a large cup, not even doctoring it any. I need it black.
“Rough night, brother?” Sniper asks, and I’m surprised by the interaction.
“Let’s just say it was long.”
He raises a brow in question, and I take a long gulp, letting the warm caffeine flow through my bones for a beat.
“The girls were so excited by their new room that they were up far too late singing karaoke. And I use the word singing very loosely.” He snorts, taking a sip of his own coffee before waving me on.
“The prospects did a seriously amazing job on the redecorating, but there was only one bed in the master bedroom.”
“And? You want Loyal to be yours, don’t you?”
It’s my turn to raise a brow while he takes a gulp. “What makes you think that?”
“I have eyes? Fucking good ones?”
“Yeah, I want her. But I don’t want to rush her.
She’s not had the best life, man. And now she’s working to become an EMT and I don’t want to stifle her in any way.
I want her and I’ve told her as much, I just have to make sure she wants the same thing and that she isn’t going to put off her dreams to make me happy.
It’s what she’s conditioned to do. Shit, it’s what all the women we rescue have been conditioned to do. ”
Sniper leans on the counter, studying me for a moment in silence. “Her programming must have been shit then because she’s the one that was smuggling women to your sister. She’s still doing that now with people like Nell and her daughter.”
“Wanna know what I think?” a voice says from behind me.
“Not really but I know you’re gonna hit me with it, Love Prez.” I turn to find Pops standing in the pantry cupboard doorway, Mama Debs behind him.
“Wait, have you two been-”
“Shut it Rider 2, none of your business.” Pops barks at Damian who just grins back.
“I think you should acknowledge Loyal’s past, then forget about it.
You know the girl that she was. You’re only just learning the woman she is now.
So, take your time getting to know the woman.
I mean, shit, kid, you’ve got her on a silver platter at the moment. ”
“He’s right,” Tank butts in. “This is what Mira calls the ‘forced proximity’ trope. Two people with the feels find themselves thrown together in a situation where they have to spend time together. And you said there was one bed, yeah?” I stare at him while Sniper nods the affirmative.
“Ah, yes, the ‘one bed trope’. This is a great one but terrible at the same time.”
“How so?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
“You want her to be your woman but you want to take it slow. You know who doesn’t want to take it slow? Little Vex,” Tank says, waving his hand at my junk.
The junk that seems to always be half hard around Loyal.
Not last night however. Last night he was hard as fucking rock.
It was almost painful having the sheets rub over him and then this morning when Loyal threw her thick thigh over me, the soft skin brushing over my sleep shorts had me leaking enough precum in my boxers that I had to change them before coming here for breakfast.
“So, what do you suggest I do?” I know I’m the chaplain, but I’m seriously going to struggle protecting those little girls if my dick is going to keep me up all night.
“Listen to the Love Prez, brother. Shoo, even I know that and I’m new here.” We all stare at Damian while Rider stands beside him grinning.
“I can’t believe we have two of the big, blonde, ridiculous fuckers now,” Pops mumbles before slapping Mama Debs’ ass and leaving the kitchen.
“Good luck with that,” Sniper says, tipping his cup at me and following behind Pops.
“Vex! Me and Marx need a word.” Dex calls out, even though I’m standing right here. He turns on his heel heading toward his office. I move, coffee cup in hand.
“We’ll make it quick, don’t want your woman exposed to the Girl Gang for too long,” Marx says as I follow behind.
I try to blank my mind to what might be happening out in the common room right about now. But I mean, it’s 8am in the morning, surely that’s too early to cause trouble?
I hesitate for a moment before walking into Dex’s office.
I know in my mind that it’s no longer the Prophet’s office.
Gone is the dark ornate wooden furniture, the fucking crosses everywhere and tapestries that told of his importance.
In its place is slick, modern office furniture.
A sleek black desk with a cosy looking CEO chair behind it.
The guest chairs in front of Dex’s desk look space age and the leather couch looks soft enough to sleep on.
“Shit, I think I need to get me this kinda set up. Everything in my office smells like fucking cigarette smoke and lube.” Prez raises a brow at Marx. “Not that I do either of those things in my office. Fuck off,” Marx growls.
I snort and take a seat, looking at Prez, Marx standing behind him.
“How did last night go? The kids settle in OK?” Marx asks, not beating around the bush.
“They were pretty wired once they saw their room. Fucking Damian and Justice blew my mind with that room.”
Dex snorts. “From what Justice said, Damian has dated a lot of moms.”
I bark out a laugh, “Why am I not surprised?” Shaking my head I figure I’ll have to share the shitty stuff.
“The rest of the night was pretty rough once we put them down to sleep. I was hoping the excitement would tire them out, but fuck. Those poor little girls. From what I could make out from their cries and screams, it was bad. Really fucking bad.”
Dex curses under his breath and Marx looks ready to strangle someone. “How was Loyal? I know this will be tough on her. I’ve already seen the soft spot she has for the rescues.”
“She rallied. She did so fucking well calming the girls each time. In the end we all camped together on the couches in the living room.”
“Did you and Loyal share a couch?” Dex asks, looking curious.
“Ah, yeah we did. The girls were on the two seater together,” I answer, not sure why that’s relevant.
Marx and Dex share a look before snorting. Assholes.
“OK, so here is where we’re at. Fox heard from the DA that’s working this whole fucked up case late last night and they want the girls in Texas testifying as soon as,” Marx says.
“So what does that mean? Are you taking them back with you?” I ask, looking between my two Prez’s.
Marx shakes his head, “Not until we have everything hammered out. The guy that killed their mom is one of the dirty cops Fox and Nitro have had eyes on. Word has it he’s in the wind so the plan stays the same.
They’ll stay here with you and Loyal. When the piece of shit turns up the DA will be in touch and you’ll have to head to the town courthouse.
They’ll have all the shit you’ll need to have the girls testify via video. ”
“Wait, why can’t we just have Wire set that shit up here so we don’t have to go anywhere?”
“Love the brother Wire, but it’s a legal matter. Has to take place in a government building.”
I run a hand down my face, keeping them safe in public is a little harder than keeping them hidden at the Keep, but it is what it is.
“I’ll wait for the call. Until then I’ll be spending time with the twins and Loyal.
I figure the safer I can make them feel, the more confident they’ll be when the time comes to get up on that stand. ”
“And that’s why you’re the chaplain, brother,” Marx grunts with a nod.
Dex grins at me then tips his chin, essentially giving me permission to head out.
Moving down the hall I come to a stop at the mouth, my gaze moving around the room.
Family, friends, everyone mixing and mingling, laughing and teasing.
Bree and Addy are dancing around with Nell’s daughter Greer, Cove and Jovie with Chomper dressed in a tutu at their feet.
I snort, never in a million years did I think when we gave that little gator to Chewy that it would end up being the most pampered gator in the world.
Shaking my head my eyes land on Loyal, head thrown back in laughter.
My chest aches at the sight and I know that no matter what happens I’ll work my ass off to make sure she has that level of happiness. Whether she chooses me or not.
Loyal
“And that’s pretty much how I got my van,” Chewy beams at me from across the breakfast table.
Looking around I make sure the girls are nowhere nearby. I blink twice to try to process what I just heard when a snort has me looking at Mira.
“It’s a lot, right?” the tall blonde grins.
“Um, yeah, kinda.” I actually had no idea what a Batman or a bobblehead was until Remy leaned over and showed me a picture on her cell phone. “How did you fit a Batman bobblehead where you did?” I ask.
“That was 90% skill and 10% divine intervention I’d say,” Chewy replies, eyes in the direction of her man who has their daughter on their lap.