21. Bronco
21
brONCO
“Then what happened?” I ask Olive as we drive toward the clubhouse. She’s explaining her day with intense detail, and though she’s well and truly missing her mom, I can tell she’s fitting in and making the best of it. She’s a good kid, quick to learn, as well as polite.
“Our teacher, Ms. Phelps, was so embarrassed, but everyone knows that she and Mr. Edmonds have been dating for a while now. She said yes, and then we all clapped and cheered.”
Coach Edmonds and Olive’s teacher got engaged today in front of the school when he dropped down onto one knee and popped the question. The kids were all extremely excited, and Ms. Phelp’s blush resembled a tomato, according to Olive.
“I’m glad she said yes,” I laugh. “Or poor Coach Edmonds could’ve been in a bit of a pickle.”
“He was smiling from ear to ear,” she announces, giggling.
Titan pokes his head through the console of my truck, and Olive turns to pet his head.
“Even Titan wanted to hear the story.” I grin.
“How come you’re collecting me today, Bronco?”
“Your Aunt got stuck at work, and I was in the neighborhood.”
“Huh.”
“What else did you do in school?”
“We had arts and crafts, and some boys called me Olive pit.”
“You know boys are dumb sometimes?”
She sighs. “Yeah, I know.” Then, “Bronco? What’s your real name?”
I give her a side-eye. “How do you know it’s not Bronco?”
“Don’t most of the other men in the motorcycle club have nicknames?”
Clearly, I’m outmatched. “Yep, they do. I know a biker called Dufus.”
She giggles. “Really?”
“Nah, but I do know one called Hubcap.”
“And I know one called Meatloaf.”
“I thought he was a singer?”
She giggles again, clearly having no idea who I’m talking about.
“My real name is Torin,” I tell her. “My brother is called Ansel. Our mom has weird taste in names, but it means chief or leader in Irish Gaelic. I know what your name means, aside from the obvious; olive tree.”
She turns to me excitedly. “What does it mean?”
“Its Latin name symbolizes peace and friendship. Olive is named after the goddess Athena who used an olive tree to win against Poseidon,” I say. “Champions used to wear olive wreaths, worn as a symbol of victory. Then biblically, the dove returned to Noah’s ark carrying an olive branch in its beak. From then on, the olive branch was known as a symbol of peace. Ever heard of the expression to extend an olive branch?”
“Yes.” She smiles with her eyes, absorbed in my story.
“That’s where the expression came from.”
“Wow, how do you know all that?”
“I like woo-woo stuff,” I laugh. “That’s what my mom calls it. She’s into reading palms, medicinal herbs and crystals and stuff. Plus, I was looking up Amber’s name one time, and thought I’d check yours out.”
“What does Aunt Amber’s name mean?”
“It’s from an old Arabic name meaning Jewel.”
“Jewel,” she whispers. “That really suits Aunt Amber.”
“It does. And get this, in the bible it means divine glory.”
“You’re really good at this. What about Titan?”
“It’s Greek for great strength. Before that, he was named Diablo, which is Spanish for devil; he didn’t like that much, so I renamed him.”
“I really like Titan.” Olive pets his head as he tries to get farther in the front on the console, but he stops his movements, realizing he’s too big.
The dog in question then lolls his head to one side, knowing we’re talking about him. He settles his head back down and closes his eyes, letting out a sigh like he’s hard done by.
“I think he likes you, too.”
By the time we get to the clubhouse, Olive has used my phone to google all the meanings and origins of her friends’ names. I’ve gotta hand it to the kid, she’s enthusiastic.
“I can’t wait to tell Cami and Ella.” She beams.
I don’t have the heart to tell her they’ll be here tonight, but not for the reasons she thinks. Still, as long as all the kids are safe, what does it matter? There’s plenty of bedrooms upstairs in the clubhouse, and Cash and Deanna will open their home with its three extra bedrooms, for couples with little kids. Trouble is, everyone is getting pregnant around here, and Audrina is ready to drop any day now.
I pull up in the lot and we climb out, letting Titan out of the back. He immediately runs toward the nearest tree and pees on it. Olive giggles.
I’m anxious to see Amber and calm her. She sounded worried on the phone. While I can’t exactly tell her what I did to Oswald — who’s now at the bottom of the bayou — it seems as if the hits are coming from all sides.
The fucking Cut City Boys are still at large, teaming up with the Disciples to try and infiltrate into New Orleans undetected. Clearly catching Oswald was a blessing in disguise. Erica is on the run from gangsters in Chicago, who likely want to get the money first, before killing her. What the fuck is next? Not wanting to jinx myself, I touch the black obsidian around my neck. It’s always brought me protective energy and helps me tap into my inner strength. It hasn’t let me down yet.
Glancing sideways, Olive slides her hand into mine. My throat thickens. She’s a sweet child, but very much still a child. Trusting. Innocent. And she’s under my protection along with Amber. It was always meant to happen this way.
“Am I allowed to call you Torin?” she asks as I sling her backpack over my shoulder.
“Not if you expect me to answer.”
She giggles, letting go of my hand to run ahead, trying to catch up to Titan.
I can’t stop thinking about Erica. She’s in fucking Baton Rouge, and I need to go there. It’s one thing staying here to protect the women, but how do I explain to Amber that Erica’s life is in serious jeopardy if we don’t act quickly? If we found her, then so will the gangsters looking for her. Sure, Rock and Jett haven’t pinpointed her exact location yet, but they will.
I debate leaving the clubhouse. Amber and Olive will be safe here, and Cash won’t let them go anywhere. The only trouble is, Amber will want to come, and I can’t have that. She’ll get in the way, and if these assholes aren’t already on Erica’s tail, they soon will be.
When I reach the clubhouse doors, Olive and Titan are already inside, careening through the space as Olive calls out for Amber. By now, there’s a ton of Harley’s in the lot, trucks, and some of the ol’ ladies’ SUVs.
As soon as I spot Amber behind the bar, I don’t even hesitate. Walking behind, I take her into my arms as Olive takes off to find her friends. Since Indigo is sitting right at the end of the bar, Cami won’t be far away.
“How you doin’?” I press a kiss to her forehead. Any preconceived notions about faking our relationship seem to have gone right out the window.
“I’ve been better. Can we talk?”
“Of course, they can look after themselves for a while.” I lead her out of the bar toward the back where the offices are.
Cami and Olive are already talking excitedly about the “sleepover” at the clubhouse as we pass by.
“I’ll be just a minute, okay, Ollie?” Amber says.
She nods. “Okay, Jewel.”
Amber looks up at me. “What’s that all about?”
I gruff a laugh. “I was talkin’ in the car about names and what they mean.”
“You know what my name means?”
“Sure I do. It’s also an organic gemstone, not a mineral like some people think. It’s made from fossilized tree resin.”
“You have to stop talking like that.” She grins. “You’re turning me on.”
I grip her hand harder, checking to see if Jas’s office is free as I glance around. When the coast is clear, I pull Amber inside and close the door.
“What happened today?” she asks.
“Like I said, lockdown is for everyone’s safety and a temporary precaution.”
She places her hands on her hips. “Don’t spin me that bullshit, Bronc. I know you better than that.”
I run a hand over my face. “Shit got real today, that’s all you need to know.”
“Real how?”
“Like I said, we’re not takin’ any chances.”
“So that’s it? We slept together a couple of times, and now I just get left in the dark?”
“That’s not what this is. This is me keepin’ you safe.”
“What were the Cut City Boys going to do?”
“Amber.”
“Tell me. Please, Bronco, you can’t keep me in the dark. We’ve never played by those kinds of rules.”
“Yeah? Well things are different now.”
“Different?”
I stare at her. “If you even have to ask that, then that tells me everything.”
“Are we having a fight?”
“No. But we’re not on the same page with everything, clearly.”
Her eyes study my face and her lips part. “Did we go way past complicated?”
My lips twitch. “You think?”
She moves closer, her hand reaches for me and presses over my heart. “I don’t want you to think I’m just saying what I’m about to say because I want you to tell me what’s really going on, but somewhere along the lines, everything has become blurry.”
I don’t move a muscle. The heat from her palm is steady against the material of my shirt.
“I think I always knew, deep down, but I pushed it away. I was so scared of being hurt again. Of giving myself over to someone, not really realizing that I’ve been holding back, and for a long time that worked. But that doesn’t work anymore.”
I can’t help it. I cup her face with one hand, the soft swell of her cheek as warm as her palm. “I don’t want you to hold back. Say what you need to say.”
“But you don’t want to hear about the way the room spins whenever you’re in it. How I’m breathy and needy when I don’t see you for a day, and I’m counting down the minutes when I’ll see you again.” She grips my cut, and I let her. I need to hear this. “You don’t understand how it felt being in your arms, and you being inside me for the first time. How well we fit, how much I want you to stay every night, all the fucking nights, forever?—”
“What are you sayin’?” My heart is racing in my chest so loudly, I swear she can hear it.
“I don’t know how or when it happened, maybe it was the kiss-cam, or it could’ve been before, but I love you, Bronco. I’ve always loved you, and I don’t want you to run away?—”
I bend my head, closing the distance as our lips meet and we kiss with a newfound purpose. Hearing her say those words is like music to my ears. My heart feels like a bird that’s just been set free from a cage, soaring high.
“I’d never run away, Princess,” I mutter in between kisses. “I love you, too. I’ve loved you for so fuckin’ long that it feels like a lifetime.”
She moans breathily when I cup her face, deepening the kiss as our tongues meet. She presses her body against mine, groaning when my dick pushes into her hip.
“I love what I do to you,” she whispers.
“I love what you do to me, too. I’ll never hurt you. And trust me, I understand all of those things, because I’ve known it for a while.”
“You have?”
I press my forehead against hers. “Yep, not afraid to admit it. I guess we were right about one thing, though.”
“What’s that?” She smiles, pursing her lips.
“Fuck buddies just doesn’t work.”
She slaps me on the arm. “Friends with benefits, remember?”
“Same thing.”
“Jesus, are we really going to do this thing?”
“You know you can’t stay away from me.”
“More like I don’t want to.” She kisses me again, her hands roaming my chest as I grow harder with every movement.
“Glad to hear it. You know if you keep touchin’ me like that, we’re gonna fuck on Jas’s desk.”
“I think fucking on Jas’s desk is a rite of passage for most of the members,” she laughs.
I snort a laugh, too. “Can be quick.”
“Nope. You’re getting out of telling me what really went on.”
I sigh. I thought she’d lay off after our confessional, but I guess not. “There was a guy at the house last night, I’m sure it was when Titan barked and spooked him.”
She bites her lip, her face startled. “Really?”
“Yes. And he was with Cut City Boys doin’ their dirty work, followin’ the ol’ ladies just like that last time, tryin’ to find a way to get back at us.”
“Holy shit.”
“So you see now why Cash did what he did?”
She nods, tears brewing in her eyes. “Why are they doing this?”
“Because some got away and slipped under the radar, then another gang from Mississippi saw an opening in the neighborhood and thought they’d step on in. They won’t. Bane will see to it that they never cross state lines.” I stroke my thumb over her cheekbone where a single tear falls. I bring my thumb to my mouth to taste the salty speck. “I can’t have people hangin’ around the house at night, or anytime. They’ve been watchin’, and we can’t take the chance after Audrina’s ordeal.”
“Oh, my God.”
“So when I tell you that you need to let me handle the thing with Erica, you gotta trust me that you’re safer here. I don’t want you or Olive in harm’s way. I know you want to help, but I don’t want to be worryin’ about you when I have to leave.”
“You’re going to go after her?”
“If Cash okays it, then yes.”
Her lips part as she swallows hard. “I can’t let you do that, no, it’s dangerous. These Chicago gangsters?—”
“Are just like the gangsters we deal with here. Need to find out more about this Olgetti family, but if they’ve got a large operation, Cash may just agree to pay them out rather than takin’ matters into our own hands. It’ll only bring more danger to the club.”
“I hate this,” her tone is barely audible as she buries her face into my chest. “I hate that I can’t just talk to her, tell her to come back and we’re here for her, no matter what.”
“She wanted to settle her own mess, and she thought she was doin’ the right thing. I can only imagine how scared she is right now, and I can’t stop thinkin’ about it. Olive needs to have her mom back.”
“I agree with you, but this isn’t your mess to fix. It’s not the club’s either.”
“And it’s yours?” I question. “You didn’t play any part in this, babe, just remember that.”
“But she’s my family…”
“That doesn’t mean any of this is your fault, okay? I can’t believe you carry all this guilt and shit around with you. You gotta let me in if we’re gonna make this work,” I say. “You gotta give me all of you, not just the parts you think I want to see. I want all of it.”
“You want more?”
“Oh, I want a lot more.”
“I’m trying,” she breathes. “But with you it’s effortless. I fell under your spell when we kissed properly for the first time at the game, but I knew something was up when I was mad at Cupcake for flirting with you.”
“I don’t want her?—”
She places a finger over my lips. “I know that, but I still wanted to scratch her eyes out.”
“So you’ll listen to me and stay here when I go find Erica?”
She draws a long intake of breath. “Is this the part where I go all ol’ lady on your ass?”
I press a chaste kiss to her lips. “No, it's the part where I bend you over the desk.”
“We can’t, Bronc. Olive is just out there, and might I remind you we’re in the middle of a crisis.”
“I can work fast.”
She shakes her head, but her hands move to my belt buckle. “If I protest about you going to Baton Rouge, will you listen to me?”
“Nope.”
“Just like that?”
I smirk. “I won’t be goin’ alone, so stop worryin’.”
“I’m afraid,” she admits, unzipping me. “I just want her home.”
“And she will be, but it’s better for us to find her than the Olgettis.”
“You do too much for me.”
“I do it because I love you.”
She grips my dick. “I’m doing this because I love you, too, not because you’re doing dangerous shit for me.”
I grin. “Who cares? It’s worth it. Lock the door.”
She bites down on her bottom lip, then crosses the room to do just that. “Jas is going to kill us.”
“Jas won’t know, we’ll be fast.”
“I need you, Bronco. I love it when you’re inside me. You make all the bad stuff go away.” She yanks down my jeans and I groan when she grips my dick.
I would love to push her down onto her knees, fuck that pretty mouth of hers in record time, but then she won’t get off and we can’t have that.
“Fuck, I love it when you tell me what you want.”
“I want you. I want you so fucking much.”
I walk her backwards until her back hits the door, pinning her against it. I undo her jeans, yanking them and her panties down to her knees. “Gonna be hard and fast.”
“Get on with it then.”
I grin, then spin her around as she yelps, placing her hands on the door. I pull up her t-shirt so it’s rucked up, yanking her bra down as I palm her tits. “You want this big cock inside you, pretty girl?”
“Hurry, stop teasing.” She sticks her ass out and I chuckle, stroking my thumbs over her erect nipples. I wish I had time to worship them all fucking night long.
“Such a badass.” Without warning, I line up, sliding my cock inside her pussy to the hilt. I’m a bastard. She’s not even lubed yet, but I’m thrilled when I feel how slick she is from our dirty talk.
She mumbles incoherently, begging me in raspy breaths for more. Harder. Faster. Take me, Bronco.
I do just that. Pounding into her wet heat with every ounce of my being. Feeling like I’m the richest man in the world because of her words. She fucking loves me, and I love her. Finally, we can be honest about how we feel and it’s like a weight has been lifted. She’s my dream woman. She’s everything.
“I love you,” I mutter into her hair. “You’re so beautiful. This pussy belongs to me.”
“Oh.”
“You got me?”
“Yes,” she whisper-cries. “Oh, Bronc, yes, baby. Right there…”
I place my hands on her hips, pounding like a fucking lovesick fool, my balls slapping her pussy with every thrust. Her ass pushes back against me and one day, one day I’d love to take that little peach, too.
This is feral. Needy. Both of us panting and cursing as I get my fill. Not that I could ever get my complete fill of her.
Nothing and nobody is ever going to get in the way of our happiness. With every single beat of my heart, I’ll keep showing up for her, letting her know that she can depend on me no matter what.
After all, it’s the least I can do after all that she’s given me.