Chapter Six #2
I licked my lips and turned my face away for a moment while I gathered my thoughts before returning my gaze to his.
“I know you can’t tell anyone about us right now.
When you can, I’d like to have wedding rings.
For both of us. I want everyone to see you’re taken.
I know it might not make a difference. The women at the clubhouse will probably still try to tempt you.
I can’t say that I blame them. But you said you’d be faithful, and I believe you. ”
“Rings. A tattoo. How about I do both? And soon as it’s safe for everyone to know about you, I’ll have a property cut made for you.”
“Who makes them?” I asked.
He paused. “Actually, Midge made a few of them. The old woman at the diner? I can talk to her. See if she’ll make one for you and keep it a secret. She already knows you’re here.”
“I’d like that.” I kissed him, then bucked my hips against him. “Now go shower before we end up getting distracted by other things. You don’t want to make a poor impression on the woman and kids.”
He winced. “All right. If I have to. I’d rather stay here with you, though.”
I shook my head and smiled. “Go, Halden. They need to meet the President of the Devil’s Boneyard.
Make them feel safe. Wanted. Considering your past, you know how important that is.
Treat them… the way you’d want your club to greet me.
It’s obvious he has feelings for her. Don’t be a shithead just because you can be. ”
“Bossy wench,” he said, growling softly. He nipped my bottom lip before kissing me, then rolled off before I could grab hold of him.
Charming left, and I heard the water running a few minutes later.
I found another movie to watch and wished him well when he left the house.
No matter how badly I wanted to go peek out the windows, I didn’t dare.
He’d kept all the blinds closed, doing his best to keep me hidden, and I’d not chance anyone spotting me.
Not after everything he’d done regarding my safety.
* * *
Charming
I stood in Phantom’s yard with Scratch, watching for him to pull in with the newest additions to the club.
Scratch’s two boys were across the street with their noses pressed to the windows of his house, waiting to see their potential playmates.
I liked that the club was growing. Just wished the lot of us could figure out how to follow the rules when it came to our women.
I couldn’t fucking gripe too much, since I had told no one about Dakota, and I was already married to her.
I’d called Midge before I’d left and given her Dakota’s size. She knew where I got the leather cuts and had an embroidery machine she used to make the patches. She promised to have it done by the end of the week. I couldn’t wait to see it on my wife.
“You didn’t give him too much shit about this, did you?” Scratch asked. “You know, we all fall hard and fast when we find the right woman.”
“I know. And honestly, I’m glad he got them out of the hell they were in. Not too happy about the potential trouble knocking at our gates, but it is what it is.”
He gave a nod toward the road. “Here they are now. Try to remember your name, Charming, and don’t be a damn ogre.”
I mock-punched him in the shoulder. “Asshole.”
Phantom pulled to a stop in his driveway and got out.
The woman and children followed, and I could see the fear the boys tried to hide.
I didn’t like it. No kid should ever be terrified, especially going to their new home.
So I did what I needed to and manned the fuck up so I could welcome them with a smile, and hopefully set them at ease, exactly the way Dakota had wanted me to.
Phantom turned slightly, so he was partially facing his woman when he made the introductions. I remembered him saying she was deaf.
“This is the club’s President and Vice President. Charming and Scratch. They helped put together a surprise for the kids.”
Scratch smiled and waited for Charisma to look at him. “Welcome to the Devil’s Boneyard family. I live across the street with my wife and kids. You’re welcome anytime.”
She frowned and looked at Phantom. He told her what Scratch had said.
“VP, I think you’re going to need to trim the bush on your face or learn to sign. She couldn’t read your lips,” Phantom said with a smile.
Scratch ran a hand over his beard and nodded. I held out my hand and Charisma hesitantly took it. I pulled her in close for a quick hug, then stepped back. “We’re all happy to meet you. Take some time to get settled in, then we’ll plan a party so you and the kids can get to know everyone.”
Nearly everyone. I fucking hated the fact no one knew I had a wife or had met her yet.
It sucked big-ass donkey balls, but I wouldn’t risk her life.
My club would never intentionally say anything.
It was the fear they might mention her without realizing someone else listened that had me keeping quiet.
Scratch made his way back home, and I had a feeling those boys of his would be at Phantom’s door before too long.
I wanted to give Phantom time with his new family, which meant I’d keep things short during Church.
I wouldn’t delve into as much as I’d originally planned.
Now that I’d met Charisma and seen the children, I knew he needed to focus his attention on them.
As often as I wanted to go back home and check on Dakota, I made myself walk to the house and get on my bike. I rode over to the clubhouse and decided to get a beer and work in the office a bit before Church started. The club needed to see me more than they had the last week.
I went inside and scanned the interior. A few of the club whores lingered at the edges of the room, looking bored as fuck.
Beat the hell out of me why they thought anyone would want their kind of attention this early in the day.
Most of the brothers didn’t come to the clubhouse until closer to lunch.
I went behind the bar and grabbed a cold longneck from the fridge and went to the office down the hall.
The chair creaked when I sat, and I turned on the computer. After I logged in, I pulled up the club’s accounts to check the balances, then started on the paperwork. We had a few people who hadn’t paid yet, and they’d need to be dealt with. I’d have Havoc pay them a visit.
Booted steps came closer, and I looked up as Cinder came in. I leaned back in my seat and waited to see what he had to say. He glanced over his shoulder, then shut the door, which put me on instant alert.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, sitting up straighter.
“Should ask you that,” he said. “Any reason your house is all closed up? Or why you’re suddenly home more than you’re at the clubhouse?”
Shit. “Why are you so interested in my house?”
Smooth. Real smooth, asshole. Not going to raise his suspicions at all. It was like I was new to this. My fingers twitched, thankfully where the fucker couldn’t see them. He’d have honed in on that small tell and kept digging.
“Just seems odd is all. People are talking.”
“Maybe I like my solitude? Between the shit with Samurai and now Phantom bringing home a family, there’s a lot going on. I have a feeling trouble is going to follow that woman and those kids.”
He nodded. “Could be. This job…”
I folded my arms and waited for him to continue.
“It can be hard, especially when you don’t have someone in your life other than your brothers,” Cinder said.
“I was there once. For a long-ass time. Fought my attraction to Meg, thinking I didn’t need her, or that she’d be better off without me.
Truth is, she gave my life some balance.
This club was everything to me, and I see you traveling that same path. ”
“Thought that was why you picked me,” I said.
He leaned in, his voice dropping. “I picked you because of who you are. You think Wire was the first person to go digging into your past? And yes, I’m aware of what he found. I still have connections and get pinged whenever shit pops up on one of our brothers. That includes you.”
“You’ve known all this time that Halden Roberts wasn’t my real name?” I asked.
He nodded. “Your daddy was a piece of work. Could tell you weren’t like him. However, you have his drive and commitment. You don’t mind getting your hands dirty. The difference is that you do it to protect others. He did it to line his fucking pockets and gain power.”
“Not sure I know what to say to that.”
“When I decided you would replace me as President of this club, I put a lot of thought into it. You care about the people here. To the point, you put this club above your own happiness. I’ve watched you since I stepped down.
The more the mantle of President settles on your shoulders, the more withdrawn you become.
You don’t joke with your brothers as much as you used to.
Don’t fuck the club whores from what I’ve seen, and you’re more…
solemn.” He ran a hand down his beard. “I sometimes wonder if I made a mistake. You’re changing, Charming, and not in a good way. ”
“I have priorities outside the club,” I said.
“I don’t eat, breathe, and sleep all things Devil’s Boneyard.
Is the club important to me? Of course. Would I die for every man, woman, and child here?
Yep. There’s just a lot of shit weighing on me right now.
As happy as I am for Phantom, I really didn’t need the extra drama. ”
He scratched at his jaw and looked away before piercing me with his gaze again. Man might be aging, but I still wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley. I knew he’d still kick the shit out of someone.