Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
He knew it was making a statement.
He also didn’t give a fuck.
Everyone would find out eventually, so why not get in front of the gossip by making Lyric his backpack on today’s run?
Blowing into the parking lot with Crow’s daughter on the back of his sled minutes before the formation rolled out certainly caught everyone’s attention.
Before the Angels of Fury existed, it might not have, but now that the women had their own club, the members of AFMC never asked to ride along with any of the DAMC members on runs anymore.
They simply organized their own.
Of course, Rage had picked the perfect time to slip into formation. It was at the same time Wheels was giving the signal for everyone to head out.
He also felt eyes on them the whole trip and on every stop.
Especially Crow’s and Jazz’s. And Hawk’s and Kiki’s.
While neither sets of parents said shit during any of the breaks, he knew he’d be approached once they returned to Church. Especially since everyone would be there most of the night drinking, eating, and listening to some damn good music afterward.
Yeah. That would be the best time for Crow to pull Rage aside and speak with him in private. It would catch too much attention during one of their stops, and Crow was all about dealing with shit more quietly and avoiding drama.
Once Rage shut his sled down, he helped his woman dismount and braced himself for whatever was to come.
But no matter what, Lyric was his and nobody was going to tell him differently. If they tried, Rage would have some words with them. Even if it was Crow, someone Rage respected more than anyone in the club, except for his own father.
But it wasn’t Lyric’s father who approached him first. Hell no. It was her mother. Jazz beelined straight over to him the minute Lyric left his side.
Of course she was wearing her Property of Crow cut since the OG women mostly wore them during club runs, biker rallies, and Dark Knights or Blood Fury functions.
It made it clear to other bikers not in the know who belonged to the DAMC.
Even the kids would wear denim “property of” cuts to identify their fathers.
Rage tracked Jazz as she closed in on him. He didn’t know what the fuck to expect, but it sure as fuck wasn’t a hug from Crow’s ol’ lady.
As he embraced her back, he heard, “It would’ve been nice if you two told us first, but I get how this club is, so I understand why you didn’t. Crow might have a problem with you not approaching him first, as is expected, but he’ll get over it.”
She then pulled free from his arms.
“She ain’t my ol’ lady yet.”
“For now. I’m assuming you’ll ask for his approval prior to claiming her at the table.”
He had planned on it.
“Yeah, but we ain’t ready to take it there yet.” This level of their relationship was too damn new.
“No rush. She’s young and inexperienced.
” She made a face. “Or was. I assume that’s changed.
” She held up her palm to stop any response.
“I certainly don’t want to know the details.
She’s an adult, she’s responsible, and has a good head on her shoulders, so I trust her to make the right decisions.
And if she decided on you, then I’m fine with it. ”
Damn. “‘Preciate that, Jazz.” More than she’d ever know.
She squeezed his arm. “I’ve known you since you were born so I know you’ll do everything in your power to protect her, Rage, but that doesn’t mean you won’t hurt her. Whether you mean to or not. However, I know Crow better than anyone. My advice to you is don’t underestimate her father.”
There it was. The warning. But he was fully aware of what Crow was capable of. He’d heard the rumors growing up. Rumors the OGs wouldn’t confirm or deny.
He might be quiet, but he was also deadly.
“Never would.”
She nodded. “While my girl would make a great mother, I feel too young to be a grandmother yet, so I’m good with you taking your time. It would be smart to live together for a while before adding to our family.”
His gut twisted. With too many unknowns going on with the Russos and Souls, he’d rather Lyric not be pregnant right now, anyway. He was already worried about Lyric being a target. He’d never get a minute of fucking sleep if she was carrying his kid. Or after that kid was born.
It was way too early to go there, anyway. They had plenty of time, and when he and Lyric—and the club—were standing back on solid ground, they could consider it.
An image flashed in his mind of Lyric’s belly. Not flat like how he saw it earlier when she was walking around his bedroom naked, getting ready for today’s run, but rounded after he planted his seed in her.
Fuck.
Jazz patted his arm. “All right. I’m sure Crow is lurking around here somewhere, waiting for me to walk away. I’ll go grab something to eat so you can get it over with and enjoy the rest of your night.” When she hugged Rage this time, she whispered, “Please take care of my girl.”
“Plan on it,” he murmured back.
As Jazz predicted, less than two minutes later, Crow appeared in front of Rage where he stood under the pavilion.
“Brother,” Crow greeted quietly.
Rage responded with the same.
“Probably know what I wanna talk about.”
“Yeah,” Rage grunted.
“Lyric as your backpack made a statement.”
“Was meant to.”
“Yeah, but you know you should’ve approached first.”
“She ain’t ready to wear my cut yet.”
“She ain’t or you ain’t?”
“Both. This is too fuckin’ new.”
“Even so, shit’s happening pretty fuckin’ fast, ‘less you’ve been sneakin’ ‘round.”
“Hasn’t been long at all,” Rage confirmed.
“No excuse. Still should’ve approached.”
Rage pulled in a breath. “Ain’t gonna argue that. Not sure if she told you yet, so gonna tell you now, moved her into my place a coupla nights ago.”
Crow stared at him for far too fucking long for Rage’s taste, but he held steadfast.
He was confident he’d get Crow’s approval. Though, it might take a bit of patience. Something Rage didn’t have a shit-ton of.
No matter what, he’d accept whatever his club brother had to say because of how much he respected the OG. And the fact that he was a father who loved his daughter and, as a good father would, wanted the best for her.
Even if Crow didn’t think Rage was the best for Lyric, he wanted a chance to prove he was.
Bottom line was, Rage would be the same if they were talking about his own daughter. Though, he doubted he’d handle it so calmly.
“You and my girl have been close for a long time. No surprise you two are headed in this direction. Especially after the whole bullshit hair excuse.”
“Wasn’t sure I wanted to go there, but it hit me the other day that she’s the ol’ lady I need.” It was time to outright ask. “You givin’ your approval?”
Crow sucked on his teeth. “Here’s the deal. Not thrilled with her movin’ in with you so damn soon, but she’s her own woman. She can make her own decisions, make her own mistakes. She’ll learn from both.”
“You sayin’ I’m a mistake?”
With his hands on his hips, Crow studied him while he took his time answering. “No. Sayin’ movin’ in together so damn quickly might be. So, will give my approval if you wait to claim her at the table.”
“How long?”
Crow took a few heartbeats to answer. “Give it six months.”
Six months was a good time frame and completely fucking acceptable to Rage. Whether it was acceptable to Lyric was a whole other story, but if it wasn’t, then she could take that up with her father.
“But after that, your ass needs to claim her. Ain’t gonna watch you use her, then toss her away.”
Damn. But then, he understood where Crow was coming from. Rage didn’t have a good track record. He’d never been serious about any woman before. In the past, they were a means to an end. The difference was, Lyric wasn’t just any woman. “Won’t happen.”
“Which part?”
“The last part.”
Crow nodded. Then came another warning. “Got respect for you, brother. Don’t fuck that up.”
“Gonna do whatever I gotta fuckin’ do to make sure I don’t.”
“Good man.”
Rage snorted. “That might be pushin’ it.”
When the OG’s head tipped to the side, his long black braid with gray streaks appeared over his shoulder, reminding Rage of Crow’s heritage.
One he was proud of. A pride he had passed on to his kids.
“Yeah, know it. You got a few jagged edges, but at your core, you’re a damn good man like your pop. ”
If that didn’t get him choked up, nothing would. “Lyric deserves the fuckin’ world.”
“Gonna give her that?” Crow asked.
“Plan on it.”
“And what does that look like for you? ‘Cause plannin’ on it and doin’ it are two different things.”
Rage agreed with that. All the plans in the world were useless unless you followed through. “Keepin’ her safe and takin’ care of her to the best of my ability.”
“You love her?”
That stopped Rage cold. If he did, he certainly wouldn’t tell Crow before sharing that with Lyric herself. “Can’t tell you that.”
“Can’t ‘cause you don’t? Or can’t ‘cause you haven’t told her yet?”
Damn, the man was putting Rage on the spot. “Just gonna say that you don’t gotta worry ‘bout your girl.”
“Never not gonna worry. When we brought her into this world, made a vow to protect her. Don’t matter if she’s one or one hundred years old. She’ll never not be my blood.” Crow slapped a hand over his heart. “She’ll never not be in here.”
“Hear that.” It was another warning that wasn’t an in your face type. But then, that was how Crow rolled. Subtle, but effective.
“Good. Got one other thing to say.”
Rage braced.
“Just glad she picked someone who ain’t gonna take her away from us.
Back in the 70s, this club welcomed my mother, despite her not bein’ lily white.
Accepted me when I returned from my mother’s rez and didn’t hesitate to hand me a prospect cut when they coulda told me to fuck off, find somewhere else to go.
Not all MCs are equal. This one’s truly a family and will always be.
A family’s always gonna have issues, but it’s how those issues are dealt with that makes a huge difference. ”