Chapter 21
XANTHE
Music is playing, people are dancing and drinking, and I’m having the best night ever. I’m surrounded by my girls while Ghost watches me from the bar.
“I love you guys,” I tell the group, wrapping my right arm around Ora and my left around Atiana. “You are the best girlfriends I’ve ever had.”
“Same!” Atiana replies, grinning. “Come on, let’s go dance.”
We all head to the dance floor, and Ghost moves his position so he doesn’t lose sight of me.
Isla pulls me against her, and we both start dancing on each other. I notice Skull move next to Ghost, keeping an eye on us both, while Bones watches from the bar. Shadows dance across his face before he can hide it. I don’t know what’s going on with him, but there’s something.
Suddenly, warm hands settle on my waist, and I’m spun around.
Looking up into the gray eyes I love, I smile widely and roll my body up against his.
He’s wearing a white T-shirt today, his leather cut over it, and jeans that show off his muscular thighs.
My fingers trail up the ink on his arms, and then wrap around his neck as he starts to move with me.
His hands squeeze my ass, which I know looks good in the tight jeans I’m wearing.
“You want another drink?” he asks, and I nod, letting him lead me to the bar. I catch sight of our reflection in the mirror and smile.
There’s just something about looking all girly and pretty next to a man who looks like he kills people for fun. Ghost is all tall and deadly, while I’m wearing a tight pink top with matching lipstick. Ghost orders our drinks, and Brandy makes them while shooting me daggers every now and again.
I’ve only just taken the first sip when Rome gets up onstage, and the music turns softer.
“Before Haze takes the stage, we wanted to say thank you all for coming. I know, I know, we party a lot here at the Serpents of Chaos clubhouse.” He smirks while the crowd cheers. “But we have a reason to celebrate tonight. Ghost and Xanthe, can you both come up here?”
I look up at Ghost and see the smile playing on his lips.
I see more and more of those every day.
“Now, none of us ever pictured Ghost getting an old lady,” Rome adds, scanning the crowd. “But apparently, he had more game than most of you and managed to get this beautiful woman right here.”
More cheering and catcalls.
Ghost’s fingers tighten on my waist, and I reach up and rest my hand on his chest, smiling at him.
Prez hands Ghost something, and he turns it around and shows it to me. It’s a woman’s size leather cut. On the back, it says ‘Property of Ghost,’ and underneath the Serpent of Chaos emblem on the front, it says ‘Sunshine’ with a small picture of a sun.
“I love it,” I declare, and he smiles widely, sliding it on me. It fits like a glove.
“I love you,” he replies. “I never thought I could love someone the way I love you, and seeing you in my patch…” His eyes lock on to mine. “Fuck! I’m so proud to have you as my old lady.”
“Serpents, let’s show her how we welcome our old ladies!” Rome calls out, and the men start to form a line in front of me, the women moving out of the way.
Turning to face them, I laugh when Lore steps up first. He lifts my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles.
“Xanthe, you know I love you. I tell you all the time in the group chat. If this fucker hurts you, come to me. I’ll ask one of the brothers to fight him.
Not me, because he’s scary, and I’m too pretty. ”
Laughing, I shake my head at him. “Thank you, Lore. I love you too.”
Ghost growls from behind me.
Bones steps up next, pulling me in and kissing my cheek. “Protect you. Secretly check you out when Ghost isn’t looking. Always have your back.”
“Do you all have to fucking touch her?” Ghost snaps, trying to pull me back against him, but I resist.
“Thank you, Bones.”
Skull steps up next and kisses my other cheek. “Couldn’t dream of a better woman for my brother. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Xanthe.”
“Thank you, Skull,” I say, suddenly feeling emotional.
Suit is up next, and he kisses my knuckles. “Protect you always, Xanthe. You’re going to make a hell of an old lady.”
“Thank you, Suit.”
War comes up next and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead. I’m surprised, because he’s usually more standoffish and not affectionate with anyone aside from Ora. “You’ve been one of us for a long time, but I’m happy it’s now official. You’re the only one who can control him. Remember that.”
I don’t know how to feel about that, per se. I don’t need to control him. He’s not some monster on a leash.
Blade steps up and kisses my cheek. “I’ll protect you always.” He grins, and adds, “And keep your secrets when I can.”
One by one, the rest of the men come up to me, with Angel standing last.
He doesn’t touch me, just bows his head. “Protect you with my life.”
“Thank you, Angel.” I smile as they all clap and cheer.
Then, I turn to face Ghost and jump into his arms, kissing him. He lifts me, and I wrap my legs around him.
“Let’s stay for a little while, but then I need to take you upstairs and fuck you in nothing but that leather cut,” he rasps in my ear. “I want you bent over the bed with your hands above you.” With that, he kisses my neck.
“Then that’s how you’ll have me,” I reply.
I feel his smile grow against my skin. “You’re such a good fucking girl.”
“Only for you.”
He lifts his head and looks at me, his eyes darkening. “That’s right, only for me.”
I kiss him again, biting on his lower lip.
The whole time we are lost in our own world, all the club members have their eyes on us.
Smiling.
Surprised.
It’s not every day a ruthless killer falls in love.