Chapter Seven.
It was time. It had been a couple of years since the war, and he was tired of sneaking around.
Fuck whatever drama was happening in the club.
He and Rain had been together for six years and had no more secrets between them.
He stared out of the window of Rain’s house as the snow fell in thick sheets.
Twenty-four months had nearly gone by since they’d last seen Allegra.
They remained unaware of Allegra’s location or whether she was safe.
They’d no idea if they had a son or a daughter.
The Spaldings had cut them dead, involving lawyers when Shotgun kept pushing. Nigel and Leila Gibson had found no sign of her. Wherever Allegra was, she was way beyond their reach.
Shotgun refused to let life stand still anymore. As much as it pained them both, it was time to move forward.
He’d tried speaking to Chance last night while Rain stayed late at work, but the clubhouse had been packed, and everyone was enjoying themselves.
Finally, he’d texted the inner circle and requested a get-together.
Chance had replied they’d meet at midday.
Shotgun was nervous; he’d no idea how the brothers would take this, and it was almost making him sick.
By the time the meeting rolled around, he’d hardly slept and was a wreck. As Shotgun entered the church, he realised the others were already there. Shotgun shut the door and grabbed a seat.
With the table between them, it felt as if two sides had been taken.
“What’s up, brother?” Chance asked as Shotgun’s mouth dried up. He took a swallow of water and steeled himself.
“I’m bisexual,” he stated and waited for the eruption. Seconds ticked by, and Shotgun realised it wasn’t going to happen.
“Did you understand me? I’m into men and women,” Shotgun repeated.
Chance and Bear swapped glances, and Chance turned to him. “And?”
“What do you mean, and?” Shotgun was the one that exploded. “I like to fuck guys.”
“Brother, we knew this,” Chance said, and Shotgun gaped
“What?”
“Were you expecting rejection?” Bear inquired.
“Well, yeah.”
“Seriously? You expected us to what… kick your ass?” Shee questioned.
“Yes. I remember what happened to that prospect.”
“That was Zeus, not us. Never us. We’ve known for years, but thought you stayed quiet because it was personal. Not because you were fuckin’ scared,” Chance growled out.
“Didn’t wanna be judged.”
“Who gives a fuck what anyone thinks? Are you happy?” Big Al demanded.
“Yes.”
“Then why are you holding back? None of us cares who you bang. All we want is for you to be yourself. And I’m guessing you’re coming out because you’ve met someone,” Chance said.
“I’m not just bisexual. I prefer triad relationships,” Shotgun stated. He’d come to Rain in a bit.
“Doesn’t that amount to a threesome?” Big Al demanded. “Greedy bastard.”
Shotgun snorted. Their reaction wasn’t what he’d expected, but should have.
“Not quite. It means I want a three-way committed relationship,” Shotgun replied.
“I’ve enough with one woman, you want two?” Rooster murmured.
“Not exactly. I’m seeing a guy. We’ve been together for six years. We thought we had our third twice. The first bitch decided we are suitable as fuck buddies.” Shotgun shut up. Rowena had hurt him, not because he cherished her, but because of how she handled their request.
“But you weren’t good enough to have a committed relationship with,” Chance guessed, and Shotgun nodded.
“The second?”
“We loved each other, but the war came between us. She believes I chose the club over her,” Shotgun admitted.
“She’s gone?” Bear muttered. Shotgun held his stare and recognised the signs of Bear figuring out who. “Been two years since Allegra was around. Dropped you and Rain at the same time.”
“Who’s the guy?” Chance demanded suspiciously. He was working shit out, too.
“When do we meet him?” Tiny added. He swapped a look with Diesel.
“He knows you’re Hellfire MC. Are you sure he’s not using you because of your ties?” Diesel asked.
“Yeah, one hundred per cent. Trust me, he doesn’t need my connections,” Shotgun replied.
Banshee looked alarmed. “Tell me he is not another club member or worse, from the Underworld.”
“No, but he understands the life.”
Chance’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. Shotgun knew Chance had guessed.
“His name, brother.”
“It’s Rain,” Shotgun confessed.
Chance nodded and sat back in his chair while stunned silence surrounded him.
“Not sure what to do with that,” Bear admitted finally. “Can’t exactly give you an ass-kicking and warn you not to hurt him like I would one of the girls.”
Diesel snickered, amused.
But Shotgun held Chance’s eyes. “I’ll black the ink for him,” Shotgun whispered, and the room turned deathly quiet. All amusement faded as they stared at Shotgun.
“What do you think’s going through my mind?” Chance asked softly. That was when Chance was most dangerous.
“Don’t know; you’re not exactly forthcoming,” Shotgun retorted. He was lashing out and recognised that, but couldn’t stop it. He’d not let them attack Rain.
Chance leapt to his feet, knocking his chair backwards. “Not fuckin’ forthcoming!” he roared. Chance leaned forward, placing his knuckles on the table.
“You’ll black the motherfuckin’ ink? You think so little of your brothers that you’ve considered leaving? That we’re such judgmental bastards we wouldn’t stand with you? That we’d begrudge your happiness?”
“Chance…”
“Shut the fuck up,” Chance glowered. “Well, asshole? Are you calling us Zeus? Or worse? We’re gonna bend you over, destroy your ass and bury you with your cock in your mouth? What you saying, Shotgun? That we can’t be trusted? That we’re into gay bashing?”
Shotgun realised how much he’d underestimated his brothers. Now he was dealing with the fallout.
“Are you happy to have me in your club? With what I want from life. A husband and wife?” Shotgun fired back. He knew the answer but was trying to deflect the anger.
“Jesus, we haven’t moved on from Zeus at all, have we? Not if a brother is scared to be himself,” Big Al muttered.
“Are you afraid, Shotgun? Frightened of what we’d say?” Tiny demanded.
Shotgun hung his head. “Rain and I have made sure our bond is solid. Six years strong. We are in love, and don’t give a shit who knows it.
We asked our initial girlfriend, Rowena, to be in a committed relationship.
As said, we’re good to screw but not be seen together in public.
The second fled due to the war. How the fuck do you think I feel?
“Rowena made us ashamed of our needs and desires. She wasn’t the first and won’t be the last. It’s not gonna be easy finding a woman who’ll let Rain do her while I fuck him.
Do you get it now? Society will believe she’s a slut; two men at once.
Your old ladies did call Allegra a whore, ho-bag, and bucket cunt for dating Rain and me.
And you can’t deny that; you heard them.
We’ll be labelled deviants for wanting what we need to be happy.
So yeah, I was fuckin’ scared of how you’d react.
“Not because you’ll destroy my ass, as you put it, Chance, but because you won’t understand.
None of you saw anything except Allegra was fucking Rain and me.
You didn’t pick up that we were comfortable or even question it.
Nobody defended Allegra and told your old ladies to shut their mouths.
They were driving me away, and you did nothing to stop them.
Why the hell wouldn’t I be worried about what the club says?
The signs were there, showing the truth among the three of us.
You ignored them and thought Allegra was being a greedy bitch. ”
Shotgun threw Big Al’s words back at him, and Big Al winced.
“What Rain and I want isn’t normal. The town judges Hellfire because we wear cuts.
Venomous Fangs caused murder and mayhem, and we’re all on the block.
Allies might cut Hellfire loose because of Rain and me.
You suppose I haven’t considered every damn angle?
So yeah, I’ve looked at blacking my ink to protect the club. ”
Chance was growing angrier as he spoke, and Shotgun sat back.
“You think I’d let the allies dictate who’s my brother? Hellfire isn’t theirs, it’s ours. If they don’t like the fact you’re in a relationship with another man, they can walk away. We will back you and the people you love, and I don’t give a fuck about the cost. Do care that my brothers are happy.
“Did you forget our reactions? The brothers knew you were bisexual. But you don’t talk about it, so we avoided it. Just figured when you’re ready, you’ll come to us. Didn’t expect this bullshit though!” Chance snarled.
“My feelings and worries are bullshit? Where were you when the old ladies hounded my woman and tried making her life a misery? You bitched I wouldn’t come to the clubhouse, but none of you stood against your women.
Face facts, we don’t run Hellfire, they do!
” Shotgun fired back. “You might have forgotten the past; I haven’t. ”
Shotgun got to his feet. “Get you’re hurt, I hid this from you. Try walking a day in my boots.” With that, Shotgun walked out.
“You don’t turn this on your brothers, Shotgun!” Chance roared.
Shotgun kept walking.
Allegra
I smiled as Thatch snatched up Wade, who’d just been about to bash Darcy, who was biting his ankle. Thatch chuckled as Darcy hung on to her brother’s leg for dear life, and Aubrey saved her from falling.
“Fuck, she’s like you.” Aubrey laughed.
“Darcy’s certainly got attitude,” I agreed as I leaned back on the padded cushions. I disagreed she had mine, though.
At seventeen months old, they were handfuls.
Fraternal twins and hell on wheels, both kids took after their fathers.
Wade was clearly Shotgun’s; he was the spitting image of him, but had Rain’s quieter personality.
Darcy had Rain’s dark auburn hair and grey eyes, but boy, did she have Shotgun’s attitude. And they had my craziness.