CHAPTER 1 #2
I hope they like me. I am so nervous my hands are a sweaty mess on the steering wheel as we approach a large gate and a guard shack.
Inhaling a deep breath, I let it out slowly.
Jake stops by the guard shack at the security gate.
He talks to the dark-haired guy wearing a leather vest that comes to his window.
The guy waves us through, giving me a smile and a wink as I drive by.
I shake my head, but my lips curl up in an answering smile.
Not sure what I was expecting, but the tidy parking area with designated parking for cars and motorcycles wasn’t it.
Nor was the clubhouse. It was a beautiful log building with a long porch along the front that had a few well-maintained chairs and tables on it.
There was a lawn to the side and in the distance, I could see a children’s play set complete with swings and slides.
Parking next to Jake, I put the brake on and wipe my hands down my skirt one more time before I open the door and slide out.
Closing the driver’s door I walk around the back of my van to reach Jake and Fern. Jake opens his door and smiles down at me.
“Ready sweetheart?”
Exhaling, I shook my head, “No, but I know this is the right thing to do.” I look past him to Fern, who is giving me an encouraging smile. “You’ll both be there, right?”
“Of course we will, Honor.” Fern reassures me. “But, I promise that everything is going to be fine. Angel’s a wonderful woman, and while I haven’t met Axle, I know that Siera and our granddaughters like him.”
Near the clubhouse I can see a couple waiting and I know straight away they’re my biological parents.
The woman and I could have been twins except I was much taller than her.
The tall, blond-haired, tatted man was holding her like she was his reason for breathing.
Tears pricked my eyes, and I wasn’t sure why.
“Is that them?” I whispered even though I know what the answer’s going to be. Jake turns to look.
He nods. “Yes, sweetheart. That’s Angel and Axle. Go on now. Fern and I will be behind you.”
Gulping nervously, I swiped my tongue over my lower lip. “Okay,” I nodded firmly. “I can do this.”
Jake pats my hand that’s wrapped around the door frame of his vehicle. “You can do this,” he agrees.
Loosening my hold on the door, I shake my hands as I step away and walk towards the couple. Angel has her hands clasped tight, and I can already see the tears in her eyes. I blink harder the closer I get.
Stopping a few feet away from them, I allow myself to take a minute to look at the two people who made me. Who made the hard choice to give me up so that I could have a better life…and what a life it’s been.
They’re silent; looking at me as if they’re worried I’ll disappear if they blink. Or that I will decide to turn and run away. Finally, I smile and speak. “Hi, my name's Honor. It’s lovely to meet you. If it’s okay, I’d really like a hug.”
“Oh,” Angel sobbed, reaching out to me. Wrapping me in her arms, she sobs so hard that I can’t help but allow my own tears to fall. When two firm arms encircle us, pulling us both into a hard hold, I know that Axle has us.
It feels good. No, it feels right. And deep down I know my parents would be thrilled I’d found my way to my biological parents. Family meant everything to my parents and it feels like it means everything to Axel and Angel too.
“It’s so wonderful to meet you, Honor. I’m so sorry to hear about your parents,” Angel whispered to me. I can tell she really means it too. I squeeze them both and reply with a heartfelt, “Thank you.”
Suddenly hearing sniffles and soft voices, I’m keenly aware that there are other people around us, but I want to focus on this time with Axle and Angel. Finally, we break apart, all of us wiping tears from cheeks and laughing softly.
The tears, for me, were both happy and sad at the same time. Sad for the time missed with Angel and Axle… for what could have been. Then there was the twinge of guilt for being happy when the parents who’d given me everything weren’t here to walk this milestone with me.
We stared at each other a little awkwardly, and I’m not sure where to go from here when the tension is broken by a deep, alarmed shout.
Something hits my legs, and I stagger back. Looking down, I see a gorgeous, little boy grinning up at me with a toothy smile. My heart tumbles headfirst in love with him. A smile breaks over my face, that turns into laughter when his little voice pipes up with a definite, “Mine!”
If I was going to be claimed by anyone, this little cutie would be one I wouldn’t mind. Still laughing softly, I bent down and picked him up, cuddling him close while wondering who he belonged to.
“Well, hello, handsome. And who are you?”
A tired, aggravated male voice called out, “Mason.”
My attention’s dragged from the cutie in my arms to the owner of the aggravated voice.
Oh, wow! Was love at first sight really a thing?
I wasn’t sure, but lust at first sight most certainly was.
That was the only way I could describe the flutter in my belly and the way the hairs on my arms stood on end when I got a look at the guy now walking towards us.
Gorgeous in an almost nerdy way. Not at all what I’d expect from a biker. He is tall, with a beard, tousled brown hair, and glasses. And oh, he is built… no doubt about it.
He’s carrying the identical copy of the little boy I’m now holding like a football.
It makes me smile, not that it’s bothering the little boy.
He’s giggling his head off. His father, because I can only assume it’s his father, adjusts his grip and settles him on his hip.
Wow! The muscles in his arms flex, as he adjusts the hold.
That simple flex alone has my stomach clench.
I quickly look back to the little one in my arms.
Apologising tiredly to Axle, as his stride eats up the distance between us, “Sorry Axle, he got away from me.”
Axle shrugs, but before he can respond, I smile and said, “Aww, that’s okay. What girl doesn’t like being knocked off her feet by a cutie? Especially one like this.”
I pat Mason on the back and lift my eyes to the biker. When his intense, blue gaze meets mine, I bite my lip and lower my eyes. I’m going to hate it if he has a woman.
Well, someone had to give birth to these cute boys, I grumble in my head. Feelings like I’ve never known flood through me. Great, I’m jealous of a woman I don’t even know. I hold back a shiver as his fingers brush my arm when he tries to take his son from me.
I chuckle softly and cuddle Mason closer when he firmly tells his father, “Mine.”
His dad sends me a resigned look.
“It’s okay,” I reassure him. I don’t want him to think I’m holding his son hostage, so I quickly follow up with, “I’m used to little ones. Besides he’s my hero; he broke the awkwardness we found ourselves in.”
He really is. I’d been wondering how we were going to break the tension.
I look back to my parents and see the crowd behind Axle and Angel is growing the longer we stand out here.
So I lean towards them and whisper, “There’s a bunch of people behind you, and not all of them are wearing leather, so I’m guessing they’re Jake and Fern’s family? ”
“They are,” Angel said with a smile, slipping her arm through my free one and tugging me towards them. “Come meet my mad sister and nieces. Oh, and Garret’s son.”
Garret? Who is Garret? Oh, that must be Axle’s government name. I know that MCs only allow a spouse or close immediate family to know their government name. Wait? A son? I’m surprised. Jake never mentioned a son. Turning to Axle, I raise an eyebrow. “Garret has a son?”
Axle rolls his eyes and tilts his head up as if he’s praying for patience. I want to laugh, but instead I turn back to Angel who is explaining that North isn’t his biological son. But, Axle’s been a bit slow on the uptake and only just realised that he has one.
The next hour is taken up with meeting new people. I’m never going to remember them all. Everyone is so friendly and eager to know me. I’m made to feel right at home. Not at all what I expected.
Once I’ve greeted Angel’s family, they wandered off.
“Let me introduce you to my President, then you can relax.” Axle says, guiding me towards a dark-haired, dark-eyed, clean-shaven man.
He may look like he isn’t worried about a thing, but I’ve met men like him. My dad had been one of them. Underestimated until they aren’t. I have a feeling this man is treated the same way. I wonder if that makes his job as President of a one-percent motorcycle club easier or harder.
“Pres, this is Honor. Honor, my President, Maverick.”
Maverick gives me a charming smile that turns into a grin when there’s a growl behind me and then a large body suddenly invades my space. Maverick’s amused gaze flicks over my shoulder, then softens when he sees the boy in my arms.
He holds out his hand. “Honor, welcome to our club. Any problems, let either me, Axle, or our VP, Spook, know.”
“Spook?” I ask, looking around.
Maverick lets out a bark of laughter and shakes his head in resignation. “Brother?” he smirks and looks over my shoulder. “Spook is the man behind you and father to the little-one you are holding.”
I’m stunned. I hadn’t, until this moment, realised I never asked Mason’s father his name. Goes to show how much the gorgeous man has addled my brain. Feeling a little silly, I turn around and hold out my hand, heat creeping into my cheeks. Jesus, I’m an idiot.
“Sorry, I stole your son and then didn’t introduce myself.”
Spook takes my hand. I’m ready this time for the tingles that run up my arm. He squeezes my hand gently before releasing it.
“No need to apologise, Honor. It’s good to officially meet you. And I’m sure today has been tough enough, meeting everyone and then being tackled by one of my monsters.”
I gasp playfully and turn to the boy in my arms. “Monster?” I tickle him, making him laugh. “Are you a monster?"