CHAPTER 3
HONOR
As I look around the table at all the people sitting there, I’m struck with the fact that it’s only been a few hours since I met them all, and yet it feels like I’ve known them for years. How is that possible?
Then there’s Spook.
Admittedly, the protective way he has with Reed and Mason, is a huge turn on for me. It still isn’t lost on me that I’ve trusted him from the start.
A knowing maybe?
And it isn’t that he is gorgeous, which of course he absolutely is. There was something primal that calls to me when it comes to Spook. I knew he was mine from the moment I’d seen him. Well my heart did, but my brain was having trouble catching up.
It’s the way he watches me, and how he carries himself like he’d take on the world for you and burn it down if anything harmed you.
I’m not saying that I can’t look after myself, because I can, but that I wouldn’t have to if he was there. My mom had been the same. I would love nothing more than to have a relationship like my parents had. Probably one of the many reasons I am still single. I won’t settle for second best.
I listen to the conversations floating around me.
I don’t understand a lot of what they’re discussing, but I still soak it all up.
I suddenly realise how much I miss being around people that genuinely care for each other.
And it is very clear that, even with all the shit talking the brothers do with each other, they are a close bunch.
I have a feeling that if the shit hit the fan when it came to one of their brothers, they’d ride and rain hell down on whoever dared to harm one of theirs.
I also like that they don’t seem to mind Tru and Janis joining in with the teasing. It says a lot about what type of men they are. That they don’t immediately shut them down.
My gaze moves to Axle and Angel. The love they feel for each other is palpable. I almost feel like I could reach out and touch it. Knowing their history it is both beautiful and heart breaking.
I’m broken from my perusal of my birth parents when Siera asks, “So Honor are you coming to stay at the garden centre, or are you staying here?”
I freeze for a moment, surprised at the question. “Um, I was going to find the closest RV park.”
‘Fuck no’ or variations thereof are growled from different men. I widen my eyes, and blink in disbelief when I see scowls and glares coming from Axle, Jake, Spook, and Maverick.
What the hell?
I’m getting a little annoyed. I’d been on my own for a long time, and managed to look after myself just fine, and I let them know it.
“I’m not sure that you have any say on where I stay,” I inform them with a clipped tone. “I’ve been on my own for a long time, and I’ve travelled through several states. On. My. Own.” I reiterate forcibly. “I’m more than capable of protecting myself when I have to. And I have more than once.”
Spook growls. I huff, turning my head and glaring at him. “Don’t you growl at me. I may not be six feet of muscle and have a scowl that will frighten small children, but I assure you I’m more than capable of looking after myself. You know nothing about me and what I can do.”
Moving my attention to Jake, I send him a look that has him wincing. “And you should know better.”
He holds up his hands. “You’re right, I should.”
Clicking my tongue at his admission, I raise an eyebrow at Axle. “And you?”
Axle smiles sheepishly, “I’ve got nothing, baby girl. I will point out though that I’d not want Angel, her sister, or my nieces staying at an RV park when we have room here. I’m also happy to know that your dad took time to make sure you’re capable of looking after yourself.”
I continue to glare at him, but I can feel a smile curling my lips. “Thank you, Axle,” I say, sweetly.
“You tell them Honor,” Siera says, saluting me with her drink. She turns a shit eating grin at Maverick, “I wonder what Mr. President has to say.”
I hold back a laugh when Roman wraps a hand around her mouth, pulling her back against his chest with an amused, “Trouble.”
Instead, I cross my arms and turn toward Maverick. “Yes, Mr. President, what do you have to say?”
“Nothing really,” Maverick smiles sweetly at me. “Only that I was going to suggest that you should stay here. I have more than enough room in my house if you need a place to stay.”
“Oh, you fucking rat bastard. You did not…” Spook mutters under his breath, glaring daggers at Maverick. Abruptly, he stands. “Just for that, you get your nephews for the afternoon.”
Turning toward me, he grips my hand, and tugs me out of my chair, toward him.
“Just know, baby, I was going to give you a week until this lot got involved.”
Confused, I stare up at him. “A week? For what?”
“Before I did this,” he informed me. Bending he lifts, and suddenly I’m airborne as he throws me over his shoulder, his arm a firm clamp around my thighs, and starts walking out the door.
“We’ll be back. Look after the boys for us.”
I’m stunned. I’m not sure what’s happening. I should probably protest. I mean being carried off like this should piss me off. Shouldn’t it? But I can’t say I hate the way he’s taken charge. Besides, I get a very good view of his ass. And what an ass it is.
Without thinking, I reach out and give one cheek a firm squeeze.
Spook stumbles, and curses under his breath.
I laugh. It’s loud and happy.
“Behave,” he mutters, giving my ass a firm, hard smack. It stings a little, and I can’t stop the gasp that leaves me, or the needy shiver that rushes through my body. I squirm, as his shoulder digs into my stomach with every step he takes.
“Jesus, baby, you need to keep still until I get us somewhere we can talk,” Spook’s chuckle rumbles against me.
“Well, hurry up and find us somewhere then,” I tell him.
Another laugh leaves me when he does just that. Good to know I’m not the only one affected by whatever this is that’s been building since I first set eyes on him this morning.
Holy shit. Was that only this morning?
It feels like I’ve lived a whole lifetime since then.