Chapter 9
EMILY
I couldn’t believe that tomorrow was the day I was getting my cut. After what had happened, Deck had barely let me out of his sight. The family had rallied around, and I’d been coddled to the nth degree. I’d loved every minute of being surrounded by our family’s love.
I knew they had the guy locked up somewhere, and for that I was happy. I’d have hated for my girls to walk around worried that one of them was going to be attacked. He hadn’t been all that smart coming after me without first doing some research.
As far as I was concerned, it was done and dusted; the club could do with him what they wanted. I was happy, and tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough as far as I was concerned.
Deck had left earlier to give Buck a hand at the garage with something, and I was on my way to the clubhouse to give the other Old Ladies a hand prepping food for tomorrow.
This would probably be one of the last barbecues because the weather was turning.
We’d be in the middle of winter before we knew it.
We only had a few more months until Christmas.
How different this year is for Ford and me compared to last year!
Happiness bubbles through me as I walk to the clubhouse, and I can’t help but be grateful for my new family that has made my life infinitely richer.
Pushing open the back door to the club, I walk into a kitchen that is bustling with women, children, chatter, and laughter.
“Hi, loves, what can I do?”
As one, they all turn and smile at me. “Hi Em, I see dad let you out of the house,” Lizzie grins with amusement.
I roll my eyes, pulling out a stool. I sit at the counter. “Your father is overprotective. I was fine, just a bit shaken and scraped up.”
Lizzie grips my chin and turns my face so that she can see my cheek better. “It looks much better than it did. We’re all glad you are okay. We love you, Em. Let us hover a bit.”
My eyes snag and hold Lizzie’s and I soften. My voice softens and I reply, “I love you all too.”
Lizzie blinks, breaking our gaze. I continue, “What can I do to help? I’m about to go stir crazy with boredom.”
“We’re just prepping and marinating stuff for tomorrow,” Jenny says, pushing a bag of potatoes towards me.
“If you can, start on those for the potato salad while we sort the meat then we can move on to the desserts. Everything we’ve chosen can be made the day before so that tomorrow we can all relax and enjoy the party,” Stacey explains.
“Sounds good,” I say and start peeling. It’s a fun day.
Later that evening, when the men all appear, we decide to order pizzas and spend the evening at the clubhouse.
The atmosphere is relaxed. Depending on their age, the kids are either playing pool with the brothers or watching a movie in the corner of the clubhouse.
There’s a distinct family feel in the air.
“It wasn’t always like this.” Stacey murmurs when I mention how nice this is compared to the club my ex had been in.
We’re sitting at a table in the corner of the clubhouse that’s been unofficially designated as the Old Lady’s table. “It wasn’t?”
“No,” Lizzie shakes her head. “Dad started making changes after Mom and Chains died, but the real change was when it came out how Grudge was treating Stacey.”
Turning my head, I take in the embarrassed look on Stacey’s face, and reaching over, I squeeze her hand. I’d heard some of her story, but not all. I wasn’t one to pry. I did know she’d put up with years of eating shit before she found her happiness with Maestro.
“We never had days or evenings like this,” Lizzie continues.
“What you’re seeing here is what Maestro implemented.
He got rid of the whores and it changed the whole atmosphere.
The brothers don’t seem bothered by it and strangely enough are actually pleasant to be around now.
The club has become more like a family than it ever was before.
I, for one, am all for it. The best thing that ever happened to this club was Stacey bringing the rot to light. ”
“I’m not sure it was just me,” Stacey mumbles, taking a sip of her drink.
Seeing that she was uncomfortable, I said. “Well, I, for one, don’t care how it came about. I’m here for it all. Having lived the other way, I can tell this is much better. Now, what have you ladies got planned for Thanksgiving? Do you have a big meal here for everyone?”
That changes the direction of the conversation. Stacey gives me a small, grateful smile. We spend the next bit of the evening planning until our men join us.
Deck sits next to me, wrapping a hand around my thigh. He leans over and whispers, “Can’t wait for tomorrow darlin’. Looking forward to seeing you with my name on your back.”
“Can’t wait to have your name on my back, lover,” I reply with a smile.
Deck’s eyes flare and then narrow. Huskily he says, “How about you and I make our excuses and head on home? I think you need to enjoy your last time as a single lady before you tie yourself to me forever.”
‘Oh, my. This man.’
I can feel my cheeks flush as desire runs through me. I squeeze my thighs. I’d have thought by my age I’d be over this, but it seems all I needed was a reminder of how, when you were with the right man, good it could be.
“Yes, please.”
Deck wastes no time in getting us home, and before I know it, I’m screaming his name. If this was how it was going to be, then sign me up for this forever.
***
Bonfires are burning, beer is flowing, grills are going, and the smell of barbecue wafts through the evening air, making our mouths water. Rock music is playing over the speakers. It’s a happy atmosphere.
Maestro walks over to where the sound system has been set up and turns off the music, whistling to get everyone’s attention before he starts to speak.
“Welcome to the Queens Wraiths, everyone. I know it’s been a while since we’ve had one of these.
I’d like to thank you all for coming. It’s been a busy few months…
actually make that years, and there’ve been a lot of changes in that time.
Not only have we lost loved ones and brothers, we’re also opening a new chapter.
” He pauses when everyone starts cheering.
Smiling, he holds his hand up for silence.
“That’s right, we’re growing. We’ll be opening a chapter in the UK and Coal will be running that as President.
We’re sorry to be losing the brothers that have opted to follow him but we’re also proud of them, it’s not easy starting a new chapter and they’ll be doing it in a new country with minimal support.
” Cheers and whistling start up the night again. Maestro lets it.
Deck walks over to where I’m standing and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me into his body. Turning, I encircle him with my arms, resting my head on his chest as Maestro gives his speech.
“As you all know Stacey agreed to be my Old Lady not long ago.” Whistles and cheers rend the air again, and Maestro laughs. Deck chuckles, and I smile. It’s a happy atmosphere. You’d have to be dead not to feel good.
When the crowd quietens down, Maestro says, “I’m not the only Ivor that found a woman though. Red, if you and Emily would like to come up here?”
Deck kisses my forehead. “Last chance to run, darlin’. Once you’re wearing my cut, you’re mine forever.”
“Forever it is then,” I pressed a kiss to his lips. The smile doesn’t leave my lips as Deck takes my hand and we walk to Maestro, who takes a box from Cash. He opens the lid as we walk up to him and holds it out to Deck.
“Thanks, Maestro,” Deck says, taking the cut out from the box.
He holds it up for me to see. “Darlin’, never thought in a million years I’d get the chance to do this again.
You took me by surprise. It was like a bolt out of the blue as soon as I saw you.
I knew I had to make you mine. I know you’ve already agreed but I’d like to ask you again in front of all these people, will you be my Old Lady? ”
My heart swells and tears prick my eyes as the man that I never expected asks if he can tie me to him in the most important way. Well…to a biker man, anyway.
“Oh, Deck, I’d agree a thousand times over if I could. Thank you for asking and giving me everything that I’ve only ever dreamed of. A family, a home, and a club that I’m proud to be an Old Lady in.”
“Turn for me, Em.”
I do, and as the heavy leather settles on my shoulder, a feeling of rightness flows through me. This was how it should have felt the first time. Spinning around, I wrap my arms around Deck’s neck and, standing on my toes, I press my lips to his.
The crowd whistles and cheers. A laugh bubbles up until I can’t contain it. Lowering my heels until I’m standing, I smile broadly at Deck. “Thank you.”
It’s not only a thank you for the cut. Deck knows this. It’s a thank you for everything he’s given me that I never expected to have. And the security that I’d longed for but never been able to achieve.
“You’re welcome, darlin’,” he whispers in my ear.
“My turn, old man,” Maestro tells Deck, gently pulling me away and enfolding me in his arms.
“Welcome to the family, Em. And thank you for bringing Dad back to us.”
I squeeze Maestro’s waist telling him, “He did the same for me. The best day ever was the day you turned up at Ford's.”
Maestro presses a kiss to my cheek before he passes me over to Cash, and so it goes until I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. The tears have dried, and I’ve smiled so much my cheeks hurt.
Ford finds me when I’m having a quiet five minutes to myself.
I’m standing in the shadows of the clubhouse where I can still watch but where I can take a minute for myself.
Up until a few weeks ago, I’d lived a solitary life except for work and my grandkids.
Tonight has been happy but also overwhelming.
“Thought I’d find you hiding out,” Ford says, walking towards me. I smile and hold my hand out for him to take, pulling him into the shadows with me. I wrap an arm around his waist as his settles across my shoulders.
“Lots of changes, Grandma.”
My head shoots up, and I look at him in surprise. He grins down at me, shrugging a little. “Well, figured I had no choice with Rosie calling you grandma and you know Poppy will too, and that’s what you’ve been to me all my life so I figured ‘Ms. Emily’ was redundant. I can stop if you want though.”
“No!” I wince at my volume. In a softer tone, I say, “Don’t stop, Ford. I love hearing you all calling me that.”
“Good,” he replies with a small sigh. I can read him though, and he’s not unhappy. I ask anyway.
“Are you doing okay with all the changes Ford?”
He looks down at me for a minute before he stares back out at the crowd.
Our family milled about. There’s laughter and teasing.
Stacey hands a sleeping Poppy to Lizzie, who cuddles her close.
“Yeah,” Ford nods. “I’m okay with all the changes.
It’s weird not having to worry about money, Poppy, and you. ”
I rear back in surprise. “You worried about me?”
“Well, yeah.” Ford frowns at me. “You’re my family, of course I worried.”
“Oh, Ford,” I blink and squeeze him a little tighter. “I’m forever grateful that you were brought into my life. I’ll tell you what I told your dad when I went to visit his grave.”
Surprise flashes across his face when I tell him this.
Cupping his cheeks, I say, “You’re my greatest joy.
Always have been and always will be, since the day you moved into the trailer at the park and your mom didn’t know what to do with you.
We may not be blood but you’re my family and I love you from the bottom of my heart.
Just like I love Poppy. Never change, Ford, because you are the best of the best.”
“Grandma,” Ford mumbles before crushing me in a hug. “Thank you for all you did for us when you didn’t have to.”
I hug Ford. I think we both need it. We’d gone from spending everyday together, working as a team to survive, for it all to change in a few weeks. And while we both loved the changes, it sometimes didn’t feel real.
“You two okay?” Deck asks with concern as he walks towards us. Ford and I continue to hug, but we turn our heads towards him.
“Yes,” I reply, releasing Ford, and wiping my eyes, I look up at Ford. God, when did he go from a chubby little boy to the man before me in the blink of an eye? “We’re okay, aren’t we, baby?”
“Yeah, Grandma. We are,” Ford agrees with a smile. “I’ll leave you two, I’ve got prospect duties to do before going home.”
“Come over for lunch tomorrow,” I tell him.
“I’ll be there,” he assures me before he jogs off to do whatever job has been asked of him.
Deck bends his head and kisses my neck, whispering in my ear, “How about we head home, darlin’?”
A shiver runs through me. I grin up at him. “Lead the way Mr. Ivor.”