Chapter 11
Willow
W atching the Phantom Renegades dismount their bikes, I gripped Dean’s hand harder.
I believed what he said my brother told him, but I was terrified it was another way for my brother to fuck with me.
Growing up, Ghost and I were aware of each other, and I knew my mother and I were a source of pain for his mother, and probably him too.
Being the child of a mistress meant I was always just outside the circle, and I worried he was going to use my relationship with Dean as another way to be an ass.
Some random woman got off the back of Ghost’s bike as he spoke with his VP and Road Captain. I knew all the Phantom Renegades and was friendly with them, but that didn’t mean I belonged. And some of the women made sure to remind me of that the few times I went around their clubhouse.
Ghost looked across the mostly empty parking lot as Dean and I walked toward him hand-in-hand. He smiled and approached us, extending his fist to Dean. “My man! I knew you’d lock her down.”
They tapped fists then Ghost turned to me. I didn’t know what to expect, but him walking up to me and wrapping an arm around my shoulder to give me a hug wasn’t it. I returned the embrace, and he stepped back from us as some of the Phantom Renegades approached.
“I thought she wasn’t property,” stated Zodiac, the Phantom Renegades VP.
“She’s my property,” Dean declared. I saw Zodiac clench his jaw as Dean added, “If anyone has a problem with that, speak now or fuck off.”
“You’re gonna let him speak to us that way?” Zodiac asked.
Ghost spun on him and pointed his finger, jabbing Zodiac in the chest as more Sinners had joined us, standing behind me and Dean. I felt like we were in the middle of a battle, and I was starting to get scared.
Ghost spoke loudly, making his declaration. “Willow Tate has never been a Phantom Renegades, and she’s free to make her own decisions. She’s chosen Jigsaw as her ol’ man, and I stand fully behind their union.”
“Jigsaw?” Zodiac questioned, and it was then he fully looked at Dean. He looked confused as he asked, “Buffalo?”
Dean shook his head and stepped forward, pulling me with him as he replied, “I was never Buffalo, but yeah, it’s me.”
Capone, the Phantom Renegades Treasurer, came forward and exclaimed, “Dean, my brother, it’s good to see you.” He looked at me and smiled. “You finally got your man, didn’t you, Willow?”
Capone and Dean were roommates at the time Dean renounced his Phantom Renegades colors, and when he and I sat down a few days after Dean left, I explained what had happened.
Popeye wasn’t telling anyone why ‘Buffalo’ suddenly left, so when Capone asked me, I told him the truth.
He didn’t seem pissed at me, but he did seem hurt that Dean left without saying goodbye.
Dean, looking at Capone, offered him his fist, and the two men bumped them together as Dean draped his arm over my shoulder.
Someone walked beside me, and I turned to see Roughstock moving to the front of the crowd.
He shook Ghost’s hand and proclaimed, “The Sinners Revenge welcomes the Phantom Renegades to our clubhouse. But there are two rules that will cost you dearly if violated.” Ghost gave a smirk as he listened.
“First, you’re welcome to wear your colors inside, but you will respect the Sinners and our clubhouse.
You’re guests here, so don’t cause problems. Second, and most important, if you meet a woman and she says no, you’d better take that as the motherfucking gospel.
Do not slip anything into drinks, don’t push for a yes, and for fucking certain, do not take what isn’t yours.
” He looked at Ghost and asked, “Do the Phantom Renegades agree?”
Ghost turned his head to his club, the men I’d known most of my life, and declared, “If you violate one of Roughstock’s and the Sinners Revenge’s rules, you will not like the consequences. We’re visitors to their clubhouse and grateful for their hospitality. Do you understand, Phantom Renegades?”
A round of “yes”, “agreed”, and “understood” came from the group of men then Ghost turned back to Roughstock. “If one of my boys causes any problems, let me know and I’ll take care of them. I don’t want any issues between our clubs since it seems we’re about to be family.”
Roughstock looked at Dean and me before he spoke. “Jigsaw is a solid brother, and we’ll treat Willow like she’s family. And you’re always welcome here since Willow is your sister.”
“I appreciate that,” Ghost responded and looked around. “Where’s the beer?”
Roughstock clapped Ghost on the back and as he guided him off to the side, my brother glanced at me and gave me a subtle wink.
I was confused, unsure what just happened, and curious to see if the Phantom Renegades could keep their word.
Some of the brothers liked to create chaos, and I didn’t want to be the reason there was a problem for the Sinners or for Dean.
A kiss landed on my temple, and I looked at Dean. “Let’s get something to drink and I’ll introduce you to some of the brothers’ ol’ ladies.”
He kept his arm over my shoulder as we walked past the tents being set up to shade everyone from the late afternoon sun.
Ghost was speaking with Roughstock and a man with reddish hair.
I could see his bearded face but not his club patch.
As Dean and I moved past them, he turned, and it was then I saw the patch on his back.
It read ‘Death Hounds MC Portstill Chapter’, and my eyes grew wide. Dean followed my line of sight and smiled. “I thought you met some of the Death Hounds last night.”
“Did I?” I asked, trying to remember the few people I’d spoken with.
“When I watched the security cameras this morning, I saw you were speaking with Needles, the Death Hounds ink slinger, and his ol lady. She’s a twin, but I can’t remember her name.”
“Violet,” I said, remembering the conversation with the beautiful woman and the dude with the blond mohawk. “I didn’t realize he was a Death Hound.” I lowered my voice and added, “Those guys are hardcore.”
He shrugged as we approached a tableful of ladies enjoying a drink under a shady tent. “They’re good guys, and while they have a hard reputation, I believe they aren’t exactly what you’ve heard about them, if that makes any sense.”
“I guess,” I remarked as we walked to the table.
Cheyenne and Jackie stood from their seats and hugged me as Dean dropped his arm from around my neck and placed a hand onto my lower back.
Cheyenne asked, “Have you met any of the ladies?” She smiled before turning so she could made introductions.
“The one with the sick ink is Paige, who you’ve met, I believe.
She’s Animal’s ol’ lady. Beside her with the pregnant belly is Laura, Phantom’s ol’ lady.
This is Claire, married to Comet, and beside her is Charlie.
She’s Animal’s aunt and a cherished member of the club. ”
“It’s nice to meet everyone,” I replied, trying to put their names to memory.
“Why don’t you have a seat, and we’ll keep you company while Jigsaw gets you something to drink,” Jackie suggested, and I looked at him for guidance.
“Usual?” he asked, and I nodded. He leaned over and placed a soft kiss on my lips before whispering, “I’ll be right back, darlin’.”
The older lady patted an empty seat next to her and proclaimed, “Come sit next to me, Willow. I’ll help keep everyone straight.”
Cheyenne nodded and retook her seat as I walked over and sat down next to the woman. She leaned over and whispered, “I’m Charlie.”
“Hi,” I whispered back as the ladies started talking again.
A noise came from under the table, and I looked to see two little dogs laying near Charlie’s feet. She noticed and clicked her tongue. The two dogs popped their heads up and walked over, sniffing her then me before letting out a little bark.
“This is Jack and his ol’ lady, Jill,” Charlie explained.
I went to offer the dogs my hand to sniff when I saw everyone’s eyes grow wide. Worrying I was about to get bit, I went to pull my hand back when the two dogs pushed against it, and I swapped scratches between the two of them.
I heard Dean say from behind me, “Seriously? She gets to pet him, and I have to chase his crazy ass all over the damn place and end up getting nipped for my trouble.” He placed my drink on the table as I sat up. Dean gave me a kiss and quietly asked, “Are you okay here for a bit?”
Glancing around the table, I saw nothing but smiles, so I responded, “I’m fine. I’ve got my girls.”
He gave me a wink and another kiss on the cheek before he stood and looked at the ladies. “No running Willow off.”
“Pfft,” Jackie said, “she’s fine.”
He walked away, and I wasn’t sure if this was going to turn into an inquisition or not, but I was ready for whatever they threw at me.
“So, when’s the wedding?” Paige asked, and I shrugged. “If I know Jigsaw, he’ll have you hitched and wearing his cut before the end of the Rally.”
“We haven’t discussed that yet,” I remarked, realizing these women were going to be a part of my life.
They started speaking about people and things I didn’t know anything about, and I got into my own head. The longer I sat there, the more I realized how little I knew about the man I agreed to marry.
Where did he live?
Had he been married before?
Did he have children? Does he want any?
What were his long-term goals in life?
“Willow?” I heard someone say my name, and I lifted my gaze to see everyone at the table was looking at me. Cheyenne asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just tired, I guess,” I responded, knowing that was partly true.
The rest was worry about a future I was leaping into feet first without knowing how it would go. But wasn’t that the same thing that happened in every new relationship? You met someone, got to know them, and began to share the parts of yourself you try to keep hidden.
With Dean and me, we started out spilling our secrets, so I found myself thinking, if we already knew the worst parts of each other and still wanted to be together, then didn’t that mean the rough patches were past us already?
And if the ladies sitting around me didn’t think it was crazy that he and I were getting married after less than a day of being reacquainted, then who was I to question it?
I relaxed into my chair, taking a swallow of the drink Dean brought me as I watched multiple clubs enjoying each other’s company, laughing and drinking together. If this was possible, then maybe anything was.