Chapter 43 Dakota
DAKOTA
I’m getting married. Well, not quite, but I’m being made Lash, Jackal and Stiff’s old lady, and that’s a different ritual, but just as good. No big deal, right?
Six months ago, I didn’t realize how adrift I was.
And now? Now I’m standing here, in the same lilac and black dress I wore to Eric’s wedding because the guys love how I look in it.
And they’re right, I do look great in it, but it’s also for them, and there’s enough darkness in its colors that it suits the club vibe just fine.
I peek out from what used to be the sacristy before it became Hellfire’s office. “They’re looking really nice, Logan. I think this is going to be fun.”
And they are looking great. Polished leather, fresh haircuts, new jeans that cradle their asses perfectly. I love them in suits sometimes, but to me, this is how they look best. It’s the most authentically them.
As always, Logan goes nowhere without Mr. Larson and Helmet. He’s got them clutched tight while he leans up against my leg, peeking out with me at all the people.
The church is packed full. Members, old ladies, even a couple of the sluts.
Bonnie on one side, together with Anne. Jess, Eric and Camila, looking both very nervous and very out of place.
Willow and Paige, who’s just detaching Corbin from under the nursing flap in her blouse and passing him on to Savage, who holds him so gently, despite his size.
For how rough the members are, it always amazes me how gentle they can be.
And by the altar, Hellfire and the boys. My boys. And they’re just waiting for me to come out.
So I take Logan’s hand. “You ready, buddy? This is a big day.”
He looks out into the church, a little nervously, but he nods, jutting his little jaw in determination.
I warned him that there’d be a lot of people here, but there’s going to be a party afterwards, and there will be ice cream and juice and all sorts of good things. Not to mention Jackal, Stiff and Lash.
Hellfire nods to me, so I come out into the church, with Logan at my side. Stiff sees me first and his jaw drops. “Fuck,” he whispers.
Then the other two catch on, looking like they’re trying to catch every fly in the room.
I love that even after several months together, of them seeing me just about every day, they still react like that.
Bikers are great for your self-confidence.
I approach the altar, not really knowing what I’m coming to.
I just know they do things their own way around here.
“You look fucking amazing,” Lash says. I’ve more or less given up on shielding Logan’s ears around here.
He’ll just have to learn when it’s okay and when it’s not.
“You make me wanna do the kinda things I…” He trails off when he sees Logan looking at him curiously, then grins at me. “We’ll talk about it later.”
“Right.” I smile back. I guess even bikers can hold things back every once in a while.
“First things first,” Jackal says. Bending down, he boops Logan on the nose with his index finger, then lifts him up in the air and gives him a hug before putting him on the altar. Logan looks around curiously from his new vantage point.
Right up until all three of the guys kneel in front of him, like they’re expecting to get knighted or something.
Or… proposing?
What are they—
“Logan,” Jackal starts in a stern voice. “We’ve got a really important question for you, and it’s important you answer honestly, okay?”
“Okay.” Logan looks back and forth between them, thoroughly confused. While they have his attention, he forgets all about everyone else, who’ve started murmuring quietly. They’re probably wondering what’s going on too.
“Here’s the deal,” Lash says. “We love you very much. You know that, right?”
Logan smiles, and nods eagerly.
“And you know how you grew in Auntie Georgia’s tummy, but then Mommy took over as your mommy?”
He nods, a little less certain.
Stiff takes his turn. “Ice is your daddy, and he would love to be here with you. But since he can’t, could we be your daddies instead? Take care of you and Mommy?”
The way Logan’s face lights up is like the sun rising on his face. “Forever?” God, the cautious question of a boy who’s lost way too much at way too early of an age.
Jackal grins. “Of course forever. We really like Mommy, but we needed to run it by you first.”
Logan throws himself at him, Jackal only just catching him in time so he doesn’t launch off the altar.
Then Logan gets a big hug from Lash, and finally he ends up with Stiff, who squeezes him tight as he stands up.
I can’t tell if Logan is laughing or crying or both, wiping at his face with the back of his hand, but sitting in the crook of Stiff’s arm, there’s no doubt he’s happy.
Jackal grins at me. “Had to make sure we had permission first.”
“Like there was a question. He worships the ground you walk on.”
Stiff shrugs. “He’ll learn better eventually, but we’ll do our best.”
Hellfire clears his throat. “Should we get this on the road? We booked the Burnout and Hector’s waiting.”
Right. I stand with the guys, waiting to find out what I need to do next.
Hellfire looks out over the crowd. “This time, I fucking knew it. The moment these three animals came to me talking about some girl, I knew they were hooked. I don’t even try to fight it anymore.
Poor Eagle-eye over at the Eagles has learned this a long time ago, and I suppose I’m starting to as well.
I don’t get it, but it’s none of my fucking business, as long as you stick to your club duties. ”
Wow, I bet that’s not how the ceremony sounded before the Sons took over the church.
“And once again, I’m amazed that a smart and tough lady like Dakota has chosen these three particular fucks over everyone else. But, her choice. I’m staying out of it.”
I nudge Lash with a smirk. He grins back.
“Stop giggling back there so we can get this over with. Now, despite my misgivings, these three men aren’t complete fuckups.
They’re loyal, they’re honorable when they can be, and they know when the right answer is a swift kick in the balls instead.
I’m proud to have them in my club. But, that also means I have high expectations.
Not only do you have a girl to protect, you also have a kid, and don’t think I didn’t hear how he accepted you as his fathers.
That’s a big fucking responsibility, and you’d better live up to it.
Any sign that you’re mistreating her, mistreating him, abusing your position or anything else that’s gonna piss me off, things are gonna get real ugly. That understood?”
“Yes,” Jackal and Lash say together.
Stiff nods. “Of course.”
“Good. Now, Dakota.”
I nearly leap out of my skin when he calls my name, and I was even paying attention.
“Being an old lady ain’t easy. I’m not gonna mince words.
We do dangerous things, and dangerous things happen to us.
Each day one of your men goes out, he might not come back.
It’s not a threat, but it’s a fact of life.
Your men will do anything for you and each other, and they’re gonna expect the same right back. ”
I nod, not sure what to say. “Yes, I do.”
Hellfire’s lips quirk for a moment, like he finds it funny, just as Savage comes up to him with a black bundle and hands it over. Hellfire in turn passes it to Jackal, who holds it up so it unfolds on its own.
A leather jacket, just like the ones I’ve seen Jessica, Paige and Willow wear.
And sure enough, across the back, it says “Property of” in letters curved over the top of the Outlaw Sons MC logo, and underneath, curved along the bottom, it says, “Stiff, Lash and Jackal.” Jackal holds it so I can put it on.
Hellfire continues, sounding more formal now, “By wearing this, Dakota, you represent the Outlaw Sons MC, and you represent your men.
You're expected to give both them and the club your full loyalty, always.
By claiming you as their old lady, they'll be responsible for you as long as you bear their patches. Understand?”
“Yes.”
He nods. “Good. Boys, as long as she wears that jacket, you’re responsible for her safety, physical and emotional. You’re gonna respect her, and you’re gonna love her. You’re gonna make her think that there is no better place in the world than right here, with you three. Clear?”
“Clear,” the three of them say at the same time. They’re responding to Hellfire, but they’re looking at me, and their names on my back.
“Savage, the other one,” Hellfire declares. Now what?
Savage comes out with another black bundle, which is passed to Lash.
When he unfolds it, it’s much smaller than mine, and on the back there’s the Outlaw Sons MC logo, with the club name as the top rocker, and on the bottom, one just like mine, that reads, “Stiff, Lash and Jackal.” When he flips it there’s a patch on the left side with Logan’s name on it.
“That says Logan!” He might not read lots yet, but he recognizes his own name.
“Here. Now you’re one of the motorcycle men too.
” Lash holds it so that Logan can slip his arms into the sleeves.
It’s a little bit big, but it won’t be for long the way he’s growing.
I’m already dreading trying to get him out of it for bedtime.
He’s not going to want to take it off before he’s nineteen and looking to move out.
As soon as it’s on, he runs to me. “Mommy, Mommy, do you see?”
“I sure do, Lo.” I pick him up and squeeze him close, and then Lash, Stiff and Jackal are around us, squeezing both of us close. By the time they ease back, I’m pretty sure Hellfire is already halfway to the Burnout.
Me, I’m happy right where I am.
With my three big bikers and my one little one.
Thank you so much for reading Outlaws’ Single Mom!