CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
– LINA –
He’s angry. I screwed up. Dammit. I should have talked to him about it first. Yet, nothing was definite until a few minutes ago. The message I received from the buyer who agreed was the turning point, and why I asked Heart if the club would go into business with a woman.
I was going to explain, but he instantly pulled me with him to ask Fatal. There wasn’t any time...okay, maybe I could have said something when I talked to Norie and Swade. Though, I wanted it to be my decision. No one else interfering, so there’s no one else to blame but me.
Blame might not be the right word. It’s...ugh. I’m fucking it all up. Now I even threw out the part where I want to give all of them security about the investment and get married. Secretly also tying Heart to me in a legal way.
Things won’t end if we don’t keep shit from one another. His words thrown my way just now. Yes, he’s definitely pissed, but at least he says things won’t end...if we don’t keep shit to ourselves...a dig at what just happened.
I’m about to explain when Heart turns to face me and states, “We’ll swing by the courthouse later and get it done. I don’t fucking care about investments or being part owner. You’re mine, and there’s no running away from me. Ever.”
Okay, he’s mad but at least not angry enough to throw me out.
Marriage after knowing one another for four weeks might seem extreme to some.
For me? I’ve never had a relationship and went through some pretty deadly shit.
One person has been a rock through everything and never uttered one complaint about anything.
Well, until now. Not about the decision to sell my business. Nope. He’s pissed due to communication, or the lack of it from my part.
I place a hand on his forearm and whisper, “I should have mentioned something sooner.”
A grunt is all I get in reply.
Then I realize swinging by the courthouse means, “Maybe we shouldn’t get married today. Karev will...”
“Have to fucking deal,” Heart finishes.
“No worries, their asses are hitting bikes as we speak. Well, some will come in a van,” Norie states and holds up her phone.
Fatal chuckles. “Did you message your uncle?”
Norie grins. “He likes to visit, and I get to hold my first cousin again. He’s so darn cute.”
Joy hits me hard. Family. This is the reason why I want to put roots into the brotherhood. My time with each and every person linked to Heart has been a real eye-opener. Maybe it’s why Karev demanded that Heart claim me four weeks ago. Somehow he knew I’d fit right in with these guys.
With my shitty cycles I might not be able to get pregnant, which according to Karev is a family thing with the women only menstruating twice a year, and lasting for over two freaking weeks. Then again, I was born so they do get pregnant. Maybe I should get checked and know for sure if I can’t...
“What are you thinking? Regrets?” Heart’s voice filters through my mental ramblings.
I blink a few times and without thinking I blurt, “No, I was wondering if I should get myself checked.”
He frowns. “Like at a mental place or something?”
My eyes go wide. “What? No. I mean the hospital.”
Worry lines appear on his face. “Are you ill? Fuck. Did you get hurt?”
Everyone is staring at us, and I feel awkward having this conversation. Even more with all of those flappy ears sitting around to witness it.
Leaning closer I whisper, “No, I want to know for sure if I can’t get pregnant.”
Heart leans even closer so our noses touch.
His voice is a whisper against my lips when he says, “Or we can keep going at it to see if I can knock you up. I love a fucking challenge. Either way, we’ll soon have proof if I keep pumping you full of cum.
And if we find we’ve been by ourselves too long?
We could always adopt. Give a child a family and strive to give him or her the best family ever. ”
My breath catches from his words and the look in his eyes. His last suggestion, the one where he didn’t add the words “a chance you didn’t get” warms my heart. He doesn’t care if I can’t have children to give him a family of his own.
Who in the right mind would let this man walk? Not me. I knew he was a good deal when he was the first person to make me feel. Heart accepts me for who I am and doesn’t judge. Unless I keep him out of the loop, he clearly doesn’t like that.
A mistake on my part with a learning curve, even if I wanted to tell him about my intentions before he dragged me off to Fatal.
Heart places a kiss on my forehead. “You like all the options I mentioned, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I echo in agreement.
“Okay, let’s get shit done. First, what time do you need to sign the papers to sell the place? Second, do you need to move out and get your stuff from the apartment above the shop? If so, I guess we need to go house hunting in between getting married, moving, and signing papers.”
“Not everything has to be done today,” Norie states.
Heart shoots her a glare, making her throw her hands up in the air. “Or do everything today, whatever.”
“Let’s focus on selling my business today.
I only have to pick up a few more things and can stash them at the office in the warehouse for now.
We could check houses tonight in bed and get married tomorrow.
Karev and the others will have enough time to spend here and celebrate tomorrow with us,” I suggest.
“Okay.” Heart glances at Fatal. “We’re going to head out to her place, move the stuff to the warehouse. Let the others know we’re having a party tomorrow. No women allowed, only old ladies.”
“Done, VP,” Fatal replies with a smile in his voice.
Norie shoots me a wink while Heart grabs my wrist and drags me with him. “We’ll take my truck. Do you need to move a lot? I can ask some of the brothers to help.”
I grin to his back as we leave the clubhouse. “Nah, just some clothes and personal stuff. Maybe four or five boxes, tops.”
He opens the door to his truck and grabs my waist, easily lifting me into the front seat. “If it’s only a few boxes we could take them back here and stash them in our room. I’m sure we’ll find a place of our own soon enough.”
I’m about to ask if he’s sure when my phone starts to ring. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I notice it’s Karev. Shit. I should have called him myself to tell him about Heart and I getting married instead of hearing it from his president, who heard it through a message from Norie.
“Hey,” I cheerfully quip.
“Don’t hey me,” Karev grumbles. “Heart asked you to marry him? Today? What the fuck, Lina?”
I close my eyes at the sound of his harsh voice and wince when I mutter, “Actually, I suggested getting married without a prenup, because I’m investing in club business and wanted to give them the security that I’m all in.”
“Say what now?” he grunts.
Shit. I should have told him the whole thing.
“With everything that happened...I lost my joy for the business. When I hired Rob it was because the store had grown bigger than I could handle and it was a choice between hiring personnel or selling. Obviously, Rob can’t work anymore and I don’t feel like hiring others.
These past few weeks have opened my eyes and I watched all of Heart’s brothers chip in when it comes to the brewery.
I made a suggestion to Norie and Swade and he joked about hiring me.
It got me thinking. Norie’s my friend and... ”
“She also handles the books, so you asked her for financial advice,” Karev finishes. “I get it. Even if I was against you buying and selling secondhand stuff it was your business. Just making sure you’re making the right decision.”
I keep my eyes on Heart when I say, “You made the right decision by sending Heart to me, and I’m not letting go. The man is my heart.”
Heart’s smile brightens my own, until it slides off my face when Karev states, “Though, I’m not going to make it to your wedding because I have an issue going on with my own future wife.”