Chapter 9 #2
Grave, without missing a beat, crosses the room to her slowly.
“I believe you might have met with our former manager. He’s no longer with us.
You are welcome to check out the facility.
I’ll personally give you the tour myself.
” Watching the interplay between these two, I’m shocked and surprised, but it’s as if they are in a world of their own.
“I’d like that. I hate to make my families wait for shipping out to Providence or even across the border into Connecticut. Your former manager isn’t working with you anymore?”
“No, I personally fired him,” Lucian remarks. “He won’t be causing any more issues.”
“Did he leave town?” Dr. Erickson’s mother asks Lucian. “The sheriff didn’t come tell us that.”
“He went to hell,” Grave responds. “I don’t know what he did or said to you, but you don’t have to worry about him. He almost screwed us with OSHA over a cleaner.”
“Oh, he tried to convince me to get some of that, too. I declined. I only trust the products I’ve researched.”
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let him work with us or even come to this town to begin with. I’m the same way about products; the guys like to joke I’m a germaphobe.” Grave connects with her in a way that Lucian wouldn’t have been able to.
She takes a deep breath. “That makes me feel better that he’s gone.”
“But darling, he won’t pay for his crimes,” her mother interjects as she hands the little girl over, who obviously wants to get down to run. I can’t stop myself from moving toward them.
“Don’t worry about that,” Lucian adds. “He paid for them.”
I ask, “May I take her while you all talk?” The little girl throws herself at me, and I giggle.
Stepping away from the group with the toddler, I set her down in a small, gated area of the clinic set up with toys for children. “Is this your play area?” I ask, and she yanks on one of my curls, fascinated with my dark hair.
“Nanna told Mom we needed an area to play when we are here,” the little boy's voice breaks through my giggling with the toddler. “I’m Andyn.” He points to himself. “That’s my sister Harper.” He then points to the toddler.
“Hello, Andyn, I’m Evie. Did I hear you just moved here?”
“Yeah.”
“I did too.”
“You ride one of those?” He points out the window at the motorcycles.
I can’t hold back a giggle. “Today was my first day. My boyfriend”—I point to Lucian—“he’s the president of the club.”
“My dad says they are criminals.”
“Andyn, don’t be rude.” The tall woman walks over to us. “I’m sorry. My son-in-law doesn’t watch what he says around the children.”
“Oh, it’s okay. People judge them without knowing them. They’ve all been so nice to me. Anyone can be a criminal, not just men in motorcycle clubs,” I tell the little boy. “I know a man who wears a suit that is one.” I say nothing more, but I want the little boy to understand.
“I heard you say you just moved here, too. From where?” the woman says as she sits on the bench next to me. She’s quite elegant and sophisticated, though not snobby in any way.
“I just moved up from Eastport at the university, but I lived in Newport before that and Providence before that.”
“I’m from London. So is Crissa, but her husband wanted to come back to the States.
I couldn’t leave my grandbabies, so I came with them.
Crissa spent so much time getting her degree and certifications that when she decided to open her own practice, I knew she’d need help.
” She doesn’t say it, but I can hear the implication that the husband wouldn’t help.
She lowers her voice a bit and says, “It’s a good thing I did.
Her good-for-nothing husband just walked away from her.
Left her all alone with the new business and kids. ”
“That’s awful.” I turn to look at the doctor, then back to the children, before turning to the woman again. “I’m Evie, by the way.” I hold my hand out to her. “I don’t think you want me to call you Nanna.” We both chuckle.
“Forgive me, I’m Alyse. I completely forgot to introduce myself over there.”
I chuckle again. “It’s okay. I used to get nervous in the beginning around them, too, but it wasn’t because they scared me. It was because Lucian is so cute.”
“Lucian?”
“Oh, sorry, Judge. I call him by his real name.”
“Ahh, I understand now. So, you are his woman. That’s what ol’ lady means? He didn’t…” she whispers as she points to my face.
“Yes, I’m his. And no, this was my ex.”
Alyse nods in understanding, and I wonder if Crissa’s husband was mean to her, too. I think, as Lucian’s girlfriend, I should talk to Crissa, take her under my wing to help her out. It’s the main reason we came here today, to see if the club could do anything for her.
“Do you live at their compound at the edge of the lake?”
“I do right now, but we will be moving into Lucian’s house soon.”
“I like to take the kids down there to play by the lake. It would be cool if there were a playground for them, though, or a park.”
“That’s a great idea. I’ll mention that to him.” It’s a brilliant idea and will help the town feel more family-centered instead of business- or club-based.
We visit some more, talking for a few more moments, until Lucian approaches.
“Ready, Evie?” He offers me his hand. I lace my fingers with his as he pulls me up.
“It was nice talking to you, Alyse. I’ll send you some of my ideas.”
“I’d like that. It was lovely speaking with you, too.”
We step outside where Grave stands next to his bike. “What did you mean by ideas?” Lucian asks.
“I told her I’d put together some of my sketches for taller women’s outfits that I’ve done. She’s struggling to find clothes she likes locally. Also, she suggested putting in a park with public access near the lake.”
“Well, then, our next stop will be perfect for that first part. As for the second, I’ll have to check out the kind of zoning we’ll need to do it.”
“Why do you say that?” I smile at him as he hands me the helmet.
“Just wait and see.” His smile turns huge.
“Grave, head back to Passages. Keep me posted if she does or doesn’t stop by.”
I climb on the back of Lucian’s bike, and we head out as soon as all the motorcycles are revved up, their pipes’ sound reverberating off the buildings as we pass through the streets.
Lucian heads to Main Street and then parks in a spot in front of an empty shop.
Looking around, I notice a diner across the street, the sheriff’s office down the other end of the block, a couple of other small shops, and a bakery.
Lucian helps me off the seat, then the other guys get off and circle around us.
He leads me to the entrance of the empty storefront, pulls a key from his pocket, unlocks the door, and steps inside.
The place is mostly empty, including a couple of display cabinets, but its clean, neutral tones not only accentuate the brick walls on each side but also the contemporary fixtures.
The brick has been whitewashed, and a few pastel colors have been added as trim and accents on the cabinet behind the modern cash register.
Soft peach tassel garlands and delicate floral accents stand out around the room, and toward the back are three nice-sized dressing rooms, a platform for someone to stand in front of several floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and chairs circle the platform.
It’s when I notice the mannequins all in a line against the back wall that my heart thumps harder.
“This is a nice space. Who’s moving into here?” I turn to look at Lucian, who remains in the doorway just watching me. I try not to get my hopes up, but something inside my mind finally clicks.
Glancing out the front windows, the guys stand, waiting for my reaction, too.
Tears flow down my face, and I turn back to Lucian.
“Is it mine?” I choke out, and he nods. Running for him, I jump into his arms, and he lifts me up.
“I love you,” I say. “This is the best gift anyone has given me ever.” I pause as soon as I realize what I just said.
“Uhm….” I fidget to get down, but he won’t let me go.
“Backs,” he commands, and I hear movement at the glass window. Turning around, I see all the guys’ cuts as they face away from us. “Say it again, sweet cheeks.”
I shake my head, afraid to open my mouth.
“Say it again,” he orders, and I bite my lip as I wiggle, trying to get away from him, embarrassed by what I spoke out loud. I can’t believe I said it. I’ve thought it, but wondered if it was too soon.
Judge
Her words tug my heart into my throat. She thinks it’s too soon, but I don’t. I’ve loved this woman and known she was mine for months now. Just because we’re forced together by circumstance doesn’t mean I don’t want us together when this is all done.
I turn and press her back into the wall, using the leverage to allow my hand to turn her face toward me. Leaning into her, I whisper right at her lips, “Say it again, so I can say it back, Evelise.”
Her eyes flare wide, and I need a connection with her, so I brush my lips against hers softly, and when she opens after the second time, I dive in and slide my tongue deep into her mouth.
It’s clear she loves me, but I want the words again.
I want to tell her how much I love her, too.
I pull away, leaving her lips bruised and swollen.
“I love you, Lucian,” she says as her eyes open. “It might be too soon, but no man other than my father and grandfather has taken care of me like you have.”
“No man will ever take care of you the way I will. I’m your man; I love you.
I’ve dumped so much cum into you over the last few days to ensure you are mine forever and always.
You’ll never get rid of me, baby. I’ll kill any man that tries to take you from me,” I vow as I squeeze her into my body.
“Now, look around your new shop so I can take you back, get you naked while you tell me you love me over and over again, and fuck you hard.”