Maggie #2
“Sounds like a plan.”
We paid the bill and quickly gathered our things before Ronin led me out of the restaurant. It was cold, and my focus was on getting back to his truck until I heard Ronin mutter, “Oh, damn.”
“What?”
“Nothing, it’s just Clutch and Liv.” I could feel his body tense as he said, “He’s one of the brothers.”
“Oh, is there a reason you don’t want to see them?”
“No, it’s just I haven’t really said much to the guys about me and you.” My expression must’ve given me away, and he immediately added, “It’s not like that. I just kind of wanted to keep you all to myself.”
“Well, that’s kind of sweet.”
“More like self-preservation, but you’ll see soon enough.”
Clutch and his wife approached with kind smiles on their faces. Clutch was older with shaggy salt and pepper hair, and his wife was absolutely stunning. Clutch gave me a curious look as he said, “Hey, brother. How’s it going?”
“Good. We just finished having dinner.” Ronin motioned his hand towards me as he said, “I don’t think you guys have met... This is Maggie.”
“Hey, Maggie. We’ve heard a lot about you.”
“You have?” I glanced up at Ronin as I muttered, “I thought you…”
“I didn’t,” Ronin interrupted.
“Oh, you know how word gets around.” Clutch gave me a wink. “It’s good to finally put a face with the name.”
“Same. It’s really good to meet you both.”
“You’ll have to bring her by the club this weekend for family day.”
“Yeah, I haven’t had a chance to tell her about that just yet.”
Clutch turned to me as he asked, “You got kids, right?”
“I have two. A son and a daughter.”
“You should bring them, too. It’d be a good chance for them to meet everybody.”
“That sounds nice. We’ll talk about it, and maybe I’ll see you guys there.”
“I hope so.” Liv looked over at Clutch, then awkwardly back to us. “Well, we’ll let you guys get back to your night.”
“Yeah, you two get to it.” Clutch gave me a friendly smile as he said, “It was really good to meet you.”
“You, too. Enjoy the rest of your night.”
Without saying another word, Ronin took me by the hand and led me back to the truck.
Neither of us said a word as we got in and buckled up.
And the silence continued as Ronin started the truck and pulled out of the parking lot.
The awkwardness was getting to me, so I finally said, “Clutch and Liv seemed nice.”
“Yeah, they’re great.”
And just like that, silence fell over us once again.
I couldn’t deny that I was hurt that Ronin hadn’t even mentioned the club party.
I knew his brothers and the club meant a great deal to him, and I couldn’t help but think that there was a reason why he hadn’t told me about it.
And me, being me, figured whatever was going on wasn’t good, and my mind was running wild with ideas like maybe he was planning to take someone else or maybe things with us weren’t as good as I thought they were.
“Is there a reason why you didn’t mention the club party?”
“Yeah, but it’s not what you think.”
“Then, what is it?” I pushed. “Why don’t you want me there?”
“I do want you there, Maggie. More than you could possibly know, but Fury isn’t just a bunch of guys who ride bikes and hang out. It’s a lot more than that.”
“I know. You told me they’re like family to you.”
“They are, and when things go south, I know they’ll always have my back.”
“That sounds really nice.”
“It definitely has its advantages. It’s like a family you never knew you needed. You’ll see what I mean when you meet everyone.”
“I’m not getting it. I don’t see the problem.”
Ronin’s tone turned serious as he explained, “It’s not all rainbows and butterflies, babe. There’s heavy stuff that goes down, and it doesn’t always end well.”
“What kind of stuff?”
“That’s just it. I’ll never be able to tell you about it. Not fully.” His eyes met mine as he said, “Club business is club business.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“Not for you or the kids.”
“So, it is dangerous.”
When he didn’t respond, I knew I had my answer.
My heart started to race as all these intrusive thoughts came rushing through my mind.
I’d been so foolish. I’d heard the rumors about Satan’s Fury, but I thought they were just silly stories made up by bored housewives who watched too much TV.
I never dreamed they were truly involved in criminal activities; otherwise, I would’ve steered clear of Ronin and his brothers.
“So, the rumors are true?”
Again, no answer.
“You do realize that not answering is an answer.”
Ronin pulled into the drive and turned to face me as he said, “Yeah, but it’s the only one I have to give.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Afraid so.”
“Then, I think it’s best that we call it a night.” I opened my door and quickly grabbed my things as I told him, “I wish things could’ve been different.”
“Don’t do this.”
“I don’t have a choice, Ronin.” I had to fight back my tears as I told him, “Those kids in that house are my life. I live and breathe for them, and I can’t put them in danger. I won’t do it.”
Without saying anything more, I got out of his truck and rushed inside, quickly closing the door behind me. I was relieved to find that Samantha was no longer in the living room. I didn’t want her to see that I was on the verge of crying, so I used the opportunity to rush to my room.
As I walked by, I could hear them both shouting and laughing, which was a clear indication that they were both playing online. I stopped at Nathan’s door and tapped on the door as I told him, “I’m home!”
“Okay!” was all I got, and he was right back to his game.
I took off my coat as I continued down to my room.
I threw it on my treadmill and kicked off my boots before collapsing on my bed.
I could feel the tears stinging my eyes as I stared up at the ceiling.
I couldn’t believe it. I’d really grown to like Ronin a lot.
I really thought we had something, and it broke my heart to think that I would never see him again.
But I didn’t have a choice.
I couldn’t put my children in danger. I was their mother.
It was my job to protect them, even if it meant walking away from a man I truly cared about.
The more I thought about it, the more I cried.
I was a mess. I was balled up on my bed and working myself into a real pity party when I heard a tap on my window.
I thought it was just my imagination until I heard it again—louder this time.
Curiosity got the best of me, and I got up to see what was making the noise. I pulled back the blind, and my breath caught when I found Ronin standing there with a fierce expression on his face. “Open up.”
“Ronin.”
“Open the window, Maggie.”
I unlocked the bolt before raising the window. Without waiting for an invitation, he placed a hand on each side of the window, then hoisted his broad shoulders through the small opening and stepped into my room. “We need to talk.”
“We’ve said all there is to say.”
“Not even close.” He brought his hand up to my face and used the pad of his thumb to brush away a tear. “Clearly, there’s still lots that needs to be said.”
"But it’s not going to change anything.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” He turned and closed the window before saying, “But I’m not leaving here until I’ve had a chance to say my piece.”
I didn’t argue.
I simply nodded, and he let out a sigh of relief.
“I know you like pretending that you don’t have your walls up, but I see them. I know they’re there. And right now, you’re scared and looking for any excuse to put an end to us, but baby, this ain’t it.”
“I don’t want to get hurt… and I don’t want my kids to get hurt.”
“I get that, but there is a part of the club life that you aren’t getting. I wasn’t born into that family. I chose them, and they chose me. There’s a strength in that.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“Once you’re in their fold, there’s nothing they won’t do for you.
Nothing, and those aren’t just words. I truly mean that.
” He reached over and took my hand. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it.
The secrets are tough. All the ol’ ladies hate ‘em, but we do the things we do to protect and take care of the people we love the most. I’d never put you or those kids in danger.
Hell, I’d die before I let that happen.”
“But...”
“You can trust me, Maggie.” His eyes never left mine as he said, “I know that’s hard for you, especially after what you’ve been through, but you can. And one day, I’ll prove that to you.”
“It won’t be easy. I’ve all but forgotten how to truly trust someone.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
I needed him to know how hard it would truly be, so I told him, “You can have your club secrets and you do what you have to do there, but that’s where I draw the line. No lying to me or keeping things from me. Just like this. You should’ve just told me from the start.”
“You’re right. I should have, but it’s a lot, especially for someone who’s never been a part of the club life. And I didn’t want to scare you off.” He gave me a snicker. “I was kind of hoping I could get you to warm up to me before I hit you with the heavy stuff.”
“That’s not really fair.”
“I know, but I’ll make it up to you.”
“And how are you planning to do that?”
A sexy smirk slipped across his face as he said, “Oh, I can be creative when I wanna be.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah, you just wait.” He pulled me close once again. “Little by little, I’m gonna wear you down.”