Chapter Eighteen
Swift
Walking into the clubhouse with Britta’s hand in mine felt… different.
Not bad. Not even new, really.
Just… right.
Like something had clicked into place that had been off since the second we rolled into Madison.
She squeezed my hand as we stepped inside, her eyes taking everything in. The long bar. The beat-up couches. The guys sprawled out like they owned the place, because they did. The smell of leather, beer, and whatever the hell Podge had burned in the kitchen earlier filled the air.
“This is it?” she asked quietly, leaning a little closer to me.
I smirked. “Welcome to the chaos, sugar.”
Before she could say anything else, Tempi spotted us. “Britta!” she squealed, practically launching herself off the couch.
Tempi’s eyes dropped right to where our fingers were linked. She froze, and then her eyes snapped back up. Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped. “Oh my God… Did you… Are you—” she sputtered, pointing between us like she’d just uncovered the biggest secret in the world.
I wasn’t about to stand there and do the whole awkward announcement thing. Not my style.
There was only one way to handle it.
I reached for Britta, turning her toward me before she could even react. My hands came up, cupping her face, thumbs brushing over her cheeks.
Her eyes locked on mine.
Questioning and curious, but a little heated. “Swift—”
I didn’t let her finish.
I kissed her.
Not quick.
Not soft.
Not something anyone in that room could mistake.
My mouth claimed hers like it had every right to be there, like I’d been waiting my whole damn life for it. She melted into me instantly, her hands gripping my shirt, rising up on her toes like she needed to get closer.
The room went quiet.
Then—“Yes!” Tempi shouted.
I huffed a laugh against Britta’s lips before pulling back. Her eyes were blown wide, her breath coming fast, and her lips parted just enough to make me want to forget where the hell we were. “Why did you stop?” she gasped.
I brushed my thumb over her bottom lip, keeping her right there in my space. “Because we’ve got an audience, sugar,” I murmured. “That’s about all they’re getting. The rest is ours.”
She blinked at me. Twice. “You just claimed me.”
I didn’t hesitate. “Yeah,” I said, my voice low and steady. “Sure fucking did.”
And that was that.
No speech.
No announcement.
Just truth.
“You guys are falling like flies,” Nugget called from the couch.
“First Twister, now you?” Hodge added, shaking his head like he’d just lost all faith in the world.
“You’re just jealous,” Podge shot back.
Rev laughed. “Hodge has been rejected by every woman in Madison. He’s not next.”
“Screw you,” Hodge snapped. “I don’t even want an ol’ lady.”
“Yeah, but I’m sure you want something other than your hand every night,” Gramps tossed in.
“Stay the hell out of my room,” Hodge growled.
Britta leaned into me, laughing under her breath. “Is this normal?”
“Yeah,” I said, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “This is actually them behaving.”
She shook her head, smiling. And just like that, it settled.
It was accepted.
She was mine.
I was hers.
End of story.
Twister clapped his hands once. “Church.”
He crossed to Tempi, pulling her in for a quick kiss before heading toward the back room.
Britta glanced at me. “I’ve seen Sons of Anarchy. Go have a chat with your biker buddies.”
I snorted. “You’re crazy, sugar.”
She grinned.
I looked over at Cord and Plug, who were already posted up nearby. “Nothing happens to them,” I said. “Not even a hint of something off. You come get us.”
Both of them nodded immediately. “Got it.”
Tempi waved me off. “Go, biker man. I’ve got to talk to your ol’ lady.”
Britta arched a brow at that.
I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers one more time. “Behave.”
“Right back at you,” she shot back.
I chuckled and headed for church.
The room filled fast.
Twister took his seat at the head of the table, and I dropped into the chair to his right. The rest of the guys filtered in, grabbing spots, boots scraping, chairs shifting.
Same setup.
Same energy.
Twister leaned forward, elbows on the table.
“You got some good news for us?” Chewy asked.
“Yeah,” Method added. “Did The Ledger just drop dead overnight?”
“I fucking wish,” Twister muttered. And just like that, the mood shifted. “We need to figure out what the hell we’re doing about Saint’s Smash,” he continued. “This permit bullshit isn’t random.”
“No shit,” Wheels said.
I leaned back slightly, arms crossed. “There’s no way the whole city’s that corrupt.”
Twister let out a humorless laugh. “You’d be surprised what money can do.”
Sully tipped his chin. “Then throw some of yours at it, Duck McScrooge.”
“It’s Scrooge McDuck,” Wheels corrected.
Sully flipped him off. “You knew what I meant.”
“Can we focus?” I cut in.
Twister nodded. “I’m not buying our way out. That’s a losing game.”
“Then we go higher,” I said. “Inspector’s just a pawn. We find out who is above her, then go above them until we reach the real shot caller. What’s the guy’s name?”
Wheels laughed. “Name’s Goldie, and it’s she.”
“Interesting,” Rev muttered.
“Three days,” Wheels added. “She’s coming to explain violations and shit.”
Twister pointed at him. “You find out who’s behind her.”
“Charm her?” Wheels smirked.
“Try not to be a dick for once,” Gramps said.
Laughter rippled through the room, but it didn’t stick because we all knew what we were up against.
“Anything from the cops?” I asked.
Twister shook his head. “Nothing useful.”
“Shocking,” I muttered.
“They’re either useless,” Chewy said, “or paid off.”
“Both,” I answered.
Silence followed that.
“We’ll get them,” Twister said finally. “We just have to chip away at it.”
I nodded once. “We will.”
“Until then,” he added, “everyone stays sharp.”
“I’m with Tempi,” he continued.
“And I’m with Britta,” I said.
His eyes flicked to mine. “Anything new with her brother?”
I shook my head. “Nothing concrete. Pretty sure shit was a coincidence. He knew where we were headed today; nothing happened. I gotta believe he isn’t some two-faced ass who wants his sister dead. Me, sure, but not Britta.”
“Keep watching him,” Twister said.
“Already am.”
The meeting wrapped not long after that.
Chairs scraped and the guys filtered out.
Soon it was just me and Twister.
He leaned back, studying me.
“Just say it,” I told him.
He smirked. “Don’t need to.”
I huffed a quiet laugh.
“Didn’t see her coming, huh?” he added.
“No,” I admitted. “Didn’t stand a chance either.”
He nodded. “Same.”
We bumped fists.
“The only good thing that’s happened since we got here,” I said.
“More good’s coming,” he replied.
I shook my head. “Not until we deal with The Ledger.”
He grinned slightly. “Then we deal with them.”
I stood, pushing my chair back.
“That’s the plan,” I said.
And as I headed out of church, back toward the main room, back to Britta, I knew one thing for damn sure.
They’d made a mistake coming after us.
And we were done playing defense.