"This place, these people, you, joining up here has changed shit for me. In a lot of ways. And maybe it took me longer than it took some of the others, but this brotherhood means a lot to me. And I believe in fighting for what matters to you. I want in on this."
Reign searched my face for a long moment before giving me a nod.
"Alright then. Keep that kid on your mind. You gotta go home to her. First time you do shit like this can get confusing fast. Keep your mind right," he said, reaching toward the bar where the guns were all lined up, handing me one gun, then another. "You're a good shot, so these should do for you."
Those and the twenty brothers who would likely make it so I didn't do that much of the dirty work.
Lo had called down some of her troops to protect the clubhouse along with Brooks, Malcolm, and Finn—the latter two needing to be talked down by their fathers who insisted they were too young, that the only reason Fallon was going was because he was older.
"No," Reign said, drawing my attention to the doorway.
Where his daughter was standing.
Decked out in her all-black outfit, her curved karambit in her hand, a gun strapped around her back.
"Try to stop me," she shot back, giving him a devilish smirk.
"Yep, that's your kid, alright," Cash said, slapping his brother on his good shoulder.
"Your mother is pissed enough with me about letting Fallon come," Reign insisted. "And he's part of the club."
"Well, that's why we aren't going to tell her until it's over. Trust me, Dad, this is hardly the most dangerous thing I have been involved in."
"Fuck, kid, don't remind me," Reign said, shaking his head. "Alright. Everyone arm up. We are leaving in twenty," Reign declared, nodding toward Cash and Wolf, the two men following him outside.
"Why would you volunteer?" Eva's voice said from behind me, making me turn on my heel.
"You weren't supposed to be listening, babe," I reminded her, shaking my head.
"I really wasn't. Okay fine," she said, smiling. "I couldn't for most of it. But then you and Reign moved closer to the hallway. Your voices carry, even when you think you're being quiet. Why did you volunteer? He was going to let you stay here."
"That's a tough one to answer," I admitted to her. "This club means something to me. They're important. And these people just hurt—and may have been ready to kill—the person who gave me the life I now have. Some things are worth fighting for. This club is one of them."
To that, her chest expanded with a deep sigh. "Okay. Fine. Yeah. I guess I understand that. Even if I don't like it."
"You're in good company, babe," I said, waving my hand out toward the club where all the men were either talking on their phones or texting. "Not one of the women get used to this or like it. But they understand it. That's all any of us can ask of you."
"You have to be careful. You owe me an old people date."
"Definitely a good reason to make sure I make it home," I agreed, tucking the guns away, then letting my arms glide down her back, sinking into her ass, yanking her up onto her tiptoes to seal my lips over hers.
It was hard and fast and deep, one full of promise.
I wanted to give this a real shot once this shit was handled. Once we could both go home, fall into old rhythms, find some new ones.
"Yeah, we get it," Huck called. "You two want to fuck. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we will get him back to you, babe," he added as we broke apart.
For such a strong and confident woman, Eva had a tendency toward shyness, making her head dip, her smile go wobbly. And, sometimes, a small flush to work over her skin, barely noticeable, but there if you looked closely, tinting her cheeks.
"You good?" I asked, ducking my chin to catch her gaze again.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be stress-cleaning the kitchen.
"Just a couple hours, at most," I assured her, grabbing her chin in my thumb and forefinger.
"Don't be too much of a hero," she demanded, then pulled away, turned, and walked into the kitchen.
As I made my way toward the door, I could hear the water running, the cabinets opening and closing as she gathered cleaning supplies.
"What?" I asked when Huck stood there waiting for me.
"What?" Oh, nothing," he said, shaking his head. "Not a bad thing," he mused as we walked outside.
"What?"
"Having a woman like that waiting for you."
"I hear Florida has women too," I said. "You could find one."
"Christ, I couldn't bring a woman into the shit we are into down there. Che, you good?" Huck asked, moving away from me.