“I don’t think I’m cut out to be president,” I said. “Club members might respect me, but the Demons think they can pull any shit they want. They blew up a car at the bar and they took Tina right in front of me. I can’t do this.”
“They’ll learn to fear you,” Hawk said. “Just like they did me. You think I could take three guys at once?”
I gave a slight grin. “I don’t know. You sure act like it sometimes.”
He grinned. “Maybe. But that’s all that is. They might not respect you now, but that’ll change. You’ll show them. But first you need to wait to see out of both of your eyes.”
“You’re right about that.”
“Let’s get you back to the bar. Ramona will bike you back.”
I nodded in agreement, knowing Hawk taught his Little well on the bike. Right now, she probably knew how to bike better than I did.
Ramona and I followed Hawk back to the bar. We rocked up to it. There smoking remains of the explosion was still outside, but it looked like some effort to move the debris out of the way was made. I would have to collect all the debris and lug it to a disposal site. Just another thing to add to the list.
The bar was empty and dark inside. I slumped into one of the seats. Part of me wanted to go to sleep, but most of me was anxious and restless. I needed to hear news about Tina. The sooner the better.
“I’ll go get some more water,” said Ramona. “And maybe some coffee as well.”
“Thanks, baby girl,” Hawk said, kissing her on the forehead.
Ramona smiled, leaning into her Daddy’s touch before disappearing into the kitchen.
“I don’t know how you did it, man,” I said. “How the hell did you run the club, get an old lady, and make it out of here alive.”
Hawk gave me a crooked grin. “It wasn’t easy,” he said. “Honestly, I don’t think I would have lasted so long without Ramona. She kept me sane. If it wasn’t for her, I would have taken bigger risks. I would have gotten more careless. And I would have ended up getting myself killed years ago.”
“Didn’t you worry about putting her in danger?”
His smile disappeared. “Every day,” he said. “There were a few close calls, too. It scared the absolute shit out of me. But I gave her the choice to leave. I would have been happy to support her and make sure she was cared for, even if she never wanted to see me again. But she wanted to stay. And I’m glad she did.” He raised an eyebrow at me. “Are you sweet on Tina? You’re asking a lot of questions all of a sudden.”
“I might be,” I admitted. “Not that it matters now. I doubt she would want me when I can’t even protect her.”
“You just sent a small army after her,” Hawk said. “You think Axel would rally up less than twenty bikers for this mission?”
“Fair point.” I sighed. “I don’t know. I don’t like the idea of putting Tina in danger. She’s been through hell. Even before all of this shit with the Demons.”
“Look, we might be Daddies and take a dominant role with Littles, but in the end, it’s up to them on staying or leaving,” Talon said. “And if she wants to stay, there’s nothing you can do that will make you change her mind.”
Part of me wanted that. I wanted her to be my Little. And a selfish part of me hoped she wanted me as a Daddy. But none of it would matter if she didn’t return safely.