He climbed out of the car and took her hand as she vacated the vehicle. Together, they walked hand-in-hand toward the clubhouse, only he didn’t go around the back. He walked straight into the main room.
The lights were all turned off and as he cleared his voice, the lights came on and everyone screamed a welcome home.
Balloons, streamers, and confetti spewed forward.
“Oh, wow,” she said.
Her hand gripped his tightly and for the first time since planning her coming-home party, he had to wonder if he’d made a mistake. Randall had advised him about crowds and he quickly recalled how he found her at the bar. This wasn’t designed to be too much for her. He expected her to be able to handle it.
“We’re so glad to see you,” Joanne said, rushing forward.
“Great.”
Men and women all came toward them, embracing her, and for the first time, Preacher knew it was a mistake.
Bear handed him a beer and he shook his head.
“Do you have any word on Bishop?” Bear asked.
Joanne and a couple of the women took Robin and he watched her go. She looked back toward him and he smiled at her, giving her a little wave.
If looks could kill, he’d be dead.
“Not yet but we’re getting close.”
“Have you spoken with Myers?” he asked.
Edward Myers was the one in charge of keeping them all out of prison. He was a grumpy guy and hated the job he’d been given, but they paid him very well to do his job. He also overlooked all the legal stuff with their clubs and businesses. Whenever they needed a lawyer, he was the one to call. So far, he’d never failed them.
“He’s getting the necessary paperwork. However, he warned me Bishop needs to be alive to sign them.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Yeah.”
“Then what are you going with? Making her a widow?” Bear asked.
Preacher didn’t say anything. He looked over the party and it no longer felt right to him. He’d fucked up big and he was going to have to make it up to her.
“I hate to be the party pooper here,” Bear said.
“You’re going to, anyway. May as well get it done,” Preacher said, drinking his beer.
“Fine. He’s your son, Preacher. I know I’ve only had a girl and you and Bishop have had your difficulties. He’s still your boy.”
“Your point being?” He wasn’t stupid. He simply didn’t want to have to answer any more questions.
“Will you kill him?”
Preacher turned to his friend. He and Bear had always been close.
“I love Robin, but I don’t think even if she was to turn rat, I don’t think I could kill her. She’s my flesh and blood.”
Preacher nodded. “I understand that, but that’s why I’m president and you’re VP. I can do what no one else does.”
“You’d kill Bishop?” Bear asked.
“He’s a rat. He turned Robin over to our enemies. That’s the kind of shit you never forgive or forget. He’ll pay for what he’s done. Robin, if she wants an annulment, she’ll get it. She’s been through enough.”
“What if she wants Bishop to live?”
“Then I’ll make sure she gets something else. Bishop will die.” He couldn’t see Robin anymore and he didn’t like it.
Bear grabbed his arm as he attempted to go find her, stopping him from moving. “You know, I’m really getting tempted to break your hand,” he said.
“What would you do if Robin’s a rat? Would you kill her?”
Preacher turned to look at Bear. “That would never happen.”
He wasn’t about to answer Bear. There was no reason for him to find an answer.
As he left his friend, he made his way through the main part of the club, but there was no sign of Robin. He spotted several of the club pussy. They were on the arms of his men but still nothing of his woman.
He left the clubhouse, looking outside and finding nothing. Next, he made his way back inside, stopping Grave. “You seen Robin?”
“She went to the bathroom.”
He nodded his thanks and went toward the bathroom. There was no one outside and he walked in.
The bathroom was clean and he made a note to give the club cleaner a pay rise. He’d used the bathrooms a couple of times and his boys were not the cleanest.
He heard the unmistakable sound of sniffling.
“Robin, baby?” he asked.
“It’s okay. I’ll be right out.” Her voice was croaky.
He leaned up against the sink, arms folded, waiting. Fuck, he had a bad feeling. Running a hand down his face, he tried to clear his thoughts.
“You’re still here, aren’t you?”
“I’m not leaving.”
“I want you to leave.”
“Are you pissed at me?”
“No. I don’t even know if I can get pissed at you.”
He laughed. “Of course, you can. It’s a rite of passage. Every girlfriend has a right to be mad at their boyfriend.”
“You’re my boyfriend?”
Preacher hesitated. “I guess I am. You’re mine and I’m yours. I’ve never had a girlfriend before.”