I elbowed him.Brat. “I love to bake.”
“These are fantastic.” Maddox reached for another. “So what’s been going on around here? When we drove through town, there was an eerie feeling.”
Storm stiffened. “Yeah, we’ve had a little trouble with that nomad gang who arrived Memorial weekend.”
Sugar’s hazel-green eyes widened. “What?” She looked furious. “What kind of trouble? And why in the hell didn’t you tell me?”
34
Storm
Fuck. I didn’t want to do this. Not now. Sugar had only been home for two minutes. But I knew she wouldn’t let it go, so I might as well bring her and the boys up to speed.
“Let’s take this into the bar. I need a drink.” I slid Madeline off my lap and took her hand. Sugar and the boys followed. On my way out of the kitchen, I hollered for Raul, and whoever else was around to join us.
We all got our drink of choice. I gave Sugar and the boys the lowdown. Only the basics, nothing specific to the club. Just enough so they’d be aware of their surroundings and to steer clear of the Dirty Hunters. She didn’t say a word the whole time, but I was sure she had plenty to say.
Through it all, I held Madeline’s hand. My woman kept me grounded. She was a treasure. My God, how had I found her?
“So they’ve been quiet the last twenty-four hours. I hope they got the message and left town. Either way, there’s been groups of Knights combing the streets here in Bastion and Winters.”
Sugar sighed. “Jesus. And Ire and the women are okay?”
“Yes. Mostly.” I thought about their status. Ava was having a hard time, understandably. Ire wasn’t back to normal yet. He’d wanted to know what happened to the women but I hadn’t told him about Ava. He took his job seriously. When he found out what happened to her, Ire would lose his mind.
Sugar relaxed in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “I can’t believe my dad didn’t say anything the three times I talked to him.”
I leveled my gaze on Sugar. “I asked him not to. You and the boys needed time alone together. And you were safe. Nothing else mattered to me.”
“You’re right. We did need this road trip. It was what Matt wanted.” Sugar looked at her sons with a small smile. She loved her boys dearly, including me. No question, she was feisty and stubborn, but she was as sweet as her nickname my uncle Matt gave her.
I nodded, knowing as much. Once the boys graduated high school, I was sponsoring Maddox to be a prospect. He’d be the youngest, but I had every confidence he would earn the privilege. He was a lot like his old man and would make a fine addition to the club. Markey hadn’t shown the same interest and had talked about going to college.
“We’re getting the area under control, Sugar. It’s just been rough because these assholes seem to be ghosts. They have outside help.” Raul lifted his bottle to his lips. “Fucking pisses me off, too.” He guzzled his beer.
Sugar turned toward Madeline and me. “I’d love some alone time with your girl. Would you be okay with that?”
“Absolutely.”
Sugar stood. “You too, Tina.” She looked at the kittens in the corner. “Where’s Carla?”
Madeline lifted off my lap and squared her shoulders. “I haven’t made her feel welcome. She’s rude and acts like she owns my man. I won’t stand for it.” She cupped the side of my face and gave me a chaste kiss.
A flicker of respect sparked in Sugar’s eyes. “Well, I like you already, honey. Come on.” She took my woman by the hand and winked at me on the way out.
Angel would be just fine with Sugar. Next month I would put my mark on her. More than ever, I needed to get the Hunters out of the area so Madeline and I could start the baby-making process. I wanted nothing more than her pregnant with my child.
35
Madeline
We were in the kitchen at one of the two round tables eating cookies and drinking milk. I was grateful for this private moment with Sugar and Tina.
“Do you love him?” Sugar squeezed my hand as she stared into my eyes. “Don’t be afraid to say no, if it’s how you feel. I just want to know where you are with my boy. I only want the best for him and I can see how much he cares about you. It does my heart good too. He’s never been like this with a woman.”
“Like what?” My heart raced a little. I wasn’t sure if it was nervousness or excitement. When it came to Kaleb, I forever felt flutters in my heart. A gentle tightening in my chest. A stirring in my soul. It all made me antsy and giddy. Nervous and excited.
“Tender and protective. Smitten and in love.”