She sighed, squeezing my hand in hers, and nodded. “Okay. You pick.”
I stared into her kind eyes, grateful for having her in my life. “Thank you.” I turned to face Hero, who had been talking in a low voice to Raul. I hadn’t made out what they said, but it sounded serious. “Hey, I’m gonna sing with Maddy, okay?”
He rubbed my leg. “I’d love to hear you sing, baby. Just don’t shake that ass too much.”
I kissed his cheek. “First off, I’m just the backup singer. Secondly, I can’t control my hips. They move on their own accord.”
“Control them, or I’ll blister your ass.” He gave me a slow wink. “Andmi vida, there is nothingbackupabout you. You own it up there like I know you can.”
This man made me feel so fucking good about myself.
“Thank you.” I gave him a kiss to leave him wanting.
I stood just as Maddy pulled away from Storm. He didn’t appear to want to let her go. Big surprise. We went to the monitor to select a song.
A chair scraped on the floor coming from the direction of our table. Of course, it was Storm preparing to hear his Angel sing. That man openly worshiped her, not giving a shit if his brothers were around. Even if they teased or taunted him about being pussy whipped.
Come to think of it, I’d never heard them talk to their Prez that way. The loyalty in this club was next to none. Not one of the members would cross the line—unless they had a death wish, which they’d be stupid as fuck if they went toe to toe with their Prez.
The Knight’s Legion MC was literally a family, not by blood, but by choice. A brotherhood formed in trust and respect, strengthened by love. Yes, love. These badass bikers loved each other. They may never admit it or breathe the L-word, but it was shown in their treatment of each other. In their devotion to the club and their brothers.
Back in June, I hadn’t liked the club or the bikers. But here I was, immersed in their world. I saw another side of them now. I’d been through the ordeal with the Dirty Hunters and survived it. They were the reason all of us lived to tell the tale.
For the first time in my life, I had a real family. Something more than just Maddy or my co-workers. I had a man who would protect me with his life, along with a shit ton of his brothers who’d stand by his side to defend me.
Crap. It just occurred to me that I didn’t need to hide my dark past or self-harm. Not with this group. Hero had told me every brother was broken in some way or another. Thus, assuring me, I was safe to be me and not fear any judgment. Perhaps, this was why my life intersected with Hero’s.
Could I finally show my scars and still be accepted?
Another chair scraped on the floor. My man turned to have a better view of me. He winked again. Love whooshed through my body as I stared at him.
“Hey, gonna pick a song?” Madeline’s voice cut through my thoughts.
I lowered my gaze to the screen. “Yeah, how about something upbeat.”
“Sounds good to me!”
When I came upon “Man! I feel like a woman!” by Shania Twain, I had to select it. Madeline rocked the song, and my part as the backup singer was small, just as I preferred. Hero might’ve told me to own it, and I would. I just didn’t like being center stage.
Mine and Maddy’s freshman year of college rushed back as the music started. We’d sung the song at least a dozen times that year.
Her face lit up like a freakin beacon. “Yes!” She jiggled my arm.
Sugar and Libby jumped to their feet. The two ran toward us to join in.Perfect! The more, the merrier.
I scanned the room, finding everyone’s attention on us. Storm’s was on Maddy as she whipped her hips and shimmied her shoulders. I had a hunch she’d be hauled away to their love nest after the song.
What I wouldn’t do to be carried off…Wait. Hero practically drooled from his vantage point. I might get carried off too.
Grizz was eyeing Libby, along with several other brothers. Art seemed to have his gaze locked on Sugar. This was new. Hmm…
Singing and shaking my ass was just what I needed. I had lots of fun with this group of women. We were a tribe of mouthy bitches. It was freaking awesome.
We’d formed a line, swinging our hips in unison. See? We just meshed. Madeline sang the lead parts like a professional. The rest of us joined in the chorus, dancing all sexy and shit. I loved these women. A warm feeling bloomed in my chest as I thought about how I didn’t need to hide my past with them, either. This was my new home. My new family. A place where I belonged, just for being me.
A wolf whistle made me freeze. When I saw who it was, I nearly screamed in delight. The crowd in the bar looked from Hero to me as he strutted oh-so-fine, like he owned the whole fucking joint.
“My woman didn’t obey her man.” Hero stopped in front of me. “Roja, you have some splainin’ to do.” His hand cupped the back of my neck, then he pulled me toward him, lips connecting with mine.