“I’m not going anywhere without you.” I straddled his lap and stared into his olive-green eyes. “I want you to come to me when you get back.”
“I will.”
“Good.” I kissed the corner of his mouth, then the other, then his chin and his nose. “I’ll be waiting up for you.”
Ten o’clock approached, and I was a nervous wreck. Drew and his MC brothers left a few hours ago. He’d told me he wouldn’t be able to call while on the run. Storm would communicate with Maddy if needed, but it wasn’t likely. I just had to wait until they returned.
Motorcycle clubs were foreign to me. The Knights were good men who respected human life, completely different than the Dirty Hunters I’d encountered nineteen months ago.
“How are you doing, Ava?” Maddy adjusted Birdie in her arms. The baby had just nodded off.
“Okay, I guess. How often do you all hang out in the kitchen, waiting on the guys?” Judging by the snacks and drinks, I’d say it was more often than I realized. It felt a little like a girls’ night out, only we were clustered around a kitchen table, worrying about our men. None of the kittens were around. I’d overheard Maddy and Sugar talking about Libby being downstairs with Patch, the club’s doctor, setting up a room to care for injuries.
“This is the first time for me.” Snow kissed the top of Max’s head. “Boxer and I spent some time away from the club after we got married last year. We’ve only been back since Tara’s wedding. I have to admit, it’s unnerving.”
I nodded. “Very unnerving.”
“It never gets easy.” Sugar looked at Tina. “Does it?”
Tina twisted a napkin on the table. “No. I wish Track had put off leaving until after the run. He’d make sure Raul was safe.”
“Raul will be fine.” Sugar gave Tina’s hand a gentle squeeze.
“I’m not thrilled about this either.” Jaynee grabbed a handful of popcorn. “I’m gonna gain ten pounds tonight worrying about Lynx. I wished I were as confident as Sadie. She’s sure her daddy will return from his secret mission in the middle of the night. He promised to kiss her when he got back.” Jaynee’s eyes welled with tears.
“It’ll be all right, sweetie.” Maddy patted her hand.
“Oh, I know. It’s these damn pregnancy hormones making me weepy.” She rubbed her baby bump. “Lynx will have hell to pay if he doesn’t come back in one piece.”
Tara took a pink straw out of her mouth. “Hero too. All he’s talked about is knocking me up, but I had put him off until we got married.”
Maddy squeaked. “Are you pregnant?”
“No, babes. I’m not. Which is why my man better not get his dick shot off. He needs to get me preggers. You and Emilee are putting the rest of us to shame with how fast you’re producing the next generation.”
“Wait.” Jaynee’s eyes went wide. “Angel, are you pregnant again?”
“Thanks, Roja.” Maddy shot her a stern look, then smiled at Jaynee. “Yes, but we’re not supposed to be telling anyone until I’m out of the first trimester.”
Tara waved off Maddy from across the table. “Oh, please. How do you think I knew? Storm blabbed during church yesterday.”
Sugar snorted. “My nephew has grown a pair of loose lips since Birdie was born.”
“Tell me about it.” Maddy shook her head. “He’s so proud of his achievements. He’s sure it’s a boy this time.”
“Mercy, you and Em are neck and neck with babies.” Sugar sighed heavily. “I wish I’d had one more after the twins were born. They were such a handful though. Double everything… colic, teething, colds, and blow-out diapers. Matt and I could hardly keep up.” She smiled wistfully. “I would’ve loved having a little girl.”
“But now, with all these old ladies in the club, there’s plenty of help.” Tina elbowed Sugar playfully. “Maybe you should go for it.”
“Excuse me?” Maddy sat forward, making Birdie stir. She bounced gently, her mouth slightly agape. “And would her sperm donor be a certain tattooist?”
These women were too much. I was in awe listening to their banter. Drew was right about them distracting me for the evening. It was like I was onKeeping up with the Kardashians… MC Edition.
Sugar vaulted out of her chair and pointed her finger at Tina. “Look what you started.”
Tina winced under the weight of Sugar’s glare. “Sorry, honey. It just slipped.”
“Wait. Tattooist?” Jaynee looked at the ceiling like she was thinking. “You mean Art?”