“Thought you’d never ask.”
28
Ire
I inhaled the spring air into my lungs and welcomed the cool breeze in my face and my fiancée’s arms around my waist. Last week when I proposed, it had been out of fear something horrible would happen to Ava or me. I’d wanted to seize the moment, and she’d said yes.
Tonight, Storm had a meeting set up with Deek. Several of my MC brothers and I would attend. Not gonna lie, I didn’t feel confident shit wouldn’t go down. Prez was determined to come to an agreement with the Vipers. Deek appeared reasonable, but something ate at me, like when my old man would call me out to the living room for “a talk.” There hadn’t been words he wanted to say. He’d wanted to unload on me with his fists and belt.
I felt it in my gut that Deek wouldn’t go easy on the club after our previous offenses. What he would demand, I had no idea.
I slowed my hog to turn onto the dirt road leading to Wennberg Pond behind the clubhouse. I didn’t want to go too far for Ava’s first ride. She could’ve freaked out, so staying close to the compound was wise. Someday we’d take a road trip out to the West Coast so my girl could see the Pacific Ocean. Whether that would be on my Harley or in my Camaro didn’t matter to me. I only cared about being with Ava.
Nobody was out at the pond, as I’d anticipated. We had the whole place to ourselves the way I liked it. Being with my brothers was good. The brotherhood we’d created stood above any others. The Knight’s Legion was more than a club. We were a close-knit family who enjoyed hanging with each other. As more of us claimed old ladies and had families, the vibe at the clubhouse was changing. I welcomed it, never having been much of a party guy.
I parked and turned off the engine. Gripping Ava’s thigh, I peered over my shoulder at her. “How are you, baby?”
She removed her helmet and flashed me a radiant smile that put the sun to shame. “Drew, I might have a new love.”
“Bullshit.” I helped her off and tugged her into my arms. She giggled as I devoured her neck and grabbed her ass. “I’m your only love. Only me. Forever and always.”
“Are you jealous ofyourbike?”
“Fuck yeah I am. I’d be jealous of anything and anyone who stole your love away from me. And maybe murderous.” I reared back and pressed my forehead to hers. “I love you, Ava Marie.”
“Mmm, I love you too. You don’t need to worry. I’ll always only love you.” She pecked my lips. “But what happens when we have kids? It’s natural to love your child. Just look at how much Storm, Dodge, and Boxer love their babies. And Lynx with Sadie? He’s seriously over the moon for her.”
I considered her words as I got lost in her baby blues. She was right. We would love our children.
“When do you want to get married and start a family?” My chest tightened. Marriage and children hadn’t been something I wanted before Ava. Even now, there was a part of me worried I might turn into my old man.
“I don’t know. There’s always something taking you away from me with the club. Why don’t you tell me when, and I’ll request the day off at work?”
I cuddled her close, pressing my lips to her head. “Art will give you all the time you need.” She’d started working a couple of days ago. I’d been a nervous wreck and ended up hanging out with her until her shift was over. She’d called me overprotective. Damn straight I was when it came to her. “What about this summer? Track will be home from Montana.” I’d like for him to attend our wedding, plus it was better to delay getting hitched until I knew what was up with the Vipers. If anything ruined the day I made Ava my wife, there’d be major hell to pay.
Ava lifted her head. “Sounds perfect. There won’t be any trouble for the club regarding Tina’s daughter, right?”
I held back a groan. “I don’t know.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better. Do you think you can teach me to shoot a gun?”
I reared back in shock. “What for?”
“So I can protect myself when you’re not around.”
“I’m around, Ava. I’ll keep you safe.”
She took my face into her hands. “Sweetheart, but you’re not always around. Every run you’ve been on has been dangerous. I just want to be able to protect our children and myself if you can’t.”
“I can and will,” I growled. “All my brothers would lay down their life for you.”
“Do you know how incredible you are?” She kissed me softly. “You’re the most amazing man to ever live.” She soothed me into submission with her sweet words and even sweeter voice.
“If you want to learn to shoot, I’ll teach you.”
She stroked my cheek. “We can discuss it another time. When do you want to have a baby?”
“I don’t want to rush you.” Or myself. Kids freaked me out. All the crying and shitting their pants didn’t appeal to me at all. I could be totally content spending the rest of my life with only Ava.