“Then lock it the fuck down.”
I nod, tossing back the shot of whiskey sitting on the bar waiting for me. I’m going to need about ten of them to make her feelings become invalid to me enough that if she fights me, I won’t give two shits. Viking’s right; I need to take care of business and remind her who’s in control here. She came back, and I want her. She was mine back then, and she’ll be mine again—this time for good. Once she comes to her senses, I’ll move them back down here, and we can get settled together.
I can’t believe after all the years out soul-searching, I’m ready to put down some roots. She’s a good woman, though, just wild enough to keep me on my toes. At least she used to be. I have a feeling if she gets a taste of that again, she’ll want more.
Now I’m around more and not into as much dangerous shit. Before we had our hands in dirty business, and it was a liability to care about anyone, a weakness. I wouldn’t want a woman tortured or killed so enemies could get to me. They did it to Princess and Viking was a goddamn wreck. He never let anyone know it, but the man was about to completely lose it. Not sure I’d be as strong in his situation. I’d be liable to go in, guns blazing, and murder the whole lot of them if they ever threatened my ol’ lady.
Carpe Omnia
- Seize Everything
“I hope they’ll be okay,” I repeat myself for the tenth time.
Of course, I’ve left Maverick with a babysitter before, but this isn’t the same. Odin doesn’t babysit regularly, and I’m just slightly worried he’ll do something out of the norm.
There’s a decent-sized chance we’ll come back later, and my son will be covered head to toe in fake tattoos. Generally, it wouldn’t concern me, but in two days when Princess says, “I do,” I don’t want my kid looking like a hellion in any of her photos. Although he’d fit in with the men around him, and maybe he’ll blend in more that way.
“They’re right over the field at the house if they need anything. I’m sure they won’t, though. This is good practice for Odin anyhow. The club sluts follow him around like lost puppies. He needs to see what happens if you’re not careful.”
“Thanks.” I wince.
I wasn’t careful; I was too trusting and ended up a single mom because of it.
“I didn’t mean it like that. You were older—in your twenties—when you got pregnant. He’s only eighteen and thinks he’s untouchable by anything. I don’t want a surprise to land him on his ass, at least not until he’s older. You had a chance to be free and crazy, he’s just getting to that point.”
“I know what you meant. Really, it’s fine. I was older but still living with my mom working a crap job. Things could’ve been easier. I hope Odin gets a chance to live his life some before facing the challenges I did.”
“Me too, B. I won’t let him be some shitty father, bailing on the back of his bike, either. I promise you that whichever woman he ends up with, he’ll do right by them.”
My smile’s a bit shaky as I ponder over her words. She’s turning into her mom, and she’s so lucky for that. So are the rest of the guys; Mona was good to everyone.
It’s also shaky because she still believes that Nightmare left me out to dry. I mean, he did in a way, telling me he didn’t want kids and couldn’t have them. He said it himself.What kind of father would he be and why would he want that anyhow.
Every time I begin to feel guilty or question my decisions, I have to remind myself of his words. He didn’t want me; he didn’t want Maverick. Nightmare didn’t want us. I would’ve given him everything I had, too. It wasn’t much, but I would’ve worshiped him with every beat of my heart. Too bad I wasn’t enough for him.
“Enough seriousness. You have a free pass tonight. You know what that means, right?” She pulls me to her in a side hug, grin full of mischief.
“Free pass? Hardly. I still have to function tomorrow.” Grinning, she rolls her eyes.
“Tonight, we have fun, Bethany. Suck it up and hold on sweet pea, it’s goin’ down.”
“Oh, God. Why do I feel like we’ll regret this tomorrow?”
“Let’s not think of that now. You’re trying that apple pie moonshine I told you about. That stuff is freaking amazing.”
“All right, bartender, pour me one … but only one. No puking tonight.”
She laughs and leads the way into the clubhouse, straight toward the bar. She’s full of trouble, and everyone always thought I was the bad one growing up. She was just as guilty as I was at getting us into something we weren’t supposed to be in.
First time we drank?Her fault. Yep, she opened her mom’s brandy cabinet and made us vodka and orange juice. It was disgusting, and we spilled it everywhere. Her mom had to know half the bottle of vodka was really water. She never said a word about it, but she didn’t need too. Princess and I were so paranoid that Mona knew, we didn’t enjoy it one bit. I think we walked around with our eyes wide and hands shaking for an entire month, waiting for her mom to lynch our asses.
Part of me wonders how we even survived as teens, being linked to a notorious biker club and her brother being Mr. Super Popular in school. Girls hated us for being close to him, and weird men watched us all the time. I know it was because of her father. Whether they were friend or foe, I still haven’t the slightest clue.
However it happened, we made it, and now she’s still trying to kill me—with moonshine. I love apple pie and doubt the liquor tastes anything like it, but if it does, I’m in trouble. You can’t have too much apple pie, especially if they have whipped cream behind the bar, too. Geesh.
“Hey, Blaze? Can we each have a shot of apple pie, please?” She leans over the bar, smiling at a guy our age. His arms are covered in tattoos that look like they’re on fire. So, this dude must be the cousin she’s told me about. He’s decent looking, but not on Nightmare’s level though.
Princess filled me in how he was a total dick to her the first time they met. She said he’s cool now, but for the longest, I wanted to castrate him for treating her so badly. I’m surprised Viking didn’t kill him when he found out. She said he offered to and that gave him some more brownie points in my book.