I swallow. Cause, fuck, I was a dick to Chaos plenty of times from being jealous, thinking he wanted her. “Thank you for being good to her, even when I couldn’t see what was going on.” I may be a dick, but I can admit when I fuck up too. Viking told me years back that it helps make you a decent man if you can be big enough to admit your mistakes. These days, I have a woman that makes me want to be that good man in her eyes and in everyone else’s as well.
“Always, brother.” He holds his fist out and I fist bump it, gratefully.
Karma and Rage scoot in, nodding toward me. I’m not completely sure about them yet, and whether they’re related to Torch or not, it doesn’t matter. “Hey man, I see you locked down the best set of tits in the club,” one of them says and they both chuckle.
Their words have me seeing red, and within my next breath, I have my hands wrapped in a death grip around each of their throats. There’s shouting, but I’m too zeroed in on these fuckers to pay it any mind. “Fucking Karma and Rage, first of motherfuckers, I’m VP or Odin to your asses. Secondly, Cherry is my bitch, mind what the fuck you say. She’s an ol’ lady and deserves to be treated with respect.”
Leaning in, my hands tighten more, their faces beginning to change colors. They couldn’t break free no matter how much the meatheads struggle. With a growl, I warn, “You’ve heard of Viking chopping a head off the bastard talking about his ol’ lady, well the same blood runs through my veins. I may not have an axe, but I’ll just as easily choke your asses to death or slice your throats with my long ass blade.” At that, I release them, both men bending over to choke in and out as much air as they can get.
Cherry slides in front of me and my expression softens. I’d do anything for this woman. Her arms wrap around my waist, holding me tightly. She lays her head on my chest, and my heart fills with warmth all over again.
Viking strides over, a big grin on his face. “I’m proud of you.”
“Figured you’d be pissed. I really will kill them if they don’t wise up.”
He chuckles. “I know. I’m the one who sent them over here. I had to test you, make sure that wasn’t just fucking earlier. I’m damn proud to have you as my younger brother.”
Blowing out a breath, I can’t even be surprised. Only my brother would think me threatening and choking men was a bonding moment. “Thanks, I think. For the record, you’re not a bad brother yourself.”
He snorts. “I’ve been shit at it, but we have the future.” He sends Cherry a smile and then seeks his ol’ lady out.
“You good?” Cherry leans up, asking me, so no one else will hear her.
“Babe, I’ve got you in my arms. I’ve never been better.”
I’ve got my woman on my arm, my brother back home and the VP patch. Life's pretty fucking good at the moment.
Two years later
“You ready yet, babe?” Odin smiles as I slide the last batch of freshly baked banana bread from the oven and place the hot sheet on a silicon cooling pad. Thank God for the clubhouse kitchen being built to serve so many big, burly men. The kitchen is massive. Not to mention stocked well, thanks to Princess’s love for making her mom’s recipes for the MC on occasion. Viking spoils her when it comes to providing things how she wants it.
“Yes, I have to let this cool off a bit and then get them each individually wrapped up for tomorrow’s preorders.”
“I’m so damn proud of you, Cherry.” He states those words often, never hesitating to speak his mind or offer me some praise. He’s done his damndest in making me feel appreciated and adored over the last few years. I couldn’t ask for a better man to have in my life. Chaos has even commented on it a few times. I’m glad I’m not the only person who notices it.
My face lights up at his praise. “I never would’ve done it without your encouragement.” It’s the truth; without him, there’s no telling what I’d be doing right now. I don’t want to think of that though. I love my life by his side.
He shrugs, engulfing my hand with his to lead me outside behind the club. “You were made to be a baker, and all I did was suggest that you take some of those delicious muffins to the farmers market. You do all the work.”
Odin plays it off, but he did so much more than that, including helping me package and transport everything. Then he didn’t let me back out when my nerves hit out of nowhere and offered me some cash so I could give customers change. Never would I have thought people would pay for any of my baking. I was also able to start using some of my profit to order new baking supplies to go even further into my various sweet and spicy creations. “No, you also believed in me. No one’s ever believed in me the way you do.”
“It’s ‘cause they’re dumbasses. You’re a good woman; their loss not to notice it before me.”
Popping up, I manage to land an affectionate peck to his scruffy blond jaw. The brute’s so damn tall it’s hard for me to get kisses any higher on his face unless he bends down for me and I’m five foot nine, hardly short for a female. He shoots me an amused grin, lip still split and healing from him helping Torch out last weekend. He’d gone off with Torch occasionally before, but he’s been helping him more recently with club business. I feel like my heart could soar from the look he offers me.
I love him.
“So,” he continues, as we walk farther out toward the back corner of the property. We’re near the trail that leads to Viking and Princess’s place. “You all ready for tomorrow then? You had a lot more orders this time around.”
He’s completely right. I have thirteen more orders for tomorrow than I had last week. They’ve steadily increased by at least ten each week. This time around I had to recruit two of the club whores to pitch in and help me prepare everything. I can only imagine what my orders will be when I unleash the pumpkin chocolate chip recipe I’ve been working on.
I nod. “Yep. That was the last order for the preorders. I have the extras all baked and ready for first thing. I’ll still get up at three a.m. to do the various delicate pastries, so they’re fresh. I’m going to need Maverick’s help tomorrow if you think Nightmare won’t mind me putting his boy to work?”
“Not at all; the kid has been itching for work. He keeps mentioning possibly selling newspapers or something to earn a little cash. He wants in on one of Chevelle’s go-kart races badly enough that he’s gotten Nightmare and Bethany to agree to let him race. He has to earn the buy-in money for the pit though. They told Maverick they’d let him use the go-kart, but the rest was on him. There’s a Mario Kart theme coming up that I’m sure would be his favorite.” He shakes his head good-naturedly. “I’m so glad you only do this on the weekends. I can imagine how busy you’d be if you offered to sell freshly baked goods all the time. I’d never see your gorgeous face.”
“I know. I’m starting to cave though. I had that old lady, Mrs. Johnson ask me if I could do her daughter’s wedding cake. A full-on wedding cake! She loves that lavender vanilla bean loaf so much she wants it to be the cake flavor. I’d have to bake it earlier in the week and piece it together, rather than my usual Thursday through Saturday schedule. I have to spread it out to make my order demands for the farmers market.”
“What?” His eyes widen. “Cherry, that’s fucking awesome!” His hand squeezes mine in his enthusiasm, making me even more excited and proud to tell him.