Bare (Diamondback MC 3)

“Henley thought it was time to wake up super early. I’m sorry. I tried to keep her quiet as long as possible.”

“Ru-ru!” she says his name while shoving bits of eggs into her mouth with her plastic fork. I watch as he bends down and gives her a kiss on her forehead.

“Good morning. Those must be some eggs.” She nods her head but keeps eating.

“She didn’t wake me up. You not being in bed with me did that. You need any help?” He walks to me, his arms snaking out to bring me into his chest. My eyes meet his.

“Coffee. If you could make that, I’ll finish up the pancakes.” Ruger kisses me lightly on the lips before pulling back.

“You got it. Better hurry up, or her appetizer will be done, and then she really will get ticked.” He’s not wrong. Henley takes the whole ‘breakfast is the most important part of her day’ seriously. Unfortunately, there’s been a time or two when I’ve worked through the night and didn’t get to bed until Henley was getting up. Not having her food ready when she was, well, let’s just say that was a bad idea.

“No kidding. What do you have on your agenda today?” I ask him while I pour the batter onto the griddle.

“Not much. I’ll go to the clubhouse during her nap time and see what’s going on. Do you have to get any work done?” Ruger sets my cup of coffee down beside me, full of sugar and cream.

“I took today off, but while you’re over there, I’ll check emails. Can we talk tonight about what I can contribute to the house? I know I won’t be able to help pay even half the mortgage, but maybe I can help with utilities, groceries, or any extras?” We didn’t touch on this last night, and I’m kind of thankful for that right about now.

“It’d be kinda hard to pay half the mortgage, seeing as there ain’t one. We’ll discuss what you can bring to the table if it makes you feel better, but as far as I’m concerned, you and Henley being here is enough for me.” I start to wind myself up, but Ruger stops me.

“Not arguing in front of Henley, Sadie. You wanna bust my balls, do it tonight when I can settle you down.” There goes all the wind in my sails. I return to making our pancakes, stewing silently and trying to figure out just what I can do to pay him back.

Nine

Ruger

I’ve been in my office for most of the morning, checking if any of my sources have seen or heard anything regarding Tony and his Cartel. Seeing as how I got here early, courtesy of two auburn-haired beauties, I’ve been able to go through the process of looking at video cameras and listening devices we were able to sneak past them a time or two during our meets. A fat lot of good they’re doing. They either found them, or these yuppies ain’t doin’ dick these days.

Since nothing’s coming up right now, I leave my office and head to the kitchen, needing a cup of coffee after the workout Sadie and I got last night, then with Henley waking up early. Fuck, I’m exhausted.

“What the fuck!” Rage bellows as I walk into the open area. He’s got a pool cue in his hands, broken in half. A prospect is on the ground, covering his face. Shovel and Razor aren’t here yet, so it looks like it’s up to me and Rage to figure out what the fuck is going on.

“That’s what I’d like to know. There a reason you’re on the ground, cowering like a pussy?” I ask Jamie.

“That little fucker was coming out of Shovel’s office.” Rage is seething mad. Everyone knows Shovel’s office is off limits, especially to a damn prospect who ain’t even a patched member.

“Ain’t that a bit interesting. Shit going down and then poof, here comes Jamie right in the thick of it.” My legs are spread apart, arms crossed over my chest, pissed as fuck.

“The fuck.” This comes from Shovel, Razor walking in behind him.

“Thinkin’ we got church, just when I thought it was gonna be an easy day,” I grumble, pissed that I’m going to miss a full two hours when Henley will sleep and Sadie and I can have some time.

“Never a dull fuckin’ moment in this place,” Razor states. He ain’t wrong. Seems like the dull, boring days are long behind us.

“Rage, put him in the hangar.” Shovel nods to this piss ant on the floor. The only reason he made it as a prospect was because he was in the Navy at one point in time. It’s either that or a brother has to sponsor you. Thank fuck none of us did that. We’d all feel like shit and blame one another more than we already will.