She picks her head up, staring at me in the dark. “When? How?”
“Diving in front of that bullet. Don’t ever do that again.”
Her hand settles on my chest as she pushes herself up. “It was instinct, Blake. I didn’t think about it.”
I don’t know what to say.
“Besides, I really hope we’re not going to be shot at again,” she says, settling back down in my arms.
“Me, too.”
We get nowhere on the shooting.
A few afternoons later, Jake and I are down at Furious helping Wrath replace the front windows with bulletproof glass and tinting.
It never got reported, so there’s no impact on business, but we’re still a little jumpy.
“That should do it,” Jake says. Wrath informed Jake and Whisper of the shooting, otherwise no one outside of the club knows.
Jake tilts his head at me and quirks an eyebrow, silently asking Wrath what I have no idea.
“What’s up?” I ask after Jake leaves.
“You’ve been busting your ass here for over a year now.”
“Yeah?”
“This is probably a shitty time to ask since the place just got shot up and all, but I swear I was planning to ask before.”
“What? Are you proposing? Because I’m really planning to marry Heidi.”
The corners of his mouth lift. “Very funny, little brother. No. I still want to go through with the expansion and want you to buy in as a partner.”
I don’t have any words at first. “Really?”
“Fuck yeah.”
We spend some time going over business stuff—honestly, I’m still too shocked to process the whole thing—before heading to the clubhouse for church.
We drove down together in his truck since he had a cargo bed full of material for the gym repairs. “You ever planning to patch Heidi?” he asks me.
“Christ, we just figured shit out. I was giving her brother some time to adjust.”
His loud, rumbling laughter fills the cab. “Fuck him. He’s had enough time to adjust.” He glances over. “Besides, he might surprise you.”
“I was thinking of throwing it out there today.”
He nods. “About time.”
Feeling encouraged from Wrath’s words, I can’t wipe the grin off my face as we sit at the table. Rock knows I’m up to something and keeps an eye on me. As soon as regular business finishes, I raise my hand.
“I’m claiming Heidi.” I turn and look at my best friend. “Anyone who has an issue with that should say so now.”
He stares at me, a slow smirk forming at the corner of his mouth. Like an absolute asshole, he grumbles, “About fucking time.”
“Dick.” I reach over and slap him and he grins at me.
“Since it looks like big brother isn’t going to have a meltdown, should we take a vote?” Rock asks.
Usually a vote on an ol’ lady is just the officers. Rock doesn’t ask the rest of the guys to leave this time.
“She knows better than anyone to keep her mouth shut,” Z says. “She’s a little badass. Knows how to shoot. Never asks questions. Young, but good ol’ lady material.”
That’s a lot of stuff in Heidi’s favor, and I can’t help feelin’ proud that Z feels that way about my girl.
Wrath grins. “She was ready to take a bullet for you, Murphy. I don’t think you’ll do any better than that.”
Teller adds, “She loves the club as much as any of us.” Which I guess is his way of saying yes.
Rock stares at me thoughtfully for a few minutes before giving his okay. “She understands the life. She’ll be an asset to the club as an ol’ lady.”
His endorsement leaves a lump in my throat. “Feelin’ old, prez?” I ask to shake it off.
“Yes.” He shakes his head, but he’s smiling. “Love both of you. You certainly took the longest route possible to get here.”
“Thanks a lot.” I can’t stop grinning though, so he knows I’m not too pissed.
Z stands and leans over the back of his chair. “When do you want to do it?” he asks with a sly smile.
“Don’t know. Haven’t talked to her about it recently. Soon.”
“Please tell me you didn’t knock my sister up?” Teller asks.
“No, you dick.” Then, because I feel like being an asshole after that question, I add, “Not that I haven’t been trying.”
Yeah, it was a dick thing to say, but he had it coming. Everyone laughs.
Except Teller.
He punches me in the arm. “Fuck you,” he grumbles.
Z walks over to our side of the table and drapes a leather vest in front of me.
All the officers’ patches are already sewn on the side. My four-leaf clover’s right up front on the left.
My jaw drops. “Holy shit.” I glance up, looking over each of my brothers. “When did you do this?”
Z’s gaze slides away. “When she moved back. Figured one way or another, you’d finally claim her ass. Didn’t want you to have to wait.”
Wrath points to Rock and then himself. “We had to wait forever for ours. Be thankful we broke him in for you.”
“That sounded really gay,” Z snarks back.
“You wish.”
I can’t wait another second.
“All right, fucksticks. I’m out.”
Z holds his hand out, but I pull him in for a hug. “Thanks for doing this, brother. I really appreciate it.”
“Bonfire later,” Wrath says, slapping my open palm. “Trin bought this little tent thing, so you can bring the baby.”
“Thanks.”
Everyone else congratulates me on the way out. I stuff her vest back into the plain brown package and head to Rock’s house.
Heidi’s playing on the floor with Alexa but jumps up when she sees me. “How was church?”
“Good. Feel like going for a walk with me?”
“Sure.”
We haven’t built a driveway out here yet, but Z and I have been working on smoothing out some of the paths, so it’s easier to use Alexa’s stroller. Turns out strollers are like fucking cars, and I ended up finding a Sport Utility Stroller with three sixteen-inch wheels, a hand brake, and a footbrake. It’s badass, and Alexa loves being in it. Which is good, because today she’s in for a long ride.
Heidi glances at the package in my hands but doesn’t say anything. Part of me thinks she already suspects what’s about to happen.
Doesn’t dim my enthusiasm one bit.
We take the loop that passes Wrath and Trinity’s house—which is finally finished and keep going. Heidi gives Alexa a running commentary of everything we pass, and I never get tired of listening to her.
We finally stop at the place we’re planning to build our house. Heidi’s giddy and rattles off a long list of stuff she wants the house to include.
I can’t wait to give her anything and everything she wants.
When she winds down, I motion her over. “You know you’re already my ol’ lady, right?”
“I guess,” she teases.
“Brat.”
She grins even bigger.
“You know what’s in here, don’t you?”
She points to the address on the front of the package. “Patty’s Patches.”
“Fuckin’ Z,” I grumble.
Until Hope, there hadn’t been any ol’ ladies in the club since I was a kid. Even so, I remember how much I wanted one of those vests when I grew up.
No, not one of those. Murphy’s.
To finally, officially, belong to him.
I can’t stop the fluttering in my belly or the blood racing through my veins. I’m well aware of what people outside the club would think about a patch declaring me “property of” and don’t care one bit.
I know without a doubt I own Blake’s heart as much as he owns mine.
He shakes the vest out, setting the empty package in one of the stroller compartments. Alexa squees and claps her little hands, as if she knows
what a big occasion this is.
I’d spied the officers’ patches on Hope’s vest and Trinity’s vest but wasn’t sure they’d end up on mine.
“My brother really voted me in?” I ask running my fingers over the familiar dollar sign patch.
“Hell yeah, he did.” He helps me put it on and zips it up, adjusting the buckles on the side. “The assholes must have done it a while ago, too, because Z had it ready and waiting for me.”
“Really?”
“Yup. Z called you a little badass.”
Knowing the men I’ve looked up to since I was little, and consider my uncles, think I’m worthy of being part of the club in this way steals my breath.
When he’s finished, I throw myself against him, and he holds me for a long time. Neither of us saying a word.
Blake moves first, kissing my cheek. “Love you so much, beautiful.”
“Me, too.”
Before I get weepy or something, he turns me to face the woods. “So, is this the spot? You’re sure?”
“Yes. I love it.”
“Good.”
We take the long way back to Rock and Hope’s house. “Bonfire tonight to celebrate,” he says as we get closer.
“Alexa—” I’m worried about mosquitos and bonfire smoke in her eyes, which he apparently realizes.
“Wrath said Trinity has it covered.”
“Oh my gosh!” Hope yells from the porch, rushing down the stairs to meet us. “Rock told me you voted today.” She grins at Murphy and pulls me in for a hug.
And just like that, I’m officially an ol’ lady of the Lost Kings MC.
Nothing beats being surrounded by family and having your girl in your arms. My girl wearing my patch.
She turns, feeding me a sticky, messy s’more. I end up licking most of it off her fingers, which makes her squeal and laugh. “That tickles.”
She turns and pushes me until I’m flat on my back in the cool, wet grass. My hand cups the back of her head, holding her still for a long, lingering kiss.
“For fuck’s sake!”
Something hard thumps my leg, and I break away from Heidi’s sweet mouth. “Ow.”
Marcel’s towering over us, waving his cane in my face. “Have some respect, would ya? Just because I voted her in doesn’t mean I want to watch you violate my sister all night long,” he grouches, dropping into the grass next to us.
“Then don’t look,” Heidi sasses back.
He pokes her in the side and she slaps his hand away. I sit up, pulling her with me. “What’s up?”
“Rock wants to see you.”
I look out over the field bathed in the orange glow from the fire and clouds of smoke. “Where is he?”
Teller points to the left of the fire, where I just make out the silhouettes of what can only be Wrath, Z, and Rock.
“You know what it’s about?”
“Sounds like you’re headed to Sway’s tomorrow.”
“Fuck that.” No way am I leaving Heidi alone for a single night. Not this soon.
She seems to sense my resistance. “Go on. See what Rock needs.”
“You sure you’re okay, babe?” I ask, kissing her cheek and she nods.
“She’s fine,” Teller snaps.
“You’re begging for an ass kicking, you know that?” I warn.
He lets me pull him up off the ground with minimal complaining.
“You know, if she’s gonna be an ol’ lady, she has to get used to you being away sometimes,” he advises on our way over.
“Maybe it’s me who doesn’t want to be away from her. Ever consider that?”
His hand clamps down over my arm, stopping me. I face him, bracing myself for the you’re such a pussy insults he’s probably planning. His jaw works for a second—and holy shit, is my best friend actually speechless? Finally, he loosens his grip and continues walking as if nothing happened.
As I watch Blake and my brother walk away, Alexa lets out a flurry of fussy noises. Sitting up, I poke my head in the little tent Trinity set up for us and do a quick diaper change.
“How is she?”
“Oh, shit!” Startled and feeling foolish, I back out of the tent to find Trinity smiling down at me.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
Brushing grass off my pants, I stand. “Thank you so much for doing that.” I gesture lamely at the tent.
“No problem. I didn’t want you to feel…left out when we do stuff like this.”
Before I can thank her, she nods at my vest. “Congratulations.”
My cheeks warm and I glance away. “I think I’m still in shock.”
Her lips slide into a sympathetic smile. “Long time coming.”
“True.” A bunch of things I’ve wanted to say for a while come to mind. “Trinity, I’m sorry I was so mean—”
“Don’t. We’re fine. I understand.” She lowers her gaze to the grass for a few seconds before continuing. “I would have…I would have felt the same way.” She stares in the direction of the guys, who appear to be having a heated conversation. “He loves you.”
“I know.”
“We’re only friends.”
Embarrassment for starting this whole uncomfortable conversation warms my cheeks but I smile anyway. “Please. I only have to be around you and Uncle Wrath for five seconds to know there’s no one else for you.”
She snorts and bumps me with her shoulder. We both sit down on the blanket Blake brought with us.
I’m not sure why, but I still feel like there’s more to say. “Murphy told me…he told me you were there for him when his mom died.”
She blinks a few times before answering. “That was a rough time.”
“I know I met her once or twice, when I was little, but I barely remember her.”
“Hey, Trin,” my brother says, interrupting the supremely awkward talk Trinity and are weaving through.
“Where’s Blake?” I ask.
“Christ, you can be apart for five seconds, right?”
“No. Not really.” I stick my tongue out at him, because well, he’s my big brother.
Next to me, Trinity shakes with laughter. “Young love.”
A flash of pain freezes my brother’s face for a second. Whether it’s physical pain from the accident or something else, I’m not sure. “Hey.” I lean forward and tap his hand. “I never got to tell you about running into Mom.”
His blond eyebrows shoot up and his jaw drops. He’d look less surprised if I’d smacked him upside the head with a branch. “What? When?”
For the next few minutes, I recount my two recent encounters with our long lost mother.
“What a bitch,” he mutters.
“Pretty much,” I agree.
Trinity nods at Blake and Wrath, who are making their way over to us. “Jeez, the four of us could form a ‘shitty mothers club.’”
It’s an awful thing to laugh about, but that doesn’t stop us.
My brother grabs my hand, giving it a quick squeeze to get my attention. “I want you to stay away from her.”
“No problem there.”
“I’m serious, Heidi. She’s bad news. If she calls you again, let me know.”
Marcel’s gradually eased up on the overprotective big brother antics over the last few months, so I take his warning seriously. “Okay. I will.”
“What’s going on?” Wrath asks as he sits next to Trinity and pulls her into his lap.
“You tell us.” I glance up at Blake. “Are you taking off?”
He runs his hand over his beard before settling down next to me. “Not tonight. Tomorrow.”
I wait for more information, but instead he asks about Alexa.
“She’s fine.”
Rock and Hope wander over. Hope waits patiently while Rock smooths out a blanket next to ours.
After they’re sitting, Rock lifts his chin in Blake’s direction. “Ol’ ladies were invited down, too. If that makes it easier.”
“Fuck that,” my brother sn
aps.
Blake ignores Marcel’s outburst. “I know Tawny said it would be family friendly, but I don’t want Alexa down there.”
Part of me is a little annoyed Blake’s making this decision without asking me. In some ways, I’d very much like to go to the downstate club and have Blake introduce me to everyone as his ol’ lady. But the responsible mother part of me knows he’s right.
“Um.” Hope waves her hand in the air. “I’d rather stay here and help Heidi with the baby.”
My heart skips. I was worried I’d be the only one staying behind.
Trinity turns to Wrath. “Are you running down, too?”
Wrath shoots a glare at Rock. “Apparently.”
“I volunteer for baby duty, too,” Trinity says, making Wrath chuckle.
I lean over and whisper, “Thank you.”
She flashes a quick smile and mouths, “No problem.”
My brother falls back in the grass. “I’m out. Still can’t ride.”
“You can always sit in the van, ya fuck,” Blake says, leaning over and smacking my brother’s arm. He turns to Rock. “Sway gonna be pissed if no ol’ ladies come down?”
Rock lifts his shoulders. “Fuck him if he is.”
Later, when everyone has drifted off to…do their own thing, Blake turns to me with uncertainty brewing in his eyes. “Are you mad about not going?”
“No.” I’ve been working hard on being truthful with Blake no matter what. The way he asked me to. “I’d really like to have you”—I feel childish admitting this—“you know, tell everyone I’m yours. That you’re with me. But you’re right, it’s not a good idea to bring Alexa down there, and I can’t ask Hope to watch my daughter all the time. So, no. I’m not mad.”
His mouth slides into a hint of a smile, but his eyes still seem troubled. His words are strong, though. “Believe me, Heidi, I’m yours. I’m not going down there to… I meant it when I said there was no one else for me.”
“I’m not worried about that. I trust you.”
He covers my hand with his. As always, his touch is gentle as he picks my hand up, dipping his head to kiss my open palm. “Thank you.”