Undaunted (The Kings of Retribution MC)

Bennett is the first one in, walking over to Lisa, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, and giving her a sweet kiss on her neck. I love how they look at each other. Lisa and Bennett are the perfect examples of what true love looks like, and the fact that they still look at each other, the way they do, after they’ve been married for so many years is awesome.

While fixing myself some coffee I feel the energy in the room change. Looking over my shoulder, I see him standing in the doorway, his hungry eyes watching me. He strides over to the table taking a seat. Never once losing eye contact.

“Come on and eat, Angel.”

Smiling I walk over taking the chair next to him. I sit at the table listening to the conversation flow, loving the jokes and banter between the brothers. This is what family should be like. And I feel so lucky to be a part of it.

“What are you thinking about, babe?” Logan asks.

“I was just thinking that you have a really great family, that you’re very lucky to have them.”

“They’re your family now too, Bella. There is nothing my brothers wouldn’t do for you and your sister.”

Logan gives me a soft kiss on my lips. I turn my attention back to my plate when I hear Alba giggling. She’s sitting next to one of the prospects, Blake. They are the closest in age. She’s eighteen, and I remember Logan saying Blake was twenty. Glancing to the other end of the table I see Gabriel shooting daggers at the young prospect. I swear I’m about to see steam come out his ears.

I’ve been noticing lately the way he looks at Alba, and my sister is none the wiser. You would think I would be concerned, but I know Gabriel is a good man. A bit rough around the edges but good nonetheless. I look next to me at Logan and he has made the same assessment. He’s shaking his head at his brother, silently telling him not to kill the poor unsuspecting prospect. I chuckle to myself. This will no doubt get interesting and I intend to sit back and see how it plays out.

After quickly helping Lisa with the breakfast dishes, Alba and I head to the clubhouse parking lot where Austin is waiting to drive us to the shop. Logan refuses to let me or Alba go anywhere by ourselves. He explained that with all the shit going on with Los Demonios and Lee it would be safer for one of the club members to take us wherever I needed to go. To be honest I’m fine with it. I feel a lot safer having one of the brothers around all the time.

Logan hasn’t been into work at all this week because he’s dealing with club business, so it’s just been Quinn and Austin working the garage. I’ve missed not having him there, but I understand why he’s not. Part of me feels responsible for the crazy mess the club is having to deal with. I mean if it weren’t for my asshole stepdad none of this would be happening. I confessed this to Logan last night, and he immediately squashed my guilt. Saying that nobody in the club feels that way and that he’d take me over his knee and tan my ass if he ever heard me say something like that again. I’m not ashamed to say that his words turned me on. Logan saw the heat in my eyes after saying that, then spent the whole night worshiping my body. I woke up this morning with a delicious ache all over.

I’m pulled from my thoughts when we arrive at the garage. Stepping out of Austin’s truck I turn to him. “I’m sorry that you’ve been stuck with babysitting duty, I know the last thing you want to be doing is carting our asses around everywhere. If you want, maybe I can talk with Logan about you and Blake taking turns or something.”

“No!” Austin practically shouts. “It’s an honor to be the one to watch over the VP’s old lady, Bella, please don’t say anything.”

“An honor?” I asked tilting my head, my facial expression no doubt telling him that he sounds ridiculous.

“Seriously, Bella, it means a lot to me that Logan asked me to be the one to look out for you and your sister, so please don’t say anything. Besides you and your sister are fuckin’ great and easy to look at,” he says with a grin.

“Come on, let’s get to work,” I say while rolling my eyes. Austin follows behind me chuckling.

The day passes quickly and it’s time to close for the day. I went across the street to Kings Ink at lunch time and talked to Gabriel about wanting a tattoo. He told me to come by after work and he’d fit me in.

I wasn’t expecting to get it done this soon, but I already knew exactly what I wanted so why wait.

Alba helps me clean the break room while Quinn and Austin close the bays. When we’re done we grab our things and wait for Austin. He’s in back taking out the trash. Ever since Mason attacked me I don’t go out there anymore. I know he was dealt with and will never hurt me again, but I’m more cautious about my surroundings, especially at night. I’ve let what happened to me be a lesson learned. Logan never told me exactly what they did with Mason and I haven’t asked. He only assured me that he was not dead. That was all I needed to know. If Logan says I’m safe from Mason, I believe him.

I see Austin making his way from the back. “You ladies ready?”

“Yep, Gabriel is expecting me.” We’re making our way to the parking lot when Quinn jogs up to us.

“Hey, Prez just called, says he needs the prospect. Looks like you ladies will be stuck with me.”

We say a quick goodbye to Au

stin, then the three of us stroll across the street to Kings Ink. Quinn opens the door to the shop for Alba giving her his trademark smile and wink. My sister blushes crimson red then ducks her head before walking in. When he ushers me in I give him a look that tells him to quit messing with my sister. Quinn isn’t deterred, giving me a cocky grin.

I’m sitting on a stool next to Gabriel who is finishing up the stencil for my tattoo. I told him in detail what I wanted and he wasted no time getting to work.

I try to make small talk with him but realize I’m talking to myself. His attention is on Alba and Quinn, who are sitting next to each other across the room. They look to be having a normal conversation, but I don’t think Gabriel likes it too much. When Alba laughs at something Quinn says the pencil in Gabriel’s hand snaps in two.

“You okay, big guy?” I ask him. I look over at my sister and Quinn again before turning my attention back to Gabriel. “You know he’s just trying to fuck with you right?”

Cutting his dark eyes to me, he mutters “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Look, I’m not the only one who has noticed the way you look at her. Logan sees it too.”

Gabriel’s body goes tense and his jaw tightens. I reach out, putting my hand on his arm. He jerks slightly at my touch but doesn’t move away. “It’s her age that bothers you, isn’t it? You know, Alba will be nineteen next month.”