23. Bikes are like ol’ ladies,

if it ain’t yours don’t touch!

Princess wears a pleased smirk as I tromp into the kitchen clad in leather. “Well, he was right about the fit, but you’re not burning up in that jacket?”

“In here, no. The guys keep this place like an icebox.” I gesture around at nothing in particular. “There’s no way I can wear it outside though. Mercenary said you were ordering me some tanks also?”

She nods, opening the oven to pull a casserole out and check the temp in the middle.

“I appreciate it.”

She waves me off. “It’s nothing girl. I practically live in them too. You know how this summer heat gets the end of August.”

“Miserable,” I mutter, and she hums in agreement.

“So, what’s up? The guys say you usually only cook when something’s going on.” We discussed this briefly the last time I was here too. I, in turn, burned her food, but not on purpose.

“What did Merc say before he left?”

“That he was going to help the club make it safer for me to be at The Pit.”

“Did he tell you anything else?”

I shake my head. “No, and come to think of it, he distracted me before I could get anything else out of him.”

“Sounds about right. Let’s just say it has potential to be really dangerous. I’m trying to keep myself busy so I can pretend that they’re fine and the cooking is keeping my mind occupied.”

“But the cooking’s really not?”

“No, not really.”

“I get it; I can lose myself in an engine and drown any outside shit out.”

“My best friend’s out in the bar with Jude; they’re getting drunk. That’s her way of drowning it out.”

“You don’t want to be with them?”

“When my ol’ man’s on a run? No. We all cope differently. This is my way.”

“That’s Nightmare’s ol’ lady, right?”

“Yeah, Bethany. Their son’s Maverick.”

“I saw him running around the other day when Nightmare brought him to the club with him. Cute kid.”

She smiles wide. “I know. I love that little boy as if he were my own.”

“What about you and Viking?”

She wraps foil over the casserole and sets it aside on a hot pad. “What about us?”

“No kids for you guys?”

She places something else that resembles lasagna into the oven and turns to me. “Not yet.”

I grow quiet, not sure what else there is to say about it. I don’t want to push her on it. Usually, when you bring this stuff up, chicks chat your ear off. I keep to myself a lot besides when I’m in “Pit Master mode,” so I’m not very good talking to women. They normally don’t care for me much.

She leans against the counter across from where I stand and breaks the silence. “I have a feeling I’m going to be seeing a lot of you around here, Chevelle, so I’ll share some back story with you.”

“You do?”

Princess nods. “Mercenary did put his patch on you,” she says, staring at me thoughtfully. I’m sure too many write her off as a pretty face and not realize she’s wise beyond her years. “The club that the brothers went after beat me up badly when they stormed our compound. They did the same to Bethany as well and stole Maverick. The bastards nearly killed Blaze and succeeded in killing two of the other members.”

My eyes widen. I knew they were dangerous, but goddamn, that is way beyond what I thought they were capable of. No wonder the Oath Keepers have been all over their asses when it comes to The Pit. “Holy shit,” I whisper.

The skin around her eyes tightens as if she’s remembering everything from that time. “That’s not even everything. They hurt my father’s old club too—the one Ares is President of now. They’re with our guys now, helping. The Iron Fists club is massive, so the brothers had to sit back and wait for the perfect timing. I’m praying that they’re right and that the time for retribution is now.”

I swallow, my throat feeling dry with the sad story. “How do you deal with knowing about it all and having to stay here?”

“I deal because I couldn’t imagine my life without Viking or the brothers of this club. They’re my family, and they’re doing what they feel is right, what will keep us safe. I’d do the same thing if I had the chance to offer them that protection.”

She gestures to my leather jacket that I’ve worn since Mercenary left with the others. “You’re a part of that family now too. We may not be in the club, but these men are my brothers. You’re special enough to Mercenary for him to make you his ol’ lady, and that makes you my sister.”

“Thank you,” leaves me on a breath and she flashes me a small smile.

“Now get your sexy ass on over here. I’m going to teach you how to make my mom’s macaroni casserole. It’s the best comfort food.”

I hop off the stool and say a silent prayer that I don’t ruin more of her food.

The thunderous roars outside from various motorcycles are loud enough to feel as if the compound is shaking from a small earthquake. The Oath Keepers all ride in together as one big group and park in front of the clubhouse. The tension in the air is thick. We wait with bated breath to see if they’ll all return to us through that door. Anyone could’ve been injured or worse, killed. I may not know the other brothers like I do Mercenary, but I can only imagine how their loved ones feel, worrying about their men’s safety.

The door to the main entry flies open and one after another, massive men enter. Their presence quickly fills up the space of the bar. The room’s large but they almost make the area seem too small to fit them all at one time. Each one of them is splattered with blood, and one of the meanest looking guys of them all helps a smaller man through the door.

As soon as I find Mercenary, I jog to him. “What happened?” Thank God he’s in one piece, and I don’t think the blood he’s wearing is his as most of it’s dark from drying.

He glances at the two hobbling past us. “Exterminator’s fine. Ruger was shot in the leg, so he’s helping him.”

“Shot? Shouldn’t he be at a hospital?”

He shakes his head. “Nah, he’ll be fine.” The movement lets me catch the side of his face. A dark bruise is already forming near his temple.

“Shit, your face! Are you hurt badly?”

He pulls me into his arms, burying his face in the top of my hair. Princess did a good job of keeping me busy, but now that I have this big man in my arms, I realize just how worried I was for him. “I’m fine, I got jumped from behind. The fucker got a cheap shot in, catching me by surprise but I got the better of him.”

Releasing a breath, I pull him to me, holding his muscular frame a bit tighter. Relief fills my chest as I take in his scent. “Thank God.”

His fingers go under my chin, tipping my head up to meet his gaze. “Careful sweetie almost sounds like you care.” His voice is gravelly, still laced with a dangerous edge. His body vibrates with adrenaline, and I know he needs to release some of it with me.

My bottom lip trembles and fuck if I don’t want to kick my own ass for wearing my feelings so openly. It’s been close to two months since he first showed up at The Pit demanding my attention. Now I don’t want to think of a life without him in it. “I do care, cupcake; I’d miss kicking your ass at everything if something happened to you.”

His lips turn up at the edges into an amused smirk and then finally his mouth falls to mine. With a swift kiss, he holds me firmly against him, warming me from within. “You remembered your jacket,” he mutters when he eventually breaks free from my lips.

“Wouldn’t forget it for the world,” I admit softly, and he swallows.

“You make it really easy for a brother to fall for you, sassy-ass mouth and all.”

“So charming.” I roll my eyes, and his grin makes me smile in return.

“Tell me, Chevy. I want to hear you say it back.”

Rather than correct him on my name, I give in and go a little further than his statement. With my mouth still close enough for my lips to brush his, I whisper, confessing the one thing I’ve never felt for another man. “I love you, Mercenary.”

Mercs grin blooms into a full-blown, wide smile, white teeth showing and everything. He scoops me into his arms and my legs wrap around his waist to hold on. Embracing his neck, I press a quick peck on his lips, and he rasps, “I love you, Chevelle.” Then he’s walking us to the bar, joining his brothers in a shot to celebrate.

Whatever happened with the Iron Fists, it must’ve been a win for the Oath Keepers. While they celebrate together, I bask in the warmth of being wrapped in Mercenary’s arms, knowing he loves me.

With a pleased gaze in my direction, he draws everyone’s attention. “A toast! Here’s to keeping our women and club safe. The Iron Fists breathe no longer, and we breathe easier without them.”

“To our women,” Viking echoes.

“The ol’ ladies,” Nightmare joins in.

“And to us,” Saint interrupts. “Because God help anyone who attempts to take or hurt what belongs to us!” His stare locks on Sinner, and he nods his agreement.

“To kicking ass.” Odin holds up his full shot glass.

“And family,” I speak up. “With it, we have everything.” I receive soft looks from the boulders of men and prideful glances from the woman beside them.

“Yes, we do,” Mercenary mumbles in my ear. “With you, I have everything.”