Chapter Thirty-One
Standing tall, legs spread wide, Diablo watched as his brothers bowed their head during the final prayers before laying Joanna Richardson to rest. They had come out to support his woman even though she wasn’t his old lady. The camaraderie and love his brothers had shown Fallon since he’d brought her into his life touched him deeply. And the way they rallied around her after the news broke that the remains belonged to Fallon’s mother was the reason he was in the Night Rebels.
A small sob escaped from Fallon and he pulled her closer to him. His heart broke for his woman, and by the forlorn looks of his brothers, they were feeling her pain too. He and Army locked gazes, and Diablo jutted out his jaw and lifted his chin. Army nodded and turned away. Down the line, his brothers gave him their support. They had his and Fallon’s back in whatever way they needed. He wanted to tell them thanks, give them a hug, but that wasn’t his way. They knew he appreciated them, and that he’d do the same for each and every one of them.
The crunch of leaves mingled with hushed voices as they left the cemetery. Fallon had wanted her mother buried so she could have a place to visit. He could understand that. Rich’s sister had claimed his remains; he was buried in Pueblo where his family was.
Goldie came over and bumped fists with Diablo. “You guys coming to the clubhouse? The women prepared some food.”
Diablo looked at Fallon and she nodded. “Yeah. I guess we’ll be there.”
Several brothers came over and chatted with Diablo while throwing furtive glances at Fallon. It was the way of the brotherhood. Women were not part of the whole group but earned the support, loyalty, and respect through their man. Each brother would defend and kill for an old lady, but they wouldn’t disrespect her man by initiating a conversation with her, or spending time with her. It was the way their world was, and it worked for them.
As they walked toward their bikes and cars, Raven and Breanna came over and hugged Fallon, whispering words of comfort to her. Diablo appreciated how they’d helped her through the ordeal of losing her mother and then finding out Charlie wasn’t her biological dad. He was surprised when he heard that because Charlie was always so protective of her. The only regret Diablo had was that he hadn’t killed the scumbag when he had the chance. The way Charlie had hurt his woman was something he would never understand.
Sylvia and Annie had also offered their support to Fallon, and even though they hadn’t been able to attend the funeral services, they had been there for her when she needed them. Diablo was happy his woman had a network of friends she could count on.
When they arrived at the clubhouse, a table of food awaited them. The prospects had beer, tequila, and whiskey poured and ready for consumption. Diablo brought a shot of brandy to Fallon. “This will make you feel better,” he said.
“Thanks.” She brought the honey-colored liquid to her lips.
During the next hour, the brothers made toasts to Fallon and her mother. From the way his woman’s eyes shone, he knew she was touched by the gesture. His body hummed with pride at being part of the brotherhood.
After eating hardly anything, Fallon told him she wanted to lie down. Her red-rimmed eyes and nose accentuated her pallor. He held her hand and led her to his room, gently easing her on the bed. He slipped off her shoes and black pants, then sat her up and pulled her black knit top over her head. She didn’t say a word, just watched him with those mesmerizing eyes that had first drawn him in many months before.
He went over to his dresser and pulled out a T-shirt, then came back to her. Taking off her bra, he slipped the T-shirt over her head and guided her under the sheet. He tucked it and blanket under her chin and ran his fingers through her hair until she fell asleep. Switching the table lamp to low, he quietly left the room.
When he entered the main room, Crow came up to him. “She doing okay?”
Diablo nodded. “She’s been through a lot, but she’s a fighter.”
“I can’t believe Bloody Knuckles offed her mom. What a pussy,” Jigger said.
“I never liked the bastard. My gut told me there was something up with him.” Diablo threw his Jack back.
“Figures the pussy would take the chickenshit way out. Fuck. He shoulda manned up to what he did.” Goldie took a bite of his burrito.
“I didn’t think he had the guts to kill himself. Fallon was shocked too. You never know.” Diablo smiled when Lucy set a plate of enchiladas, tacos, rice, beans in front of him. “Damn, that’s a lot of food.”
“You hardly ate anything.”
“You still watching out for me?” He laughed, then put a forkful of rice in his mouth.
“Always. We’re still friends.” She walked over to the other club girls who were busy clearing away the dirty dishes.
Raven walked up to Diablo. “Here you go,” she said as she gave him the bag in her hand.
He smiled and opened it. Inside was a black leather vest with the most beautiful embroidery he’d ever seen. “You did a good job,” he said, tracing his fingers over the soft lettering.
“What the hell is that?” Muerto asked as he put his arm around Raven’s waist.
“None of your fuckin’ business,” Diablo replied, and several brothers guffawed.
“Raven?” Muerto looked at her.
Raven glanced at Diablo and he nodded slightly. “I did the embroidery on the cut he’s giving Fallon. The guy you all use does a shitty job.”
Breanna clapped. “I love that you’re asking Fallon to be your old lady. You guys make the perfect couple.”
“What about us, babe?” Steel asked as he came up behind her, circling his arms around her waist.
“That’s a given.” She craned her neck and kissed his chin.
Diablo sniggered. She knows how to handle him. “Raven saw what Jeb did and she was horrified. She snatched it from me, telling me there was no way Fallon can wear her cut like that.”
Muerto jerked his head back. “Jeb did your cut and Breanna’s.”
“And that’s why I redid them. I’m not going to wear a beautiful vest with some shitty work on it.” She tossed her head.
Muerto laughed. “You’re really something, woman.”
Steel shook his head and pressed Breanna closer to him.
“Forget about the fuckin’ embroidery. I can’t believe Diablo’s taking an old lady.” Paco gestured to the prospects for another round.
“I’ll drink to you taking an old lady, but you, Muerto, and Steel need to stay away from me. There’s no way I wanna catch what you guys got. Life’s too short.” Goldie winked at the club girls, who giggled.
“Enough lovey-dovey shit. Who’s up for a game of poker? I have a wad of cash and I want to make it grow fatter.” Army picked up his tequila from the bar.
“I’m in,” said Paco.
“Me too.” Skull walked over to the poker table.
“I need some cash, and Army’s is as good as anyone’s,” Brutus said as he picked up his drinks, with Sangre, Eagle, Shotgun, and Cue Ball following him.
Anxious to be with Fallon, Diablo picked up the bag and went up to his room. When he came in, Fallon was sitting up, leaning against the headboard.
“Did you have a good rest? Your color’s come back.” He sat next to her on the edge of the bed.
“Yeah. I was doing okay, but then all of a sudden this wave of exhaustion hit me.”
“You’ve had a rough few weeks.”
She nodded. “I’m trying real hard not to dwell on it. I know I have to deal with it and let the grief and anger work its way through. Breanna’s helping me with it. She’s been great.”
“She’s good with stuff like that.”
“I don’t ever want to think about Charlie again, but I know I have to.”
“It’ll take time. Do you want anything? I can get one of the girls to bring you up some food.”
She shook her head. “I’m not hungry. What do you have in the bag?”
He pulled off his boots, then stood and took off his jeans. He hung his cut up in the closet and crawled next to her. Grasping her hands, he caught her gaze. “My heart goes out to you ’cause you’ve had a lotta shit you’ve had to handle in your life. Your strength has amazed me. You need to know that no matter what happens in life, we have each other. I love you, woman. I’ve never loved a woman the way I love you. I need you to fill in the dark spaces of my heart, and you need me to hold you through the dark shadows of your memories. We need each other, and I want you more than I’ve ever wanted any woman. I thought I was content just living life with the brotherhood until you woke something up inside me. I want us to be together forever. I want you to wear my patch.” He handed the bag to her.
With trembling hands, she opened it and pulled out a black leather vest. Her gaze darted to him, then back to the vest. She held it up and turned it around. In scrolling lettering, it read “Property of Diablo.”
“Do you know what that means?” he said in a low voice.
“Yeah. Raven told me. It’s beautiful. The lettering is so intricate and artistic. Simply lovely.”
Diablo chuckled.
She leaned forward and slipped it on, then stood up and went into the bathroom. He watched her as she modeled it in the mirror, turning this way and that to see how it looked on her.
“You look beautiful with it on,” he said, pride swelling inside him.
“I love it.” She walked over to him and sat next to him. “For so long I’d been afraid, lonely, and miserable. Charlie kept telling me that no man could ever love me, but a spark of hope lived inside me. But as the years went by, the spark faded more and more until it was practically nonexistent. Then I met you and you made me believe in myself again. You made the spark reignite, and now it’s a bonfire inside me, burning with love and admiration for you. I love and want you more than anything else in my life. I can’t imagine a life without you. I love your patch, and I’ll wear it with love and pride. I’ll work hard to be a good old lady.”
“I’ll make sure you never regret opening your heart and life to me. I love you, sweet pea.” He took her mouth in a deep, wet, claiming kiss. She arched her back, pressing her tits against him, her hardening nipples against his taut skin sending electric jolts straight to his hard dick. Grunting, he slipped his hand over her breasts and rolled her nipple between his fingers.
He gently pushed her down on the bed. When he saw a tear trickle down the side of her face, he wiped it away with the corner of his thumb. “What’s wrong, sweet pea?” He feathered her throat with kisses.
“I’m so happy and sad at the same time. I have a whirlwind of opposite emotions inside me. Today is the happiest day of my life and the saddest.”
He hovered over her, his face a scant couple inches from her face. He lightly kissed her forehead, eyelids, cheeks, nose, chin, and lips, then sat up and pulled her with him. He took her cut off, touching her protesting lips with his tongue, then hung her cut next to his before coming back to the bed.
Lifting the sheet, he motioned her over. She slipped in and he followed her. Gripping her in a smothering hug, he whispered, “Just let go. Breathe and let go.”
Her body melted into his and he rocked her until she surrendered to sleep. He leaned over and switched off the lamp, they lay down on the pillow with Fallon tucked snuggly in the crook of his arm.
He watched the clouds swirl like spilled ink in water against the midnight blue sky. An occasional glint of bright light peeked through the ever-spreading clouds. The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves lingered in the air. Fallon moaned in her sleep and he held her tighter to him.
The whirling clouds entranced him, and as he held his old lady, watching their movements, sleep overtook him.