Chapter eighteen
Digger
Maggie and Brandon had settled into a small town called Chadron in Nebraska of all fucking places. He couldn’t imagine what kind of fucked up route Maggie must have been driving to end up there. It took them four days of riding to get there. They could have done it in three but Bianca wasn’t used to riding for long periods on the back of the bikes yet.
She could only manage about three hours before she needed a break. Her legs and back weren’t used to the position and being in it, unmoving for a long time. She joked that she’d be walking like a cowboy for the rest of her life. He’d found not been able to hold off a full belly laugh as she walked away from them like she was holding a basketball between her knees.
They were getting close and Digger was smiling as he watched Bones wrestle with his bike as Bianca fidgeted like crazy on the back in her excitement. He knew Bones was fighting pulling over and given her a lecture on staying fucking still but knew he wouldn’t. They all loved seeing her like this. She’d really come out of her shell in the past couple of weeks and they were loving her more and more for the fantastic, funny and confident woman she was. She was everything they could have wished for in an old lady and more. They had a surprise for her when this trip was over and he was inpatient for her to have it.
As they rode through town and passed the one fucking stop light, every head turned and stared, mouths hanging open. He didn’t know whether to wave or flip them off, either seemed like it would piss them off. He settled with ignoring them. He was glad so many people had witnessed their arrival, it’d do good for them to know that Maggie and Brandon had protectors. Their presence for a few days should dissuade anyone from fucking with them in the future.
They pulled into the yard of a small ranch style home on a quiet street. The front door was flung open before they’d rolled to a stop. A tall blonde appeared, with a lithe body and a face that was similar enough to Bianca’s to be undisputable that they were sisters. A hand was clasped over her mouth and tears were clearly wetting her face. She ran out and down the steps, arms spread wide as she got nearer to Bianca.
Bianca nearly fell off Bones’ bike in her attempt to scramble off quickly. Her feet had barely touched the ground and they fell into each other’s arms. He couldn’t tell what was being said through the happy tears, but they seemed to be able to understand each other. All he could make out was high pitched squeaking and nods, interspersed with laugh-crying. He looked at King and Bones and saw they looked equally puzzled. He had no clue how women could have a conversation like this.
“Mama,” a small voice called out.
He moved his attention from the women to see a little kid clinging to the porch rail, trying to hide and see what was going on at the same time.
He studied the little boy, who was obviously Brandon, and saw the similarities to Dane. He’d wondered earlier whether he would feel guilty for killing the fucker when he was faced with the guy’s son. Yet, as he stood still and took in the happy innocence of that little face, he knew they’d done the right thing. They hadn’t deprived Brandon of a father; they’d simply eliminated a monster from his world.
“Brandon,” Bianca called out and let her sister go. The little guy squealed and ran into her arms. “My big boy! You’ve grown so much.”
Brandon stepped back and stood to his full height straining to show his aunt how much bigger he was, making him laugh. Quickly dismissing his aunt, he inched closer towards them, chewing on his thumb like he was hesitant about something. He watched, fascinated as this little boy sured his confidence and came even closer.
“Can I have a go on the bikes?” he asked, pointing at Bones’ bike and hitting them in the heart with his big, pleading eyes.
How could they say no to that little face? He was just about to answer when Bianca spoke.
“Well, I suppose you could but you’ll have to ask your new uncles very nicely first,” Bianca turned, beaming at all of them.
Digger couldn’t believe she’d introduced them as his uncles right off the bat and with no hesitation. He was touched and felt a lump form in his throat. He knew how protective Bianca was of Brandon and the fact that she instantly linked them as family showed how much she trusted them with him and how confident she was that they’d always be in his life. He could tell that Maggie wasn’t as sure. She hadn’t looked him, King or Bones in the eye yet and her hands were wringing together in worry for her son.
He knew Bianca had told Maggie about them and she was probably had no idea how to approach the situation. Not many people did, so he couldn’t hold that against her. She’d need time to see how right this was for all of them and her sister.
Taking charge, Bianca ushered them all inside the house. The space was fairly small with a few pieces of worn, clearly second-hand furniture and an old TV in the family room. He could see through to the kitchen and saw a small table with two chairs. They didn’t have much so they’d make sure to change that before they left, they were family now and they had more than enough money to make sure they lived in comfort.
Plus, he knew Bianca would be grateful and more willing to leave if she could see that they were well taken care of. And if her gratefulness led to some hot sex then all the better, he thought fighting a smirk. He was about to check out the rest of the rooms when a small tug to his pants leg drew his attention. He looked down into the crystal blue eyes of Brandon.
“Do you wanna come see my new room?”
“Oh…honey…I’m not sure if…” Maggie flapped her hands around at him as if to say ‘you don’t have to.’
Digger shot her what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
“Sure, Brandon. Let’s get Uncle Bones and Uncle King to come too.”
He’d never interacted with a kid this small on his own before so he sure as shit was taking Bones and King for backup. Then Bones surprised the fuck out of him by swinging the kid up so he was laying over his broad shoulder. Brandon stuck his arms out in a superman pose and laughed his little ass off.
“Come on, squirt. You point the way.”
King looked as equally surprised as him. Maggie and Bianca’s eyes were both glassy and their fingers covered their mouths like it was the most adorable thing they’d ever seen. He saw a new determination come over King, he felt it too – they’d got to step their game up.
Brandon spent the next twenty minutes pretty much passing them every toy in his room to look at and waiting for their reaction to it. He was running out of reactions for fuck’s sake and King was throwing him desperate looks like ‘how the fuck do we get out of this?’
A loud banging on the door left that question unanswered and made them all swing around to glare at the door. He had to stop himself from drawing his gun that was tucked into the back of his jeans. He’d promised Bianca that he would leave it secured with his bike and not bring it into the house, but had totally forgotten. He was grateful for that now.
They all quickly left Brandon’s room and strode to the front door. He reminded himself that they had eliminated the danger towards Maggie and Brandon, so this was most likely nothing threatening. Then again, whoever was at the door wasn’t being fucking polite either. King lunged into the family room, with him and Bones right on his heels.
“Maggie…Brandon…you alright in there?” Came the muffled shout of a man through the door.
King swung the door open and blocked whoever it was from entering or even seeing inside.
“And who in the fuck might you be?” He loved it when King’s voice got all gravelly. That shit made the hair on his body stand up and whoever was on the receiving end of it piss themselves.
“I’m the Dawes County Sheriff and I want to see Maggie right now.”
He spun away from the door and pulled a worried looking Maggie into the kitchen with Bianca on his heels.
“How does the sheriff know your real name?”
Maggie looked panicked for a second and was trying to see around him to the front door. He lightly gripped her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his.
“We’ve been going by Maggie and Brandon in public. The few times I said my name was Candace I never answered when someone used it and people would start asking questions. It just seemed easier.” She looked at the floor blushing, “He’s taken me out a couple of times and he loves Brandon. I told him bits and pieces about what happened but not everything. He’s safe, he’s the sheriff.” she hurriedly whispered, as if being the sheriff automatically made him a good guy.
“Just because someone’s a cop, doesn’t mean that they’re safe,” he said pointedly.
He knew both Bianca and Maggie hadn’t been able to go the local cops about Dane’s abuse because they were all in his pocket. He waited for Maggie to get and accept what he was saying. He watched as realisation dawned in her eyes. He nodded and went back towards the heated voices on the porch. Not even here a fucking hour and they’d got the bastard sheriff at the door.
“I’m not leaving ‘til I see that Maggie and Brandon are okay and want you all here.”
He had to give this guy credit, he wasn’t backing down and when faced with the Musketeers that was a pretty impressive feat. As much as he fucking hated law enforcement, it would be good for Maggie to have someone to turn to in an emergency when they weren’t here. Plus, looking at this guy and seeing the wildness and barely restrained rage in his eyes, he was obviously interested in more than Maggie’s safety.
Maggie’s small voice called from the door, “Hey Kyle. It’s okay guys, Kyle knows what’s been going on.”
Bones and King took her at her word and backed off, allowing him to finally got a good look at the guy. He was tall and built with short black hair and brown eyes. He could make out some kind of military tattoo just peeking out under his shirt sleeve.
They had plenty of brothers who had been in the services. None of them had served, yet he knew from his brothers that shit wasn’t an easy experience. Some came back twisted up inside and mad at the world, having seen too much shit to ever function in civilised society again. Those are the ones who join an MC. Then there were some like this guy whose sense of justice gets heightened and they continue on with their mission when they get state side.
Although this guy looked uneasy, he also appeared resolved to try to take them on if he had to. The guy had stones. He respected that. He’d be a good match for Maggie.
Brandon pushed past his mother’s legs and ran into Kyle’s open arms, “Kyle!” The fact that an abused kid trusted this big guy said everything really.
“Hey buddy.” He pulled Brandon up, resting him on his hip. “You know these men?” He questioned Brandon, while shooting them an untrusting look.
“Sure do,” he replied enthusiastically. “That’s my Uncle Bones, Uncle Digger and Uncle King.” Brandon pointed at each of them as he said their name. They couldn’t help but smile back at him. He was a fucking cute kid.
“Three uncles, eh.” He moved through them with Brandon in his arms, knowing they wouldn’t touch him while he was holding the boy. He pecked Maggie on the cheek when he got close. She blushed and sent him a small embarrassed smile. “I thought you only had one sister,” he questioned her.
“Well…you see…” Maggie stuttered, struggling to know how to explain their relationship.
When bold as fucking brass, their old lady came through the door, shoulders back, eyes on fire and stood in front of them.
“She has only got one sister and they’re all mine,” she said, loudly, clearly and while throwing her thumbs over her shoulders.
Digger felt his chest swell with pride that Bianca had claimed them so fervently and was eye-balling the sheriff, as if daring him to say something negative. He wanted to take her to the ground and fuck her right there and then. He could tell Bones and King felt the same. He reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist and Bones and Digger made sure they had a hand on her too.
The sheriff looked completely shocked. They waited for the shock to turn into offence and then they’d kick his ass. Surprisingly, a new resolve showed on the sheriff’s face and he could see his internal investigator coming forward.
“Bones, Digger and King? Happen to have any legal names?” He plainly wanted to do a search on them.
Bones threw him a cocky smirk and simply answered, “Nope,” popping the ‘p’. Bianca giggled at that and Bones pressed a kiss to the side of her neck.
The sheriff eyed their cuts, bikes, tattoos and their size before correctly deciding not to press the issue. Maggie pulled on his hand diverting his attention back to her, and then spoke to Brandon.
“You wanna stay here with your uncles and Aunt Bee while I have a quick talk with Kyle?”
Brandon arched to get out of the sheriff’s arms and beaming, scrambled over to him, lifting his hands up on the way. Digger picked up his small weight and held him tight. Bones reached over and ruffled Brandon’s hair. This fucking kid was going to get a fucking mountain of Christmas presents.
*****
Over the next two days they kitted out Maggie’s house as much as she’d allow after she insisted to Bianca that she wasn’t coming back with them. She had settled where she was and was seeing it as a fresh start. They’d gotten to know Maggie a lot better too. She was slowly getting her confidence back and was an excellent mother to Brandon. He could tell by the time they visited again, that she would be a completely new version of herself.
They sat together as Maggie made an official report to the sheriff on everything that happened with Dane and how she and Brandon had gotten away. Although she didn’t officially report it, Bianca told them both what had happened to her. It wouldn’t do any good for the cops to get involved. Also, everyone they’d want to question from Riot and Dane were dead – they left the part out about how it happened. The sheriff looked conflicted until he looked at Maggie. They’d all noticed her shoulders relax and tension disappear from her eyes when she heard Dane’s fate.
Maggie had broken down with guilt at what Bianca had been through. That was expected and they were glad that Maggie recognised the horrors Bianca lived and persevered through so that Maggie and Brandon could be safe. Bianca had shot up and embraced her sister, then clutched her hands and looked her dead in the eye. He’d never forget what she said to Maggie;
“I’d go through it all again ten times over if it meant that I’d end up here, exactly as we are now. You and Brandon are safe and away from that monster, with a decent man watching over you and me having found the loves of my life. We wouldn’t be here if all this hadn’t happened and I know that we’ll both be so much happier than we would have been if it hadn’t. I adore my life now and knowing you are finally happy means that I can enjoy it as much as you will.”
That night they’d worshipped every inch of her body and each made love to her with a tenderness none of them had ever experienced before. She’d accepted them and their lifestyle, claimed it for her own. It was everything they’d ever wanted to hear from her.
Bones
They were leaving Chadron today. He’d be glad to get back home and live their lives without all the shit hanging over their heads. It was a fresh start. They’d loaded the bikes and were watching as Maggie and Bianca shared the longest fucking hug in history. Bianca was insisting over and over that should Maggie and Brandon want they could move in with them. Maggie was assuring Bianca that she was happy where she was and would keep it in mind, over and over.
A small hand was tugging at his Mohawk from the small boy in his arms. Brandon was a cute kid. He’d miss the little guy. Of the three of them, he was the one who wanted as many kids as they could cope with. As far as he was concerned they had twice as many parents as most families so it was only right to have twice as many kids. Bianca had shot down that idea and they had an ongoing joke where he’d randomly shout out a number and Bianca would answer no and act horrified before breaking down laughing. He had managed to get his first maybe on four though.
They’d warmed up to Kyle too, although they flat-out refused to use his name and only called him sheriff. He loved seeing the little tick he got in his cheek every time they said it. Bianca had tried to stop them, but it was just too funny. Until the guy retired he’d be Sheriff to them. There was part of him looking forward to the shock on his face thirty years from now when they called him Kyle for the first time. He was confident that he’d be sticking around. He looked at Maggie and Brandon like they were his world and Bones could appreciate that, he looked at Bianca, Digger and King the same way.
“You coming back soon, Uncle Bones?” A small voice asked in his ear.
“We are, squirt. Gonna be back before Christmas.”
“But that’s ages away!” Brandon protested with his bottom lip pushed out, using the little pout that no doubt usually got him anything he wanted.
“It’s not as long as you think. Anyway, now you and your mama have got that new iPad so you can see us as much as you want.”
Brandon silently considered what he said for a moment and then rested his head on his shoulder. “Okay then.”
Bianca had seen the exchange and looked at him adoringly, and if he wasn’t wrong, she looked a bit broody too. He winked at her and enjoyed the flush that rose on her cheeks.
Maggie came over to them next. He was sure she’d be a whole new person the next time they saw her. She was a decent woman who’d been knocked down too many times, but when she got her confidence back he was sure she’d be as big of a ball-buster as Bianca. She squeezed them all tight and murmured “thank you” softly, with teary eyes as she pulled back.
They climbed on their bikes ands fired them up. Brandon jumped about excitedly in front of his mother and the sheriff, loving the loud, thundering noise of the tailpipes. Bianca climbed on behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He patted her hand as they slowly pulled off, making sure to rev their bikes as loudly as they could to Brandon’s glee. He waved with both hands wearing his own leather jacket and face scarf they’d gotten for him, much to his mother’s amusement and the sheriff’s trepidation.
He could feel Bianca shaking behind him as they rode out of sight. They all knew she’d shed a few tears when it came time to leave, they’d just hoped they wouldn’t be the ones forcing her to. As it turned out, Bianca had never even mentioned staying without them and when he’d mentioned their worries to her she’d slapped his arm and told him to stop being an idiot.
He took one hand off his handlebars and rubbed her leg, hoping to soothe her. She hugged him tight and it was only a few miles later that the shaking stopped. Fuck, he loved this woman to the depths of his soul.
They were taking the scenic view back. As they crested over the hill, he saw a remarkable vista of mountain ranges, thick forests and even a meandering river. He saw a small well-worn roadside area coming up that would be perfect for a quick break. He signalled to Digger and King to pull over. Their bikes drew up alongside his on the uneven surface. He held steady as King helped Bianca to get off his bike. When she was clear he followed and they all stood against the barrier, just taking in the view.
“It’s so beautiful. I’m glad we didn’t take the highways on the way back, it would have been tragic to miss this.” Bianca said with wonder coloring her voice.
Bones just looked at her, taking in all her beauty. Her blonde hair appeared luminous and moved as if it was alive in the wind, her pale skin shone and her blue eyes seemed to glow as the sun highlighted her features. She truly was their goddess.
His stomach was pissing him off. He didn’t deal with nerves often, but right now his were wreaking havoc on his insides. He walked over to his bike and dug his hand into one of his saddlebags until his fingers felt soft leather. He pulled it free and went back to the barrier. Digger and King had been watching him and he noticed that they looked as nervous as him. His heart rate picked up. This was a pivotal moment in their lives and he couldn’t imagine a better time and place to do it.
“Beauty?”
Bianca turned around and all three of them gathered around her. She must have seen something in their expressions because her face looked concerned and she was chewing her lip. Bones felt King and Digger both grasp his hands. It looked like they were leaving it up to him to do the talking.
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything is perfect and it’s why we want you to accept this.”
He released King and Digger’s hands and held up the tiny cut that they hade made for her. This meant everything to them. It was akin to getting married and they all saw in as officially binding them together for life. They wanted to give her a ring too, but they’d decided to hold off and hopefully get engaged where all the other old ladies and brothers could share in the moment.
This right here was infinitely more personal. People get married to show everyone their love. This was about Bianca accepting them, as they are for the rest of her life. She’d be committing herself to their lifestyle, their shared dreams and hopefully years of happiness.
Bianca’s eyes rapidly filled with tears. They tumbled out and rolled down to her wide, beautiful smile. He felt his heart lighten and anticipation rode him hard.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“This is your cut. If you accept it, you’re officially our old lady. There’s no going back, so you have to be sure.”
As King spoke those words, Bones could feel himself welling up. It had to get it fucking together. Bianca surged forward and ripped the cut out of his hands. She hugged it to her chest as she frantically nodded and croaked out, “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
A huge wave of relief and joy swept over him and they all moved to bring her into their collective embrace. He buried his head in her sweet smelling hair and let out a long sigh. Their future was secure. A heavy hand landed on his neck and turned him towards Digger who took his mouth with vigor. The kiss was cut short as Bianca tugged at his cut and pulled his face down to meet hers. He took her softly, savouring her taste and soft lips. He could hear Digger and King sharing their own kiss over their heads.
“I love you, beauty,” he said against her lips.
Bianca’s breath hitched as she replied, “I love you. Thank you for making me all of yours.”
King yanked him over to him and they embraced as tightly as they could. Every part of their bodies aligned as Bones thrust his tongue between King’s lips. His soft beard brushed against his face as they took in each other’s taste with an intense passion. They pulled apart and King buried his head in his neck. He felt his words as they were breathed onto his skin.
“I love you.”
He opened his eyes and saw Digger hugging Bianca. Their eyes met and he said, “I love you too.”
A single tear dropped from his eye as he mouthed the same words back to him. He didn’t know how long they stood there, just holding and kissing each other but the sun had definitely moved positions.
“We better get going if we wanna reach the hotel before nightfall.”
They all separated and watched as Bianca stroked over the club emblem and the bottom rocker that had been stitched onto her cut. Her tiny finger traced the letters, Property of Musketeers. She pressed a kiss to the patch and looked up at all of them, her face damp, yet beaming. She pulled it on over her leather jacket and stood tall and proud with her shoulders tipped back. The white stitching on her breast, displaying her name, stood out against the solid black. Now everyone would know who she was and who she belonged too.
They moved back to the bikes and Bianca climbed on behind King for the rest of the journey. They pulled away and Bones had to make an effort to concentrate on the road. His attention kept getting drawn to the bike in front of him with the stunning woman on the back, riding like a natural and displaying their club and name unabashedly.
He could never had imagined that their lives would come together the way they had. As the miles disappeared under their tyres, he felt genuine and untainted happiness. Once they got home, the rest of their lives would begin. As long as they had Bianca and each other, they could face anything that would come their way.
She was theirs, fully and forever.