CHAPTER TEN
SCARLETT
We were waiting at the bar when the members started to come in. There were the current seven, plus the five Founders. Meg and my Mom were included. My Mom started the conversation.
“The reason I called you all here was to announce something important that has surged in my family. Something I think involves only myself and my daughter, but according to the circumstances, it also involves you.”
Nick looked at me as I sat next to Wolf and Grayson at one of the tables. I focused on my Mom and tried not to lean in closer to Wolf.
“When I was with Ryder, I believed in the rules of this Club. I believed in the protection they offered. But now, one of those rules is messing with a life that I hold very dear to me.” She looked at me and then at Nick and at Bear. “A life we all hold dear.”
They all looked at me and I felt myself go red. Wolf gripped my thigh under the table and squeezed reassuringly.
“What are you getting at, Reg?” Nick asked not taking his eyes off me.
“My daughter…Ryder’s daughter, has made a decision. The decision affects Hell’s Lovers and for the life of me I don’t know why the hell it would.”
Nick’s eyes went straight to Regina’s. “What?”
She nodded. “What my daughter decides, or what I decide in my family, all you fools have no say on it! If she wants to marry the President of this Club or any one for that matter, that’s her decision. Give me one good reason as to why she should ask you?”
The club went dead quiet and Bear and Nick looked astonished. Mike, the Club’s enforcer frowned. Ryder made half the rules, Reg. Hell’s Lovers live and die by those rules.
“And who goddamn decided that my daughter couldn’t marry one of you fools!”
Her voice rose and all the men looked down. Meg smiled and nodded at my mother in support.
Nick spoke first. “Regina, you need to make yourself clear.”
“Scarlett wants to marry Wolf. Is that clear enough for you, Nick.”
He stared at his hands and didn’t look up. When he did, his eyes focused on Wolf. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
Regina answered instead. “It means shit.”
Nick’s eyes widened and he looked over at her. “You can’t change the rules, Reg.”
“The fuck I can’t! You forget one tiny little flaw in your stupid rules, Nick. In the absence of my husband I make the decisions in my family. My husband was a founder, which makes me the founder’s old lady. My understanding, according to this club’s founding Sargent at Arms, is the founders can change the rules.”
Bear and Mike stood up. “You can’t do that!”
Regina stood up and faced them all. “The hell I can’t. No damn member is gonna kick out a perfectly respectable President and strip him of anything, let alone beat him over my daughter! I want a vote!” She took a breath and looked at Nick. “I want a vote, Nick. If majority agrees, then Wolf stays as President and marries my daughter.”
Nick looked at me when he answered. “And what if they vote against them.”
I answered. “Then Wolf and I leave, never to be seen again. But he gets to keep everything he’s worked for.”
Nick lowered his head. “Guys, what do you say?”
Bear cleared his throat and gave Meg a loving look. “We have no say Nick, you make the call.”
Nick sighed. “Ryder’s probably turning in his grave.” He mumbled and I gripped onto Wolf’s hand. “Fine! A vote! And this includes current executive members…” Meg cleared her throat and Nick rolled his eyes. “And their wives.” She smiled and winked at Bear.
I held my breath as the question was asked.
“To letting Wolf stay as President, raise your hands if you are for it.”
I watched as all hands were raised including Nick’s and my mother’s. I nearly jumped in my seat with joy and Wolf squeezed my hand as he still looked at the ground. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be praying for a miracle.
“To allowing Wolf Stone to marry Scarlett Chase. Even though they’d be breaking the rules. Raise your hands if you are for it.”
My eyes drifted to Cain and Grayson who raised their hands first. Then came Seth, Riggs and my Mom. That was five, and we needed eight out of the fourteen for majority ruling. As more hands went up, I pulled on Wolf’s hand. He looked up and assessed the room. Knox, the club’s enforcer had his hand raised and so did Bear and Meg. Nine hands were raised, including Bear’s and I held my breath in excitement.
Nick and the other two founders looked at each other and lowered their heads. “We won’t vote for this decision, Regina. We can’t. It’s not that we don’t think that Wolf is a good man, or that Scarlett shouldn’t be a part of us…”
Regina held up her hand. “But that’s exactly what you’re saying Nick. She looked at the other two founders. Jack? Sean? You guys think it’s right to go against something so important. I’ll tell you one thing. None of you knew Ryder Chase the way I knew him. He made this rule to protect his family, not to cause them pain or heartache.” She looked at me lovingly. “He would have done anything for our little girl, no matter the cost. So, if you go against her, you go against him.”
Her words hung in the air and slowly, but surely, Jack and Sean raised they’re hands. Nick stared at them in shock and they shrugged in defeat. Jack spoke for them both. “No one goes against Regina Chase, you know that Nick. She makes a good argument.”
Nick sighed and waved his hand as a signal to lower their hands. “The vote has been made. Wolf and Scarlett…” he looked up at us, “congratulations!”
A cheer came from Grayson and he hugged and patted Wolf on the back. The rest of the members laughed and congratulated us.
I walked up to Nick who was seated at the bar with Bear and Mike. Meg was leaning on the bar and winked at me as I approached.
“Nick.”
He looked up at me and his eyes softened. “Hey, pretty girl.”
I smiled at the childhood nick name. “Can I talk to you for a minute.”
Bear and Mike slowly crept, away and Meg pretended she had things to do in the back. I watched her take Bear’s hand and guide him to the storage room. I smiled knowingly and she winked at me as she closed the door.
“Scarlett, I know what you’re going to say…”
“Uncle Nick, I want to say thank you.” I interrupted him. His eyes met mine and I reached out for his hands. “You’re the only father figure I have right now, and I know this was hard for you.” He opened his mouth to say something, but I shook my head. “I want to let you know I love you and I want you to walk me down the aisle.”
His eyes widened in shock. “But…but…”
“No, buts. I grew up eating your burgers and going to baseball games with you. You always looked out for me, even now. I’m sorry I disappeared from your life.”
I looked down at his hands. “I’m sorry I didn’t take care of you.
He reached up to cup my cheeks. “You have become a bright, young lady. If this is what you want, then I, your Uncle Nick, give you my blessing.”
I smiled and leaned over to hug him. He patted my back and laughed. “When I see your father, he’s going to punch my lights out.”
I shook my head as tears flowed down my cheeks. “No, he won’t. He’ll probably say thank you.”
I felt a hand on my lower back and straightened up to see Wolf behind me. Nick looked at him and frowned. “I’m giving you this young lady and you better treat her like gold, you hear me Stone?”
He nodded quickly. “Yes, Sir.”
“You know what I’ll do to you if you make her suffer, even a little bit.”
“Break my bones and strip me of everything. I got it.”
Nick reached his hand out and Wolf took it. They shook and Nick pulled him in for a hug. “Take care of each other.”
Nick eyed us for a second and frowned. “I know what’s going on with Tuco’s gang. There’s word out that he’s not too happy.
Wolf gripped my waist and pulled me in tighter. “I figured. But it was that or get involved with God knows what.”
Nick shook his head. “I’m not saying it was the wrong move, I’m just telling you it’s not going to be easy from here on out. Those mother fuckers aren’t easy handle.”
Wolf sighed. “Neither are we.”
Nick smirked and patted him on the arm. “Believe me, I know. If you need anything, anything at all, I’m here.”
“Thanks Nick. I’ll keep that in mind.”
AN HOUR later we had driven up to Signal Hill in Hilltop Bar. The sun was setting and we had an amazing view of downtown Los Angeles. Leaning on his bike he pulled me in between his legs. His hands gripped my waist.
“Mr. Stone. Why are we so far away from the city?” I tugged on his jacket and kissed his cheek.
He laughed. “Don’t you think I owe you something.”
I frowned and he slowly stood up, turned me to the side and got down on one knee beside his bike. He reached back and pulled out a shiny object. My eyes widened as I realized what it was.
“I don’t know how the hell to do this, gorgeous. I’m not get down on one knee type of guy. But I know I love you and I know I want you. So I guess my question is, will you have me?”
“Yes! Yes, yes yes!” He stood up and I jumped in his arms, kissing him all over. He chuckled and set me down carefully. Then he took my hand and placed the prettiest rock on my finger.
“I hope you like it.” He whispered.
I barely looked at it as I caught his eyes. “I love it.”
He leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to my lips then turned me and we watched the sunset go down.