Chapter 46
Brooke
I talked to Blu. He wanted to help with the club, and I more than appreciated it. We worked out all the details, and overall, it’s better for me with the Soulless Bastards being a part of it.
“Why is the club called Soulless Bastards?” I ask Declan. He looks down at me and shrugs.
“We’ve always been soulless,” he says.
“You have a heart though, all of you do,” I tell him.
He nods before he says, “Hearts, yeah. It doesn't say heartless bastards.” He laughs, and it’s like music to my ears. I’ve missed him. Missed this.
I watch Cherry dance and have a good time at her party. She deserves it. She’s a good person with a good heart.
“The guys missed you around here,” Declan says. I lean into his touch. Loving the way he feels against me.
“I’ve missed them too. Tic is nice and all, but he can be a handful. He bosses everyone around.” I giggle a little. I remember him bossing the damn boss of the construction company.
“He’s a good guy, though. Mayhem has been bitchin’ and whinin’ about you comin’ back.”
“He was? He’s the one that came to pick me up at the club.” I look up when I hear that rumble in Declan’s chest. I can see the way his eyes jerk around to find Mayhem. The anger of his jealousy amuses me.
“He did, huh?”
“That growly caveman thing you do is kind of sexy,” I tease him. Declan laughs before he pulls me into his lap. I stand up and spin around, straddling him.
“You like when I’m all caveman, huh?” he says, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. His fingers graze my skin, and that’s all it takes. My body shutters every time he touches me.
“I need you, Declan. I never thought that I would need anyone in my life. I was always left to fend for myself but you, I can’t seem to shake the feelings I have for you.” It’s hard for me to admit that, but it’s the truth.
“Come on.” He pushes me off his lap before he stands and grabs my hand. He drags me through the crowd of people and out into the road. He doesn’t stop though. He keeps walking.
My heart races when he stops at the spot.
“I’ve messed up so many times in my life. I killed. I still do. The world changed that night, Brooke. I looked down into your eyes and saw all the hurt and pain that I fuckin’ caused you. It broke my fuckin’ heart to know that I took that part of your life away from you. Every night I’d lay in bed and see your eyes. Not the eyes of the man I killed. Not the scene before me. It was you. Your eyes have haunted me since that night,” he admits, staring at the exact spot where he killed my dad. My heart wants to break for him. I reach into my pocket and pull the rosary out and hand it to him. I watch as his fingers slowly move over the cross, lost in his own thoughts.
“Why did you give that to me that night?” I ask. I’ve always wondered about that.
“My mom gave it to me. She always said it would protect me. I wanted it to protect you. I don’t know why, but when I saw the look in your eyes, I knew. You were broken by my hand. I wanted you to have somethin’ good. She was good, mom was.”
I reach for his hand and squeeze it in mine. “I don’t even remember my mom. I was so young when she died. At least you have that memory of yours. You should keep it safe, Declan.”
“Here. Keep it. You need it more than I do.” He passes the rosary back to me.
“Declan.” I start to protest when he spins me around. His hands come up to cup my cheeks.
“Everything I’ve ever wanted is all inside of you. You are what I want, Brooke. You hold my heart. I want you,” he says in a demanding tone.
“You do?” I ask not sure that I heard him right.
“I love you, Brooke. I love your attitude. I love how you test my patience. I love how you snore lightly in your sleep. Fuck, there’s nothin’ about you that I don’t love.” Before I can open my mouth, Declan closes it with his.
His lips are on mine, and everything else just fades away. Nothing matters in this moment but him. He makes me feel whole. He makes me feel loved and cared for. When he pulls back, I smile up at him.
“You’re lucky I love you or I’d kick your ass for manhandling me like that.” Declan throws his head back and laughs a real, deep laugh.
“Come on, we got a party to get to.” Declan drags me down the road again, only this time I’m high on him.
We walk back into the party when everyone turns to face us.
“I’m only gonna say this one more time,” Declan hollers. Everyone settles down, and all eyes are on us.
I look up at Declan and try to get a read on what it is he’s doing when he says, “Brooke’s my old lady. For now and forever. I’m claimin’ her ass one last time!” he roars. The guys all go crazy. Mayhem moves toward me first, lifting me in his arms and spinning me around.
“Told you, you are family! You’re stuck with us now!” he laughs.
When he sets me down, Cherry runs toward me.
“I’m so happy for you, Brooke. You deserve to be happy,” she squeals in my ear.
I hold her tightly before I say, “Happy Birthday!” She smiles when she pulls back. Blu is standing there watching me.
“This mean you’re stayin’ this time?” His tone is harsh like always. Dec moves back to my side, grabbing my hand in his.
“I think you’re stuck with me,” I tell Blu. He nods once before stepping forward.
“He went through hell for you. It ate him alive. I watched him spiral downward the last few months, and I hated it. He’s like a son to me. We’re brothers. I know you two had your reasons, but love is stronger than the shit we deal with.” I get what he’s saying. He doesn’t want me to hurt Declan anymore, and I don’t plan on it.
“I get it, Blu. You guys mean a lot to me. I love Declan.” He nods before pulling me into a hug.
“I’m glad you’re back, Brooke,” he whispers in my ear.
When he pulls back, he says, “We still have that issue with Mouse and you kickin’ his ass!” He points at me. I try not to laugh. It isn’t funny. I disrespected the club and Mouse, and I feel like shit for it.
“I’m really sorry I did that. I wasn’t trying to be an ass.” Blu starts laughing and so does Declan. I look around at them a little confused.
“I ain’t mad at you, darlin’. Mouse did his job. He knew better than to lay a hand on a woman, but nevertheless, he got his ass handed to him. We’re gonna give him hell for that,” Blu says as he walks away laughing.
Declan grabs me around the waist and leads me to the side of the clubhouse. Standing in the darkness of the shadows, he pulls his gun from the back of his jeans. He settles it on my chest before dragging it farther down.
“Now, butterfly. You want that hard steel between your thighs?” he asks, rubbing his gun between my legs and setting all my senses on fire.
“I want your hard steel between my thighs. I love you, Dec.”
“I love you, butterfly.”