Callie (Yes, I need my say too.)
I see Cricket as soon as I step my foot in the waiting room. I know Kylar is going to be pissed at me but I think it is about time for me to meet Tara Blount. I know Cricket is going to snitch on me but I’ll have a few minutes to talk to Tara.
I slipped off from the prospect at the house with a little help from Hanna. I know Kylar has a lot to worry about right now and he wouldn’t let me come to visit Tara so I just didn’t ask. That way he didn’t technically tell me no. Kylar knows if I want to slip away from the prospect guarding our family that there is no keeping me there. I have had too much practice in my life growing up the daughter of an MC President of ditching my tails. Kylar will be mad but he will get over it. I wave at Cricket and he comes over to me.
“What room is Tara in?” At first, I think he is not going to tell me but I give him my best mom look and he caves. Bikers are so damn easy.
“Room 306 but her mom just caused some trouble so they may not let you in.” I give him a look that says I am not taking no for an answer.
“I’ll handle it. Can you give me a few minutes before you rat me out?” I give my best pleading look.
“Already sent the text. I want my patch sooner rather than later.” I smile at Cricket. He’s a good kid.
“I’m going in.” He nods his head. He knows better than to try and stop me. I walk down the hall and find the room. I knock on the door and an older man with a balding head opens the door.
“Who are you?” I smile at the man.
“I’m Kylar’s wife. I believe Tara knows my brother in-law.” The man looks me up and down.
“You’re Devil’s wife?” I should have said, Devil. I sometimes forget.
“Yes, I just wanted to meet Tara and see if there was anything I could bring her.” The man looks at the woman sitting in the bed.
“Of course, come in. I’m Bud, I own the diner and that is Tara.” He points to the woman in the bed.
“I heard there has been some excitement in here.” I smile and try to break the tension in the room. I look at Bud and then Tara. “Do you think that I could have a few minutes with Tara? Cricket has already texted my husband and I am sure he will be here in a few minutes and I’ll be taken away to be hidden away in my home again.” I laugh as I say it.
Bud has a smile on his face but Tara looks shocked. “It’s not that bad, Tara. Kylar loves and worries about me. A little more when I am carrying one of our children but he can go all caveman from time to time.” That does not make Tara feel better by the look on her face.
“I can understand his thoughts. Women never stay put.” Bud adds.
“I know, right? Us little old women cannot take care of ourselves so we need the men folks keeping tabs on us. Do you think that when Kylar gets here that you can ask him to give me a few minutes with Tara before he drags me back home?” I tease Bud and he laughs.
“You said that, not me.” Then he looks at Tara. “I’ll let you two visit. I’ll be right outside and I will try, but by the time he gets here, I am sure it won’t do much good.” Bud tells Tara and me and then leaves us.
“It’s not that bad, Tara. I was just teasing Bud. They only care for our safety. We just need to keep them on their toes sometimes.” Tara looks tense. “I promise I won’t bite. I am the welcoming committee from the Feral Steel ol’ ladies. There’s only two of us and Gertie isn’t around as much anymore, so I am what you get.” That gets me a little of a smile.
“You know that sounded bad. Devil is going to drag you back home. How do you deal with that?” I look into Tara’s eyes and I see no judgment but curiosity, so I give it to her straight.
“It can wear on my last nerve but I understand it to a point. Don’t get me wrong, Devil can be overbearing and pig headed but he is mine and I love him.” I let that soak in. “You were attacked yesterday and claimed by a Feral Steel member so every one of the brothers is going to be protective until the threat is handled. After that, they’ll go back to the normal over protective.”
“Isn’t that a bit caveman? I have never let a man take care of me.” I see that Tara just doesn’t understand how club life works, so I try to explain.
“To an outsider, it may seem that way. I guess it is a little but the benefits far outweigh the bad. You just need to find a way to find a balance and give yourself an adjustment period. You and Kane will find a way to make it work for you. That’s all any of us can do and it is how all relationships are.” I know my time is running out.
“Why do you call him Kane and everyone else calls him Rome?” Tara asks.
“Kane is Rome’s legal name. He just received his road name that his brothers gave him and I am not used to it yet. In a mc club, their road name is all that matters, just like being claimed as an ol’ lady is like being married in the club.” That got me an eyebrow raise.
“I didn’t agree to that. Rome said he was my protector but I don’t even know Rome.” Tara is getting upset. I reach over to her and take her hand.
“That is how it works sometimes. I want you to ask yourself one question before you freak out on me.” Tara waits for me to finish. I wait for her to calm a little.
“How would you feel if Kane was not in your life?” Tara starts to say something but stops. I see that she is thinking it over. “Would you really want him to walk away? Because if you turn him down, he will.”
“Shouldn’t this be going slower? I am not used to things changing so fast. Rome and I haven’t even kissed yet. How can he just claim me as his?” I see the wheels turning in Tara’s head. I hear the door open and there stands my man with his hand on his hip and a pissed look on his face. Rome is right behind him. I give Kylar my best don’t mess with me look.
“We are having some girl talk and if you join us you are going to join us on our girl talk. Your decision.” I give it straight to Kylar.
“Have your girl talk but woman, you and I are going to have a man to woman talk and it is going to end with your ass being a pretty shade of blistering red.” Yep, my man is pissed. I wink at him.
“I look forward to it.” That gets a groan from him and then a smile.
“Have your girl talk but we need to get back to the clubhouse, so hurry.” Kylar turns around to leave and Rome is left standing there looking at us.
“You alright, Tara? Did your mom touch you?” I watch the interaction between Rome and Tara. It brings a smile to my face.
“I’m good now but she was trying to get me to leave with her. The nurse is supposed to keep her, Sheila, and Liam out but they let Callie in.” Tara looks at me. “Did they ask who you were?”
“No one was at the nurse’s desk when I got here. Cricket told me where you were.” I answer Tara.
“I’ll take care of that,” Rome says. “I’ll be right outside.” Tara nods her head and Rome leaves.
“You two have it so bad and it is written all over both your faces when you look at each other. Don’t you want to see where that can go?” I see Tara does but it is hard for her to admit it even to herself.
“Maybe, but I don’t know anything about a motorcycle club.” I’ve never been in her shoes but any new beginnings can be scary.
“Tara, I could say I know what you are feeling but I would be lying. I was brought up in a mc just like the Feral Steel, well, maybe not exactly like the Feral Steel but close. My dad is a president of a mc in Texas. My brother is a member and all my uncle’s are members. I wouldn’t know another way of life and honestly, I don’t want to.” I look at Tara and she looks overwhelmed so I try to simplify it. “Some people say if you love the man then you need to love the club and I do, but you’re just starting out. Look at it this way. The club is Rome’s family and like any other family, when you start a new relationship love the man and accept the club. Some members you will like more than others but accept them all and you will come to love them as you embrace them and them, you. But never forget to respect the club and if you could, don’t hurt Rome. He isn’t the easiest person to get to know and he lives with his ghosts but he is a darn good man, and he is my family. I will protect my family.” I know the last part sounds harsh but she needs to know, as a family, we look out for each other.
“I don’t know Rome very well. How can I love him?” I can see her point. I felt the same way about Kylar at one time.
“Be yourself, trust Rome to take care of you, hold on, and don’t over think everything. No two relationships are the same and no one should judge yours.” I’ve said everything I can. Everything I should. The rest Tara and Rome will learn along the way.
“I’ll try. It’s hard for me. My mom and sister take from men. It doesn’t matter if the man is single, married, or in a relationship. They use them to get through life. I swore to myself I would never be that way. I would get my education and learn to take care of myself. Now, Rome wants to take care of me, and it is hard letting go and letting him, but I want to.” Tara just said it and I see it shocks even her.
“You and I are going to be good friends and when you get out of here you can meet my other friends. I better let that scary biker in here before he walks a hole in the hall. I have my punishment to look forward to.” I laugh and so does Tara.
“I can’t believe you said that. Devil looked upset. Aren’t you worried?” Tara doesn’t get me and Devil yet but she will learn.
“Tara, Devil promising to redden my backside is not a threat, it’s a promise and one I intend for him to keep.” I wink at her and Tara blushes. I do, too, but I mean every word. “Now are you ready for the big scaries?”
“You’re not the least bit intimidated by all those big bikers, are you?” Tara asks me.
“They are my family and I have nothing to be intimidated about and neither do you, because they are your family now, too. You’ll know when to zip it. It’s a learning process.” I walk to the door and open it and there stands my Kylar with Rome right beside him.
“Your turn. Take care of her, Rome. She needs some TLC.” I turn my attention to my man. “Now, let’s get to the punishment you promised.” The concern has left Kylar’s face and left is nothing but love shining through.
“Rome, talk to your woman and then get back to the clubhouse. We have a vote. I am leaving Rix here with Cricket so all members can be there for the vote. I’ll be at the clubhouse in a couple of hours.” Kylar gives Rome his attention but then he looks back to me. “Babe, let’s go.” I know I am going to enjoy this punishment.