Scratch

The ring Clarity picked out wasn’t quite what I’d had in mind, but as long as she was happy that was all that mattered. She claimed the sapphire in the center reminded her of my eyes. It was just an average-size round stone with small diamond chips surrounding it, on a plain platinum band. I’d gone into the store prepared to spend a chunk of money and I’d walked out with my bank account only five thousand dollars less. I’d been assured there was a matching wedding band they could order when I was ready.

After we’d finished eating and had dessert, Darian noticed Clarity’s ring and blinked at me like an owl. “You’re engaged? To a woman you’ve only just met?”

Bull nudged her with his elbow, probably a reminder that they’d been all over each other when they’d first met. Darian pressed her lips together and looked from Clarity to me, then back again before giving a nod of her head.

“All right. As long as the two of you are happy, then I’ll be happy for you. Besides, Foster likes playing with Caleb, even if it is a little weird that my son is the same age as my stepbrother.”

Clarity snorted her water and started coughing. I patted her back and stared at my daughter. Darian just shrugged with a sheepish smile.

“Play nice,” Bull murmured to her just loud enough for me to hear. “Or I won’t do that thing you like.”

And that was more than I needed to know about my daughter and son-in-law.

A basket of breadsticks was on the table between Caleb and Foster. When I saw Caleb reaching for a second breadstick, I watched and waited. He did the same thing he had at home, freezing with his hand partway to the food, then looking around nearly frantic.

Clarity tensed next to me and I reached for her hand. “That’s the other thing I needed to talk to you about.”

“What did she do to my baby?” Clarity asked.

“She was abusive, and he saw some things he shouldn’t have. Bad things. She also forbade him from eating. We need to talk to a pediatrician and see what they recommend, but as he gets older, he might need counseling,” I said.

“What kind of things?” she asked, fear blazing in her eyes.

I leaned in closer so I could whisper and not let the entire restaurant hear our business. “Mary’s boyfriend was running a child pornography ring. He never filmed Caleb, but our boy saw some of it happening, and he saw that his babysitter got excited by it. We’re going to have some damage to reverse, but he’s going to be okay, kitten. And Mary and her boyfriend aren’t going to be an issue ever again.”

She looked into my eyes and nodded.

“I will always protect you. Both of you, no matter what it takes.”

She cupped my cheek and kissed me softly. “Thank you, Damon. I only wish…”

“You couldn’t have known, Clarity. Don’t beat yourself up over something that’s in the past. We’ll make sure Caleb gets whatever help he needs, and we’ll give him a good life. Now let me go talk to my boy a minute.” I winked and pushed my chair back.

Caleb was still staring at the breadsticks with longing, but he’d put his hand back in his lap. I knelt by his highchair and got his attention.

“Hey, buddy. Still hungry?” I asked.

Caleb just stared at me.

“It’s all right if you’re hungry, Caleb. You can eat as much as you want, whenever you want. The bad lady can’t hurt you anymore, all right? My family made sure she went away and won’t ever come back.”

I reached for a breadstick and held it out to him.

He wrapped his chubby hand around it, then grinned at me before taking a bite. I kissed the top of his head and went back to my seat. It would take time, but he would be fine, just like I’d told Clarity. I’d see that he had whatever he needed, and I’d make sure the club put those bodies where no one would ever find them. I’d also have Shade track down the kids were who exposed and make sure they were taken care of, in whatever way was necessary. Her kids would either go to family or they’d likely end up in the system. It sucked, but they would hopefully be better off than they were with her. There was too much evil in the world, and I hated that kids had ever been a part of it. They were to be sheltered and protected, not exposed for monetary gain.

My woman reached out and placed her hand on my thigh. I put my hand over hers and gave it a squeeze. We’d get through this, and whatever else life threw our way. I had a strong woman by my side, and I knew she could handle some serious shit if the need arose. Maybe she was right about the soul mate thing and she’d been chosen for me by the universe.

“You love her,” Darian said.

“What?” I glanced at Clarity, but she was focused on Caleb and Foster.

“You love her,” my daughter said again. “And I don’t think you even realize it. You’re different when you’re around her. You’ve been protective of me and Foster, but with Clarity and Caleb you’re like…”

“Like I am with you,” Bull told her. Then he nodded. “I would have to agree, Scratch. I think it’s obvious you’re in love with her. And the deer in the headlights expression on her face tells me you haven’t said that to her yet.”

I looked at Clarity again and her eyes were wide.

“You love me?” she asked. “You said you were falling for me, but you never…”

“Never been in love before,” I told her. “Maybe that’s what I’m feeling and I just don’t realize it, but I do know that you own my heart. I don’t see any woman but you.”

“Someone should tell the club sluts that,” Darian muttered.

“What’s a club slut?” Clarity asked.

“Oh my God.” Darian cast an accusing glare my way. “You haven’t even taken her to the clubhouse or told her about those women? When she buries you in a shallow grave, I’m not crying over your corpse.”

“What’s a club slut?” Clarity asked again, keeping her voice low enough the boys wouldn’t hear.

“It’s, um…” I glanced at Bull and Darian, but they weren’t going to help me with this one. “There are some women who hang around the clubhouse and they…”

“They’re whores who have sex with all the club brothers,” Darian said. “And I’m sure Daddy Dearest hasn’t exactly been a monk, so those women are going to think they have a prior claim on him and won’t give a shit the two of you are engaged. They’ll still try to get into his pants.”

“Thanks, Darian,” I said. I sighed and looked at Clarity, who didn’t seem too pleased with this new knowledge.

“You’ve slept with random women who still hang around the clubhouse, and they’ll expect you to sleep with them again?” she asked. There was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes and it nearly gutted me.

“Kitten, I’m not going to touch any of them. I can’t throw them out since most of my club are single men and they have needs. But yes, I’ve been with some of the club sluts. It didn’t mean anything. It’s never meant anything, not until you.”

“But you have to go be around them?”

“Yes and no. There are times I’ll need to be at the clubhouse and they’ll be there, but my party days are over. I’d rather be home with you and Caleb.”

“You’re the VP, Dad. You can’t just ghost on the parties,” Darian said. “Don’t lie to her because you think it’s what she wants to hear.”

“Darian, you might be a grown adult, but I will take you over my knee and beat some sense into you if you don’t shut the hell up,” I said casting her a glare. Bull merely raised his eyebrows, but stayed out of it.

“I don’t want to take you away from your club duties,” Clarity said. “But I won’t lie and say I’m okay with you being around those women.”

I looked at the clock on my phone. Our meal was over and we didn’t have plans for the rest of the night. Maybe if Clarity saw the clubhouse, she’d understand that those women couldn’t hold a candle to her. They were all used up and not the least bit attractive to me. Being with them had just been a way to find some relief, but it was just meaningless sex. They hadn’t been more than a willing place to stick my dick.

I looked at Bull and my daughter. “Can Caleb go with the two of you for a little while? We can swing by the hotel and pick him up in about an hour.”

“Sure,” Bull said.

I tossed him the keys to my truck and he got up to go transfer the car seat. Darian studied Clarity, and I could tell she had questions. I also knew her pregnancy was making her batshit crazy and her emotions were all over the fucking place. She was supportive one second and a fire-breathing fucking dragon the next. I didn’t envy Bull in the slightest.

“Caleb can stay the night, if you’d like,” Darian offered. “He gets along really well with Foster and they’re about the same size. I’m sure we have some pajamas that will fit him.”

“You okay with that, kitten?” I asked.

“He’s never stayed the night away from me before,” she said.

“We can pick him up when we’re done if that’s what you want, or he can stay with Foster and they can have some more playtime until they go to bed. Up to you. Darian might be a hormonal witch when she’s pregnant, but she’s good with kids.”

My daughter stuck her tongue out at me, which just made Clarity laugh.

“All right. He can stay the night,” she said. “But call us if he wants to come home.”

Darian nodded, then gathered the boys and took them outside. Caleb went without so much as a backward glance, which I was sure had to hurt Clarity. She’d been his entire world, and now he was opening up to new people and making friends. It had to be hard on her.

I paid for dinner, then led Clarity out to the truck. She was quiet on the way to the clubhouse, and I only hoped that I was right and she could handle this. If our roles were reversed, I knew I wouldn’t be too happy right now either. The thought of her being in regular contact with men she’d slept with, had there been any, would have infuriated me.

The parking lot outside the clubhouse was pretty packed considering we weren’t an overly large club. I parked the truck and went to help Clarity out. She smoothed her hands over her outfit and fidgeted.

“You look beautiful, kitten, and I’ll be right by your side the entire time. If you’re uncomfortable or want to leave, just say the word and we’ll go home, or go get Caleb if that’s what you want.”

“All right.”

I took her by the hand and led her up the steps and inside. Music was booming and smoke filled the air. A few brothers were already screwing the club sluts out in the open and I felt Clarity tense. We went to the bar and I ordered a beer, then got her a virgin drink. She stared at it with her brow furrowed.

“No alcohol. Just in case,” I said, looking down at her stomach.

Her cheeks flushed, but there was a pleased look on her face as she sipped her drink. It didn’t take long for Cinder to make his way over to us, and he looked confused as fuck.

“Thought you wanted to keep this one,” he said.

“I do. We’re engaged.”

“Uh-huh. And you thought bringing her here was a good idea? Is this some sort of test?” Cinder asked.

“Not exactly. I tried to explain club sluts to her and didn’t do such a great job.”

Cinder looked over at Clarity, who was staring a little too hard at her drink. Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea after all. Cinder shook his head and moved away, leaving us alone at the bar. I finished off my beer and was going to suggest that we leave when a hand wrapped around my arm and a naked body pressed up against me.

“I wondered when you’d come and have some fun with us,” the whore said, her make-up so heavy it cracked at the corners of her eyes. She might have been attractive once, but hard living had aged her.

“Not tonight, Stella. Or any night.” I removed her hand, but she wasn’t deterred.

“Oh, come on, Mr. VP. You know we had us a good time. Wasn’t all that long ago you were taking me up against that wall over there,” she said nodding across the room.

I felt Clarity tense even more and I wondered just how fucked I was going to be once I got her out of here. Before I could open my mouth and say a word, my fiancée skirted around me and got right in Stella’s face.

“He said to back off, bitch.”

I put my hand over my mouth to hide my silent laughter as my little kitten showed her claws. It seemed I might have been worried for nothing. Well, maybe not nothing. When we got home, I might get an earful, but I’d gladly take a tongue-lashing from her as long as she was still speaking to me. I hadn’t done the best job preparing her for this life, and if she needed to vent her frustrations I’d let her. In private. In front of the club was another matter, but watching her stand up for herself and claim me wasn’t a bad thing. I was damn proud of her.

Stella flipped her hair over her shoulder and sneered at Clarity. “And who the fuck are you to talk to me that way?”

Clarity put her finger an inch from Stella’s nose, her engagement ring shining under the lights. “I’m the woman he’s going to marry, you whore. Take your sagging tits somewhere else.”

Stella’s lips thinned and she pulled back her hand. I reached out to catch her mid-slap, but Clarity didn’t give me a chance. She barreled into Stella, knocking the whore down, then grabbed a handful of hair and slammed her head on the floor. My jaw dropped as my sweet little kitten stood up and started dragging Stella’s naked ass through the club and out the front doors. I followed in their wake, along with half my brothers, and watched my woman kick the slut down the steps.

“Damn,” Renegade said in a hushed tone. “Your woman is badass. Where can I get one?”

“Hands off, dickhead,” I said, but I was smiling. It was kind of hot watching her take care of the club slut all on her own.

“You ever think of trying to fucking hit me, and I will beat your sorry ass,” Clarity said. She pulled her foot back and kicked Stella in the stomach. “And keep your skank ass away from Scratch. He’s mine and doesn’t want a nasty whore like you.”

I reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Easy, kitten. I think she gets the message.”

A woman snorted behind me and I heard a muttered, “We all got the memo. Hands off the VP.”

Yeah, my fierce little kitten had made an impression. I was not only proud of her, but really fucking turned-on. I’d never had a woman fight for me before, not like this. Cat fights between the club sluts happened from time to time over any officer in the club, but Clarity claiming me like that? Big difference.

“You really fucked her? I hope you doused your dick in antibacterial soap.” She pressed against me and fisted my cut, but I could feel the anger still simmering under the surface.

“Come on, kitten. We’ll go home. I think you’ve made your point. No one’s going to touch me.”

She nodded and let me lead her to the truck, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me. I turned to look at Shade, Renegade, and Phantom.

“Mind if we welcome her to the family?” Renegade asked. “Mostly because I want to hug the fiercest woman I’ve ever seen.”

I snorted and introduced Clarity to my brothers. They each hugged her, and Renegade gave her a kiss on the cheek. She stiffened for a moment, but as Renegade held her gaze, the tension drained from her. He reached out and squeezed her hand, and Clarity relaxed even more.

“You ever need anything and Scratch isn’t available, you come find me,” Renegade said. “I’ve got your back.”

Clarity smiled a little. “Thanks. It was nice to meet all of you. Sorry about…” She waved a hand toward Stella, who was still crying on the ground.

Shade shrugged. “Honestly, that was the hottest fucking thing I’ve seen in a long ass time. You can come stake your claim on Scratch anytime you want. We could use some entertainment around here.”

Phantom snickered. “He’s not wrong. And I’m with Renegade. You need anything, we’ll be there. You just gained a bunch of big brothers who will gladly beat the shit out of anyone giving you crap. Make sure you get all our numbers from Scratch.”

“Shit,” I muttered. “I never got her a phone.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Renegade said. “I’ll drop it by tomorrow morning. I think you two need some alone time tonight.”

The other two smirked and I flipped them off before helping Clarity into the truck. They were assholes, but I knew they would protect her with their lives if necessary, and that was all that mattered. I’d deal with their taunts and teasing, for a little while at least. Then I’d have to remind them who they were fucking with.

I climbed into the truck and started the engine. Clarity reached over and put her hand on my thigh.

“I like them,” she said. “I thought they’d make me nervous, but I’m comfortable around them. But the club sluts I can do without.”

“Noted.” I smiled at her. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think any of those women will come anywhere near me now. You as good as peed on my leg.”

“Funny,” she muttered, but her cheeks were turning a bright pink. “I’ve never lost control like that before.”

“Sometimes the situation warrants a little more force. This was one of those times. You just gained the respect of every brother in there, and the Prospects. Pretty sure the whores will be giving you a wide berth next time they see you. You just showed them you’re in a position of authority and not to fuck with you.”

“You sound proud,” she said.

“I am. Damn proud.” I lifted her hand and kissed it. “You’re the perfect old lady for a VP. Don’t change a damn thing about you, kitten. All soft and sweet at home, and badass when we’re around the club. The perfect combination.”

“Take me home,” she said softly. “Then you can show me just how much you liked that little show.”

I put her hand over my zipper. “That’s all for you, kitten. And you can have it anytime you want.”

“Home, Damon. I’m not adventurous enough to have sex in your truck, especially in the clubhouse parking lot. I don’t think you want your brothers seeing that much of me anyway.”

“Fuck no!”

I put the truck into gear and headed for the house. The woman at my side completely amazed me, and I was lucky as fuck to have her. I just hoped she knew how much I cared about her, how devoted I was to her and Caleb. I’d lay down my life for them, and I’d love them until I breathed my last. Maybe Darian was right and I was already in love with Clarity. The pint-sized woman next to me already had too much power, more than she realized. I’d tell her how I felt when the time was right.