Chapter 19

Peg

While Flash is at work, I arrange a new bed and get it delivered, and spend hours thinking what a lucky bastard I am, in between having to tamp down the worry about what exactly she might be doing during her working hours.

When she finishes her shift the next morning she gives me a call, and it seems natural to invite her back to the compound. I go to the gate so I can let her in when she arrives. She parks behind the auto shop just like before, and it’s only moments before she’s in my arms. She smells fresh, obviously having gone home and showered before coming to meet me.

Both breathless when we part, I smile at her. “You tired?”

“No. We weren’t called out to the wildfire, and in the end, it was quite a quiet shift. Got my head down for a few last night.”

Good. I take her hand and start to lead her up to the clubhouse. She pauses, holding me back and looks up at the mountains. Following her gaze, I see what she’s seeing, more smoke blowing up into the air.

“Something to worry about?”

She thinks for a moment. “Nah, not at the moment, Peg.” Then she smiles and wipes all thought of the fire out of my head.

There’s a lightness in my steps as I walk with my ol’ lady into the clubroom, that mirrors the buoyancy in my heart. I’ve never had something like this before. I got married because I thought I should bear the weight of what I thought I had done, but I’d never felt real love for my wife. When I found how she tricked me, well, I cut her right out.

The way my ex, and others, reacted to my disability had damaged something inside. Not that my brothers saw anything except a gruff sergeant-at-arms, intent only on protecting the club. No one knew I was carrying around a big hole where something was missing, just waiting to be filled. As soon as I saw her, I knew Darcy was the part I’d been seeking. Flashfire, the other half of my soul.

I’m the luckiest man in the world that she feels the same way about me. I take her hand, entwining my fingers with hers, unable to keep a smile from my face.

“Fuck, Peg. What the fuck’s the matter?”

Darcy and I come to a halt just inside the entrance. I glare at Beef. “What the fuck you talkin’ about?”

“Your face is all twisted up. You ill or something?”

Looking around, I see Beef’s loud exclamation has caught everyone’s attention. Those eating breakfast stop with food halfway to their mouths. I grin wider. Now’s as good a time as any, so draping my arm across my woman’s shoulders, I let them all know what we had decided the night before last. “Flash has agreed to be my ol’ lady.”

For a moment there’s a stunned silence, as though they hadn’t believed such a beautiful woman would look twice at me, and then someone hollers, and others stamp their feet.

“Never thought I’d see the fuckin’ day.” Rock’s shaking his head, but he looks pleased.

“Need to vote on it, Peg.” Wraith pours cold water over my head. Yeah, they’ve agreed in principle, but wanted to meet her before they made it official. As my eyes narrow, his hand claps down on my back. “Can’t see a problem though.”

“Peg?”

I whisper into her ear, “Formality, darlin’. Ol’ ladies need to be voted in by the club.”

She smiles up at me. “Then I better be on my best behaviour.”

“Peg. There’s some breakfast left.” Sam’s voice rings out clearly, and a glance at Flash’s face shows that might be a fucking good idea.

Confirmed when she says quietly, “I could eat. I’ve had nothing yet.”

My arm still around her, I lead her into the kitchen. Now knowing I’m serious, a number of brothers follow us in. But my old lady’s not intimidated, not one bit. She fills a plate and takes a seat, kicking out a chair for me beside her.

“So, what do you do, Flash? Drive the engine?”

“No. I’m a firefighter.” As Bullet looks confused, she explains, “The engineer, that’s the driver, works the ladder and pumps. I’m not trained to do that yet.”

“What I can’t understand is how a little thing like you can carry people out of burning buildings.”

She takes a mouthful of bacon, chews, swallows, then replies to Rock, “It’s all technique.” She flexes her muscles, a movement so sexy my cock starts to swell. “During out shifts when there’s no call outs, we work out.” She eyes Rock up. “I’ll give you a demonstration if you like.”

Everyone laughs as he turns her down, saying that won’t be necessary.

As she answers more questions about her job, I listen and watch her. She’s not got a lithe slender frame like Sophie or Ella, but she’s not fat. She’s pure muscle, all over. Perhaps not a figure that would appeal to all men, but she’s just right for me. I can appreciate her well-defined triceps, biceps, and fuck, every muscle she has.

“What made you want to be a firefighter, Flash?” This makes my ears perk up. I haven’t thought to ask her, so I listen, interested, as she responds to Wraith.

“When I was growing up there was a fire at a neighbour’s house. Three kids were trapped inside. I watched as the firefighters fought the flames, couldn’t believe they kept going inside, wouldn’t give up until they saved all those kids. The image stuck with me.”

“Your folks okay with what you do?”

She shakes her head. “Probably no more or less than anything else I could have done. My parents never knew what to do with me. I didn’t fit into their mould. Think I was a changeling baby.” She sighs. “I moved to a different town, as it made it easier on them and me. I’m not sure they realise what I do in my job, and if they do understand the risks involved, they disregard them.”

“She’s a brave fuckin’ woman.” Again, my arm goes over her shoulder, while fear clutches my heart. She puts herself in danger.

It’s almost like she can read my mind, as she leans into me, raises her face, and speaks quietly in a voice meant only for me. “You’re the sergeant-at-arms for a one percenter club. Looks like we both have things we need to come to terms with.”

There’s one thing I can do to help keep her safe. “After we’ve eaten, how about we go to the gym and I start teaching you some self-defence moves?”

Her eyes light up. “Sounds good, Peg.” She thinks for a moment. “The guys at the station tried to show me some, but when it came to it, Pete overpowered me. He’s too fucking big.”

Beef snorts. “Yeah, but we can teach you how to fight dirty.”

As Flash looks my way I raise my eyebrow, and she grins.

“Still can’t understand how a bitch can be as good as a male firefighter.” Rock’s shaking his head.

I cast a worried glance at Flash, but she’s not taking offence. She bites her lip, then suggests, “How about I show you? An arm wrestling match?”

Rock rears back. “No way. You wouldn’t have a chance.” Raising his forearms, Rock makes his muscles bunch. “You know why I’m called Rock? ‘Cause I’m rock hard all over.” He finishes up with a suggestive wink, which I don’t appreciate at all, and warn him off with a snarl.

Flash doesn’t even notice, she’s indicating others to move so she can get into position. “Put your money where your mouth is, big fella.”

As others mock, she’s left him no choice. Either he accepts the challenge or looks like a pussy. I’ve mixed feelings, not sure how this will go, but trust her to know what she’s doing.

In moments their hands are locked, and at first they appear to be evenly matched. Both faces are fixed with concentration, and both arms shake with the effort. Rock looks like he’s gaining leeway as her arm moves a fraction, and I feel bad for my old lady. But slowly a smile comes to her face and she’s forcing him back. She’s now got the upper hand and, while Rock fights it, she’s pushing his arm, and now it’s flat on the table.

Rock looks around, disbelief on his face. “Best of three,” he suggests with a growl.

When she agrees they go at it again. This time Rock’s grinning, as though he’s worked out how to beat her. But he loses the next two rounds too.

“Fuck, Woman, you’re strong.” His look is now one of admiration. “Shit, Peg, if I were you I’d rethink your idea to teach her to defend herself.”

I shake my head, looking around at my brothers who are laughing at Rock, and looking in awe at Darcy, realising how much she fits in. Knowing it’s partly because she works in a mostly male environment, my brothers’ antics don’t faze her. She’s mine. It doesn’t seem possible that this amazing woman who can hold her own against my brothers wants me as much as I want her.

As the good-natured mocking of Rock starts to fade, Darcy’s phone rings.

“Yeah, Nicole. What you got?”

Recognising the name of her firewatcher friend, I wave at the others to pipe down.

“Shit. That’s not good news. I saw smoke this morning, didn’t look like much.” She’s frowning.

“What’s the wind speed now? Still blowing east? So, it’s going up.” At this she gives me a reassuring nod.

“Yeah. Thanks, Nicole. I know you’re busy. Take care, you hear me?”

Ending the call, Darcy looks at me, sucks in a breath and holds it, her cheeks filled with air, then lets it out. “The wind’s got up and ignited other areas. There’s now multiple fire heads. Nicole’s monitoring the hot spot, that’s the current most active part of the fire, and trying to predict where it’s going to go next.” She pauses. “The good news is, it’s still going up, and away from any inhabited areas.”

“But?” I can tell there is one.

“It’s approaching an area rich in ladder fuels. Currently it’s burning ground vegetation, perennial grasses, which is the worse type of fuel this time of year, as it burns fast. Now it’s nearing trees. We don’t want it to move into the canopy.”

“You seem worried?”

She nods at me. “I am. Nicole’s got a firefighting crew up there with her on standby, but there’s some discussion about the let-burn policy. From her experience, this one could turn big, but the conservationists are thinking of just letting it be.”

“Surely it’s best to put it out?”

She gives a half laugh. “I’m a firefighter, so that’s what I’d think. But there’s no roads nearby, so it’s not in an easy place to get to.”

“Will you be called in, Darcy?” Wraith looks interested.

She shakes her head. “Not right now. But it will be all the nearest crews needing to get involved, which includes us, if this one gets a good hold.”

“Aren’t there hotshots who deal with wildfires?” Anyone but her would be better in my view.

Another shake. “You must have heard about California. They’re all occupied with the fires in that state. No, this one will be down to the local crews.” As if she’s said all she can say on the subject, she changes track. “Right, where’s this gym, Peg?”

We spend the rest of the morning in the well-equipped gym that impresses her, and I teach her some moves. She learns easily, already having the strength. It’s just a matter of learning how to read an attacker’s intentions, and the moves she should make if they come from the front, from behind, or the side. I see her gaining in confidence minute by minute.

At one point she stops and gives a satisfied grin. “Pete wouldn’t have got the drop on me had I known this before.”

Going back to the suite, we shower to wash off the sweat, and Darcy ruefully puts back on the same clothes.

“Why don’t you leave some of your stuff here?” As I say it, I realise how much I want that. To see her clothes hanging next to mine, her toiletries cluttering up my bathroom. I’m lying on my bed, watching her doing her hair, and know I’ll miss her when she’s gone.

“If I’m going to be here a lot, it makes sense to do that.” She walks to the sliding doors leading onto the balcony and looks out. “This is an amazing place, Peg.”

“Move in.”

“What?”

I shrug. “I want you here.”

Her face has gone blank, and I can’t read a thing. I’m holding my breath, waiting for all the reasons she can’t. It’s too soon. I need my own space.

“Do you mean it, Peg?” Coming over, she parks her ass on the bed and takes hold of my hand, looking me straight in the eyes. “Me, here, in your space?”

“Nothing I’d like better. If it helps, keep your place, see how we go. But darlin’, I’m all in. And that’s what I want.”

Her teeth worry her lip. “You said I need everyone’s vote?”

I sit up, curling my hand around her head. “It’s a sure thing, Darcy. This morning showed how well you fit in here.”

She’s quiet again, looking down at her hands. Then she looks up, and those beautiful green-grey eyes look into mine. “I’ll come back after my next shift. And I’ll bring some of my stuff.”

It’s not an agreement to make it a permanent arrangement, but I’ll take what I can get. Tightening my fingers into her hair, I pull her to me, my lips meeting hers. My tongue teases her seam and she opens. Fuck, her taste. It gets me every time. My cock lengthens and thickens, my need becoming urgent.

Without breaking the contact of our mouths, she shuffles her body, moving until she’s straddling my lap.

We’ve fucked hard, we’ve fucked slow. Each time is amazing, and better than the last. We come together in a frenzy, and end both completely sated. She always looks incredible, but with her gorgeous red hair in disarray, spread over my chest, her body covered in a sheen of sweat, her cheeks glowing from exertion, well that’s become my most favourite look.

For the rest of the day I show her around the compound—she eyes the pool eagerly, saying she’d like to make use of it sometime—then she eats dinner with my brothers and their old ladies, as if she’s been doing it for years. Not taking over conversations, instead joining in and making everyone laugh with a few amusing anecdotes from her work. We spend a pleasant evening in the clubhouse.

By the time we’re back at my suite it’s clear to see she’s exhausted. I help her undress, and then we go to bed. She’s quickly asleep. I lie awake for a while, simply enjoying the feel of her in my arms, then I give in and let my body relax. It doesn’t seem long before that alarm’s sounding, and I hate that it means I’ve got to let her go and start her long shift.

I walk her down to her car, trying to keep the worry from my voice, but unable to watch her drive away without one final caution. “Take care, Darcy.”

“I always do, Peg.”

One last kiss, then I indicate Fergus to slide the gates open, and then wait as she disappears down the track, staying until her taillights disappear. It feels like a part of me has left.

“She’s a good one.”

I nod. “You’ve got that right, Prospect.”

The hours she’s away working seem to drag, but I get through the daily grind, and then in the evening return to the clubhouse, and walking in find it crowded. Seeing Prez at the bar, I make my way across, signalling to Allie that I want a beer. She’s only just a bit friendlier about it than Jill was, and that’s not saying a lot. But having the sweet butts tend bar makes a lot of sense. Someone’s obviously set up a schedule.

“What’s up, Prez?”

Drummer’s eyes crease as they look at me, examining my face. “You look different, relaxed.”

“I’ve been looking for something. Never thought I’d find it, Prez.” I take a swallow of beer and check Allie’s out of earshot. “Come across enough bitches who were turned off by my fuckin’ leg. Never thought I’d find one I’d connect with, and who’d take me just as I am.”

“And now you have?”

“Yeah, Prez. I have. Not gonna let this one get away.”

Drummer indicates the brothers all milling around. “That’s why I called them all in. We should be able to seal this with a quick vote.”

“I can’t lose her now, Drum. She’s it for me. Sounds stupid, I know…”

He huffs a laugh. “No more stupid than with me and Sam. When you find the one, you know it. Unless you fight it like Dart.”

I grin. Yeah, Dart nearly lost his old lady because he was stupid. But he came to his senses in time. “I’m not like you were, Drum. Maybe it’s because it was more difficult, but I’ve always looked for a connection, never just wanted sex for the sake of it.”

“And now you’ve found that connection.”

I definitely have.

“Church. Now!” Drum bellows out, and I shake my head as his loud voice hurts my ear drums.

With mixed emotions, I follow my brothers into church. What if someone objects to her? I take my seat, my customary glare on my face, daring anyone to challenge my choice of woman.

Drum bangs the gavel. “Settle down, you douchebags. We’re here for one thing.” He pauses and gives a pointed look toward me. “Must admit I didn’t see this day comin’, but we’re here to take a vote on Peg’s ol’ lady.”

“You sure you wanna tie yourself down?” I ignore Beef, who’s staring at me and shaking his head. He might not understand, I’ve no doubt in my mind. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, dreamed of.

“She’s good people,” says Rock. I give him a chin jerk, acknowledging he’s bearing no grudge for losing the arm wrestling match to her.

“I like her.” This from Shooter. “She’s a good fit.”

“Anyone want to raise any objections?”

A welcome silence greets Prez’s question, and then the vote follows. Ayes all around. I let out the breath I’d been holding.

“Well, it seems that Peg’s got himself an ol’ lady.” Drummer announces with what for him passes for a wide grin.

“Party!” yells Joker, slapping Lady on the back, his hand lingering a moment longer than necessary. In doing so he draws my attention to him just in time to see a private look exchanged between the pair. I doubt anyone else noticed, but it consolidates some thoughts I’ve been having lately.

The gavel slams down again, and we all turn to Drummer. “While we’re all here, there’s something else to discuss. Peg, it’s useful you’ve got an in with a firefighter. Doubt anyone here has missed the fire up on the slopes.” He pauses and wipes his hands down his face. “Don’t have to remind you all how a wildfire took the original resort here out, damaged it so much we were able to buy it cheap and rebuild. That fire might be miles away, but we all know they can move fast. Anything we need to do, Peg?”

My job is to keep the club safe. From anything. I’ve been giving it some thought, and now I let them all in on what I’ve been thinking. “Wind’s not blowing it in this direction right now. I ran through the precautions we have here with Flash. The old resort didn’t have a firebreak like we do now, and she seemed happy enough with our set up.”

“Lightning wouldn’t strike twice in the same place…”

Paladin gets a cuff to his head. We all know it does, we have daily thunderstorms all summer, for fuck’s sake.

“Well I, for one, ain’t relying on folklore.” Heart glares at our youngest member. “I’ve got a pregnant old lady. Any risk I want to know about.”

“And I’ve got my boy,” Drummer puts in. “Think we all want to stay on top of this. Peg, you keep us updated with whatever you can find out from your ol’ lady. I want to be ahead of anything we got comin’ our way.” He pauses, then cracks a rare smile. “Okay, let’s break for now. I think someone mentioned a fuckin’ party?”

The brothers get up and leave, some talking about getting a drink with their old ladies, others joking about which sweet butt to fuck. I stay seated, and after catching the rise of my chin, Drummer does the same. While I’m not anxious to have this conversation with the prez, it does fall under my sergeant-at-arms responsibilities. In truth, I’d rather be out there with my brothers celebrating the fact they’ve just voted in my old lady. Fuck. That’s something I’d never dared hope would happen.

Seeing the expression on my face is serious, once the rest have piled out, Drummer opens the drawer under the table and takes out his whisky and two glasses. He pours the amber liquid out and slides one to me, and faces it head on. “What’s on yer mind, Peg?”

I jerk my head toward the door, then take a breath. “Joker and Lady.”

His brow creases and his hand toys with his beard. “You asking as a brother or sergeant-at-arms?”

My shoulders rise. “Both, I think.”

Prez nods his head slowly. “You didn’t like Lady at first.”

Another shrug. It’s true. I took a while to warm to the man. My suspicions immediately aroused by his name. “Lady’s Man. Fuckin’ wrong handle if ever there was one.” I think for a second. “A smokescreen perhaps?”

“Can’t dismiss a man ‘cause you don’t like his handle.”

“Not dismissing him, Drum. He’s proved himself. Fuck, he went into the sex slave auction unarmed, put himself on the line when we were rescuing those kids. Ain’t got no problem havin’ him at my back. He might be an asshole, but he’s a brave one.”

With one eyebrow raised and a hint of a smile curling his lips, Drum observes, “Asshole? Interesting term to use in the circumstances.”

Normally I’d shudder, but the memory of what Darcy had done last night comes to my mind. As my cock swells at the recollection, I shift in my seat. Prez misreads my reaction.

“What you sayin’, here, Peg? You got a problem with Joker and Lady?”

I stare down into my glass. Club’s never been faced with this situation before. Most brothers happy to fuck whores in the open, not being shy about what they do. Never had anyone with a need to hide their sexuality before. While I’m silent, trying to analyse what’s niggling at me, Prez fills the void.

“They’re not rubbin’ it in anyone’s faces.”

“But they’re hidin’ it.” That’s the root of what’s bothering me. I raise my head and stare straight at Drummer. “Not sure if everyone’s clued up as to what’s going on and choosin’ to ignore it, but if Joker and Lady feel more for each other than the normal camaraderie of brothers, then we might have a problem if we don’t know to look out for it.”

Prez, showing his normal mental agility, is quick to realise what I’m getting at. “You’re saying they’ll have each other’s backs more than ours?”

“Could be. Yeah, Prez. Could be. And if we’re not expectin’ it…”

He nods, completing my sentence for himself. “What if we challenge them and we’re wrong?”

I doubt that very much, but he’s got a good point. “Look, Drum, I’ll admit it. I had a feelin’ about Lady when he first came here. Didn’t like what I saw, hate to say I felt threatened, not had something like that so close before.” I pause and try to explain myself better. “It wasn’t so much what I thought he might be, but that he wasn’t admittin’ it to us. But as I said, he’s a good brother. Love him now as much as I do anyone. It wasn’t a problem, didn’t mind a brother keepin’ something personal to himself. Until Joker and him started to get careless.”

Prez looks like he wishes we weren’t having this conversation. He rubs his beard before stating, “If we expose them, or ask them to come clean, others might not feel the same way as you do. Hate for them to feel they have to leave the club.”

Would it really come to that? I suppose it’s a risk, but knowing my brothers, it’s probably only a small one. “I agree. But they’re gettin’ to the point they won’t be able to hide it anymore.” I breathe in deeply, then admit, “Maybe I wouldn’t have been so quick to recognise it before I met Flash, but Joker looks at Lady the way I look at my ol’ lady, and the way you look at Sam.”

“And Lady is the same way with him.” Prez drains his whisky and pours another. “Fuck, Peg. Why the hell did you bring this to me? Now I gotta decide what to do.” He drags his fingers through his hair, then interlocks them behind his head. “Up to now we’ve had a don’t tell policy. But you’re right. If Joker’s first thought is going to be to protect Lady, brothers need to know.” He glances my way. “They’ll have your support?”

I don’t have to think about it. “One hundred percent.”

Prez closes his eyes, then opens them again. “Okay. Leave it with me and I’ll think on it.”