CHAPTER 23
Hunter
When we walked into the Rusty Pelican, I had my hand on Kylie’s waist while everyone else’s eyes were on us. Gunner had told me that he would fill in Axel on everything that had happened in the last few days and now it was time for me to go and face the music. It wasn’t the Bad Disciples’ tradition to simply accept people into the family, not without being authorized by the president. The fact that Kylie, an outsider, the ex of a Dragon Knights’ member…was now my woman, was something that I knew would not go down easily with the MC.
But I had no other choice. I had to face Axel and I had to introduce him to Kylie. If he did not accept her, then I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. Breaking up with Kylie was completely out of the question, and at the same time; I had sworn an oath to dedicate my life to the Bad Disciples.
I could sense that Kylie was nervous too. I couldn’t even imagine what it might have felt like for her. To walk into this badly lit bar, which was now crowded with tattooed rowdy bikers and a few skimpily dressed women.
I caught Jessica’s eye as I made my way towards the center of the bar, where Axel was sitting on his usual stool. She did not look pleased, and I grinned at her. What did she think was going to happen? That I was eventually going to get her pregnant so that she could trap me into being my woman?
I stroked Kylie’s hip to reassure her that I was there. I knew this wasn’t easy for her, but she was trying. She was trying her best to get over her fear of Motorcycle Clubs and accept my lifestyle.
“Axel,” I tipped my head at the president, who now had his eyes focused on Kylie. He was staring at her, from head to toe, trying to size her up. I knew exactly what he was thinking…that she did not belong in our world.
Glock, Gunner, Tank and Sniper were standing to the side, probably as curious about Axel’s mood as I was. I knew I had their support. We were brothers in arms and I had them on my side.
“You are Kylie Aston,” Axel was speaking directly at her. I heard her clear her throat nervously and I wished that I could help her in some way, to make this process easier for her.
“Yes,” she replied in a soft voice, keeping her eyes to the ground because she could sense everyone’s eyes on her. Axel took in a deep breath and then looked at me.
“And she is Scar’s girl,” he stated rather than asked.
“Ex,” I corrected him quickly and Axel arched his eyes sarcastically.
“She has a kid with him,” he added, to counter what I had just said. In his eyes, she was still Scar’s girl.
“He beats her up, he split her lip open,” I rebelled, in a louder growling voice because just the memory of that was enough to tip me over the edge. And I knew Axel would be sympathetic towards that, he had a soft spot for women and children and keeping them safe. Axel grunted and then looked at Kylie again, with suspicion still in his eyes.
“I haven’t been Scar’s girl for three years,” Kylie’s voice surprised us all. I whipped my head around to look at her because I hadn’t expected her to speak at all. “I got away from him when my son was just a month old and I haven’t been back since. Yesterday, he threatened to kidnap my son and I went to speak to him. He beat me up,” she was speaking confidently now, meeting Axel’s gaze with courage.
Axel himself seemed surprised by her demeanor. I was proud of Kylie. This was why I had fallen in love with her. She had a soft and delicate exterior, but her true self was strong. She was as strong as any of us in that bar.
Axel took in a breath again, then he looked at me.
“And you want to claim her?” he asked.
I clenched my jaws before I spoke.
“Yes,” I said and I sensed Kylie looking up at me. I hadn’t exactly warned her about what was going to happen here. She was under the assumption that I was bringing her to a bar to introduce her to my friends. She was being shoved into the world of Motorcycle Clubs without any preparation and I was surprised by how well she was taking it.
“All right,” Axel said and we both looked at him with shock. I hadn’t expected it to be this easy. I was prepared for more questions, for more grilling…to be asked why none of the groupies who hung around the bar were good enough for me.
Axel must have seen the shock in my eyes, because he smiled now and stood up from his stool.
“If she’s good enough for you, Hunter, she’s good enough for me. I trust you,” he said and came up to me and thumped me on my shoulder. I was too surprised to say anything or even smile. Axel then turned to Kylie, who was staring at him too. I knew she was putting up a brave front, but weakening from inside. She had just been claimed by a Bad Disciple. Something she wasn’t expecting.
“You are a part of the Bad Disciples now, Kylie Aston. We will make sure that sonofabitch never gets near you or your son. You have our Club’s full protection,” Axel said and I saw Kylie’s lips beginning to stretch in a smile.
A cheer rang out in the bar, which I suspected was started by Glock. Axel and I shook hands and the drinks started being served. Church was dismissed and I pulled Kylie into my arms.
She was hugging me tightly and I stroked her hair. I could sense that she was just as relieved as I was.
“Hunter,” she said my name softly and I could barely hear her over all the noise in the bar. “I’m not afraid anymore,” she said, right before she kissed me.