Addy was in Whiskey room not knowing what to do next.  There was always something standing between them, secrets, lies, and lack of trust.  She realized that she needed to tell him how she felt.  She wanted everything the future held, and she knew deep in her bones he was the only man for her, always had been always would be, but then he questioned her loyalty to the Club and to him, why?

Someone knocked at the door. At first, she wasn’t going to answer, but knew it wouldn’t be Aiden. He would have just burst in, demanding she listen to him.

“It’s open.”

 “Hey, baby doll,” Tuck said, walking in the room, “pretty rough day, huh?”

“You could say that. Do you think like Whiskey that I had something to do with this?  Tuck, I would never put you guys, hell anyone, in danger if I could stop it. I’ve learned my lesson, shit, Cathy and Crank, none of that would have happened if I had come to you sooner.  I was just scared.”

“Today was pretty scary, too, and you pulled through for us in a big way; for that, I’m thankful, so are the rest of the guys. Whiskey, shit honey, you probably know that man better than any of us, he has a snap trigger, and once that fucker is flipped, he doesn’t know what he is saying or doing.”

“Yeah, tell me about it. Unfortunately, I’m his favorite target.”

“I don’t know about that; you scared him, Addy.  He might have thought that shit about you betraying us for a second, but no way he believed it. That man looks at you like you’re the reason there is air to breathe, and honey, you look at him the same way, always have.”

“What do I do, Tuck? If he can’t trust me, we are doomed before we even get a chance to begin.”

“I’m sure he felt the same way, until today.  Listen, Addy, just wait it out, talk to him once we are done with that fucker you knocked out. I have no doubt the two of you will figure this all out.”

“Thanks, Tuck.”

“No problem, now give me a hug.”  Addy did, finding comfort she needed.  Addy had always thought of Tuck as a big brother of sorts and was happy he was no longer mad at her. 

“Hey, Addy, can I ask you a question?” 

“Sure.”

“Why didn’t you just shoot that guy? I saw you, you had your hand on the trigger and were ready to blow his ass away, but at the last second you changed your mind, why?

“Because I want you to make him pay; that is the man who had me in the barn, and he doesn’t deserve to die fast. It needs to be slow and very painful. Tuck, I know I’m not the only woman he touched and hurt.  Plus, you guys need information, and I’m guessing he has some; it’s up to you to get it out of him.”

“Will do, Addy, will do.”

Whiskey was still pissed; interrogating Ogre yielded some answers, but it didn’t take away the sting of getting caught with your pants down in your own fucking club.  When Whiskey had gotten to the Clubhouse Link and Tank were already on the floor with guns pointed at their heads. He would have fought, hell he had pulled his weapon, but Ogre had been holding a knife to Cinny’s neck, making her bleed and there was no way he could save all of them.  Knowing the other brothers were behind him Whiskey gave up his weapon.  Unfortunately, all the brothers that walked in had the same thought.  Fuck, their capture and interrogation didn’t give them shit. 

Someone was still after the RBMC, but at least Addison was in the clear from the Vultures. Tuck needed to talk to her, but for now, they were thinking putting the farm in RBMC’s name was the way to go, it would keep her and it safe.  The fuckers after them would learn not to mess with the Ruthless Bastards. Tuck announced that the lockdown was lifted; the war wasn’t over, but they needed to get back to business as usual, starting with a RBMC welcome back party for Crank and Cathy.

It had been hours since his blow up, and Whiskey hoped that Addison was still in their room. Tuck told him she was sticking around, but he still had doubts. Was she there to end it or to hear him out?

Link came up and sat next to him at the bar; he was the last person, well besides Tank, that Whiskey wanted to talk to right now.  When he started to get up Link put his hand on his shoulder. 

“Pretty shitty day today, huh?”

“You could say that,” Whiskey replied and really looked at his brother. “What’s up Link? We don’t do these heart-to-hearts, anymore.”

“Yeah, I’m thinking that needs to change.  Listen, I want to talk to you about Addy.”

“Addison is none of your concern,” Whiskey yelled, jumping up out of his seat “You have made your feelings toward her well known, Link, and I for one don’t want to hear them. I love that woman, I always have, and no way in hell are you going to ruin that for me again.”

“Sit the fuck down!

When Whiskey didn’t listen, Link faced him, but his voice got soft and Whiskey saw a look in his eyes that he had never seen before, regret maybe? 

“All I wanted to say is that you and Addy work.  You need to go and apologize to her instead of sitting down here drinking yourself into a coma.  She is worth it, I can see that now.  You’re happy.”

Whiskey blinked his eyes and even shook his head he couldn’t believe the words Link was saying. 

“You’re giving us your blessing?  What the hell, Link, don’t you think you about ten years too late for this little pep talk?”

“No, you weren’t ready then, neither of you were. I still say I did what needed to be done and I don’t regret it. You both have changed grown and now is the time for you, don’t let it pass you by.”

“Damn, Link, I don’t even know what to say.”

Talon walked up putting Link in a headlock.

“Don’t say anything, brother, run before the roof falls down or lightning strikes, Lincoln Frost just kind of apologized, it has to be a first!  Drinks for everyone.”

“None for me, I have a woman to claim,” Whiskey said heading for the door.

“No, you have a woman to grovel to,” Tuck corrected.

“Eat her pussy after she gets off a couple of times, she’ll forget all about you being an asshole,” Brass put in his two cents

Tank grunted but waved at him as he left the room.  Whiskey felt sorry for that asshole.  The scene between him and Reagan had been brutal. 

A few others whistled or made lewd remarks, and Whiskey felt right at home.  They were all right, he was an ass.  It wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last. He and Addison just needed to work through it, but he had a feeling it wouldn’t be that easy.