Wolf
I step out into the hallway to find Mom laughing with Tanya. Her little laugh is infectious. "You both can go back in there and visit with Pepper while you wait on Dad. Tanya is staying here with Pepper tonight."
"Okay, son. Your dad and Bull are waiting in the office." She kisses my cheek before they go back into the bedroom.
I catch a glimpse of Pepper as the door opens, and the sight of fresh tears on her face nearly roots me to the spot. I hate leaving her right now, but I'm needed in church so we can get to the bottom of this shit with Moose.
I hear Bull before I push the French oak doors open, making my grand entrance.
"I want a run at Moose. I can see if he'll tell me anything else. After that, I'll show him what I think about him taking my little girl." Bull tightly flexes his fists.
“Calm your shit, brother, and let us get everything sorted,” I tell him as I take my seat at the head of the table. I smack the gavel against the oak, calling order to church.
"Is Pepper alright? What's going on?" he asks, leaning forward, switching gears from one dilemma to the next. Always fucking something.
"She will be. It seems she has a stalker who broke into her mom's house, scaring the shit out of her. He's trying to find Pepper, but her mom doesn’t even know where she is exactly. He took her mom's cell, I guess hoping to use it to track Pepper. Even though she had it turned off, there are still phone numbers on it." I hold back from punching the wall, fury sneaking up my spine over the bullshit. I really want to hunt the bastard down and kill him.
"You need to get Shadow on this," Shooter states.
"She's going to get me all the info I need, and I'll get Shadow on it as soon as we can." I scrub my hand over my face, exhaustion wearing me thin. "I think we need a lockdown. The event of the day can't be mere coincidence. Greta had to be a plant into our territory. There could be more. I noticed a new BB today. We can't take any chances."
Shooter nods. "Yes, I've done background checks on her, but haven't received any reports yet. I'll have her watched closely until we’re sure."
"I bet you'll volunteer to watch her real close," Tank jabs as usual, and we all laugh. "I heard you've already been up close and personal for over a week."
"Tonight was the first time I've seen her," I admit. Either I've been out of the loop, or I’m blind.
"Probably true. She's been here since last week, and Shooter here snatched her up as soon as she walked in. He took the girl to his room and didn't share with anyone. Poor girl doesn’t know what she's missing," Bull relays, obviously knowing more than me, too.
Shooter glares at Bull. "If you got a hold of a pussy that good, you wouldn't fucking share, either."
“We’re not discussing her pussy right now, but yeah, keep a watch on her. Let’s put the important shit on the table, brothers. You all heard Bull; he wants to have a go at Moose. Fucker has it coming for trying to snatch his kid, our fucking family. But we know what retaliation could bring to our front fucking door. How deep do we want to get into this shit with the Dwellers?”
“Now, we will go on lockdown tomorrow. Get everyone to the compound as soon as possible. Meeting closed.” I knock the gavel three times and lean back in my chair, swinging my legs up on the table. A few of the brothers make their way through the clubhouse while some of us sit around shooting the shit about nothing in particular.
“It’s getting late, son. I’m going to get your mother home so we can pack for lockdown. If shit hits the fan, you know what to do,” Dad says, clapping his hand over my shoulder. We all say goodnight, going our own ways.
I go into the bar to find Cherry. She’s wiping the bar top down, not paying a bit of mind to the prospects drinking longnecks at the end of the bar. I whistle, catching her attention. She looks up and smiles. “Just wanted to let you know we’re going on lockdown. Get rooms ready for the member families. Stock up on groceries and whatever other necessities we’ll need.”
“No problem, everything will be ready,” Cherry says, her voice cheerful.
I check on things with the prospects to make sure all is good before turning in for the night. I climb the stairs two at a time and use the key to unlock my room, hoping not to wake anyone up. I ease the door open, the bathroom light illuminating the vast space. Pepper must have left it on in case Tanya woke up.
I check on the girls before I get ready for bed. They are both knocked out from exhaustion, but seem to be sleeping well. Leaning over, I kiss them both on the cheek. Pepper sighs and rolls over. I turn to walk away when Pepper starts talking in her sleep. “Mmm, Wolf,” she hums, licking her lips. Her eyes are pinched closed, but curiosity has got the best of me. I watch her intently, wondering just how good this dream she’s having is. “Oh God, Wolf!” she croons. Fuck me running. I would love for her to be saying that to me while balls deep in her. Maybe before she leaves...
I shake my head and go to bathroom to put on some sleep pants, readjusting my hard on so I can hopefully get some sleep.
Heading to the couch, I’m stunned by what I see—there’s a pillow, sheets, and a blanket for me. It’s a simple gesture that makes me realize how genuine and natural Pepper is. Where did this woman come from, and how did she stumble into my Hell like a damn angel?
****
The next morning, I wake up with my niece sitting on top of my chest with her hands on her chin. She’s fascinated with watching me sleep. I open one eye peeking at her, and she just giggles. I sit up and whisper, “Good morning, sweetness. Is Pepper awake yet?”
She scrunches her button nose and sports a toothy grin. “She is in the bathroom. She told me to be quiet until you woke up. I’m hungry and want pancakes.”
“Well, let’s see what we can do about that. What kind do you want?” I whisper back.
“I want blueberry.”
“Blueberry is always your answer. I bet you’re going to turn into a blueberry.” As I tickle her, she falls into a fit of giggles.
“No, I am not. Do I look like the color blue?”
“Not yet, but if you keep eating blueberry pancakes, it will happen.” I ruffle her hair and set her on the floor before swinging my legs off the couch. I scruff my hand over my face to wake myself up.
“Come on, meanness, let’s tell Cook what to fix you for breakfast,” I say, standing up.
“Ms. Pepper told me she would make them if nobody else would. She is nice; I wish she could be my new mommy.”
“Ah, sweetheart, you have a mommy, but Ms. Pepper could be an aunt.”
“Not if she marries my daddy. I’m going to have a talk with him and tell him he needs to marry her.” She crosses her tiny arms over her chest and tilts her head up, giving me a pointed look.
Pepper walks in and clears her throat. “Is there anyone down in the kitchen yet? Tanya is very hungry, and she wants some pancakes.” Her eyes scan over my body, and I can read the filthy thoughts that take up her mind just from the lustful glint in her eyes. She carefully studies the eagle tattooed across my chest, memorizing each detail of the ink etched into my skin, then her gaze roams downward across my six-pack abs. Her breathing hitches in her throat and she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth when she focuses on the sleep pants riding low on my hips. I’m thoroughly enjoying my shameless display.
As I trod toward her, her eyes flicker with excitement with each flex and ripple of my muscles. “Morning to you, too,” I whisper, a hairsbreadth away from her ear. As I walk past her, a squeal falls from her lips. I turn toward her to see her hand latched over her mouth and her eyes as wide as saucers. I chuckle to myself, knowing she’s mesmerized by my physique and tattoos. The Freedom insignia covers my back, and it’s a true work of art.
I finish my business in the bathroom and get dressed, pulling on my jeans, t-shirt, and cut. I splash water on my face to wipe the cocky smirk off my lips.
“I like Hello Kitty, okay, but I would rather wear my Little Pony t-shirt,” I hear Tanya say, full of sass.
“What time is it?” I ask, walking into the bedroom and interrupting the little girl.
Pepper startles at the sound of my voice. She’s tying Tanya’s shoes, having already dressed her in the clothes that Bull left for her. Damn, he’s fucking soft for his kid. Tanya’s wearing pink biker shorts and a white Hello Kitty tank top.
Pepper glances down at her watch in a daze and drags in a breath like the room is lacking oxygen. “It’s seven fifteen. I guess Tanya and I are very early risers.” She looks bashful, a pink tint on her cheeks.
“Nah, Cook usually starts breakfast around seven.”
She nods and turns her attention back to Tanya, brushing her hair back into a ponytail. She’s so good with her. “Hey, thanks for taking care of Tanya. I appreciate you making sure she was safe and getting her dressed even. You’re going out of your way here. But we appreciate it nonetheless.”
“It’s no problem, Wolf. I’m glad I can help.” She smiles, and that one look she gives me says so much.
“You girls ready to go eat breakfast?”
“Yes, Uncle Talen. Is Cook going to have me some blueberry pancakes?”
Rolling my eyes, Pepper laughs at the brazen little sass with her hand on one hip while pointing a finger at me.
“Yes, sweet pea. Cook knows blueberry pancakes are your favorite and I’m sure he’s made enough for all of us.”
“Good, let’s get a move on then!” Tanya says, her short little legs carrying her out of the room.