***Doll***

 

“You can’t blame him, you know…first, he’s a guy, second...you said so yourself, it’s a process in your head to put ducks in a row, and if those ducks are ones you’ve been around for a long time...” my friend, Xena, tells me.

Ramrod made me check in with my friends and told me to give them my new phone number. Turns out they all went home already. All except for Xena, she’s going to check out later this week because she didn’t want to leave me behind. I just told her what’s going on and I feel like a load fell off my chest. I mean, I know Ramrod’s there for me but somehow talking to Xena helps even more.

“I know, but it’s hard to,” I try but she cuts me off.

“Oh, shush. I know you, girl. You never had that kind of ‘swoop me off my feet and fuck me silly’ pick me ups and from what you’ve told me this is a keeper. You’d better open your eyes or I will get in a cab and smack some sense into you,” Xena tells me with a firm voice.

“I wish you could come over.” I sigh right when Ramrod steps back inside the room. He had taken a shower, giving me privacy to have this call.

He’s still rubbing his hair dry with a towel, completely naked I might add. “Give her our address, sugar. Tell her to come over later this week because I need things to settle first, but she should also feel welcome and know where to find you…did you give her your number?”

“I will, and I did, now put on some pants,” I tell him and glance away.

“He’s not wearing pants?” Xena gasps. “Walking around naked? Ugh, you lucky girl. I need me one of those. Wait…does he have a friend? One who’s big in all the right places. No, wait…don’t tell me, text me your address later. I heard him, I’m coming to check for myself.”

This makes me laugh because Xena is the type of girl who doesn’t back down for any guy. She’s been hardened through the years and is very straight forward. I think it has everything to do with her appearance. I’ve known her since forever and back in high school she was the same overexposed freckle faced redhead. The only difference between then and now is that she was a tiny, shy, little girl but now she’s pure confidence.

Like I said, she’s hardened through the years into a person who couldn’t give two shits about appearance and has no shame in throwing her words at people who throw looks at her. She has no problem sticking up for herself…or for me, for that matter. She’s been like a sister to me without the blood connection. I love her face, no matter how many freckles, or how annoying she gets.

“I’ll text you the address, but we’re busy for the next few days, so I’ll let you know when it’s all clear to come over, okay?” I tell her.

“Yeah, I just heard that as ‘I’ll find you a nice man and holler when I’ve found him’. I’ll be expecting your call very soon…in the meantime…enjoy that naked man of yours. Be safe.” She doesn’t even give me time to reply but just hangs up on me.

I groan and Ramrod raises his eyebrows in question so I think I’d better warn him. “You just invited Xena over. You’re going to need those few days to warn your buddies.”

The corner of his mouth twitches. “Why’s that?”

“Because she’s a spitfire, that’s why. She dances in plays, like ballet stuff, but can kick the shit out of a guy like a bouncer. Her brother taught her that. She’s tall like the guys around here, but so very thin. She hates that, never will admit to it either…kinda like the love hate relationship she has with all her freckles and her red hair. She won’t change anything but embraces the way she looks. Ugh, we’re both gonna regret it.” I roll my eyes but squeak when I’m suddenly in Ramrod’s embrace.

“No, you’re not, and I won’t either. Sounds like a good friend.” Ramrod swallows before he adds, “I know you saw a bad side of my club, but I fucking swear it’s like the devil pointed out the rotten one. We’ve been a rock-solid brotherhood of hard men who all served our country and are still defending it. I have no clue how this could have happened, but I’m sure my Prez is on it and will make sure our club is safe again. Justice doesn’t cover it. Bringing them before a judge is something we skip on a regular basis because our country calls on us when there is no other option to bring them down the legal way.” He gives a little shake of his head. “Fuck, that’s the most info I’ve ever given someone about our club.”

I bury my head against his chest. “I love how open and honest you are with me.”

His chest rumbles. “That’s because you’re my ol’lady.”

“Seems we like to stumble, fall, get up, stumble some more, but finally get on the right track, huh?” I chuckle.

“How’s that, sugar?” He kisses the top of my head.

I snuggle against his chest some more. “I stumbled into your life, I think I fell for you when you showed me your tiny shower. You gave me so much to get back on my feet, then you stumble, even if it was for the right reason when you…”

“None of that,” he growls. “We’re in it for the long run, that’s forever, sugar. We were already on the right track since the start. Forget my mind slip when I ran by different scenarios in my head, I never should have jumped to,”

“Like I said, we’re on the right track.” I hug him closer and regret it instantly because he has the same idea and yet, “Muscles. Too much squeezing,” I croak.

“Fuck. I just never wanna let you go. That reminds me…I had time planned with Lips to get our ink done. I guess that’s going to be delayed for a bit,” he tells me with regret evident in his voice.

“No worries, we have all the time in the world.” I say a little prayer, hoping it’s not a lie. Lo and Rembrandt are out there, determined to come after me; after people who are close to Ramrod.

A shiver runs through me and all I can do is have faith. Faith that Ramrod’s words hold truth, that he’ll be there for me, that we’re indeed in it for the long run…forever sounds pretty perfect if you ask me.

He strokes my back. “Go on, have a nice long shower. I’ll make us some coffee and grab some chocolates for the both of us.”

A smile spreads across my face and I place my lips against his before I nod and move into the direction of the shower.

The comforting warmth of the hot water surrounds me. Grabbing Ramrod’s shampoo, I make fast work of cleaning up. I’m smiling because there’s music flowing through the air and I hear how Ramrod sings along. My heart flows over with feelings for this man. I hum along to the tunes and have to admit that this song is one of my favorites too.

Enjoying the moment a little while longer, I turn off the water and grab a towel. After I’ve dried my hair, I wrap the towel around my body and tiptoe through the room where Ramrod is sitting on the couch, tapping his knee while he’s watching a concert on TV. Climbing the stairs, I grab the bag filled with clothes and find myself dark red sweatpants with a white sweater. When I hold up the white sweater, a surge of heat flows through my body from shock. One side is red, as if someone had this on when they killed something. In black bold letters it says ‘I’m fine’. The second I process the words, I burst out laughing. Deciding it’s the perfect thing to wear, I make sure to grab a pair of socks before I go downstairs.

Ramrod almost chokes on his coffee when he sees the sweater. He shakes his head. “Lips and her damn statements.”

I smile and shrug. “First it shocked me, but then I saw the writing and it made me laugh. It’s kinda fitting, don’t you think? Close call, but we’re all fine, right?”

Snuggling beside him on the couch, he reaches forward and grabs a cup and places it in my hands. He drops a bag of chocolates in between us and snatches up the remote.

“What did you want to watch?” he questions.

I take the remote from his hand and throw it on the couch next to me. “The concert is fine, I don’t want to watch a movie. I just want to sit here and listen to some nice tunes with you right next to me.”

“You’re fucking perfect, did I mention that?” Ramrod groans as he pulls me close.

A little too close, making me tap his chest.

“Watch the power, Muscleman. Don’t squeeze me too tight. I’m holding coffee so don’t make me spill.”

His sexy chuckle makes me sigh out in pleasure.

There’s a knock on the door and Ramrod stands up to check who it is before he opens it. A man steps inside. Inked forearms, dark blond hair that is wavy on top and buzzed along the sides, black jeans, and a leather cut that’s the same as Ramrod’s, only this guy has President stated on it.

He nods at me and holds out his hand. I stand up and place my coffee on the table before I shake his hand. He eyes my shirt and smiles. “Lips’ shirt looks nice on you, Doll. And I’d like to personally thank you for risking your life to save my woman and my kid. I can’t express how much that means to me.”

I’m too stunned to reply so I give him a nod. It’s also weird that people call me Doll instead of Faith. Although it’s special because my ol’man might not actually spell it out to me, but I’m sure it holds special meaning to him. The first time he called me that on that dark road, it had so much warmth in it that it melted away some of my fears.

I clear my throat. “Are they okay? Do you have people watching all of them?”

“They are over at Depay’s house. I just came from there and I have Kray and North looking after them.” He looks at Ramrod. “It may sound weird but I’ve called in a favor to two old teammates.” Glancing back at me, and I’m sure it’s to let me know he trusts these guys, he says, “They have been patched in for years but been working undercover for quite some time now, and luckily they just finished the job and were happy to come home. I need this, fucking fresh eyes...dammit, I can’t even remember the last time I had to buddy up my own fucking brothers to keep an eye out. I made Arlo tag along with Broke who needed to go to the fucking store to get groceries. What the hell, man...that’s a one man job...a prospect’s job at that. And yet I can’t leave anyone alone because we have a fucking rat in our midst.” Deeds’ phone makes a noise and he grabs it to check it. He types out a message and locks eyes with Ramrod.

“That’s Lochlan. He went somewhere to check something out. I saw he tried to call me earlier but I missed the call. He vouched for your ol’lady here. I had him take Chopper along if he needed to have something looked into. He just messaged me that he’s on his way back. We’re meeting in Church and I want you and your woman present. It’s the safest and most secure place to discuss information. Besides...” Deeds eyes me before he continues, “Rembrandt is still missing.”

I fist my hands to prevent them from shaking. Feeling a strong arm wrap around me and a solid chest against my back, I know it’s Ramrod who just stepped behind me, giving me comfort and letting me lean on him for strength. “What about Lo?” I question.

“Lo?” Deeds asks, looking over my shoulder at Ramrod.

I feel Ramrod’s chest rumble as his words rush out. “I’ve told Chopper to do a search for Lo Davis. He didn’t get any straight hits by that name, but he said he would get back to me...you know Chopper always has his ways to get to the bottom of things and sometimes it takes a little longer.”

I look back at Ramrod, not understanding why they are being like this. When my gaze meets Deeds again, I decide to voice the obvious. “Lo was the guy standing over me with the others in the clubhouse, he was there right next to Lochlan. Why do you need to look into him some more when you guys know who he is?”

“What?!” Both Deeds and Ramrod snap in sync.

Oh, shit...I guess it wasn’t so obvious...was it?