Temper

by Chantal Fernando

  I have so many questions right now, I don’t even know where to start.

  Saint grabs for my arm, taking the gun from my hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here. Let’s process this Neville thing later, because I’m as fucking confused as you are.”

  Leaving Georgia bleeding on the floor but very much alive, with her son and her husband—my dad—by her side, we make our escape.

  There is silence until I can’t stand it anymore. “Hey, Saint. What were you trying to tell me with your eyes before my father walked in?”

  Saint laughed. “I was trying to tell you to get the hell out of there. But there you were packing heat and ready to shoot at will.” He looks at me with a bit of awe. “I can’t believe you shot her. Who the fuck are you?”

  “Temper’s old lady. I protect what’s mine.” I get into the back seat with Temper, who is still very much unconscious, and we drive home. He comes to just as we pull into the clubhouse, as if he sensed that we were home.

  “Hey,” I say, smiling and touching his cheek. “You’re awake.”

  He smiles sleepily, then winces and rubs the back of his head. “What happened? Georgia—”

  “It’s okay, you’re safe now. We’re all safe,” I assure him.

  I kiss his forehead.

  I shot a woman in the foot today, and for this man, I’d do it all over again.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “I heard that you shot my mom,” Skylar says the next day, coming to sit next to me on my bed.

  “Yeah, sorry about that. She just really triggered me,” I admit, frowning. “She was going on about how she will always win because she’s untouchable because of you.”

  And I mean, she walked away again, so maybe it’s true.

  Or at least this time, she limped away.

  “Don’t be sorry,” she says. “She deserved it. In fact she got off lightly and we all know that. I’d never be able to do anything to her—at the end of the day, she’s still my mom—but after all she’s done I could never hold a grudge against anyone who...”

  She trails off, unable to finish the sentence. “I understand.”

  She shrugs. “And my stepdad is your real father. Does that make us related?”

  “Yeah, I don’t think any of us saw that one coming.”

  She wraps her arm around me. “Neville, I mean Grayson, is a really nice man. He’s always been nothing but kind to me, so maybe don’t write him off right away. He deserves a fucking Oscar nomination for playing the nice little old farmer, though. I tell you what, I never once thought he would be capable of doing anything illegal.”

  I rub my forehead. “I don’t even know what to think about Grayson. I think you’re right, he’s good at playing whatever part he needs to, which makes him a little hard to trust. He did have my back, though, and I’m not going to forget that.”

  “Blood ties are strong,” she agrees. “I’m just glad Temper is back and everyone is safe. I don’t know how we managed to pull that off. Izzy and I got stuck playing getaway driver, while the new girl got in on all the action.”

  I laugh at that. “I was so scared, I’m not going to lie. I had no idea what I was doing, or what was going to happen. Tell Logan I said thank you, though, and I’m sorry for shooting his mom and then leaving him to deal with it.”

  Her lip twitches. “Yeah, I’m sure I’m going to hear a rant from him, but it was worth it. We all did what we had to. We are a great team.”

  “We are,” I admit, my smile fading. “And as soon as Temper is feeling better, it’s time for me to go home.”

  “I don’t want you to go,” she confesses. “You belong here, with us.”

  “I’ll be back,” I promise, because I agree, I do. “I just need to tie up all my loose ends over there, and make sure my mom and sister will be okay without me there to help out.”

  “Well, if you need any extra help, give us a call, and we’ll be there,” she says, lifting her face as Temper exits the bathroom, towel wrapped around him. “Okay, I’m out. Nice to see you up and well, Prez.”

  He gives her a warm smile, and watches her leave. “I feel much better now.”

  “Good.” On top of knocking him out with a hit to the head, we think they gave him something to make sure he’d stay unconscious for a longer period of time, leaving him groggy.

  “Saint gave me a rundown of the whole retrieval mission,” he says, sitting down on the bed. “I can’t believe you did all of that for me. Do you know the amount of danger you put yourself in?”

  “Yes, but it all paid off. I wasn’t going to let them just take you and do nothing. I might not be as badass as you all, but I’d do anything to protect the people that I love,” I say, shuffling closer to him and resting my head on his shoulder. “You would have done the same for me, or for anyone else in the MC.”

  “What do you mean you’re not as badass?” He chuckles, kissing the top of my head. “From what I’ve heard, you’re the most badass out of us all. You led a team, made executive decisions, shot Georgia... You sure you’re not here to steal my job?”

  “No, just your heart.” I grin.

  He pushes me back on the bed and looks me dead in the eye. “I’m not happy you put yourself in danger. I’m not happy my men allowed you to do so. But I’m happy to be here, with you, and you’ve made me really fuckin’ proud. You’re a woman everyone here could look up to, and you’ve proven that you’re right where you’re meant to be.”

  “Yeah, they thought you were going to kill them,” I say. “Please don’t blame them. I went in guns blazing.”

  “So I’ve heard. And Neville being Grayson. How do you feel about that?”

  “I don’t know,” I admit. “I need to speak to him before I leave. It’s a lot to process.”

  He throws his towel on the floor, and we slide under the sheets and cuddle.

  “And if you’re going to give yourself up to save the others, it’s only fair that I’m allowed to do whatever I need to do to save you,” I say, yawning. “Sometimes the hero needs to be saved, too. You can’t be everything for everyone, without someone at your back, looking out for you. Your cup needs to be filled before you can pour it out for others.”

  He rubs his fingers up and down my arm, goose bumps appearing on my flesh. “My cup will always be filled with you around. I don’t know how the fuck I’m supposed to leave you and come back here alone.”

  “We’ll be fine,” I assure him. “It won’t be for too long, anyway.”

  A connection like this can last through anything, there’s no doubt in my mind.

  Moving on top of him, straddling his body, I kiss him, then sit up and smile down at him. “I love you.”

  “I love you,” he replies, watching me with hooded eyes as I pull off my T-shirt and bra, leaving me in just a pair of leggings. From this angle he can see my stomach, my breasts, close up, all of my imperfections. But he still looks at me like I’m the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen.

  And to him, I am.

  I don’t regret waiting for someone who makes me feel like this.

  Taking a chance on Temper is the best thing I ever did.

  * * *

  “I’m sure you both have a lot of questions,” Grayson says the next day, glancing between me and Skylar. When he finally reached out, he asked that both Skylar and I come to meet him together. We chose to meet at a restaurant.

  “You can say that again,” Skylar says, studying him in a new light. “I knew you as this gentle, modest farmer, one I didn’t think knew my mother was an evil witch, yet you’re some kingpin who has probably never farmed a day in his life.”

  He chuckles under his breath. “I grew up on that farm. It’s been in my family for generations. And I do maintain it, so you’re wrong there. Technically, I am also a farmer. And Abbie, one day that farm will be yours.”

&
nbsp; “It’s so weird, Skylar knowing you more than me,” I admit. “I mean, she knew you as a different person under a different name, but still.”

  He studies me for a few seconds. “I met Georgia after she was kicked out of the Knights. Despite what you think, Skylar, your mother was very honest with me about who she was and I was honest with her on who I was. I was with Georgia for years, and yes, the whole gentle farmer thing was a front, one she agreed to play into.”

  “You always seemed to love her. Worship her even...” Skylar says, confusion in her voice.

  “I don’t know what to say right now,” I murmur, my eyes scanning his. “How could you be with a woman like that for so long?”

  Grayson blushes a bit and coughs. “Abbie, good girls don’t really often come my way doing what I do. And if one did, I probably wouldn’t know what to do with her. Look what happened with your mom, for example. With your mother, we could’ve really had something, but when she found out what I did to earn a living, she ended things and told me she never wanted to see me again. I didn’t know she was pregnant at the time, but she couldn’t handle this life and I understood that. You might not see it, but I did love Georgia. She was the first woman with whom I didn’t have to hide who I am. Georgia... Georgia loved me for me. She knew the score. So I treated her like a queen.”

  Skylar and I just sit there staring at him.

  “You have amber eyes,” Skylar blurts out. “I always thought they were brown. Do you wear contacts?”

  Grayson nods. “I do. My eyes are very unique.” He looks to me. “They are hard to forget, and in my line of work I can’t be memorable.”

  “When did you find out what Georgia was up to?” I ask. “Did you know when we met at the café?”

  “No, but after you mentioned your friend Skylar with a mother who hired mercenaries, I went home and confronted her. She admitted she hired mercenaries to kill Temper. She told me about what happened in your hometown, and the second I found out, I kicked her out of the house and wanted nothing else to do with her.”

  “Wait. When I came to see you, you acted like you had no idea and were really upset. But you knew then? Why didn’t you just tell me?” Skylar asks, and I can see her clenching her fists.

  “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know exactly what she was planning with the MC, and when you came I was in the middle of getting answers. So it was easier to pretend so I could get to the bottom of it and then explain everything. But when I found out what was going on with Temper, I—”

  “Who are you?” Skylar asks, frowning. “I’ve known you as this one man for so many years and now you’re sitting here someone completely different. How am I supposed to know which is true?”

  “This.” He gestures to himself. He’s not in the three-piece suit this time, but he is in what I would call business casual. Slacks and a collared shirt. Kind of like a farmer at a business meeting. “This is who I am. I am a farmer who participates in other business activities. But the person I was with you, Skylar, was me.” He looks to me. “And Abbie, I know you don’t know me, but I’d like to change that.”

  “So do we call you Grayson, Neville, or Cohen?” I ask, changing the subject and lightening the mood. I don’t know how I feel about the whole situation, but I want to at least give him a chance.

  “Dad works,” he says, glancing down shyly. “But otherwise Grayson.”

  I don’t think I’m ready for Dad just yet, so Grayson it is.

  * * *

  “I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” Dee says the next morning, as I’m packing my things to leave. “I fucked up, badly. I never should have brought Cherry back to the clubhouse. I never should have trusted her. My dick got us all in trouble, and I’m really sorry, Abbie. I hope you can forgive me.”

  I go up and give him a hug. He still looks so sore, rocking a black eye, broken nose and split lip, and I don’t want to leave here with him feeling like shit, blaming himself for everything that happened.

  “Of course I forgive you. You didn’t know Cherry was going to drug and kidnap you,” I say. “I mean, how could you? We didn’t even think anything of it.”

  “You’re the best, you know that?” he says. “I’m so glad Temper found someone like you.”

  “Thank you,” I say, kissing him on the cheek.

  “Okay, let’s not get me further beat up,” he grumbles, winking at me and leaving the room.

  I finish up packing, and then drag my suitcase to the living room. “I’m ready when you are!” I call out to Temper. The clubhouse is quiet, and I wonder where the hell everyone is. I know I told them all that I’ll be back soon, but only Dee came to say goodbye. Not even Skylar and Izzy have been here today.

  Temper walks into the room and offers me his hand. “I guess we better get going then.” He drags my suitcase with his free hand and leads me outside.

  “We’re going to miss you, Abbie!” the MC screams, where they’re all waiting for me out front with a giant sign, balloons and the biggest of smiles.

  I rush to the girls and hug them first, then each of the men in turn.

  “I thought you guys had forgotten to come and say goodbye to me,” I admit, rubbing my eyes. Some dust seems to have gotten in there.

  “Are you kidding me?” Izzy says. “We’re going to miss you so much!”

  “Come back soon,” Saint says, kissing the top of my head.

  “I will,” I promise.

  Temper puts my suitcase in the car, his bag already packed and in there, and off we go. I wave until I lose sight of them. I wouldn’t think it would be so hard to leave people I’ve only known for such a short time, but it is.

  “They’re all so wonderful,” I say to Temper, turning the radio on.

  “They love you,” he says, pride in his tone.

  “This is our first official road trip with just me and you,” I say, reaching over and kissing his rough cheek. “Are you ready for this adventure?”

  “Am I ready to face the wrath of your mom and sister is the question,” he murmurs, turning his face to give me a quick kiss.

  “You telling me that the big, bad president is scared of my mom?” I tease. “Don’t worry about it, it will be fine. I’m sure she’s not going to be thrilled about the situation, but it doesn’t matter. I love you, and I know I want to be with you, and that’s all that matters to me. Once they see how happy I am, I’m sure they will get on board.”

  “I hope so.”

  Truth be told, I hope so too.

  “It will be fine. How long do you think you’re going to stay for?” I ask. He said that he’s going to stay at the hotel, the one he took me on our first date to, and that I’m welcome to stay there with him.

  “Three nights,” he says. “I’ve left Saint in charge, and hopefully nothing else goes wrong while I’m gone.”

  “I think we’ve had our share of bad luck this week,” I say. “Hopefully its over for now. Or forever.”

  “One can hope. Georgia’s foot will have bought us some time, but who knows what she’s going to plan next?” he says, looking over at me. “We’re going to have to come up with a solution soon enough.”

  “I know,” I agree. “We all can’t go on like this forever. And she’s never going to stop, she’s admitted as much. It’s just such a shame for Skylar. I feel so bad for her.”

  “I know, we all do.”

  The first hour of the trip is spent singing along to the radio. It’s not soon before I fall asleep, not being the best road trip partner. I’m woken by Temper yelling loudly, and I practically jump out of my seat.

  “What is it? What?” I ask, glancing around in a panic.

  Temper, the asshole, starts losing it laughing. He takes his phone from where he’d placed it on the dashboard, right in front of me, and replays the clip, one that is not flattering to me in any shape or form. “Look at your f
ace.” He laughs.

  “You recorded that?” I ask, scowling. “I’m going to get you back, you know that, right?”

  “Look how wide your eyes go,” he continues, pushing my damn buttons.

  I shove the phone away from me. “Why are we stopped here?”

  “I’m hungry, thought we could stop and get something to eat. But you were fast asleep and snoring.”

  “So you decided to wake me up by screaming and scaring the shit out of me?” I ask, undoing my seat belt. I get out of the car and stretch my legs.

  “Ah, come on, don’t be like that,” he says, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m just playing with you.”

  I stick my tongue out at him. “Come on and feed me then.”

  “You hangry, babe?” he teases, opening the door for me.

  Rolling my eyes, I step inside, and then check out the menu.

  Little does Temper know, he just started a prank war.

  One he isn’t going to win.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  As we start to get closer to home, my nerves kick in. I know my mom isn’t going to let me off lightly. She’s going to have a million questions, and she’ll expect that I answer them in detail. Some of the answers I know I’m not going to have...or at least I’m not going to be able to give them to her.

  “You okay?” Temper asks.

  “Yeah, I’m fine, just a little nervous,” I admit. “Mom isn’t going to make this easy on me, and I hate lying.” I’m a terrible liar. I usually just go quiet and not say anything instead of making something up, which is a dead giveaway.

  “After what you took on two days ago, you’re scared of your mom?” he teases, squeezing my upper thigh. “We’ve got this, all right?”

  “She won’t drill me when you’re there,” I say, pursing my lips. “She’ll wait until you’re gone and then ask me all the questions. I know her and how she works. It’s not going to be pleasant.”