by K. L. Ramsey
“Really?” Dallas questioned. “I just thought you wouldn’t be interested.”
Bowie chuckled. “Oh, I’m definitely interested, Honey. I just needed to think things through and honestly, I liked giving Savage a little shit. Hearing him a little desperate in all his voice mails was worth it. But, when he showed up on my doorstep today, telling me about the trouble with the Dragons, there was no way I wouldn’t help. It’s time to stop all the games and find a way forward—that is, if you want to, Dallas.”
“I think I’d like that,” she admitted. “I’d like to get to know you, Bowie.” Dallas smiled over at him and for the first damn time that day he felt as if everything might be okay. He was just as worried about Savage as she was but admitting that wouldn’t help their situation. He needed to concentrate on getting the four of them to his house in Texas and then he’d worry about getting an update from Savage.
“What about your work?” Dallas asked. “I’m sure this is an inconvenience.”
Inconvenience was an understatement. He had to take the leave he’d been saving up for years now. When he got back from overseas, he had turned down leave, remaining on active duty. It was easier to stay busy and work was a good distraction. Otherwise, he had too much time on his hands to think about all the men and women who hadn’t come back. Work was his therapy and not showing up every day felt foreign to him.
“I had a good deal of leave to use, so I took it,” he admitted.
“How long have you been in the military?” she asked. Bowie really didn’t like to talk about his time in the service or his job, but he and Savage had touched upon it on their first date, so he figured it was par for the course when getting to know someone.
“Since high school,” he admitted. “I’ve been in thirteen years now,” Bowie added.
“So, you’re about thirty?” Dallas asked.
“I’ll be thirty-one soon,” he said.
“We’re the same age,” she admitted.
“Savage give you shit about your age too?” Bowie asked. Dallas laughed and nodded.
“He acts like he’s got one leg in the nursing home, but then he turns around and does stuff to make me think he’s younger than I am,” she said.
“Yeah—he told me he was in the Air Force until—” Bowie wasn’t sure how much he was supposed to share with Dallas and how much of Savage’s military experience was a secret. He worried he had already said too much.
“Until his helicopter went down—yeah,” she whispered. “We talked about it when we were together. I think that was the only real information he shared about himself with me and I have a feeling it was only because I questioned him about the scars on his back.” Bowie remembered seeing those same scars the only night he and Savage shared together but he was too chicken to ask about them. He knew firsthand that guys in the military, who saw active combat, had scars and a past they usually didn’t like to share—not even with the people they were closest to.
“He never told you anything else about himself?” Bowie asked.
“Nope,” she said. “I had no clue who he was or how to even find him when I learned I was pregnant with Greer. I was a fool but I thought that if I asked him too many questions, he’d push me away. I wanted him any way I could have him—even if that meant not asking personal questions.” The sadness in Dallas’ voice nearly did him in.
“And now? Would you do the same thing or would you have asked more of him?” Bowie asked. Not that it mattered; she couldn’t go into the past and change things but he needed to know.
“I would,” she admitted. “I’ve learned a lot about myself since having Greer and becoming a single mom. When I originally hooked up with Savage, I didn’t believe I was worth his effort. That’s why I didn’t push for answers—I didn’t believe I was worth them. But now, I know I am. I won’t ever be the woman who stands on the sidelines again. Savage knows I won’t accept anything but full and complete honesty from him if he wants to be a part of my and Greer’s lives.”
Bowie squeezed her hand into his, reminding them both they were still connected. “Good girl,” he praised. “You are worth his honesty and I promise you that is what you’ll get from me too.”
“Okay,” she said. “Then tell me what he said to you that made you agree to this crazy plan of his,” Dallas challenged.
“You really want to know?” he asked.
“I do,” she said. “Please.”
“Savage asked me to keep the three of you safe. He told me about what happened with the Dragons coming after you. I couldn’t say no to him—he was so upset and seemed so lost. He told me that he wanted me to keep an open mind about the three of us—you know, together.” Bowie just about whispered that last part, not sure he wanted Dallas knowing why he had agreed to help them. It made him sound like a selfish asshole and maybe he was, but he was done sitting on the sidelines, letting life happen around him. He was done running and hiding from what people thought he should be. He knew that there was a good possibility he would be running into his parents while he was home but that just didn’t matter to him anymore.
“Are you?” Dallas asked. “You know, keeping an open mind about the three of us?”
He nodded, “I told you earlier, I am. I told Savage that too and God, the goofball smiled like a lunatic.”
“Yeah,” she said. “He acted the same way when I told him that I’d think about our situation too. He really wants this, you know? I think it’s what he’s been looking for but never had the guts to ask for. He’s worried about what the club will say about us though.”
“He has good reason to be worried. The club could oust him as president and that MC means everything to him,” Bowie said. “He talks about them like they are his family and I know that coming out to family isn’t always easy.”
“Does your family know, Bowie?” she whispered.
“No,” he admitted. “Like I said, coming out to family isn’t easy. I never got the nerve up to tell my mom and dad. Hell, keeping my secret is the main reason for me moving to Huntsville from Texas. It was easier to uproot my entire life than to admit to my parents that I’m bi.”
“I’m sorry,” Dallas said.
“Not your fault,” he said. “But, we’ll probably run into them while I’m back home. My house is only about two miles from their own. They are bound to see us and I won’t hide anymore. They are just going to have to deal with the fact that I like men and women and if they can’t accept who I am, that’s on them.”
“Well, I for one am pretty happy about who both you and Savage are,” she said. “As far as I’m concerned, you are two of the sweetest, most caring men on the planet.”
“You don’t have to say that, Honey,” he said.
“I know, but I mean it. You are going out of your way to help me and the girls and I appreciate it, Bowie,” she said.
“Don’t thank me yet, Honey. We still have about ten more hours together in this car.” Dallas giggled.
“Yeah—now add about six more hours on for potty breaks for Chloe and feeding breaks for Greer,” she teased. Bowie moaned and Dallas laughed.
“I have to go pee,” Chloe announced at the mention of potty breaks.
“Well, crap,” Bowie said.
“Yeah, I have a feeling that my thanks isn’t going to even begin to cover it all,” she said.
DALLAS
Dallas had spent almost a week in hiding at Bowie’s place and not hearing from Savage was starting to weigh on her. She had called and texted him daily but hadn’t heard anything back from him and Dallas was starting to fear the worst had happened to him.
Bowie was holding up his end of the bargain, making sure she and the girls were safe, but he seemed to be just as worried about Savage. If they didn’t hear from him soon, she was going to insist that they go home because not knowing if he was dead or alive was driving her insane.
“Hey,” he whispered. “Are the girls asleep?” Bowie found her sitting at the kitchen table, having a cup of t
ea. It was supposed to relax her, but so far it wasn’t living up to the promises made on the box.
“Yes,” she said. “Chloe cried when I told her it was bedtime. She said that Savage usually reads her stories and he told her that he’d see her in just a few sleeps. She asked me how many a few is and I lied and told her ten, just to buy us some time. Where is he, Bowie?” Dallas asked. Her voice broke at the end of her question and she couldn’t hold back her sob. She was done trying to pretend she was strong.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Bowie lied. “How about we try texting him again?” Dallas childishly shrugged, as if it didn’t matter, but it did. She wanted to keep trying Savage until they got word back that he was alright.
“Okay, tough girl. I’ll send him a message and I also tried to call Ryder. Savage gave me his number before he took off and if anyone knows where our guy is, it’s Ryder. They served in the Air Force together.” Dallas didn’t know that, but there was so much she still needed to figure out about Savage and Bowie, for that matter. Every day, they were getting closer but she still had so many questions.
“Did you hear anything back yet?” she asked.
“No,” Bowie admitted. “It’s only been a few hours though. We both could use a distraction. How about you let me make you something to eat and then we can veg out on the sofa and watch an old movie?” Honestly, she was ready to just call it a night and head to bed, but her traitorous stomach chose exactly that moment to growl and she agreed to some food.
Bowie made them grilled cheese sandwiches and she found a football game to watch. “You a Cowboys fan?” she asked. Bowie flashed her a devilish grin, causing her to giggle.
“Yep,” he admitted. “You can’t grow up in these parts and not be a Cowboys fan. How about you?”
“I don’t have a team that I follow, really,” she admitted. “But my dad was.” She always felt a sense of sadness when she thought about her parents. They had been gone for years now but having Greer made her miss them all over again. She would allow herself to think about what they would have thought about their granddaughter or if her mom would have approved of her choices as a mother. Dallas second-guessed every one of her decisions, wondering what her own mother would have done and not having either of her parents as sounding boards was tough.
“You miss them, don’t you?” Bowie asked. He scooted closer to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He had been doing a lot of that lately, stealing little touches and looks. She could feel that he was holding back with her, almost as if he was afraid she’d break or something. Dallas didn’t want to push, especially since she was so worried about Savage.
“I do,” she admitted. “More now since Greer is here. I sometimes wonder if my mother would approve of the way I mother my own daughter. She was an awesome mom and my dad was pretty great too. I hate that they’ll never know their granddaughter.”
“I sometimes wonder if I’ll ever have that with my parents—you know them sticking around to know their grandkids once I announce I’m bi. Hell, that’s if I even have any kids—who knows.”
“Do you want kids, Bowie?” Dallas asked. She had started thinking more about what their lives might look like if the three of them did find a way to make some type of relationship work.
“I do,” he said. “I never gave it a lot of thought but being around Chloe and Greer has made me realize just how much I do want kids. I just worry that I’ll be a crappy dad.”
“Well, if Greer’s fussing hasn’t sworn you off kids completely, I think you’ll make a fantastic dad,” Dallas offered.
“Thanks. How about you, Dallas?” Bowie asked.
Dallas giggled, “Um, I think that decision has already been made for me, Bowie. But, if you’re asking if I want more kids, then yes, I do. Watching Chloe and Greer together is magical. I never had any brothers or sisters and seeing how much the girls love each other makes my heart melt.”
“They are pretty cute together,” Bowie admitted. Dallas set her plate on the table in front of the sofa and leaned back against him again.
“Thanks for dinner, Bowie,” she said.
“Anytime,” he said. “I’ve liked our quiet dinners together this past week, Dallas.” She had to admit, she did too. Getting to know Bowie a little each night only made her want to know more about him.
“I have too,” she whispered. He was so close; Dallas could feel his warm breath on her cheek. All she had to do was turn to her left and they would be face to face. Dallas made a split-second decision and turned to face him, letting her lips brush over his. Bowie seemed surprised and for just a second, she thought he was going to turn her away. Instead, he pulled her snug against his body, so she was almost laying on top of him, and kissed his way into her mouth. Every little nip and lick made her want more and within minutes, he had her panting with need.
“We can’t do this,” Bowie whispered against her mouth.
“Why?” she asked. Dallas tried to hide the hurt and disappointment in her voice but judging from the pity she saw in his eyes, he picked up on it.
“Because I don’t have any condoms here,” he said. Bowie untangled himself from her and stood. “I’m so fucking sorry but I never thought to pick any up and now—”
“Now, you’re being a responsible guy and making sure that I’m taken care of,” she said. “And, I appreciate it, Bowie.” Dallas had gone off the pill when she found out she was pregnant with Greer and she really had no reason to go back on it after she had the baby. She had sworn off men, at least that was what she told herself, so what was the point? Now, with both Savage and Bowie in her life, she was beginning to rethink the whole no birth control issue and knew that sooner or later, she was going to have to make some decisions.
“I’ll place an order and have them here as soon as possible,” Bowie said. “As long as that’s what you want, Dallas. I know we agreed to get to know each other, but I won’t push you into something you’re not ready for.”
Dallas stood and wrapped her arms around Bowie’s neck. “How about you get the condoms and then we can talk about the rest of this.”
“Deal,” he agreed. As if on cue, Greer started crying for her midnight feeding. “I’ll change her diaper and I’ll meet you in our room,” Bowie offered.
“Deal,” she said back to him.
BOWIE
It had been another week with no word from Savage and Bowie was beginning to worry the worst had happened. He had put in a call to Ryder and he texted back that things were happening and they would be in touch as soon as possible—whatever the hell that meant. Ryder told him to lay low and keep the girls and Dallas indoors and that was just fine with him. Bowie knew that if he took them out there would be a good chance he’d run into his parents and that was the very last thing he needed.
He hadn’t pushed Dallas for sex, but God, he wanted her. Bowie wanted to take things slowly with her and give her time to adjust to the relationship that was developing between the two of them. He wondered if Savage wasn’t out of his mind, thinking that the three of them could work. Hell, the chances of he and Savage falling for the same girl was a long shot, but he had. Bowie worried that if Savage didn’t resurface and find his way back to them, he and Dallas wouldn’t stand a chance. He hoped he was wrong though because the thought of Savage not coming back to them wasn’t one he wanted to entertain.
Bowie had called his commander and told him what was going on. He wasn’t happy that Bowie was asking for more time off, but he granted it. Taking Dallas and the girls back to Huntsville right now wasn’t an option. Not with the Dragons still wreaking havoc for Savage Hell. Bowie had heard from a few buddies on base that things weren’t good between the two clubs. He had even heard reports that some of the Dragon’s members were arrested on base and he wondered if they were searching for him or just screwing around. Either way, Bowie knew that going home wasn’t going to happen until Savage could broker some sort of peace between the two clubs.
Bowie’s phone chimed and he
pulled it from his jeans, feeling like a giddy fucking schoolgirl seeing Savage’s name pop up on the screen. He answered the call, anxious to hear Savage’s gravelly voice on the other end.
“Hey,” Bowie answered.
“Hey, man,” Savage growled into the other end.
“God, Savage,” Bowie choked. “We haven’t heard from you and we were beginning to believe the worst.” Now he sounded like a schoolgirl, but he didn’t give a fuck.
“Tell me you are all safe,” Savage demanded.
“We are,” Bowie said. “Dallas and the girls are all fine. We’ve just been worried about you, Savage,” he admitted.
“I’m fine,” Savage said. Bowie could tell he was lying but he wasn’t going to call him on his shit. Not now when he couldn’t see or touch him. All Bowie wanted was to lay his eyes on him; to see for himself that Savage was alive and well.
“I’ll let that lie slide for now. Tell me what’s happening back home,” Bowie said.
“I’ve run into some trouble and well, tonight things should be over, once and for all,” Savage said. Bowie wasn’t sure if he liked how cryptic his guy was being, but he was pretty sure he wouldn’t like Savage’s latest plan.
“What’s the plan, Savage?” Bowie asked.
“The fucking plan is that you keep our woman and the girls safe while I take care of the Dragons. I’ll be in touch soon and we can figure out when you guys can come home. Tell me you’ll stay put and keep them safe, Bowie,” Savage demanded.
Bowie wanted to tell him not to be a fucking hero, but he knew to just save his breath. It’s who Savage was—the hero in everyone’s story. He was the one who took care of everyone around him and his false sense of invincibility was what would probably end him in trouble or worse. Bowie sighed into the phone knowing that Savage wouldn’t listen to any of his warnings. All his guy wanted was his promise that he’d keep their little makeshift family safe.
