by Sam Crescent
His friends may be his friends, but that didn’t mean they had what it took to be a Skull. Butch knew without a doubt they’d pass their tests.
Holding Cheryl to his side, he smiled down at her.
This was what he wanted, and he was going to make damn sure that it worked.
Chapter Nine
Lash stayed for two days before returning back to Fort Wills. It was kind of surreal to have him stay at their house, but Cheryl loved it, especially hearing about everything that was going on in The Skulls. What she didn’t like was hearing about Darcy. That did break her heart.
She hoped to hear more soon, but as they were in Vegas, she doubted they would be the first ones to be called of any new developments.
As for Christmas, Alex, Sunshine, and their kids came to visit. Michael as well, and for the first time in all of their lives together, they had a Christmas together as a blended family, together as one big family.
Sunshine helped her with the Christmas dinner while Butch, Alex, and Michael all planned the coming year.
They didn’t stay for the New Year, but it gave her hope.
Of course, Butch was hunting for a new place to call his own. They wanted one close to the gym, and Ned was also there, helping them pick out a place. Butch had turned down three possible spots for the clubhouse. He didn’t want to be so far away that it would leave them easy pickings, but he also wanted to look to possibly expand.
She went with him on every single trip, taking the baby with her. Ned was always on hand to help out when needed with the clubhouse or with babysitting, or Javier did.
This new development in their lives had taken over completely.
Finally, by the end of January, they pulled up to the place that was twenty minutes’ walk from the gym. It was an old junkyard. The old cars and used parts were all gone, and the building looked like it needed some serious repair. Climbing out of the car, she looked up at the used building.
Butch had looked really excited about this place, but she just saw one big hazard.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“You’re going to need to knock it all down and start again.”
“Have some vision, Cheryl.”
“I am.”
“You go on in and show her. I’ll stay with Jade,” Ned said.
She looked back at Ned, wishing she had the excuse not to follow Butch into the old, crumbling building.
“Have a little faith in your old man.”
“I’ve got a lot of faith, Butch. What I’m worried about is if you’ve lost your damn mind.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the building. It was indeed crumbling, and it looked like a piece of shit.
She stood in the center of the building and held her hands to her side. She didn’t want to touch anything. There seemed to be way too many spiders and other things.
“Look, these are good walls. It’s not falling down,” Butch said, pressing his hand against the wall. “I’ve spoken to a building contractor. He knows his shit. He can get this place set up, and he believes we can have it ready by the end of the year.”
“It’s January.”
“There’s a lot of work to do. What do you think?”
She tried not to cringe.
Butch wrapped his arms around her. “I know you don’t see it now, but this place is going to be something. Do you trust me?”
“You know I do.”
“Then give me that smile I love and I know I can handle everything.”
She gave him that smile.
“That’s what I needed.” He pulled her in close, and his lips brushed across hers. “This is it, Cheryl. I can feel it.”
“I hope you don’t expect me to deal with the spiders.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll set Cruz on them. They’ll handle everything.” He kissed her neck. “I’ve talked to Ned.”
She gasped as he sucked on her pulse. “You have.”
“You think I’ve forgotten my promise to you?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’ve not forgotten, and tonight, you’re all mine. Ned is going to take Jade for us.”
“You’re sure he doesn’t mind?”
“He doesn’t mind. With Jade out of the house that means you’re going to be able to scream as I lick your pussy, fucking you so hard you can’t even think straight, and then I’m going to take your ass.”
She moaned as he gripped her ass, drawing her close. “I thought you didn’t want to anymore.”
“The club is important, finding a base for us all is important, but you are even more so.” He kissed her again. “Now, how about we head out? Drop Ned off at his place, and I take you home.”
“That sounds … wonderful.”
Butch took her hand, and they made their way outside. Ned was waiting in the car.
“What do you think?” Ned asked.
“It looks good.”
“We’re dropping you and Jade off, Ned. Like you promised.”
“What did I promise?” Ned asked.
“To take care of Jade so we can have some us time,” Butch said.
“I don’t think I agreed to that.”
“Butch, you can’t just do that,” Cheryl said, her cheeks heating with every passing second.
“I have dropped my plans to help this bastard every step of the way. You want to help me save my marriage, you’ll take care of our daughter for me.”
She covered her face with her hands, in complete shock as Butch did indeed drop Ned and Jade off. He had a bag already prepared, one she didn’t even realize he’d done.
Within an hour, they were alone, in their home, and before he’d even shut the door completely, he had her pinned against the wall. He shoved the door, and it closed.
“I cannot wait another minute. I’ve been waiting too long for this.” With Butch’s growl echoing in the air, he began to tear at her clothes.
Cheryl wasn’t fighting or arguing. She needed him just as much as he needed her.
Her body was on fire, and it was all for him.
Tearing at his clothes, she cried out his name as he cupped her pussy. Kicking their clothes onto the floor, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her up. His cock poised at her entrance, she felt him, inch by inch, sinking deep inside her, going to the hilt, shocking her at the depth, as with the final inches, he slammed in hard.
“Oh, fuck,” she said.
“So fucking tight. I’ve missed this. I’ve missed your pussy. I’ve missed being inside you. It has been sheer torture, baby. You have no idea.”
“Shut up. Fuck me, please, Butch.”
He pulled out of her only to slam all the way to the hilt. She scored her nails down his back, holding him close as he repeatedly fucked her, over and over, driving deep within her until she couldn’t see straight.
“You feel so fucking good. Never again, babe. I’m not waiting this long to be inside you. I’ve missed you so damn much. You have the best fucking pussy in the world.”
She’d been craving his touch and feeling his dick deep inside her.
He moved her down to the floor, and, wrapping her legs around his waist, she arched up, making him go deeper. She didn’t want him to stop. The very idea of him not being inside her just wasn’t allowed to be a thought in her head.
“I need you, please, please.”
He pulled out of her, and she missed the feeling of his cock so much she whimpered. However, he grabbed her hips, pulling her up so that his mouth was on her pussy. He began to lick and suck at her clit. His tongue slid between her slit, making her moan with every passing second as he teased her body, preparing her in every single way imaginable to take him.
She was getting so close.
He pulled away from her clit to plunge inside her, fucking her repeatedly.
She screamed his name.
“You want to come, baby? You want me to fill your pussy with my dick?”
“Yes, please, yes.”
Within seconds, he was back inside her, driving harder and deeper within her, each stroke only adding to her need for more of his cock.
“Oh, fuck, I’m not going to last.”
He pounded inside her, going to the hilt, and she loved every second of it. Holding onto him, she felt his cock pulse as he spilled his cum within her, over and over again. His growl filled the room.
Afterward, he collapsed over her, and she took the weight. After so long without him because of being pregnant, it felt good to have him in her arms once again.
“I’m crushing you,” he said.
“You’re not. I love feeling you like this. I’ve missed this.” She saw the happiness in his eyes. “Were you worried?”
“About the baby?”
“That and also about what Lash would do and say.”
“I was. I didn’t want to argue with him.”
“You’re a good man, Butch. I think over the years you’ve forgotten that.”
“I’ve done bad things, and I’ll continue to do bad things.”
She didn’t have a response to that, so she leaned up and kissed him. “I’ll be by your side, regardless.”
****
The club was coming along. Most of the internal work had been completed within three months, and his daughter was growing up. Butch’s relationship with Cheryl continued to flourish. The problems they’d faced while she’d been pregnant were now nonexistent.
Everything was falling into place for once in his life. He didn’t want to fuck it up or jinx it.
Reeving his bike, he took off down the street, remembering the way to Punk’s house. He’d made a full recovery and had yet to be seen at the gym to train. Ned had told him the kid had pulled his name off the schedule and out of the fighting ring.
It was always a fighter’s choice when it came to it. None of them forced men to fight. To enter a ring, they had to be prepared for everything and anything.
If your head wasn’t in the game, bad shit happened.
Simple as that.
He’d seen Ned change the lineup a few times because he didn’t think fighters were ready to take on the tough shit.
Parking up outside of Punk’s house, Butch turned off his ignition. Climbing off the bike, he walked up the small porch and knocked on the window.
He waited.
Staring up at the sky, he saw no stars were shining tonight. There was a time he’d spend a lot of time staring at the stars, wondering about shit. It was something he’d taken up when he was a kid after his father was murdered before him and he was left for dead.
“Butch, what are you doing here, man?” Punk closed the door behind him.
Since the last time he saw him, Punk had lost a lot of weight, and he didn’t look healthy.
“Your mom inside?”
“Yeah, she’s having a bad day. Whatever shit you’ve got to say, say it. I need to head back inside.”
“This is for you,” Butch said, pulling out the brown envelope and handing it to him.
“What is this?” Punk asked, taking the brown envelope.
Inside was over ten grand in cash.
“Your hospital bills have all been paid for.”
“I … what? I don’t understand,” Punk said. “I’ve not done a single thing to earn this. I can’t take this.”
“Rhodes is known for cheating. We saw what he did to you, and he’s been repaid in kind. You’re not a weak kid, Punk. The guys got together and decided who was to fight on the big night. Ned arranged it all, and we made sure the guy who went against Rhodes wasn’t any pushover. This is the money raised.” The fight itself didn’t last all that long. Butch had attacked Rhodes, making him weak, and then one of the seasoned boys offered to finish him off. Ned made sure it was clean cut, and after that fight finished, had lined up some sporting events to keep his guests happy.
Punk looked away, and Butch saw the tears in his eyes.
“It’s okay to be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid.”
“Rhodes had all of his men at his back. Next time you go out, you make sure you’ve got men you can trust. Who are willing to take a beating for you or at the very least fight back. Your friends ran away, leaving you to fend for yourself. So they’re not your friends. All of the guys put this together for you. They don’t expect anything back, but you’ve got to come back to the gym. We’ll help you learn to fight, but you keep your bullshit at home, got it? Your hospital bill has been paid for. You need help, you come to me or Ned. Don’t think you’re on your own.”
He saw the tears fall from Punk’s eyes. “I heard you started a club.”
“The Skulls, Vegas Chapter.” He nodded.
“I want to be part of that.”
“Then we’ll see how you do. You’re young, Punk. You need to be willing to do a lot of shit to get in with The Skulls.”
“I’ll do it. Whatever it takes, I’m your guy. I can be part of it.”
“Then prove it. I want you at the gym training tomorrow. I don’t take no for an answer.”
Turning on his heel, he walked away with a smile on his face.
Everything was good. More than good.
It was fucking fantastic.
Chapter Ten
Eight months later
Cheryl couldn’t believe this day had come. For the past eight months, Butch had been working tirelessly to get this club set up, and now as each of The Skulls from Fort Wills arrived, her nerves were completely shot.
Every single week for eight months, they’d had one of The Skulls or the family staying with them, Lacey being one of the people that visited most often. She adored Lacey and Angel as well, even though she was really, really sweet.
There was a time when Cheryl found Angel too sweet and wondered if it was fake. Over time, she realized it wasn’t. Angel was just a nice person, which made it even more strange that she was with Lash. That man was dangerous and really fucking scary as far Cheryl was concerned.
“Are you excited?” Lacey asked, coming to stand beside her.
“Yeah, of course.” Javier, Mistletoe, Cruz, and of course Punk were lurking around somewhere.
She’d heard all of the guys making plans for the club. Butch and Ned had also been arguing about the possible drug and gun runs.
Even though this was Butch’s chapter, Lash had advised him not to go into hardcore shit.
She hated to agree with Lash, but she felt he was right, especially about this. She didn’t want to have to worry about her guy getting hurt. He’d not been on any serious runs in years.
This wasn’t about them getting into trouble. This was about him finding himself again.
“It looks good,” Whizz said.
“You can’t even see it. It’s behind the curtain,” Lacey said.
“I saw it the other day. While you were busy painting everyone’s nails, I was checking on the club.” Whizz wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.
Cheryl watched them, and it was then she felt something twist in her gut. Even though she didn’t want to go back to Fort Wills, it didn’t mean she didn’t miss this, seeing the couples together.
She’d been part of The Skulls for a very short time, but she’d seen the family that they were.
Even now, Lash held Angel close to him as he talked with Eva, Tiny, and Ned. She couldn’t help but watch Ned to see if he let slip at any point that he didn’t like Tiny.
Of course, the mask was on display, and he looked interested in whatever Tiny had to say.
She figured he was bullshitting about it all.
“Are you guys ready?” Butch asked, coming out from behind the curtain he’d put in front of the building.
She hadn’t seen the finished product because she took care of Jade.
“Hey, Mom,” Michael said, coming to stand beside her.
“Hey, honey.” She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him close.
“Please, not now, people can see.”
“I don’t care if people can see. I love you.” She kissed his cheek and chuckled as he wiped it away.
“You’re mean.”
“It’s so good to have you here. How is everything at school?” she asked.
“Same as it was last night. Nothing has changed since then.”
“Well, you never know, and I’m just making sure. I don’t want anything bad to happen to my baby.” She ruffled his head, and he groaned. Just then, Jade chose that moment to whimper.
Reaching into the stroller, Cheryl unbuckled her and picked her up. She wasn’t even a year old yet, but she was growing so strong.
“Say hello to your big brother,” Cheryl said.
Michael smiled and reached out. Jade snatched his finger and tried to bite him.
She laughed as the sheet went down, and the lights were bright, showcasing the new clubhouse for The Skulls, Vegas Chapter.
There were cheers, screams, and rounds of applause.
Seeing Butch with his club again, she was so damn happy for him.
It didn’t take long after the unveiling for the barbeques to be set up and a few bonfires.
Butch made the rounds, and she kept an eye on him, knowing he’d been worried.
“He made it work,” Alex said, coming to stand beside her.
She turned to the man she had once crushed on and most hated. Now, she was just content.
“He did.”
“Butch is a good man. He’ll make one fine leader.”
“I know.” She sighed.
“And she is looking so beautiful and growing up so fast,” Alex said.
“Yeah, she’s getting her teeth, and she doesn’t like that. Doesn’t like pain.” She kissed Jade’s cheek. “Thank you.”
“What are you thanking me for?”
“For Michael. For being there for him. For helping.” They hadn’t sent Michael to Fort Wills just because of the baby. He’d been sent to live with his father because he’d started to fall in with the wrong crowd, and no matter what she or Butch did, he wasn’t happy with them. “I don’t think I’ve ever really thanked you for anything in my life. Not for giving me my son, or for being there.”
