by Debra Kayn
She belonged to him.
Quiet laughter filled the room, giving away to boisterous cheers that rocked the small courtroom. Hands slapped his back, and he put his tongue back in his mouth, closed his lips, and slowly pulled away to gaze into Raelyn's face.
Her eyes blinked open, and her arousal cleared. She threw her arms around his neck, and he straightened them both. A small body wiggled its way in-between him and Raelyn, and he set his hand on Dukie's shoulder.
His family.
Unwilling to let the others witnessing them tying the knot to steal his wife from his side in the congratulations celebration, he kept his arm around Raelyn's waist. His pulse pounded in his head, and he automatically answered the good wishes without being conscious of what he said.
The county clerk clapped her hands from the doorway. "I'm sorry, but the building closes in two minutes."
Mel bent at the waist, scooped Dukie up with one arm, grabbed Raelyn's hand, and worked to get his small family through the crowd of Ronacks members. Raelyn's family and a handful of citizens that'd grown close to Raelyn over the years had also come to hear the 'I do's'.
Outside on the sidewalk, Mel set Dukie down. Battery handed him a flask, and Mel lifted his chin and grinned his thanks, tipping the narrow steel container to his lips.
"You have five minutes and the caravan leaves." Rod hung his arm over Heather's shoulder and palmed her baby bump possessively.
Raelyn leaned into Mel. "I need to take Dukie to my mom. My family is riding with Gia and Heather to the clubhouse."
He kissed her and watched her hurry over to catch Dukie who entertained himself skipping on the marble steps of the courthouse. His grin grew at the way Raelyn's ass swished side to side in the baby blue, skin-tight dress grabbing Dukie, who hadn't stopped marching around since Mel gave him the black leather boots that morning. It took him going to Missoula to find a pair small enough, but the day-long trip was worth it when Dukie opened his gift for the wedding.
Battery slapped his hand down on Mel's shoulder. "A man's wealth comes in the form of family, and you are one rich son of a bitch, my brother."
Mel nodded. "Appreciate it, Prez."
Swiss approached Mel and wrapped him in an embrace, smacking his back. "Happy for you, kid."
"Thanks, man." Mel pulled back only to have his hand taken by LeWorth congratulating him. "Thanks, brother."
Raelyn hurried forward, squeezing between the Ronacks members. "I'm ready."
Battery stepped back and dipped his chin. "Lead the way."
Breaking formation for the caravan, Mel escorted his wife to his Harley. He sat the bike while Bree and Gia shielded Raelyn as she hiked up her dress and climbed on behind him. Starting the engine, he lifted his hand, circled his finger in the air, and pulled away from the curb.
Raelyn squeezed him from behind. He reached back and patted her bare thigh. As he cruised down Main Street below the speed limit, he looked in his side mirror at over twenty of his brothers riding and supporting him. Behind the bikers, a half dozen cars followed, honking their horns, marking the wedding day.
Years from now, it wouldn't be the support of the club or the moment Raelyn agreed to be his wife that he'd recall as much as the day Raelyn showed him that her love for him was stronger than her fears. He was damn proud of her.
He took the road out of town, speeding up, and putting both hands back on the handlebar. There were more things he would give to Raelyn today. She deserved everything he could give her, and if it took a lifetime, he planned to fulfill her every wish.
At the clubhouse, he parked his bike and put his hand out to help Raelyn slide off the back of the seat, then he threw his leg off the Harley.
Raelyn tugged his hand in her hurry to get inside. He planted his boots. "Hang on, babe."
She pivoted and stood in front of him. "Is something wrong?"
"Nope." He reached up to her neck and felt for the clasp of her necklace.
She slapped her hand down on the two hearts hanging off the chain. "You can't take it off."
"Only for a second, and I'll put it back on you." He waited until she lowered her hand.
Shoving his hand in his pocket, he removed the heart charm he'd bought and added it to the silver chain. He held the necklace with three silver hearts up in front of her and watched her eyes fill with tears before she gazed up at him.
"It was you," she said.
He put the necklace around her neck and worked to latch the ends together. "Yes."
The club hadn't bought the necklace for her on her first Mother's Day after having Dukie. It was him. She had been struggling on her own after Duke's death, and he wanted to put a smile on her face. The only way he could give her the gift without her suspecting anything was to claim the necklace came from Dukie via everyone in the club. He had no idea she'd sworn never to take off the piece of jewelry or become so attached until he'd already fallen in love with her.
Raelyn fingered the three hearts hanging delicately against her chest. "You continually amaze me at how much you've loved me over the years, and I never realized—"
"It's our time now." He kissed her hard.
They walked into the clubhouse with the others. Bree set Raelyn in a chair and ordered Mel to stay with her. He sat down beside his wife. Sharon brought Dukie over, and Mel pulled out another chair, putting the boy to his right. For each present that was brought to Raelyn to open, Dukie got his own gift. While Raelyn received dishes, mixers, and towels, Dukie opened enough Matchbox cars and Lego sets to complete every collection he had at home.
An observer to the celebration, Mel sat back with a cold beer in his hand that Swiss had handed him and enjoyed knowing Raelyn belonged to him. He was starting to think the day would go on and he'd never get Raelyn to himself. The last week a hit and miss with him going in one direction and Raelyn going in the other, he had plans for afterward that he looked forward to.
"Look at this." Raelyn held up an apron, lined with lace and on the front read Property of Ronacks Motorcycle Club.
He chuckled and looked out at the crowd, found JayJay and gave him a thumb up. He'd enjoy the late-night dinners after Dukie was in bed with Raelyn wearing the apron with nothing on underneath.
Battery leaned down beside Mel and slipped a package under his chair. He clasped his president's hand. "Thanks."
The women moved forward and gathered all the discarded wrapping paper and moved the gifts to a table by the door. Mel stretched his arm out behind Raelyn and rubbed her shoulder with his thumb. She leaned over, putting her hand on his thigh, and kissed him.
"I can't believe all the presents everyone got us." She raised her brows. "And, I totally want to take off my dress, climb on your lap, and —"
"Hold that thought." He reached down underneath the chair and put the gift box on her lap. "There's one more present."
"From you?" She grinned at him. "You already got me another heart for my necklace."
"This one is for all of us." He sat back, appearing calmer than he was feeling. It'd taken some haggling, some favors, and a couple threats to make sure everything was completed before the wedding, but he'd finished in time.
Raelyn untied the bow, glanced at him, and lifted the lid. She covered her mouth, whipped her gaze toward him, and that's when he learned what happy tears looked like on Raelyn.
"You can't," she whispered, blinking rapidly.
"I already did." He picked up the photo. "It's a quarter mile past Rod and Heather's house on four acres. All fenced with a concrete driveway for Dukie to ride his bike and run around without any worries."
"Can we afford this?" she whispered.
He leaned closer. "I've been living at the bar, rent free, for a few years, saving all my wages through the club. The club pitched in the rest because you're due part of the profit from when the bar sells. We won't have a mortgage."
She buried her face in his neck. He held her against him and said, "There's more, babe."
"What?" She
pulled back and sniffled. "This is...more than enough for a lifetime."
He picked out two keychains, each holding a key, and placed them in Raelyn's hand. "One is to the house, and the other one is to what the realtor called a mother-in-law's apartment, though it's more of a two-bedroom cabin on the property. I figure your mom and Grandma June would like to stay close and enjoy seeing Dukie grow up. Swiss has asked Carl to move into the duplex, and he's going to start running security with the club to afford the rent."
"Do they know about all this?" Raelyn looked out at into the clubhouse searching for her family.
Mel followed her gaze and found Sharon covering her mouth in excitement and Grandma June tapping her cane on the floor, grinning. They both met his gaze, and he nodded that the secret was over. He'd given them the news of the house and cabin last night and swore them to secrecy.
"They're happy with the arrangement," he said.
Carl saluted Mel from the pool table where he stood with Swiss and Gia. He nodded at Swiss, giving his thanks, and then looked back at his wife. He'd save the news of Battery accepting Carl's request to become a prospect within Ronacks Motorcycle Club until another day. He wasn't sure how she'd handle knowing her brother set his sights on becoming a biker and wanted to make sure Raelyn had her privacy to unload her fears on him.
"One more surprise." He leaned over and whispered, "We're not going back to the bar. We're going to spend the night at the new house, alone. Your mom is going to watch Dukie for us."
She whispered back, "Seriously?"
"Bree and the other women have been inside and set up a bedroom for us. We'll be there all night long, and then tomorrow, we'll move our things from the bar to the house and bring Dukie home."
"I can't believe...this is..." She squeezed his thigh and kissed him. "I love you."
He set the box on the floor, pulled her to her feet, and patted her ass. "I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get out of here now."
"We can't leave yet." She laughed, tossing the keys in her hand into the box. "Bree ordered a cake, and I have to thank Battery for the club's part in helping us get the house, and I promised Peggy I'd have a picture of us taken and send her a copy by email since she moved to Washington to be with her sister and can't be here."
He pulled her against him and held her head against his chest. The day overwhelmed her, she was rattling. "Half hour tops, babe. Then, we're leaving. The others will understand."
"I can't wait. We'll have the whole night to ourselves." Raelyn looked up at him and squealed. "Let's go cut the cake."
"I'll be there in a second." He let her go.
He glanced behind him at Dukie, laying on the floor pushing his new toy cars around. "Hey, buddy."
Dukie looked up at him. "Is the wedding over?"
He nodded. "Yep. Now it's time for cake."
Dukie scrambled to his feet. Mel caught Dukie before he crashed into his knee. His new boots made him clumsy.
"It looks like you got a lot of presents today."
"Do I get to take everything home, Uncle Mel?"
For the ease of adjusting to new living arrangements and having him in Dukie's life, he thought it best to keep the name Uncle Mel. He sat back down in the chair. It'd be awhile until Dukie understood about marriage and that from now on, Mel would be a part of his day to day life.
"We'll find you a box, and you can carry them all yourself." Mel caught Raelyn looking at him, and he winked. "Let's go tell your mom how beautiful she looks and grab a piece of cake."
Dukie took his hand and looked up at him. "Can I have a corner piece
"I'll make sure you do." He led Dukie across the room.
He joined Raelyn. His woman under one arm and Dukie holding his other hand. He didn't have to grin for the cell phones aimed at him while Raelyn held up a piece of cake to his mouth because he was happy. He had everyone he loved surrounding him.
Dear readers —
Thank you so much for reading Can't Stop Fate, which brings the Ronacks Motorcycle Club series to an end. If you've read the whole series, readers had the delight to watch Mel go from a prospect who flirted with young Bree to a struggling lifer, and finally as a valuable member of the club taking a special interest in Raelyn after her husband, Duke, died. They went from friends to lovers, but that wasn't the focus of the book, considering Mel doesn't do "friends".
As with each book in the series, I wanted to touch on a subject that resonated with readers. Can't Stop Fate highlights the difficulties single mothers have when raising a child alone. Whether from death, divorce, or an absentee father, the women typically put the child first before her own happiness. That doesn't mean the women lack feelings, desires, and dreams of their own. It means they found themselves in a situation they never asked for and came out stronger.
While sacrifices must be made, it's having faith that your fears won't come true that makes it possible to love again. That's easier done when someone loves you and your child. With that love, you find yourself brave enough to follow your heart. Sometimes, you can't stop fate.
I'd like to invite all of you to follow me on Facebook and visit my website to keep up on my books, my writing, and how I keep myself entertained.
Love,
Deb
Author Bio
Best Selling Romance Author, Debra Kayn lives with her family at the foot of the Bitterroot Mountains in beautiful Northern Idaho. She enjoys riding motorcycles, playing tennis, fishing, photography, and creating chaos for the men in the garage.
When Debra was nineteen years old, a man kissed her without introducing himself. When they finally came up for air, the first words out of his mouth were...will you have my babies? Considering Debra's weakness for a sexy, badass man, who is strong enough to survive her attitude, she said yes. A quick wedding at the House of Amour and four babies later, she's living her own unbelievable romance book.
Website: www.debrakayn.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DebraKayn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DebraKaynFanPage
Debra Kayn's Backlist
...or something – Ronacks Motorcycle Club
Don't Say It – Ronacks Motorcycle Club
Rather Be Wrong – Ronacks Motorcycle Club
Can't Stop Fate – Ronacks Motorcycle Club
Blow Softly – Red Light: Silver Girls series
Touch Slowly – Red Light: Silver Girls series
Fall Gently – Red Light: Silver Girls series
Wrapped Around Him – Moroad MC series
For Life – Moroad MC series
His Crime – Moroad MC series
Time Owed – Moroad MC series
Falling For Crazy – Moroad MC series
Chasing Down Changes – Moroad MC series
Breathing His Air – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Aching To Exhale – Lagsturns Motorcycle Club
Soothing His Madness – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Grasping for Freedom – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Fighting To Ride – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Struggling For Justice – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Starving For Vengeance – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Living A Beautiful War – Bantorus Motorcycle Club
Laying Down His Colors – Bantorus Motorcycle Club, anthology titled Melt My Heart
Archer – A Hard Body Novel
Weston – A Hard Body Novel
Biker Babe in Black – The Chromes and Wheels Gang
Ride Free – The Chromes and Wheels Gang
Healing Trace
Wildly – Playing For Hearts
Seductively – Playing For Hearts
Conveniently – Playing For Hearts
Secretly – Playing For Hearts
Surprisingly – Playing For Hearts
Modern Love - Anthology
Chantilly's Cowboy – The Sisters of McDougal Ranch
Val's Rancher – The Sisters of McDougal Ranch
Margot's Lawm
an – The Sisters of McDougal Ranch
Florentine's Hero – The Sisters of McDougal Ranch
Suite Cowboy
Hijinks
Resurrecting Charlie's Girl
Betraying the Prince
Love Rescued Me
Double Agent
Breaking Fire Code
~ Sneak Peek ~
Fall Gently — Red Light: Silver Girls series
By Debra Kayn
Chapter One
Roni turned the faucet on until her minty spit circled the drain and cleared the sink. She ran her tongue over her front teeth, assured the taste of latex was finally gone. The job to rid her mouth of any foreign taste had only taken her three brushings, two swishings, and—she popped a wintergreen Lifesaver in her mouth—one mint. At least until the next customer finished with her and the routine started all over again.
The crunch of breath freshener between her teeth gave her something to concentrate on while she ignored the crick in her neck. She put a new rubber-backed throw rug on the end of her bed. The rules at Red Light Bordello surprised her.
Yesterday when Tiff, the madam of the illegal establishment in Federal, Idaho, gave her and the other three ladies from the prostitution Network their orientation, she realized how nice it was to work in a clean, organized building where everyone associated with the bordello treated her with respect.
Everything had its place and clothes stayed on the visiting customers, no matter the sexual request. Roni swallowed the tiny bits of mint left in her mouth, sat down in the chair, and looked at the clock. She still had five minutes until Tiff escorted the final customer of the night through the yellow door to her room.
She raised her hands and rubbed the back of her neck. Colored doors were also a new thing to her. The other three bordellos she'd worked at since signing up with the Network used a sign on each door to keep track of what lady performed which sexual favor.
At Red Light, each color represented the prostitute's skill. Yellow—blowjobs only. Red—Anything goes, but hard limits per the prostitute's choosing. Green— straight sex and blowjobs from a dominating sex worker. Blue— power sex and blowjobs from a submission prostitute. Roni checked the clock again and stood. Sometimes she wondered if she changed her paperwork to regular sex on top of the blowjobs it would be easier and less nauseating. The taste of latex left her gagging and by the end of the evening, her neck and jaw killed.
