Storming into the house slamming the door so hard I thought it would come right off its hinges I glare at my brothers that are currently in various states of lounging, what seems like pretty fucking comfortably, on my living room furniture.
“Have you lost your fucking minds?” I roar letting the question hang between us. In all honesty they don’t need to answer because they have. They’ve lost their fucking minds.
Sitting up from his reclined position on the couch Brody snaps back.
“Nope, but you sure as shit have.” I glare at the asshole harder, but keep my mouth shut. For now. “Because really little brother I think you’re fucking lucky it’s taken this long for all that shit to come out. And that isn’t the half of it, is it? You haven’t told her shit about what you do. I mean, actually do for a living, have you? You had no idea about what happened to her because your head is so far up your own ass protecting it that you should be grateful Priss didn’t stab you in the fucking eye over what she does know. You shouldn’t be worried about the fact we said shit in the first place, that was your fucking job and you didn’t fucking do it, so now you’ve got a fucking problem because I’m not bailing you out of this shit you created.”
Kai enters the room with an armful of beers passing them out, but before he gets to me he stops dead staring at me, through me. I can see written all over his face he’s disappointed in me. Fuck. I’m disappointed in myself, I don’t need this shit from them too. Quietly, so quietly I almost don’t catch it, he says,
“I thought you were going to tell her.”
I was. I did promise I’d tell Priss everything and that was going on two years ago. Seeing as I hadn’t said anything I can understand why they waded in taking it upon themselves to share. I’m still fucking pissed they picked then to do it, but what’s done is done. No time was going to be right for that conversation, and I know that too. I had just wanted that night. One last night to drink her in. Watch her smile with my family. See her laugh. Commit it all to memory, everything about her before I lost her forever.
Sighing I grip my head putting my elbows to my knees as I sink into the recliner off to the side of the room taking the beer Kai’s offering.
“I was Kai. Fuck. I’ve gone to tell her dozens of times, I just didn’t know how. And I’ve got no fucking idea how to break the rest of it to her. I could very well have lost her over this, but if I haven’t yet. How am I going to tell her the rest? She’s going to run a fucking mile and I wouldn’t blame her if she did.”
“You just tell her Hunter. It doesn’t have to be fucking difficult for Christ’s sake. I get that years ago you couldn’t, it was for safety reasons and shit, but now you’ve got no excuse. Damon cleared you to do it seeing as it’s not an active investigation anymore, and who gives a fuck if he didn’t. You would have steamrolled right over him if it meant you got your way, so stop being such a pussy, man up and tell the woman.” Noah’s frustrated. I know how he feels.
Three years ago I asked Damon to request clearance allowing me to inform my family and significant others about what I’d been doing. Really doing. After years of evasiveness, skipping out on family gatherings, and holidays I thought it was the least I could do to tell them the truth.
It isn’t normal practice for relatives to be given that kind of info, but because we’d wound up the case months prior, the convictions we were gunning for had been handed down, and stuck he approved it. Damon did give me strict guidelines about what was, and what wasn’t acceptable to share though like I’m a goddamned three-year-old. Anything about the other members of the MC, the positions they hold, who they work for, how long they’d been there was all off limits. When it came to my involvement it was up to me to discern how much I wanted to divulge.
I told my parents’, grandpop, and brothers over dinner in Chicago a month after receiving Damon’s okay to go ahead. They were surprised but not shocked. I think it’d take a fuck ton to shock my mom after raising six boys, so she was cool. Dad was just relieved I wasn’t only in an MC. He’s not prejudiced towards motorcycle clubs or the men in them, dad’s problem is he wants the best for his sons, and unfortunately his best doesn’t always gel with what makes his sons happy. We learnt to adjust our reactions to his expectations, and he learnt that we weren’t always going to follow his lead. It was working for us, that was all that mattered.
Grandpop’s reaction was fucking hilarious breaking the tension running under the surface that night. He simply said,
“Good for you boy. I’d ask for a ride if my arthritis wasn’t playing up so badly.” That was it. No disappointment. No judgement. No drama.
My brothers weren’t fazed by much so they were supportive, but weary about my safety as expected. They’re fully aware I can handle myself, but that didn’t mean they didn’t still watch out for me whether I wanted them to or not. Thinking on it, I should’ve told Priss then. At the same time, but I didn’t and I’m regretting the fuck out of it now.
“Noah what would I have said? ‘Hey Priscilla I forgot to tell you, but I’m married to a cunt, and have been for the last fifteen years. And another thing, I’m an undercover FBI agent that was investigating MC’s and your dad was helping me’. That would’ve gone over like a fucking lead balloon and you know it. You can take it to the bank that she would’ve castrated me with that plastic spoon like she was promising.”
Jas doesn’t hold back but he’s never been known to, so it’s no different from usual. Throwing his arms up in exasperation he yells,
“I don’t give the first fuck about that part right now. Yeah, you are married to a cunt, so do something about it. Don’t waste time crying me a river over it asshole. What I care about is why the fuck you haven’t been talking to Priss for over a year. And how in the fuck she got hurt when you said you have eyes on her 24/7. You fucking know…You know one of us, if not everyone would’ve been out here A-SAP if you needed us to take over, so why didn’t you call us?”
Priss doesn’t know I’ve had eyes on her 24/7 for the last year, and I’m not all that geared up to tell her. I’m not thinking she’ll be all that happy about it. I wracked my brain trying to remember what I had on that night, if it wasn’t supposed to be me watching her, and if not, who was.
“I fucking have Jas. I do. I was out of town on a run for three days around that time. Train and Shifty were on duty at Kitty Kat’s that night, one of them was supposed to be on her. Like, on her. As in, watching her every second. Those were their instructions, so you can take it to the fucking bank I’ll find out which one fell down on the job and be taking care of that too.”
Brody’s back goes ramrod straight, piercing me to the spot with his eyes that are glowing with anger.
“You know if you go talking to your MC brothers you’re going to have to tell them why you’re asking. How’s that going to help you with Priss if you’re out there telling every man and his fucking dog her business? Business I’ll remind you is hers to share when and how she wants. We’ve already overstepped there Hunter, and I’m not all that sure it’s a good idea for you to take it further. Because I’m assuming your end game hasn’t changed. You still want her back don’t you?”
Damn fucking straight I want her back in my life, but not the way they’re thinking.
“If you’re asking if I want the woman that’s my best friend back then yeah without a doubt. But if you’re asking if I want Priss back, as in the woman I’m in love with, the woman I’ve been in love with for six years, then abso-fucking-lutely. I’m not going back to friends with her this time.”
Noah and Kai burst out laughing, Brody chuckles quietly, and Jas grins at me like a fucking moron saying,
“Only took us trying to beat your ass, and getting kicked out of your woman’s house for you to admit it. It’s a good day big brother, but it’ll be even better when we get to video you grovelling then put that shit on YouTube for the world to share.” I laugh, and I do it hard. It feels good to release some of the tension, but the fucker�
�s right, and that thought’s sobering as fuck. Watching me grovel, beg for forgiveness should be pretty entertaining, for everyone that isn’t me.
The rest of their visit passed pretty much the same way. Bitching like old women, whinging over who drank the last beer, and complaining about whose turn it is to decide which take out menu to choose from for dinner. Regardless of how much they want to help me, and they love Priss their constant whining over how long I’ve stalled before taking action wore thin fast. The only major issue, after the first night, was Reid. And of course whether or not they would all make their respective flights in one piece. Honestly after this clusterfuck of a visit I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the last I see of them for a while, and right about now I wouldn’t mind that all that much. The reason I called them asking for their help was pushed aside to make room for dealing with the fallout now Priss is aware all of us know about her assault.
Each one of my brothers, independently of each other, went to visit her to assure her it would remain between us. Fucking liars. The assholes know I have no choice but to take it to the club, which was yet another thing we almost came to blows over. I understand their need to reassure her, get back in her good graces, but they were doing it to my detriment. Throwing me under the fucking bus to save their own asses. I almost prayed the assholes would leave so I could go about cleaning up the mess they were only making worse. As it was Priss didn’t need any extra ammunition to fire at me when I finally get around to talking to her, and if it takes Duct Tape to keep their mouths shut before I can, stopping them from doing further damage I’ll buy stocks in that shit.
Reid was a whole other story. I hated that within half an hour of showing up he was on his way to Priss’. With barely a hello or goodbye, he dumped his shit and took off. I hated even more that he didn’t come home until after one in morning. And yeah, I stayed up to make damn fucking sure he did in fact come home. What the fuck did they need to discuss that took six hours?
Reid’s only saving grace was that when he got home he looked sick. Not nice to wish that on my own brother, but it’s the truth. If he’s come home looking smug, happy, sated I would’ve knocked his teeth down the back of his throat. But whatever Priss said to him clearly wasn’t good. At first I thought she’d told him about the incident at Kitty Kat’s, however the next morning at breakfast, which was more like brunch, all five of us found out Reid had no fucking idea about what happened to her making even more curious as to what she told him.
As always, Reid’s the last to breakfast throwing himself dramatically into the only free chair. I wouldn’t expect any less from him when he mumbles,
“Why the fuck are we up so early? Mom’s not here to kick our asses out of bed or anything so what’s the rush to get up?”
Such a pussy I mused to myself. He doesn’t know the meaning of early. It’s fucking ten-AM for Christ sake. Brody’s not as quiet about his thoughts saying,
“Shut the fuck up Daisy Drama. We wanted to sit down and work out what we’re going to do to get idiot over there,” he’s gesturing to me but I just ignore him. Asshole. “And Priss back together. Well the same room for now at least.”
Reid’s head shoots up and he looks immediately a damn sight more interested in the conversation. No surprise there, especially knowing what I do about him wanting to get in my woman’s panties.
“Fuck you, Bro. Who says Hunter’s the only one interested?” He replies on a snarl.
Provocation should be Reid’s middle name. The dumbass is practically begging for a taste of my fist this morning.
“Do you want to die Reid? I mean seriously, do you want to die? Because I think big brother would be happy to oblige,” Noah states in all seriousness. It’s true. I’ve got no problem laying him out if he touches one hair on Priss’ head, let alone anything else.
Chuckling Kai adds,
“Can I watch? Because I’ve got to say I wouldn’t mind watching Reid go a round or two with Hunter. That should make for some entertaining viewing, especially when you’re shitting out your teeth for a week Reid.”
They’re all aware it would take me less than a minute to have him flat on his ass. He didn’t stand a chance. I’d be all for the speedy workout at this point though.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that brother.”
Reid cocks his head to the side regarding me carefully. Smart man.
“About what? If I’m interested in Priss?” Nodding at him, he stupidly decides to go on. Jesus. The kid is a fucking idiot, straight up. “Well yeah. Who wouldn’t be?”
Clenching my fist hard enough to pop a couple of knuckles I fight the urge to get up and tear my youngest brother limb from limb. Slowly and painfully.
“That’s what I thought. But because you’re my brother I’m going to tell you this once. You were any other man and I would’ve pulled out my piece and killed you by now, so thank God for family and small mercies, yeah?” Watching me cautiously while he reaches for his mug of coffee. Reid doesn’t speak, but I can tell biting his tongue is hard for him, he’s not usually one not to have his say. “I fucked up. Big time. I meant to tell Priss about Charlee years ago and I didn’t. I might have waited too long for her to forgive me now, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m going after her. I want her in my life. I need her in my life in all the ways she can be. And I’m not stopping going after her this time. Not until she’s in my bed, on the back of my bike, wearing my rings, and my babies are planted in her belly. Any of you don’t like it, you can leave. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.”
Angry doesn’t cover the expression on Reid’s face, the rest of them have shit eating grins on theirs though, and at this point I could care less how Reid feels about it, or if he’ll help me make this happen. He can fuck off back to his tour bus with his rocker friends if he takes issue with it. I’ll even drive him there myself.
“What makes you think she wants anything to do with you Hunter? Cause honestly, last night she wasn’t all that keyed up to talk this shit out with you.”
I can only imagine, and I don’t blame her.
“It doesn’t matter much what she wants right now. I’ll give her a couple of days to process this shit, but what she needs is an explanation and her man at her side, which I’ll give her when I can get her in the same room as me without her ripping my head off.”
“So what you’re asking is for me to step aside, squash any interest I’ve got in her, and let you have her.” The petulance in Reid’s voice is more like a five-year-olds than a twenty-nine-year-old grown ass mans. Before I get the chance to tell him to grown the fuck up Brody wades in.
“You’re a fucking idiot Reid. You should never have got interested in the first place, now that’s your fucking problem not Hunter’s. We’ve all known for years Priss was going to eventually become one of the family, and not because you put a rock on her finger dumbass, because he will.” Brody says pointing his finger at me. “Back the fuck off and let Hunter fix this. If he can’t you’re going to help us see to it that he does, yeah?”
Reid mumbles something under his breath, which Brody asks him to repeat because if you’re going to sit in a room full of men, and you’ve got something to say then you should make damn sure you’re fucking heard.
“I fucking said I didn’t have a shot anyway. That’s what she told me last night. Nicely, but she pretty much told she’s not interested, now or later, so you guys can lay off alright?” Huffing he adds, “She might as well have told me she’s in love with Hunter before I left. I mean she didn’t come straight out and say it, but it was pretty fucking clear from where I was sitting.”
That earns him a chuckle I didn’t think I had in me to give, at the same time my heart rate speeds up to dangerous levels hearing Priss loves me. I have to admit I feel a little sorry for the bastard because I can completely understand Priss’ appeal, the magnetism she has over the opposite sex.
The first time I met her properly she was barely eightee
n, and I was hooked. There’s no way to describe it other than I was drawn to her. You only need to be in her presence for a minute to feel her pull. It hasn’t changed any either. If anything the longer I’ve spent with her, the stronger the pull became.
“You planning on causing problems for us? You and me, or me and her because if you are speak up now, so I can kick your ass and get it over with.” I say aimed at Reid.
Rolling his eyes Reid shakes his head, but there’s a trace of amusement in his eyes when he replies, so I know we’re going to end up being okay. Eventually.
“She’s not into me man. Can’t say I’m not bummed about it, but it is what it is, and if you think you’ve got a shot it’ll at least be interesting to see you try. Priss is a damn sight more pissed about this than you think she is, Bro.”
Priss being pissed at me is not a bad thing under the circumstances. If she was ambivalent I’d be worried. Her being angry means she still cares. I can work with that.
“Yeah, well she’s got a week to get over it. Then we’re sitting down and she’s going to listen to what I have to tell her. It doesn’t matter much to me if I have to handcuff her to the bed to make her hear me out, I’ll do it if I have to.”
Grinning like a loon Brody pats me on the back on his way past.
Saviour: A Devil's Spawn MC Novel (Savior Book 3) Page 9
