by Nicole Snow
“Fuck yeah, you'll own it,” I said, running my fingers through her soft, golden locks. Had to fight the urge to tangle it around my fingers and fist it like I did when we fucked. “You stick with me, babe, and you can have the damned moon. Shit, maybe Mars and Jupiter, too. I'm gonna make you the happiest woman alive who ever wore another man's ink and took his ring.”
“You don't understand,” she said softly, grabbing my hand with both her little ones. “You already have. Even without the wedding, or anything else.”
“What're you saying?” The look in her eyes was heavy, but it was happy, too, and I didn't know what the fuck to make of that.
“All the time we've been spending together lately, before the Torches took me.” She swallowed, and new tears glowed in her eyes. “There's no easy way to say this. I'm pregnant, Firefly. We're going to have a baby!”
Right. Between. The. Eyes.
The whole damned world shrank down like some bastard had shoved it through a tunnel, narrowing on her and I, wiping away everything else.
No, not just the two of us. Me, Cora, and the kid.
My kid. Holy mother of fuck.
“What? What is it? You're not scared, are you?” she said nervously.
I jumped up, still holding her in my arms, and let out the happiest fucking war cry of my life. Must've shaken a few shingles off my sis' fancy roof as I swung her around, before pulling her in gently, remembering I had to protect the fuck out of this girl from now on.
“Oh, God, you're happy!” she chirped, the realization dawning on her before she burst into soft, sweet laughter.
“Babe, you don't got a clue. Think you just made me the happiest SOB in the entire fucking universe!”
I kissed her like a maniac. So hard and long my tongue owned her little mouth, lips moving all over hers, taking what was mine, mine.
Mine down to flesh and blood and bone.
Knowing I'd knocked her up caused my dick to sizzle. About ten more seconds, and I'd fuck her up against the window. The brothers could wait a few more minutes, and so could everything else – all except one thing.
“We're getting hitched today. No more waiting. Can't fuckin' stand it, Cora.”
Thought she'd resist. Hell, the girl deserved something special, a full on palace coronation for becoming my wife, but there'd be years to renew our vows a thousand times over.
I gazed into her eyes, diving deep into the blue, knowing just one thing. I needed my ring on her finger. Now.
Not tomorrow. Today, goddammit.
“Today, darlin'. Don't force me to make you scream yes again...” Growling, I grabbed her thigh, and squeezed.
“Yes! Let's do it!” she whimpered, about one second before she threw her hands across my neck.
We kissed. Christ, I could've kept myself glued to those lips all day.
Next thing I knew, I had her back in bed, tearing off her robe.
One more animal fuck, and we'd get down to business.
Just two or three dozen kisses from now, she'd be mine forever. My wife.
* * * *
“Hurry the fuck up, Prez. We've got a wedding to get to.” I sat down at Dust's side at the big meeting table, watching the brothers grin.
“You're goddamned lucky it's your wedding day, boy. I'd be thinking about taking your balls again for coming in so late if it weren't.”
I smiled, looked at Skin, and he gave me a wink. “Fuck, you're gonna need those, brother. Can't get hard without 'em, and these chicks are insatiable once they're wearing your brand.”
“I'll take the insatiable part,” Joker said, his knife out, slowly tapping the blade between his fingers on wood he'd scratched to hell about a hundred meetings ago.
“Joker!” Dust slammed his gavel down. “Put that shit down and let's talk biz.”
When the room fell silent, Prez pulled something out of his lap. It was a small, dark gun case, and I knew he had an antique on hand before he opened it.
“You boys know what this is?” he growled, pulling out an old Colt revolver that probably hadn't seen action since the Civil War.
I shrugged. “Some shit your old man left behind?”
“This gun belonged to my great, great grandfather, plus all the other men sharing my blood in between. This tough old motherfucker's one more reason we got our club name, calling ourselves the Pistols, and not the fuckin' Rifles or some shit. This is our namesake. This is everything.”
“Shit, Prez, didn't know we were here for a history lesson.” Sixty said, scratching his goatee and pulling out a smoke. “We gonna debrief about the Torches, or what?”
“No need,” Prez said slowly, staring at the old revolver in his hands. “We were all there. They're all dead. No signs the cops figured out it was us, instead of the Deads.”
I stared at him as he looked up, turning his gray eyes to me. “It's over, boys. Torches have been snuffed the fuck out. And we've got a long way to go before we catch the Deads.”
“We really planning to? Go on the offense?” Skin asked, looking around at Crawl and Sixty, then at me.
“We gotta,” Joker growled. “We fuck them first, or they'll fuck us harder.”
“He's right, of course,” Dust said, turning the gun over in his hands. “We're damned lucky they haven't been back for more since we bailed out your old lady, Skin. Lady fuckin' Luck gave us all a blowjob here, keeping them off our backs so we could hit the Torches and bring Cora home.”
A couple brothers snickered, Sixty and Crawl. Dust's cold, dead eyes shut them right up.
“We can't wait for the bastards to nail us again. Gotta hit them fucking harder, hit them first, and knock their asses out. Get ready, boys. These pistols have only been firing to protect ourselves too much lately. It's high time we start shooting first.”
“It's risky,” I said, imaging all the shit we'd have to do to hit 'em in Georgia, the Carolinas, wherever the fuck the Prez thought we had an in. “They're gonna be busy moving into Atlanta proper, now that the Torches are outta their way. You really think it's worth it?”
“Think harder, Firefly,” Dust said, staring at his own reflection in the gun's cold steel. “We did the evil fucks a favor taking out the Torches because we had to. They're gonna have a fuckin' field day in the big city, even if they've gotta fight off a few more street gangs to truly claim it. But they'll get their peckers up sooner or later, own their chunk of that city. Who you think they're coming after then?”
Every brother in the room felt his blood run cold. Mine dropped to sub-zero, before it turned lightning hot.
That shit couldn't happen. No fucking way.
I'd never let any bastards get the jump on my club again, here on our own turf. This was my home, and I'd keep their paws off setting it on fire. Much less my girl, my wife, my kid!
My fist hit the table so hard half the guys jumped. “I'm sold. You name the time and place, Prez. I'll be the first on my bike, ready to ride to war.”
“I've got a few ideas. A few more gun shipments to collect, and a couple more maps to study. All you boys gotta know for now is, it's happening. Get ready. Get your shit right with your women, those of you who got 'em. Rest of you, get right with yourselves. Might be your last fuckin' chance before catching a bullet.”
“Got it, Prez. We all know this club doesn't have a choice. We can't do shit with these fucking wolves breathing down our necks,” Crawl said, dragging tense fingers through his dark hair.
“You're wrong about that, brother,” I growled. “We can do plenty. Before we go to war, we can live. We can ride. We can laugh or fuck or booze, however the hell we please. That's the privilege wearing this patch gives us. As for me, I'm gonna marry my wife and take her home, put her where she belongs. Outside this club, that's the only thing that matters.”
“It'll pay off in time,” Dust said, moving the old revolver from hand to hand, looking at each of us. “I promise. All the good things Firefly mentioned, that's what anybody wearing a Pistols patch deserves.
I'll die to make it happen. Fuck, I'm gonna make us rich. Gonna beat our way to the goddamned sea and make Blackjack or Throttle come begging us for a deal!”
“Yeah! Fucking make 'em!” Sixty shouted, moving his mouth so fast he lost his cig, and had to pat it out before it torched his jeans.
Several pairs of hands slapped the table. Prez wasn't shy about his dreams of building the MC into something big, something worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with the powerful Grizzlies and Devils out West, or the Phantoms in the East.
Me? I didn't give a shit about any of that. I just wanted us to be safe, build a damned wall around Tennessee so I could live with my brothers, my girl, and my family in peace.
The commotion hit its sweet spot when Dust stood up, aimed the old Colt at the ceiling, and fired. Half the brothers cheered, happier than I thought I'd ever see guys get over a hole being blown in our own clubhouse.
“Don't cheer the damned roof off yet, boys,” he said, turning to me. “Firefly, what's happening with our boys? We need all our numbers again.”
“Checked with the hospital this morning. Tin's back at home, resting his bum shoulder and bruises. Lion's gonna need a few more weeks. Lots of casts to heal those bones after the beating those shitheads gave him, but he'll live. He'll ride again. Full patch, I hope.”
Prez nodded solemnly, along with all the brothers in the room. “We'll take a vote as soon as he's out. Far as I'm concerned, these boys have earned their bottom rockers, and then some.”
“I'm wondering about something else,” I said, leaning forward. “What about that other loose end? Tony What-the-fucks-his-face? The asshole who roughed up my girl at the Heel and ratted her out to the Torches?”
Joker dragged his knife across the edge of the table, making a sound like screws on chalkboard. Everybody swore.
“Already done, brother.” He flashed me a crazy ass smile. “Paid the asshole a visit last night on the way home. Crawl, too. Bastard bit it quick and dirty in his sleep. Now he's rotting in the forest, close to the usual spot.”
I nodded. Knew from everything Cora told me that the prick had been the worst kinda family man. Neglected his kid, beat up his woman before she left his evil ass, never paid his child support. Thank fuck the little boy had gotten a better home the first time we'd fucked him up at the Heel.
His family would be better off without him. That went double for the whole damned world. Easily a better place today with one less miserable stain on it named Tony fuckin' Pearson.
“Thank you, brother,” I said, reaching across the table to fist-bump the wild-eyed Veep.
Between us, Prez's lips twitched, and he slowly pulled out his pipe.
“Now, we're done,” Dust said. “Ya'll know what's coming, and what's behind us. Get the fuck out there and make hay before the storm.”
Joker looked at me, his face as stern and mysterious as ever. “We got a wedding to get to, don't we?”
I grinned. Hearing it from the Veep meant something. Standing, I walked around the table, slapping him on the back.
“Yeah, brothers, we do. This is the day I start living the rest of my life like the man I was always meant to be.”
Everyone growled their approval. A second before Dust's gavel smacked the table, dismissing church, I was heading for the door, ready to scoop up my girl and drag her to the makeshift altar.
XIV: This Side of Destiny (Cora)
I sat at the bar while the men streamed out of their meeting, talking to Dust's mom, Laynie. She'd heard all about the big wedding plans. No sooner than I told her, the older woman flew into a storm, calling up a preacher and trying to find me a dress.
I told her I didn't need one. I just needed Firefly, a ring, and someone official who could make us tie the knot.
She wasn't having it. Her eyes twinkled as she grabbed me by the shoulders, nearly knocking the water out of my hands.
“You wait! Don't let any of the guys start a damned thing 'til you're all dolled up. I'll put in a word with Dusty myself!” She winked, and trotted off to find her son.
Hard to believe Laynie once raised the MC's fearsome leader. Hell, I'd have to think about raising my own son or daughter soon. I hoped I'd still have a fraction of her energy when I hit my sixties.
“Let's get moving, darlin'. I'm eager as fuck to get down to it.” Firefly pulled me off the stool and wrapped his arms around me, grabbing my hips.
“Hold up. Laynie wants to help me find a dress,” I whispered, tilting my face to kiss him from the side.
Yeah, forget getting old. I wasn't thinking about what I'd be like at Laynie's age anymore.
Today was a day like I'd never imagined. I leaned into him, just savoring the moment. More grateful than ever before that we both had a long, bright future ahead.
And today – sweet, sweet today – was just the beginning.
“Babe, fuck, you look hot no matter what you're wearing.” Smiling, Firefly grabbed my ass, pulling my hips to his. “No more delays. Let's get Laynie's guy here and do it.”
“Come on, Huck. I'll look so hot in lily white you might have to spank me for the tease.”
“Shit.” His eyes went wide, giving me a perfect view of those big, blue eyes I loved. “Fuck...you're gonna get your ass slapped here before the ceremony if you say much more.”
I stuck my tongue out at him. It was all the taunting he needed before his lips clamped down on mine, hot and electric.
“All right, whatever,” he growled, reluctantly pulling away. “You get your shit together with the Prez's mama. I'll make sure the brothers are all ready. Gotta get my sister out here too.”
“Oh? I finally get to meet Hannah?”
It was strange that we'd stayed at her huge, luxurious house through all this without ever meeting her. Still, there was nowhere I'd rather be than back in our apartment, a perfectly cozy start to something amazing.
“'Course you do, darlin'. You're family now.”
I smiled like a fool for the dozenth time that day. Listening to him dial, I heard him start talking while I sipped the last of my water, laying a gentle hand across my womb.
Family. That was a word I'd be hearing a lot in the near future. I thought I'd lost it forever when daddy selfishly took his life.
Sure, I had a lot to learn, but it warmed me like nothing else to know I had one. It hadn't been taken away. I'd taken it back.
And knowing how Firefly did everything big and bold – especially between the sheets – this first baby wouldn't be our last.
* * * *
A couple hours later, I stood in his old room at the clubhouse, helping Laynie shape everything in the mirror. The neat white dress she'd picked out looked a little old fashioned, with one noticeable difference.
The short white skirt attached was made for a woman to tighten up and ride off after tying the knot. Something she'd had custom made years ago when she'd gotten married to Dust's father, Early.
“See? It's like you were meant to wear it!” she said, her wrinkled face smiling as she clasped her hands together. “Turn around.”
I gave myself a little whirl, and we both laughed. “Backside okay?”
“Okay? Girl, you look gorgeous! You're really going to turn his crank tonight.”
Laughing more, we hugged, and then I heard music starting outside. Men laughed, chairs slid across the big bar section of the clubhouse, rearranging everything into a makeshift space for our wedding.
Oh, God. It's really happening, isn't it?
“Go ahead, Cora,” Laynie said, as if she could read my mind, a thousand memories flashing in her eyes. “Go get married.”
* * * *
The same wiry preacher man who'd almost hitched us before stood behind the podium, looking like a turtle. He read the script I'd heard a hundred times in movies and songs.
Do you take this man...in sickness and in health...'til death do you part?
It all washed over me. I looked at Firefly for a long, hot second, the most intense of m
y life. Behind us, a couple brothers shifted in their seats.
Somewhere, Bingo whined. I heard Joker reach down, scratching the giant wolfhound's muzzle.
“No.” As soon as I said it, the room was alive with gasps, sounds of men and women choking. Preacher man's jaw dropped. He looked ready to sink into his shell of a suit.
I made sure to shout the next part.
“I say it because just telling him 'I do' isn't nearly good enough. You, Firefly, saved my life. You saved me from the past. Hell, you saved me from myself. I would've said yes to being your wife just to repay you, but you're luckier than that. We both are. I do, Firefly...Huck...because I really, truly love you.”
Grabbing his hand, I brought it to my lips. The look of awesome shock on his strong, handsome face evaporated into a mischievous smirk.
Preacher man waited for the chatter to die down, and then he continued, this time putting my man on the spot with the same fateful question.
Do you take this woman...your lawfully wedded wife...for better, for worse, 'til death do you part?
“Fuck no.”
My heart almost stopped. Once again, more gasps, more shocks, more manic energy rippling through the crowd of bikers, plus the few women along for the ride. It got so loud Bingo let out a yip, and Joker had to grab his collar just to calm him down.
“Babe, just taking you ain't half good enough.” Firefly looked at the crowd, and then at me, waiting for the madness to settle down. “You stepped into a world of shit, the one I'd been in for God knows how long. You came out on the other side better, stronger, and you made me love. Every damned second. Love you, Cora. Own you. Gonna keep you mine forever.”
Preacher man smiled, staring at us while several more rowdy brothers let out loud hollers. At last, he said the words we'd been waiting for since we'd stepped up to the strangest altar I'd ever seen. The only one I'd ever stand in front of, promising the rest of my life to this man.
“By the power vested in me by the great state of Tennessee, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now –“
“Just fuckin' kiss her!” Sixty shouted, laughing as he was dragged back violently into his seat by several wild bikers.
