Hmm. For the first time in weeks I don’t feel tired, and Demon would give me my old job back in a flash were I to ask. I may not be able to lay down ink, but I can probably stab at the keys on a keyboard well enough. But I’m not going to do that to her.
“You’ve got time to grab something to eat before you leave.” I stand, stretch and yawn, and scratch under my armpits before leaning down and pulling on yesterday’s jeans. My t-shirt I just carry. “I’ll go shower in my room while you get ready and meet you downstairs. Oh, and Vanna. I want you in my bed tonight.”
“Isn’t it too soon?”
Fuck no. Years too late. “Will you at least think about it? I’m taking nothing back I said yesterday.”
She agrees with a serious nod. I stare at her for a moment, drinking my fill, seeing how the years have not only matured but improved her. I realise I’m imprinting her on my mind, so terrified I’ll again forget her.
“I want to renew our vows,” I say fast. “I want a new ring.” Something concrete to wear that will remind me forever.
Her expression shows me she knows exactly why. “You’re okay, Liz.”
“For now.” All I can do is hope nothing changes.
As if she knows more words won’t convince me, she sits up and waves her hand dismissively. “Scat. I need to get dressed. And if you stay…”
My serious mood fades and I grin, knowing exactly what will happen as I wouldn’t be able to resist if I saw her naked again. I go.
Down in the clubroom, I wait for her, knowing Vanna’s not a woman who takes too much time getting ready. As I hear her at the top of the stairs, I go stand at the bottom, balancing on the one crutch I’m still using. I’ve decided to use that elliptical while she’s at work. Ink won’t be here, he’ll be at the auto-shop, but someone will be around who can spot me in case I fall off and knock my head. Heaven forbid. If that happens, I don’t know who the fuck I’ll be when I wake up.
We walk into the kitchen. With my eyes solely on her, I don’t take much notice of who else is here. Using my right hand, I pull out a chair for her, then when she sits, take her mouth with mine.
“Oh for fuck’s sake. That’s it. What are you putting in the coffee, Jeannie? Or are you slipping something in the food?”
Jeannie bats Judge with the towel she’s holding, then looks at me as I sit next to my wife. She stares for a moment, then her face widens into a grin.
“What the fuck you talking about, Judge?” I ask, then look around the table. There, at the opposite end is Mace, with Shayla planted on his lap.
As he sees me watching, he shrugs.
“Christ. It’s in the air, isn’t it? Is it catching?” Judge looks concerned. “’Cause I’m not ready for a bitch, no way.”
“No one would have you, Brother. You’re safe,” Mace tells him, chuckling.
“You not working, Mace?” I ask him, wondering why he’s here.
But he just kisses Shayla in the same way I’d just done to my wife. “Pyro’s given us the day off. I had a late night last night.” He sends a slightly accusing look my way.
“What’s your excuse, sweetheart?” I direct my light-hearted query toward the woman on his lap.
“I had a late night too,” she explains, with a wink at Mace.
“Jesus.” Prez walks in. He looks at me, then at Mace, then shakes his head. “Love makes the fuckin’ world go around, but it doesn’t make bank from our businesses.” His brown eyes are twinkling. He’s got Vi, he can relate.
Jeannie hands me and Vanna each a plate, we start eating. I try my knife and successfully cut my own sausage.
“You getting your movement back?” Demon asks, eyeing me thoughtfully.
“Some,” I admit. “Got to work on it. But it’s certainly coming.”
“Good. Would like to see you get back to work.”
I hear a deep breath and glancing to my side see Vanna’s face drop in disappointment. Demon notices as well.
“Vanna, that doesn’t mean you stop working.”
“Certainly doesn’t.” Vi walks in and puts her arms around her man. He smiles lovingly at her and gives a nod. “In a few months, I’ll be stopping work.”
“What?” I ask, incredulously, knowing she loves her job.
With a woman’s intuition, Vanna asks, “Are congratulations in order?”
Vi nods. Vanna squeals, as does Jeannie who asks, “When?”
“Six months’ time. Gives you, Liz, a chance to get your hand working again. And with Liz tattooing, we’ll need a manager.”
Vanna beams for a moment, then her face falls again, and she turns to me. “But that’s your job.”
“Honestly, sweetheart, I’d rather ink, that’s what I’m good at. Took on everything at the shop as it was just myself and a part-timer when we started out. Moved into new premises, and sort of continued. The admin work started to take over. You’d be doing me a favour, doll.”
“And us,” Demon grins. “Buzz says you’re a better bookkeeper.”
I glare at him, but I don’t really mind. Anything to keep Vanna close and happy.
She cleans her plate, drinks her coffee then stands. “As the boss is here,” she nods at Demon, “I better run and not be late.”
I tell her to have a good day, then as she goes to leave, I ask, “Haven’t you forgotten something?” and tap my lips.
She redeems herself by bending her head and allowing me a non-PG kiss which makes me want to take her straight back to bed.
“Oh fuck. I’m outta here.” Judge gets up and makes his way out of the kitchen to peals of laughter from Mace and Shayla.
“You’re just jealous!” Mace calls out.
Judge gives him the finger.
“Give me a minute,” I tell her, reaching for my crutch. “I’ll see you out to your car.”
We go out via the kitchen door as it’s closer to where her car is parked.
“You think Cas is going to be alright with us getting back together?” I ask, opening the driver’s door for her.
She hesitates before getting in, taking my question seriously. “He’ll have to get used to sharing me, but I think he’ll be good. He’ll be pleased for me, and for himself. As long as you don’t come down too hard on him.”
My mind goes back to my prez’s and Vi’s happy news. “You used to want a big family, Van. Well, we did. We planned on three.”
“Didn’t happen, though, did it?” She shrugs.
“It’s not too late. You’re still young.”
She turns to me, her eyes wide. “You want a baby with me?”
My lips press together. Seems no reason why not, and I’m not going to rob her of anything else. “Nothing I’d want more, Vanna. Just, I suppose you’ll have to think about it carefully.” I tap my head. “If my brain goes again…”
“Not going to borrow trouble before it comes, Liz. Isn’t that what you used to say? If we have another child, if the worst happens, then I’ve done it once on my own and I’ll do it again.”
“If anything ever happens to me,” I check she’s listening carefully as this is important, “you belong to me, and I belong to the club. Club protects women, even if their man is long gone. You hear what I’m saying? You’re part of us now, Vanna. You and Cas. You’ll never have to do anything on your own again.”
She looks like I’ve given her food for thought. She slides into the car with a wave of her hand.
“See you tonight, babe.” I step back, rapping on the roof twice, then watch her leave.
Mace said I’d never wanted a woman and kids. I hadn’t. To me, the reason is clear, because somewhere in the depths of my mind, I knew I’d already met my one. I was just waiting to find my way back to her.
I’d completely missed Cas growing up. Missed seeing him go to school, learning to read… I’d missed so fucking much. Hell, I wasn’t there for his birth, only seeing him when I was on leave, then going again for half a year at a time. Hearing Vi mentioning she and Demon were expecting, it h
ad hit me how I’d like the chance to experience everything about preparing for a baby, childbirth and raising a child for myself, with a new son or daughter. Would Cas like a brother or sister? Or is he too used to being an only child?
I hear the sound of footsteps and look up to see Dirt and Nails walking back from the direction of the gym we’re building. “Hey, Prospect.” Of course, both of them look up, smartening their steps and stopping in front of me all but standing to attention. If one saluted, it wouldn’t surprise me.
“What you need, Liz?”
“Someone to spot me while I work out in the basement.”
“Sure, man.” Nail’s raises his chin toward Dirt. “You okay…”
“Yeah, I’ll do what needs to be done.” Dirt turns to continue his way into the clubhouse but turns and nods in my direction. “Heard you got your memory back. Welcome home, Brother.”
“Ain’t your brother yet,” I growl.
Dirt chuckles. “Yeah, as I said. Fuckin’ good to have you back.”
But I don’t make it straight down to the basement.
“Liz!” Prez calls me over. “Check Vanna got to work okay. I’m sending Dirt out to Devil’s Ink.”
My senses are immediately on high alert, making me snap, “Why?”
“Cad’s caught some whispers on the web.”
“Whisper of what?”
“I don’t know, just our name and chapter being mentioned. He’s tracking it down. I just want everyone to keep sharp. Maybe nothing at all.”
“He think’s something’s about to hit us?” Fuck. I’ve just got Vanna back, my second chance at happiness though the doubts deep down say I don’t deserve it. Karma couldn’t turn around and take her away from me now, could it? Would it be so cruel?
“I’ll go to the shop.” I’m not leaving her alone.
Demon raises an eyebrow. “She’s safe enough there, the security is top notch. You think I’d let Vi work at Devil’s Ink if I thought risk was more than a whisper? Dirt’s going there as a precaution, nothing else. Just check she’s arrived but don’t worry her.”
“I—”
“You’re in no fuckin’ shape, Brother.” Trust Prez to give it to me straight. “You can’t hold a gun, can’t walk without help. You need to trust us to look after your woman while you work on getting your strength back. If something is coming for us, the best thing you can do is to get yourself fit and ready for it.”
Shit. He’s right. I’m no fuckin’ good to anyone. Not at the present. But I will be. On that I’m determined.
What should I do about Vanna? If I tell her to keep an eye out, give her the slightest suspicion there’s danger, I may be doing the last thing I want to. I’m trying to bring her into this life, not chase her away from it. Cad’s heard something, but nothing definite. Demon’s right, if the prez trusts his woman to be safe there, then I needn’t worry much. But hell, that doesn’t stop me. Not with my thoughts about life stabbing me in the back.
“I want Dirt escorting the women home.”
Prez nods. “Going to have a brother there as well. Might even go myself.”
I stand, noticing Nails off to one side waiting patiently. Sighing heavily, I realise I’m no fucking help at all now. Not when I can’t ride my bike, and I can’t shoot well left-handed. Not for the first time, I wish I was ambidextrous and not so damn right-side dominant.
“I’ll be downstairs,” I tell Demon, flexing my right hand and drawing his attention to it.
“Liz,” he catches my eye and holds it. “We’re at DEFCON four right now. May rise to a three later. If there’s any change, I’ll call everyone in, immediately.”
I give a sharp nod understanding the language. We often borrow military terms and make them our own. Right now, we’re strengthening security acting on available intelligence. It’s rare for us to reach level one which from our point of view is all-out war.
I jerk my chin toward Nails, and taking my leave of Demon, pausing, I send a quick text.
Liz: Get to work okay?
Vanna: Checking up on me already?
Satan’s Devils MC -Colorado Box Set: Books 4-6 Page 116
