“Okay. So we keep it PG. Old ladies and kids, hell, I’ll bring along Tyler. He’ll be well up for that.” Dart pauses and looks at Kink, raising an eyebrow.
Kink raises his hands. “I hear you, VP. Any pets will be fully clothed while the old ladies are present.” He grins quickly. “After that, all bets are off.”
How does he get all these females to get naked for him? I know brothers don’t object, hell, even I’ve been entertained before, but what’s in it for them? That’s always been a mystery.
“One last thing, Prez?” I pause, knowing my two worlds are going to collide, but it’s a promise I made to Mary. Mary makes few demands on me, so when she requests something, I’m more than happy to do it. Not that I’m sure of the wisdom in this. “I’ve got some friends, civilians. They’ve got a band. Any objections to having them play at the party?”
“Friends?” Bones leans forward and looks down the table. “Since when have you had friends outside the club?”
“You been holding out on us, Brother?” Brakes shakes his head. “Going to gigs without taking us?”
I bow my head and rub my temples. “These friends and I go way, way back, but I only connected with them recently. Three years back if I’m going to be honest.”
It obviously doesn’t need a genius to work out what I’m talking about.
“You ran to your friends because of the betrayal in the club? We weren’t enough for you, Brother?” Snips shakes his head, looking disgusted.
Lost raps his knuckles on the table. “I think we can all accept what happened with Snake affected all of us, and we dealt with it in our own ways. I’d have handled it better had I had Patsy beside me.”
“I had Alex, she helped me,” Dart butts in. “Can anyone truly say there was a right or wrong way to deal with it? I think we all needed to examine our loyalty to this chapter and whether it was worth fighting for. If Grumbler needed to leave club matters behind him for a spell, I can’t see there’s anything to criticise.”
“I’m still in contact with my old Army buddies,” Niran offers. “You going to have a go at me for that?”
“We’re already going to be on our best behaviour with the kids and old ladies,” Bones points out. “I, for one, don’t object to a decent live band. As long as they’re not rubbish. If Grumbler assures us they’re worth listening to, it might be a fun night.”
It seems that’s a point well made as no one raises any more objections. As to the talent, I can make no assurances about that.
Lost ends the discussion with one last request. “Let us know the time of the fuckin’ wedding. We’ll all be there, Brother.”
If they’re all coming, then there’s something else. I raise my chin at Salem. “I’d be fuckin’ honoured if you’d stand up with me, Brother.”
“Fuck, man, you don’t need to fuckin’ ask. It’s me who’s honoured.” Salem beams.
I realise Lost hasn’t quite finished. “Grumbler’s getting his happy ending, so I think it’s time, while he’s in a good mood,” he smirks at me, “that we discuss something else. It’s long past time we brought Wrangler to the table. His time has come, he’s either in or out.”
All eyes come to me. I shrug. “Christ, Prez.” I rub my hand over my face. Truth is, I am happy. Happier than I’ve been for many years. I can’t continue to hold on to a grudge. I hope that the prospect learned his lesson and won’t again be turning away a young girl in need. “Patch him in, he gets my vote.”
It seems like he also gets everyone else’s.
“Road name?” the VP asks.
“Asshole,” I mumble.
“Seconded,” Keeper shouts.
But it seems we’re to be voted down. Shame.
Various suggestions are put forward, but none of them stick.
In the end, it’s Niran who raises his hand. “I’m in the company of one, here, without a road name. Why not keep it as Wrangler? Sounds like a good handle to me, and there’s nothing more suitable.”
“Except Asshole,” I put in again.
Prez ignores me, raising his chin at Niran. “Road names can be earned anytime. I agree with Niran. Wrangler stays Wrangler. Now, who wants to bring him in?”
It’s a great end to the meeting. I doubt there’s any of us who don’t like fucking with a man’s head. When Keeper goes out and returns with a worried looking prospect trailing behind him, all expressions are stern.
Prez does a great job, staring, unsmiling, toward the end of the table. “Prospect. We’ve been discussing how you fucked up. And, what we’re going to do about it.”
He doesn’t have to explain. Wrangler’s eyes meet mine, but he pulls his shoulders back and keeps his back straight.
“You going to fuck up again?” Prez asks.
“No,” the prospect mumbles. “No,” he says a little firmer. “Love this fuckin’ club. Respect all the members. I know I fucked up, but I won’t make that mistake again.” He knows because I don’t let him forget about it.
Lost stares at him, as do all of us, stretching out the moment until Brakes cracks up.
“Oh to hell with it.” Prez glares at Brakes. “Pass him his colours.”
Chapter Forty-One
Mary
The decision we were going to let nature take its course wasn’t a conscious one, more a creeping realisation that neither of us wanted to take any pre-emptive action. I saw the way Grumbler’s eyes lit up when he imagined himself with a child of his blood, and I knew, if it was possible, I wanted that for him. On my part, I could picture myself with his baby.
Grumbler’s house was the perfect place to raise a child—plenty of outdoor space for him or her to enjoy. We’d made plans that were dual purpose. Grumbler would rebuild the barn giving him somewhere to fix up bikes so he could work at home more if necessary, or if he just wanted to be close to me and Alicia. A room was identified as a nursery, though it wouldn’t be painted or furnished until the last moment, both of us all too aware that any day could see the end to this pregnancy.
I was on board with Grumbler’s suggestion not to keep this quiet. I’d also given in to his demands for a wedding—not that that was going to be anything like my first. When I’d married Dave, I’d had a dream ceremony—a white dress, a big cake and a reception full of friends and family. The only guests I was inviting this time were Kristen and Terra. Just a quiet exchange of vows, that would be enough for him, and sufficient to give Grumbler what he wanted, me taking his name officially.
That he’d managed to grab a cancelled slot had brought forward the agenda, another couple backing away before tying the knot had granted us the opportunity.
Today, Grumbler’s telling his brothers everything, and wants me to become more of a part of the club. Strangely enough, the men no longer scare me, not when I’m going to be officially part of his life.
These past few weeks, Grumbler and I have kept to ourselves, needing no one else’s input while we make our life-changing decisions.
Now, I’ve one more hurdle to jump. My hands are sweaty, and my heart’s beating fast. “Alicia?” I call up the stairs in the house which has so quickly become home. We’d gone back and forth about telling her, but with me starting to be sick in the mornings, and tiredness already taking its toll, soon she’d be aware things weren’t normal.
“Coming.”
I don’t know what it is. The change of scenery? The fact Grumbler pays her so much attention may well help, providing a buffer between mother and daughter who go head-to-head so often. Or it may be that he’s bought her a car. Whatever it is, Alicia’s been a pleasure to live with since we moved to this spot. It does help that Marisa likes to stay here a lot, being envious of the huge room and private bathroom my daughter now has.
“Whatcha want, Mother?” Some things never change, I muse, watching her make a beeline for the cupboard and pulling out a bag of chips. Her eyebrow cocks when she sees the smirk on my face.
“Sit down, I’ve some things to discuss with you.”<
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“Uh oh. Sounds serious.” Suddenly her hand stills even though it’s in the bag. “You and Grumbler aren’t splitting up, are you?”
My eyes roll. “You think?”
She shrugs. “You can’t keep your hands off each other, so I’d like to say no, but adults are so damn confusing at times.”
I swallow hard. “You like him, don’t you?”
She nods, unable to speak as she’s resumed eating the chips.
“Would you mind if we got married?”
“Well, duh. Of course not.” Her brow furrows. “Though shouldn’t he ask me for your hand or something?”
I’m sure that can be arranged. “Actually, he’s managed to get a date at the courthouse… next weekend.” My voice rises, making it almost a question.
Her eyes snap to mine. “That fast?” She digests that for a moment, then, says with a laugh. “Is there anything I should know, Mother?”
I didn’t raise a stupid daughter, she’ll know, especially when a blush appears on my face.
“Oh my God, Mom. There is. Don’t tell me you’re pregnant?” Her eyes study me, waiting for a denial I can’t give.
“Mom!” Her voice is so shrill it’s like fingernails on a blackboard.
Damn my expressive face and my reddened cheeks. “Alicia, you know those talks we had about sex. How I always told you to be careful.”
She shakes her head. “Time and time again. Are you going to tell me you didn’t take your own advice?”
I bite my lip. “Grumbler and I have been careful, but not careful enough.” I glance up at her through my eyelashes.
“You’re really pregnant?”
For a response, I nod, then hold my breath as I wait.
“Is that why you’re getting married? Is that what you want, or because you were careless, and he knocked you up?”
“We weren’t careless.” Well, maybe Grumbler was by not checking the expiration date on the condoms. “We were unlucky. But no, Grumbler and I would get married, whether I was pregnant or not.”
“Christ, Mom. I don’t know what to say or think.”
It’s hard to tell whether she’s disgusted, or pleased, or something in between.
“So, I may have a baby brother or sister?” Her brow furrows as she ponders on that, and I watch while she comes to a decision. “Cool.”
“But, I’m not young, Alicia. I could lose the baby. The doctor doesn’t give very good odds.”
“Mom.” Alicia puts down the chips and moves closer to me. “Is it dangerous for you, at your age? Would it be safer to terminate? I don’t mind what you do, Mom. I’m just worried for you.” She’s the adult now, taking my hand and squeezing it, then she looks into my eyes, examining what she reads there. “You really want this, don’t you?”
“It’s crazy, sweetie, and sometimes I think I shouldn’t. But I do. Grumbler does too.” I still can’t work out whether she’s happy or not, or worried for me.
“Just promise me something?”
“Anything.”
“If the doctor advises it, you won’t carry on. I,” her voice breaks, “I’ve lost my dad, I can’t lose you.”
That’s an easy assurance to make. “I’ll do everything the doctor says, Alicia.”
Her head bows, and again I can’t read her. But when she looks up, a grin lights up her face. “I want a sister. Not sure about a brother, but I suppose I’ll put up with him. I hope it works out, Mom.”
Relief floods through me as the sound of a motorcycle reaches my ears. Grumbler’s home.
Alicia jumps up, ready to greet him at the door. As soon as he walks through, she pokes her finger in his chest. “Hey, big man. You’ve got something to ask me.”
Grumbler’s eyes come to me, his brow raised in question. Then he looks back down to my daughter. “What?”
She punctuates her words with more pokes to his chest. “Permission to marry my mom.”
He grins. “Okay, so I’m asking. Can I take your mom’s hand in marriage?”
Her head tilts to one side. “You going to look out for her? Care for her? Love her?”
His smile widens. “What do you think? I love your mom, kid.” Then he puts his hand on her shoulder. “Love you as well. Don’t know how you both fuckin’ did it, but you’ve made this old man the happiest alive.”
Alicia humphs and takes a deep breath. Her eyes rise to his. “I know you’ve knocked her up.”
“Alicia!”
Grumbler winks at me over her head. “That I have,” he agrees.
Her finger is back to poking his chest again. “Next time,” she says, warningly, “wrap it up.”
I snort. Grumbler chortles, and Alicia looks triumphant.
“Oh, and one last thing. I’m giving her away at the wedding.”
And here I was thinking she’d insist on being a bridesmaid, but I don’t have a problem with that.
“Too right you fuckin’ are,” Grumbler agrees, beaming widely.
The next few days fly fast. Another doctor’s appointment, this time a sonogram works, and while invasive, we both hear what people mistake for a heartbeat, but is an undeniable indication that there’s a baby growing inside of me. It affected both me and Grumbler, his whispered words as we left the hospital we’re really doing this bringing home that bizarrely, in a few months, we could be parents.
Then Alicia was dragging me out to get dresses for us both, and wanting her hair done, so I had mine done as well. I didn’t even mind Grumbler disappearing in the evenings, knowing he was only doing what I’d asked.
Before I knew it, the day had arrived.
Grumbler drove me and Alicia to the courthouse where a surprise was waiting for me. Not only were my own guests, Kristen and Terra waiting there, but the whole of his MC, and the three friends of Grumbler’s he invited who stayed in the background.
I’m wearing a nice new dress, not flamboyant, but something I was comfortable in. Grumbler is wearing clean jeans, a button-up white shirt, and, when he got out of the cage, he slid into his cut. I took a moment to lick my lips. I hadn’t wanted him to dress in a suit, although he had offered, as I hadn’t wanted to marry a stranger. I wanted to marry the man with whom I’d fallen in love.
“Mary, this is Salem,” Grumbler informs me as a man steps to the front. “I’ve asked him to be my best man.”
“Mary.” Salem raises his chin toward me, then leans forward, asking conspiratorially, “You sure about this? There’s still time to run.”
I snort in an unladylike fashion, but his words break the ice. I don’t reply but running is the last thing on my mind.
Then I stare, open-mouthed as his leather-clad brothers form an escort. Grumbler, I, Alicia and Salem walk past them, Grumbler pausing to shake a few hands and receive back slaps.
We head to the front, while everyone else crowds into the room behind us. Turning, I see Kristen and Terra in the first row, Kristen’s tongue all but hanging out. Jeez, I hope she behaves herself back at the clubhouse.
Then the brief ceremony begins. It’s over fast, and in no time at all, I have his ring on my finger and a new name, Mary Winslow, as we walk out into the sunlight.
“I took some shots.” A biker called Blaze waves his phone at me. “But we’ll take more at the clubhouse.” He winks. “I’ve got it all set up.”
Unsure what that wink means, I just thank him.
“Shouldn’t you have your bike?” I ask Grumbler, spying all his brothers getting on their rides.
“With you in that dress?” He grins broadly. “Not having you flash my brothers. What you’ve got under there is all mine. And what about Alicia? Nah, I’m good Mary. I can suffer a cage with you and her with me.”
We do, however, lead the convoy of bikes, Grumbler holding tight onto my hand as he drives as if he never wants to let me go. I feel the same way about him. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier, or not in recent years.
I smile broadly when it becomes clear what Blaze had been talking about
. We reach the clubhouse to see Grumbler’s bike in pride of place. As Grumbler parks my car out of the way, his brothers circle around it, lining up their bikes behind his.
It’s there the main photographs are taken. It’s fitting that his ride is part of this, it was her who brought us together after all. It’s strange how things work out, I muse, as photo after photo is taken.
If Grumbler hadn’t been getting a tattoo that day, his bike would never have been spotted by Devon. If I hadn’t allowed Alicia to model, then some other girl would have been there. I’d have never met the biker who’d seemed so scary at first.
Would I change it? To save Alicia from being used, I might. But then, I wouldn’t have met Grumbler, and wouldn’t be where I am today.
“One more,” someone calls out. “Mary, get on the bike with Grumbler.”
“I’m wearing a dress,” I yell back.
“We’re gentlemen, we won’t look,” an anonymous voice assures me.
“Speak for your-fuckin’-self,” someone else says, followed by an oomph.
I laugh, realising this will be my adopted family. In the end, Alicia saves the day, coming forward and shielding me so I can get on behind Grumbler without showing too much flesh. Nevertheless, my dress is hoisted up around my thighs and I am showing a lot of leg. Alicia hands me back my small bouquet.
Then, before she steps back, she quietly asks, “You doing okay?”
I make a circle with my finger and thumb. “More than okay.”
Grumbler turns and winks at me. “This is the wedding photo we’re going to have framed.”
“Sergeant-at-arms!” His prez’s voice booms out. “Your woman’s fuckin’ naked.”
I’m not showing that much, am I? Glancing down I check my boobs are constrained as Grumbler tenses. Then, I feel him relax.
He dismounts and takes something Lost is holding out. Alicia laughs loudly, as he helps me into the leather cut he’d obviously had prepared for me. On the back it says Property of Grumbler.
He walks around me as I’m still sat on the bike. “Fuckin’ beautiful,” he whispers to me. “Never thought I wanted a woman of my own, but I was just waiting for you, Mary.” His forehead touches mine. “I was going to give you my rag later, but this works.” He swings his leg back over the bike. “Take more pictures, Blaze.”
Grumbler's Ride: Satan's Devils MC San Diego #2 Page 35
