“Sure, I’m in. When?”
No hesitation, and only one question. I’m impressed. Myles clears his throat and I hear what he’s pushing.
“The other thing is, the cash we get will only be for Tor’s surgery, meaning…”
“I won’t get a share of the loot.”
“You can understand we need every penny for her.”
“Doesn’t bother me, I’m still in. It’s for a good cause.”
My estimation of him grows. He’s a good guy now that he’s not chasing after my woman.
“It’s two nights from now. You haven’t got any plans that can’t be rearranged, do ya?” Mason asks.
“Nah, no plans.”
“Good.”
Dad walks by, nods, and continues walking until he abruptly stops and comes back over.
Waggling his finger, he asks, “What is this?”
“What are you talking about?”
“This. You four sitting together. What gives?”
Dad isn’t stupid. A couple of weeks ago, he thought I had a problem with Angel, and he was around every time I got into it with the twins. I don’t blame him for being suspicious.
“Nothing’s going on. We’re just… catching up.”
He raises his brow, clearly not believing my bullshit, Luckily, he doesn’t push it. “How’s the wedding plans coming along?”
I shrug. It’s not that I’m not interested in planning the thing. I just want my ring on her finger and the document tying her to me. The rest is her domain.
“All good, I suppose. Tor’s in town with mom and Kyla shopping. They’re due back soon.”
“All right. Don’t forget we’ve got a run in three days.”
He walks away, and Mason confirms, “We’ll hit the joint and be back in plenty of time for the run.”
“And no one mention this to Tor. I want to wait until we have the entire sum.”
“We haven’t spoken about what we’ll do after we’re married.”
“I guess we’d just carry on as we have been.”
“But we’ll be married. Some things will change.”
“Such as?”
“I have my house. It’s in my name, but it’ll be your home too. We’ll have to add your name to the deeds.”
I’m already shaking my head before she’s finished. “Leave it as it is. It’s yours. It doesn’t bother me if my name is on the paperwork or not.”
“But it’ll be ours. What if something happens to me? You wouldn’t be entitled to stay there.”
“Who said I’d want to stay there if you’re not? Besides, do you really think I’m letting you go anywhere without me?”
“Be serious.”
“I am.”
“But that’s where we’ll live.”
“And we’ll live there just like a proper married couple, because that’s what we’re going to be. Stop worrying.” Collecting her hands in mine, I add, “We’ll have a home, we’ll have the club and our families, and we’ll have each other.”
“And you’re sure this is what you want?”
Hearing the doubt in her voice equally annoys me, even hurts. She still holds mistrust for me, and it makes me more determined to squash it.
Making sure my hand movements are precise, I sign, “The love I have for you, Victoria Simmons, is something I don’t even understand. What I know for sure is you’re in my head from the minute I wake up till the second I fall asleep. You’re a part of me now, and even when we fight, because I sure as shit know we will, nothing will change how I feel about you. I want the rest of my life with you, and I’ll do everything in my power to make it so. You’re mine and I’m yours, a hundred percent.”
A smile creeps across her lips, and I capture it with a kiss. She urges me back until my head hits the pillow and she climbs on top, running her palms up my bare chest.
“I’ll never ask again,” she vows, leaning down to resume our kiss.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Victoria
Everyone’s expecting me to be the hippy bride because of my usual style. My dress is anything but eccentric. The silk clings to my torso and thighs, and pools out around my shins and feet. The arms are intricately laced from the shoulders down to my wrists, and the back is backless, dipping to just above my ass. I’ve never felt like a girly girl. I’ve always been happy with myself and who I am, but trying on the dress made me a feel like a bride. And since I’m planning on marrying only once, I want to feel more beautiful than I do every other day.
I walk around the house, boxing some of Grandpa and Grandma’s things to make room for Luca moving his things in. Their stuff never bothered me. If anything, I felt more at home here around them. But Luca and I are getting married, and this will be our home we make together. I’ll have Mason and Myles come by and put the boxes in the attic to keep them safe.
Hauling a few of them into the hall, I note the place feels a little empty now. I don’t dwell on it for long and go out to my greenhouse. These are new times coming, and I’m embracing them with a passion.
I water the flowers and check on the seedlings, making sure they’re growing nicely. They are.
I’m making my own bouquet to walk down the aisle, and the roses should bloom fully in the next couple of days, just in time for Saturday.
My last chore of the day is to visit the Jacksons. Alannah’s cooking dinner and wants the family there at six.
I finish up with the roses and head back to the house to wash up.
I pull up to the Jackson’s house. There aren’t any motorcycles parked, and I come to a stop beside Emma’s car. I wasn’t expecting to see her here, and when I knock on the door, it’s she who answers.
“What are you doing here?” I blurt out, using my voice.
She signs, “Your future mother-in-law has hired me to teach her how to sign.”
My heart swells, and I realise I’m not just gaining Luca as family, but his family too. Alannah’s making a huge effort to be able to communicate with me, and in doing so, making me feel more than welcome, and a true part of her family.
Everyone has grown up with everyone, but we’ve all had our own little families that we backtrack to.
Walking into the kitchen, Alannah’s stirring sauce at the stove, and smiles when I come up beside her.
She signs, “I’m glad you’re here.” Turning to Emma, she asks, “Did I get that right?”
Reading her lips at the question, I laugh.
“Yes,” I sign.
Since I spoke when Luca asked me to marry him, conversations have been less exhausting and easier between people.
I take a seat at the table next to Penelope in a highchair. A highchair I wouldn’t have thought Alannah would have around.
The mood shifts in the house, and when I look to the door, I watch Leo and Holly walk inside with Rayna, and Luca strolling in behind them.
They’ve been working on Luca’s bike out at Leo’s cabin. He offered for me to tag along, but I had stuff to do.
Crossing the kitchen, Luca pulls me up, takes my seat, and yanks me down on his lap. I land with a yelp and giggle, but it’s lost to a kiss.
I get to have this for the rest of my life, and I’m not complaining one little bit. Pulling away, he plants one last peck on my lips.
“You good?” he mouths.
Nodding, I wind my arm around his shoulders and watch on as Leo and Holly talk between themselves by the back door.
I don’t normally busy myself in other people’s lives, but their closeness isn’t something I can look away from. Leo adored India. The pain he wore after her death was felt by everyone in his orbit. I’m not foolish to believe he’ll never meet anyone again. Life can be long, and spent alone is a different kind of pain. It can be torturous.
All I’ve heard about the girl is the horror she went through having her hands burned by one of the club’s enemies. Ever since she’s been staying out at the cabin and watching Rayna, everyone’s been wondering what’s going on be
tween them.
Whatever it is, I’m sure time will tell, and events will unfold just like they did with Luca and me. I believe everything happens for a reason, sometimes testing us beyond what we think we can handle, but in the end, what should be will be.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Luca
Stepping out of the shower, I grab a towel from the rack and wrap it around my waist. One thing I’ll be changing is the shower. The thing’s as old as Pope, and the pressure is shit. No wonder it takes Tor half an hour to wash the soap out of her hair. The water just trickles out. I’ve seen snails move with more conviction.
Tor’s still in bed, where I wish I was, but I have shit to do and money to steal. There isn’t anything I won’t do to make her life easier and better.
Leaning over the bed, I kiss her softly and receive a smile for my effort. Rising to full height, I sign, “I’ve got to leave soon.”
Her smile slips, and I dry off and pull out a clean pair of jeans from the drawer.
Mom and the prospect brought over my clothes and all my shit this morning, and Tor immediately put everything away.
By the time I got back from the club, there was nothing for me to do.
I dress while she lays partly hidden by the sheets. One thing I love about her is she’s not shy. Not in any shape or form. She has no worries about her body like most people, and she has no issues with showing herself off, but not in a show-off kind of way. It just doesn’t occur to her to be embarrassed about who she is or what she likes.
I pack a bag for a couple of days on the road, and make sure I grab the phone charger.
“Are you sure you won’t stay at the club while I’m gone?”
“Nope, I’m good here. I’ve learned that if someone is coming for me, they’ll get me no matter where I am.”
I get her point, but I don’t like it.
With the job in the city tonight, and leaving early on the run. I plan on spending the night at the club.
“Fine. But I’ll be checking in. Come kiss me goodbye.”
The sheets drop as she gets to her knees and crawls across the bed toward me. Latching her finger between my belt and waist, she pulls me closer and licks my bottom lip before kissing me. It’s slow at first, and then speeds up. Her fingers drop from my belt and land on my zipper.
It pains me to do so, but I cover her hand with mine and stop her.
“I haven’t got time,” I mouth clearly.
I press my lips to her pouty bottom one and suck it in, releasing it with a pop.
“Make sure the doors are locked after I leave.”
Mom’s barking orders when I climb off my bike. I smile to myself when brothers are hauling chairs around to the back of the bar, and the twins are carrying a long roll of red carpet. There isn’t a man here who would dare not carry out a job my mom asks them to do. It’s mainly respect for her, and a whole lot of fear from my dad. The combination is deadly.
She sees me and waves me over. Shrugging off my backpack, I leave it by my bike.
“Keeping everyone busy, I see.”
“I’ve got to use them before you all leave in the morning. Is Victoria not with you?”
“Nah, she’s at home. Will you check on her while I’m away? If anything starts to go down, make sure she’s safe.”
“I’ve been doing that for all old ladies for years, your fiancée’s no different. Brothers will start arriving in the next couple of days, and they’ll be plenty of people here. Don’t be surprised when you get back and the place is swarming with brothers and their families.”
It makes me proud people are travelling in for the wedding. I want everyone to see when Tor says I do.
“I can’t believe my baby is getting married in a few days,” she beams, pinching my cheek. Leaning away, I yank free of her and she laughs.
“In case I don’t get the chance to say it before the wedding, I just want to say I’m happy you’re finally happy. I’ve worried about you for so long, and I don’t feel I have to now—to a certain extent. You’re different because of her, in a good way. She understands the club. She’s like me in a lot of ways. Her DNA is embedded in this place. She’s a lovely girl, and I’m happy she’s joining our family.”
“Well I’m marrying her for me, not you, Mom,” I tease.
“Do right by her always, Luca. Don’t only love her, but respect her too. When times get difficult, don’t think you’ll find the answers here in the easy women and at the bottom of a whiskey bottle. Cool off and go back to her. She’ll always be there for you.”
“Fuck, Mom, I know all this.”
“One more thing. I don’t mind you marrying her, but I don’t need any more grandchildren for a while. Enjoy the two of you before you make it the three.”
Rolling my eyes, I kiss her on the cheek and head into the bar.
“You ready?” Mason asks, opening the side door of the bar.
I shove my ski mask into my pocket. “Let’s do this.”
Angel and Myles are already by their bikes when we approach our machines.
“Hey, where you lot going?” Sparky hollers.
We all turn to where he’s standing with Ricky in the bar’s doorway.
“Midnight ride,” Mason tells him.
“Yeah, we’re going to let the wind ripple through our hair under the moon while thrashing our engines,” Myles cackles.
The old-timers aren’t going to believe a word, but they tip their chins and head inside.
“Let’s get out of here,” I assert, starting my bike.
The sooner we get this cash together, the sooner it could be Victoria not only gets her hearing back, but her life back.
As we ride toward the city, I focus on the job at hand, and not on Tor at home, no doubt sleeping naked under our sheets in a bed that I should be in. Or I try not to.
When it comes to the twins, I don’t doubt their abilities to rob a place and get away. Their egos wouldn’t let them fail. Yet I’d do anything if it meant my future wife could get a piece of herself back.
The city lights come into view, and this time they don’t pull at me. They’re just lights. I never thought it’d be possible, but Willow’s Peak is the only place I want to be, where Victoria finds her happiness and peace, and in turn, I find my peace and happiness. I finally feel like I belong because of her.
Mason pulls over in front of an abandoned building. Myles parks up beside him, and Angel and I pull over too.
Cutting my engine, I ask, “Why are we stopping here?” It’s a least a ten-minute walk to the club.
“Because, brother-in-law-to-be, from the next street over are cameras on every street going to where we need to be. And your daddy dearest frowns upon us getting caught and bringing trouble to the club,” Myles tells me.
“We jacked a car a few hours ago, switched plates, and parked it around the corner. We’ll dump it in the opposite direction once we’re done,” Mason explains.
“We don’t just share a pretty face.”
Shaking my head, I light a cigarette and exhale the smoke up into the air.
“Are we doing this or not?” Angel questions. I like his style.
The car is where Mason said it’d be, and I climb in the back with Angel, while Mason takes the wheel and Myles sits up front.
He drives with care, as not to attract attention, and parks up behind the club a few minutes later. We all don our ski masks as Mason informs us on our roles.
“Myles and I will deal with the safe. Luca will keep watch in the bar, and you, Angel, will keep watch out here.”
We climb out of the car. Myles pops the trunk and passes Mason a backpack, and Angel and me an iron bar each.
I cock my brow at his choice of weapon, but with the mask, no one can see it.
“We have our guns,” Angel says before I can point out that little piece of information.
“And again, Cas wouldn’t approve of us killing people while robbing the place. But knocking someone out on the off chance t
hey show up is pretty much standard foreplay.”
Angel frowns. “Foreplay?”
“Just roll with them. It’s much easier.”
Leaning against the car, Angel lights a smoke, and the twins and I head up to the stairs at the back door to the club.
Digging around in the backpack, he pulls out a small block and tape. Taping the block to the door near the handle, he fucks about some more and instructs us to go halfway down the stairs.
“I take it you raided Sparky’s stash before we left?”
He shrugs. “It’s quicker.”
Inside, the place is shrouded in darkness. Mason holds a flashlight over the alarm pad while Myles does his magic.
The beeping stops, and no alarm starts. The twins know exactly where they’re going, and instruct me to wait in the bar. I make myself comfortable on a stool and take a look around. The place is pretty much a dump. I don’t see how it pulls in thousands in each night.
I go to light a cigarette when I remember where I am. Instead, I think of Tor and the reason we’re here.
She’ll be sleeping now, or she should be. Thinking of her in our bed, I can almost feel her soft, warm skin on mine. I will love her and be devoted to her whether this new surgery is successful or not, but the thought of bringing my old Tor back is something I would kill for.
“Come on, let’s go.”
Snapping out of the Tor haze, the twins are strutting across the bar. It’s not until we’re outside and heading for the car I notice they’re too tense. In fact, they’re pissed.
Angel has the car running, and Myles throws open the passenger door and falls into the car. Grabbing Mason’s arm, I stop him from getting in the back.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“I’ll tell you when we’re out of here.”
His Twisted Heart : Sons of Lost Souls MC Series Book Nine Page 29
