Page 18

18

T here’s this smile on my face that just won’t budge.

It’s there the moment I wake, the sweet sting between my legs taking me back to last night and the way Ringo gave me exactly what I needed.

It only grows when I roll over and see the sheets on the other side of the bed are crumpled, the pillow still holding the shape of his head. And when I reach over and run my palm over the sheets, I find them still warm.

Ringo.

He slept next to me last night.

I’m a little bummed I missed it, but considering I don’t remember dreaming or having any nightmares, I know I must have slept soundly for the first time in… well, years.

My smile sticks with me while I shower, while I get dressed, and while I take my time enjoying the calm.

I feel so safe here.

Like I can finally breathe again.

The stresses of the last month, and longer, feel like a distant memory. This place has that effect on me. Or maybe it’s just Ringo that affects me that way.

Squeezing into the only summer dress I have, I slip on my shoes and leave the sanctity of Ringo’s bedroom in search of something to eat.

The first thing I notice is the music playing in the background, followed by the aroma of food.

Downstairs, I find Ringo’s mum in the kitchen, cooking up a storm.

There are so many different things happening, like she is cooking ten different meals and I wonder if this is for the club members.

“Oh! Abbey. Good morning,” she coos, spotting me as she flicks a tea towel over her shoulder.

“Good morning, Mrs Musgrove.” I smile awkwardly, and she immediately shakes her head.

“Please, call me Doreen. ‘Mrs Musgrove’ feels so formal.”

“Oh.” I giggle. “Okay.”

Stepping around the counter, her arms are wide as she approaches, and I let out a slow breath, relaxing into the comfort of her embrace.

“You look so well rested, dear,” she says, pulling back to cup my shoulders. “I take it you had a good night’s sleep?”

“I had the best sleep I’ve had in years. Thank you.”

She beams. “Wonderful. That’s just so lovely. ”

Reaching out, she cups my face, her eyes, the same shade of whiskey as Ringo’s, fill with nothing but love. “Let’s feed you. You have a big day ahead. You’ll need to fuel your body.”

“Uh… okay?”

My brows pinch, but Doreen doesn’t seem to notice my confusion, passing me a plate of bacon, eggs, and grilled tomato and gesturing to the table.

As I sit, she lays out cutlery and juice for me, serving me with a smile as she chatters away about the lovely weather, and how I’m going to look beautiful today. I’m completely lost as to what she’s talking about, but the food is so delicious, I don’t bother interrupting her to ask.

By the time I finish eating, I’m satisfyingly full, but in need of some fresh air, because breakfast in the company of Doreen has been exhausting to say the least.

Making my escape, I hurry outside, taking a moment by the pond. The ducks paddle in slow circles, some dipping under the surface foraging for food. It’s so beautiful here. Maybe later, I’ll ask Doreen for some bread to feed the ducks.

Wanting to lay eyes on Ringo, I go in search of him, quickly spotting him, JD, Millie and Alana in the clearing on the other side of the barn, putting up tents.

“Here she is,” JD calls out as I spot him walking my way, his lips spreading into a toothy smile.

“Hey, JD. You guys look busy. Need help?”

He shakes his head. “No way are we letting you lift a finger.”

Stepping close, JD sweeps me up in a bear-like hug, spinning us before planting my feet back safely on the ground.

“Whoa.” I laugh. “Someone is happy today.”

He shoots me a wink. “It’s a day worth being happy about. ”

“Yeah?” I ask, my smile matching his energy. “You excited to see your buddies?”

“Eh… not exactly. Being in lockdown with them twenty-four seven has a way of making me want to strangle my club brothers. But having them here today, for this, will be worth it.”

I frown, but JD’s attention snaps away, and a glance in Ringo’s direction has him mimicking JD.

It takes me a moment, but then I hear it.

A low rumble.

A thunderous never ending rumble, drawing closer, yet still off in the distance.

Alana squeals, clapping excitedly, while Millie scoffs and rolls her eyes at her sister.

“Jesus Christ, Lans. You’d think you’d never met Cam’s heathen mates before.”

“Shut up, Millie. You’re just jealous they give me all the attention.”

“Yeah,” Millie deadpans. “That’s definitely my problem.”

“Both of you better fucking behave,” Ringo barks as he strides past them, jabbing a stern finger their way. “Lans, keep your fucking legs shut. And Millie, no fucking punch ons with the Doxies. Think you can both manage that for one fucking day?”

“I’m not making any promises.” Millie rolls her eyes, but when she looks my way, she winks.

Wait… what just happened?

What was that wink?

Was it a friendly wink or a conspiratorial one?

Or worse, a promise that she’s gunning for me?

“I’m thirty-one years old, Cameron. I’ll spread my legs for whoever the hell I want,” Lani calls, as Ringo continues my way, a low growl rumbling from his chest as frustration rolls off him in waves.

Regardless of his frustration, he looks good today.

Not that he doesn’t normally, but there’s something different about him today.

His hair is pulled up and knotted on top of his head, but he often wears it like that, although it looks a little tidier than usual.

It’s not until he gets closer that I realise he’s trimmed his beard. Like a lot.

He looks… groomed.

“Come on you two, let’s get these tents finished.” JD moves away as Ringo reaches me, giving us some privacy.

“Angel. You look radiant today.”

Ringo’s smile is warm, his eyes trailing over me like I’m something precious. When he reaches out and pulls me to his chest, I melt into him, peering up in time for him to claim my lips.

The chatter of Millie, Alana and JD fades away.

The storm of motorcycles fast approaching turns into nothing but a distant hum.

Right now, all that exists is me and Ringo, and his lips on mine.

Before I realise what’s happening, I’m lifted in his arms, my legs wrapping around his hips as he carries me. Our mouths are molded together in a heated kiss that speaks of so much want, I can feel it pooling between my legs.

“Ringo,” I whimper against his lips, right before he presses me against a hard surface.

My eyes fly open as he breaks the kiss to stare into my eyes.

“Thank you for trusting me last night, Angel.” His thumb brushes over my lip as he pins me to the outside wall of the barn. “Are you feeling okay after what we did? ”

“I feel wonderful.” I nod easily, biting at his thumb playfully.

“That’s good. I look forward to doing it to you again tonight.”

His promise, and that deep rasp in his voice has me grinding against his hard length, and he grinds right back.

“Fuck, Angel. Now’s not the time.” He chuckles and I pout.

“But I’m needy.”

“Don’t I fucking know it.” He smirks. “Just hold on to it. The longer you let it build, the better it will be,” he promises, before slowly lowering my feet back to the ground.

I’m about to protest when I realise the thunderous rumble is so loud now, that I can feel it vibrating through the wall of the barn.

“The riff raff has arrived,” Millie snides as she walks past us, followed by an overexcited Alana, while JD shakes his head at her enthusiasm.

“Shit.” Ringo frowns as he starts tugging out his top knot. “I was hoping to go over what we spoke about last night before they got here.”

“What did we talk about?” I ask watching his dark hair tumble free.

The first rumbling steel demon appears through the thick trees then, stealing his attention.

Trunk leads the pack, with Smitty just behind, and the rest of the club cruising at the rear. Celina is on the back of Smitty’s motorcycle, and the VP, Spud, is just behind them with one of those sidecars carrying Smitty’s dog, Molly.

“What do you mean?” Ringo asks, and I drag my confused gaze from the Southern Sadists rumbling closer.

“What do you mean, what do I mean?” I frown. What had we been talking about?

“I asked you—”

“Fuck, man. Why does Trunk look so good in my position?” JD appears between us, cutting Ringo off. “You think he does a better job than me?”

Ringo sighs. “There’s only one Road Captain, JD. Calm down. Prez isn’t looking to replace you.”

I’m so damn confused right now. What the hell is a Road Captain?

I could ask, but the roar of the motorcycles is too loud now as they fill Ringo’s property.

Shit. I forgot how many members there were. Not to mention a lot of them have women on the backs of their bikes. Most are Doxies, but there are some I don’t recognise as well.

Suddenly, the peace I’d had this morning evaporates.

As they park their rides, the thunder of engines slowly lessens as one by one, they shut them down and start pulling off their helmets.

“Here’s the lucky couple!” Smitty yells and cheers ring out from the men un-straddling their motorcycles.

Even though I’m smiling, I’m reeling, because what the hell is happening?

I knew the club was coming today, but everyone seems a little too cheery, like they are here to celebrate something.

“What’s going on?” I ask loud enough for Ringo and JD to hear, and it’s JD that looks mortified when he glances my way, before he shoots a glare Ringo’s way.

“You didn’t fucking tell her?”

“Tell me what?” I snap, and Ringo groans, tipping his head back to stare up at the sky as club members close in around us .

“Fuck, man.” JD shoulders past Ringo, walking straight into the fold of club brothers where he disappears into a swarm of man hugs and back slaps.

I open my mouth to ask Ringo for answers, but Smitty steps in, shaking Ringo’s hand, his dog getting wheeled to his side in a pram… what the?

A new level of confusion hits me when I take in Molly’s bandaged leg and body, and when I meet Celina’s eyes, standing behind the pram, she smiles, like there’s nothing wrong.

What happened to Molly?

“Beautiful Abbey.” Smitty’s rough voice drags my attention away from his dog, and I blink up at him. “Or would you prefer we still call you Charity?”

I roll my eyes. “Abbey. Please. I killed Charity. She’s dead.”

Throwing his head back, Smitty laughs, directing his attention to Ringo.

“I forgot how sassy this one can be.”

“Hmmm.” Ringo’s lips thin, but then he shoots me a wink.

Smitty grins. “We’re all so happy to share today with you.”

I frown. “What’s happening today?”

Smitty blinks in confusion before turning to Ringo. “What am I missing?”

Ringo sighs.

“There’s been a little… uhh… miscommunication.”

Now my frown just plain hurts, and then the edge in Smitty’s voice has me stiffening.

“You know the fucking options, Ringo.”

“Yeah, I do know the fucking options. Just give me a fucking minute. I need to speak with Abbey.”

My heart races, a lead weight of dread settling in the pit of my gut as my mind whirls.

What the hell is going on?

It’s then that the crowd parts, and a familiar face comes into view.

One I’d be happy to never see again.

I don’t know what comes over me, but I move before I can think better of it and shove through Ringo and Smitty, barging past club members, and storming straight towards the woman who has had it in for me from day one.

Wendy’s smirk is lined with a familiar smugness that instantly has my shackles up, and she crosses her arms over her chest, popping her hip as she watches me approach like everything about me is amusing.

And maybe it is.

Maybe I look ridiculous, all five foot six of me with pink hair and a bump that looks like I’m smuggling a tiny cushion under my dress. But I don’t give a shit.

I’m angry she’s even here.

I’m angry she still has the audacity to look at me like I’m beneath her.

And I’m angry she did what she did to drive a wedge between me and Ringo.

Yeah, at the time, it had worked. I’d been devastated, but not anymore.

He came for me.

He chose to keep protecting me.

He chose me .

And now this bitch can eat shit. Because no matter what happens, she will never win the affection of any decent man.

“Oh fuck,” someone mutters from behind me as I shove through the last cluster of people and come to stop right in front of Wendy.

“Looks like you get the wedding after all, Charity ,” she sneers. “Just don’t forget who he’ll be balls deep in when you’re stuck at home playing house.”

Something inside me snaps .

A war cry bursts from my throat as I lunge, my hand swinging hard and fast. The slap cracks through the air, connecting clean with her cheek, and Wendy’s head whips to the side, as she stumbles, barely catching herself before turning her fury back to me.

She moves to pounce, and in a blur of movement, several bikers step in between us, two seizing Wendy with rough hands, while a solid wall of muscle shields me.

For a moment I think they are here to protect her, until one of them, Mex I think, growls.

“You even think about raising a hand to Abbey, and I’ll slit your fucking throat.”

I stumble back in shock, right into a soft chest. Spinning around in a panic, I come face to face with Jols.

“Hey, it’s just me.” She holds up her hands in peace, her smile soft and warm, and I collapse into her arms.

An umph flies from both of us as I latch onto her, happier than I realised I’d be to see her soft blue eyes and welcoming smile, and that silky dark hair that flows halfway down her back.

“I missed you,” I whisper, and she gives me a squeeze.

I don’t quite understand the reaction I’m having. I knew Jols for a week.

She was one of Ringo’ s crew that kidnapped me. But she showed me kindness and cleaned me up in that murky rest stop bathroom. She also opened up to me, sharing her heartbreaking secret, so similar to mine.

I only knew Ringo for a week too, but maybe, some souls just recognise each other.

Or maybe, my pregnancy hormones are messing with me again.

Ugh , I don’t know.

All I know is having Jols here means I have a friend.

“Shit, Abs. I missed you, too.” Jols pulls back, her blue eyes locking with mine. “I’ve been so worried. I looked for you, day and night. When Ringo had club business, I still looked for you.”

“You did?”

“Fuck yes I did. I’m sorry I didn’t find you sooner.”

She looked for me?

We hug again, emotion swelling thick in my chest.

“Alright. Enough lovey dovey shit. Save it for the ceremony.”

Smitty’s voice has us breaking apart, and I turn to face him.

“What ceremony?” My gaze dances between him and Jols, before shifting to Ringo by Smitty’s side, looking nervous. “Is this a biker club thing? Are you like, patching someone in, or something?”

“Or something,” Smitty mutters, glaring at Ringo.

“Wait…” Jols looks frantically between me and Ringo. “She doesn’t know?”

“Look, I thought she did, but clearly I’m fucking mistaken,” Ringo snaps.

“I don’t even know how you can fuck that up,” Jols scoffs .

“You’re fucking overstepping, Jols!” Ringo snaps and I throw my hands up, sick of being kept in the dark.

“Oh my fucking God. Would someone just tell me what bloody ceremony you are all talking about?”

A hush falls over the crowd around us, who had, up until now, been minding their own business.

“She swears.” Ringo’s brows shoot up, and I roll my eyes.

“You’re pissing me off. So yeah, I swear .”

Jols snickers and Smitty smirks before he reaches out and gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“We’re talking about your wedding ceremony.”

For a moment, I just blink dumbly at him.

Did Smitty just say… my wedding ceremony?

A laugh bubbles past my lips, but it dies quickly when I realise, they aren’t laughing too.

Then I stop breathing.

“My what? ” I squeak.

“Maybe we should give you and Ringo a minute,” Smitty suggests, before raising his voice to the crowd. “Let’s finish setting up!”

What. The. Hell.

“Did I…” I turn my wide eyes to Jols. “Did I hear him right?”

Her panicked eyes flick in Ringo’s direction, before she cringes and spins on her heel, stepping away.

I shake my head, sure I must be confused about what I think he said. Or maybe it’s Smitty that’s confused, because for some stupid reason, he thinks Ringo and I are getting married.

Staring up at Ringo, I see a flash of guilt whip across his expression and the dread I felt earlier gets heavier .

“You better start explaining,” I snap, surprised by the steel in my tone.

The crowd dissipates around us like they don’t want to be anywhere near while we have this conversation, and Ringo steps closer, keeping his voice low.

“You really don’t remember me asking you last night?”

“Asking me what?” I snap, hands on my hips as I glare up at his towering height.

“Shit,” Ringo mutters, dragging a hand down his face before his gaze darts over my head, and he gestures for me to start walking.

But stuff that. I’m not going anywhere. So instead, I shoot him a steely glare as I shake my head, and he sighs.

“Fine. We can do this here if we must.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “Last night, I asked you to marry me, and you said yes.”

I frown. Then blink. The frown again. Before I laugh.

Ohhh. I get it.

They are all messing with me. This must be a club joke or something.

“Yeah I remember that,” I snort. “You were mucking around…” When his serious expression doesn’t falter, I start to panic. “Right?”

He shakes his head.

Oh… shit!

My hands drop to my sides, all my sass now gone.

“I thought you were kidding,” I whisper, my heart thumping an irregular rhythm in my chest.

“Angel, I’d never joke about that.”

My mouth opens… then snaps shut .

Is this really happening? Is his club really here to witness us get married?

Panic crashes into me like a wave, drenching me in cold, choking dread.

“I’m not marrying you.”

“Why the fuck not?” he snaps, brows knitting together like my denial has hurt his feelings.

“You’re kidding right?” I scoff.

“Do I look like a fucking joking man, Angel?”

For a long moment I just stare up at this man I have so quickly become enamoured with in utter disbelief.

He blinks at me, and I blink at him, but nothing changes. He remains serious, and I… I can’t do this.

Spinning on my heel, I storm away.

“Where the fuck are you going?” he snaps, his long strides easily keeping up with mine.

“I’ve told you before,” I bite out, flinging him a furious glare as I stomp towards his house. “I’m not marrying you or anyone else. And I’m certainly not interested in being your property , or your side piece wife while you keep an old lady.” I stop abruptly and jab my finger into his chest, hard. “I don’t fucking share.”

He smirks.

He. Bloody. Smirks!

“Good, because I don’t fucking share either, and I have no fucking interest in anyone but you, Angel.”

I roll my eyes and throw my arms wide.

“Oh sure. You say that now until you have me at home playing your little housewife, raising your six kids while you visit your old lady at the club and fuck her the way you used to fuck me!”

He blinks at me .

And then smirks again.

Before I can scream and punch that smug look off his face, he steps close, invading my personal space, snaking his thick corded arms around me, and yanking me flush against him.

Then he dares to give my arse a biting squeeze.

“Firstly, Angel,” he growls, low and lethal. “I haven’t fucked you yet . But I will. Mark my fucking words, I will.” He fists the hair at my nape, tugging my head back sharply. “And just so there’s no fucking confusion moving forward. You are my old lady and will be my wife, Angel. You are both. There will never be anyone else.”

“Not are ,” I snap, pressing my hands to his chest, and trying, and failing, to shove him back. “Not ever. ”

Ringo’s jaw ticks as he stares down into my raging eyes, and then he sighs and releases me.

Shooting him my best glare, I quickly straighten my dress with sharp, angry movements, making sure he sees every bit of my rage.

“Look, we kind of don’t have a choice.”

My brows shoot up at his words.

No… he wouldn’t.

“You’d better not be saying what I think you’re saying, Cameron Musgrove .”

His eyes darken instantly. “Don’t use my real fucking name around my club.”

I scoff, too far gone in my anger to care.

“Oh, I’m sorry . How rude of me to use your real name . What a heinous crime. ”

“Don’t get fucking sassy with me, Angel,” he growls, and I gasp dramatically, feigning my fear as I slap a hand to my chest in overexaggerated shock.

Then I roll my eyes.

“I’m not scared of you, Ringo.” I shove my hands on my hips. “And if I want to be sassy, I’ll be fucking sassy.”

His brows shoot up in surprise… then of course he smirks.

“I think I like you like this. All riled up. Swearing like a sailor.”

Heat licks over my cheeks in shame, and the weight of what this actually is slams into me.

This isn’t just bickering. A disagreement over something mundane.

This is real.

The anger in my arms unravels as my hands fall from my hips.

I don’t understand why this is happening again.

Marriage.

No long love story with a heart stopping proposal that has bystanders in tears.

Just another person telling me what I have to do. Who I have to marry.

And once again. I don’t even know why.

“You know I can’t marry you,” I whisper, emotion thick in my throat, and despite how I feel, I’m not prepared for the flash of pain in his eyes.

Does he actually want to marry me?

Before he can say anything else, and before I change my mind, I turn and run straight for the house.