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Ten

The Invasion of the Pride

Blade

N ever have I had a problem getting out of bed in the morning, until Emmy.

Even after a night of fun with other women, I still wanted to get the hell up and out and back to the garage.

Leaving my woman in bed was painful, but I needed to get to work so I could be back for when Dan and Steve get to Emryn’s house, because I don’t want her there alone when they arrive.

I’m sure the message we gave them is incentive enough to behave around Emryn, but why take chances?

I’m deep into an engine issue when War taps on the hood to get my attention. “Time to go, man,” he rumbles. I glance up at the wall clock. It’s not even eleven, and we’re not expecting Dan and Steve for a couple of hours.

“What’s up?” I ask, grabbing the rag off my tool bench to wipe the grease off my hands.

“Guard wants to see you,” is the answer I get, and by the expression on War’s face, that’s all I’m going to get. I waste no time because when Guard summons, you get your ass in gear.

As I walk around back toward the compound, I see Guard’s waiting for me on the back patio. “Walk with me,” he says. We head down the path into the tree line that surrounds the club property. There’s a chill in the air this morning; winter is on its way. I stuff my hands into my jacket pockets.

Guard is quiet for too long. It’s unnerving, and I get a sense that I’m not going to like what he has to say. I can’t take the silence any longer. “Something wrong, Prez?”

“Not yet. But I’m afraid, brother, that you’re going to come across a rough time.”

“The club?—”

“Not the club,” he says. A wave of relief washes over me. Satan’s Pride has had its fair share of trouble, and personally, I can use a break.

I raise my brows. “My family?”

“Nope.”

Shit! What’s left? I ask myself. Then it dawns on me. “Emryn?”

“She’s a good woman, Blade. Good down to her bones, but the hurt runs deep.

So deep that she doesn’t even see it herself.

You’ve always followed your gut. That’s good.

Up to now, though, the only person you had to consider was yourself.

Even though your father hasn’t completely come around yet, you never doubted he would, and he will.

With Emryn, it’ll be different. You’ll need to dig deep to decide whether you can weather the storm that’ll hit her and whether you can ride it out to the other side,” he tells me.

“Emryn is one of the most levelheaded women I’ve ever met. She’s got a plan, and like you said, she’s good to the core.”

“She is.” He nods.

“Then what am I preparing for? I don’t understand.”

“Can’t say what it is, only that it’ll happen. She’ll push you away or try to. What you do is your decision,” Guard says with a sigh. “Just remember, her heart is pure and maybe that’ll quench the fire in your gut when shit hits the fan.”

My stomach roils, and I feel sick. “What can I do?”

“My advice is to ride the wave. It’s part of your story, so no matter the ending, it’ll make you stronger,” he replies.

Guard puts a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve got your brothers.

You’re not alone. I wish I could tell you how this is going to end, but my gut says her family’s done a number on her. Not all bruises are visible.”

“Thanks.” I drop my gaze to my boots, going over all he’s said.

“Enjoy each day,” he adds. “We can only deal with what we’re given. You got good and beautiful right now, so let it seep into your soul. We’ll deal with the tomorrows that come as a club.”

I’d like to say his words are comforting, but they aren’t. In a short time, Emryn’s become very important to me. I think I’m falling in love with her. We’re good together, and when I’m not with her, I’m thinking about her.

“I hear Ava and the others are going to your woman’s house early. You may want to meet them there so they don’t scare her off.” Guard chuckles.

“I have a car up on the lift. Almost done, though.”

“Get it finished and go,” he orders with a smile.

Guard knows me too well. My passion for cars and working on them is a big part of who I am.

I like taking on a car with a problem that no one can figure out and listening to the engine purr when I’m done.

Guard’s working on a present for Ava’s birthday.

It’s a vintage convertible that he wants restored, and he’s trusting me with it.

Every spare moment I’ve had up to now has been spent in the garage off-site.

I’ve taken the engine apart and have been ordering parts as I’ve needed them.

Guard is researching where to find the original parts, which isn’t an easy feat, but the guy loves his wife, and nothing is going to stop him from giving her this automobile.

“See you there later?” I ask.

“Absolutely. Do you think I’d miss some of Hanna’s good eats?” he says with a laugh.

I laugh along with him and turn around to go back to the clubhouse.

The mood is lighter, but Guard’s words are meant to be heeded.

The guys have told me stories of his premonitions.

He has this ability to see what we don’t.

When they had nowhere to go, Guard and Ghost were adopted by a man who became their world, and he must have been quite a guy, because Guard and Ghost are both incredible men.

There are unspoken words between Ghost and Guard. They’re not biological brothers, but they are brothers in a way that exceeds blood and genes.

Live for the day and brace for the storm. Right, I can do that.

Emryn

K nock, knock, knock! I can barely hear the door from the back patio. It’s early yet, so it can’t be the movers. When I get to the door, I discover a horde of women, all with bright smiles, carrying bags and trays.

“Hello, we’re your welcoming committee!” Vi says. “Are you going to let us in?” Blade told me to expect the Lady Pride, but I certainly didn’t think there were this many.

“Of course, sure.” I step aside and watch as they file in. I guess my surprise is showing because Vi comes to stand beside me.

“Abby and Izzy won’t be here until later. They’re working but will be here as soon as they can make it,” she says, then puts her arm around my shoulders and leads me over to the others, who are gathered around my kitchen counter, making me very aware of how empty my home is.

“I’m sorry.” I look around at the empty space. “This isn’t very comfortable or inviting.”

“Oh, please, that’s why we’re here.” A beautiful woman who looks like she could pose in a magazine, her luscious dark hair bouncing around her face, leaves the pack and comes to me.

“I’m Ava, Guard’s wife. And, we’re here to help.

We have a few housewarming gifts in the car, but we’ll bring those all in once we get your things settled. ”

“You didn’t have to do that. Coming to help is more than enough,” I reply politely. They don’t even know me, and yet they’re buying me presents.

“Let me introduce you to everyone,” Ava says. “Where do I start?”

“Me, first,” a woman with a sleek ponytail answers, giving me a little wave. “I’m Quinn. I’m with Priest.” At first glance, I can see that she’s a woman who has it all together. Pretty and confident, and genuine.

“Next to Quinn is Willow. Her man is Roscoe,” Ava says, and Willow wiggles her fingers at me in lieu of a wave.

“Beside her is Charlotte; Wildcard is her hubby. Rose, our flower lady, is Thunder’s old lady.

” Ava moves her hand down the line to an elegantly dressed woman.

“This is Francesca, but we call her Frankie, and she lets us.” Francesca giggles.

“Camille is our resident nurse and is married to Steady. And this is Sofia; she’s Demon’s wife and a kick-ass lawyer.

She looks after all the legal business for Satan’s Pride.

” She looks around the room. “Who are we missing?” Ava taps her chin.

“Izzy and Abby are coming together as soon as school’s out,” Quinn answers.

“Maddie is helping Hanna with the food delivery,” the girl beside her says, and if I remember correctly, her name is Willow.

“I hope there isn’t a test later,” I murmur, and Vi laughs.

“Oh, sweetie, by the end of the night, you’ll never forget us,” she teases.

The door bursts open, and Blade stops at the entrance, looking around the crowded space while the women turn to see him.

“Babe, we’ve been invaded.” His eyes meet mine.

“Come here, Emmy,” he says in a soft, low tone.

I go right to him. He bends his head and touches his lips to mine, and whispers, “Are you good with all this?”

“Your friends are my friends,” I reply quietly. My reward is his brilliant smile.

“Then prepare, because this place is going to get busy. The guys are closing up the shop early and are coming over,” he informs me.

Later that evening…

I have a couch and a table. My desk is in the spare room.

My bed is assembled, and I have a dresser and side tables.

My kitchen is put together, and I finally feel like my house is a home.

As I look around, the invasion of Satan’s Pride is apparent.

Men are hanging out around the room, with their wives on their laps or sitting close. Demon and Maddie are serenading us.

I can’t believe Demon is really Lucien Bardon, the famous singer, drummer, and guitarist. He made a comeback years ago.

He stayed out of the limelight, but now his new music is heard on every radio station.

Demon made a conscious decision to only make a cameo appearance in his music videos, so that he could continue his low-key lifestyle.

It’s hard to believe that Blade and Demon are as close as they are, and Sofia, his wife, is super sweet and treats Blade like he’s her kid brother.

And Maddie from the Smoking Guns is singing in my living room.

My jaw dropped when Maddie came through the door, carrying trays of sandwiches with the help of Hanna, the owner of the bakery.

Maddie is about simplicity. The music world is crazy enough as it is, and War, her husband, keeps her grounded.

War adores his wife, and he’s protective, keeping his eye on Maddie as she moves around the room.

It’s cute to see a six-foot-three-inch warrior turn to mush when he looks at his wife.

Risk is Hanna’s husband, and he’s just as attentive to his wife as the rest of the men in the Pride are to their other halves.

Hanna is quiet but takes the time to come over and chat with me.

There’s a story with every couple in the Pride, and from what little I’ve heard, Hanna’s story is a rough one, but ends with a happily ever after.

I’m so glad it does, because she’s wonderful.

Abby and Izzy came in partway through moving the furniture into the house.

Right away, they rolled up their sleeves and asked what they could do to help.

Izzy is married to the man they call Saint and is a teacher at the local school.

He’s a doctor with a clinic in town, and Camille is his nurse.

Saint is a veteran, and I learned that many others in the club have served our country too.

Abby is the librarian in town and is married to Ghost. I’m not ashamed to say Ghost scares me a little. He’s huge and always wears a severe expression, except when he’s around Abby. His wife is the love of his life, and he makes no pretense about it.

Suddenly, Blade’s arms wrap around my waist from behind. He rests his cheek against mine. “Welcome to the Pride, babe.”

“They’re awesome. This is the best party I’ve ever had.”

“You haven’t lived until you’ve been to a Pride party at the club,” he answers. “We’ll have to make sure that happens soon.”