Page 35 of Creed (Satan’s Fury MC- Little Rock #6)

DEVIN

I t had been days since that night with Brian, and things were just starting to settle down.

Formal charges were made against Brian, and soon after, the investigation against Fury was dropped.

No apologies were made. No news reports or retractions.

They just left Jameson and his brothers to deal with the fallout, but they were on top of it.

A lady’s night celebration was all it took to bring the crowds rolling back in.

The kids and I met with our family counselor. It was just a zoom call, but it had done us all good. He’d been a huge help during the divorce, and with all that was going on with their father, we all agreed that they would increase their visits to twice a month. More if they decided they needed it.

I would always be there for them. They knew that, but it helped them to have someone to talk to and help them process things. I wanted them to have that. I wanted me to have that, too.

I spent several days recuperating and even took a few days off work.

I tried to keep up on class assignments and whatnot, but I mainly rested and watched movies.

It was nice for the first day or so, but I was starting to get a little stir crazy.

Jameson thought it would be good to get out for a while. And he was right.

Even though he’d been wonderful and attentive, I was beyond tired of being stuck in the house. When he suggested going out to Preacher’s place and seeing the horses, I was all in. The kids were, too. We loaded up and half an hour later, we were pulling into the drive.

He’d told me about the stables, and all that Tabitha and Preacher had done here, but I never expected it to be so incredible.

The stables were state-of-the-art with enough stalls for thirty or more horses, and they had several workers, including a couple of the girls from the club.

Together, they worked to give these horses a second chance, and I couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful.

“They’re beautiful. It’s hard to believe they were ever at a kill pen.”

“That’s what a little TLC will do for ya.”

“I’m serious.” I looked at all the beautiful horses, and I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to put them down. “How has she managed to do all this?”

“It’s taken a lot of work, and Tabitha isn’t afraid to hurt feelings to get these guys what they need.”

“I love her.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty great.”

I glanced over at the kids and smiled. They were with Tabitha, laughing and talking as they fed a couple of the horses some carrots. For a moment, it felt like life was finally slowing down, and things were getting back to normal.

And that led me to turn to Jameson and say, “You know, you have quite a few acres over at your place. There would be plenty of room for a barn and a couple of horses.”

“Yeah, there’s plenty of room. No doubt there.”

“You should do it.”

His brow arched, and a slow smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Only if you and the kids move in to help.”

“Ummm, what?”

“Move in with me. We’ll set it up any way you want to, and we can get a barn and as many horses as you want.”

“Jameson…”

“I want you there. I want you all there.” He stepped closer and slid his arm around my waist, pulling me close. “I want to come home to you and have you in my bed and your coffee mug next to mine. I want to hear your kids fussing in the next room. I want all of it.”

There was no use fighting the tears. They started streaming down my face the second he said he wanted to come home to me. I wanted the same thing. I’d wanted it for so long, and now, it was finally happening. “Are you sure?”

He reached up and brushed away a tear that trickled down my cheek. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

I wound my arms around his neck, and as I hugged him, I let myself imagine waking up next to him, rushing the kids out of the house and off to school, only to come back home to a house that we’d made a home.

I wanted that. I wanted him, so I said, “We’ll have to talk to the kids, but yes. We’ll move in with you.”

“Let me talk to them.” I was about to argue when he added, “They need to know that their opinion matters to me, and out of respect, I want to ask them the same way I asked you.”

“Okay, but can I be there?”

“Absolutely.”

We hugged for a moment longer, and I wiped my tears away just as Preacher and Tabitha walked up. Preacher had his arm draped over her shoulder like it belonged there, and it struck me how easy they made it look to just be together. It was like it was them against the world, and they were winning.

“Looks like the kids are enjoying themselves.”

“We all are. This place is amazing, and your horses are just beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Tabitha was practically beaming as she said, “We are very blessed to be able to do what we do. I just wish we could do more.”

“More,” Preacher scoffed. “You trying to put me in an early grave?”

“Don’t give me that,” Tabitha scolded. “You love them just as much as I do.”

“They’re alright.” Preacher gave her a wink. “Until I have to clean out a stall. Then, I wouldn’t give two cents for any of ‘em.”

“Oh, it’s not that bad.”

“Tell that to my aching back.”

Jameson tilted his chin toward the back of the barn, where a young girl was brushing down a feisty pony. Her movements were careful but sure, like she’d been around them her whole life. “How’s Gabby doing?”

“She’s doing really well.” Tabitha’s expression grew soft as she explained, “She’s a natural with the horses, and she’s not afraid of hard work either.”

“It’s up to her, but we’re thinking about keeping her on full time,” Preacher added.

“That’s good. The kid could use a break like this.”

I glanced over at Jameson, and I couldn’t help but notice the way he was looking at the girl. She meant something to him, and while I didn’t know why, I could see that it was important to him that she was doing okay.

I leaned into Jameson’s side, and his arm slipped around me, warm and secure. He gave me a gentle squeeze in response. Preacher cleared his throat, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes. “You two sticking around for supper? Tabitha’s making spaghetti.”

Jameson was quick to respond, “I appreciate the invite, but we’ve gotta get back to her place. We’ve got some packing to do.”

“Oh?” Tabitha’s brows furrowed. “You guys going somewhere?”

“Devin and the kids are gonna move into my place.”

“That’s great.” Preacher smiled. “You need some of the guys to come give you a hand?”

“Yeah, that’d be great. Let’s say tomorrow morning around nine?”

“Hold up there, mister,” I interjected. “We have some things to sort out before we bring in the cavalry.”

“Yeah, she’s right. Make it noon.”

“Jameson!”

Preach chuckled, “I tell ya what. You two talk it out and just call me when you get ready.”

“Thank you, Preacher. I appreciate it.”

We stayed a little longer, saying a quick goodbye to the horses, then loaded up and headed home. When we got to the house, the kids started back to their rooms but stopped when Jameson said, “Hey, hold up a minute. I got something I wanna talk to you guys about.”

Austin gave Chrissy a look, and I could see the apprehension in their eyes as they made their way back into the living room. Austin leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. “What is it?”

“I want you guys to come live at my place.” I wanted to interject and say all the motherly things, but before I could say anything, he added, “I know it may seem fast to you guys, but I’ve loved your mother for a long time.”

Jameson glanced over at me, and I could tell by his expression that he was struggling to find the right words. He let out a breath before adding, “I want to take care of her. I want to take care of you guys, too, and I want to do it in a place that we can all call home.”

Chrissy’s eyes darted to me with a mix of nervousness and excitement, and she was quick to ask, “Will I get my own room?”

“You can have whatever room you want.”

“And we were talking today, and we might put in a barn and bring in a couple of horses.”

“That would be so cool!”

Austin’s gaze dropped to the floor, and for a second, the silence felt like it would swallow us whole. I wanted him to be okay with this, but I couldn’t force it. He would have to come around on his own. After a moment, he looked up at Jameson and asked, “What if it doesn’t work out?”

“I’m not going to lie and say that everything’s going to be perfect. It isn’t. We’re going to have some tough days, but I don’t walk away from the people I love. I’m in this for the long haul.”

“Will we be able to go to the same school?”

“Yeah, we’ll sort all that out.”

Austin nodded, then turned his attention to me. “Is this what you wanna do?”

“Yeah, sweetie. It is.”

“Then, we’ll do it.”

Fighting back my tears, I walked over and gave them both a big hug. “I love you very much.”

“Love you, too, Mom.”

“Go get washed up, and I’ll get dinner ready.”

They both turned and disappeared down the hall. I stepped over to Jameson and slipped my arms around his neck. “I’d say that went pretty well.”

“Better than I expected.”

“So, I guess that means we’re moving in.”

“Hell, yeah you are.”

Jameson wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. He held my gaze for a moment, then lowered his mouth to mine, kissing me so deeply, so passionately, that my knees nearly buckled beneath me.

When he growled into my mouth, my mind was suddenly filled with wonderfully wicked thoughts. I eased back, breaking the kiss, then reached down and took him by the hand, leading him into the bedroom. Once we were at the foot of the bed, I announced, “The bruises are gone.”

“Is that right?”

“Um-hmm.” His eyes raked over me with a sexy smirk. Damn. I loved that he looked at me like he’d never get enough of me. He removed his cut and draped it over the dresser as I nodded with a smile. “I’m feeling really good. There’s just one thing that would make me feel even better.”

“Oh, yeah?”