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CHAPTER TWENTY

Violet

After Declan made his point one last time in the shower for good measure, we packed up our things and headed back to town. We rode in comfortable silence. Both of us are deep in our own thoughts. Mine are all a jumbled mess.

I’m excited to see Carter. It feels like the longest week ever being away from him. I can’t wait to hear about all the things he did while I was away. Declan said he was on the farm with Caleb and Liz doing chores. I’m sure he loved every second of taking care of the animals. He used to want to be a veterinarian when he was five years old.

A pet store near our old house always had puppies in the window. Carter would ask to go visit them and on weekends when James was working out of town or on trips with his friends, it became our tradition. We would go see the puppies and play with them before getting a hot chocolate or a smoothie from the local coffee shop.

One weekend while we were visiting the store, a woman came in looking to pick up her newly adopted puppy, only to find out he had gotten sick and passed away. Carter was heartbroken over the news. It wasn’t even our puppy, but my boy has a sensitive heart. He decided that day he wanted to be an animal doctor so he could save the sick puppies.

As with most five-year-olds, his career choice changed about fifteen times by the time he turned six.

But his love of animals never changed. He’s always wanted a dog of his own, and when we get a place that’s not a small apartment, I’ll get him one.

You’ll have a bigger place with Declan.

It’s a crazy thought.

Moving in with Declan.

We only just started dating. If that’s even what we would call this thing between us. Although, he says I’m his ol’ lady, the club equivalent to his wife. But I’m technically still married.

No. Violet Swanson died in a horrific fire. Violet Dupree is alive and well, and in love with a very large and obviously alpha biker.

I need to talk to Kayce and ask him how this would even work. If it could work. Could I marry Declan? Would it even be legal?

And what about the club?

Declan said he’s claimed me, and the club accepted me as his ol’ lady, but what does that even mean? I understand it’s sacred, like being his wife, but what does it mean for the club? He’s an enforcer, whatever that job title entails. I’m not certain I want to know. I mean, what does he enforce exactly?

His will upon your body.

My thighs squeeze at the memory of how he wrung so many orgasms out of me this morning before we left the cabin.

His hand gripping my thigh draws me out of my thoughts. The devilish smirk he’s wearing says he knows what I was thinking about.

“You nervous?” he asks, giving my thigh another firm squeeze. My body heats and my core clenches.

“A little,” I answer honestly. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to act around everyone now. Does the title of ol’ lady come with some sort of duty list or something? I mean, I know the club girls cook and clean and …” I clear my throat. “Service the brothers as Jayde puts it. Am I expected to do those things now too?”

“Fuck no,” He growls and cups me between my legs. I jump at his heated touch, but there’s nowhere to go when I’m sitting in his truck. “I thought we had this established. This is mine. I don’t fucking share. With anybody.”

“Okay, caveman. Got it. Grrr, yours.” I grunt back. “Jesus.”

“As for your duties as an ol’ lady, it’s pretty simple. Loyalty to me and the club is the main thing expected of you. We’re a family. Whatever you would do for family, that’s what you do for the club.” He shrugs.

“And what about the club girls?”

“What about them?” He glances over at me, then back to the road.

“Will they accept that you’re in a relationship now? Will they respect the title of ol’ lady or will they still service your needs? Because I don’t share either,” I challenge.

Declan’s face morphs into a mask of disgust. “My ex-wife cheated on me, baby. I’m not about community pussy. I fucked my fair share of women after my divorce, but that’s all it was—just fucking. But this …” The palm of his hand still against my center presses down over my clit through my jeans and I feel a gush of liquid soak my panties. “What we have between us is way more than fucking, Dove. I didn’t think I would love anyone after what my wife did. You proved I can, and I do. I’m not fucking that up over a used piece of ass.”

“That was very … sweet.” Declan’s laugh fills the cab of the truck.

“I don’t know about sweet, but it was honest.”

“Okay.” I sigh, leaning my head back against the headrest.

It’s not long until we’re pulling through the gates and driving up to the clubhouse. Declan parks his truck near the rear entrance and I nearly jump out of the truck when I see Carter running out to greet us. As soon as the truck is in park, I open my door and run to meet my boy, gathering him up in a tight hug.

“Mama!”

“Oh, I’ve missed you so much. How are you? Let me look at you.” I pull back, looking him over. His hair is disheveled and his jeans are covered in dirt, but it’s the manure smell that about knocks me over.

I pinch my nose and take a step back. “What on earth have you been doing? You smell like …”

“Pig… sh—poop.” His eyes look over my shoulder, and when I turn to see what he’s looking at, Declan’s standing with a raised eyebrow and a warning glare. They share a nod and I’m starting to wonder what these two were up to while I was away.

“What did you do while I was gone? Did you have fun at Declan’s house?” I ask, watching closely as the two share a silent conversation.

Carter shrugs his shoulders. “We watched Batman cartoons, played video games, and he made me healthy meals.” Carter winks at Declan, who drops his chin to his chest to hide his laughter.

“Uh-huh. It sounds like Declan was the perfect role model while I was away then, huh?”

“Oh yeah. He even bought me my own helmet for when I ride on the back of his bike.”

“You what?” I spin on Declan. He glares down at my son with his hands on his hips.

“You were supposed to let me tell her about the helmet, kid. Now look what you did. I’m going to be in time-out now.” Declan gestures to me. He comes closer, placing his hands on my hips and pulling me close, and his forehead meets mine. “You’re not going to be mad that I bought something to keep the kid safe if he ever has to ride on the back of my bike, are you?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

Declan’s mouth curves into a mischievous grin. “Is this another fight? Because if it is, I know how to get you to come around to seeing things my way.” His words are a low growl. My body responds anyway, the floozy. Declan kisses my lips chastely, then taking my hand he leads me toward the clubhouse doors.

“Come on. Let’s go see what Pres has going on.”

We walk inside and find that almost everyone is here. All the women, except Lisa, Mack’s wife, are seated on the couches laughing and talking among themselves. Hawk is sitting at the bar with his laptop, scowling at the screen. Jake, Gabe, and Caleb are all seated across the room from the women, looking angry and frustrated. Gabe, in particular, looks like he’s ready to burn shit down. Jameson is over at the pool table with Ghost playing a game and Ethan is hovering close to where Skyler and her pregnant belly are seated on the couch.

“Hey, Sadie!” Carter shouts. “You want to play Pacman? Bet I can beat your high score.”

“You’re on, kid.” Sadie gets up from her seat, catching all kinds of attention in her skintight blue jeans and long-sleeved low-cut t-shirt. Well, she has Hawk’s attention, anyway. He catches one of the prospects staring and slaps him on the back of the head.

“Not on your life. And that’s exactly what it will cost you if you try.” I hear his reprimand. I look to Declan for explanation and find him trying to fight a smile.

“Why is it not okay for the prospect to look at Sadie?” I’m genuinely curious. She seems a bit young to be someone’s ol’ lady, but then again, Avery is Jake’s ol’ lady and fiancé and she and Sadie are the same age.

“The easiest answer is she’s Gabe’s niece and Caleb’s granddaughter, and a prospect isn’t a brother until he earns his patch.” Declan leans down near my ear and whispers, “But the real reason, if you ask me, is because Hawk has a hard on for her but doesn’t seem to have the balls to make it work.”

Declan uses two fingers to lift my jaw and close my mouth. “Close your mouth, baby. Unless you want me to fill it for you.”

I slap his arm and he laughs. “Don’t say shit like that in here.”

“Dove, you’re going to hear a hell of a lot worse in here the more you get to know the club. Trust me. My brothers are no saints. Quite the opposite, actually.”

“Hey, Dec,” an exaggeratedly sweet female voice says from behind him. With his broad shoulders and hulking body, I can’t quite see who it is, but I know the voice. Melanie. She’s one of the club girls. I’ve heard Skyler and the other girls talk about her at the gym. She’s been sleeping with everyone, from prospects to officers and any visiting brothers in between trying to get herself a patch.

I fight the jealousy I feel clawing at my insides when I watch her hand snake around Declan’s shoulder as she leans her very large, and not very covered, tits against his arm.

“Haven’t seen you around in a few days. We should get caught up.” She brings her hand to her mouth, sucking on the tip of her index finger, then biting down on the tip with a suggestive smile.

“Melanie. You’ve met my ol’ lady, Violet, before.” Declan shrugs out of her hold, pulling me to him, my back to his front, wrapping his hands firmly around my waist.

“Your—? When did this happen?” Her voice is a little shrill, and I’ll admit I’m biting the inside of my lip to keep from smiling.

“Yo, Snatch-for-Patch!” Sadie shouts from her seat at the Pacman game, where my son is heavily engrossed in his turn. Melanie’s head snaps up, her eyes narrowed, and her lip curled over her teeth in a snarl.

I didn’t know people could actually do that.

“What did you say?” Melanie growls.

Maybe she’s part rabid.

“Snatch-for-Patch. It’s what you do, right? Give up the snatch, hoping to get a brother’s patch. Or do I have the job description confused?” Sadie’s brow creases and she taps her chin with her finger, as if she’s deep in thought over her own question. This time, I cover my mouth with my hand. I don’t know what makes Sadie act so boldly toward the women who live in the clubhouse, but I won’t say it’s not entertaining as hell.

“Declan’s taken. He’s claimed Violet and her son as his. Which means you’d better keep your damn hands to yourself. Got me?” Sadie stands with her arms crossed over her chest and a raised eyebrow, daring Melanie to challenge her.

Melanie raises her hands up in front of her. “I meant no disrespect. I didn’t know you had an ol’ lady. I thought she was just a friend of the club. The last time she was here was months ago.” She looks me over from head to toe. When her eyes shift to Declan, she gives him a coy smile and says, “But you’ve been coming here nearly every night after work.” She shrugs, batting her eyes and twisting a piece of her hair on her finger. It’s all I can do to keep from rolling my eyes. “What’s a girl to think when you’re here with us all the time?”

Declan starts to say something but doesn’t as we’re both nearly knocked to the floor by the force of a ten-year-old little boy slamming into my side, wrapping me and Declan in a tight hug. When Carter lifts his face, his smile is wide, and his eyes have a sparkle to them I haven’t seen in such a long time, it takes my breath away.

“Is Sadie telling the truth? Are we going to be a family now? You, me, and Mr. Declan?” Carter looks from me to Declan, anxiously waiting for us to confirm. Declan leans in, brushing a kiss to my temple as he reaches down and scrubs the top of Carter’s already disheveled head.

“Yeah, kid. We are. You, me, and your mama are moving in together just as soon as I can get some sh—stuff sorted.” I glare over my shoulder at Declan for his near-curse in front of my son. The devilish grin is back. Declan shrugs. “Bad habits die hard, babe.”

“Wait. Does that mean you can’t cuss in front of my mom now either, Mr. Declan?” I spin around in Declan’s arms, my hands firmly on his chest, and my brow raised. “Can’t cuss in front of me, huh? Am I to assume you told my son he could cuss when he isn’t in front of me?”

Declan freezes. His eyes shifting over my shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a small hand waving and move to look over my shoulder when Declan’s hand grips my chin and his mouth lands on mine in a firm, fog inducing kiss.

The room fills with cat calls and women shouting, breaking through the momentary haze his wicked tongue always seems to leave me in.

“I see how it is,” I tell Declan, keeping my voice low.

“How what is?”

“When you plot against me with my son, you’ll kiss me stupid to keep me in the dark. And when we argue, you’ll fuck me into giving you your way.” I drop my head against his chest. “Either way, I’m screwed.”

Declan tightens his arms around me, his boisterous laugh drawing everyone’s attention to our little bubble. Carter squeezes into the hug, looking up at both of us, smiling.

“I was hoping we would get to be part of this family,” he says. “Does that mean I’ll get to be a King when I grow up now too?”

“Sure kid,” Declan says.

“So, we’re part of the found family now.” Carter says it in a way like he’s just learned something profound.

“What do you mean, Carter?” I ask, not sure I understand.

“Well, Caleb and Liz said the Kings are like what they call a found family. It’s not about the blood you share, or your last name, it’s about who you care about and who has your back.” He leans in, his eyes a little misty, and whispers, “We need good people who care about us and watch our back, Mama. People who will protect us from …” He trails off, looking up at Declan. When Declan gives a curt nod, Carter adds, “Good people who will protect us from the bad ones. And I think we found those people here.”

My eyes fill with tears as the weight of what my son says pierces my heart.

My poor son.

The burden he’s carried all this time thinking he had to protect me. To keep me safe, when all along it’s been my job and sole worry to protect him and his innocent little heart from everything his father has done. There’s so much to process in what he’s just said, but I don’t get the chance as we look up and find everyone in the room, minus Melanie, is now surrounding us.

All of Declan’s brothers and their families take turns congratulating us and welcoming me and Carter into the family. All of them seemingly excited for us. It’s very overwhelming and somehow comforting just the same.

“All right!” Gabe’s loud voice shouts over all the others. “Ladies, you’re all to stay here, hang out, shoot the shit. I don’t really care. Except for you, Sadie. Don’t burn down my clubhouse and no fighting with the club girls.”

“Spoil sport!” Surprisingly, Avery is the one who says it. She and Sadie are laughing and fist bumping each other.

Since I have no clue what’s going on, I turn to Declan for answers. He leans into my ear and whispers, “Avery got into a fight with one of the club girls a while back. Avery beat her ass pretty good. It was actually fun to watch go down.” My eyes widen in shock.

“I won’t have to fight any of them, will I? I’m not much for violence.” I imagine myself throat punching Melanie and oddly enough, feel a tinge of satisfaction with the idea. “You know what? Nevermind. I’ll be fine.”

Declan eyes me curiously, but I keep my thoughts to myself.

Just in case.

“All right, assholes. Let’s get this shit over with. We’ve got church!” Gabe shouts out over the room, then leaves.

The men shuffle around, making their way down the hall to the room with double doors. I watch each one, taking in the people around me and how they all interact with each other.

Jameson drops his pool cue and leaves the room with Ghost following close behind. Ethan kisses Sky on the head and whispers something to her. She nods, rubbing her belly. Mack kisses Jayde and gives her a stern look, to which she rolls her eyes. Jake kisses Avery, grabbing her ass and lifting her off the ground. When he breaks the kiss, he leans in to her ear and whatever he says has her cheeks flushed. Hawk says something to Sadie, smiling as she flips him off in passing. But it’s Caleb and Liz who have my undivided attention now.

The way he holds her to his chest, her short frame tucked up under his chin. He strokes her hair while whispering to only her. She breathes in deeply, nodding her head and whispering back. There’s just something about those two and the way they love each other.

I want that.

When Caleb steps back, putting space between them, he leans down, cradling Liz’s face and kisses her hard. She melts into his touch and gives herself over to him. It’s such a beautiful display I almost feel like an intruder in their special moment.

After Caleb heads down the hallway, Liz calls out for the kids to go join her in the kitchen to help her make some snacks. Carter looks up at me with his big, bright smile.

“Gotta go, Mama. Miss Liz needs my help.” Declan and I laugh at his excitement as he takes off for the kitchen doors.

Declan leans down, hugging me close. “I’ve got to go, baby. Stay here in the clubhouse. I’ll come get you two as soon as we’re done and we’ll head home.”

“I don’t know if we should go to your place just yet.” I don’t know how to explain what I’m feeling inside. Trepidation. Nervous anticipation. Arousal. My body has a mind of its own as thoughts of being in Declan’s bed while he repeats all those delicious things he did earlier.

Declan’s grin says he knows exactly what I’m thinking about. He kisses the top of my head. “We’ll discuss this further when I get out of church.” He chuckles. “You know, Dove? I’m getting hard at the thought of having you naked and in my bed.”

A gasp leaves me, and Declan uses it as an excuse to capture my lips one more time. “I’ll be back, baby. Be good.” I’m left a standing puddle of goo, while he’s gone off down the hall and left me to the curious women whose eyes are all now on me.

Well, shit.