Page 35 of Defended by Bama (Royal Bastards MC: Mobile, Alabama #1)

Brooklyn

My body rocked gently. My eyes were practically glued shut and my head was pounding.

“Linny, c’mon baby. We need to get going,” Bama whispered in my ear. But it didn’t sound like a whisper. It sounded like yelling.

My hand went to my forehead. “Oh God. Can I not sleep a little while longer?”

“Sorry. Club business.”

My eyes were closed, but he turned the lamp on. Even that bit of light peeking through my lids was too much. “What time is it?”

“Early. But you can sleep all day when we get back. Sophie doesn't have school until Monday.”

Moving gingerly, I sat up. My mouth was like cotton and everything was too bright and too loud. The clock said two a.m. “Is that clock right?”

Bama handed me a bottle of water. “Yeah. I know. But Allie is gonna drive you back, so you don’t have to ride on the bike.”

Glenda’s car was small and didn’t really have a backseat, so thank God Allie showed up.

My splitting head couldn’t handle a helmet for a couple of hours.

I probably would get tired, too. At least I could lay the seat back and rest. “Okay. Is everything okay? I thought we were leaving after lunchtime.”

“Some stuff came up.” He cupped my cheek. “I know you don’t feel good. I’ll make it up to you. I swear.”

I leaned into his warm palm. Pouting, I replied, “Okay, just not today. Can I at least shower really quick?”

“Yeah. I’ll help you.”

A witty comment came to mind, but I was so tired and icky I wasn’t able to vocalize it.

And nothing about that shower was sexy, but he did help me and it was quick.

The soapy water stung the scratches left by that woman.

But I guess it could have been worse. I couldn’t believe I actually fought someone.

I’d never been aggressive, and certainly never possessive enough over a man to do that.

I blamed all the drinks…and the outfit Glenda lent me.

I must have harnessed her inner badass. I wish I had that when I was with Marshall.

After drying and dressing me, Bama had me brush my teeth as he packed up the rest of our stuff from the bathroom. The scratches on my face were red and raised, but she didn’t draw blood, so they would heal well enough. I’d certainly had much worse.

When I was done brushing my teeth, he had packed up all of our things. He came over, kissed my forehead, then grabbed my toothbrush and packed it away, grabbing the bag.

“Glenda packed Sofie up and I’m gonna carry her down. You okay down the steps?” he asked.

“Wow. Umm, yeah. I can make it down.” He was in a rush, but it still was crazy that he had packed everything and was getting Sofie downstairs. I was used to packing everything, packing the car, and managing her.

It was dark and quiet in the rest of the house. “Is someone staying?” I whispered.

“Hammer has to checkout at the real estate office and they won’t open for a while. A few guys are staying behind to ride with him. Everyone else is leaving now.”

Club business meant not for my ears, so I left it at that. But the abrupt exit in the middle of the night made me uneasy.

Allie was leaning against her SUV smoking a cigarette when we walked outside. It wasn’t as quiet outside as I expected this time of morning. And the night air was cooler than the last time I’d been outside, but some AC would be great.

I opened the door to Glenda’s car, and once Bama had Sofie buckled in, I leaned in and kissed her forehead. She squirmed a little, so I used her blanket to help make a spot to put her head.

After getting her secured, I walked to the driver’s side and hugged Glenda. “Are you okay to drive?”

She giggled in my ear. “Yes, not all of us got white girl wasted.” She pulled away, her dimples deepening as she smiled. “I went to bed early, too. I’m good. I wouldn’t drive her if I wasn’t.”

I squeezed her shoulders. “Thank you.”

Bama put his hand to the small of my back and guided me to the SUV. Looking around, the guys that were leaving appeared to be ready to go. “Hey, you sure everything is okay?”

He pulled my hand up, kissing my knuckles. “Yeah. Don’t worry. We’ll be home before you know it.” He leaned down, pressing his warm lips to mine. Closing my eyes like that had me teetering. “I got you,” he said, grabbing my shoulders to right me. “I love you. See you in a bit.”

He opened the door, helped me get settled, then kissed my cheek before closing the door. I laid the seat back, shifting until I was moderately comfortable. Bama walked around the front to talk to Allie.

She looked annoyed, rolling her eyes, then she froze briefly before shaking her head and saying something back.

He didn’t raise his voice, but I’d seen him speak to some of the members with that look.

He was serious and not backing down. The interaction was making me even more curious as to what was happening.

Allie flicked her cigarette butt, then got inside. After starting the car, she asked, “How’s your head?”

“A ball of pain. You?”

She waved me off. “I’m good. Found some pizza in the fridge. Nothing like carbs and grease to kick a hangover.”

“You’re so chipper, though.”

“Well, you’re just getting to have fun for the first time. I’m used to partying hard,” she said with a wink.

A few bikes pulled out, then Allie followed. Looking in the side mirror, Glenda was behind us, and the rest of the guys, Bama included, were tailing her.

“What’s going on?”

“Who knows. Standard answer.”

In unison, we said, “Club business.”

After a heavy sigh, I said, “At least we finally hung out. It’s been fun chatting, but it’s better in person.” We didn’t text often, but it was regularly. Mostly checking in on us, asking about Bama, and she told me about new decor at her place or the occasional date.

She didn’t date seriously from what I gathered, but there was nothing wrong with that.

She was only a few years older than me. I wouldn’t trade Sofie for the world, but I certainly had to grow up fast once I had her.

And then I had to go into survival mode for so long, and not just for myself, for Sofie, too.

Allie was right. I just really started living.