Page 11

“Are you sure she’s ready?”

Hardy asked, checking out the last of the decorations.

The clubhouse had been opened up, and Millie was helping Angel as they placed up the last of the pink banner.

Angel was dressed in a beautiful blue prom dress that really contrasted with her hair, highlighting the blonde tresses.

Hardy saw Lash was close watching his woman, and beside him was their son, Anthony.

The kid was nearly in school, and Hardy couldn’t believe how much time had passed.

It didn’t seem that long ago when Angel was giving birth, and Anthony was coming home to a family that loved him.

The club had couples, and all the kids were also dressed for the prom, and it was just a cute-fest.

“Hey, man,”

Gash said, coming to slap him on the back. He turned to see his friend was also dressed in a tux for the event.

“You’re still here. Whizz told me he gave you what he needed.”

“He did, and now I can wait a few days. I’ve got to see this prom through, meet Sally, and then I’m gone. I’m not going to be around for your kid coming into the world.”

Gash thrust his hands into his pockets. “I’ve got what I need, and I’ll be gone after today.”

“What’s the plan? Stalk the woman in the hope of her leading her to where you want to go?”

Hardy asked.

“Pretty much. I want to know if Charlotte knows where she is.”

“Who is this woman?”

“Charlotte?”

“Her, and the other woman. You’ve never said her name, and it’s so fucking long ago, I can’t remember her name.”

Hardy turned in time to see Gash clench his teeth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

“It’s okay. The memories are always there. They’re never going to disappear. The woman’s name who sent me down, accusing me of rape and murder, is Rebecca Charleston.”

Gash tightened his hand around the glass bottle he was drinking from. “She’s the bitch who sent me down, along with the cop she was fucking.”

Hardy didn’t need to ask about the cop. He remembered him. “Who is Charlotte?”

“She was Rebecca’s roommate. A cute, chubby little thing. She reminded me a little of a mouse, and I used to call her that, mouse.”

Gash smiled. “I thought she would come to the trial telling what had happened, save me. She never did. I didn’t even get a fucking visit from her.”

“What if there was a problem?”

“Charlotte knew the score between Rebecca and me. She watched the bitch beg me to make love to her. Rebecca had a thing about being watched. The guy they accused me of killing I’d never even met.”

“I’m sorry, man.”

“Don’t worry. They’re all going to know what it’s like to be fucked with. I’ve got every intention of fucking with them.”

Hardy nodded. “Do me a favor, Gash, be careful.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means that I know you, and I know this path you’re heading down. You need your revenge, and the only way for you to get that is to hurt a woman. Hurting women is not what you’re about.”

Hardy went to run fingers through his hair, and stopped when he remembered his hair was in fact done for the prom. “When you hurt a woman, it takes you to a new level.”

“You’ve never killed a woman.”

“I’ve hurt the woman I love. I’ve hurt Rose at every angle there is. I’m a mean motherfucker for what I’ve done to her, and I hate myself for it. There’s nothing I can do to change that. I really wish there was, but there’s not. I’m changing. I’m becoming the man for her.”

“You can’t change the fact you’re a biker.”

“I know, but I can change the kind of man she has. She changed for me. Rose gave me a shot in the beginning, and it’s time I gave her back what she gave me. I love her. She’s my heart and soul.”

“What are you getting at?”

Gash asked.

“If you go down this path of murder with Charlotte, and even with Rebecca, it could finally take you away from what you know. It’ll stop you from ever experiencing love.”

Gash chuckled. “I’ve experienced love, but it was a fucking fantasy.”

“What?”

Hardy asked.

“I can’t believe I’m about to tell you this. I had a dream, or at least I think it was a dream. I was completely fucked out of my mind. I can’t even remember what I was dreaming about or the kind of shit that was going on around me. I met a woman, and she had hair that smelled like warm vanilla. The length was so long that I wrapped it around my fist, pulling on it as I made love to her. Her moans were the sweetest I’ve ever heard.”

Gash looked lost in his fantasy. “I felt with her what I imagined you felt with Rose. She was home. She was perfection.”

“What happened?”

“The following morning I woke up, and she was gone. There was no memory of her name, or anything else than what I’ve described to you. I can’t remember her.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing. She had to have been a dream.”

Hardy chuckled. “What if it had been Charlotte, or Rebecca?”

“It couldn’t have been Rebecca. She was out that night. It wasn’t Charlotte.”

“How do you know?”

“Charlotte is not my kind. She’s lovely, don’t get me wrong, but she’s too damn sweet. I like my women on the naughty side.”

Hardy shrugged, looking down at his watch. “It’s time to go and bring my woman to the prom.”

“You’re really going for this?”

“Yes. I love my woman, and she didn’t have a prom of her own.”

Hardy slapped him on the back, and moved out to his car. Baker was with Rose, but he was riding to meet Millie. From what he’d learned from Baker, he was dating Millie without her actually knowing she was being dated. It was bizarre to Hardy, but he wasn’t going to upset the brother in any way.

He made his way out to the car, climbing inside. Hardy had already left the dress on her bed for her to find. Baker had called him to let him know that she’d found the dress for herself, and was already putting it on.

The drive didn’t take very long, and some of the locals were also invited along for the event. Hardy didn’t mind sharing this with everyone. The only person he had eyes on was his woman, Rose.

Pulling up outside of the house, he knocked on the door.

Baker opened the door first, shook his hand, and slapped him on the back. “Is Millie at the prom?”

“She’s there.”

“Phew, I thought I’d have to go and find her.”

“She’s there helping out Angel. Where’s my woman?”

“In the kitchen, nervous as hell.”

Entering the house, he made his way to the kitchen, and paused when Rose called out to him.

“Stay where you are. I’m going to come out, and you’re going to tell me what the hell is going on,” she said.

“I’m right here, and I’m ready.”

He smoothed out his jacket, and then he just fell in love with his woman all over again. The dress was stunning and showcased her body to perfection. She’d curled her red hair, and his heart raced.

“Well, what do you think?”

she asked, running her hands down her dress.

“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Rose blushed. “You don’t have to say stuff like that.”

“I have to. You’re beautiful.”

“You’re dressed in a tux, and so was Baker. I’m kind of nervous right now,”

she said, looking at her own dress then over to him. “What’s going on?”

“All will be explained the moment we go to the club.”

“Is this one of the reasons why I can’t go to the clubhouse?”

Hardy pulled out a corsage. “I got you this.”

“This is feeling a lot like a prom to me, Hardy. What’s going on?”

she asked.

“I’ll tell you everything you need to know when the time is right.”

“I’m getting excited now, Hardy. You’ve never done anything like this before.”

“Maybe I should wait, and let you get a little more excited.”

“Don’t you dare! I can’t handle waiting around another moment.”

She rubbed her hands together, and Hardy was charmed by her excitement.

He took the ride back to the clubhouse slow, and with each second that passed, Rose got more anxious. Finally, he put her out of her misery, and took them to the clubhouse, parking inside the parking lot.

“Oh my God,”

she said. The outside of the clubhouse as well as the inside had been decorated to that of a prom.

“Welcome to the prom, my love.”

He parked the car, turning off the engine. Rounding the car, he opened her door, and offered her his arm. “I believe one lady didn’t get a chance to go to the prom, and it’s time to rectify that memory.”

She clung to his arm, holding him close. “You did all of this?”

“Yes. I did all of this. Well, I begged a little, and Nash helped out.”

“I’m glad you’re giving credit where it’s due,”

Nash said.

They turned around in time to see Sophia on Nash’s arm with their daughter in front of them. The small family looked so beautiful and charming.

“You look beautiful, Rose,”

Sophia said.

“Thank you. You don’t think it’s too much?”

Rose touched her hair, and then the dress. “Hardy picked the dress.”

“It’s all beautiful.”

“This was all Hardy’s idea,”

Nash said. “He wanted you to have the prom you missed out on.”

“I love it,”

Rose said.

“We’re not even inside yet.”

Taking her hand, Hardy led the way, hoping she loved every second of it.

****

Hardy thought of everything. Rose had her picture taken, and there was a glittery ball that glinted down on the floor. The main doors to the back of the clubhouse had been opened up, and the whole place looked like a high school. Well, a high school for adults. They grabbed a plastic cup of punch, and Hardy took her outside. She recognized Angel and Lash who were dancing close together on the dance-floor. They looked beautiful, charming, and utterly adorable. Anthony was standing with him, dancing with Tabitha and Miles. Eva and Tiny were close to them.

The whole club was a family. She even noticed that Daisy, Tabitha’s friend, was also there by her side. Rose doubted the family was even there. Daisy’s family was known as drunks, and didn’t really care about their daughter. Eva and Angel took care of Daisy more than her own parents did.

“What do you think?”

Hardy asked.

“I can’t believe you did this.”

“Are you happy that I kept you away for it to be a surprise?”

“Yes, I’m so happy about it.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder. “This is the best prom ever.”

“The high school is going to be so pissed with me. I’ve set the bar this year.”

She giggled and closed her eyes. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and she knew everything was going to be more than okay.

“That punch doesn’t have alcohol. With the kids, and the pregnant women, I voted against spiking the punch,”

Hardy said.

“You’ve thought of everything.”

“You bet I have. I wanted tonight to be perfect for you.”

“It is.”

She released a little sigh, finished off her fruit drink, and took his hands. “Will you dance with me?”

“Yes. Be warned, I’m not a very good dancer.”

“I don’t care.”

The song turned to a slow number, and Rose believed it was bliss just by being in his arms. “You can dance slowly. This we can handle.”

“Yes, I can handle this.”

“I can’t believe you did all of this for me.”

“I made a mistake. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’m not going to continue making them.”

“You’re making a woman feeling loved.”

Rose knew she should be pissed that Hardy read her diaries, but she wasn’t. Those dairies were where she’d bared her soul. He’d not cared enough to ask her how she was, or to even talk. They’d talked a hell of a lot more in the last three weeks than they had in ten years of marriage. After all this time she couldn’t even begin to tell him the kinds of things she had to the open pages. No one cared about what was written on those pages. She didn’t have to worry about hurting a person’s feelings, or that her words were unkind. The pages gave her an outlet to bare her soul.

“You are loved.”

The song continued to play, and Rose rested her head on his shoulder. “What’s your favorite color?”

“Red.”

She smiled.

“You?”

“I love green.”

“That color contrasts with your hair.”

“I know. I think it’s why I like it. Chicken or steak?”

“Damn, that one is a hard one. I think steak wins. You can do so much with it, and you can grind it up for meatballs.”

“You can do the same with chicken.”

“It’s not the same. It’s nowhere near the same, and you can have a lot more flavor with steak.”

“Okay, fine. Mashed potatoes or roast?”

she asked.

“Both. Why have one when you can have two?”

“You’re being greedy.”

“Maybe just a little.”

She leaned back and smiled at him. “I like this. We should do this more often.”

“I don’t know. Lash is probably going to be so pissed at me after all the mess is cleared up.”

“I don’t mind helping. What’s happening tonight?”

she asked.

“Well, it’s prom, and so it’s a rite of passage for my woman to have sex.”

“With you?”

“There’s no one else you’re going to be with. This is all about giving you what you missed out on.”

Closing her eyes, she rested her head on his shoulder. It really was perfect.

They danced together for three more songs, and then Hardy had to disappear to the bathroom. She moved to stand beside the women of the club. Angel was standing in Lash’s arms, and the kids had taken up the dance-floor with some children’s songs while the grownups took a breather.

“You look happy,”

Angel said.

“I am happy.”

“You better be. Hardy made sure all of this was for you,”

Lash said, pointing around the room. “We’ve got pink streamers coming down from the roof. I tell you, any passing MCs are going to think we’re fucking pussies.”

“We’ll take them,”

Tiny, Nash, and Zero all said.

Rose chuckled.

“Yeah, baby, you’d be at an advantage,”

Angel said.

“How is that?”

“They’ll think you’re a bunch of girls, and then real men will come out. They’ll probably soil themselves.”

Angel leaned back, kissing his cheek.

“I’m going to get myself a drink.”

Lash cupped the back of Angel’s head, deepening the kiss a little more.

Angel sighed. “I tell you that man is getting more possessive with age,” she said.

“You’re loving it,”

Rose said.

“I am.”

Angel chuckled, clearly looking happy.

Looking out onto the dance-floor Rose saw Anthony dancing with Daisy while Tabitha and Miles were together.

“Is she missing Simon?”

Rose asked.

“I wish the Simon she was missing was Tate’s son, but yes, she is.”

Angel looked around before turning to her. “Devil’s on his way with Lexie, and the kids.”

Rose’s eyes, widened. “What?”

“Don’t tell anyone. I asked Eva for Lexie’s number, and asked if she could make it tonight. I’ve set up the guest rooms in the clubhouse. Butch and Cheryl no longer live here, and their room is spare. The kids can stay in the children’s area.”

Angel pressed a hand to her heart. “What if Tiny’s annoyed with me? He’s making friends with Devil, but it’s not the same. I really should have thought about this.”

Taking hold of her hands, Rose forced Angel to look into her eyes. “You really need to calm down. Nothing bad is going to happen. You’re fine, and everything is going to be fine.”

“I don’t know. I didn’t tell Lash, and I thought it would be a nice surprise.”

“Is it only Devil and his family that is coming?”

“Yes. No one else is coming along.”

“You’ll be fine. I promise.”

Rose gave the panicked woman a smile. “What’s done is done, and you’re going to be fine.”

Angel nodded. “You’re right.”

She breathed out a sigh of relief.

Hardy came back first with two plastic cups filled with punch. “Here you go, baby.”

“Thank you.”

“What’s wrong with Angel?”

“I’m sure you’re going to find out soon enough.”

She took a drink, and as if Angel had thought them into existence, Devil, Lexie, Simon, and her other children entered the clubhouse. The family was greeted by Alex and Sunshine, then Tiny and Eva.

Rose stayed back while Angel went and explained everything.

“I get why she was panicking now.”

“I think her heart was in the right place.”

“I don’t doubt it. Tiny doesn’t look angry about it.”

She watched as Simon walked onto the dance-floor. The little boy had an aura of confidence around him. He was dressed in the most adorable child tuxedo. Miles shook his hand and moved away going toward Rachel.

“Isn’t that so adorable?”

Rose asked, watching the young kids.

“It would seem that distance for Simon makes the heart grow fonder.”

“He’s going to be a heartbreaker when he’s older,”

Rose said.

“I think Tabitha’s going to be the same. No man is ever going to try to use her.”

Rose couldn’t argue with him. Hardy wrapped his arms around her, pressing his hand to her stomach. “We’re going to have to be worrying about all of that.”

“I know. I can’t wait. Can you imagine our son panicking about screwing up with a girl?”

“Or our daughter if I get to the door before she does?”

“You’ll be an amazing father.”

“And you’re going to be a wonderful mother. The best, really.”

They stood watching the kids on the dance-floor. It really was a cute-fest. Rose wondered what it was going to be like in ten to twelve years when the kids were going to their own prom. There was no predicting what was about to happen in their lives.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“Nothing. I’m so happy right now.”

Resting her head against his shoulder, Rose realized she didn’t want this to end, ever.

****

“You came,”

Tabitha said, wrapping her arms around Simon.

“I promised I would.”

Simon looked over her shoulder to their parents. Angel was talking with his mom and dad. He was so happy right now. Every moment he was away from Tabitha was hard for him. He missed her all the time, and when he tried talking to his dad, Devil simply brushed off his fears.

Dancing together, he turned her around, holding her close. He didn’t entirely understand everything that was going on, but he didn’t care. Tabitha was there, and for the moment he was happy.

“Hardy wanted to make Rose happy,”

Tabitha said.

He listened to her talk, explaining to him everything that had happened, how Angel and her mother, Eva, had decorated the clubhouse.

The pink was gross, and he’d never allow the Chaos Bleeds clubhouse to look like a girl’s playhouse.

“How long you staying?”

Tabitha asked.

“Don’t know.”

Anthony shoved him in the arm, and Simon turned to hug him as well. Daisy held onto Tabitha’s hand as they all stared at each other.

****

“That’s the next generation of all of us,”

Tiny said, looking at the group of kids. Rachel, Miles, and Tate’s Simon had joined them. In a few years Kelsey’s son would be joining them, along with his own baby, Rose’s kid. They were growing every year, and Tiny was so happy to see The Skulls working hard.

“They look so damn happy,”

Devil said, holding his son close to him. Elizabeth and Josh were holding Lexie’s hand.

“How is everything going in Piston County?”

Tiny asked.

“Fine. Snake and Jesse are getting married in a couple of weeks. Dick’s took off to go somewhere, don’t know where exactly.”

“He said there was someone he needed to see,”

Lexie said.

“Don’t know who. Everything is going great. Family is building, getting stronger.”

“I’m glad.”

Tiny wrapped his arm around Eva.

He and his wife had talked long and hard about Tabitha and Simon. There wasn’t anything they could do about the bond the two had formed. Tiny only hoped when the two grew up, they grew apart. He’d never known two different clubs unite as one, and he didn’t want to lose his daughter. The last thing he wanted was for his little girl to ever be caught in a crossfire between their clubs.

****

Whizz looked in the back of his car at Sally. She was resting her head against the window pane, and looked so damn pale. Her only belongings were in a black plastic bag beside her, and his heart broke for the young girl. No girls should ever have to deal with that kind of rejection, and yet Sally had.

“Do you think we should just go back to the house?”

Lacey asked. “They’re having a prom at the clubhouse. It may be a little too busy for her.”

“I don’t mind staying in the car if you want to go and have some fun.”

“It’s not about us having some fun, honey. Hardy, one of the men, wanted to throw a prom for his wife. It sounds more complicated than it actually is. I promise,”

Lacey said.

Whizz saw it didn’t matter to Sally. She was out of her foster home, and that was all she was happy about. He wondered if she had some kind of bet on how long she was going to last in their lives.

“We’ll stop by the club. It’s only right for all the brothers and their wives to meet our daughter,”

Whizz said. Just like he predicted, Sally turned her gaze to him.

“You don’t have to be nice to me.”

“I’m not. I’m saying how it is. As far as the rest of the world is concerned, you’re my daughter.”

The more he said it out loud, the better he felt.

Turning down a road, he started to make his way toward the clubhouse rather than toward his new home. There was a lot of decorating still to do, but the home was livable, and that was all that mattered.

Lacey kept talking to Sally, asking her about school, and what she liked. Most of the time the answers Lacey got were one word answers. The social worker had told him that there was a detachment between teenage adoptions and babies. It can take time to build on that same attachment with their kids.

Whizz wondered if Sally was going to make it hard on them on purpose, or if she didn’t know how else to be.

Parking in the clubhouse lot, he smiled when he watched Sally’s reaction. Her eyes grew wide, and he imagined it took her every ounce of control not to press her nose against the glass.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

“This is the club you’re part of?”

“Yes, The Skulls.”

He climbed out of the car, and moved to her door. “Come on. It’s time to go and meet people.”

“You want me to go inside there?”

“Yes. You’re not going to have a problem meeting people, are you?”

She shook her head. “Erm, I didn’t expect this.”

“Look, honey, you’re going to need to forget about everything you’ve ever known. We’re not like the assholes you’ve been with before,”

Whizz said. “We’re going to blow your whole world.”

Lacey stood beside Sally and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Do you want to meet them?”

“Yes.”

On the way toward the main entrance, Whizz froze as Gash came out. The brother looked like he was on a mission, and Whizz was surprised to still see him waiting around.

“You’re still here.”

“I’m still here,”

Gash said.

“Sally, this is Gash. He’s one of the brothers. Gash, I’d like you meet mine and Whizz’s daughter, Sally.”

Sally froze in place, and Gash gave her a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I was waiting for your appearance before I headed out tonight. The Skulls will protect you. You’re not alone anymore.”

Whizz nodded for Lacey to take her inside, and he stayed back to talk to Gash. “You’re still here.”

“I’m still here. I know. I’m not for much longer. I’m heading out.”

“Be careful, not just with yourself, but also with Charlotte.”

“She doesn’t need a white knight to help her out,”

Gash said.

“Maybe not, but you don’t know everything. Don’t act out quickly.”

“Look, Whizz, I like you, and before shit happened, I could even see us getting along, but we’re both different. Back off, and let me do what I need to do.”

Holding his hand up, Whizz backed away. This wasn’t his battle. This was nothing to do with him. Watching Gash, Whizz wished he’d not been able to find Charlotte. For both Gash and Charlotte’s sakes, he hoped they told each other the truth before they screwed each other over.