Page 26 of Inglorious (Unwanted Bastards MC #1)

Nanci

W ith worry racing through me, I stared at the invitation on my desk and frowned.

This had the potential to cause a shitstorm.

Razor, Chill, and Inglorious weren’t ready for something like this.

The intent was well-meaning, but for a club that was beginning to heal, this was the worst possible timing.

Agitated, I tapped my nails, attempting to make a decision.

Refusal could be considered dismissive, and the invite had been sent in good faith.

No harm had been meant, but attending might set everyone in the club back.

A couple of us could go, but if we weren’t involved in the war, it would look like we were trying to snatch some glory.

Unsure how to proceed, I sighed and dropped my head into my hands.

“What’s wrong?” Inglorious asked, and I jumped. I’d not heard him enter. “Nanci?” he pressed when I didn’t answer.

“Inglorious, I’ve received an invitation from Rapid City. They’re holding a massive cookout for those who were involved in the war last year. The club’s been invited,” I responded, deciding to be straight.

Inglorious stiffened, and his expression went dark. “They’re celebrating the deaths?”

“No. They want to remember those who died, and they’re opening a monument in the park,” I replied.

“Another damn memorial? How many does Rapid City need?” Inglorious demanded.

“As many as it takes for people not to forget, I suppose.”

“Typical. That’s not even the anniversary,” Inglorious bit out as he picked up the invitation and studied it.

“Yes, I’m well aware of the date Seth died,” I said sharply, and Inglorious looked ashamed. He blew his cheeks out and leant back in his chair, attempting to calm down.

“Sorry.”

I sighed, reining in my temper. “No, I am. I shouldn’t have snapped. I’d like to avoid this too. However, the club has to show a token presence. But I’m unsure who to send.”

“Ask for volunteers in church. You can’t force anyone to attend,” Inglorious said.

“Sheesh, I had no intention of forcing anybody. And we’ve got a couple of months to decide.”

“That’s good,” Inglorious drawled, his tone laden with sarcasm.

“Was there anything else you wanted?” I inquired, unwilling to push him.

“Yeah. There’s an open-air movie at the park. They’re showing one of your favourite films. I’ll pick you up at half six, don’t worry about bringing anything,” Inglorious said and got up out of the chair.

“A date night?” I asked, surprised.

“Yup. See you soon.” With that, Inglorious sauntered out of my office.

Well, now I had a date to prepare for, I thought, amused.

◆◆◆

Inglorious was true to his word and was in the rec room at half-past six sharp. When I entered, I noticed eyes on us. Curious looks were being sent our way, but I refused to comment.

“You look nice,” Inglorious remarked as I approached.

“Nice?” That was meh.

“Well, I’d have said drop dead gorgeous but didn’t want this bunch of fools getting the idea that you’re available,” he quipped, and I laughed.

“Strangely enough, they see me every day, Inglorious. I doubt they think like that.”

“Take a second look, Nanci,” he murmured as he placed a hand on my lower back. I snorted but glanced around the room. Vortex gazed back expressionless, but there was interest in Hercules, Chill and Sabre’s eyes.

“Oh,” I muttered and looked down at myself.

I wasn’t dressed for a night out clubbing.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d made an effort. A cute dress with a cardigan over the top and a pair of strappy sandals.

My hair was down, and I’d curled the ends.

Despite being a star in Vegas, I usually wore minimal makeup, and that was the same tonight, although I’d done my eyes smokier.

“Come on, before I end up fighting to take you out,” Inglorious teased, and a blush hit my cheeks.

“Have fun, kids,” Hercules called out, and I flipped him the finger at the same time Inglorious did. We shared a laugh and headed out. As we walked to the end of the wooden street, I spotted a Ford Raptor parked up.

“Yours?” I asked.

“Yeah. Got it just before—it’s hardly been used,” Inglorious said, changing direction mid-sentence. Inglorious had been about to say before the war. With effort, I turned my thoughts away and studied the pickup. The Raptor was black with grey accents and looked brand new.

“Have you even driven this?”

“Twice?” Inglorious answered, but didn’t sound too sure. I laughed again, and Inglorious offered me his crooked smile.

“You’re the only woman ever to ride in her.” Inglorious got a few steps ahead and opened the passenger door. He reached inside and pulled out a gift bag.

I peered into the bag and smiled as I saw a variety of bath bombs.

“Didn’t want to give you this in front of everyone. Nanci, I was unsure if you wanted the brothers to know we’re going on a date-date.” Inglorious actually sounded uncertain of himself, which was at odds with the man I knew.

“Does it bother you if they did?” I asked curiously. Tonight depended a lot on Inglorious’s answer.

“Fuck no. I’d shout this from the rooftops. But I’m a recovering alcoholic, and you might not want to be publicly associated with me.”

Thoroughly insulted, I crossed my arms and glared. “What the fuck?”

“Nanci, a woman like you, someone so fuckin’ special, can have any man walking this planet. Why the hell would you want to date a wreck like me?”

I held Inglorious’s gaze and saw the insecurities he was trying to hide.

I wanted to scoff at his thoughts, but guessed that would hurt him.

“Why would I be ashamed of being seen with one of the kindest, respectful, loyal, and decent men around? Inglorious, so many women want you, and instead, you’re here with me.

I’m nothing special, but you are. Even when I hated you, I didn’t hate you.

It was easy to turn my feelings into negative ones.

That allowed me to disregard my true emotions. ”

Inglorious straightened, and his beautiful eyes pierced mine, trying to see beneath my words.

“And it was wrong to blame you for rejecting me. That was the best thing you did for me when I was a teenager. Now is our time, Inglorious.”

“Spell it out, Nanci. I want no mistakes between us,” Inglorious stated.

“Okay, I desired you in the past, but I was a stupid girl. Now I’m an adult.

When Seth died, I loathed and blamed you for Seth’s death.

The truth is, Seth, Mouse, Bomber, Heat, Snake, and the rest of them would have fought anyway.

Knowing you, you probably even gave everyone an out, and nobody took it. ”

Inglorious shook his head. Just as I thought, Inglorious had done exactly that.

“Seth wasn’t my only family member who died.

I considered them all family. Inglorious, you forgot that from six, I was hanging around the MC constantly.

You and Seth were both sixteen when you put on prospect cuts.

Seth bucked my parents’ orders and ensured I spent weekends with him and, because of him, the club.

Yes, I was infatuated with you from thirteen and made all these silly, romantic dreams up, Roman.

But I’m an adult now; these aren’t the dreams or feelings of a teenager. ”

“Say my name again.”

“Roman,” I breathed.

“Only you get to call me that. Hear me? Nanci, your parents were dicks and remain cunts. I made Rage our allies and took on their war because I saw the bigger picture. The Venomous Fangs would have enslaved Rapid City and spread out from there. Women walking down the street wouldn’t have been safe because if a Fang took a fancy to them, they’d have been snatched, raped, and killed.

Kids wouldn’t have been safe. Shop and business owners would have paid high enforcement taxes or risked being killed as an example to others.

“That’s what Rapid City faced, and a lot worse.

Sure, the allies underestimated Fang’s numbers, and we lost too many people.

But considering they—call the Fangs a homegrown terrorist cell…

because there’s no better word—were operating in our country, there was no option.

The government flat-out refused to believe our warnings, and influential individuals reached out to them.

“Even knowing what I know now… I’d have made the same choice, Nanci. Please understand that. Despite my guilt and self-hate, I wouldn’t and couldn’t change a thing. Which child’s life do I sacrifice to save Psych?”

I flinched at the thought, and Inglorious hauled me close and wrapped me up in his warm embrace. “Shit, I never considered that.”

“That’s not something I wanted on your conscience.”

“Needless to say, that’s in my head now, Inglorious,” I retorted with a hitched laugh.

“Come on. Get into the truck and we’ll go eat dogs and popcorn and watch men in white uniforms fly some planes.”

“Have tissues ready for Goose’s death,” I said.

“Nanci, they’re in that bag. Think I don’t know you?” Inglorious chuckled and helped me into the pickup.

◆◆◆

Content, I snuggled into Inglorious’s embrace as we lay on the back of the Raptor.

He’d thought of everything. There was a blow-up mattress cushioning our asses and some plump cushions we leaned back against. Inglorious had also brought blankets.

We had a good space, which I learned he’d reserved when we arrived.

Despite having cars on each side, they were a car’s width away, giving us privacy.

We’d eaten hot dogs and hamburgers and had a massive box of popcorn and a similar sized one of candy. Inglorious had bought two huge drinks and pointed me in the direction of the portable toilets. Asshole!

I was wiping my eyes after Goose hit the eject button and flew into the plane’s canopy, and Inglorious chuckled softly. He wiped an errant tear from my cheek and sucked his finger.

“A little salty, just like you,” Inglorious teased, and I thumped his thigh.

Inglorious pulled a face, pretending to be hurt, and I laughed.