Page 9 of Loki’s Spellbinder (Hunters Creek Archangel’s Warriors MC #14)

“But if it’s him, it’ll be awkward whenever we’re around each other. They’ll know I wanted her. I don’t want it to ruin our friendship with Chaos’s club.” I informed them of one worry.

“She’s a beautiful woman. It’s a given that more than one guy would be interested in her,” Tank stated.

“Does Brynlee know you check out other women?” I asked as I narrowed my gaze on him.

Tank grinned. “Damn right, she does. And the same goes for her with other men. We have eyes. It registers who is good-looking. But we don’t have any interest in them beyond admiring someone for drawing our attention to them.

I guarantee you, she’s all mine and only wants and loves me, and I feel the same way about her. ”

“And it doesn’t cause trouble between you?” I asked. I knew I wouldn’t want a man getting too admiring of my woman or vice versa. That shit could go south.

“It doesn’t because we’ve established our boundaries and have solid trust in each other,” Tank interjected. Payne, Bull, Bear, and Player nodded in agreement.

I thought about what they were saying. I wasn’t ready to tell them that allowing someone that much trust into my life was scary. It could easily go wrong. Wanting to get more details about Braelyn, I turned to Bull.

“What else did Wrath say about her and this man she put away?” I inquired.

“They’re trying to get details from her. It seems Brae can be rather closed-mouthed about her work. She told them she didn’t want them involved and that she’d be fine. Suffice it to say, the club in general, and Rage, Wrath, Betty, and Chaos, in particular, aren’t happy about her response.”

The mention of Chaos made me scowl. Shoving it to the back of my mind, I continued, “So, how many do they want to come down to help with her security?” I asked.

“That’s where it gets even stickier. Not only is she telling them not to get involved, but the club is also afraid they might need to take it further, such as sending her to another location.

Braelyn refuses to consider it. She says she has to work.

It’s been a hot debate. Right now, Wrath was asking who they might be able to get help from.

I told him just to let us know what he needs, when, and how many,” Bull explained.

I mulled over what he said. It intensified my need to speak to her. How could I stay here and wait for her to give up what she knew and agree to accept help? Or to deepen her relationship with Chaos? I couldn’t. I gave Bull an entreating look.

“I think our boy is about to beg to be allowed to go to Georgia, Pres,” Bear said, chuckling.

“Oh hell yeah, he’s got it bad. I don’t think there’s a maybe in this deal. He wants Braelyn. Chaos better watch out,” Tank said.

“If she gives you even a smidge of encouragement or indication she’s not immune, go for it. Don’t let her go unless you know she doesn’t want you. Don’t get me wrong, I like Chaos, but when it comes to your forever happiness, you have to ensure you make yourself happy,” Payne slipped in.

“Okay, I think we’ve given him enough advice. I’ll wait and call a meeting tomorrow for the others. I need you to think about what I said and bring any suggestions or questions to church. Thanks for coming. Get yourselves home to your families,” Bull growled playfully.

They spent a minute or so shaking hands, saying goodbye. I had to hold back my impatience and do the same. As they filed out, I caught Bull’s eye. He nodded. Tank pulled the door shut as he left us.

“I knew you’d want to speak to me alone.

Sorry, I had to spring that on you. I know you don’t like to air your business around others, but they will have your back.

You need to know that. They might tease a bit, but they’ll be in your corner.

As old men, they know what you’re dealing with.

I almost backed away from Jocelyn, and it damn near cost me her.

She was nearly killed before I got my act together.

“I walked into her house and bedroom and found her on the floor. Her eyes were closed, her hands bruised, and there were red marks on her neck. As if that wasn’t enough, her nightgown was hiked up, and she had no underwear on.

I couldn’t see or hear if she was breathing at first.” Bull stopped and took a deep breath.

I could tell it still caused him pain. I had no idea that happened to her.

They met about two years before I joined the club as a prospect.

“Fuck, I had no idea, Bull. I’m so sorry that happened to Jocelyn.”

“It ended up being someone she knew. Thankfully, he’d run when he heard us coming, so he didn’t rape or kill her, but it was close.

If I’d lost her, I don’t know what I would’ve done, Loki.

That’s why you must be positive about what you want and feel.

Know whether you want to pursue it or not.

You know what it’s like to live with regret and questions. ”

“I do, and I never want to do that again. I want to go to Georgia. She needs protection, and they need to work their jobs. I’ll take a pay cut or whatever to do it.

Renegade knows all the processes and how to care for the Abodes.

If you can spare him from Excursions when there’s a problem, that would do it.

The tenants are pretty good about not constantly bugging me. ”

“I don’t need to cut your pay. People are allowed to take time off.

I’ll talk to Slash about letting the Abodes have Renegade as much as he can, even if it’s just being a presence on site.

We have enough people here to cover it. What I need is for you to make sure to talk this whole thing out with her.

And if you can get her to listen, she should consider getting away for a bit.

Just until the Pagans can figure out how to deal with this bastard, maybe you can get her to come to Hunters Creek and stay at the compound.

I bet there’s a bed somewhere she can use. ”

The twinkle in his brown eyes made me chuckle. “Yeah, there might be,” I joked.

“Alright, enough pissing around. I know you. You’ll want to run out tonight, but you should get at least a few hours of rest before you go.

I need to tell Wrath to expect you, but not to say anything to her.

I won’t tell him why, only that you may have a way to convince her to listen. How does that sound?”

“Sounds like a plan. Thanks, Bull.” I was back on my feet. He came around the desk and put his hand on my shoulder.

“It’s one of the things I’m here for. Now, let’s see what everyone is doing, and then you can slip away soon to get yourself packed and take a nap. I’ll message Wrath and let him know.”

As we left his office, my spirits lifted a smidge. Maybe this would go better than any of us expected. I’d be relieved if I could get her to tell us who it was. Our personal stuff could be worked out over successive days or weeks.