Page 6 of Raven (Sinners Revenge MC- Rapid City, SD #6)
Raven
I dropped Sydney’s prescription off at the pharmacy and told them I’d be back in ten minutes to get the medication, instead of waiting for them to tell me when it would be done, and the woman behind the counter nodded.
As I grabbed a shopping cart and pushed it toward the grocery side of the large store, I ran through what food I had at the house for Sydney.
After grabbing a few cans of soup, a couple different types of juices and pudding cups, and some sweet treats, I quickly paid for everything and carried the bags back to get her medication.
After paying and going over the dosage with the pharmacist, I practically jogged out of the store and back to my truck.
As I approached, I saw Sydney sitting in the passenger seat with her head back and her eyes closed.
Seeing her resting so peacefully, I quietly opened the front door and placed the bags behind the seat.
I got in and watched Sydney as I closed the door.
When she didn’t stir, I knew she was finally getting the rest she needed.
Sydney was going to want to go back to that tiny camper to try to take care of herself and that was the last thing I wanted.
The thought of her being alone was too much for me to think about, so I made a decision.
When I said she was mine, for the first time in my life, something deep inside of me settled.
I cranked up the truck, hoping I didn’t disturb her. She let out the smallest little snore, and I smiled as I pulled out my phone and sent Jigsaw a text.
Me: Can you and Willow meet me at my place?
Jigsaw: Is everything okay?
Me: Sydney is knocked out and I need help getting her settled into my spare room.
Jigsaw: Who’s Sydney? Why do you need Willow?
Jigsaw knew someone had caught my eye, but he and I had yet to sit down and talk about Sydney, so I rolled my eyes and answered his question.
Me: Sydney is my woman and I need Willow.
I didn’t need to tell him everything, only that I needed him and his ol’ lady. He knew I didn’t ask for much from the club, so I wasn’t surprised by his immediate response.
Jigsaw: On the way.
Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I glanced at Sydney and smiled as I turned and backed the truck out of the parking space. My house was on the edge of town, and when I turned onto my street and got closer to my house, I saw Jigsaw and Willow sitting on his bike along the curb.
Turning into the driveway, I pressed the button to open the garage door and pulled inside before turning off the engine.
Looking into the rear-view mirror, I saw Jigsaw and Willow walking up to the driver’s door.
Carefully, I opened the door and looked over at Sydney.
She let out an adorable little snore and turned her head away as I got out.
“Hey, brother,” Jigsaw said and glanced inside the truck, raising his eyebrows as he turned to look back at me. “Something happen you forgot to tell me about?”
I lifted my chin toward the end of the truck, and the three of us stepped away from the open door. Lowering my voice, I tried to explain without sounding crazy, but if any of the brothers would understand crazy, it was Jigsaw and Willow.
“Sydney works for me, and she’s sick. I need to get her inside and into bed, and I may need Willow’s help to get her changed,” I tried to reason.
“How long have you been together?” Willow asked quietly, and I saw Jigsaw lean closer, eager to hear my answer.
“I claimed her this morning, so if you have something to say, don’t. I’m not interested in anyone’s judgement on us.”
Jigsaw smiled his feral smile and patted me on the back and he asked, “Is this the same woman that had you destroying an expensive toolbox a few months ago?”
I lifted my head and closed my eyes, softly shaking my head.
Of course he would remember my unusual outburst right after the Rally.
Even then, I knew Sydney was mine, and I’d waited months, watching her work herself half to death without claiming her.
Seeing her so sick this morning made me want to kick my own ass for being so reserved with her.
But that ended today.
“I’ll answer all your questions later. Right now, I need to get her and the bags behind the seat inside so she can sleep in a real bed,” I responded without answering his question.
He gave me a nod and started to step around the back of the truck.
I grabbed his thick arm, and he swung his eyes back at me as I asked, “What are you doing? I’ll get Sydney, you get the bags and the door.
” I started to step around them, and I saw Willow place her hand against his and gently tug him back so I could get to the other side of the truck.
Opening the passenger’s door, I hoped she didn’t wake up.
She sighed in her sleep and seemed to snuggle against the seat.
Reaching over her, I carefully unhooked her seatbelt and kept glancing at her as I slipped one arm under her knees and the other around her back.
Slowly, I lifted her out of the seat and through the open door.
She was so small in my arms, and when she started to stir awake, I whispered softly to her, “Sleep darlin’, I’ve got you.” Placing a kiss on the top of her head, I added even softer. “You’re safe now.”
Taking a step back from the open door, I saw Willow standing on the other side.
She pushed the door closed without slamming it and turned toward the closed door leading into the house.
Opening the door, she walked inside and watched as I carefully carried Sydney into the kitchen.
I lifted my chin toward the hallway, and she began walking ahead of me.
The sound of the truck door closing was soft as Willow looked back and at and pointed to the two closed doors in the hallway. I lifted my chin to the one at the end, indicating my room and she looked unsure but did what I asked, opening my bedroom door and stepping inside.
I always kept my house straightened, and once a week, I had a service come inside to clean, so the bed was made, and the floor was clear of clothes as I nodded to the bed. Willow walked up and pulled the sheets back before stepping to the side.
With gently movements, I laid Sydney down, watching to see if she woke up.
Once I saw her head lull slightly and heard her sigh again, I pulled the covers over her.
I heard Willow leave the room and I leaned over and kissed Sydney on the forehead.
When I pulled back, I saw the smallest smile press up on her lips.
Even sick, she was beautiful, and it was difficult to walk away from her.
I wanted to watch her, to make sure she was okay, but I needed to get the groceries put away and get her medication together.
Closing the door almost completely, I walked down the hallway and back through to the kitchen.
Jigsaw and Willow were unpacking the bags, and Sydney’s medication was already sitting on the counter with a glass of juice beside it.
They heard me entering and both turned to watch as I approached the island in the middle of the room. Jigsaw leaned against the counter and crossed his arms, waiting for me to speak, but Willow, being an ever-present ol’ lady in the club, began to ask questions.
“When did you meet her?” she began, then prattled off the rest like a list. “How long has she worked for you? Where is she from? How did you claim her?”
Jigsaw chuckled and placed a hand onto Willow’s shoulder. She turned to look at him with a huge smile, and I thought about what it would be like for Sydney and me once we got into our groove.
“Calm down, baby. Give Raven a chance to speak.”
She nodded and replied, “Sorry, I’m just excited to see Raven finally claim someone.”
Running my hands through my hair, I went to answer her questions when a cough sounded from behind me had me. I turned to see Sydney standing at the edge of the living room and when she cleared her throat, she looked at me and spoke.
“I’m not his woman.”
“Sydney—” I started to say, but Jigsaw spoke over me.
“Willow and I are going to get going. Sydney, it was nice to meet you, and I hope to see you again.”
Willow looked guilty as she and Jigsaw walked past me and out the door to the garage. Sydney and I stood in the kitchen, looking at each other without speaking as the sound of the garage door closing filled the uncomfortable silence.
“Why am I here instead of my camper, Raven?” she asked.
Taking one step closer to her, I answered, “I asked you to call me Caleb.”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head as she retorted, “Fine. Caleb, why am I here?”
I took another step toward her, and she didn’t retreat, even in the face of the unknown. Her strength was always a turn-on, and her independence was applaudable, but I needed her to understand one thing. For months, I’d fought my urge to claim her and toss her over my shoulder.
Today, she finally relented, and I was not going to let her rebuild her walls.
Sydney was mine, and it was time she realized I wasn’t the kind of man who took refusal lightly.