Page 9

I remember being in this very clubhouse when I was just a kid. The vibe was so different back then. I don’t know if it’s because I was a kid or if it’s because Hayes has made such a difference. I want to believe it is all Hayes.

Savage.

It’s still odd to call him that, but I’m trying my best. He has always been Hayes to me, but the road name fits with him. Especially the way he came off that bike earlier. The look on his face was vicious. It said that he would destroy anyone in his path.

“You missed a spot,” Happy jokes, smiling at me.

It’s still eerie to see the lines on either side of his mouth when he smiles, but I’ve not only gotten used to them, but I embrace them. He has obviously gone through something so traumatic, and he is still standing. He is admirable.

“At least I’m not wearing the paint,” I throw back at him, making him laugh.

It’s been a wonderful afternoon here at the clubhouse. After Hayes went into his office a little while ago, I kept helping the guys fix the place up. Happy had finished the bathrooms and hall, but hadn’t tackled the main room yet. I offered to help him. I was surprised when Loyal stepped up to help right beside us.

“So you knew Savage back in the day,” Loyal says.

“I did. We grew up together. Actually, I’ve been inside this clubhouse more than once. It was different back then. I think I was only allowed to hang around because my father did business with Rogue,” I admit.

“What does your father do? You can ignore me if you want.” Loyal looks away, a blush on his face.

“Don’t mind Loyal. He’s still pretty new. Our VP here is a hero. Saved the club and was handed the VP patch.” Happy chuckles.

“Are you bitter about it?” I ask him.

“Hell no. Better him than me. Besides, I would’ve voted for him anyway. Ain’t that right, Loyal?”

“So you keep telling me,” he mumbles.

“Well, you must be doing a good job. The club is thriving. It has a much more family feel than it did back in the day.”

“That’s all Savage. He’s a good leader.” Loyal paints another spot on the wall, refusing to look at me.

“Well, to answer your question, my father is a PI. Or was, I suppose. He is retired now. I took over his business.”

Loyal perks up, looking over at me. “That’s perfect. You should really talk to Savage about that.”

“Um, Savage knows what I do?” I pose it as a question.

He nods. “I mean, we could be good at that too. Shit, we already do our own recon for shit. I’m saying we could expand your business and add some members on the payroll.”

I stop thinking about it. He’s not wrong. It would be nice to have someone besides myself working cases. As it is, I can only take on one at a time. I’m not even getting paid for Phillip’s. I refused to take money from Laura. She’s my friend.

“I’ll talk to him about it. Thanks, Loyal.”

He blushes, looking back to the wall.

“You think you’d hire me on, Bailey?” Happy asks from my other side.

I start laughing, loudly.

“Happy, you are built like a tank. There is no way someone wouldn’t notice you following them.”

He smiles. “The trick is to not be seen at all. Trust me, I’d kill it.”

I shake my head. “Whatever you say. If Savage says yes, I will take you on. At least having you would deter anyone from messing with me.”

“Damn straight.”

We continue to work and joke with each other until my shoulders start to hurt.

“Hey, Happy, I think I’m going to take a break.” I rub at my shoulder.

“There’s only a little bit left. Loyal, I think we have some bottled waters behind the counter,” Happy says.

“Oh yeah. We totally do. Let’s go get a drink, shall we?”

I laugh as Loyal comes to my side. “This was a lot of fun, Happy. Thank you. You too, Loyal.”

“Anytime.” Happy winks at me.

“I like having someone other than them to talk to,” Loyal admits as we walk over to the bar. “I’d never admit it to them, but I feel like I have to act tough all the time around them. Truth is, I have no fucking clue what I’m doing. I was only hoping to get a patch into the club, then I ended up as VP. I’m out of my depth.” He whispers the last part, looking around to be sure no one is listening.

“Don’t worry about it. Your secret is safe with me. Don’t think about it that way, though. Take it as a challenge and do what you feel is right. If you are following your gut, nine times out of ten you will be doing the right thing.”

He hands me a water from the cooler, leaning against the bar next to me. “That’s what I’ve been doing so far. I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”

“I think you’re doing fine. Ha…I mean Savage seems to value you.”

He nods, but before he can respond an older-looking biker comes over to the bar.

“Get me a drink,” he barks out.

I’m surprised he’s talking to Loyal that way. He might be young, but he is still the VP.

“Excuse me?” Loyal straightens up, all joy from before gone.

This is the tough guy that he mentioned before. In an instant, my sweet, kind friend vanished, replaced by this biker who would slit your throat without question.

It’s so jarring, it sends a shiver down my spine. This is the VP right here.

“Respectfully, I wasn’t speaking to you, VP.” He bows his head a little. “I was talking to this bitch right here.”

He pats my shoulder, making me cringe.

Now it’s my turn to say, “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Get me a drink. Whiskey on the rocks. Don’t be stingy.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You have got the wrong fucking woman.”

“Stand down, Kermit,” Loyal demands.

“No, Loyal. Let him hold his ground. I know you are VP, but this is my battle. I’m not some sweetbutt you can order around. Kermit, was it? Call me a bitch again, and I will show you how much of a bitch I can really be.”

“You’re nothing but a warm, wet hole to stick my dick in when I’m feeling like it. I don’t see no property patch on you, so get me a drink before I make you regret it.”

I step forward, but Loyal pulls me back, stepping in front of me.

“She might not have a property patch, but she is claimed. Stand down or face the consequence.”

I go to touch Loyal, but Happy is there, pulling me back.

“Let him do this. He is protective of you. This is a way to earn the respect of the men,” Happy whispers into my ear.

“I don’t want him to get hurt because of me. I can fight my own battles,” I hiss back.

“I have no doubt about that at all, but you don’t need to. Not here. You have brothers at your back. Savage might be the main one, but you have earned a spot with some of us others, like me and Loyal.”

I sigh, looking back at the two men.

“So you finally got you some pussy. Proud of you, son. Thought you’d die a virgin.”

That was the wrong thing to say. Next thing I know, Loyal has thrown a punch at the guy. The guy responds, trying to tackle Loyal, but Loyal manages to stay on his feet.

A chair knocks over as they wrestle back and forth. Loyal is getting his licks in, but I’m concerned Kermit is as well.

I’m on the edge of my seat, praying Loyal wins this fight. I know he has it in him. Part of me wants to cheer for him. Give him encouragement, but the other part is worried that if I speak, it will distract him.

Suddenly a loud whistle rings out.

“What the hell is going on in here?”

Fang and I are out the door in a minute. My heart is racing knowing I left Bailey out there.

I thought my men would behave appropriately, but I guess that’s asking too much from a bunch of bikers.

My vision turns red when I see the two men fighting in the middle of the floor. I have yet to lay eyes on Bailey, which isn’t good for Loyal or Kermit right now. I’m likely to bust some skulls in pursuit of her.

Sticking my fingers in my mouth, I whistle loudly.

“What the hell is going on in here?”

All the men that had started to gather around step back, not speaking while Loyal and Kermit still go at it.

Movement behind them draws me to her. Happy has her by his side. He gives me a short nod, telling me he will protect her. With her taken care of, I can deal with the men before me.

I don’t hesitate to jump into the fight, pulling them off of each other.

“If you don’t fucking stop, I am going to skin you both alive. This is not the time nor place for this,” I tell them.

Finally, I get a hold of Kermit while Fang grabs Loyal.

We pull them both away from one another. Once I have them both calm enough, I push at Kermit’s chest.

“What the fuck are you doing? Attacking a brother? You know the ring is for that,” I tell him, mentioning the fighting ring we have out back to solve internal issues.

It’s the first thing I started when I got here. These men need an outlet to settle disagreements that won’t turn into death.

“Fucker thinks he can claim some pussy as his own without patching her. Bitch wouldn’t get me a drink. I know he’s VP, but I can’t respect him when he is breaking the fucking rules.”

My ears start to cloud when I realize who he is talking about.

Bailey.

I turn and look at Loyal. He doesn’t look ashamed at all. In fact, he stands taller at my scrutiny.

“I was defending your woman, Pres,” he calls out.

I glance back at Kermit, seeing his face pale. He thought Loyal was claiming Bailey as his own, but the kid would never. He earned his name for a reason. I made it clear when I showed up with Bailey that she was a guest of mine and should be respected as such.

I guess poor Kermit didn’t get the memo.

Without warning, I throw a punch at him, hitting him on the nose. I can hear the bones crunch as blood starts pouring.

“Spread the fucking word. Bailey is here for me. Anyone disrespects her, I will take it as a personal attack against my character. Y’all haven’t known me long enough to know how I got my nickname, but I promise, keep fucking around and you will find out. Get out of here, Kermit, before I decide to break something else too. Someone clean up this blood.” I clap my hands twice, setting everyone in motion.

Kermit doesn’t even dare speak to me, dragging his bleeding ass out the door. Tiny grabs a mop and starts cleaning up the blood. He nods at me, respect shining in his eyes.

I go to walk to Bailey, but Loyal stops me.

“Sorry if I caused an issue,” he whispers to me, the uncertainty in his tone.

I pat him on his shoulder. “Rule number one. Never apologize. Not for that shit. You protected my girl. I appreciate that. You’re doing a good job, Loyal. Keep up the good work. You earned a lot of the guys respect today.”

He turns toward Bailey. She looks like she wants to bolt. I nod once for Happy to let her go. I expect her to crash into me like she did before, but I’m shocked when she crashes into Loyal.

“You did not have to do that, but thank you,” she tells him.

He holds his arms up, looking at me like I’m about to beat his ass. Normally he would be right, but this is Bailey. She is a tough cookie when she needs to be, but she is also kind and caring. Her compassion knows no bounds.

“You better hug her back, Loyal. If you hurt her feelings, I might have to break your nose too,” I tell him, not bothering to hide my amusement.

His arms come around her quickly, hugging her to him. He closes his eyes as if this is the only affection he has ever had. Come to think of it, it might be. I don’t know much about the kid, but I know he grew up hard. There’s a reason he joined the Lotus as soon as he could.

When Bailey steps back, she smiles up at him. “Best friend for life, buddy. Can’t get rid of me now.”

“I thought I was your best friend,” I grumble.

She giggles. Fucking giggles.

“I can have more than one best friend, Hay…I mean, Savage.”

“Best kinda makes it seem like you can’t,” I throw back at her.

She only shrugs. “My friendships, my rules. I can have as many as I want, and right now, Loyal is on that list. Keep it up, and I’ll replace you.”

When she sticks her tongue out at me, I can’t help it. I start laughing, losing all my bravado from before. She is a menace, but fuck if I don’t love it.

“Come on, my little Texas tornado. I need to clean up some of this blood.” I look down at my shirt, seeing Kermit’s blood staining it. “I don’t want to come back to another barroom brawl.”

She comes willingly, saying her goodbyes to Happy and Loyal. She even waves to Tiny, who had stopped mopping to witness our interaction.

By the time I have her back in my room, the jealousy finally filters back in.

“You should stop flirting with my men. It’s giving them the wrong idea,” I start.

“I can flirt with whoever I want. I’ve been single for a long time. A woman has needs, you know.” She isn’t looking at me as she speaks, but instead running her hand along my bookcase.

Anger continues to swirl in my stomach at her words.

“Not in this fucking club, Bails. This is my club, so my fucking rules, and I said stop fucking flirting.”

“You are being a drama queen, Hayes. I’m being nice. I can’t help that my personality comes off as flirty. I won’t change.” She finally looks over at me. “Even for you.”

Ain’t that the fucking thing, though? I don’t want her to change. Not really, but my jealousy cannot be contained. It needs some way to resolve itself. If not, then I am going to blow, and who knows what will happen then.

“I don’t want you to change, but maybe don’t let them guys think they have a shot with you.”

“Why not? It’s not like anyone has claimed me. At least that’s what that guy said.”

I’m at her side in the next breath, pinning her to the wall.

“Fuck that, Bailey. I claimed you when we were fucking kids. That’s never gone away, no matter what you went out and did. You have always been mine. You were then. You are now. You will be until you take your last breath.” I caress her neck as the words spill from my lips.

She opens her mouth to speak, but I’m done talking. She needs proof I mean what I say.

My lips are on hers, quieting whatever thought she wanted to share. I’m surprised that she doesn’t claw at me or push me away.

Instead, it’s as if this is something we have both wanted for so long and are unwilling to give up. She pulls me closer, her tongue diving into my mouth to taste me. My hands find her hair, turning her head to the side so I can kiss her deeper. When she is breathless and panting, I pull back, trailing kisses down her neck. Then I suck her skin into my mouth, biting down hard.

“Ow, fuck Hayes,” she bites out.

I unlatch, but smirk at my branding on her skin.

“There. Now they will know.”

“What?” She touches her neck. “What did you do, Hayes?”

She sounds like a demon with how low her tone went. I can’t wipe the smug smirk from my mouth, though.

“Go look.”

She walks over to the mirror in the attached bathroom. She shrieks when she sees it.

“Are you fucking kidding me? My dad is going to ask me about this. I swear I am going to kill you.” She glares at me.

“What a way to go,” I muse. “Come on. Let’s get you home. I think you’ve had enough excitement for the day.”

She frowns. “I almost want to get a ride home from someone else. Loyal or Happy, maybe.”

I grab her arm as she goes to walk by me, stopping her. “You will be on the back of my bike and only my bike. Tell me you understand.”

Her face softens. “Don’t worry, Savage. I got it. Phillip and Laura’s mom sure got it right when she called you that at seven.”

I smile bigger. “Why do you think they call me Savage? I took her insult as a fucking challenge.”

“Of course you did. Now hurry up and change so we can go.”

Without question, I do as she says. I take my time, giving her a show and loving the way her eyes devour me.

“Ready?”

She doesn’t say anything as she turns, opening the door and stepping out. As I follow her out of my room, I can’t help but feel on top of the world. Maybe I can be the leader and have my Bailey too.