Page 18 of Scythe’s Salvation (Imperial Knights MC: Roanoke, VA #2)

CHAPTER

SEVENTEEN

Scythe

Having Tamara around with Chance is one of the best things ever.

The adoption ceremony went off without a hitch, and she got to see, up close and personal, how bikers can party until the early hours of the morning.

Of course, I know the prospects hated it since they eventually watched over all of the kids, along with Jilly and RiffRaff, so the adults could let their hair down.

As I dance with her in my arms on our makeshift dance floor that the prospects brought out earlier in the day, I marvel at how perfectly she fits in my arms. “Having a good time?” I ask, leaning closer so she can hear me over the music.

“The absolute best,” she replies, her eyes radiating an emotion I can’t quite figure out.

“The ol’ ladies are wonderful and I definitely wanna introduce them to Amara.

I think she’d fit right in. Plus, Chance is having the time of his life.

If you were wanting to make me fall for you, Scythe, that right there was the key. ”

“I don’t understand,” I say.

She sighs, then states, “I think by now you realize that I like you, right?” At my nod, she continues. “But I’m always going to be a package deal, at least until he’s grown and on his own. So, there’s no way I’d ever get involved with someone if they didn’t like my boy.”

“Okay,” I drawl out. “Here’s the thing, Tamara.

My interest was piqued the day I came into your place for my massage.

It only increased when I met Chance, who’s a remarkable little boy.

Seeing how you care for him, it’s obvious that he’s your first priority as he should be.

I want the whole package. I want to be alongside you and teach him as he grows.

I want children with you so I can treat you the way you deserve to be treated, like a queen, while you grow our babies in your belly.

I want those bad times, when tempers are high and solutions are hard to come by, as well as the good times, when we’re so busy loving each other and the family we’ve built, everything else is just noise.

That’s what I want with you Tamara—every fucking thing.

You on my bike as my ol’ lady, you with my rings on your left finger as my wife, and you by my side as we grow older, watching the legacy we’ve built.

I didn’t try to find a key to get you, Tamara, every one of my actions as well as my words have been nothing but the truth. I don’t know how to be any other way.”

By the time I’m done, tears are steadily streaming down her face, so I lead her away from everyone else to somewhere that’s a bit quieter. It happens to be my room in the clubhouse, but at least there, we’ll have privacy.

“I feel like you’re a little upset with me,” she murmurs as I hand her a wet washcloth so she can wipe her face.

“That wasn’t my intention at all, Scythe, and if I gave you that impression from what I said, I’m so so sorry.

I know my walls are kind of up, but it’s with good reason.

I guess I should’ve said that you’re the first man who’s cared enough to scale that wall, not only for me but for Chance.

Everything you said you want? I want that too, and while I’m a bit scared because my last relationship ended the way it did, I know you’ll be right there by my side no matter what. ”

I pull her into a hug, holding her close without saying anything. I can feel both of our hearts pounding and realize that as nervous as I was to expose how I’m feeling, especially since it’s so soon, at least to regular society, she is as well.

“I meant it, Tam, I’ll be by your side for everything. Especially the pending custody battle.”

“Good. Because I think there’s a good chance he’ll try and pull something slick. Don’t ask me how I know this, it’s just a feeling I have.”

“Trusting your instincts is never wrong,” I say.

“The brothers and I also feel there’s something about the whole ‘running for sheriff’ thing.

Whether or not it’s club-related that he’s back, because you’re mine,” I stop and raise my hand to keep her from talking, “and make no mistake, you are mine, the club will have your back.”

“Why wouldn’t you let me say something?” she asks.

“Because I knew you were going to come out with some stupid thing about us not even having slept together,” I teased. “Isn’t that what women do these days? Try before they buy?”

She lightly smacks my shoulder while exclaiming, “Scythe!”

“What? It’s true. I’ve heard plenty of conversations over the years,” I admit.

“And honestly? Based on the few kisses we’ve shared, I don’t think there’s going to be an issue in that department whatsoever.

I’m fine with waiting until you’re ready, but since y’all are staying here tonight, can I ask that you at least sleep in my arms? ”

“I mean, what if I snore?” she questions. “I don’t know if I do or not, but I might.”

“Pssh, angels don’t snore,” I tell her. Bending down, I kiss her temple then stride over to my dresser where I pull out a club support T-shirt. “Here, wear this. I’ve got a new pack of toothbrushes under the bathroom sink.”

“Good idea. I’m definitely getting tired.”

Waking up with Tamara curled against my body is probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me in my life.

It ranks up there with the day that RiffRaff found me and brought me back to the clubhouse.

It’s been my home for over twenty years now, give or take, but this very second?

Tamara is home. We spent a little time last night just talking between heated kisses, but we didn’t go any further.

One reason is we were both drinking, and I know that when we finally come together, I don’t want either of us to forget anything.

Because I suspect it’ll be the start of forever, for both of us, and I want us to be able to savor every single minute.

Even though right now she’s wrapped around me, her hair tangled on my chest and her soft breath tickling my shoulder, and it would be easy to start something, I know that when she wakes up, one of her first thoughts will be for Chance.

He stayed with Callum last night in the room Brick had converted for the boys that has bunk beds, a wicked game system, and a mini fridge, but it’s still a new environment for him and he’s just a little boy.

So, I will my morning wood to go away. I’ll just enjoy holding her for a little bit longer until we have to get up and get ready for the party, day two.

Prowler, Striker, and I have to get the fireworks show ready for tonight, and I need to check to make sure all is well and there were no issues last night after we went to bed.

“Oh shit, I need to check on Chance,” Tamara mumbles as she sits straight up, her hair now all wild around her head and upper back. Kind of like how I imagine Medusa’s to look. She’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

“He’s fine, Tam. Remember, he and Callum were going to bunk down in the kids’ room last night,” I reply. “How about we get up, I’ll go and get us both some caffeine, and you get dressed?”

“Good idea,” she says through a jaw-cracking yawn. I’m actually impressed that she’s so alert from a dead sleep. Because I definitely don’t wake up like that at all. She rolls away from me, and I immediately feel bereft. Who knew I would enjoy having a woman in my arms all night long?

It’s because it’s her, my subconscious states.

Thinking about it, I realize that is the most accurate statement I’ve ever heard.

While I was never an ass about it, women didn’t stay after the deed was done.

In fact, she’s the first one who has slept in this bed.

I either went to the woman’s place or used one of the crash rooms that we have at the clubhouse.

I wanted to keep my room clean; not because I ever thought I’d find an ol’ lady, but because I wanted my sanctuary untouched by someone else.

While she’s in the bathroom getting cleaned up and dressed, I roll out of bed, quickly make it, then get dressed in my typical outfit—jeans, T-shirt, socks, boots, and my cut.

I’ll brush my teeth and all that shit when she comes out.

As I wait, I go over what the twins and I have planned for this year’s fireworks display.

Every year it gets bigger and better, but what everyone doesn’t know is that we start searching for the following year’s display shortly after we light the last fuse on the current one.

This year, we’re pairing it all with music.

There were a few arguments between the two men about some of my choices, but I held fast. We’re using patriotic music, of course, but there are songs that have meaning to a lot of my brothers, as well as myself, and we’re incorporating those as well.

Brick would probably shit one if he knew just how much we spent.

We’ve got Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue, Independence Day, God Bless The USA, Party in the USA, This is How We Roll, American Pie, Jack and Diane, Living in America, All Summer Long, and about five others that may not specifically say anything about the Fourth, but they’re club favorites.

Once those end, we’ve got a movie projector that will come down and we’ll watch Independence Day and Independence Day Resurgence. By the end of the night, I predict we’ll be drunk, sunburnt, and full of some of the best fucking food around.

“Sorry I took so long,” Tamara says as she comes out of the bathroom, steam billowing out behind her. “I was still sticky from it being so hot yesterday and took a quick shower.”

“It’s all good, sweetheart,” I reply, kissing her before I head in to freshen up. “What’s mine is yours.”

“Good to know,” she deadpans, sitting on the bed while she works through her hair with a brush she managed to unearth from my bathroom. I stop to watch as she pulls it all up into what looks like a complicated mass of curls, then she pins it in place with something she had in her pocket.

I know I’m impressed as fuck that she was able to fix herself up with almost nothing.

Kind of like that MacGyver guy who used to get himself out of jams with barely more than a stick of gum and a paper clip.

Snickering, I quickly brush my teeth, swipe on some deodorant, and wash my face, before I grab a ballcap from the back of the door and slip it on backwards.

When I reemerge, she lets out a low whistle.

“Dammit, Scythe, that’s my kryptonite,” she says.

“What?” I ask, smirking.

“A guy wearing a ballcap backwards. Gives you a bit of an All-American bad boy vibe.”

I burst out laughing as I grab her hand. “I don’t think anyone’s ever described me like that. Let’s go get some breakfast so you can check on Chance. I’ll be leaving you with the ol’ ladies because Prowler, Striker, and I are in charge of tonight’s festivities, and we’ve got to get it all set up.”

As the Enforcer for the club, it’s my job to protect my brothers and their families.

Thankfully, I was good at math, so I already know how far away we have to put the platform where we’ll light the fireworks so that none of the falling ash will hit anyone.

Today’s about fun, not anyone getting burned.

“Mommy! Scythe! Guess what?” Chance asks as we breach the kitchen, and he sees us. “Me and Callum played Super Mario Kart for a long time last night. I think we stayed up until midnight!”

Jilly looks at Tamara and slightly shakes her head before mouthing, ‘they were asleep by nine’.

“Wow, buddy, that’s really late,” Tamara replies, ruffling his hair. “I don’t think I was awake then.”

“It’s because you’re older, Mommy,” Chance says. “Old people can’t stay up that late.”

The room, full of others working to get their caffeine fix and fill their bellies, bursts into laughter at his pronouncement.

He’s definitely wrong; I know many of my brothers likely just went to bed a few hours ago.

Still, why burst his bubble? He’ll figure it out as he gets older.

Sometimes, an early night, especially with a willing partner, is reason enough to hit the mattress before midnight.

“Okay, so, what are your plans today, Chance?” Tamara asks as she brings her plate to the table. “Because I’ll be in the kitchen helping the women get food ready for later.”

“I think RiffRaff said he would take me and Callum out on the ATVs so we can see everything,” Chance says as he stabs a strawberry with his fork. “Then I think we’re fishing again.”

“I need more fish for the guys to cook later,” Jilly adds, grinning at Tamara. “They’re going to help me clean them up, but Chance already said he needs to call his memaw to make sure we do it right.”

Tamara just shakes her head and starts to eat. All I can think of is how my life is changing, for the positive, just because I made a simple phone call.