Page 23 of Sinful Skulls (Rebel Skull MC #9)
Chapter Twenty-Two
Brody
“ A re you sure we won’t get into trouble for breaking in?”
“It’s not really breaking in when we have a key,” I say, laughing at the worried look on her face. “You act like we’re here to rob them. We’re not taking anything. We’re leaving something.”
She still seems unsure until we’re in the living room, and she sees all of the pictures hanging on the walls. “Oh, is this her?” she asks.
“Yeah, and this is Raffe and Jackson …”
“And you,” she whispers, tears pooling in her eyes.
“Hey, no tears today. We’re here to prank them.”
“You’re just so cute,” she teases, wiping her eyes. “And it’s sad.”
My gaze roams over the walls. She’s right. It is sad, but I have to be strong for them. They’ve given me so much love, it’s the least I can do. There will be time to break down after …
I shake my head and open a bag, handing it to her. “What’s your most diabolical prank?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood as we hide colorful frogs around the room.
“I don’t think I’ve ever pulled one.” She watches as I reach over my head to place a frog on each of the ceiling fan blades.
“Well, this might be your first time, but it won’t be your last. I kinda have a reputation to uphold.”
She giggles and eventually starts to get into it.
“Fuck, this is taking longer than I planned,” I tell her as we open the last two bags.
There are fucking frogs everywhere.
I place the last one under Rachel’s pillow, and that’s when it hits me. I shove my hands into my hair and spin around. “This is so fucking unfair.”
Daisy reaches for me, and I let her pull me into her arms.
“I’m so fucking thankful you’re here with me. You came into my life at exactly the right moment.”
“Same,” she says quietly.
We hold each other, and I make a promise to myself that I will appreciate this woman each and every day. Life is too fucking short not to.
“Thank you for helping me.” I guide us out of the room. “We should get going. We’re already late.”
Daisy seems happy to be back on my bike again. I know I sure the fuck am. She’s right where she belongs.
When we arrive at the shower, she bounces on her toes as I pull the baby gift from my saddle bag. I tug on her ponytail to get her attention. “Hey, relax.”
“I can’t tell if I’m nervous or excited.”
“They’re just regular people. Just like me and you.”
She giggles. “There’s nothing regular about you.” Her fingers trail over the front of my jeans.
I swat her ass. “You’re such a brat.”
“Only for you.”
As we walk up to the house, I tuck her protectively under my arm. I swing the door open and yell through the house, “Did we miss the party?”
We step into the kitchen to find JD, Elizabeth, and Lexie sitting at the table.
JD untangles himself from his wife and stands to shake my hand. “I was beginning to think you were never coming back,” he says. I drop my arm from Daisy to give him a hug.
Elizabeth and Lexie stand too.
I pull Elizabeth in for a hug next. “Man, it’s so good to see you guys. I’ve missed you,” I tell her.
“We’ve missed you too,” she says quietly.
When I release her, I hold my arms open for Lexie. “Get your ass over here. I know you missed me the most.”
She steps in front of me and awkwardly hugs me, and then she instantly goes to Daisy to give her one. “I’m so excited you’re finally here!”
They jump up and down like they’ve been friends forever. I’m glad Lexie is here today. It will put Daisy more at ease as she meets everyone.
“Daisy, these are my friends JD and Elizabeth,” I tell her when Lexie finally releases her.
They each shake her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you,” JD tells her.
“It’s nice to finally meet you too. Brody’s told me so much about you guys.
” She turns to Elizabeth. “Gosh, you look so familiar. I feel like we’ve met before.
” Her brows pull together as she searches her mind.
“Oh my gosh! You were the lady who gave me the necklace you found at the beach.” Daisy turns to me. “It was right before we met.”
“Oh, fuck yeah. I remember now. JD and I were stalking Elizabeth. I remember her handing you something. That’s how I noticed you. Fuck, that’s crazy.”
“What a small world,” Elizabeth agrees, rubbing her hand over her chest.
“Wait, you guys were stalking her?” Daisy asks, turning to face me with her hands on her hips.
I shake my head. “Not me. Him.” I toss my thumb in JD’s direction.
Lexie interrupts us. “He kidnapped her and locked her in his basement.”
Daisy’s eyes widen.
JD holds his hands up. “In my defense, it wasn’t locked.”
Elizabeth laughs nervously. “It’s not what it sounds like, but that’s a story for another time. We should get back outside. Willow is opening presents.”
“Still? I thought the party would have progressed to the food by now.”
Daisy swats me in the stomach, and I laugh. “Stop. We just ate a few hours ago.”
Lexie takes her hand. “Ash is going to be excited you’re here. You guys can sit with us.”
“We’ll catch up with you later,” JD says, patting me on the back. “We’re just going to head to the restroom quick.”
We get quite a few looks as we quietly make our way over and sit down next to Ash and Jackson. Lexie takes our baby gift from me and adds it to the mountain of presents Willow has left to open.
Jackson leans over. “’Bout damn time you showed up.”
I know he’s joking, but I see the relief in his eyes. I wrap my arm around him and tug him close, patting him on the back. “I’m here now, brother, and I’m not leaving.”
He drops his head and nods.