Page 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

W e’d been headed back to my place when my phone chimed. I read the text, and my stomach rolled.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, Mum suggested we go to the compound. They’re having an early barbeque dinner.” I could not subject him to the club. “I’ll make an excuse.”

“No, let’s go.”

I swung my gaze to him. “You want to go?”

“Sure.” He smiled over at me. He called his guards and told them what we were doing. They were to hang back outside the compound.

But I wasn’t really sure Lockland knew what he would be walking into.

After he hung up, I told him, “We’re talking about the Hawks Motorcycle Club. My father and all his brothers will be there.”

“I know.”

“Lockland, there’s a chance you’ll be interrogated by any of the brothers you come in contact with.”

He chuckled. “I figured. But they’re your people. Your family.” He reached over and picked up my hand to hold in his on his thigh. “They need to get used to seeing me in your life, Swanny.”

My belly fluttered. “Lockland,” I whispered, choked with emotions.

He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. “It’ll be fine.”

“Sure,” I said, and my voice shook from the uncertainty. At least he was willing to walk into the lion’s den.

I hoped he survived.

Dad had already talked to him, which Lockland was tight-lipped about. I’d asked on the way to the hotel, but he’d just smiled and said it was between them.

At least it seemed Dad hadn’t scared him off. That meant Lockland could get through this, right?

When we reached the compound, we got stopped outside the gates by Stoke, who walked up to the driver’s side of the car.

“Who’re you?” he asked when Lockland wound down the window.

I leaned over and waved. “Hi, Stoke.”

“Little lady, what’s happenin’? Who’s this punk you’re with? Blink twice if he kidnapped you.” He grinned.

Rolling my eyes, I said, “Would he really bring me here if I were being kidnapped?”

Stoke eyed Lockland. “He looks stupid. He?—”

“Stoke! Please let us in.”

He straightened, chuckling, and waved to whomever was manning the gate. When it slid open, Lockland nodded at Stoke and drove through.

“That’s probably what it’s going to be like,” I warned. I would try to protect him as much as I could, but in this place, you never knew what could happen.

He parked and turned to me. “I’m fully expecting it. I can handle a bit of teasing, Swan. Nothing and no one will make me run, okay?”

“Okay.”

He leaned over and kissed me, just a peck, but it was enough to get my pulse racing. Also, it was probably best we didn’t get too hot and bothered in the car in front of the compound, or else Lockland could get dragged off somewhere.

The common room was rowdy like always, but as soon as Lockland and I stepped through hand in hand, everyone went silent.

My face heated even when I narrowed my gaze on them all.

“Hey, everyone,” Lockland called, and I looked up at him, eyes wide. “Some might remember me, but for those who don’t, I’m Lockland Humphrey, and, in one way or another, I’m going to be in Swan’s life from here on out.”

The silence stretched.

But then I heard Mum yell, “Stop being arseholes.” She stepped out of the group and came towards us. “You got balls, kid,” she said, and I groaned, palming my still-on-fire face.

The noise rose, and Mum thumbed over her shoulder. “Let’s get a drink.”

Lockland glanced down, and I nodded, smiling softly up at him. We went to the bar Coyote stood behind.

“Goddamn superstar in the house,” he yelled. “You all know he’s a singer, right?”

Murmurs started.

“Maybe he and Ryan could sing together,” Emmy said quietly at my side.

A deep chuckle sounded. “Baby doll, I ain’t singin’ with a superstar. You could end up likin’ his voice more.”

Emmy spun around to her man, Warden. “No. I would never.”

He cupped the back of her head and drew her into a kiss.

“What does the rock star want to drink?” Coyote asked.

There was a snort, and I glanced over to see Drake staring daggers down on the counter as he nursed a bottle of beer between both hands.

Was he okay?

Lockland answered Coyote with “Just a soda, thanks.”

Coyote nodded and placed my usual drink on the counter in front of me. “No problem, but ladies get served first. Hellmouth?”

“I’m good, thanks,” Mum replied.

Dad moved in behind Mum and eyed Lockland. He eventually tipped his chin up at him, which Lockland returned.

Could it be that having Lockland walk in here was helping Dad accept him?

“Lockland fuckin’ Humphrey,” Talon called.

Lockland turned to face the president of the club. “Sir.”

There were chuckles.

“You know your fame ain’t shit in our house, right?”

“Yes.”

“You know how we protect our own. We follow our own rules, and if you’re stickin’ around, you’ll be wantin’ to adjust to our ways. No matter what you see or hear, you don’t talk to outsiders about our family.”

Lockland stood taller. “I wouldn’t.”

“Trust doesn’t come easy here. We’ll keep watchin’, and you’d better fuckin’ keep provin’ you’re worth our Swan’s time.”

I went to say something until Mum grabbed my wrist. When I looked to her, she shook her head.

“I’ll keep my mouth shut. I’ll prove myself. I’ll do anything that needs to happen to make sure Swan and I aren’t separated again.”

Talon stared at him.

Heck, I was sure everyone was.

Even I glanced up at him with misty eyes with how brave and sure he was with those words.

He really did want me, and as more than a friend too.

My bottom lip trembled as I happened to glance over his shoulder and straight into Drake’s sad gaze. He forced a smile and tipped his beer up at me before he drained it and walked away.

Talon clapped, making me jolt. Lockland wound an arm around my shoulders as Talon said, “All right then. Let’s get this cook up started.”

Everyone cheered and went about their business.

I smiled up at Lockland and told him, “I think you’ve just passed their test.” Even as happiness ran through me, there was a presence of worry in the back of my mind for Drake. I’d never seen his eyes hold a sadness like that. It was different to when his father, Talon, was nearly killed.

Lockland grinned. “Good.”

I nodded and wound my arms around his waist.

I needed to get Coyote or Maya to check in on their brother.

* * *

Lockland and I were sitting on a couch in the corner of the room chatting and watching the people around us. I ducked my head and smiled. I never thought I would get to be pressed up against Lockland like this, with his arm around my shoulders.

And I liked where I was. No, I loved that it was Lockland. The boy I’d hoped would be mine. Had dreamed and prayed that he would see me as more than a friend.

My body was warm from all his attention. I really wasn’t used to any type.

Not in a romantic way.

Drake had always been a tease, but he never meant anything by his flirting. It was just fun for him to see me flustered, and I only got flustered because he was a good-looking guy who knew how to say the right things.

Why was I thinking of Drake again?

Lockland brought my hand to his lips to kiss the back of it. I glanced up at him and grinned.

“I can see us doing this in the future,” he said.

I laughed a little. “Sitting in the compound, watching my crazy family?”

He winked. “Yep. Anyone who watches your family can see the love and pride they have in each other. It doesn’t just stick with your immediate family either.”

“True. I love them all like they’re my close relatives. It’s the best thing about being a part of the club. Though sometimes it can be overbearing when the men get too protective.”

He shook his head. “I’m glad you’ve had that for your whole life. Made you safe when I wasn’t around.”

“I can take care of myself too,” I told him with an edge to my tone. His words made me feel a little defensive. I’d been brought up in the club. I knew how to throw a punch. All the women did.

“I know you can. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Sorry.” I ducked my head. “I didn’t mean to say it like that.” And I wasn’t sure why I had. It didn’t matter that he wanted me safe. I wanted him that way too. Maybe it was because it reminded me that we still had a lot of getting to know each other since so much time had passed.

At least we had time.

I’d already made up my mind about Melbourne. No one could keep me away from a weekend with him, and the rest we’d figure out soon. There wasn’t any need to rush.

He tapped under my chin, and I brought my gaze back up. His smile was radiant. “No need to apologise.” He chuckled, but the mirth left him as he ran his gaze over my face. “I have an idea that I’d like to share with you.”

Apprehension had me tensing.

“Okay.”

“Even if your answer is no for Melbourne, I’d still like to come back here for the month before my tour in Japan, instead of flying home to record.”

My heart went wild. “But… don’t you need to record?”

“It’s not urgent. I could probably find a place around here for it, if need be.”

“I don’t want you to put anything off for my sake.”

“It’s not for you, Swan. It’s for me. I just got you back. Spending only the weekend with you won’t be enough. I’m a selfish prick. I want more time. And then you might even consider coming to Japan with me.”

“Japan?”

“Yeah. I’ll be there for a few weeks. You can treat it like a holiday if you’re owed time off and only if none of this is going to disrupt your life.”

“I-I’ve never travelled out of Australia before.”

“Well, at least you’ll have someone with a world of knowledge about travelling at your side. That’s if you want to go.” He dipped down and kissed my temple. “Think about that with the weekend to Melbourne.”

Think about it?

I didn’t need to.

“It’s a yes for Melbourne. I would love to see you in your element. But I’ll need time for Japan.”

And that time would be spent trying to work out how to tell my father I was heading overseas. At least with Lockland being in Ballarat longer, it’d give Dad an opportunity to get used to Lockland in our lives.

“You might get bored while I’m on stage.”

Laughing, I shook my head. “I wouldn’t miss your concerts for anything. Besides, I already have a ticket for the Melbourne one.”

His head jerked back. “You do? You were going to come even when we didn’t know about the mix-up?” I nodded. “Hell, Swanny, you’re a saint. But seriously, you must’ve thought I was the biggest prick by not talking to you. Like my world was more important and that I’d forgotten all about you. When it was the exact opposite. I could never forget you, Swan.”

“You either, Lockland. But you also could have thought I was horrid when it looked like I was ignoring you.”

His lips thinned. “I’ll admit I lost myself for a bit, but I never hated you.”

“I never hated you either,” I said softly.

Lockland lowered his head, and I knew he was going to kiss me. My belly and pulse reacted.

It was a quick kiss, but with his lips close to mine, he said, “Tomorrow, before we leave for Melbourne, we’re going on a date.”

A gasp escaped me.

An actual, real date that I didn’t read about in one of my books.

This was really happening.