Page 20 of Unruly Defender
“I’m sure she’ll be awake when we get there, and if she’s not, you know it’s for the best that she rests up to regain her strength.
And maybe those papers made a huge impact on her and explains why her body reacted this way.
We have to stay positive for now until we know more. One thing at a time, remember?”
The corner of his mouth twitches. “Mr. and Mrs. Positive, huh?”
“You know it,” I quip. “Go grab those papers and tuck them away safely. I’ll head into the other bedroom and grab a few things for her.”
I turn on my heels and head for the door but Henley snatches my hand and makes me glance back.
“You’re really something, Gracelynn,” he murmurs. “A reason to live beyond the need for justice to prevail. I’m one lucky man to have such a good thing in my life. A strong woman who doesn’t let anyone interfere with what she wants.”
My chest blooms with warmth. “Save the sweet talk for later, pretty boy. Because saying things like that will get you laid and we don’t have the time...we have work to do.”
He barks out a laugh and tries to keep from smiling big. “Yes, ma’am,” he finally says and heads for the bed to snatch up all the papers.
It takes me a few minutes to grab what I need from the other bedroom and I hear Henley throw a question at Rhett as he steps from the patio into the living room. “What were you doing out there?”
“I had to get some fresh air, Pres,” Rhett groans.
“You and your old lady were getting it on in the bedroom and the dog takes after the owner because he’s rubbing one out on a stuffed animal while I’m here twiddling my thumbs.
Yeah, stepping out there and enjoying the ocean view seemed like the right thing to do. ”
My cheeks heat when I hear Rhett mention he heard me and Henley having sex, but his ramblings right after make me giggle.
I place Maggie’s bag in the hallway and enter my own bedroom to pack myself a bag because we’re going to be staying at the clubhouse.
With everything going on and Henley being the president of Unruly Defenders MC, that’s where he needs to be.
I make sure to bring Finn’s bowls and food so everyone is set for at least a few days. We all head out and a few minutes later we’re walking into the clubhouse. It’s crowded and Yates comes rushing toward us to take the bowls and Finn’s food out of my hands.
“Where do you want me to put them?” he questions.
“My room. I’m not trusting Finn running around here when I’m handling things so he can sleep, eat, and stay in our bedroom when we need to do other things and can’t bring him along,” Henley tells him.
“Smart,” Yates states. “But I’m sure the little dude is going to fit right in. It’s all of the others who need to adjust to having a dog around. And an old lady, let’s not forget Gracy is the first old lady of this MC’s new generation. You’re moving in too, right, Gracy?”
I have to swallow a few times at the dryness in my mouth to form a word, and I’m glad I don’t have to because Henley is answering for me.
“Are you seriously stealing my thunder, VP? I was thinking of having her hang around here for a few days and letting the guys and the place grow on her before popping the question.” Henley shakes his head and hardens his tone. “If she runs away, I’m blaming you.”
Yates’ eyes slide to me and they widen as crinkles appear in his forehead.
He holds his fingertips in front of his mouth and by doing this he’s clearly saying “Oops,” without words and it makes me smile big.
The mischief dancing in his eyes makes him appear ten years younger and I have to say, he makes me feel at ease.
“Don’t worry, Yates, I’m not going anywhere. Well, not without Henley.” I shoot him a wink and head for the room we were in the last time.
Henley follows me and we drop our stuff on the bed. I scoop Finn up and it makes me wonder. “Did you mention we were leaving Finn here? In this room or with the guys? Did you need to have the meeting now or are we going to your mother first?”
Rooney pops his head into the room. “I could watch the little doggie for you. I’m going to do some reading so I could be in my room or in the main room, whatever makes you feel at ease but Finn won’t be alone, he’d be with me.”
“Okay.” I give Rooney a grateful smile. “But don’t feed him any chocolate.”
“No worries. I used to own a Dutch Shepherd. I know how to take care of a dog.”
“A man with many talents,” I compliment. “Wait, what else can you do, and did you bring me some more chocolate? I need more. I would love to pay for them too.”
Rooney steps inside the room and lowers his voice. “I’m testing some new stuff. One of those is vanilla truffle with a twist of caramel. I could use a test subject if you’re offering.”
“Hells yes,” I squeak and add, “I’m never going to leave you guys ever again. Well, I probably can’t in a few months of testing, my ass will be too big to fit through the door with all the chocolate I’m going to stuff into my mouth.”
Rooney snickers, “From what Rhett mentioned, Pres here will make sure to burn those calories right off.”
Henley growls low in his throat.
“I’m outta here. Come find me when I need to look after Finn, and I’ll have some chocolate for you, ‘kay?”
“Thanks Rooney,” I quip and have to smile at Henley’s reaction, being all protective while Rooney was only joking around.
Earlier at the house I was slightly embarrassed when Rhett mentioned he heard me and Henley having sex.
And with Rooney mentioning it I know these guys are all close friends.
A bunch of dirty gossip, teenage level, bachelors.
But I have a feeling I’m going to fit right in, because they all seem nice, supportive, and caring.
I can see why Henley is fighting hard for this place and those brothers along with it.
“Let’s head over to the hospital first, I’ll postpone the meeting. I hope my mother is awake since I need to ask her where she got the papers from,” Henley says, rubbing a hand over his neck and he looks so tired.
“Let’s go, hopefully we’ll get some good news about her, and the papers.” I take his hand and give a little tug to get him moving.
I grab both the stuffed animal and Maggie’s bag with my other hand along the way. We walk into the main room and I notice Rooney is sitting next to Hudson at the bar. I bend down to scoop Finn up and hand him over to Rooney.
“He’s in your care now. Don’t let him slip out of the front door and if you want him to sleep, give him this.” I thrust the stuffed animal in his lap and Finn starts to squirm to get it.
Rhett starts to laugh and snatches up the stuffed animal.
“You guys go ahead, I’ll watch Finn and Rooney.
I’ll show everyone else Finn’s neat trick.
” He ushers us away and starts to explain.
“Check it out, you know the whole statement how the dog takes after the owner? And how Pres walked out of prison, stepping in here with an old lady attached to his arm? Look.” Rhett throws the stuffed animal on the floor and takes Finn from Rooney, placing him on the floor.
Finn heads straight for the stuffed animal and starts to hump.
“For fuck’s sake, this is why Finn stayed at my mother’s most of the time,” Henley mutters while laughter fills the clubhouse.
“Come on, I need to head out of here with these teenage fucks with one-track minds,” Yates grumbles before he raises his voice. “Ash, tag along. We need eyes on our Pres’ mother, that’s you.”
The four of us head out and I’m hoping with all my heart we will get some positive news about Maggie. And hopefully Henley will get an answer about where the papers and the envelope came from.