“It’s been a while since you’ve eaten, I bet.”
She nods. Bones runs up and wags his tail, and Kaia bends down to bury her face in his soft fur. I can tell she’s close to the edge, so I take her to the table at the back to sit down. I walk back to the bar and Annie loads up two plates for me with scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, and hash browns. I walk back and set down the plates, sitting opposite her.
We’re getting looks, but they’re good-natured. At some stage, I’ll announce that Kaia’s my ol’ lady, but I want to make sure she’s prepared for people asking her questions and maybe teasing us both a little. It’s been so long since I showed any interest in a woman that people will be curious.
Kaia starts to eat, slowly at first, then faster.
“This is great,” she says.
“Yeah, Annie’s the best. She used to have a diner in town, but after that closed, she agreed to feed us all in exchange for her own room here.”
“You own this place?”
“Bought it cheap off an old dude who was retiring and moving to California. Joker and I fixed it up, it was falling down. As the MC expanded, we built out into the lot.”
She puts her fork down and I pick it up. “You need to finish these pancakes. Your body needs energy to grow our baby.”
She smiles a little. “You’re going to feed me?”
“I’ll do whatever I have to, to make sure you’re happy, full and healthy. Now, makemehappy and eat this.” I spear some of the pancake with my fork and then put it into her mouth. A drizzle of maple syrup runs down her chin and my cock throbs in my pants.
“Mmm, this is so good. I haven’t had pancakes in a while. So, is there room for everyone?”
“We can sleep thirty of us here. I also own a place in town.” I hold up another forkful of pancake and watch as she eats.
“You do?”
“Yes. It was my grandfather’s place. I still have family here in town, so I stay up there when I’m visiting. We’ll go see it once you’ve rested. With a little fixing up, it will be a great place to raise kids.”
“You sound so certain. How do you know we’ll get along okay? You barely know me and you’re convinced I’m…the one.”
I smile. “Don’t you feel the same?”
Her cheeks turn that beautiful pink color. “I’ve never felt like this before. But I’m usually in control of the way I react to someone. And this is…different.”
“Different can be good.” I glance up as Hawk and Blade come to stand by the table. Blade’s drinking from a cup with The Order’s emblem printed on the side.
Kaia stands up and puts her arms around her brother. He hesitates and then wraps her in a hug. She has tears in her eyes when she draws back.
“I thought they were going to kill you, I ran to get help. Except Saxon tells me that you were just playing out a scenario before you go see the cartel?”
“Saxon knows what he’s doing. And I decided I don’t want to die, especially at their hands. I’m tired, sis.” He runs his hand over his shaved head.
“Me too. This is the best idea, Blade.”
“I hope so.”
After we finish breakfast, I insist Kaia goes upstairs to get some rest while we go see the cartel. She protests a little, but when I tuck her into my big bed, she sighs and falls asleep almost instantly.
Most of the MC comes with me to see the cartel. I want them to know we’re not joking as we ride up to their place. There’s strength in numbers and I know my brothers will have my back if anything goes wrong. The plan we ran through goes smoothly, and they accept that Blade is mine to deal with. Whether they suspect I won’t kill him or not doesn’t matter. I’ve called in the favor I did for their leader five years ago and now we’re quits.
Blade rides back to his aunt’s house to pack up his stuff for the long ride to Silent Lake. I text my buddy Rock.
Saxon: Sending the prospect over to you tonight. He’s a live wire, but he’s family to me. He could be a great asset to your MC if he gets his shit together.
Rock: Acknowledged. Always happy to take your waifs and strays. I like a challenge. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Kaia is still sleeping when I get back to the club and I walk into the bathroom, stripping off my clothes and taking a shower. I wrap myself in a towel and set the bath running.
