“No, it means I’ll be watching you. Not just me. Mom and Dad, too, because you bet your ass I’m gonna tell them. And wait until Match finds out. I love you, Bash, you know that, but I will fucking kill you if you hurt Fiona,” Charlie said, her gaze unflinching, a hardened look I hadn’t seen before crossing her face.
“Understood,” I said, knowing she was protecting her friend.
“And you’re driving BOTH of us to dinner tonight. The fuck sneaky shit you trying to pull, picking her up without me? I’m thinking it’s time to bring back chaperoning, like in the 1800s. You two shouldn’t be alone without someone tagging along.” I sighed, knowing I was in for a lot more of that if I saw it through with Fiona.
“You done? Can I finish up here so I have enough time to chauffeur both of you to dinner?”
“One last thing. Whatever you think you know about Fiona, however you think she behaves or acts, I would forget all that now. She’s never going to do what you expect, and she doesn’t deserve to have the bullshit of every other woman you’ve dated projected onto her. Fiona is in a league of her own. I don’t know if you’ll be able to keep up with her, but I’m going to enjoy watching you try.”
Since she was already at the garage, Charlie went up front to help out the guys dealing with customers. The next hour passed quickly, and I was surprised to realize I was nervous about seeing Fiona again. I knew there was something between us, something I would regret not exploring, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t alarmed by my new obsession.
That’s what it felt like. Every other minute she was in my head, I was wondering if she was okay, what she was doing, and if she was thinking about me. I imagined what I could do to get a smile from her, to get her to let loose and take risks, indulge in some long-buried desires.
My woman was prickly, all sharp edges and raw nerves. I remembered how she had looked that first time we met, how she stood in the middle of her apartment—unsure, wringing her hands, looking a little lost.
She had shown glimpses of the girl underneath, the long-forgotten dreams she convinced herself were futile. There were boundless untapped desires within her. I was selfish and wanted to be the one to learn all of them, help her unleash and reveal her deepest dreams.
Above all else, I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. She had spent enough time watching her own back. I was there now. Protecting Fiona was one task I welcomed with open arms.
When we pulled up to my parents’ house, I was relieved when Charlie hopped out and went in ahead of us. Being that close to Fee without getting to touch her felt impossible. We climbed theporch steps, then I watched as Fiona came to a stop, suddenly motionless at the entrance to the house.
Using the opportunity to touch her, I gave her some encouragement, and was rewarded when she let me guide her inside. Keeping Fee close to me, I took the bag she was carrying from her. We walked into the kitchen, and I placed it on the counter carefully, not wanting to ruin whatever she had made for us.
“Fiona! It’s so good to see you. I’m so happy you were able to join us,” Ma said, rushing over to pull her into a tight hug. I stepped outside to check on my dad, and we were all seated in the dining room within the hour.
I was able to snag the seat next to Fiona, much to Charlie’s chagrin. She was watching me from across the table, and I was expecting a kick anytime now. It was worth it, though, to sit that close to Fiona. Her scent wrapped around me, and it took more strength than I cared to admit to stop myself from burying my face in her neck, breathing her in.
“Cal, can you pass the salad?” Mom asked. Charlie whipped her head around to analyze Fiona’s reaction.
“I’m sorry, son. Did you not want Fiona to know your legal name?” Ma asked, her voice holding a bit of humor as she watched all of our responses.
“Callum Dalton Williams,” Fiona replied from my side as we all looked at her.
“You gave me your driver’s license the first night we met. Before I let you into my apartment,” she replied, her cheeks flushing as she noticed the whole table watching her.
I smiled, unable to stop the feeling of warmth that ran through me, knowing she remembered my name, that maybe I had left an impression on her that first meeting, the same way she left one on me. Fiona was starting to fidget, so I tried to change the subject.
“I prefer Cal, but it’s sort of a moot point by now. Everyone just calls me Bash.”
“Why Bash?” she asked, and I groaned as I saw Dad getting ready to tell his version of the story.
“Fiona, my dear, I’m so happy you asked,” he said, smiling big at me.
“Our boy may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but damn, was he determined to do what he wanted, no matter what it took to get there. As soon as he learned to walk, he decided running full speed at objects was the best method of getting around. I can’t begin to count the amount of times he ran headfirst, bashing straight into walls, pets, people—basically anything in his way.”
Fiona laughed, and I rolled my eyes, letting my father hold court.
“We got him his first bike. Cece made me get him a helmet and pads, the whole works. He never wanted to take them off. They stank. We used to have to pry the elbow pads off him when he was asleep. Eventually, we let him keep the helmet on because it seemed like our only option of preventing permanent head trauma.
“Once he got older, he got into boxing and other martial arts. By his teenage years, he had everyone convinced Bash was the name the MC gave him for his fighting skills. Reaper and I let him tell that story, but between us family, you should know there’s probably some brain damage there. We should have gotten him the helmet sooner.”
“Guard!” Cece yelled as Charlie howled in laughter. I felt my face flush as Fiona turned that copper gaze on me.
“Anyway, if you ever want to know the true story behind some of the Brothers’ names, come talk to me and I’ll set you straight. When do you think you’ll come by the clubhouse? I know Reaper and the other Brothers are dying to meet you.” The table turnedas one to look at Fiona, who was doing a good imitation of a tomato at that moment.
“I, uh, I don’t know. I never really thought about it. I thought the clubhouse was just for members and family.”
“It is. That’s why it’s about time you stopped by. You know, they’re calling you the Charlie tamer? The SC Charter is coming through next week. There’s gonna be a big cookout at the clubhouse. You should come, and I know a few people willing to pay you to bring some of the meals you’ve been feeding Match.”
