“Explain,” I commanded.
“She started it, Bash. I was just trying to be nice...” Fiona let out a harsh laugh at that, and I turned to her.
“What did she say to you?”
“Oh, you know, typical girl stuff. Mostly your favorite sex positions. Apparently, you justloveit when she rides you. Giddyup, cowboy,” Fee said sarcastically as Edge laughed behind her.
“Although, I imagine reverse cowboy would work better, since there’s no way you’re gonna get any real bounce out of those fake tits,” Fiona continued, and Trish gasped, then quickly started rearing up to lash out at Fee.
“ENOUGH,” I roared in Trish’s face. Making sure to speak loud and clear, I addressed the meddling bitch.
“We are not together. We were never a couple or in a relationship. You were never anything more than an easy fuck. You have no claim on me, and if you cause another problem, I will have you banned from any and all club events.” There was a crowd around us now. Trish was staring at her feet, her face flaming.
Her usual posse of girls was avoiding the entire scene, not one of them willing to step in as backup. I looked up and saw Fiona still standing next to Edge, and a growl escaped me. Letting go of Trish, I yanked Fee against my chest and kissed her hard. When I looked up, several of the MC Brothers and club girls were watching us. Taking advantage of their attention, I made an announcement.
“Fiona’s mine. Hands off. Anyone fucks with her, you deal with me,” I said, looking at both Edge and Trish. Edge lifted his hands in surrender and took a step back.
“Not trying to get my ass kicked, but if there were ever a woman worth fighting over, I’d go a round or two for her.” I looked down at Fee, who was watching Trish with a tinge of amusement. I curled my girl into my chest and leaned down until I was whispering in her ear.
“What were you thinking, troublemaker? Are you trying to get your ass tanned?” She blinked up at me, and I didn’t miss the blush of arousal that spread across her cheeks. She gave a careless shrug before replying.
“I’m not always going to be around to protect your virtue. Needed to make sure you could handle yourself,” Fiona said casually, but I knew she also needed the reassurance that I didn’t want anyone else, that she was more than enough. It was urgently clear to me that the club girls and townies needed to get the message that I was off the market real quick.
Sensing she wasn’t going to get anywhere with me, Trish stalked off, and Edge wisely headed back to the opposite side of the room. I stepped closer to the bar to get a fresh beer for Fiona, then escorted her back to the table. As we approached, Charlie started a slow clap, Bull and Match joining in. All the seats were taken, so I tucked Fiona in front of me as we sidled up to the table. Before either of us could get a word out, Charlie jumped right in.
“I TOLD you she was gonna be trouble. Did you really just have Fiona break up with Trish for you? Sloppy work, brother.” I sighed, not interested in talking about Trish any further.
“I feel kind of bad for her,” Fee said, and all heads whipped to her. Seeing our confused responses, she spoke.
“Don’t get me wrong, she’s a bitch, and I’m not writing off what just happened. I just think it comes from a place of deep insecurity—or even scarier, desperation. I can’t imagine that she has a lot of true connections with anyone, not just men. It seems like she pins all her self-worth on other people and doesn’t havea true identity. When she doesn’t have someone to fixate on, that’s when she’s really gonna let the crazy out.”
“Bunny boiler. I called it months ago. Don’t listen to anything she said. My brother may not be the smartest tool in the shed, but he honestly hasn’t been anywhere near her in, well, since he met you, now that I think about it. I practically live at his house, so I can vouch for him,” Charlie said.
Fee turned to me, and I didn’t know which emotion to settle on. I was angry at myself, and at Trish. I was confused by Fee’s response, but mostly embarrassed that we were having that conversation in front of everyone.
“You okay?” Fiona asked, nudging me with her shoulder. Her voice was low, meant just for me, despite the fact that the entire table was watching us.
“I don’t like that she got in your face. I don’t like that another man had his hands on you. Mostly, I don’t like that Charlie’s right, and I should have handled Trish months ago. I’m sorry, pretty girl. Please believe me when I say that I haven’t touched another woman since I met you.”
“Bash, it’s okay. I believe you. We’re all good,” Fiona replied. She reached a hand up to cup my cheek, as if trying to physically stop the frown forming there.
“Really? That’s it? You’re not going to grill me to find out the exact time I spoke to her last?” I spit out, because I apparently had no filter anymore.
“Um, did you want me to do that?” Fee replied, looking confused and slightly amused.
“No. I just… I want to make sure you’re comfortable. Whatever you need or want to know, I’ll tell you,” I sputtered out, meaning every word.
Fiona turned her head, taking in our silent crowd, who were blatantly attempting to listen to everything we said. Turningback to me, she stood up on her tiptoes before pulling my head down toward hers, so she could yell directly into my ear.
“I trust you, Bash. You don’t have to defend yourself for things that happened before we met. Now, kiss me so we can change the subject, and these gossips can find somebody else to focus on.”
That quickly, my concern moved to laughter as I couldn’t help but kiss Fiona’s smiling face. I pulled away, and her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glassy. I didn’t know how I got so lucky, but I was going to spend every moment going forward doing whatever I needed to do to protect that woman and the relationship we were building.
Tucking her back into my side, I let out a sigh of relief, believing the hard part of the night was over. Things settled back down, and the next hour passed without any drama, Fee secured to my side, surrounded by those I trusted most.
When Prez requested I swing by his table to talk shop, I was hesitant to leave Fiona again. As if they knew what I was thinking, Bull and Match immediately shifted so they could take my spot next to Fee, keeping her safe from anyone trying to come near her.
Reaper gave me a knowing grin, and I sighed before pressing a quick kiss to Fiona, promising I would be back shortly. I thought things had finally settled down, that it would be okay to step away from her side. But it turned out, the turmoil of the night wasn’t over just yet.
