I can think of a few ways to fill the time until then.
My lip twitches as I look into my dad’s eyes, the same ones I inherited. “Addyson is mine,” my tone doesn’t leave any room for misunderstanding or argument. There’s a finality in my voice; one I know to be true.
Ripper freezes and any brother close enough to me to hear me turns their head. I don’t look their way. Battle doesn’t seem surprised.
“Yeah,” my dad chuckles, “I figured that’s what you were going to say. I recognized the look on your face when you saw her walk into the kitchen this morning. She rules you.” When I narrow my eyes, he smirks and shrugs one shoulder. “That’s how it’s supposed to be. She rules you. She gives you peace and a place where the burden of this life doesn’t exist. You keep her safe and I mean all of her—her heart, body, and soul. You protect her with all that you are and love her with everything you can be. That’s how this works.”
Ripper grunts and I glance his way. There’s something like longing in his eyes. But I won’t be surprised if there’s a club angel spit roasted between him and Rampage before the night is over.
“Looks like Mom already knows what my plans are,” I acknowledge with a nod of my head toward the women who are looking very cozy with their heads together and smiles on their faces.
“Your mother was always the brains of the operation,” he chuckles, amusement dancing in his words.
It reminds me of the days when I saw Mom welcome Dad home from a run or a hard day. He would be covered in dirt and grime, but she never cared. She was always there with her arms wide and her heart full enough to top him off and keep enough for herself.
She would wrap him up in her arms and hold him close. At the time, I thought it was all for her. It was her eyes filled with tears and worry lining her face after all. But maybe I had it wrong this whole time.
Maybe it was for him most of all.
I know there have been many days when I could have used that kind of warmth welcoming me home. Fuck. Is that what I have to look forward to?
Like she knows my mind is mulling her over, her brown eyes lift and clash with mine. There’s a heartbeat when she freezes and then she smiles. The movement is slow at first and then it’s as if something breaks free.
Her smile is gorgeous. I want to step closer and close my eyes while I tilt my face in her direction.
But I force myself to stay in place.
When I wink at her, the corner of my mouth twitching with the desire to return her smile, her cheeks turn pink. Fuck me, she’s adorable.
“You better treat that woman right,” Battle rumbles.
When I look at him, his blue eyes are hard and filled with warning. He’s not just my father right now. He’s the former president of the Devil’s Saint’s Charleston chapter. He’s the man who I learned to fear and respect equally.
We’ve had to figure out when and where the line is between his role as my dad, and his position as the former president. I would be surprised about how serious he is about Addyson, but I’ve met the woman. Just a moment in her presence is enough to fall under her spell.
My brothers would already protect her with their lives, and I haven’t taken my claim to the table yet. I will. I have to, the need of it thrums through me.
The thought of declaring her mine and her wearing my name on her back has my cock throbbing in my jeans. It’s not a good look considering my mom is in the room, but it’s unavoidable as I soak up every breath Addyson takes and every smile that she gives away like they aren’t all mine.
The need to throw her over my shoulder and hide her away in my room is almost too strong to ignore.
“I’ll treat her like a fucking queen,” I promise my dad.
His body relaxes and he gives a nod before glancing toward where Sin is sitting with another angel, Candy. While Sin’s focus is jumping between my woman and me, Candy is eye fucking Road Rage. I’m sure my brother will take her up on what she’s offering before the night is done. Rage isn’t one to abstain.
Fuck, I wasn’t either.
I’ve never been the kind of man to be ashamed of my choices. I made them with a clear mind, and I own them. Regrets are for death beds and all that shit.
Now, as I look at Addyson, I have to question some of my previous decisions. Sure, I thought a woman like her existing and coming into my life would be an impossibility.
I was wrong.
Very fucking wrong.
“Good,” Dad grunts. “Or else I wouldn’t even try to stop Scythe from kicking your ass. He counts your woman as a little sister. She’s the only person Tallulah had at her back for a long time. I wouldn’t want to be the man to break her heart.”
“I’m not fucking breaking her heart. I’m claiming her. The next time we’re in church, I’m putting it to the table,” I share my plans with him, my voice solid and sure.
