“Got Church,” my voice is rough with the need to kiss her harder, with the need to sink into her. “Then we’ll have dinner. After that, you’re mine.”
“Thought I was already yours,” Addy teases.
“Fuck, yes, you are,” I growl.
I kiss her hard, but it’s brief, far too brief. I plant a kiss on her forehead before I rip myself away from her and head toward the common room. What I don’t do is look back; I can’t. If I do, then I won’t walk away from her.
This woman has me wrapped around her little finger. And I’m all for it. I’m over here just coiling tighter around that finger all on my own. She owns me and I’ve never felt this kind of purpose.
“Church!” I bellow the word and then head back down the hallway to where our meeting room is.
I know my brothers will follow me. Even if the sound of their boots wasn’t enough, it’s just something I don’t have to question. Which is why I know they’re going to give me shit about claiming an Old Lady. And then they’ll accept Addyson with open arms.
They already have.
She’s charmed them completely. The only one I need to keep an eye on is Rampage, but even he’ll keep shit above board. It’s all in good fun because he likes to bust my fucking balls.
I don’t have to wait long for my brothers to file into the room and take their seats around the table. I look down at the devil skull burned into the table. It’s always been a touchstone when it comes to my club.
No, it’s more than the club.
It’s a touchstone for who I am. Who I’ll always be.
Even when the door to Church closes, I keep my eyes on the table. I never thought I’d be here, in this moment. But I am.
And I’ve never been surer about what I’m about to say.
I raise my head and look around the table, my brothers watching me carefully. Some have knowing looks on their faces,already more than aware of what I’m about to say. Others are smirking, prepared to give me shit because they don’t get it yet. Maybe they never will.
Their loss.
“I’m claiming Addyson. She’s mine. I’ve already ordered her cut and the moment it comes in; I’ll be slipping it on her shoulders. I’ll have my ring on her finger and my baby in her womb before too long as well,” my words are a promise.
“Don’t you think you should have her on the back of your bike before you walk down the aisle?” Rampage’s question is designed to provoke me.
I give him a chin lift and flip him off, not bothering with more than that. A few brothers bark out laughs while some clap, whistle, or bang on the table. Everyone knows Rampage is full of shit until he isn’t.
But the shit eating grin on his face tells the story. And everyone has seen how he’s become my woman’s pet.
“I think she’s the right woman to have at your side, Prez,” Ripper’s voice is low and measured, the rest of the brothers going silent as he speaks. “She’s strong and loyal. Look what she did for someone she didn’t know because she felt it was the right thing to do. No one better to wear your cut.”
I blink at my enforcer a few times, sitting back in my chair as I do. That was a lot of fucking words for him. Rampage reaches over and clamps a hand on Ripper’s shoulder.
“You heard the man,” I throw the words onto the table like poker chips when I know my hand is taking home the pot.
Everyone nods and cheers. When they quiet down, I look at Ripper and Anchor. “Now, let’s get everyone filled in on the dirtycop and what he’s been up to. We need to be ready. It won’t take long before he connects the dots and shows up at our doorstep.”
That has everyone calming down and leaning over the table like they’re ready to go to war.
For me.
For my woman.
CHAPTER 14
ADDYSON
The angels slipped away when the men filed into church and Tonya ran to grab something at her house. It’s on the club’s property and within the walls of the compound. I haven’t seen it yet, but I bet it’s a nice house. With the way Battle is always watching Tonya with love in his eyes, it’s clear he would do anything to make her happy.
