Phoenix took my hand and approached the sea of leather as if he didn’t have a care in the world, and I guess he didn’t.
“Phoenix, good to see you, boy,” a man who looked very similar to Pop said as he pulled Phoenix into a hug. “And who do we have here?”
“Uncle Talon, this is my girlfriend, Annabelle. Annabelle, this is Pop’s brother and president of the Blackwings Motorcycle Club, Talon Black.”
I carefully extended my hand and squeaked in surprise when he engulfed me in a hug. “Pleasure to meet you, Annabelle. Merry Christmas.”
“Uh, Merry Christmas to you, too, sir.”
“A pretty girl with manners. You better hang on to her, Phoenix,” Talon said.
“I plan to,” Phoenix replied instantly.
“Follow me. I need to get back inside before Hawk’s two hellions destroy the clubhouse.”
We followed him inside to find two little boys who were undoubtedly up to something. They stood side by side with their hands behind their backs grinning at their grandfather.
“Boys, say hello to your cousin and his girlfriend, Annabelle.”
Both boys said in unison, “Hey, Phoenix,” but never glanced his way. They kept their eyes fixed on me.
“Hello, Annabelle,” one of them said, stepping closer to me and reaching for my hand. He placed a kiss on top of my hand and continued, “A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. I’m Copper Black and I must say it is a pleasure to meet you.”
Not to be outdone, the other boy took my hand and placed two kisses to the top of it. “Hello, Annabelle. I’m Bronze Black. Welcome to the clubhouse. May I offer you something to drink? Perhaps a snack? Somewhere to sit?”
“Good gravy,” Talon muttered while shaking his head. “Hawk!” he yelled. “Come get your spawn before I let Phoenix crack their skulls together for hitting on his girl in front of him!”
A man looking just like the rest of the Black men appeared and put a hand on each boy’s head. “You two go play outside and for fuck’s sake, stay out of trouble!”
Both boys winked at me before they ran off as instructed. “Sorry about those two. They’re a handful. You must be Annabelle. I’m Hawk Black, Talon’s son,” he said and extended his hand.
I shook his hand and asked, “How old are your boys?”
“They’re nine years old. I don’t know what we’re going to do when they’re teenagers.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize they were twins.”
Hawk laughed. “They’re Irish twins, not traditional twins.”
“Irish twins?”
“Yeah, Bronze was born early, so they’re only eight months apart,” he explained.
Our conversation was interrupted by a woman’s piercing scream. “Goldie!” Hawk yelled and took off down the hall followed by Talon.
Talon stormed past us moments later and straight out the front door. He came back inside with Copper’s upper arm in one hand and Bronze’s upper arm in the other.
Phoenix wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “Just watch, baby,” he whispered.
Hawk returned to the common room carrying two snakes. I tried to turn and make a dash for the front door, but Phoenix held me tightly to him.
“Boys! I told you to make sure their cage was latched. I promised your mother this very thing wouldn’t happen. If Slither and Squeeze get out again, they’re gone. Go put them up and for the love of all that is holy, make sure the top is latched!” Hawk ordered before handing the snakes to Copper and Bronze.
The boys disappeared down the hall and Hawk turned to the room to explain. “Goldie was going to take a short nap before lunch. Found the new pets curled up under the heating blanket on our bed.”
Talon chuckled. “I told you not to get them those snakes. You knew something like this would happen. Though, I am surprised it happened so fast. They’ve had them, what? Two? Three hours?”
Hawk rolled his eyes, but otherwise ignored his father.
