“He didn’t want to come,” Bull answered. “Said it was too hard for him to see you like this.”
I understood his pain, but he was supposed to be my best friend… he should’ve been the first in line.
“You know how he is,” Zodiac said, penetrating my thoughts. “Stuff like this isn’t easy for him. Besides, he’s got Nala now… she keeps him pretty busy.”
Frowning, I thought about my best friend and his new pet. Thankful the dog was starting to make him feel like living again, but bitter that he couldn’t even show up for me.
“I just expected him to be here… that’s all.”
Zodiac nodded. “I know. Just give him time. You’re a miracle worker when it comes to working with people and having them overcome their grief. I’m sure you can do the same for Leo. Especially now that Knight is here.”
“Wait, he’s staying?”
Zodiac nodded. “Yeah, he wants to hang around the club for a bit. May even prospect it later. He’s not quite sure if it’s a right fit, but he’s willing to give it a try. Our club could use a Chaplain.”
Smiling, I agreed, “It definitely could.” Knight would make a perfect edition to our club; he was the missing piece we all needed right now.
“Get better, Brother. We’ll all be here for you if you need us, but it looks like you may have a good helper here.”
Ruby looked a little nervous, but I took her hand, assuring her that my brothers wouldn’t hurt her.
“I know we aren’t in Church, but I’d like to declare something,” I stated, sitting up a bit in my bed. “I’ve fallen in love with Ruby, and because of that, I’d like to make her my Ol’ Lady.”
Ruby’s eyes widened.
“That means she’s off limits to everyone, especially you, Walleye.”
Fish glared at me. “I wasn’t going to go after your girl, Cap.”
Chuckling, I gripped her hand. “You couldn’t have her even if you tried, I just like giving you crap, Lamprey.”
He rolled his eyes. “The fish nicknames are seriously getting old.”
Bull patted him on the shoulder. “Sure, Betta, keep telling yourself that.” He gave me a smooth smile. “I, for one, am happy for you, Cap. Ruby’s a sweet girl and you both deserve each other.”
Zodiac smiled. “I agree. No need for Church, Cap. We recognize Ruby as your Ol’ Lady, and we’ll make sure the rest of the club knows, too.”
“Thank you, Zodiac.”
“No problem, Brother. Now, let’s get out of here and let the two love birds have some peace.”
My brothers all gave me a fist bump as they left the room, leaving me and Ruby alone together.
She looked up at me shyly, her cheeks warming a vibrant hue of red. “Ol’ Lady?”
“Yeah, I know you know what that means, but unlike the Artillery, it means you’re mine only. No other man can touch you. Not that they would, but it’s still good to let everyone know you’re my girl.”
“Your girl?”
“Mmhmm, if you want to be, of course.”
She took my hand, her slender fingers fitting perfectly in mine. “I’d like that, Nicholas.”
Then she bent over me, giving me a soul-sucking kiss that had both of our hearts racing rapidly beneath our ribcages.
Even though I knew this heart inside of me originally belonged to Chase, it would forever belong to Ruby, both of usknowing how truly amazing and special she truly is. I didn’t need his heart to tell me that, I felt it in my soul the second I laid eyes on her.
And even though a part of me was questioning the validity of my feelings for her because of Chase’s heart, when I looked into that deep abyss of blue that made up her eyes, I felt at home—like there was no other woman in this world for me. Only Ruby.
