He rolled his eyes, but secretly loved the connection he had with her.
Until Carys, Taylor had been the only one to use his real name. She’d also been the only one to say I love you to him.
Until her.
Prowler’s growl died out. He had accepted her sisterly affection toward him, but that didn’t mean he liked it.
“Wait. Her Mother? Isn’t she in a care facility?”
The second he brought Carys to the clubhouse, her background became public info. Of course, the information about the vamps and what was really wrong with her mother hadn’t trickled down yet.
“Yeah, but she doesn’t need to be. Western medicine can’t fix what’s wrong with her, only the vamps can. Until then, I don’t want Carys to miss a moment with her. They’ve been robbed of enough.”
“Wow, I did not have vamps to the rescue on my bingo card this year, but here we are,” Taylor joked.
They enjoyed the lightness for a few moments before continuing.
“I think that’s a good idea, Monster. If this ex isn’t done, I’d rather have him at our gates here than rolling down our street.” That was his thought too. Considering he and Kansas share … shared the house across the street from Prez and his family, it made sense to hole up there. Even though Monster saw the look in Officer Douchebag’s eyes when he turned to go. His fondness for Carys dulled. Just like that. Like he threw a switch in his brain.
Dude was batshit fucking crazy, but Monster didn’t think he’d make a move on Carys again. He wasn’t suicidal.
“She’s good for you, Arden. I don’t think you could find someone more loyal to those she loves than Carys.”
Monster gaped at her, then at his Prez. Wondering if Taylor knew everything. He tried to convey that to Prowler with just his eyes. His Prez nodded.
“She knows everything except what we just discussed in church.”
Monster was dumbfounded that Prez hadn’t disagreed with her assessment of Carys. In fact, he acted as if he had drawn the same conclusion. Before he could ask about that, Taylor broke into his thoughts.
“Does she know?”
He could only assume she was circling back to saving Carys’s mom. “Not yet, I just found out we called in a favor with the vamps. I’m heading over to the facility in a few to tell her.”
Her smile was placating. “Not that. Does she know you love her yet?”
Monster’s response was just a shake of his head and downing the rest of his coffee. He was ready to get to Carys, standing he inclined his head, but before he could say bye, Taylor spoke again.
“You should tell her that before you tell her you’re moving her in.” She chuckled. “You have a whole cart before horse situation, and take it from me, women like to have a choice in whether they move in with a man. Or at the very least, the illusion of it being her choice, just like you men do.”
“Woman,” Prowler scolded her.
“Oh, hush. You know it’s true.”
“That’s it.” Prowler placed his mug on the bar, then picked Taylor up and tossed her over his shoulder.
Monster smirked at them, realizing Taylor over Prowler’s shoulder was the same as his hand at Carys’s throat. Comfort. Claiming. Calming.
He watched as Prowler carried her back toward church.
The men hooted and hollered, and one shouted, “Sanitize the table when you’re done, Prez.”
That definitely had to be Ghoul.
Prowler didn’t acknowledge it but shouted back to Monster. “Go handle your business, Monster.” He turned in the doorway and added, “Do yourself a favor and take my woman’s advice.” With that, he slammed the door.
Monster strode out of the clubhouse and straddled his bike. Riding solo always brought Monster peace and a certain amount of clarity.
He’d been wondering why Prez had just accepted Carys after she had been sent to spy on them. Club was family, and family was everything. Then it hit him. Carys was willing to do whatever it took to protect her only family—her mom.
