“Yeah?”
“After Church I’m coming for you, gonna take you out on my bike. There are some well ridden trails around here that’ll be safe for us. I just want to feel you at my back, so put on some jeans, boots and a sweater, yeah?”
She doesn't reply. Instead she squeals a little, clapping her hands before she rushes off inside without me, her excitement at riding with me - a big, noisy ginger has me chuckling to myself.
“Taking her for a ride?” Dex smirks as I walk into the house.
“Yep. How’d you know?”
“I think the whole ranch knows, brother,” Rider says, slapping his hand on my shoulder.
“Marx has called Church. In your Momma’s dining room.”
I do a double take when I see Marx looking like shit at the head of the table.
“I know, I know, and that’s why I have you here,” he smirks, “to keep me alive.”
Shaking my head I take a seat at the exact place I ate all my meals growing up, and then stare in wonder at my brothers,DRMC, The Keep and blood brothers as they all take seats along with Roman, Sasha and Dima, Gallows and Mercy.
“Let’s fucking do this.”
***
Walking out of Church I feel…settled. It’s the calm before the storm. The part where we all hold our loved ones closer, take a beat, before we end this once and for all. Am I nervous that shit is going to go sideways? Fuck yes. But I also know that every single person in Church tonight has my back and that feels fucking amazing. Making my way into the living area I stand in the doorway and take everything in. Kit is with the Big Littles including Judge’s two and the Keep kids, just hanging out on the couches watching something on the big TV. The women are dotted around the room. Mama Debs, Sage and my momma seem to be deep in conversation, the Girl Gang are cackling about something along with my sister and Mercy which is fucking scary to think about, and then there’s Joy. The calm at the center of the storm. She must feel my eyes on her as she turns her head, the smile on her face is fucking breath taking and only gets wider when her eyes land on me. Without saying a word to her friends she rises to her feet and makes her way across the room until she’s standing, her bare feet touching my boots.
“I’ll just put my shoes on and I’ll be ready to go. I’m so excited!” she exclaims before taking off like her ass is on fire.
I stare at her tiny ass as she flies up the stairs, and I can’t wait to feel her small body on the bike behind me.
“Brother,” Chef says, handing me a backpack. “TumTum made a little something for you and Joy.” Unzipping it I take a peek,although I don't need my eyes to know what’s in here. Not when the scent of pizza wafts out, along with something rich. “Is that-”
“Pizza and berry brownies, still warm. Or so TumTum says,” Chef grins.
“Fuck, tell the brother thank you. Where is he anyway?”
“He’s in there trying to shoo Damian and Rider away from the rest of the brownies,” Chef grins.
“I didn’t even know he could cook.” My brow furrows because as long as I can remember all TumTum did was sit out at the gate working security.
“It turns out there’s a lot of shit we didn’t know about TumTum,” Chef says mysteriously.
Looking over my shoulder my gaze lands on the same place Chef’s has. On Sage. “So, how is that going?”
Chef lets out a long sigh, shaking his head. “Won’t even look at me, now. I fucked up, bad, and I don’t know how to fix it.”
“You will brother. Anyone with eyes can see how much you both love each other. You just have to grovel to fix your fuck up.” My eyes flick to the bag in my hand. “Start off with your brownies. No woman can be mad with that chocolatey goodness.” I slap him once more then move to wait at the bottom of the staircase.
I sling the backpack over my shoulder when my eyes land on my woman, bounding down the stairs. Does she still have the weight of the world on her shoulders? Yes. But does she look happier despite this? Hell yes. She’s a fighter, my Joy, and tonight is about wind therapy and spending time together before the shit hits the fan.
“Ready?”
“Ready.” She nods once, placing her small hand around my bicep, as I lead her out to my bike.
“OK babe, throw that luscious leg over.”
She giggles, but does what I say, plopping her perfect little ass exactly where it was always meant to be.
“Good girl, babe.” She beams at my praise and sits there, like a Queen on her throne, waiting for me. “Wrap your hands around my waist and hold on tight.”
