“That’s the part I’m not sure about,” Clint said after a moment.
“What do you mean?Just the two of us on the trip or something else?”
“Your brothers, your club.I don’t know anything about your club, and only what I’ve seen on TV about motorcycle clubs in general.I don’t have a good impression about how they treat women.I don’t want her walking into that.I raised her better than to put up with the shit I’ve seen on TV.”
Spider took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds while he looked past the truck and tried to find the right words.He’d known he’d likely have to go into this when he’d decided he needed to talk to Jordon’s father.“I’m not going to sugarcoat it.Do we have women around the clubhouse that sleep with anyone who wants them?Yeah, we do.They’re called Mamas.But they’re all there because they want to be.We also have a few old ladies.That’s the same as married to us.Those of us with old ladies are faithful.We’re not screwing around on them.I know there are a lot of clubs out there that don’t work that way.How they run their clubs is up to them.But the Fallen Angels respect women and families.We don’t have any patchlings right now, but with some of my brothers recently finding women, that will probably change before too long.”
“Patchlings?”
Spider let one corner of his mouth quirk upwards.“Kids.Usually they have a collection of shirts that say Fallen Angels Patchling, sometimes with their dad’s name on the front, but not always.It lets people know who they belong to and that they’re protected.”He turned back to look at Clint, trying to gauge how the man was taking this.
Clint watched him, a scowl creasing his brow in an expression that reminded him of Jordon, but he didn’t say anything for several seconds.“And are you wanting to make my daughter into a mama or an old lady?”
“I want her for my old lady.I’ll lay out any man who looks at her wrong.I wanted to talk to you.Then I’ll talk to her, but I plan to have her property cut made before I take her to meet the club.”He expected push-back about the term property, but Clint said nothing about that, instead he asked something completely different.
“And what if, after you’ve had this cut made, she doesn’t want it?”
“If she doesn’t want me, I’ll accept that.I won’t force her to do anything.Well, anything that’s not strictly for her safety.I won’t put that at risk.If it’s just the idea of it, that can be addressed.”
Clint watched him for several long seconds then he looked away and sighed.“I’ve always known I’d have to let her go.”He turned and looked at the horizon for a moment.“We’ve been lucky to have her around as long as we have.I know that.Her mama does too.”He turned back to look at Spider.“I won’t stand in your way.If you’re the man she wants, I wish you both well.I am going to ask for at least one of the winter holidays every year.It can alternate or rotate but her mama will be heartbroken if we don’t get to spend either Thanksgiving or Christmas with her, and you too of course.Bring her to see us once in a while.”
“I can do that, sir.Craven’s Creek isn’t that far away.It’s a trip that could be made a couple times a month, if that’s what she wants.And you’ll be welcome at our place too.The Angels are a big family, even if most of us aren’t related, and we’re all about family.You and your boys might not be part of us now, but if things go the way I want, then you’ll be part of that family too.”
“I hope so.”Clint turned to look at where Jordon now stood facing them, her hands on her hips.“You have any idea what kind of hell you’re gonna be in for if she gets wind that you asked for my permission?”
“I didn’t ask your permission.I asked for your blessing.It’s not the same.”
“How so?”Clint didn’t look away from his daughter, but he did lift one brow as he asked.
“Because not getting your blessing wouldn’t have stopped me from making her mine if that’s what she wants.It will just make things go smoother in the long run.”
Clint chuckled.“I’m interested in seeing how that works out for you.Why don’t you call that girl up here?I’m going to go inside and get my wife.She’s eager to see you again.”
“Yes, sir.”Spider reached for his crutches.
“No.Stay where you are.If I remember all your injuries, you’re likely limited on how much time you can spend on your foot.Don’t use it all now.Colleen can come out.Just give me a couple minutes.”Clint stood then turned and went inside.
Spider lifted one arm and rotated his hand at the wrist, waving both Jordon and Dax to come closer.Jordon wasted no time.She came through the gate and up the steps.
“What’s going on?”she asked with a frown.
“Not much.I talked to your dad.He went to get your mom, said I should see her while I’m here.”
Her frown deepened into a scowl and Spider wanted to smooth away those wrinkles between her brows.
“Come here.”He crooked one finger.
Jordon narrowed her eyes but moved to stand in front of him.
“Bend down here a second.”
She did as he requested.When he could reach, he smoothed a thumb across her brows.
“Don’t frown so much, wildcat.I’m not going to do anything to embarrass you.”He caught hold of her braid and tugged her a little closer.Then he brushed a soft kiss across her lips, not pushing for more because he knew her parents would be out any minute.“Trust me?”His voice was barely more than a whisper.
She smiled.“I do.”
Something in Spider’s chest seemed to swell.He didn’t know if he would ever hear her say those words to him again, but he liked the sound of them and he thought he’d like to hear them again.
