I didn’t want the life I knew in Hawthorne to change too much. It was shaping up beautifully as it was.
Chapter 8
It was my first time at the club since I’d arrived back in town. We walked in with coffees in hand and I found myself feeling comforted by the smell of leather, engine grease and men. My eyes swept the common space noting that not much had changed. The pool table still sat in the corner near the bar. The pictures documenting the club’s history still hung from the walls.
I smiled warmly as Cal, the club’s president and Cole’s father, wandered in from down the hall where they had a private meeting room and some other rooms whose purpose I didn’t know.
Nor did I really want to.
“Sophie,” he greeted with a grin that crinkled the edges of his beautiful blue eyes.
“Hi, Cal,” I smiled, accepting his brief hug.
“We’re glad to have you back,” he noted sincerely, sweeping a large hand affectionately over Maddox’s head. “No doubt who your daddy is,” Cal chuckled, looking down at Mad.
Axel made a noise of approval in his throat in response.
Cal looked to Axel. “Hank and Wes are here, in the back. The rest of the guys are en route. He cocked his head toward the hall in silent direction that they head that way.
“Sure, be right there,” Axel grunted before turning to me. “Sal’s bringing Kat to hang with you. I’ve got to brief the guys. You gonna be okay?”
“Fine,” I assured him.
Pride flickered on his face as he regarded me. “Good girl,” he replied, stooping to kiss me briefly. I was surprised at the display of affection and it must have shown on my face. “Gonna take your mouth anytime, anywhere, babe,” he assured me with a slow grin.
I nodded, liking the sound of that entirely too much.
It wasn’t long before Sal and Kat swept into the room. Her belly seemed to be getting bigger by the day, protruding like a little beach ball on her thin frame.
“You all right, birdie?” Sal asked, eyeing her with concern.
“Fine,” she sighed, sitting down on the couch with a huff.
“Hi, Soph,” he added, grasping my shoulder briefly.
“Hey, Sal.” I smiled as he swept a hand over Mad’s head of hair. All the guys seemed to do this with him. It was such a tender gesture from such badass men.
“You get a visit this morning?” I asked with a cocked brow.
“Yep, fucking shocked the shit out of me.” He shook his head, seeming stunned.
“I bet,” I smiled softly.
“Now we just gotta figure out why the fuck another club would be trying to get at you,” he growled. “That’s way more important than some unexpected cash.”
I nodded, watching him throw another concerned look to Kat before he stalked back to the offices.
Cole sauntered in not long after, followed by Mack, Tag and Xander.
“Where’s Ryker?” I asked Kat, referring to Axel’s younger brother.
“He’s not patched in yet so he and Jeb don’t get invited to these meetings,” she informed me.
“Patched in?” I asked with a tilt of my head.
“Jeb and Ry are still prospects. There’s a whole ceremony where they become officially part of the club. I think it might happen soon for Ry, not sure about Jeb.”
“But he got stabbed trying to protect you!” I exclaimed, surprised he wouldn’t be part of the club already. It was then I realized I hadn’t seen Jeb around since being back.
