Page 50 of Kiwi

"Yeah, babe. It's time to face the music."

"I'm a little nervous," she confesses.

"Not gonna lie, babe. I'm a bit nervous myself, but I'm not hidin' from what I want. My brother and the club deserve the right to know about us and to hear it from me." I grab her hand in mine and kiss her one more time. "Let's go."

Opening the bedroom door, we step out into the hallway and run right into Fender. His eyes go to our joined hands, then he looks at me. "Hey, brother. You disappeared last night. I thought you'd gone home." He smiles at Piper. "Hey, sweetheart. How are ya, feelin'?" he asks her.

"My face still hurts a little," she touches her bruises. "Other than that, I'm okay."

"If it's any consolation, the guy who did that looks worse than you." Fender makes light of the situation. Damn right, the fucker looks worse. I would say he looks like death itself.

"Nova around?" I ask Fender.

"Nope. Him and the other guys took off. The women wanted to get some fresh air and let the kids play outside. Prez decided the safest place to do that is Pop's place, just until the smoke clears, and we hear back from Cowboy. So, everyone is headed there for awhile." Fender shoves his hands into his pants pockets and rocks back on his heels. He eyes Piper and I for a beat. "I'm not surprised at you two catchin' feelings for one another." Fender sighs and shakes his head. "Anyway, I've gotta grab somethin' from my room, then hit the road. I'll catch the two of you later."

Piper and I finish making our way downstairs to an almost empty clubhouse. Payton and Josie are sitting at one of the tables chatting. Their chatter stops the moment they notice Piper holding my hand. "Holy shit." Josie grins, smacking the top of the table with her hand. "I called it."

"How are you feeling today, Piper?" Payton smiles sweetly at my woman.

"I'm good, and thanks for asking," Piper says.

Payton grins. As we turn to walk away, she adds, "You two look good together."

The bright sunand southern heat hit us the moment the door swings open and we step out of the clubhouse. It's days like this I'm thankful for the canopy Riggs put up months ago. Parking our bikes in the shade at least saves us from burning our arses on the leather seats of our bikes. I help Piper climb on, then slip a helmet over her pretty head. Straddling my bike, I fire her up and the two of us head out to Pop's.

The sweet smoky aroma of hickory hangs on a breeze as my bike rolls onto Pop's property, and my stomach grumbles. I notice Pop in the yard operating the grill, while Riggs along with Luna and their daughter are standing close by deep in conversation. My Harley's rumble draws Nova's attention, along with Wick's, where they are sitting with their women, and Jaxson in the shade on the front porch. Piper's hands clench at my sides, gripping me a bit harder. Nova keeps his attention on us as I maneuver my bike around the others parked in the driveway, then bring it to a stop.

Piper already has her helmet removed by the time I climb off the bike, and I hang it from the handlebar. My woman gives me a small smile. I've warned her how this could and most likely will go, but her being the optimist sees it differently. Helping her dismount the bike, I take her hand in mine. I already feel several sets of eyes burning at my back. I squeeze her hand. "Ready?" I ask her, and at the same time, I'm asking myself.

"Rip it off like a band-aid," her use of terminology is fitting, although I may need more than that soon.

We turn and walk toward the porch. I hold my head high as we approach Nova, whose eyes are narrowed slits as they drop to mine and Piper's joined hands. He stands, handing Jaxson to Promise. "What the fuck?" I hear those three pissed off words leave his mouth and mentally prepare myself for what's about to go down.

"Oh shit," Wick mumbles, followed by Tequila, nudging his side and telling him so.

"Dad," Piper opens her mouth to talk, but Nova cuts her off without taking his eyes from me.

"Zip it, Piper." Nova comes toe to toe with me. The cords in his neck tighten.

"Babe," I regard Piper, and keep my attention on my brother. Nova's nostrils flare. Things are about to go from zero to sixty fast. "Go."

"Tai, no." She squeezes my hand, wanting to stand her ground beside me.

"Go," I order again, letting loose of her hand. The moment she takes a step back, Nova's tight fist connects with my gut, knocking the wind from my lungs. Not giving me a chance to recover, I receive another shot to the ribs.

"That's my baby girl!" Nova rages, and I right myself, then look at his face. "She's off-limits!" he bellows.

"I tried to fight it, brother. I swear to God, I did." My words enrage him further. I see the punch coming, but I don't attempt to dodge it. His fist connects with my face, and an explosion of pain radiates across my jaw. From the corner of my eye, I see Piper trying to move toward me, but Wick grabs her by the arm. "I lo…" I open my mouth to profess my love for his daughter, but the words are cut short when he comes at me with a right hook. I stomp my foot, and my hand covers my eye. Fucking hell that one hurt.

"Don't you fuckin' say it!" Nova yells hovering above me.

I rise. "I love Piper." I defy his warning and wait for him to strike me again. Before he gets the chance, Piper pulls free of Wick's grip and rushes to my side. She tries stepping between me and her father, but instinct has me shoving her behind me.

"You think I'd strike my daughter?" Nova's chest heaves.

"I'm protecting what's mine," I state the truth.

"She is not yours," Nova fumes.