Page 108
“We’re definitely doing that again.”
He flashes me a grin that makes him look more boy than man and warmth hits me in the chest. “Anytime you want, Princess.”
Turning away from him, I stop and stare up at the clubhouse, my nerves returning full force. He steps up next to me and takes my hand.
“Ready to do this?” he asks.
“Yes… and no.”
He squeezes my hand. “I’ve got you.”
No truer words have ever been spoken. I don’t doubt for one minute that Chance has my back and always will. The man would walk through fire for me. It was one of the main things that settled my fear and made it possible for me to trust him, even when I didn’t want to.
“Let’s do this,” I whisper with a nod and we walk through the door. At first glance, it seems like everyone is here, milling around and eating breakfast or just bullshitting with each other. They all glance up when we walk in, some nodding in our direction, others offering me sympathetic looks.
“There’s breakfast in the kitchen if you’re hungry,” Storm tells Chance and he glances behind us to the steel door.
“Who made it?”
“Red’s old lady.”
Chance’s stomach growls and I can’t fight back my smile. “Aw, hell yeah. You want some food, baby?”
I know Chance wants me to eat something so I nod. Besides, it kind of seems like we won’t be starting until everyone gets some food anyway. He instructs me to sit down at one of the tables while he grabs me a plate and I walk over to the table in the corner, away from everyone else before sitting down. As soon as my butt hits the chair, Smith walks up and sits down next to me.
“Hey, how are you doing?”
I shrug. “I’m all right.”
“Listen, we’re gonna do everything we can to help your sister,” he says, his face full of compassion. I know this is what the club does but I’m still so touched they would step up to help me save Ivy.
“Thank you for doing this. I really don’t know what I’d do if y’all weren’t here to help me.”
He smiles, shaking his head. “No worries, Darlin’. You’re Chance’s girl which makes you family and there ain’t nothing we won’t do for family.”
“Smith!” Kodiak yells from the door. “Your little brother is here and he looks like he’s high as fuck.”
“Shit,” Smith hisses, jumping up. “I’ll see you around.”
He rushes off before I can reply and I watch him jog outside, wondering what the deal is with his brother. A plate full of biscuits and gravy lands on the table in front of me and I glance up as Chance sits down in the seat Smith just vacated.
“Red’s old lady makes the best biscuits and gravy I’ve ever had. You’re going to love ‘em,” he says, cutting one biscuit in half and shoving the whole thing in his mouth. Some gravy runs down his chin and I giggle as I wipe it away, shaking my head at him.
“You’re a mess.”
“Try the food,” he insists, pointing to my plate. “Then, you’ll understand.”
Pursing my lips to hide my smile, I cut into the biscuit and take a small bite before moaning. “Oh my God, that’s so good.”
“That’s what I’m sayin’, Princess.”
We eat in silence for a little while and when he shoves his plate away, he sighs and I turn to him.
“Why did Smith say I was family?” I ask. We’ve been together for a little while, but Chance and I just started officially dating so it seems a little early to be throwing words like family around.
“Because you are. No one in this room is going to let anything bad happen to me or someone I love if they can do anything to stop it. By loving me, you also get all these guys. You ever need anything, all you gotta do is pick up a phone and they’d all be willing to help,” he says, gesturing to the men around the room and I sit back in my chair, watching them. It feels weird to think I have seven quasi brothers I can call if I ever need anything but it’s also nice. It’s more family than I’ve ever had in my life and something I desperately need in this moment.
“Let’s get started,” Blaze calls out from one of the open doorways. All the guys stand and start heading toward the door. I suck in a breath and stand up, adrenaline surging through my veins. Chance grabs my hand again and we walk into the room together. He leads me to one of the chairs and sits down before pulling me into his lap.
