“But Trixie—”
I cut her off. “Is with me by extension of you. She’ll be safe. If anything, she’ll be spoiled.”
“I don’t know about bringing her in the club with a bunch of bikers.” She worries her lip, and so help me, I want to pluck it free, then kiss it. “She’s never been around an MC club before, and she won’t know how to act with everyone.”
“All the club brats will be there. She’ll have kids to play with if she wants. Maverick will be playing video games, and Annabelle will be up to something. Probably baking. That kid has a penchant for anything scientific, and that usually has her ending up in the kitchen, mixing stuff.”
“God forbid she has a science set,” Hollywood mutters. “Keep her in the kitchen early on.”
“She has several, but we’d caught her mixing up enough stuff to smoke the clubhouse out. The kitchen seems to be safer for her to explore so far. Give her a few years, and Spider will be teaching her to build bombs at this rate.” I laugh.
Hollywood gapes in horror. “This isn’t helping in wanting me to bring my daughter there. Bombs are on the no-go list.”
I wave her off. “She’ll be fine. You have my word.” I haven’t lied to her in the past and have managed to keep her safe.
After a beat, she nods and relaxes back into the seat. Her gaze pins on the scenery as we drive. Trixie munches on her food and rambles on about how she likes my truck but thinks it should be pink.
My chest fills with pride at Hollywood fiercely protecting her kid. I guess with the way shit was when we picked Trixie up, I wasn’t expecting her to be this way. I’m glad to see she really is doing her best to be different than however she was before. I don’t know what that consists of since I’ve only ever known the sassy, strong-willed version of her.
Chapter 12
The club is full of people getting situated. The back rooms are packed in with everyone—ol’ ladies, kids, and dogs. We each have a room here to stay at when we please, but it’s not as often for everyone anymore. Most of the brothers have places away from the club they stay at with their women. I’d do the same if I had someone to share a space with, a family of my own. Otherwise, it’s just lonely.
“We have enough food for everyone?” I ask Prez as soon as I see him. “I can run to the store if needed, just hook me up with a list,” I offer.
“Zeus and Nightmare are already on it. The women sent them with two pages worth of supplies.”
I nod. Thankfully, he thinks of everything. “You need me to do anything?”
He flicks his gaze over to Hollywood and Trixie. “Everything straight with them and the pick-up?”
“Yeah. They had no idea about anything, and we didn’t see anyone around their apartment.” I reach behind me, pulling Hollywood to my side. I say to her, “You didn’t meet my prez before. This is Viking.”
He dips his chin in her direction. “Hollywood. Let my ol’ lady know if you or your daughter need anything.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.” She offers him a surprised smile.
Looking at Vike, you would write him off as an unapproachable psychopath, but when it comes to his club, that’s far from the case. Sure, he’s a broody ass, but he’s still good to his brothers, and he’d be there for any of us at the drop of a hat. It’s one of the main reasons why I hung up my Nomad hat. I wanted to stick close to him, Nightmare, Sinner, and Saint, as well as possibly put down a new set of roots. With Hollywood around now, that possibility is looking more feasible than before.
Our attention’s drawn away as the music gets cranked up and the ol’ ladies begin dancing and laughing together. Maverick and Annabelle are pulled in to join them. I flash a grin at Hollywood. Trixie’s eyes are wide, and I can see it all over her face—she wants to join the other kids. I gesture toward her, and Hollywood nods her consent.
“Hey, squirt, join me?” I hold my palm out to the little girl halfway hiding from shyness behind Hollywood. She glances at her mom.
“Go, baby.”
With that, she takes my hand, and I pull her over by the kids. We dance around, and I twirl her around enough times to make her break out in a fit of giggles from being dizzy. “Maverick and Annabelle, this is Trixie. Welcome her to the club for me?” I ask them, and they agree with a smile. They’re great kids.
“Hi, Trixie.” Annabelle grins and waves. Trixie lights up at the welcome, and then I’m forgotten. She dances with everybody, looking like she belongs there, and it fills my chest with hope and pride. This is a damn fine club. I couldn’t have picked a better place to call my home.
I make my way to the woman sitting in a chair off to the side, watching everyone. Her gaze appears lighter than when we initially pulled into the parking lot. “Thank you for including her.”
“Of course, Trixie’s a sweetheart. She doesn’t make it hard to want to be her friend. Annabelle will be kind to her, and Maverick will treat her like another sister.”
She smiles, making my chest ache from her beauty. “Trixie’s a good girl, and I’m glad she’s finally with me. It felt like I was away from her for forever.”
“I bet.”
“It wouldn’t be possible without you, you know. I’m beyond grateful for your generosity.” She leans forward and squeezes my thigh.
“Easy, killer, you don’t know what you’ll start by touching me there.”
My comment makes her laugh, and my groin tightens at the sound. I want to make her laugh and smile so much she forgets what it’s like to feel any other way. “Don’t tempt me, Cowboy.”
I chuckle. “Not sure you could handle all this.”
She rolls her eyes, “Mmm... I’m pretty sure I can. Probably bring you to your knees while I’m at it.”
Her confidence is attractive. I want to hold her to her claim, but I won’t just yet. I’m taking my time with this one. She’s strong-willed, feisty, and one of the best women I’ve met. She’s a fighter, working her ass off, and it’s admirable.
“Promises, promises. Wouldn’t mind having your lips on mine again.”
Her brow quirks. “In front of everyone?”
“Sweetheart, I’m not hiding my feelings for you from anyone.”
“I wasn’t sure if... you know, the club women...”
“The ol’ ladies?”
“No. I wasn’t sure if you were seeing someone here. I mean, of course, you are.”
“You think I’d be pursuing you if I had a woman here?”
She shrugs, looking away. She doesn’t have to say anything, and I understand completely. She’s been around bikers before. Hell, her ex was probably a shit bag to her where women were concerned as well.
My fingers move to her chin, bringing her gaze back to me. “Never. Loyalty and trust are huge for me. I’m a one-woman type of man... always have been and always will be.”
Her shoulders relax. “Me too.”
I nod. “Give me those lips, babe.”
With a smirk, she leans in and presses her mouth to mine. Every single person in this club will know what it means. I’ve never brought a woman around before. Sure, I’ve fucked a few club whores, but I’ve never been caught making out or anything in front of the others. The ol’ ladies have never witnessed me be anything but kind and courteous to the women around here. They’ll see Hollywood for what she is. Mine.