“You have about one second to let go, or shits gonna get ugly,” Hawk says. “That's Bear's ol' lady you're holding.”
I glare at Hawk. Did he just call me old?
Derrick releases me as I'm figuring out how to get the courage to kick Hawk in the shin. I'll show him, old lady. Before I can react, Bear rushes forward and wraps me in his arms.
“This is your only warning,” Bear growls. “Don't touch what's mine.”
“Got it, Prez,” Derrick says.
“What the fuck are you even doing here? You know the rules. Hang-arounds are not allowed to be here during working hours.”
“I have a package for you,” Derrick says. “It was delivered last night after you left. I went to my car to grab my phone when this boy runs up and hands it to me. He told me to give it to the clubs’ president. I just tossed it in my car, since I knew you weren't here and decided to bring it by today.”
Derrick hands Bear a small box and turns to leave.
“Well, whatever it is will have to wait. We need to get to Ma's,” Bear says as he moves me to his side. “Let's go put this in my office and we'll leave.” He guides me to the same hall with the bathroom Carrie attacked me in. But we stop at the first door.
I look around once we're inside. The room itself is a little bare. The only thing in here is a big brown desk with a single computer on top. The wall has a single frame. It looks to be a shadow box with a large leather vest inside.
The vest has a few random patches down one side. On the other is a small patch that says, Big Bass. Under the name is the same logo I’ve seen all the guys wearing. And painted on a few places inside this building.
“That was my fathers,” Bear says, after seeing what I'm looking at. “He founded this club when I was seven years old. Raised me and Hawk to take over for him even though he knew it didn't work that way.”
“How does it work?” I ask.
Bear walks over to me and wraps his arms around my back. I lean my head against his chest enjoying the feeling of safety.
“You don't inherit the spot of club President,” he explains. “It has to be earned and then voted on by the brothers.”
“I see. Then why would he train you both to take his place if it wasn't a guaranteed thing?”
“I guess Pops had hope that one day one of us would earn it,” he says with a sad voice.
“Had?”
“Yeah, baby. Had. He was killed five years ago. An enemy of the club caught Pops off guard one day, and he vanished. We couldn't find a single trace of him for three months. When we finally did there was nothing the doctors could do to help. He eventually died from internal bleeding.”
I wrap my arms around Bear and squeeze. “I'm sorry.”
“Me too, sweetheart,” he whispers. “Me too.”
“Brother, I'm heading out. See you at Ma's in a bit,” Hawk says from the doorway.
“Yeah, we're leaving too. Come on, time to meet my mother,” Bear says
Chapter Thirteen
Bear
I pull into Ma's parking lot and power off my Harley. I take a few seconds to collect myself before climbing off and turning to Rose. I've never wanted to hit a woman before but seeing the marks on Rose's face has me wanting to track down Carrie.
“You ready, baby?” I help her down.
“Yea.” She reaches for my hand and swings her leg over to stand in front of me. “I'm really nervous. I don't really know what to say to people. She's going to think I'm weird.”
“You talk to me just fine, and she will love you, Rose.” I can already feel Ma's curious stare from inside.
“I feel safe with you, Bear,” she says, softly. “I don't feel the need to hide in my shell when I'm around you. It's a scary feeling.”
Well, fuck. My chest puffed out further with every word she said. “You should never be afraid of your feelings, Rose. You should always trust them. If you fear them, you might miss something important.”
“Important like what?” She looks me right in the eyes waiting for my answer. I lean in and kiss her forehead. This time she doesn't tense up and that makes me so fucking happy.
“Landon Allington, who is that beautiful woman you're hiding from me?” Leave it to Ma to throw out my government name.
Placing my hand on Rose's back, because I can't seem to stop touching her, we walk toward the porch where my mother is, not so patiently, waiting.
“Ma, this is Rose.” Ma has a frown on her face as she stares at Rose. I look over and see that my sweet Rose is back to looking at her feet. I reach to gently place my hand on her chin and slowly move her head up. “Rose, this is my Ma, Patty Allington.”
“Hello, ma'am,” Rose says with a sweet smile.
“Happy Birthday, Rose. And don't call me ma'am, child,” Ma says with a stern voice, but a soft face filled with amusement. Thankfully, Rose is still looking up and can see Ma's not being mean. “Call me Ma. Everyone does.”
“Oh, um...ok...Ma. Thank you.” I smile at Ma knowing she will do everything in her power to make Rose feel welcome.
“Well, come on in. Gonna catch a cold out here.” Ma freezes and turns a glare in my direction. “Landon, don't tell me you brought her over here on that bike of yours.”
“It really was a wonderful ride,” Rose says breathlessly.
Jealousy shoots through my body like a tidal wave. The only place and reason she should sound breathless is under me after I make her scream my name. Multiple times.
Fuck, I'm jealous of my damn bike.
“Why are you glaring at your motorbike, son?” Ma asks with a knowing smirk.
I turn my glare to Ma before bending over and kissing her cheek. “How ya doing, Ma?”
“I'm good, baby boy. Now get that woman of yours in the house before she freezes.”
We follow Ma into the kitchen and sit at the table as she commanded.
“Rose, do you like chocolate?” Ma asks while putting her apron on.
“Oh, yes ma'am...Ma. I love it...chocolate. It's my favorite kind...um, flavor.” Rose's cheeks turn red as she stumbles through her words.
“That's good, honey.” Ma's trying to hold her laugh in. Her lips are pinched but her body is shaking. “I made you a wonderful triple chocolate birthday cake.”
Rose's eyes go wide, and her mouth drops open. I wait a few seconds for her to get control of her face, but it doesn't happen. With a chuckle, I reach over and push her jaw closed.
“Better be careful or a fly will make itself at home in that beautiful mouth of yours.” Rose throws me a look of disgust.
“Ew.”
“WHERE'S THE BIRTHDAY GIRL?” is yelled from the front door. A few seconds later Ink, Chains and Brick walk into the kitchen.
“Hey Ma, something smells fucking good in here,” Chains says as he walks up and kisses Ma on the head.
“Language.” Ma smacks Chains in the back with her kitchen towel. “There's a lady present.”
Ink and Brick give Ma the same greeting before sitting in empty chairs at the table.