and now,” I stress. There’s no way I’d allow her to be collateral damage in any of this shit. Our agreement is business between him and me. Alice won’t be the wiser, nor would she pay for any of his fuckups.
“You’ll keep her safe?” he probes, needing confirmation.
“Of course, and better yet, I’ll make sure she’s happy too. If at any time she wants to leave, she can walk right out my doors and you can send whoever the fuck you want to pick her up.” I leave out the bit that I may not let her go in the end and kill any motherfucker who attempts to take her before I’m finished with her. I’m growing more possessive of her as the days pass, and that isn’t good for anyone trying to take her from me.
“I feel like I should warn you. She has security detail for a reason. There’ve been threats.”
“What kind of threats?” My muscles tense at the thought of anyone touching that sweet, caring woman. I can’t imagine someone being her enemy. The only thing she’s guilty of is having a heart too big.
“Against my family. One in specific was aimed at Alice, promising to hurt her. I’ve had this particular team with her night and day. I’m fearful that whoever’s been threatening her will, at the very least, kidnap her…if not kill her.”
This stupid motherfucker was careless enough to send her out on a wild goose chase all to safeguard his fucking image, when she could’ve been killed? Right there tells me all I need to know about Senator Compton. I fucking hate him, and if it weren’t for Alice, I’d put a bullet in his head too.
“Then, this is a blessing in disguise for you, Senator. She couldn’t be any safer than in my club, surrounded by ruthless men.” And, if I decide to put my patch on her, anyone endangering her well-being would be a direct threat to the entire club. My club would mow them over in a heartbeat.
“Why would they protect her? They don’t owe her their allegiance.”
“No, they don’t. However, they’re steadfast when it comes to me, and in case you haven’t noticed, I’m the president of my charter. Everyone answers to me. They’re loyal to me. That protection extends to anyone else I need it to. If I ask them to guard Alice for me, they will with their life. That security detail you set up for her, couldn’t get near her when she was in my clubhouse asking about Maddy. One person hunting her down, or even a few individuals, wouldn’t get anywhere near her. Especially not to hurt her, and if I ever caught wind of them attempting it, I can promise you, they’d die. I’d make it a slow, painful death, while they begged for mine and her forgiveness.”
This sort of thing would scare off most men, but for me it does the opposite. It makes me crave Alice even more than I already do. I want to hurt any motherfucker who comes near her with evil intent. Then, I want her to watch me do it, so she knows damn well she’s got a man who can protect her. She’ll never feel unsafe again, so long as I’m by her side. I’ll make sure of it.
“It’s settled, then.” He holds his hand out for me to shake. “We have a deal as long as I have your vote.”
I roll my eyes at his pun. Fuckin’ idiot. “Alice has my vote. That being said, it will extend in your favor. I’ll be in contact to set everything up. I suggest you take my call when the phone rings. I don’t give a fuck what you’re in the middle of; I’m not the type of man who waits.”
He swallows tightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he nods his agreeance. “You have my word.”
“Then you have mine,” I finish, leaving him to walk behind me. I’ve gotten what I wanted. Now I need to get the fuck out of here and put Alice on my bike and in my bed.
“We’ve got shit to discuss, brothers,” I begin Church by stating the obvious. Lately, it seems like we’re cooped up in this room all the fucking time. “You’re aware I met with that senator yesterday.”
They nod, staring me down. I know their curiosity has been eating them up. I go on, relaying the gist of the deal that Senator Compton and I struck. I don’t know why I hold