church and I let her, liking the way her hands felt on me far too much to tell her no. Hell, I would’ve let her do anything as long as she’d kept touching me.
I continue speaking, reasoning, “Maybe if he believes Alice is in more danger at home, he’ll back the fuck off on making her return. She’s freaked out enough that he’s going to come for her, and I won’t have that shit anymore. He ever shows up unannounced, you shoot first and bury him out past the airport. My woman doesn’t need to have him dragging her down any longer.” And I’m dead fucking serious. I’d do it myself, but I can’t have her hating me for it if she were to ever catch wind of it. It sounds fucked up, but I’ve never been a saint. I’m an outlaw.
“Consider it done,” Angel concurs without hesitation. “They’ll never know where the letter came from, only that the consequences are severe if not followed to a T. As for the suit, you say the word and it’ll be handled.”
I nod toward him with gratitude. “Appreciate it.
Whiskey leans in, and I cast my gaze at our treasurer. “Now that it’s over with and you kept up your side of the bargain to her father, you making Alice your ol’ lady? Officially, I mean?”
I scrub my hand over my face, then fold my arms over my chest. These are serious conversations we’re having today, and to be honest, I wasn’t expecting to be digging this deep today. I’m caught off guard with it and the table’s calling for my attention, wanting answers I need to give. I stare down at the wood grain, not sure what the right thing to say is. I exhale, blowing out a breath as Blow jumps in to offer his two cents, obviously picking up on my indecision.
“You made that deal thinking of her, Prez. I’m not getting sappy or anything, for fuck’s sake, but I’ve never seen you this up around a bitch before. I’ve watched you get your cock sucked by countless women, and none of them have had you smiling and parading them around the clubhouse like they’re your queen bee. You damn near growl and rip out anyone’s throat who so much as looks in her direction. Not used to you bein’ such a possessive fucker.”
“My queen…” I mutter, more to myself than my brothers. “I like that.”
Powerhouse agrees. “He’s right, Prez. We all like her. She’s a good woman, especially for you and the club. If you want to know what any of us think, to make the decision easier on you, maybe you should ask.” He’s my SAA, the club’s previous enforcer, and he’s consistently honest with me. It’s one of the things I’ve always respected about him—that, and his fierce sense of loyalty to the Royal Bastards. This club is as much of his life, as it is mine.
“Don’t get me wrong, I want her. Fuck, I want to keep her so badly, I just don’t know if this life would be good for her. It’s easy for me to put my patch on her and stick her on the back of my bike…but is it really fair for her to have to give up everything she knows? We come from two opposite ends of the spectrum, and I won’t lie, I’m falling for her pretty fucking hard and fast. When you care for someone like that, you’re supposed to do what’s best for them, not what you want.” There’re a few grunts of agreement, making me glance around and ask the rest of them, “You’ve got opinions?”
Whiskey snorts. “You know damn well we do, jackass.”
“Then give ‘em to me.”
He begins. “She’s a real sweetheart. She’s genuine and has a good heart. I’m all for you making her permanent around here, but she’s the type of woman that deserves a one-woman man. If you’re willing to give up outside pussy, then stop overthinking it.”
Angel speaks up next. “I don’t know her, but I want you to be happy. If she makes you that way, then put her on the back of your bike. You’re already trying to make her life easier and shit, thinking of ways to be a better man for her.”
Wrench goes next. “She’s the only female around this place to ever make me a sandwich and bring it to the garage while I was in there working all day. She thinks of others—not just herself, and