even blink at the thought of a woman, or anyone obtaining an illegal identity to save themselves. Hell, his club wasn’t exactly keen on following the rules in general.
“My father runs the community and has been hunting for me ever since we left. I…” She took a deep breath and blew it out.”
Across the room, Jaz nodded, and Toni yelled out, “You got this, honey. We’re all behind you one hundred percent.”
Thunder coulda kissed her at that moment. You know, if her boyfriend’s baseball bat, affectionally named Louie, wouldn’t bust his head open like a watermelon.
“At nineteen, I was married off to a man in his sixties. I’m assuming my father and…and my husband led the men who attacked the CDMC.”
“Well fuck me sideways,” Screw said, wide-eyed.
“Anytime,” Gumby shot back, making everyone laugh as he tended to be the most subdued of the triad. Thank Christ, Makenna laughed as well. The tension reliever hit at the perfect time.
“I take it this is what you two were coming to talk to me about?” Copper continued once the commotion subsided.
“Yeah,” Thunder said as he drew Mak onto his lap. She didn’t resist; in fact, she rested back against him as though wanting and needing the support of his arms around her. Of course, he obliged her immediately, wrapping her in a firm embrace. “We got wind that they’d discovered where she was living.”
“Okay.” Copper stroked his beard. “Until we catch word of who died in the attack and who might be alive and looking our way for revenge, no one is to be alone. That includes us. No riding solo until we’re sure no one will mistakenly retaliate against us. Anyone who needs to is welcome to stay here. Mak, the kids are here and upstairs with Cassie already.”
“Thank you,” she said. “Is it all right if I run up and see them?”
Copper nodded. “Of course. This is your home as much as it is my wife’s now.”
“Thunder, what about Kara and Lee?” Anxiety bled through her tone.
“I’ll have Copper put a few guys at the hospital. I’m guessing there’s no way to keep you away from there, huh?”
Her head shook violently. “No. I need to be there in the morning to pick her up. But Lee can stay tonight.”
Arguing would be pointless. She’d given him more than he’d expected, which was her demanding he drive her straight to the hospital. Now that he knew more about Lee’s upbringing, he felt confident he could be trusted to protect his little sister. Especially once he had the back up of a few Handlers.
Thunder pressed a lingering kiss to Mak’s forehead. “Okay, babe, you run up and get the kids settled while I figure out protection for the hospital. Later, when it’s just us, we’re gonna talk about all this cuz it’s gotta be fucking with your head.”
“Yeah, right now I’m afraid to believe it’s real. That we might be safe. I’m sure it’ll sink in later, and you’ll have a mess on your hands.”
“I’ll happily clean you up,” he said, waggling his eyebrows.
Mak laughed, as he’d hoped, then she kissed him and hopped off his lap.
Copper wandered his way over and landed in an empty seat. “How’s she holding up?”
With a shrug, he accepted a beer from his prez. “Think it’s all a little surreal right now.”
Copper tipped up his bottle, took a long sip, then smacked his lips together. “Yeah. I imagine so. She’s a strong one, huh?”
Pride swelled in Thunder. “Sure as fuck is.”
“Makes a good addition to our family, brother.”
Fuck, he felt like his chest would burst. His prez’s approval meant the world to him. “Thank you.”
Copper just nodded in response.
“Her sister is in the hospital, set to be released in the a.m. Think you can spare me a few guys to keep an eye on us? I promised her I’d bring her over for the night.”
“Consider it done. Take whoever you want.”
“Thanks, Cop. Hey, Kristy ever show up here?”
With a nod, Copper pointed toward a hallway leading to a back door. “Tex brought her a bit ago. Last I saw her, was right before the sheriff showed up. She was heading out back to have a smoke.”
“Thanks, man.” Thunder rose, returned the fist bump Copper offered, and wandered toward the back exit.
As predicted, Kristy sat out behind the clubhouse in one of a few camping chairs they kept outside. The things had long faded from sun and rain, but no one really gave a fuck what they looked like.