“It’s not, honey. I promise. The club always has your back too.” She lifts her head and stares at the door for a second. “I can’t tell you how many times Stump was ready to ride straight to California and kill some of those pricks who write that garbage about you two in the papers.”
“What?” I moan and hang my head. “Stump’s read that crap? He knows it’s all lies, right?”
“Of course. We all do. Hell, honey, you two never stop eyeballing each other long enough to notice anyone else in the room. No way you’re seeing anyone behind Chaser’s back.”
“Sheesh.” I blow out a breath, mortified they’ve read those stories.
“The only thing stopping Stump is that he knows how much Chaser wants to keep the music thing separate from the club. It’s more for the club’s protection, than Chaser’s.”
I can see that. While news spreading about my father would probably kill my career. Chaser’s connection to an MC would only enhance his rock-n-roll “bad boy” image. But it would also draw unwanted attention to the MC.
“I know Stump likes to tease and call you princess.” She pats my back. “But you’re made of strong stuff, Mallory. Let go of your fear. There’s no room for it in this life. Shit gets ugly sometimes.” She twists her wedding ring around a few times. “But you can’t appreciate the beauty of life without the ugliness.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, let me see this ring.” She reaches for my hand. “Then, it’s time for a celebration.”
Chaser
Dread settles in my stomach as I follow my father into his office.
“How’d the visit with DeLova go?” he asks once we’re both seated.
“Even better than last time.” I give him a quick rundown of our meeting. Complete with Mallory’s threat if her father comes after me.
“Jesus Christ, did she wave a red flag in front of him too while she was at it?”
“I think he understood her message fine.” I sit forward and knock my knuckles against the desk to gain his full attention. “He’s a misguided, ruthless man, no question. But somewhere deep down in his black soul, he loves his daughter.” I almost add, just like you care about me, but even though my father’s as savage as they come, comparing him to a ruthless snake like DeLova seems wrong.
The creases in his face seem deeper than ever. “There’s no reason to rush into marriage.”
I knew his positive attitude about our engagement wouldn’t last. “I’m not in the mood for your ‘don’t settle down until you’re forty’ bullshit, Dad.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about.” He holds out his hands in a settle down gesture that has the exact opposite effect on me. “Don’t lose your shit, I’m about to get blunt with you.”
“Since when have you ever had any tact?”
He doesn’t laugh. “Mallory doesn’t strike me as the kind of girl with a lot of experience.”
Muscles in my neck tighten. I narrow my eyes, putting every ounce of warning into my stare. “Tread carefully, old man.”
“Hear me out before you flip your shit.”
He waits for a beat and when I don’t say anything, continues. “I get that it’s exciting. Makes you feel like a king knowing yours is the only dick she’s ridden.”
“Are you motherfuckin’ serious right now?”
He holds his hands up in a truce gesture but it still feels like the worst of this conversation hasn’t punched me in the jaw yet.
“I’m not asking you to confirm or deny. I don’t need details to see how innocent she is, son.”
“Fuck off,” I snarl.
He stares down at his desk and traces a pattern over the worn, scarred wood. “I met your mom when she was still in high school.”
The fury boiling inside me threatens to spill over into throwing punches at my old man. “Great, so you’re a class A perv.”
“Maybe.” He nods. “Didn’t look at it that way back then. She always jumped on the back of my bike willingly.”
I groan, but I can’t deny there’s a part of me curious to know more about their history. But not in this context.
He clears his throat and barrels ahead. “It was a rush to know I was the only man she’d ever been with—”
“For the love of fuck—”
“Hear me out. We were…extremely compatible and I loved teaching her everything—”
“Jesus Christ, I’m begging you to stop.” I shift in my seat and stare at the wall over his head. “Just stop.”
“All I’m saying is, it’s fun and exciting now. But