by Erin Osborne
Once she fell asleep, I cleaned up the bedroom, blew out the candles, and went out to talk to Rich. He handed me over the letter, told me how scared my woman is, and let me know he already talked to Slim about the situation as well. For now, I think we need to go to the clubhouse. It’s not that I don’t believe my house isn’t safe, but I’ve already found men sneaking around trying to get in. Until we figure out what’s going on and who’s after her, I think we should stay at the clubhouse. There’s more people around for when I’m at work.
I call Slim to have him get everyone to the clubhouse. I’m not playing games anymore with Gwen. Today I’m going to claim her ass. I’ve already had her rag; it’s been sitting in my closet at the clubhouse for months now. Like I said, it was just a matter of time before I did it. When we get there, I’m going to put our bags in our room and grab the box from my closet so I can claim her. Then we can have a cookout to keep her mind off everything. No one will care its last minute.
Heading back into the bedroom, I pack a bag for Gwen and me. I’m going to give her the chance to talk to me about the note she got before we head out though. Once she’s around a lot of people, she’ll be less likely to talk openly about certain things. Getting back in bed with Gwen, I slide her silky hair from her shoulder, and begin to pepper kisses along her shoulder and up to her neck.
Gwen stirs beneath me, her eyes fluttering over. When she sees me hovering over her, a smile covers her face. Her small body stretches, and I watch on as the sheet covering her slips and exposes her chest and stomach to my gaze. Leaning over her body, I pull her nipple into my mouth and suck on it. Gwen arches into my touch as I lift my head away from her.
“Are you okay?” I question her, needing to know she’s okay after being with me.
“Yeah. A little sore, but I’m good. Thank you, Killer,” she informs me.
“We need to talk about the note you got earlier,” I state, sitting up against the headboard and pulling her into my arms.
“I’m sure Rich has already talked to you about it. It was in with the rest of the mail when I got it this afternoon. It just says someone is coming for me and I won’t be able to hide. Or something like that,” she says, her body beginning to tremble as I listen to her voice getting quieter the more she speaks.
“I think we should head to the clubhouse for now. Until we get new information about what’s goin’ on and who’s after you. Our home is safe, but I’d feel better bein’ around everyone there. Especially when I’m at work or have to leave on club business,” I let her know, hoping she doesn’t put up a fight.
“Okay,” she says, sitting up in bed and letting the sheet fall completely away from her body.
As I stand in our bedroom, Gwen gets out of bed and begins grabbing clothes to put on for the day. It’s the first time she’s gotten dressed in front of me and I’m not going to make her feel she has to hide when I’m in the room. My goal is to get my Sparrow as comfortable around me as she can be. That includes dressing in front of one another and any other intimate activity I can think of.
Every day since she’s been in Benton Falls Gwen finds a little more confidence in herself. After waking up just now, it’s as if that final piece of self-doubt and lingering words from her abusers has been shattered. I gave that to her. I’m the one who makes her feel as if she’s the most beautiful woman in the world because that’s how I see her.
Gwen’s comfortable in her own skin right now. I’ve seen her scars and know her past. Not many other people know that much about her. My girl is so strong and has been keeping that shit to herself. She doesn’t want anyone to know the horror she’s been through in her short life already because no one’s ever been there for her before. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that much out about her. Gwen doesn’t even trust in Kim enough to share her burden. I call it a burden because she’s referred to it that way more than once while we’ve been talking.
While she’s in the shower, I make sure everything is off in the house and all the windows and doors are locked. Rich helps me go through the house as we wait on Gwen. Walking back in the bedroom, I see her sitting on the bed brushing her long hair out. I pick the bags up from the floor and make my way in the bathroom to grab what we need from there. I’m not going to let her go without because of a bunch of asswipes coming after her.
“I’m ready when you are,” she lets me know once I’m done grabbing everything.
“Alright. I’ll put the bags in your car. Rich will follow behind you and I’ll be in the lead. I don’t want anyone gettin’ close to you,” I state, letting her walk out ahead of me.
My gaze immediately goes to her ass. I’m a guy and love Gwen’s ass. She’s caught me more than once looking at her body and I’m not going to apologize for it. I hear her giggling and tear my eyes from her to see she’s caught me once again staring at her.
“Not even sorry about it,” I say as she laughs louder.
“Wouldn’t expect you too.”
It takes us minutes to get to the clubhouse. The lot is full of bikes and the ol’ ladies’ vehicles. I park in my normal spot while Gwen pulls up where the rest of the women always park. The bikes are always lined up on the left of the door while our women park on the right. We don’t want them to have to walk across the lot to go somewhere.
Walking in the common room of the clubhouse, Gwen stops as she takes in everyone sitting around. The ol’ ladies are sitting at their normal table in the back corner away from everyone. Slim and a Prospect are playing pool. Everyone else is sitting around with a beer in their hand, talking or simply sitting around.
I take our bags to our room here while Gwen makes her way over to the rest of the women. Thankfully, none of the house bunnies are around. They can be vicious bitches and I don’t want them around to take this day away from Gwen. My goal is to give her as many good days and memories as possible. If someone gets in my way or tries to take anything from her, they’ll have to deal with me. I have no problem putting a man to ground for fucking with what’s mine. If it’s a woman fucking with her, the other ol’ ladies will deal with them. Or we’ll simply call in Summer.
Setting the bags on the bed for now, I grab the box out of the top of the closet. For the first time in my life, I’m actually nervous. Yes, I’m springing this on her and I hope she doesn’t turn me down. It will crush me, and I’ll shut down the way I’ve been in the past. No one has gotten more from me than enough of my time to fuck them and kick their ass out of my room. I don’t do emotions or let anyone in. I’ve still not even let Gwen in all the way. That might be the only reason she turns me down. We always talk about her and that’s it.
Once my rag is on her back, I’ll start opening up to her. Gwen will have my story. She’ll see sides of me I don’t ever want her to personally witness, but if we’re gonna be together then she needs to know it all. Should I do all this before claiming her? Yeah. Am I going to wait that long? Nope. Today is the first step in making Gwen mine for the world to see. Then I’ll work on putting a ring on her finger and planting my babies in her belly.
I’ve wasted enough time in here. Grabbing the box, I make my way to the common room. Gwen is sitting with the ol’ ladies. As soon as Slim sees me, he whistles to get everyone’s attention. The room is deadly silent; everyone looks around until their glances land on me.
“Gwen, come up here please?” I ask her as she sets down her bottle of water and makes her way to me.
For a minute, I simply stared down at her and take in my fill. This could be the last time we’re this close. Though my gut tells me she’s going to accept and we’ll both get what we want out of this.
“Sparrow, I’ve fucked up so much when it comes to you. You’ve given me another chance and I promise I’ll do everythin’ in my power to make sure I don’t mess up again. Though, I think everyone here knows that’s goin’ to be a hard task to accomplish. I love you and want to protect you, love you, and make sure the world knows you’re mine. I’m offerin’ this to yo
u and hope you accept,” I tell her, handing over the box.
Gwen takes it from my hands, a bright smile beaming up at me as she tilts her head up for a kiss. After softly kissing her lips so I don’t get carried away, she turns her attention to the box still in her hands. Placing it on the table, she removes the lid showing tissue paper. Pulling it back, Gwen reveals her rag stating Property of Killer on the back. A loud squealing noise erupts from her and she lifts the rag from the box as if it’s the most precious gift she’s ever received. Stepping up to her, I help her slide her arms in the holes before pulling it up on her back.
Once the rag is in place, Gwen turns around and jumps into my arms. Her body is wrapped around mine as the catcalls and clapping fade away. She’s the only one who can make the background noise and the demons haunting me fade into nothing. I see her and become completely attuned to her body and what she needs from me. Even when she wanted me, I knew it. She had to make the first move though. I wasn’t going to try to persuade her into having sex with me before she was ready. That’s not who I am.
I kiss her, deepening the kiss until I feel a slap on my back. Breaking my mouth free of hers, I turn ready to beat whoever’s ass just broke up our moment. It’s Fox. I can’t do anything to him. Gwen is practically his sister-in-law and he wants to congratulate her. For the next several minutes, Gwen is pulled from me and hugged by Fox before the ol’ ladies claim her. They take her back to the table they were sitting at as a bottle of beer is placed in my hands.
Slim is the last man to come up to me. He shakes my hand and claps me on the back before we take seats at the bar.
“I’m havin’ food brought in. There’s no way the women are gonna have time to get a meal prepared. It’ll be here in a few hours,” he lets me know.
“Sounds good,” I reply as Trent makes his way up to us.
Trent is one of the new artists at the tattoo shop. He’s here because I want Gwen to get her tattoo today. I already know what I want her to have. It’s a large piece going from her hip to just below her armpit. Vines will wind their way up her side as if they’re climbing a building. A few flowers will fill them in. in the middle of the vines will be a heart shaped locket for the key I have done on my tattoo for her. On one side it will say ‘Property’ the other side of the vines will say ‘of Killer’. The entire tattoo will be shaded in black with the flowers the only color in her skin. It’s definitely a huge piece for her first tattoo. She’s going to be sore as hell, but I’ll take care of her.
“You ready to get started on her tat?” Trent asks me. “I should be able to finish it before the food gets here.”
“Yeah. I’ll grab her. Have you checked the room to make sure everythin’ is set up?” I ask him.
“Yep. I was in there before I came out here. Got the drawin’ ready to go and you’ll get to see it before we put it on her skin,” Trent answers me.
Nodding my head, I make my way over to the table where she’s talking with the rest of the women. Her cheeks, neck, and the top of her chest are bright red as I look down on her. I just caught her talking about me if the look in her eyes is anything to go by. Letting out a low chuckle, I look down at her and hold out my hand for her to take.
“Where are we going?” she asks me.
“You’re gettin’ your tattoo today, Sparrow. Trent from Phantom Ink is sittin’ in the back waitin’ on you,” I inform her.
She shrugs her shoulders and takes my hand. We head down the hall past Slim’s office until we reach the last door on the left. It’s standing open as Trent is putting his gun together. Gwen walks in the room just in front of me and I can feel a slight tremor to her body. She’s nervous, but knows this is part of becoming an ol’ lady in the Phantom Bastards. As she takes a seat on the table, Trent picks up the design he drew up for me. I love it; it’s exactly what I want for her to wear on her precious, smooth skin.
“That’s exactly it,” I tell him, looking at Gwen’s eyes.
She’s tearing up as she looks at the lock before looking at me. Yeah, she knows exactly what this tattoo signifies. I’m the key to unlocking her heart and she holds my heart in her hands. Without hesitating, Gwen pulls her shirt off after handing me her rag. She doesn’t need me to tell her where it’s going. After pulling her bra up so it’s out of the way, I watch as my ol’ lady gets comfortable on the table with her back facing me. Trent gets to work as I pull up the lone chair in the room and sit behind her. I’m here for any support she needs, but I don’t want to touch her and be in the way of Trent’s work.
This is how we spent the next several hours. I can barely hear the music blaring from the common room as Gwen lays perfectly still while Trent works his magic. She doesn’t make a peep as he tattoos her skin. There are a few times she winces, and I place my hand low on her exposed skin. There’s honestly only one thing that will make this day even better. I already feel as if I’m ten feet tall and can do no wrong now that I have Gwen as an ol’ lady. When we go to bed tonight, I’ll be holding her in my arms. Our skin against one another as sleep claims us.
Chapter Fifteen
Gwen
I’VE BEEN KILLER’S ol’ lady for a week. Today is the first day I can move around without all the pain from the tattoo I got from Trent. It’s absolutely stunning and I love the meaning behind our tattoos. While Killer and I have different tattoos, they mean the same thing. I have his heart while he’s been the one to unlock mine. It’s taken a long time to get where we are today, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Well, maybe the house bunnies and knowing Killer was with them. For the most part, I would keep everything the same.
I needed to finish healing while Killer needed to figure out what he wanted. Yeah, he said he’s wanted me since day one, but he wanted me to live my life too. I’ll be able to do everything I want with him by my side. I don’t need other guys or to go out on dates with anyone but Killer. He’s the one who’s showed me not all men are bad, and he’ll be the one who lets me have the freedom I want and crave to experience everything else.
Every single night Killer explores my body and shows me how a real man worships the woman he loves. He kisses each and every inch of my body before settling between my legs. I swear, it’s like he’s a man constantly starving and I’m the meal he wants to devour whenever he gets the chance. I’ve been spending more time exploring his body as well.
Killer is finally opening up about his life. We started with the scars on his own body from bullets and stab wounds. Some of them are from his time spent in the military while others are from situations he’s gotten into with the club. I’ve kissed each and every scar on his body the same way he’s done to me.
One night he told me about what led him to join the service. He didn’t have a good childhood. His dad was extremely abusive to his mother and him before he was killed. After his dad’s death, Killer’s mom became lost. There was no money coming in the house so she did what she could to pay the bills. This led to her becoming a prostitute for easy money. During this time she got hooked on drugs and basically left Killer alone. Well, until the guys she was seeing started coming to the house. She didn’t give a fuck about what they did; including them trying to fuck with Killer as a young boy.
He ran away from home in order to save himself. For a few months Killer was on his own, trying to survive each and every day he woke up. One of his teachers at school found out and threatened to tell the cops and Children Protective Services about him living on the street. Killer told her he’d run away and continue to hide out if she called anyone on him. Seeing how serious he was, the teacher’s father ended up taking him in. For the next few years Killer was taught how to be a man who worked his ass off, he began earning good grades, and graduated from the high school. That’s when he fulfilled the promise he made to the man who raised him.
Jim, the man who took him in, passed away while he was in the service. Killer came home to pay his respects and help his former teacher settle Jim’s affairs. At the same time, he found
out his mother had died from a drug overdose. While he shed tears for Jim, not a single one was given for his own mother. She was never really a mom to him. Instead of saving him and keeping him away from horrible situations no child should ever see, the woman kept putting him in the situations herself. I will never treat my children that way. They are precious and deserve to only see the good in the world so they remain as innocent as possible for as long as they can.
There was one good thing to come out of getting my tattoo done. I now have a job at Phantom Ink. I’ll be working the counter, so Trent, Lee, Hailey, and Stryker only have to focus on the clients coming to get work done. They can’t seem to keep a girl working the front end very long. I have a feeling it’s because Trent and Lee can’t seem to keep their dicks to themselves. Neither man wants to settle down, so the women get pissed when they realize they won’t be the one to tame each man. I won’t have that problem since I’m with Killer.
Trent offered me the job and Killer called Stryker since he’s still with Butcher helping him out. I didn’t think there would be a problem with me working there, but the ultimate decision is up to Stryker. He’s poured his heart and soul into the tattoo shop. He goes to different shows and expos which gains Phantom Ink shows from all over the world. Not to mention he’s amazing when it comes to the work his employees and him do.
Today is my first day of work and I’m not sure if I’m going to make it in. Waking up this morning, I instantly cover my mouth as I jump out from under Killer’s arm and rush to the bathroom. I barely make it to the bathroom before I’m losing what little is in my stomach. Yesterday I wasn’t feeling so good and went to bed early. Now, I’m getting sick. My stomach hurts so bad from getting sick as it feels as if hours pass me by.
Killer walks into the bathroom and I hear water running before a cool washcloth is placed at the back of my neck. The one thing I hate most in the world is getting sick. There’s nothing like it and I’d take all the pain in the world being inflicted on me over getting sick. My man stays in the bathroom with me, rubbing his hand up and down my back. I don’t want him to witness me being sick, but I know he’s not going to leave me alone either.