I had told him I wanted to move to San Francisco, but perhaps I might go home with him for a while, see what his life is like with his brothers and the MC.
I smile to myself and let thoughts of Sean fill my mind, and it’s not long until I drift off to a pleasant dreamless sleep.
It’s morning, and light is pouring in from the window. The smell of coffee hits my senses, and I sit up. Sean is dressed in his usual jeans and black T-shirt leaning against the small table, his feet are crossed at the ankles, and he’s sipping what I assume is coffee. Sean looks at me with a smirk.
“Hey, you got one of those for me?”
“Damn, you sleep soundly. I even watched the last half of the game.”
“You tired me out. Who won? Coffee?”
Sean raises an eyebrow and goes to the window, closes the drapes, then he hands me a takeout cup of coffee.
“Don’t want you putting on a show for the neighbors. New England Warriors, thanks to Colton Anders.”
Sean sits on the edge of the bed with one leg drawn up. I stuff a pillow behind me, close my eyes, and take a sip of the steaming hot liquid. With a sigh, I open my eyes and find Sean looking at me, grinning.
“What?”
“You’re cute.”
I scowl and continue to drink my coffee, which makes him laugh.
“Colt Anders is cute.”
Now, it’s his turn to scowl. “He’s not that cute, and he’s a horrible womanizer.”
“You can’t believe everything you read in the papers.”
Sean scoffs. “I don’t. He’s friends with my brother, Lochlan.”
“For real? Do you think you could introduce me?”
Sean shakes his head with a knowing grin. “What do you want to do today?”
“I need to go back home.”
The smile falls off his face, and his gaze goes to the sheets. With a nod, he looks back up at me. “Okay, Beth, let’s get you home.”
“You’re allowed to take me?”
With a quirk of his eyebrow, he nods. “Yeah.”
“Kyle won’t mind?”
“Nope.”
“Is it cold where you live?”
With a puzzled look on his face, he frowns. “Not right now. It can get cold.”
“So, will a sweater do the trick, or do I need something heavier?”
“Beth, I’m confused. I thought you were going to move to San Francisco?”
“Well, I still might, but if you’ll have me, I thought I would like to see where you live. How you live. See if I like it better.”
Sean stands, takes the coffee out of my hands, and places both cups on the table. He then comes back to me and pulls me into a bone-crushing hug.
“Sean!”
“You mean it?”
“Yes. Now let me go before I stop breathing.”
Sean leans back but doesn’t let me go. “This makes me happy.”
With a grin, I kiss him. “I can tell.”
“You’re going to love Washington. My brother, Jamie, has a farm a little way out near Thrift. Maybe you could get some land near him?”
“Hold on there, Sean. I said I wanted to see where you live. I didn’t say I was going to stay.”
With a smirk, he kisses me. “Yeah, but like I said… you’re going to love it.”
I return his smile. “Wanna help me get dressed?”
“Nah.” He pulls down the sheet and lowers his head to my breast. “I like you the way you are.”
Sean
Beth is standing in the middle of her now-empty kitchen, and tears rim her eyes as she looks around. Walking up behind her, I place my arms around her waist and rest my chin on the top of her head. “You okay?”
Beth nods and twists in my arms, hugging me close.
“You take as long as you need.”
“It feels strange to pack up my whole life in a week. Stranger still, to pick up my life and move across the country with you.”
I tighten my hold on her. “You having second thoughts?”
Beth shakes her head and looks up at me. “No. Just a bit sad.”
“We could stay in town for a while longer?”
“No. I’ve said my goodbyes. I’m ready to go.”
I put my finger under her chin, tilting her head back, and kiss her lightly. “Okay, country. I’m going to go and make sure the trailer is all packed. You good here?”
“I’ll only be a minute.”
“As I said, you take your time. I’m in no hurry.” I kiss her forehead and leave her alone with her memories.
The truck and trailer don’t need checking, so I lean up against them and wait. Beth only takes about ten minutes before she emerges from the house. Even from here, I can tell those tears which were threatening to fall have fallen. With a sad smile, she closes the door and walks down the stairs.
I grin when she gets within touching distance, and then pull her into my embrace, inhaling her scent as I do. “You ready?”
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
With my arm draped over her shoulders, I open the passenger door, and she climbs in.
Kyle sent a group of the MC out to help pack and to take most of Beth’s belongings and my bike back to the clubhouse. He’s happy Beth is coming home with me and thinks she’s tamed me. Maybe she has a little. I was surprised at how easily she got on with my brothers in the MC. Beth fit right in, right away.
I get into the truck and look over at her. She’s staring at the house, but then Beth slowly drags her gaze to me.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, city boy, I’m sure. Let’s go before I change my mind.”
I grin at her. “You changing your mind about me?”
With a laugh and a shake of her head, Beth replies, “Not likely.”
I wink, start the truck, and put it in gear.
Beth hired a company to take her horses across the country to my brother, Jamie’s farm. He said he’d be happy enough to look after them until we arrive.
We’ve been driving for about an hour when my cell phone begins to ring. I glance at Beth and hand it over to her. “It’ll be Kyle.”
Beth smiles and answers, “Hello?”
“He can’t come to the phone right now.”
I glance at her, and she’s frowning. On instinct, I pull the truck over, and Beth hands me the cell. I place my hand over the microphone. “Who is it?”
“He wouldn’t say. Just said he wanted to talk to you.”
I put the cell to my ear. “Who is this?”
“Mr. MacKenny, nice to meet you. This is Senator Lewis Towell, I believe we need to have a conversation.”
“Well, Senator, you’re right about that. We do need to have a conversation, but not now. You’ll be seeing me soon.” I hang up and switch the phone off.
Beth is staring at me with her mouth slightly open.
“We’re okay.”
“How do you know we’re okay, Sean?”
“I know because he rang, which means he’s scared. Which means Angus has done his thing.” I check my mirrors and pull back onto the highway, but Beth scoots closer to me.
“On my life, country, you are safe.”
“It’s not much of a consolation. I need you to be safe, too.”
“Oh, baby, you and me… we’re going to be fine.”
I drag her closer to reassure her.
Hell, maybe it’s to reassure me.
The faster we can get home, the safer we will be.
Sean
With Beth sleeping soundly, molded to my side, I feel at peace with the universe. I can hear muffled conversations outside my door as the clubhouse wakes up. The place where the bullet grazed across my temple has left a scar. I tentatively reach up and touch it. So fucking lucky. If Beth hadn’t yelled, I’d be dead. There’s a soft knock on my door, and a moment later, Angus sticks his head into the room.
Whispering, he says, “Kyle wants you. Time to face your family, brother.”
I nod, and he clo
ses the door. I have a feeling it’s not only Kyle who’s going to rip me a new one. My arm is under Beth’s head, and as I try to slide it out from under her, she sits up and stretches her arms above her head letting out a loud yawn.
“What time is it?”
“No clue, babe. Go back to sleep.”
“Why are you leaving?” Beth lies back, her arm going across my chest, her chin resting on my pec.
“I’ve been summoned. Kyle wants to see me.”
“Okay.” Beth rolls off me, throws her legs over the side of the bed, and stands.
“What are you doing?”
“Coming with.”
Beth bends over and rummages through her suitcase on the floor.
My cock comes to attention but now isn’t the time. “Ah, babe, he summoned me, not you.”
Without turning around, she waves a pair of black lace panties in the air. “I’m coming.”
“Beth, it’s not how it’s done. This is club business.”
“I’m still coming.” Beth turns around and holds up a hand. “If Kyle tells me to vamoose, I will, but I’m not letting you go in there alone. We’re a team, right?” Not waiting for me to answer, she walks into the bathroom, and a moment later, I hear the shower start.
Staring up at the ceiling, I realize I’m grinning.
Beth is one hell of a woman.
I walk into the bathroom and join her in the shower. Soaping up my hands, I run them over her body.
“That feels good,” purrs Beth.
“We don’t have time,” I whisper as she arches into me.
“You can be quick,” tempts Beth.
“Babe, I never want a quickie with you. We can play later.”
“You’re turning me down?”
I chuckle and spin her around, so she’s facing me. “No, I’m asking for a raincheck.”
Beth pouts, and it’s adorable. “Fine.”
“That’s my girl.” I give her a quick slap on the ass.
On tiptoes, Beth kisses me on the lips. “You owe me.”
“Absolutely.”
Beth grins and moves out of the shower cubicle, and after a lingering look at me, she goes back into the bedroom. I do what I need to do and get out. Beth’s dressed and putting her hair into a ponytail when I enter.
“I like it better down.”
“I know. It’s wet, and I’m guessing you don’t have time for me to sit here and blow dry it into submission.”
She looks cute dressed in jeans, boots, and a red-checkered shirt—very ranch looking.
“You ready to meet the family, country?”
Her face goes soft. “So long as you’re by my side, I’m ready.”
Now it’s my turn to smile. I walk toward Beth and pull her into my arms, kissing her lightly on the forehead.
“Thank you.”
“Get dressed, city boy, or I’m going to take advantage of you.”
With a chuckle, I let her go and find some clothes.
With Beth’s hand firmly held in mine, I walk into the clubhouse meeting room. Instead of MC around the table, there’s my brother, Kyle, his woman, Lola, with Jamie, Lochlan, Angus, Maddock, and Cherie. This room is for church, it’s not a place we allow anyone but patched-in members to congregate. Whatever Kyle wants to say, it’s going to be serious.
Cherie smiles warmly, stands, and hugs me. “Good to see you, Sean.”
I smile down at her and take a step back. “Cherie, this is Beth.” I hold up our linked hands as I introduce them.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” gushes Cherie as she engulfs Beth in a hug.
“Could we all take a seat?” orders Kyle from the head of the table.
Cherie immediately lets go of Beth and sits next to Maddock.
“I didn’t realize you were back in town,” I say to him.
“Got called home,” replies Maddock.
I look at Kyle, who isn’t smiling, and position myself at the opposite end of the table, dragging a chair around so Beth can sit next to me.
Kyle scoffs. “At least Maddock knows how to do as he’s told. What the fuck were you thinking?”
I notice Lola puts a calming hand on his arm, rubbing lightly.
“Which part are we talking about? Me doing what I did to Lamond, leaving, or getting myself shot or—”
Kyle barks out a laugh effectively cutting me off. “All of it. It’s not that you left the MC, brother, you left us and nearly got yourself killed because of it.”
Under the table, Beth squeezes my hand. “It was my fault,” says Beth.
Kyle quirks an eyebrow. “How so?”
“I needed a ranch hand and asked Sean to stay.”
Kyle stands, putting both hands on the table and leans forward. “Beth, it’s sweet you are trying to take the blame for him, but he left us without explanation. And from what I can gather, he was only at your ranch a couple of days before he split on you. It seems to be a common trait with you, Sean.”
“Now, you hold on a minute...” Beth stands and mimics Kyle’s pose. “He went off to find out who killed my daddy! And he almost got himself killed doing it.” Beth scowls down at me. “I haven’t forgiven you for that,” she tells me, then she looks back at Kyle. “Have you thought if you were a little nicer, he might have stayed?”
Lola stands. “It’s not about being nice. It’s about doing your job, taking orders, and being here for the MC.”
“Well, maybe he doesn’t want to be in the MC,” retorts Beth.
The room goes quiet. Kyle sits, and Lola follows suit. I place my hand on Beth’s lower back, and she slowly sits.
“Is that true?” asks Kyle.
I glance at Beth before I answer, “No, brother. I know I have a lot to answer for. I know I’ll probably have to step down. I get it, Kyle, you have a job to do. I won’t run off again, but I needed to clear my head. I couldn’t let the bastard who took Heather from us live.” I glance at Maddock as I speak, and he nods. “Thomas Trent, Beth’s father… he was a good man. So were the other members of my unit. They didn’t deserve to die the way they did. I had to follow it through… I had to avenge them.”
Maddock clears his throat. “Sean, we all know you think of yourself as our protector, and we’re grateful, but sometimes you have to let us fend for ourselves or let us help you. If you keep going off on your own, one day, you aren’t going to come back. That little scar on your head should tell you that.”
I reach up and touch the wound. I’ll always have a scar to remind me of how close I came to death.
“I promise to come to you first. All of you.” I lock eyes with Kyle. “So, Prez, am I in or out?”
Kyle leans back in his seat with a grim smile on his face. “You’re in with conditions.”
“I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to regain your trust.”
“For fuck’s sake, Sean. I trust you. It’s this bullheadedness, the shit where you have to do things on your own. The people at this table love you. We would do anything for you. We don’t need you dying on us to prove how much you care. You couldn’t save Heather, none of us could have. We’re a family. The MC is your family. Rely on us as we rely on you.”
“Why are there no other MC in the room?” I ask.
Kyle grins. “I told them I sent you out. They all believed me apart from Wheels that you were following my orders.”
“You lied?”
“I omitted the truth.” Kyle’s gaze flicks to Beth. “You keeping her?”
Beth’s mouth drops open, and I chuckle. “Yes, I am.”
Kyle laughs. “You sold your ranch, Beth, and you’ve moved here. I’m hoping you’re going to stay for a good long while. This way…” he gestures to me, “… Sean might stay, too.”
“I’m staying put, brother. Beth is going to try city life. She’s got horses, three of them. I was hoping to get a place out near Jamie. That way, I can have the best of both worlds.”
“The farm next to me is up for sale, only a small lot, maybe
ten acres. I could put in a good word for you,” chimes in Jamie.
“Is it farming land or grazing land?” asks Beth, her eyes bright with excitement.
“He was a city boy who wanted to try a different kind of lifestyle, so it’s a bit of a mess. Conrad tried growing crops on about two acres, but he didn’t put in the research or the man-hours, and he didn’t have the money to employ people. He’s a nice enough guy but a bit of a flake. How many acres would you need for your horses?”
I’m slightly jealous as these two continue their conversation without any regard for anyone else in the room. I squeeze Beth’s knee, but she ignores me.
“Six should be enough. I’ve always wanted to try organic farming. It’s what you do, yes?”
Jamie smiles widely. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Could we have a sit-down and go over what you think I should grow?”
I put my arm around Beth. “Maybe we should look at the farm before we start planning?”
Maddock sees my jealousy, and like all my brothers, he zeroes in on it.
“Sounds like you and Jamie have a lot in common. Why don’t you two have lunch or something? You know… get to know each other better?”
Cherie smiles at the twitch above my left eye, a sure sign I’m not happy.
“I’d like to get to know all of you better,” replies Beth, oblivious to Maddock’s teasing.
“Well, considering the neanderthal you’re sitting next to hasn’t introduced us, I’m Lochlan.”
Lach stands and walks around the table, and when Beth stands, he pulls her into a hug. Without much thought, I stand and pull Beth out of his arms and scowl at him.
Kyle’s laughter echoes through the room.
“What?” I bark out at him.
“I don’t fucking believe it. Lola, you seeing what I’m seeing?”
“Yeah, babe, sure am,” smirks Lola.
“What?” I repeat in a firmer tone this time.
“The man is off the market,” pipes in Cherie.
Spark of Vengeance: MacKenny Brothers Series Book 2: An MC/Band of Brothers Romance Page 15