by Sophia Gray
Joe nodded. “Okay, then. Of course, anything she or her mom needs…but she needs to surface around here. Not just to appease your brothers, but so she knows what she’s getting into. It’s not fair to drag her into this life without knowing what it is. She needs to see it, to feel it.” Joe spoke from experience, Lucas knew that. He’d lost a woman, a girl he dated before his wife. He’d been crazy about her, wanted to give her the moon, but he’d kept her from the club, sheltered her as best he could. Once she finally started to see what his life really was about, she couldn’t stomach it. Even after seeing the good the club did, she could only see the bad, or what she considered bad. She left Joe, not even willing to listen or make it work. Just stuck her nose up in the air and walked away.
Josephine wasn’t like that. She wouldn’t do that. But Joe was right—it was only fair to let her see what his life really was like, what her life was really going to be like.
Because he wasn’t letting her go.
No matter what.
Chapter 9
Morning sickness couldn’t account for the butterflies wreaking havoc in Josephine’s stomach. No, it had everything to do with being dragged to Lucas’s clubhouse for the night. The several weeks they’d been together, she managed to keep from having to go there. Lucas had been patient, but now he wasn’t asking anymore. He was ordering her to go with him.
When he first explained how traditional he was in relationships, she’d internally scoffed at him. She didn’t need him telling her what to do, and there was no way in hell she was going to give up her independence, even for him. But over the past weeks, he’d shown nothing but caring and compassion when it came to her. Mostly he was protective of her, making sure she got enough rest, ate enough, and made her doctor appointments. He hadn’t been pushy or overbearing at all, until he asked for the fifth time that she accompany him to the clubhouse for the evening. When she tried to come up with another excuse, he’d shaken his head at her. “You’re coming with me, no more excuses, babe. It’s where my life is, and you’ll have to come to terms with it sooner or later.” When he’d asked her what she was afraid of, she couldn’t readily admit there was anything like fear keeping her back.
Except there was. Fear she wouldn’t measure up to the other women there. Fear that she was getting involved with a life that didn’t have room for girls like her. But she couldn’t vocalize any of that, not yet. Because that would mean admitting she feared losing what she and Lucas had started to build. After a long shift at work, she felt revitalized the second his lips touched hers. Her body woke up the moment she laid eyes on him. She didn’t want to lose that, not yet.
“Everything’s going to be fine.” Lucas reached over and squeezed her hand. He didn’t take her on his bike anymore, stating he didn’t think it was safe enough with her being pregnant. She had tried to point out it was no less safe than before she was pregnant, but he’d given her a hard look and said no. They’d be taking his truck until the baby was born.
“I know.” She didn’t look at him, though. Her nerves were too rattled.
“They’re just people, Josephine.” His voice dipped.
“I’m not nervous that I won’t like them,” she clarified, finally looking over at him.
He kept one hand on the steering wheel and the other grasped hers in her lap. His hair was bound in a rubber band at the base of his neck, giving him a sterner look than usual. His chiseled features only seemed more intense in the low light of the evening. “What? You think they won’t like you?” He gave her a grin that was probably meant to calm her but only reminded her of how handsome he was. Any of the girls in his club would want him. Why should he be with someone outside that life? “Babe, that’s not possible. And, if anyone so much as looks at you cockeyed, they’ll deal with me.”
“You can’t go around punching people because they don’t like me,” she admonished.
“Who said punch? I said I’d deal with it.” His casual shrug did little to ease her nerves.
“What do you do exactly, as the captain?” She hadn’t asked him before because she wasn’t sure she wanted to know exactly.
“Well, we have a few captains. Each in charge of a particular thing. I handle meet-ups. When we have club business that needs to be discussed outside the organizations, I set up the meetings, handle the location of the meetings, that sort of thing.”
“So, you’re the club liaison?” That didn’t seem so bad.
He laughed. “Yeah, something like that. Only I’m not getting no tea cakes ready or bullshit like that.”
“You make sure it’s a safe venue and that both parties agree to the terms of the meetings?”
“Yeah, like that.” He gave a noncommittal grin.
She decided she knew enough about his club job and changed the subject to something he could be more open about and she’d be more perceptive to listening to. “And the garage. You work in the garage.”
“Yeah. We just started taking on work that isn’t bike related, like a real mechanic shop. That’s why I’ve been so busy this past week. Some guy came in with his 2013 Camaro Limited Edition and wants a full rebuild of his engine and some bodywork. Normally I wouldn’t touch it; limited editions aren’t a joke. But he was adamant, and he waved more cash at me than I could say no to.”
“Hmph, you like working with your hands.” She smiled at him over the expanse of the truck cab.
He laughed, gave her hand another squeeze, and then let her go. “Something like that.” He turned the truck into a driveway and drove them through a gate into what looked like a small compound.
She looked around at several buildings surrounding them and the people standing around in front of them. Not much different than when she’d driven past during her normal drive through town, but something was off; something felt different. Maybe because she was inside the compound? Because she was sitting in one of their captains’ truck, carrying his baby?
Her heart beat faster, and she needed to take several deep breaths.
“Hey. Hey.” He threw the truck into park and grabbed her, sliding her over to him and onto his lap. Between his size and the steering wheel, there wasn’t much room, but he made it work. “It’s okay. C’mon, relax.”
“I’m fine.” She tried to shove away, but he’d already captured her face with his hands and pulled her toward him. His lips crashed down on hers, taking away all coherent thought or worry. The only thing in the world happening at that exact moment was his kiss. She melted into him, feeling his warm hands on her face, his body pressed up against hers. The world could spin off its axis at that moment, and she wouldn’t even look up to see it happen.
When he pulled away, he grinned. “Now you’re better.” He pinched her hip and opened his door. Keeping her in his arms, he slid out of the truck and deposited her on her feet right in front of him. She quickly went about straightening out her dress. The little bump that was her belly was easily hidden with the light summer dress she’d put on for the night. Nothing too conservative but hid enough that Lucas stopped glaring at her when she came out of the bedroom. The man loved her tits—loved kissing them, sucking them, and pinching them, but did not like sharing them. Even when it was just the view he was sharing.
He tucked the keys into his jean pockets and checked for his cell phone before shutting the door. “God, you’re beautiful tonight.” He pulled her in for another kiss before linking their hands together and pulling her toward the largest building, where music was pouring out the front door, along with half a dozen women standing on the front porch smoking.
“Hey there, Lucas.” A few of the girls eyed Josephine as she was pulled past them. Lucas gave them polite nods but didn’t stop to introduce her.
Whatever she expected when she walked into the clubhouse, it was not what she saw. The lounge was set up in the same fashion as any other bar she’d been in. The center of the room was taken up by the bar itself—four counters full of people standing or sitting, waiting for their drinks. Bottles of liquor, top sh
elf stuff, all lined the shelves in the middle of the bar. Music played overhead, and couples were even dancing. Off in the back corner, a group of people played pool while others threw darts. She couldn’t even say the women were dressed any skimpier or sexier than the regular bars she’d been in.
What she didn’t see were people walking around with big guns strapped to their hips or fist fights taking place in the back corners, and there wasn’t a single woman bent over a table being rammed like she had imagined in her mind. Although, she was pretty sure one of the guys at the bar was getting a blowjob, but they were tucked far off in the back, behind so many people she couldn’t be sure.
A new fear tingled her spine. What if Lucas expected something like that from her? She’d never done more than give a kiss to her date in public. She couldn’t imagine doing something so intimate, so private, in front of the large group in the lounge.
As if sensing her worry, Lucas’s arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her close to him. “You’re gonna make yourself puke if you keep worrying like you are. This is a safe place, babe. Nothing will hurt you here.” He pressed a quick kiss to her temple just as two large men walked up to them. The baldheaded one she recognized. He’d been the one she thought was getting head at the bar. She looked past him, back to the corner, where a woman stood running her fingers over her bottom lip and glaring in her direction.
“Finally! Been waiting all night for you to show!” The baldheaded guy slapped Lucas on the shoulder and turned to Josephine. “You must be Josephine.” He gave her a handsome grin, one that mirrored but did not match up to Lucas’s, and gave her a little bow.
She tried to smile, but she could feel the woman’s glare harden on her. Her eyes went back over to the corner, where the short woman still stared at them. “Nice to meet you, uh…”
“Cutter.” His white teeth flashed as his smiled grew larger.
“Let go of her, Cutter,” Lucas growled when he didn’t let go of Josephine’s hand. He gave her a wink then dropped her hand, turning his attention back to Lucas. “What’s up with Cherry?” Lucas asked, nodding to the woman still giving Josephine an eerie feeling.
“Cherry? Nothing.” Cutter shrugged.
“I thought you agreed not to let her work the room.”
“She’s not working the room,” Cutter bit back. “She’s with me.”
“What do you mean she’s with you?” Lucas’s grip intensified around her waist. Who was this woman, and why would Lucas care who she was with?
“I mean, I’m taking care of her. Don’t worry, we’ll talk later.” Cutter gave Josephine a quick glance then turned to the guys standing next to him. Nearly as tall but not as built, the long-haired man stared at Josephine. “Jameson, you gonna say something or just keep staring all night?” Cutter slapped the man on his chest and laughed.
“Oh. Hi.” He found a smile and Josephine grinned back. He was clearly uncomfortable.
“Hi. Uh, Jameson, is it?”
“Brick. My real name is Brick. These assholes just call me Jameson. It’s a nickname.”
“Hey! Language!” Cutter smacked him again, and Jameson muttered an apology.
“Oh, don’t worry. Lucas curses all the time.” She laughed, and Lucas’s arm got even tighter. She laughed harder. “Well, you do.”
“Hi, Lucas.” The woman who’d been tucked away glaring at them appeared next to Cutter, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her face to his chest as she gave her greeting. Josephine could feel the tension seep into Lucas’s body at her appearance.
“Hey, Cherry.” Josephine watched his expression to gauge his thoughts. His jaw tightened, that little tick in his cheek she’d seen before when he was getting irritated. Maybe Cherry was his ex-girlfriend. Or his current that he gave up because Josephine had gotten pregnant.
“You haven’t been around lately.” Cherry turned her gaze on Josephine. “This why?” She thrust her chin in Josephine’s direction.
“Hey. That’s no way to talk to Lucas’s old lady.” Cutter moved his hand so quick, Josephine didn’t have time to guess what he was about, until his hand connected harshly with Cherry’s ass. She yelped at the force of his smack but didn’t seem otherwise affected by it. “This is Josephine.” He pointed to her. “Josephine, this is my girl, Cherry.”
“Your girl?” Lucas huffed.
“Does that bother you, Lucas?” The hope in Cherry’s voice and her eyes tore at Josephine. The girl obviously had a thing for Lucas. And although Lucas didn’t seem to have an attraction for her, he didn’t like her being attached to Cutter.
“Nah.” Lucas let go of Josephine, the chill of the room settling around her where his arm had been. “Just making sure I heard him right. ’Bout time you got yourself a guy.” Lucas turned kind eyes on the girl, and Josephine wondered even more what his connection to her was. She’d have to wait to ask, as it seemed Cutter had no intention of going away. Instead, he called over to the bartender, a younger-looking man with Prospect clearly labeled on his kutte, for a round of drinks.
“Coke for me, please,” Josephine told Cutter, who then looked at Lucas.
“Caffeine free.” Lucas gave a nod.
“I can have some caffeine,” Josephine interrupted when Lucas and Cutter started to talk again.
“No, you already had a coffee and a cup of tea today. No more.”
Her cheeks heated. She was a grown woman, and she could have caffeine if she wanted to. Deciding it best not to start an argument among his friends, she would put it aside for when they got home, then she’d tell him all about how his overhanded ways made her feel. Telling her she couldn’t have a regular Coke like she was some child wasn’t going to fly.
“They get a little protective once they claim a girl,” Cherry said, patting Cutter’s chest, then releasing him.
“Claim a girl?” Josephine gave Lucas a side-glance, found him busy talking with Cutter and Jameson, then turned back to Cherry, easing them away from the guys. “Like how you’re Cutter’s girl?”
“Yeah. It’s just their way. But Lucas, he’s a good one.” Josephine noted the sadness in her tone. The venom she’d been sporting earlier dissipated.
“Were you and him, I mean, is he—”
Cherry placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled softly. “We were never serious. Nothing really.”
“Cutter?”
“He’s a good one, too. A bit bossier than Lucas, though.” She rubbed her ass where his hand had smacked her and laughed. “But it’s kind of hot,” she whispered. “Come on, let’s go get a drink—full caffeine. I won’t tell if you won’t.” She linked her arm through Josephine’s and pulled her toward the bar.
The crowd simply cleared a path for them when they reached it. “Lucas will introduce you to everyone tonight, but they already know who you are.” Cherry did some quick introductions of the prospects serving the bar then ordered them their drinks. “So, how far along are you?” she asked.
Josephine touched her belly. “Am I showing that much?”
“No. You look great, but like I said, everyone already knows everything.” Her smile slipped a little. “Everyone loves Lucas, and they trust him with their lives. So, if he’s got someone attached to him, and she’s carrying his baby, everyone is gonna know about it.”
Josephine wasn’t sure how to take that, or Cherry for that matter. She wasn’t even sure what she thought of the entire club. Eyes were on her every time she looked around. She wasn’t sure who was more curious, her about them or them about her. It was almost comical. Before she could ask Cherry anything more, the doors to the lounge burst open and two men ran inside, panting.
“Oh, shit.” Cherry’s smile slipped away, and Josephine looked from her to Lucas. His jaw tensed, and he hurried over to the two men. He didn’t look happy.
# # #
Of course, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb had to rush into the lounge like their asses were on fire the first fucking time Lucas brought Josephine to the clubhouse. There was
no mistaking how nervous she’d been to venture into the compound, and now he had these two acting like hell was about to break loose.
Getting to them first, Cutter grabbed Bear by the scruff of his neck, pulling him to stand up straighter. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” He gave the younger guy a shake.
“Clay is at the front gate.” Bear yanked himself out of Cutter’s grasp and straightened his shirt. “He’s demanding to talk with Joe.”
“We aren’t having this meeting now.” Lucas shook his head. Why would the VP of the Iron Rebels be standing at their front door? And he sure as fuck didn’t have any right to demand a damn thing. “You tell him we’ll reach out when we’re ready.”
“He said either we open the doors or he walks through them, either way.” Bear looked around at the crowd starting to build behind his captains.
“Fuck.” Cutter looked around. “Where’s Joe? He was supposed to be here tonight.”