Tatted and Tamed (KO Ink Book 5)

by Harley McRide

  “Damn,” Falon groaned and closed his eyes. I walked to him and smiled before stopping right in front of him.

  “Ready,” I said softly and he opened his eyes and glared at me.

  “I’m so spanking that ass later for this,” Falon said and my eyes got big. Wow, that sounded interesting, and amazing all at the same time. Damn this was backfiring.

  “Let’s move it,” I snapped and Falon looked at me with a knowing smile and nodded. We made it to the O’Malley’s with time to spare.

  When we walked in, it was mayhem. I saw the O’Malleys the Roarks, Ms. Maddie and the Judge, Bear and Bob, who looked slightly scared at the prospect of having everyone together, and now us. I knew the guys were on their way because Falon had been texting them to make sure his mom didn’t blab. Thank God they made it to dinner.

  “What can I do to help?” I said loudly as Reilly came to my side and kissed me on the forehead.

  “Hey, darling, you just sit down and take a load off, you have a fight tomorrow, I want to make sure you are rested and ready. I don’t want a damn thing to happen to you.”

  I smiled at the older man and said, “Thanks, Reilly.”

  “You are one of my girls. I take care of family,” he whispered and kissed my temple again and pushed me to the large soft chair. Falon nodded and then took my hand and kissed it.

  “Sit down, baby, I will get you something to drink, okay?”

  I nodded and said, “Reilly, you should keep me company.”

  The older man smiled and sat down in the chair next to me and said, “Best offer I have had all day.”

  I chuckled at him and said, “How are things going with you? All this has to be stressful, knowing your sons are involved, plus everything that has already happened.”

  Reilly smiled and nodded. “It’s always hard to have your children put themselves in harm’s way. However, I’ve had a lot of practice dealing with the boys doing this kind of thing. Did you know, when Falon was younger, he thought racing a dirt bikes was what he wanted to do. He had it all planned out, that is until his mother told him she would put a round from her shotgun in any motorcycle he brought home. She changed her tune obviously. When the kids were younger, nope, but they did enough crazy things along the way, like sky diving, of course boxing and MMA. We were forever patching up the boys every single time you turned around. Olivia was beside herself for a few years, and then she finally realized there was nothing to be done with them, our boys were raised with a firm understanding of right and wrong, so all this was bound to happen.”

  I nodded and smiled and leaned back. “When I met Falon I will admit I thought he was a normal idiot male.” Reilly chuckled and I smiled. “But then I got to know him. At that point I thought he was an annoying male who had a big ego. Trust me, at this point I never thought I would actually like him. But he grew on me, and things seemed to change slowly, and a few times I caught him talking to Brooklyn, or when Bob went into labor. He wasn’t really as big a jerk as I originally thought. So I watched him a little, and I saw that he used the whole persona everyone expected of him as a shield. I looked beyond it. Trust me, it was hard, but I did. What I found was a shock. He is an amazing, wonderful man who has so much to give that it almost shines brighter than the stars. Falon is a force to be reckoned with, his only problem is, he just doesn’t get that he shines. I figure that is my job, to pull his head out of his ass a few times.”

  Reilly roared with laughter, I looked up and saw most of the guys had arrived while I was talking with him and they had all heard what I said. My face turned red and then I searched for Falon who was standing with his mother and he had a glass of wine in his hand and I grinned hesitantly because he looked like he was in shock. Then he shook his head and lifted his hand and kissed it, then blew it toward me. It was corny, it was cute, but most of all, it was everything. I had firmly announced our relationship, and there was no going back now. I didn’t want to anyway. Damn, I was going to have to use the L word pretty soon I guess. With a sigh, I looked back at Reilly who was still staring at me with a smile on his face.

  “Yeah, sorry about that,” I said softly and Reilly shook his head.

  “Sweetheart, that is probably the most perfect thing anyone woman has said about my son. You get him where others don’t, but you do. That is what makes you perfect together, because no one else would ever look close enough to see in him what you do. It does a man good to know his son picked a woman who is strong enough to withstand anything that may happen. My boys are always going to be the ones who get involved with people who need help, it is ingrained in them, so they need a woman who can withstand that heat, and you, Brook, Zoey, and Petal, in your own ways, can withstand the heat while standing right by them.”

  I smiled and leaned forward and kissed the older man on his cheek and whispered, “Thank you.”

  “No, thank you. I never thought I would see the day when Falon finally caught himself a good one.”

  “DINNER!” Olivia yelled and I turned and saw the older woman, she had tears in her eyes as she looked at Reilly. When he stood and walked to her, she kissed him softly on the cheek and whispered something in his ear, which made him chuckled and pinch her on the ass. Fin yelled, “We are not witnessing this, nope, knock it off right now!”

  I chuckled and Falon came to my side and took my hand. “You know you are amazing, right?”

  I smiled and looked up at him. “So are you.”

  “Well,” Falon said softly and leaned down and brushed his lips across mine in a soft and sweet kiss. “We are the amazing couple!”

  “That we are,” I said and we moved to the table and took our seats in the middle of the one side.

  There was tension at the table, mostly coming from Falon and from Fin and Tony who looked worried. I wasn’t sure why, but in the next hour or so I was certain I was going to find out. Nothing happened at these family dinners that was remotely normal to other family dinners I had been to with other friends. These families, the Roarks, the O’Malleys, and the Macaroys were way more entertaining. I had never been to one like it before. They were addicting because they were almost like a train wreck that you knew was going to happen. You couldn’t look away, no matter how much you wanted to. Mostly because if you did, you would so miss out on the drama.

  “Reilly,” Olivia said softly. “Will you say grace?”

  The older man nodded and then instead of bending his head and closing his eyes he looked around the table. “My grace, is not for the food, although I know my wife has outdone herself again. It is also, not for our friends who have been in our lives for years, because I have always been thankful they are in my life, and so does Olivia and we tell them all the time how thankful we are to have them. My grace, is not for my children, because they have been blessed in so many ways, I can’t even begin to list them. Throughout their lives while they were growing up, I prayed they would grow up to be wonderful and caring human beings, that is what they are so I know that blessing was answered. So how do you say you are thankful for something you have been blessed to have for your whole life? I can’t begin to explain how important it is to me that we have all found each other. Through the grace of God, they gave us to you and you to us. So, my grace is for the women who have claimed our fine young men’s hearts. They are special women to have taken on these guys, and each time one of them find their true love, it is magical, because one more piece of all of our family comes into place. I am thankful that you were all brought into our lives, through whatever mystical reason, you are making our family strong and whole. Of course we have a few more to go, but I think we are well on the way to being able to say, our lives are full of love and laughter, and that is all we can ask for, isn’t it?”

  The room was silent, and I took Falon’s hand and squeezed it. I turned and looked and I will never forget the look in his eyes, hell, in everyone’s eyes. Most of the women’s eyes were filled with tears, and the men were looking at Reilly with such admiration it clogged th
e air.

  “Oh shit,” Brooklyn said and sniffed and then yelled, “I’m pregnant!”

  The room went silent and I felt Falon relax a little, and I looked at him. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Love my dad, but thank God he made everyone cry. Mom looked like she was ready to pop sitting there waiting for them to announce!”

  I giggled and shook my head, Falon sat up and then clapped his hands. “On that note, I say we break out the champagne!”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Falon

  I was relieved when Brooklyn yelled out their announcement. I really felt bad about blurting out to my parents about it before Fin, Tony, and Brooklyn could announce it, but at least now the cat was out of the bag, and everyone was now focused on them instead of Mel and I.

  Hearing what my dad said, made me want to make an announcement as well. Mel was it, I knew it, hell, from the first moment I saw her. Well, after I stopped staring at her ass and her tits. Come on, there was no way God would be cruel enough to deny me tits and ass in my woman. Mel was made for me though, in every way.

  My mom and Sonia screamed and stood and went to hug Fin, Tony, and Brooklyn, for the next ten minutes it was mayhem in the dining room, it gave me a chance to sit back and watch. I saw Jet sitting next to Sean looking like he wanted to be anywhere but here right now. The man was gonna need to get used to it.

  Zoey laughed and winked at her friend. Damn, there was just so much going on, then it happened, like it did at every other fucking dinner. There had to be drama, but thank fuck it wasn’t me this time.

  My father slammed his hand down on the table and everyone stopped what they were doing and looked toward him. He didn’t look thrilled like he had the other day when I told him, no he looked fucking livid. What on earth? I thought as I stared at my father and then turned and looked at Fin who was now frowning and Brooklyn who looked like she was going to cry, again.

  “NO!” my father yelled and everyone jumped. My mom bit her lip and then stepped toward him and whispered.

  “Reilly?”

  “No,” he repeated slightly calmer but he still looked pissed as fuck. “This is not happening,” he announced and everyone sucked in a breath, including Brooklyn.

  “Dad?” Fin growled and Reilly shook his head.

  “You listen to me right now, son. I already have one son who has gotten a wonderful woman pregnant and not married her, YET! I am not going to have my grandchildren born out of wedlock, no way, no how. I have been nice about this up until now. Michael and Reese, you are dragging your feet, those babies are going to be here sooner than you think and I can’t believe Zoey still doesn’t have a ring on her finger. And Fin, I know you know what a condom is, this is not right. So I am deciding for you. Next Saturday, the day after the fight, we are having a wedding, no question about it!” he said and slammed his hand on the table.

  I looked at Michael whose lips were so tight, I was sure right about now, he couldn’t open them if he wanted to. And Fin, his neck was red and that little vein was bulging out on the side of his neck. Not good.

  Tony Sr. cleared his throat and said, “I agree, this is not acceptable. You men should know better, taking care of your women is important, and getting her pregnant before you are married, it is foolhardy.”

  I sucked in a breath, damn this sucked. Then Ms. Maddie cleared her throat and she looked at both of her kids, Brooklyn and Reese, and she smiled. “I love you, that is never in question, but I am going to have three wonderful grandchildren and I would love for them to be born after you are married.”

  The silence around the table was thick. I looked at Brooklyn and Zoey, and saw the looks on their faces, they looked mortified about what was going on. Brooklyn was the first one to speak and she leaned over and looked at Zoey.

  “Mom, Zoey and I have been talking, and we figure we can have a double wedding, but one week from now, that is impossible. We were thinking more like right after the babies were born, of course that would be eight months from now, but that would give us a lot of time to plan things you know.”

  Ms. Maddie looked at her and then looked at Reilly who was shaking his head, I saw the brief flash of light in Ms. Maddie’s eyes and then I saw the judge grip her hand and I knew, these bastards had it all planned. They were going to get what they wanted, a wedding next Saturday come what may.

  “Wait!” I said loudly and then shook my head. “I have to say this, because you know if we are going to do this, then no, it can’t be a double wedding, it is gonna need to be a triple one.”

  Mel’s head snapped so fast I thought I heard a crack from her neck. “What?”

  “No, baby,” I said softly and then whispered, “follow my lead.”

  Petal was looking at me wide-eyed and I winked and she relaxed and winked back and I knew I had a few helpers around the table should I need to make a run for it. Which could happen, because I had been too nice lately. I hadn’t started any shit in quite a while. Well, Falon was back, and so hold onto your seats, boys and girls, shit was about ready to get real.

  Mel nodded and I looked around the table. “I have kept quiet for a long time you know. But going through what I did with Bob, I have to say, I feel a kinship to her, like she is my sister or something. So I would be remiss if I didn’t point out, we already have a child in the family from an unwedded mother. I think it is just sad that no one has given them guidance on this subject.”

  “I agree,” Mel said with a sad voice. “When we were at the hospital, Bob mentioned she was upset about not being married.”

  Bob frowned and snapped, “I did not!”

  Petal said quietly, “Bob, you did. When Bear was beating the shit out of Falon, because of what he said about you liking his dick more than Bear’s, you were yelling at him to get his ass back into the room. You said and I quote, ‘You bastard, you won’t marry my ass and you are leaving me here to deliver this kid on my own. I’m never fucking you again.’”

  Bob opened and closed her mouth and then Bear looked at her, he was holding his precious daughter and he said, “Baby, were you serious?”

  “Well of course she was,” Sonia snapped and then shook her head. “I have waited to say anything, because Bob was pregnant and I was worried about her health, but I love Bob, and she deserves the moon, and a wedding.”

  I shook my head. “She does you know. I mean, if my woman gave me the gift of life in the version of that little baby you are holding in your arms, I would fall to the ground and beg her to marry me.”

  Mel pinched my leg and I fought not to laugh outright. Bear looked at Bob and was frowning and he said, “Baby, I didn’t think it bothered you.”

  Bob shrugged and said softly, “I didn’t want to say anything, you know. The Warriors all left, Shady told me when I got home if you hadn’t proposed, she would kick your ass for me. So I just waited.”

  “Did you hear that!” I yelled in a scandalous voice. “My sister, Bob, she is practically begging for her man to make her an honest woman.”

  “But…” Bear said and then Mel said louder.

  “I know I am kinda new here to this whole family thing. But I have to point out that the example you are setting is not good. I mean, Rucker is going to think it’s okay for him to have sex before marriage.”

  Rucker was sitting in the living room with his plate on a tray and was watching a movie, but when he heard his name he looked up and said, “I already know that is acceptable, Dad and Maria are sleeping in the same bed too.”

  I heard someone gasp loudly and I looked around and saw Maria looking stricken.

  “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? IT IS LIKE I DON’T EVEN KNOW YOU!” I yelled.

  Brooklyn said softly, “We can’t put a wedding together in a week.”

  All eyes turned to her and I stood and looked at my mom who was about ready to speak and I said quickly as I threw my napkin on the table.

  “SERIOUSLY, THIS IS YOUR ONLY RESPONSE? I CAN’T EVEN SIT AT THIS TABLE A MOMENT LONGER!
THIS WHOLE THING IS UPSETTING. I MEAN, ALL THEY WANTED WAS TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN HAPPILY MARRIED AND GIVING THEM GRANDCHILDREN.”

  Mel stood next to me and nodded while she took my hand. I held up our clasped hands and looked down at her. “DAMMIT, IF YOU PEOPLE WILL NOT DO THE RIGHT THING THEN I WILL! MOM…DAD…Next Saturday after the fight, we are going to get married in the backyard. Get things a moving, Ma, like I know you can.” Mel squeezed my hand and I almost winced and I said, “I will be the first O’Malley child to marry my woman without haste!”

  Fin glared at me and then Michael slammed his fork on the table and Bear stood as well and was the first to speak, “Bob is going to be the first Roark to be married as well, dammit.”

  “Honey,” Bob smiled and Bear bent over and kissed her.

  “Tomorrow, I am buying you the biggest diamond I can find, everyone is going to know we are married.”

  Brooklyn sniffed and Fin growled at me, “You are not getting married before me.”

  Michael snapped, “No shit, sorry, Falon, you are going to have to wait. We are marrying our women next Saturday.”

  “Falon and Mel, please sit down,” my dad said quietly. I nodded and sat down and then my father said.

  “Let’s hammer things out over dinner, shall we?”

  All of our parents smiled at each other and my father looked at me and winked.

  Yeah, my job here was done.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Mel

  Crap, I wanted the call to come. The week had been non-stop between wedding prep, baby prep, training with Rena, the weight of everything going on around us. And the fact I woke with Falon every morning but couldn’t have sex, well, other than a little suck and tickle, I was sure my head was going to pop off. Cecilia had laughed when I went by to check on her and my nephew, that is until I told her that yeah, they were so looking forward to meeting her and Luis. That shit wiped the smile right off her face. Now here I was, we’d come in the gym hours ago and between Falon pacing around, the guys re-going over everything, I was going to crawl out of my skin. When I couldn’t take anymore, I headed to the women’s locker room in the gym to get my mind in the right place.