Claiming His Forever (Battle Born MC Book 8)

by Scarlett Black

  “There is nothing to forgive, Spider. He knows the things he did while he was alive wasn’t right. I believe when we pass, we feel the pain we caused others. He can’t be at true peace until you are. Let them go, the ones who pass. They need to rest.”

  Abuela’s advice stings my insides and confirms that he was going to die and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Same for Solo. In one afternoon, she changed the way I saw the past. She used my love for her granddaughter to help me see the stubbornness I held onto. A knowing grin creeps up the corner of my mouth. She is savage in life and rules over her family with care. If it is meant to be it will happen, and all I can do is be a thief with my happiness. Steal as much as I can until my time is done.

  Chapter 36

  Jazzy

  Spider surprises me, it’s all the little things that he has done to soften my heart. Yes, it felt overwhelming at first. But now, I can’t go back to my apartment because he’s not there. He effortlessly shattered any willpower I had to keep him away. The questions that crept up, why was he here and what for? Was I just a convenience? Would he leave me at some point? All of them swirled around in my mind. More than anything, I needed to be cautious. When you recognize a change within yourself, you want to be damn sure you make it right moving forward. Any reservations I had of how much he cared for me were blown away when Spider told me he loved me. He doesn’t say anything he doesn’t believe in. Giving him my love back strengthened our bond. We can find our way, wherever that may be, and it will be together.

  All of those things give me the courage to make a phone call that has been pestering me to make since last night. “Blade, it's me, Jazz.”

  “How’s things going?”

  “I wanted to bring Spider home for the weekend. Also, I have a favor to ask. Would you do my brand?” I’m a bit nervous because it’s not usual for the Ol’ Lady, or a hopeful Ol’ Lady to ask for the brand, but I know that he wants a perfect moment. There is nowhere else I can picture but in Reno, with his family. “Don’t worry, he mentioned wanting to ask the other day. Knowing him, he’s working all the angles and projecting the best outcome. It’s just sometimes, he needs to let it all go and live.”

  “You know Jazz. I have to be upfront with you. I didn’t picture you two working out so well with the shit between you. Hell, you two are just crazy as fuck. But send me what you’re thinking, and I’ll find the time for you. I can’t say how happy I am to see him find what he deserves and you too.”

  “I already know what I want. I’ll send you the sketch. Thank you.”

  “Just take care of my brother and we’ll be even.” We say our goodbyes and I start to pack us a weekend bag to go home. I turn up the stereo and blast a playlist. A new one I made today, songs that reminded me of Spider.

  By the time I tuck in the last article of clothes I find Spider staring at me from the doorway. He is leaning against the frame with his arms wrapped over his chest. “You leaving somewhere?”

  Sauntering over to him, I wrap my arms around his neck. “We’re leaving for the weekend.”

  “And where is this place we are going?”

  “It’s a surprise and you’ll see.”

  He tilts my head up to him more. “I couldn’t care where it is, as long as you and I are there.” He gives me a quick peck on my lips.

  “Good. Grab whatever you need that I didn’t pack and meet me in the car in fifteen minutes.”

  “We aren’t taking my bike?”

  “Spider, does it look like that,” I point to the suitcase on the bed, “Can fit on your bike?”

  He nods before slapping my ass on his way to the bathroom. He brings another hard case box. I assume has his computers stuffed inside. “Spider, we are not working this weekend.” I reprimand, “Have you not been giving me shit about being home? Was it not you that blocked out on my computer calendar from taking appointments after three?” But the smile that tugs at his lips says he’s not intimidated in the least. Rather he’s very happy with himself. “I can’t pay you rent if I don’t work those hours. You realize this don't you?”

  “Jazmine, I don’t want you to work at all. And fuck no, I don’t want any money from you, ever. I give two shits what you do with your money. I don’t plan on working, but I’m always prepared. End of story, sweet cheeks.” He plucks the keys to the car from my pocket and bolts out the door. “Hurry up and lock up.”

  Quickly picking up our bags, I follow him out of the house. “Wow, I cannot wait to tie myself to that forever,” I murmur to myself keying in the code to the front door.

  “Right back at you, Jazzy.” He slams the trunk shut and then holds the driver’s door open for me. Before I slide in, I notice the bruising on his lip. My hand darts up to hold his chin, “Spider, what the hell happened today?”

  “What needed to happen.” He hugs me to his strong frame. Spider’s muscles feel firm and just the right size. He takes care of his body, more slender than bulk. I want to argue and protest for details but I’m not. I just take a minute to hold him a little tighter. My stomach growls. “I need food, how about tacos?” I ask hopefully.

  We grab our food and while I eat I start to think about his face and who would have done that. That much is obvious. If it pertains to me, I would think he would at least tell me that much, right? It has to be about Kilo, especially if he just magically showed up to save the day. Which I’m grateful for, but he should tell me what is going on when it concerns me. “Spill it then, you have a tracker on Kilo. And you threw punches over it.”

  Spider sighs heavily. “Jazz, it’s guy shit. Yes, I beat his ass at the clubhouse for a lot of reasons I’m not going to tell you about.”

  “What else am I not being told? Hmm. Let me think.” Tapping a nail on my lips, I go over how he barged into my life, took over my business, and watches me like a hawk... “You are an asshole, Spider.” I’m so fuckin’ pissed off at him. “You could have at least told me you had a tracker on me too.” I had a feeling when the other day he got there a little too fast. I just didn’t realize he bugged everything I own. My car, shoes, phone, purses I guess anything he could think of. He only needs me to text, so he knows I’m not at my last known location. No wonder he never calls me and just shows up everywhere I’m at.

  “Why does it piss you off so bad? That I want you safe? Wow, still not apologizing,” he deadpans and glares at me.

  “Did you have me move in so you could babysit me too?” Am I being irrational? Hell yes! “You preach about talking to you and letting you know where I’m going. What for? You can just follow the red dot all damn day. You’re a hypocrite. Just for that, I’m bugging the shit out of you too.”

  “You already are bugging the shit of me,” he growls. “It’s not to monitor you. What if you say you’re going somewhere, then you are kidnapped, and I need to get to you quickly? Huh? Oh and I don’t know, for instance, the other day. OR, your car breaks down and you had a long day and your phone dies. It’s so I can help you woman, not babysit your spoiled ass.”

  My jaw opens and closes. I do this a few more times before I just leave it closed. Damn, okay he may have a point. But as stubborn as I am, I just shrug it off. He turns his head just barely and I can read what he’s thinking when he raises a brow. Really? Spider shakes his head and I speed down the freeway.

  After miles of silence, he breaks the ice. “What is Angie doing this weekend?”

  “I don’t know. She recently had a split with her man that she was seeing. I’m not sure what went down between them.”

  “Hmm, maybe he should have said he was sorry.”

  If looks could kill but then it just hits me, and I laugh out loud. “Maybe your ass should say you’re sorry.”

  “Never.” Spider intertwined our fingers and rested our hands on his lap. Never did I think I would find myself sitting in my car with this man.

  Chapter 37

  Spider

  There is nothing like coming home again.

  I had an idea we
were heading here by the direction we came. Every mile I relaxed more until she pulled into the parking lot. The genuine catlike smile on her face begged for attention. “Jazz, thank you.” My fingers hook around her neck, bringing her close.

  “You’re welcome,” she rasps, giving me a tender peck. With this girl, I feel so much more than what can be said.

  Walking through the doors of the clubhouse is like a long-lost blanket. We built this place up to be ours. And with Jazzy on my side it feels perfect. With a hand on her lower back I lead her through the common room. The balls on the pool table break and the crackling noise echoes through the room. It’s my brothers that surprise me most. The room falls silent until Saint and Pawn look at each other. “Did you know he was coming?” Pawn questions.

  “You two dumb fucks see him, don’t ya?” Cowboy drops his pool stick on the table and gives me a hard hit on the shoulder. “Nice seeing you, brother.” He tilts his hat at Jazz. “You too, girly. Happy for you both.” Over the years, I let my temper come between Cowboy and I and it wasn’t his fault. I left Jazzy and mine’s relationship somewhat a secret. Any man would read that as an opportunity. His respect for me, today, solidifies our past. It’s all behind us and we can move forward.

  Saint passes us both a beer, “How long are you here for?” Jenn and Tami come barreling into the room from the back and freeze before they both tackle Jazz.

  Ignoring their chatter, I drop my luggage. “Can’t say for sure, but the weekend. Here for a visit. Is Blade still here? Or did he head home?”

  Jenn breaks away to jump into our conversation, “Blade is bringing Vegas. They should be here anytime now. Since their baby girl has been born they haven’t been out much. Plus, something tells me, he knew you two would be here. Am I wrong?” Saint wraps his arms around his Ol’ Ladies waist and bites her neck causing her to laugh.

  “Not wrong, I let him know we were coming,” Jazzy explains with mischief in her eyes. What are we really doing here? I don’t voice my suspicion but there is something there. If it were a casual visit, she would have only called her girls. She grabs my cheeks and plants a hard kiss on me. It takes a lot of resistance, but I hold back any reaction. She just shut me up with her lips.

  One arm wraps around her hip and I kiss her temple. She thinks she has me where she wants me, two can play at that game. Letting her go, I pick up my bag and out of the corner of my eye I see Tami standing there with Pawn. Her hands clasped in front of her chest and tears in her eyes. “You okay? Something is in your eye. Have Pawn look at it.”

  Pawn smirks and chuckles resting his forehead on her head. His shoulders are shaking with laughter. “Nothing is wrong with her, man. She’s just been worried about you. Overwhelmed with girly shit. You’re probably her latest character in one of her books.”

  Tami’s smile grows on her cheeks, and she turns to Pawn. “You know, it’s like we are right here, all the time.” She points between the two of them.

  “That’s because I’m in there.” He lustfully peers down at her body. “All the time.”

  “Savage,” she giggles.

  Even how obnoxious they are, I have missed them all. “I’m going to set our bags in a room, which one is open?”

  Saint clears his throat, “Your room is open. Spider, you may have left, but that is your place. We understand you needed to do what you did. That room will always be yours. We all voted on it.”

  I’m not good with expressing my thoughts. Never have been. These last few years have changed the man I was. It’s easier for me to talk with Jazz, but the guys. I’m not there yet. A man can only change so much. With her, I had to suffocate to learn what it was like to breathe again. “Appreciate it. Jazzy, sit with the girls, I’ll unload our stuff.” I need a minute to get this rock out from my throat. She watches me though. There isn’t much we can hide from each other anymore; we can almost hear what the other is thinking. Actions carry the truth, and I don’t want her to feel I wouldn’t choose her over them. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

  After my second load into the clubhouse Blade is standing at my door. “Happy to see you back brother. How’s it going over there?”

  I give him the rundown of what I’m up against. “Until Kilo is resolved, I’ll always have a target on myself and Jazzy.”

  “We will always have your back. You say the word and I’m there. I don’t give a fuck how it looks. You let me know how you want to play this out.”

  “Will do. I need a favor though.” Intrigued, Blade leans his head to the side. “I need a brand done on Jazzy before we leave, and I want you to do it. I may need Vegas and Dana to get her drunk first though. You know, Jazzy may throw a punch at me if I try to get her in a chair too soon.”

  Blade runs a hand through his hair. Well, it seems Blade knows something about Jazz I don’t. That small little clue confirms my hunch was correct. “Won’t be a problem, I’ll text you a time tomorrow.”

  “Don’t you want to know what brand I want for her?”

  Blade smirks and tries to hide it, but we’ve been friends for a long time. “Let’s let this one play out. Roll the dice Spider, see what happens.” He taps the doorframe and heads to the party erupting down the hall. Jazzy is planning to brand herself to me. Heat fills up my chest with pride that she would show her devotion to me. Knowing her artistic side I’m confident that whatever she thought of, she has given to Blade already. It will also be packed with meaning for her, and that is exactly what I want her to have. Anything and everything she wants.

  Well, I think I’ll up the stakes a little higher. “Yeah, I think I can roll the dice. Hey, I have to go over a few things with Tank. Can you send him back here?”

  “Whatever you are planning, count me out. I’ll go check on Tank for you. It’s probably a job for a prospect but let your Prez do this for you. You turned into some kinda first born royalty around this bitch,” he grumbles on his way out.

  “Thanks, brother,” I holler after the prick.

  While I wait for Tank, I plan my next attack with meticulous details of how to conquer her. It’s almost comical the way we were compared to what we are now. We fought for dominance and pushed each other away, but now we’ve learned to dominate together in other ways. Tucking our bags away, I lumber out to the hallway in search of Tank. Old habits die hard, and I stop to observe the club from the shadows.

  The girls pass shots around at the table. Vegas tells them of how much she loves her baby girl, Adelina. The day she was born they surprised Abuela and named their baby after her. We’ve taken to calling her Lina. “I’m so wound up. It’s been months since I’ve been laid out and devoured. Kids are the ultimate cock block. I’m done, we are not having anymore. DONE.”

  I clench my eyes shut, working at pushing my thoughts back. What surprises me most is I still feel an ache in my chest, but it’s not as bad. What I also picture is starting over. Maybe one day Jazzy will want to try and have kids? “I need an OG.” What in the hell did I just miss?

  The girls all snicker but Dana cocks her head, “An OG? Original Gangster?”

  “Like an Ohhh, geeee. As in a monster orgasm that hits your geeeeee spot. You get me? Ohhh geee!”

  “Fuck girl, how long has it been?” Jazzy asks.

  “Since Lina was born which was six weeks ago. Before her birth he was taking it easy on me, so eight, or maybe a few more. And we all know that the end of a pregnancy sucks. They don’t hammer on you like you want thinking they are going to break you.”

  “I’m never having kids.” Jenn says in mock horror. “So, in reality, it has been months?”

  “Yep. And I need an OG to bring me to my knees. Light my flesh on fire and bring me back to life. I need an explosion.”

  My head snaps back horrified. These dirty ass bitches. No pressure at all. I’m done eavesdropping on this one and proceed like I just didn’t hear how these women expect us to snap our dicks off to pleasure them.

  Kat lingers in the corner of the bar off to the side. W
hen I round the corner, she waves me over where she is waiting for me, usually, that is my seat. “What’s going on, K?”

  “I took the younger pictures of Kilo you sent to me and filtered through some contacts in Mexico. You’re right, he’s not a citizen and not who we thought he was either. I pulled up what I could after I got a name. I believe he had family in Los Reyes Malditos’ club that we wiped out.” After we found out that Jenn was raped, the MC went on a rampage for revenge. One thing we did was kill off the MC that was helping the Cartel in Mexico. The late Prez was Kat’s father that sold her to the Cartel for a marriage made in hell.

  “I have to hand it to them, even in death they had their basis covered. He is around our age Kat. He’s been under the radar that long?”

  “It’s not as hard as you think. A family takes him in and moves here with fake aliases. Years pass and the kid is bred into believing he has a higher purpose to serve his family. Now that the men above him are all gone, he needs a new purpose. To… maybe reform the MC?”

  “No, I think he wants to kill us all off, one by one. Tell me, who do you think knew where everyone was at when we were down south hunting the Cartel? Who told them of the members here when Solo died?”

  “Shit. There’s only one way to find out.”

  “Torture the beast.” He’s not only hunting Jazz, Kilo is hunting everyone.

  Chapter 38

  Jazzy

  Sleeping in his room at the clubhouse was an adventure. All of us girls in Sacramento were never allowed to stay over in the clubhouse, Fuego is old school like that. I asked Spider to take me on a ride after breakfast. We borrowed an extra bike from the garage. He grumbled about taking someone else’s bike, but after a few long strokes across his dick, he wouldn’t say no.

  The wind whips strands of my hair around my face. I guess I needed to have a feel of the area before I made up my mind about our future. It needed to be cemented in my mind that what I do next is the right move for both of us, but especially Spider.