I couldn’t get the images of what that man did to my mother out of my head, and my gut churned. All I wanted to do was kill the motherfucker who’d dared put his hands on my mom. Then I heard Roman say, ‘He’s dead, Red. You took him out, and now he can never hurt another woman. But don’t you realize what you’ve done? You killed him in front of Tammy, and she’s devastated and frightened.’
A smile crept across my young face, and the respect I had for my dad right then was out of this world. I didn’t fully understand what murder meant at that point, but I was proud of my father for what he’d done.
‘I know what I’ve done, Roman. You don’t need to tell me. I don’t know how to make this better for her,’ Dad gulped back an audible sob. I wanted to comfort him, but I left Roman to that.
I made my way to my parent’s bedroom. I had to see for myself how Mom was doing. Trey was fast asleep, and I was grateful that he was. He wouldn’t have been able to deal with seeing Mom in the state I found her in that day.
I heard her sobbing quietly as I opened the bedroom door. She didn’t turn to see who’d entered; she just rocked herself back and forth slowly.
I sat on the bed beside her, and I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. ‘It’s okay, Mom,’ I told her softly. She didn’t say anything, though she laid her head on my shoulder. ‘No one will ever hurt you again, I promise.’ I kissed her head as she sobbed harder. I meant it when I told Mom that no one would hurt her again. I’d make damn sure she was safe, no matter what it took. I swore to myself that day to become the man I am today.
It took my mother many months after the rape and her subsequent breakdown to recover. But it was the birth of Cullen that brought her back to us. Trey and I always felt our mother’s love, even when she was too ill to speak. However, I saw her coming back to life little by little after finding out she was pregnant. Then when Cullen was born, Mom came back to us.
My mother is everything to me. She’s stronger than any woman I’ve ever met. She went through hell, but she came back from it stronger. Though I know if anything ever happened to Cullen, it would destroy her. The boy has a cold, and she freaks out. He’s fifteen and still mommy’s little boy. I always imagine how that would make Scott laugh.
Dad and Roman have something in common; they both slept with the same woman and had a kid with her. Scott’s mom slept with Roman and had Fallon. She’s not my sister, but I know Scott would have wanted me to take care of her also. Dad loves Fallon’s kids, and they call him grandpa, even though they’re Roman’s grandkids by blood. Red and Roman are best friends, and I don’t remember a time when they weren’t.
Ava, Scotty, named after my brother, and Reed are family, even if they aren’t blood. Same goes for Ghost, he’s not my brother by blood, but my parents all but adopted him when I was a kid. His kids, Danny and Vinny, are my nephews. We’re a big family, and Wynter has all of us as well as the Anderson’s now.
I’m going to make sure that girl knows that she’ll never be alone again. No matter what’s going on or why those men are looking for her, I’ll never let anything happen to the woman I love more than life itself.
I look over at Wynter as she stands with Phoenix and Cassie, laughing, without a trace of fear in her eyes. That’s the look I want to see on Wynter’s face every day for the rest of our lives. I know it’s not that easy, in any case. At least, not until I sort those men out.
I set my beer on the bar as BlackJack stands in front of me and stares me down. “Something I can do for you, BlackJack?”
“You’ve done a good job taking care of Wynter, Havoc, but she needs to be with her family. Taylor and I have plenty of room for Wynter, and Phoenix will love having her cousin living with us.”
I fold my arms across my chest. “What makes you think that’s gonna happen? She’s my wife, BlackJack, and she belongs with me.”
He scratches his chin with his thumbnail. “I get that, Havoc, really I do. I wouldn’t expect you to think it’s a good idea...”
“It’s a terrible idea,” He nods his head at me. There’s no way on this earth I’m going to agree to Wynter moving in with BlackJack. He must be insane even to think I’d be okay with what he’s suggesting. “I know you want to get to know Wynter, and that’s fine with me, BlackJack.” I don’t have a problem with Wynter getting to know her family. “But she’s staying with me where she belongs.”
“And you’re sure you can keep her safe?”
I grit my teeth behind my lips. “Careful, old man,” BlackJack raises his eyebrow at me. “You’ve known me my whole life. You know damn well that I can keep my wife safe, as much as you’ve always kept yours safe.”
I shake my head in annoyance when BlackJack chuckles. “You’re so much like your dad; it’s scary. I sometimes forget that you’re no longer a little boy.”
“I haven’t been one of those for a very long time, BlackJack. I’m a thirty-two-year-old man, and that beautiful twenty-six-year-old woman over there,” I tip my head toward Wynter. “Is my wife, and she means everything to me. I spent months without her because she didn’t trust me enough to understand her past. Wynter is finally back in my life, and I’m not letting her go again.”
I watch BlackJack looking at Wynter. I understand why he feels the need to protect her. I’ve heard the stories about his brother and the vile cunt he was – still would be if he was out there. I heard Wynter’s side of things, and the hell she lived through because of that man. BlackJack had nothing to do with his family, but I can tell he wishes he had for Wynter’s sake.
Nothing can change the past, but we can make sure Wynter’s future is a bright one.
“Her life hasn’t been an easy one, Havoc. She has people after her, and...”
“I know that, BlackJack,” I stop him from rambling. He’s a worried uncle, with a lot of regret in his heart. “Wynter has a big family now, and we’ll all look out for her and protect her with our lives. We have church later, and Jett will let us know if he’s come up with a plausible plan to find those men. Trust me, BlackJack, I’m not going to let anything happen to Wynter.”
BlackJack clasps my shoulder. “I trust you with my life, Havoc, and I know Wynter feels the same way. But if you need anything at all, I want you to come to me. No matter how small...”
“I’ll come to you,” I chuckle. “Don’t worry, old man; everything will be just fine.”
“Less of the old man, you little shit.” We both laugh. BlackJack gives me one last look before nodding his head and walking away.
I turn my eyes back to Wynter. She’s with Cassie and Gunner across the room, smiling and laughing as they talk. She’s so happy to be back with her friend. However, I have to wonder if she would be better off with BlackJack and Taylor. I don’t doubt my ability to protect Wynter, but I have to give her the choice whether she stays or goes.
I make my way over to Wynter and gently take her arm in my hand. She turns to look at me with a smile on her beautiful face. “You guys mind if I steal Wynter for a moment?”
“Sure.” Gunner smirks. Prick!
Wynter hugs Cassie quickly before chasing after me as I make my way outside. I inwardly groan when she catches up with me and slips her hand into mine. She has no idea what it does to me when she simply takes my hand. I want to ravage her, shove my face between her legs, and never come up for air.
I lead Wynter to the side of the building, and she leans back against the wall, breathing in the evening air with a smile on her face. “I never thought I’d feel this happy, Havoc. My best friend found her family and a man who loves her endlessly. I have a family now, and you and I are going to try again.” She looks right at me, still smiling. “I am so in love with you, Havoc.”
“I’m so in love with you, too, beautiful,” I smile when she comes closer, arms wrapping around my neck and lips against mine. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her body flush against mine, and she moans into my mouth. Fuck, I can feel my dick hardening behind my zipper.
Our tongue
s battle, sucking, entwining. Her hands fist my hair, and she’s practically dry humping me where we stand. It fucking hurts that I want her this badly. So badly, my heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest and kill me.
Wynter finally pulls out of the kiss with a groan and rests her forehead against mine. “I know what you dragged me out here for. I heard BlackJack talking to Taylor and what they want. I heard BlackJack say he’d talk to you, and then I saw him approach you.” She pulls away from me slightly but grabs my hands in hers tightly. “Do you want me to go, Havoc? Please just tell me if you do.”
I reach out and touch Wynter’s soft cheek. I couldn’t stop myself. I run my knuckles down her cheek, and she closes her eyes for a second. “BlackJack just wants to take care of you, Wynter. He’s your uncle, and he loves you.” I watch her smile at that. “BlackJack and Taylor are two of the nicest people I know, and I’ve known them all my life.”
“They are nice people, Havoc, and it’s kind of them to want to take care of me.” She smiles again while cupping my cheek. “But I belong with my husband; with you. Right?”
“Right, but are you sure that’s what you want?”
Wynter sighs. “I thought...”
“What did you think?” She looks away from me. I take her face in my hands and force her to look at me. “Please don’t turn away from me. Do you really think I want to be standing here telling you to move in with BlackJack and Taylor? Because I don’t, Wynter. I really don’t. However, this isn’t about me and what I want. This is about what’s best for you. I can’t make you stay with me if being with your family is where you really want to be.”
I watch that beautiful throat of hers move up and down as she swallows. “If you think for one second that I am going anywhere without you, Cole Caldwell, then you’re insane.”
I chuckle loudly, and Wynter smiles.
“I know we’ve been apart for months, but I’m home now, and I’m never leaving you again. I don’t feel safe when I’m not with you, Havoc. I’m not saying that I need a protector, you know that I can take care of myself,” That I do. Wynter is a strong woman. It’s what first attracted me to her. “I love you, Havoc. I really love you. I know that I made a mistake when I left the way I did, but it didn’t mean that I didn’t love you.”
“I know that, sweetheart,” I gently take her face in my hands. “I want you to listen to me, Wynter. Everything I do is what’s best for you. You know that, don’t you?”
“Of course, I do. But moving in with my uncle is not what’s best, Havoc. It doesn’t even make any sense to me.”
I chuckle. “Me either. If you want to stay with me, then that’s the end of the conversation.”
Wynter smiles wide. “Well, I’m glad that’s settled. What are we going to do about those guys, Havoc?”
I tuck her hair behind her ear. “I have a meeting with Jett and the others in a little while. Between us, we’ll figure something out. I know telling you not to worry is stupid, but try not to. No matter what, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I know you won’t.” Wynter leans in and kisses me softly. “It was nice meeting your siblings. I like them all very much.”
“They liked you, too. We’re an odd mix, huh?”
“I don’t think so,” She smiles. “Families come in all shapes and sizes, Havoc. Blood or otherwise, you’re still a family.”
I stroke her face with the back of my hand. “You’re part of that family now, Wynter.”
“Thank you,” She has nothing to thank me for.
Wynter leans in and kisses me, and it takes all that I am not to pin her against the wall and take her right where we stand. But it’ll have to wait until we get home.
I pull her into my arms and hold her close to me. It’s been a hard few months without her, and it’s not going to be easygoing for a while, but she’s here now, right where she belongs. Wynter lays her head on my shoulder as I hold her, and hums happily to herself. “Havoc?”
“Yeah?”
“When can we go home?”
I nudge her off my shoulder, and she looks at me. “Anytime you like. Why? You wanna ravage me?” I laugh.
“More like, I want you to punish me,” She licks her lips, and I raise my eyebrow. Wynter smirks while biting her lower lip.
“Oh, yeah?” She nods her head. “And what have you done that would mean I’d have to punish you?”
“Well,” She licks her lips again. “A guy back there was looking at me. He winked, and I smiled.”
I grit my teeth. Even though I know she’s only saying this stuff for effect, to get me where she wants me, it angers me. I don’t want other men looking at what’s mine, even if she is the most beautiful creature to walk the planet. “You’re mine, Wynter. Mine, and mine alone. Any man so much as looks at you for more than twenty seconds, and I’ll gouge out his eyes!”
She laughs cheekily. “Twenty seconds was very specific.”
I take her face in my hands and yank her closer to me. “You shouldn’t play these games, little girl. You know how they always end.”
Wynter groans with her eyes closed. “Yeah, I do,” She opens her eyes to look at me. “With me across Daddy’s knee while he spanks me hard.”
Damm girl is asking for trouble.
“What’s going on here?”
Wynter’s eyes widen, scared that my father could have heard what she just said. I don’t give a shit if he did.
I pull Wynter into my arms, and she lays her head on my shoulder, not facing Red. “We were talking. What’s up?”
“Wynter, are you okay?”
I grit my teeth. What the fuck does he think I’ve done to her?
My dad is a big bastard of a man and always has been — six-two years of age, ten years my mother’s senior, and my damn hero. Always has been, always will be. However, today he seems to have it in for me. He doesn’t want me with Wynter, and he can’t deny it because it was written all over his face earlier.
Wynter lifts her head, arm around my waist, mine around her shoulder, and a smile on her face. “I’m great, thank you.”
“Your uncle is looking for you, and I’d like a word with my son in private.”
Great, here comes the damn lecture.
“Okay.” Wynter smiles at my dad and then turns to me. She wraps her arms around my neck and whispers in my ear. “Your dad doesn’t like me. Please don’t let him turn you against me, Havoc.”
“No one could turn me against you, Wynter,” I whisper loudly enough for her to hear me. “You’re my wife, and I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She pulls away and kisses me right in front of my dad, not caring that he’s watching with a raised eyebrow. I can see him behind her. “I’ll see you in a few, handsome. Bye, Red.”
I watch Wynter walking away, and I’m mentally counting to ten before my dad rounds on me. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Havoc?”
Arms folded across my chest, I tell him, “What business is that of yours?”
“Don’t get smart with me, Cole!” I grit my teeth. I hate it when he talks down to me like this. I’m not a kid anymore; I’m thirty years old! “This whole thing is beyond fucked up. You get married in secret, then spend months wondering what you did to chase her away. Now she’s back here, and I have to wonder if she’s only here because she needs help. Do you honestly believe she’d be back here for any other reason?”
I roll my shoulders and crack my neck. If Red were anybody else right now, I’d have broken his neck for saying that shit. But I don’t want an argument with my father. I know he’s concerned about both Wynter and me, but he won’t convince me that Wynter is here for any other reason than she loves me.
“She came back here because I dragged her back with me. I doubt she would have come here even to ask for help. She’s my wife, Dad. Do you really expect me to have turned her away, even if she did only come here for help? It’s my damn job to protect my wife!”
“You don’t think she
should be with her family where she’s safe?”
“You don’t think Wynter is safe with me?”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it!” I run my tongue over my top teeth. I’m so annoyed right now that I’m fast losing patience. “I’m not asking you to send Wynter to live with BlackJack, Havoc. She’s your wife, and any man worth his salt would keep his wife with him. I’m just worried about what could happen to you having her here.”
I understand as my father, why Red would be so worried. I don’t have kids, but I imagine I’d be just as scared for my son if I were in Red’s shoes. But the fact remains that Wynter is going nowhere. I am going to keep her safe, no matter what it takes.
I don’t believe that my father dislikes Wynter; he just doesn’t like the situation. I know once Red gets to know Wynter, he’ll love her as much as I do.
“I love you, Dad, and I know you want what’s best for me. I also know you want what’s best for Wynter. I want what’s best for her too. I know you’re worried about what’s coming, so am I if I’m honest. But there’s no getting away from it, Dad. Whoever those men are will find Wynter, unless we find them first.”
I roll my neck and let it crack again. Pity, it doesn’t ease the tension I’m feeling.
“Is that the only reason you don’t like her? Or is it something else?”
Red narrows his eyes at me, then shakes his head. “I can see why you’d ask me that. It’s not like I’ve been very nice to the girl with what I said.” He scratches his beard with his thumbnail. “I don’t dislike your wife, Havoc.”
He could have fooled me.
“I reacted badly, and I had no right to say what I said to Wynter. I can admit that, Havoc, and I’m sorry. What you’re doing for your wife is what any decent husband would do, and no one has the right to tell you otherwise.”
I nod my head slightly while pushing my hands into the pockets of my jeans. “No, they don’t. To be honest, I’m not sure why Wynter has been given the reception that she has. No matter the person who joined this club, their old ladies, their kids, I’ve welcomed them all the way you and Mom taught me to. I bring my wife here after months of wondering why she left, and she’s treated like a damn leper by my own family!”
Havoc: Snakes Henchmen MC Page 6