In choreographed movement, she dismounts before I paddle walk the bike back into my parking space. I take her helmet, then her hand, and walk beside her into the clubhouse.
It’s exactly as I’d planned. In fact, before we even enter, a child’s squeals and a baby’s cry betray a part of what we’re going to find inside. Jasmine’s startled eyes come to mine, but I don’t explain anything and just push open the door.
Sheri is standing just inside with a three-year-old holding onto her hand and StoryTeller beside her with his young baby, a boy, in his arms. It’s that sight that gives Jasmine a clue that I’ve got something planned, especially as Chaz waves his hand from over at the bar.
I drag her into the middle of the club room, and waste no time. Falling to my knees in front of her, I tell her, “Since the day you first walked into this clubhouse, you’ve been mine. You and everyone know that. You wear my cut, you’re my ol’ lady. And now I want to make you completely mine. I want to tie you to me so even the government can’t take you away.” I pause forthe dutiful chuckles and laughs. “So, Jasmine, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” I pull out the ring box.
She chose the ring. She knew this was coming. Even so, it doesn’t stop the tears flooding from her eyes. Pregnancy hormones? Maybe. But she sinks to the floor alongside me. “Strider,Colt,” she adds my government name in a whisper only I can hear, “I’d be more than honoured to wear your ring and become your wife.”
I slide the diamond band onto her finger, then pull her to her feet. I barely hear the cheers around us as I clasp her in my arms and lay my mouth on hers.
Once I release her, she’s pulled away and hugged in turn by each of my brothers. My back is slapped so hard my skin starts to burn. Then corks pop as the champagne starts to flow.
I can’t remember ever feeling any happier than this, having that sense that now everything’s right in my world. It’s as though I’ve reached the end of one journey and have embarked on another.
And this time, I won’t be alone on the ride.
I’m musing on the luck that for once seems to be on my side when a throaty roar of multiple bikes sounds right outside the clubhouse. It’s so close that the prospect on guard duty must have allowed them inside—or he’s bleeding out at his post.
Music stops. Guns come out of holsters, and I’m pleased to see Buzz lift Jasmine into the safe area behind the bar.
The door bursts open.
Oh fuck.
Moving forward, I snarl, “I could have fuckin’ killed you.” Putting away my piece, I hold out my hand. Slugger takes it, pulls me in, and slaps my back hard.
“Always good to see my boys are sharp,” he tells me, which the enforcers who have accompanied him try hard to stifle their laughs.
Some things change, some things stay the same,I think to myself. Half turning, I wave my hand toward Jas, but she’s already one step ahead and is emerging from behind the bar with bottles of beer on a tray.
Slugger views her up and down, his gaze landing on her long enough to earn him a growl. Ignoring me, he addresses her. “We meet at last.”
Jasmine’s seen him before, but as a club girl and was never introduced. Now, he’s giving her the respect that is due to my old lady. I suppress a grin, easily reading that she’s keeping hold of that tray like a shield, knowing Slugger’s reputation with women well.
To take his focus off her, I relieve Jas of two of the beers. Handing one to him, I casually enquire, “To what do we owe this pleasure?”
Turning back to me, Slugger’s mouth widens, corners turning up. “Hear you’ve taken on some new businesses and partnered with the Mafia, I believe?” His brow rises.
I bark a laugh. We hadn’t broadcast anything, but nothing much gets past him. Shaking my head, I gesture toward my office. “Come with me. I’ll fill you in.”
Risking a glance back at Jasmine, I see her grinning, and gesturing with her hand as if to wave me off, totally unfazed that it’s her engagement party Slugger’s barged into and interrupted.
Leading the way with Slugger following, I can’t keep the smile off my face.Fucking great old lady.
