Page 113 of Beautifully Reckless
“Remember. It’snota fucking option.”
She gulps at my attempt to reassure her, giving me a nod.
“So option two is us getting married? Why?”
“Loyalty. Devotion. Family.” I entwine our fingers, hoping my touch will remind her how good we feel together. “Right now, you’re a nobody to our associates. Old ladies are a club thing. It’s not recognised seriously in Australia’s underworld, therefore we have to show them we are serious. That you are important. And the only way to do that is by making you family.”
Her caramel gaze drops to her feet, the frown in her brow, deepening.
Lifting her hand to my lips, I kiss it, drawing her gaze back to mine.
There she is.
“So, in truth, Angel, my club can’t protect you, because you aren’t part of the Southern Sadists family.”
“But couldn’t you just…” I’m already shaking my head before she finishes.
“Angel. My hands are tied. I know it sounds cold, but this is club life. It’s different. The club is the closest thing to family a lot of us have. It’s not just about running guns and breaking laws. It’s blood. Loyalty. Brotherhood. And that’s something the Marx family understands.”
“The club isn’t just your family, though. You have your mum and sisters.”
I nod. “Yeah, but I don’t have a dad. I got myself into a lot of shit as a teen. The only thing that kept me in line was my band, and Toby McCullen, the President of the Southern Sadists MC, back at that time.”
Abbey blinks at me. “You’ve never mentioned your dad before.”
“That’s because I don’t have one. I have a sperm donor, and that’s it. He left us when I was like fifteen or sixteen. Found a new woman and left the country. Turns out he owed money to a loan shark. Toby helped with that too. So for me, this club didn’t just keep me out of prison. It kept my family alive and safe.”
“So your loyalty is what keeps you in the club?”
“And purpose, Angel. Ain’t no other fucker gonna hire someone like me. Can you see me working at Maccas?”
A grin tugs at her lips and she shakes her head.
“So, you’re saying I have to marry you in order to keepmesafe?”
“Like I said before, there’s only one option I’m willing to accept, so like it or not, you have to marry me, or someone else in the club.” A low growl rumbles in my chest at that. “And let me be very fucking clear,” I shift forward, getting in her face, “there’s not a fucking chance in hell I’ll stand by and watch someone else make you theirs.”
For a few long moments, Abbey just stares at me. Her chest rises and falls, fast and shaky like she’s struggling with her emotions. Her fingertips dig into the denim over my thighs, pinching into my skin, her caramel stare piercing.
“So what you’re saying is, you saved me from being forced to marry one man, only to be forced into marrying you instead?”
I fucking flinch at the chill in her tone, so fucking hollow.
“I guess so.” I nod, my voice low. “But as soon as this is over, you can divorce my arse. Hell, you can take me for half of everything I own and set yourself up for a better life.”
Her glare turns deadly. “I don’t know what sort of person you think I am, but I would never do that to your mum and sisters.”
She stands abruptly, stepping out of the tub, leaving me sitting there like a stunned idiot.
“I’m petty enough to take your motorcycle, though.” She shrugs like my hog is no fucking big deal. “I’ve been around your club long enough to know howsacreda man’s ride is.”
“Bit fucking harsh,” I snap, and she shoots me a look that reeks of sarcasm.
“Is it?”
Then she fucking walks out.
“Hey! We’re not done.” Ileap out of the tub, grabbing my boots off the floor as I chase after her.
