Isla says nothing for a moment, like she’s digesting his words. Finally, she asks, “Is that why you said we belonged to you earlier?”
Hulk nods. “Your sister and I being together means in the eyes of the club, she’s mine. She’s under my protection. I’m also extending that to you and Sawyer. I’m telling my club and any other club that if they try to mess with either of you, they’ll have to deal with me, and by extension, the rest of my club. We don’t make those kinds of claims lightly, either, and we don’t do it for just anyone. We do it for the people we care the most about and are willing to put our lives on the line for.”
“But are you doing that just because of Avery?” Isla pushes. “I mean, sure, claim us as part of your protection, but if it had been any other situation, would you have stood up for me earlier? Claimed me then? Or would you have waited and hoped someone else stood up to do it?”
Isla isn’t pulling any punches. I want to reassure her, but if Hulk wants her respect, then he needs to be able to handle it on his own. I glance at Sawyer and see his eyes have sharpened, and he hasn’t thought of that question before. Isla might be the vocalone, but Sawyer is the one who listens and dissects. He’ll know if Hulk is lying, even if he manages to get it past Isla.
Hulk smiles, and a small chuckle rumbles from his chest. “Isla, I’d have been fighting with every brother and Rose in there. Rose especially would have fought hard. The only reason they didn’t was that I was directly asked, and I’d have said yes whether your sister and I were a thing or not. I don’t think you realize just how much you’ve impressed everyone here on your own. Not just because of your sister, but because of your resilience and quick wit. You fit here. Rose wants to adopt you, and she’ll probably be insisting that you spend time with her on your own, not just with the rest of the women when they all return.” He winks at her. “I think you remind her of her when she was young. You’re worried that I can’t handle your filter? I’ve lived in this clubhouse with Rose for years, and the shit that comes out of that woman’s mouth is legendary, so nothing you say or do will phase me. Rose is one of my favorite people, so it only stands to reason that you’ll be too, right?”
“Maybe,” Isla hedges, but I can see the hope in her eyes.
I look at Hulk and see the softness on his face and the affection. Alright, that may be falling in love is getting far closer. This is a man who’s going to treat her and Sawyer right. He actually cares what happens to them and wants to build something with them that has nothing to do with me. He’s handling her concerns, but also not dismissing them either.
Then he practically clinches it by turning his body to include Sawyer in the conversation and adds, “That goes for you too, Sawyer. I get that you and I will probably have a bit of an easier time of it because we have things in common, but what I’m saying applies to you, too. I’m claiming the two of you because I like you for who you are, not who you’re connected to. Sawyer, you are a smart kid with a good head on your shoulders. You think quickly, and Torque’s told me that you’re a natural whenit comes to working on the bikes. You’ve got all the qualities of being a brother if you decide that’s what you want when you’re older. If not, then you’re going to be damn good at whatever else you want to do. As for everything else, I’m not going to come in and change everything or push my way in. You both have been with your sister for a long time, and I need to be the one to adjust, and while we might have some growing pains, we’ll figure it out.” He glances between the two of them. “And if you’re not okay with talking to me about it, then your sister can talk to me, and we’ll figure something out. The only thing I ask is that you’re patient with me.” Then he winks at Isla. “And give me some time to add a bit more contribution to the bail fund. You know, just in case.”
Isla snickers, and I smile. “Does he actually have a bail fund?” she asks curiously.
Hulk nods. “Oh yeah, he definitely does. None of us know how much is in there, though, but with the amount of money we all have to pay, and some friends of the club that we include in that, there’s probably millions in there now.”
Isla’s eyes widen. “What, does he think the women will all rob a bank or something? Why would he need that much?”
“Because they’re a bunch of wusses that think we’re going to do something heinous,” Rose huffs as she walks in. Her eyes are bright, her smile wide, as she looks at us, especially Isla and Sawyer. I wonder how much of this conversation she’s heard. “We get put in jail twice, and they think it’s the end. There weren’t even any charges,” she adds with a pointed look at Hulk.
Hulk holds up his hands. “Don’t look at me. Talk to your man, sons, and Shadow. The rest of us just sit back and enjoy the show.”
“If Isla’s joining, I should probably add some,” Sawyer chimes in seriously. “She’s the one who will probably end up spending it all.”
I can tell Hulk wants to argue that, but he must realize how that will look to Sawyer if he cuts him off, acting like he doesn’t need to take care of his sister anymore. “Dude, if that’s the case, Shadow will charge you double,” he replies with a grin.
“Triple if we add in Avery,” Sawyer argues. “Until I get my inheritance, we’re probably going to have to team up.”
Hulk nods and puts out his hand. “Done.” They shake on it, and Isla and I share a look that agrees men are idiots. Rose just grins, unfazed.
“Well, since you’ve all figured that out,” I state drily, “how about everyone gets back to work on cleaning these rooms. Also, men are disgusting.” I give Hulk a pointed look with that.
“Agreed,” Rose says. “Since the men are out of Church, I’m going to rope some of them in to helping us.” She moves to Hulk, waves her hand, and he bends down so she can whisper something in his ear. His eyes give away that whatever it is is something that affects him deeply, because he kisses her temple when she pulls away and murmurs something back. Rose pats his cheek and then saunters out.
“She’s really like the mom of this group, isn’t she?” Isla asks.
Hulk looks at her and smiles. “She really is. Without Rose, none of us would be where we are now. We’ve all been through some shit, and Rose has been the constant to push us through and listen when we needed it. Even when we didn’t want it. For me, she helped me find my place here, and she’s been my surrogate mother since I can’t see my parents often.” Then he winks. “And that’s exactly why I look the other way when she gets her ass in trouble.”
Isla laughs. “Yeah, I get that.” She smiles softly up at him. “Thanks, Hulk.” There’s a wealth of meaning in those two words.
“Anytime,” he replies easily, but I can see him relax. “And now that I’m here, how can I help?”
Isla laughs wickedly. “You’re going to regret saying that,” she warns him. “I have the perfect punishment, I mean assignment, for you.” I laugh as she leads him over to bed with the soiled sheets piled on. “You get to deal with the shit-stained sheets.”
Hulk’s lips pull into a disgusted sneer, but he nods, clearly game to help. I watch quietly as I clean up the rest of the room, as the two of them work. Yeah, this man is a good one, and he’s made me fall for him. It’s probably a stupid thing to happen so soon, but I don’t care because right now it feels right.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
HULK
I’m so fucking glad my angel is finally mine.
A few days later
I’m awake instantly,my entire body one livewire of sensation as Avery sucks my cock deep into her mouth. Fuck. Well, that’s one way to wake up that I can get behind. Shit, her mouth is fucking amazing. I grip her hair in my hand, fighting the urge to arch my hips and drive myself deeper. I don’t want to ruin this moment.
