There’s simply no stopping what’s meant to be. And that’s just it. There’s also no stopping to face the issue that’s still preventing us from roaming around freely. But Alfie informed me yesterday how Weston has taken steps to put it all behind us.
Seeing as the both of us are needed in church later, I’d say we’re done hiding and everyone will now see, and know, Kadence is right where she belongs; by my side. I mentally cringe when I think about facing my sister, Kadence’s best friend.
She’s going to be pissed we withheld the fact that Kadence has been with me all along. Even though it was done for the safety of all of us, she wouldn’t care. But I’m hoping the whole claiming my woman and making them sisters-in-law part will smooth things over.
“Hey,” Kadence croaks. “Got any coffee for me?”
I push away from the doorjamb and stalk to the bed to place a kiss on her forehead. “Coming right up. Meet me in the kitchen when you’re dressed. We’re heading to the clubhouse in a few hours.”
“We are?” she asks in surprise.
“I just received a text from Weston that our presence is requested. You get to see my sister and roam around the ranch since the cat will be out of the bag today. And thank fuck. You can come with me when I’m training the other horses and help Mayven out with her lunch packages and so on.”
Her whole face lights up and it makes my chest fill with gratitude over the fact that this woman is all mine and is already connected with the things involving my life.
“Go, go, go. I need coffee. I’m diving into the bathroom to grab a quick shower and I’ll be in the kitchen within five minutes.” She waves her hands to urge me on and adds, “Go!”
A chuckle slips over my lips. “Excited much?”
“Uhm, yes! I’m going to see Mayven, Harlene, Muriel, Cassidy, and Joaquin.” She throws me another beaming smile as she heads for the bathroom.
Her smile is infectious as she recites the names of all the old ladies of this MC. Well, Joaquin isn’t an old lady, though in some way he belongs to Alfie. If he ever gets his shit in order.
Emotions are a funny thing and if I think my head is messed up, Alfie clearly has some issues of his own to work through. One being his possessive claim on Joaquin but needing a woman in between them to share and make his life complete.
I’m not a person who people seek out to have a heart to heart talk with, sharing feelings and shit. But Alfie has his way of springing stuff on you without leaving a choice to refuse. It’s how I know these two have finally talked through their feelings and are now somewhat together but are searching for the right woman to make their relationship complete.
And knowing how unique one woman is to flawlessly fit in my life, and how damn special it is to find the right person…I can only imagine how damn hard it would be to find the right woman for two dudes. Yeah, talk about complications.
Kadence wasn’t kidding when she said she’d be in the kitchen within five minutes. She’s showered and dressed and sipping her coffee while following me into the backyard as I head for the stable to put Cavier in the paddock before we head out to the clubhouse earlier than planned.
The ride is way too short and I make a mental note to take her for a ride very soon because having her on the back of my bike, pressed tight against me, is another way to soothe the darkness in my head. Wind slapping around us, the scenery a colorful hint of life flashing by, and the road ahead of us which is never-ending. Fucking perfect.
Kicking the kickstand, I throw my leg over the bike and take the helmet Kadence hands me. She’s practically jumping up and down with a boost of excitement. All while I’m on edge to get this over with. I have no idea what Weston’s plan is or what we’re doing here.
He’s been the president of this MC for many years. Never one bad decision in my mind and he’s led us from dirty shit into running this ranch fully on legal grounds. It’s also why I feel some regret by dragging a possible threat to this MC.
We’ve all worked hard to keep out of the eye of the law and left danger behind us now that most of my brothers have started a family, kids roaming around, and they come first. And we’ve already upped the level of protection and loyalty this brotherhood consists of.
Hell, coming bare inside my woman was the best feeling ever, and the mere thought of getting her pregnant is a welcome possibility. I’m not getting any younger and there’s no doubt in my head; Kadence is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with while expanding it to our full capability.
I lace our fingers and kiss the beaming smile plastered on her face. “I fucking adore you, woman,” I murmur.
Her breath rushes out and she replies with so much happiness lacing her words. “And I fucking adore you right back.”
Wrapped in a bubble of adoration we face the clubhouse, only to have our bubble roughly popped by the sights of Rowen and his VP, Koda, standing right next to Weston.
“No,” Kadence gasps and the look she gives me is one where she thinks I brought her to the slaughterhouse my-fucking-self.
“I didn’t know. Get behind me,” I snap and quickly move her behind me myself.
Reaching for my gun, I growl, “She’s my old lady and she’s staying right fucking here.”
“Tone it down, Colt,” Weston says. “Rowen agreed to your offer. Well, with a slight change but the result is the same. Kadence, as your old lady, is under the protection of the Iron Hot Blood.”
I’m itching to know what the slight change involves but if Weston set this up—along with the statement he just made how Kadence is in fact mine—who fucking cares?
“Need us for anything else, Prez?” I question, needing to get my woman out of here.
Weston throws his thumb over his shoulder. “Head inside the clubhouse, we need to have a little chat.”
I reach behind me and wrap an arm around my woman’s waist to drag her close as we head for the clubhouse.
“Kadence, a word, please,” her brother says.
I’m about to deny the asshole but Kadence says in an icy voice, “Fuck you, Rowen. You’re dead to me.”
Rowen’s eyes carry sadness for a brief moment before it’s gone. I shouldn’t be intrigued but I find myself asking, “Prez, are the old ladies inside?”
Weston nods. “Harlene and Mayven, the rest will be here within a half hour.”
I place a kiss on the top of her head and whisper, “Go inside, doll. I’ll be right there.”
She glares at her brother but disappears inside. I spin on my heels and face Rowen who is still standing right next to his VP.
“You and I, a word,” I sneer and don’t wait but stalk a few feet away from the clubhouse.
Rowen saunters my way and crosses his arms in front of his chest when he reaches me. “You’re my sister’s old man now?”
“She’s always been mine,” I simply state.
I would like nothing more than to bury my fist into his throat and keep hitting the fucker until he’s no longer breathing, but this asshole is my woman’s brother. No matter how angry she is at the idiot or the fact she just stated he’s dead to her.
“All I wanted was for her to be kept safe and protected. With our folks both dead she had no reason to stay connected, and you and I damn well know you can’t cut out a connection if you were once the president’s daughter…and now the president’s sister. Making her an old lady would have kept her close and protected. Cannon has always shown interest in her, it seemed like a good choice.”