Axl (Sons of Chaos MC #1) (21 page)

It was the kind of bike suitable for a growing family.

“I love it,” I said, reaching up to plant a kiss on his lips. “But you’re only allowed to ride this one on the weekends,” I said, “at least until the baby comes. A bike is no place for a pregnant lady.”

Axl grumbled to himself. “Bitches these days,” he said to himself.

I punched him on the arm. “You’re a real asshole.”

Finally, a salesman came over to help us. A young guy, who honestly looked too clean-cut to be involved with motorcycles. But, I guessed that most of the dealership’s customers were just old guys who drove four-door sedans to work every day, and took out their bikes on the weekends. A nice, clean-cut young guy like him was exactly the salesman they needed. A younger version of themselves.

“Sir, ridden one before?”

Axl glanced at me and we both grinned. “Yeah.”

“Great, and do you have a motorcycle endorsement on your license?”

Axl nodded. “I do.”

The salesman’s face lit up. “In that case, you’re welcome to take any of ‘em for a spin. Insurance covers it!” Then he added, looking at Axl’s inked arms, “Man, you sure could pass for a biker.”

Axl laughed. “Maybe in another life,” he said. He was joking with the guy, but I knew exactly what he meant.

“I don’t need a test drive,” he said. “That’s the one I want.”

The salesman looked surprised but didn’t argue. “You got it, sir. Let’s step into my office to discuss financing options.”

Axl waved his hand. “I’ll pay cash.”

I guess that was one of the… lingering benefits of Axl’s time in the club. We had all the cash we’d ever need.

We signed a contract for the bike and bought new riding gear and helmets at the apparel shop. Axl looked at the sporty red nylon jackets, and almost took one off the rack. “Nah,” he said, changing his mind. “Not ready for that bullshit.” He walked over to the leather section and picked up a handsome-looking black leather jacket, albeit one that was not covered in motorcycle gang patches. He grinned at me.

We rode away from the dealership, heading east on the highway until the sun set. Axl took us to a hotel—this time, one that had free cookies and coffee in the lobby instead of a grumpy old man behind bulletproof glass.

Once we were in the room, we laid down on the bed, exhausted. I rested my head on his chest, and he ran his fingertips over my back lightly.

“So where to?” he asked me.

“I want you to pick,” I said, looking up at him.

“Always wanted to go to Texas,” he said.

“Then Texas it is,” I replied. “Can I bring my parents up there once in a while?”

“Of course,” he said.

“And college?”

“I’ll cover whatever you need to finish your degree.”

I sighed. It was nice to be taken care of. I ran a hand up his stomach, feeling the rock-hard muscles underneath. I felt like I’d gone into hell’s den, and come out the other side alive and stronger.

“Baby,” I said, “I love you.”

He grinned. “I don’t know if I’ve ever said those words before. But,” he paused, “I love you too.”

“Baby,” I said, “Make love to me.”

And he did.

When we said our vows to each other six months later, she looked so damn beautiful standing there in her dress. I always thought I was the hottest shit in the room, but after seeing her like that, I had to stop and wonder if I was handsome enough for
her
.

We brought her parents out for the wedding. Her dad went fucking nuts the first time he heard the news, but when he and I sat down for a man-to-man, and I told him about the new oil business I was goin’ into, he warmed up to me real fast. Good guy, too. Gonna make a great grandad.

Hell, even Ryker and I settled up our differences and he came on out. I guess some ties are stronger than blood. Big Mikey came too. Those two were the closest I ever had to a family, until I met Holly.

We found out that the baby’s gonna be a boy. Didn’t fuckin’ dare say so, but goddamn was I relieved to hear that. Me raise a little girl? Jesus. I’d have a fuckin’ coronary every time she left the house.

Speaking of houses. I got us a real nice place out by the panhandle. Similar enough to Arizona to feel like home, but far enough away to let bygones be bygones. It was a real big place, up on a hill by itself, with iron bars like the devil’s claws. I ain’t gonna hurt another man as long as I live… if I can help it. But should the day ever come, that someone comes lookin’ for me, god help me, I will light that fucker up the instant he steps onto my property. I would kill again, but only for my girl and my boy.

I used to think I was the smartest motherfucker in the room. And well, that hasn’t changed a damn bit. These oil execs I’ve been dealing with are easy pickings. They ain’t got the toughness I do. But Holly taught me somethin’ I dunno if I’d ever have figured out on my own. To respect life and to rise above. In the club life, everybody is down in the shit and there ain’t no such thing as rising out of it. But on the outside, the sky’s a little bluer, the birds a little cheerier.

I want a good life for my son. Not like the bullshit I went through. He can ride a bike when he’s 18, yeah, but he’ll wear a helmet and leathers. Not a skull cap, either, but one of those goofy fuckin’ full-head cop helmets. On second thought… fuck that. My boy can ride fast and hard, ‘cause he’ll have the smarts and the reflexes to stay safe out there. Like me.

And as for Holly… shit. She’s gettin’ so big I swear she’s gonna pop any minute, though the doc says it won’t be for another few months. I just can’t get enough of her. Her smell, her taste, her beautiful personality. Hard to fuckin’ believe it all started out in the Coppertail junkyard. Thought I was gonna score with some hard cash back there, but what I ended up with was beyond my wildest dreams.

I heard through the grapevine that shit calmed down between the Sons and the Reapers. For now. I know how it is. Shit’ll flare up again, and then blow over again, and on, and on, and on. That’s how it works. How it always has, and how it always will.

So now I’ve got the money, the success, the woman, the looks, and a kid on the way. Posted up in the biggest state in the Union, with the biggest cock in the union. I can’t wait to see what the future holds, ‘cause I know it’s gonna be bright for me. I got everything I need right here surrounding me, and I ain’t ever gonna let ‘em go.

Not on my life.

Thank You!

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