Page 23 of Loki's Luck

I smile at my brothers and their women. We may have brought them into this family on a whim, but my brothers have taken it all in stride and done everything they can to make the kids feel welcome. I have never been more proud to be a part of the Reckless Omens Motorcycle Club.

We all sit, and my brothers send cheers and claps as the kids blow out the candles. Then we all dig in. The kids eat their weight in food before groaning and sitting back in their seats. Halle smiles across the table at them before clapping her hands together.

“So, how about we get dressed and do some shopping?” she asks us. Again, Rome and I groan at the prospect.

“Actually, pet, I was thinking. What if you and the girls go shoppin’, and Rome, the bothers, and I can visit their old foster home? You know, just to chat,” I say, smiling sweetly at her, hoping and praying she agrees. She gives me a sweet smile back, and in my head, I do a fist pump in the air… that is, until she answers.

“Nice try, but you aren’t going over there and having all the fun without me. I want to see them suffer,” Halle says.

“Oh, me too! You can’t go without me; that’s not fair!” Rae says, folding her arms across her chest and glaring at me like I killed her puppy.

“What was I thinking? Of course, I can’t go without my princess,” I tell her, which earns me a sweet smile and a giggle.

“Keep it up, and I’m dragging you to the bathroom and fucking you long and hard,” Halle whispers in my ear.

Just yesterday, she wouldn’t be whispering, which wouldn’t have been a threat. It would have been a done deal. Shit, we’ve been caught more than once fucking in every room of the damn clubhouse because we can’t keep our hands to ourselves. But something has shifted. We haven’t lost our edge or our crazy, but we have gained the kids. They’ve been through enough as it is, and I’ll be damned if anyone, including me, makes them feel uncomfortable in any way in their new home.

“Tonight, you’re mine,” I growl back at her.

“You won’t hurt Halle; I won’t let you,” Rome growls at me, standing slowly.

“I would never hurt her, son. I promise,” I tell him truthfully. I know he sees the truth in my eyes, but it’s not until my pet speaks up that I see Rome physically relax. All this is new to both kids, and they just need time to get used to everything and the affection I have for my woman.

“He only wants to protect me, Rome, but thank you for keeping a lookout. Y'all ready to go shopping?” Halle says excitedly. She and Rae are so enthusiastic about this shopping endeavor that they practically drag Rome and me over to the SUV before making our way to the mall about twenty minutes away.

“Alright, guys, let’s go get you both some new clothes,” Halle says before jumping out of the SUV and moving to the backseat to help Rae and Rome out of their boosters.

We walk into the mall, and Rae and Halle squeal before entering the first clothing store they see. Rome and I follow behind them, grumbling the whole way, staying close without getting in the way of the girls. They grab armfuls of clothes for both Rome and Rae.

“Can I try on my pretty dresses?” Rae asks.

“Of course, baby girl,” Halle tells her, making her way to the dressing room.

“Hey, pet, Rome and I are going to head over a few stores down. Pick him out some clothes from here, and we will pick him out some from down there, too,” I tell her, trying to smile and not grimace.

She looks at me suspiciously, and I know she’s about to call me out, but then she looks down at Rome’s face. He looks as uncomfortable in this place as I do. Her face softens, and she nods at me.

“Fine, but don’t take too long,” she says and turns, rushing to the changing room with Rae following close behind.

“Thank Christ. Come on, son. Let’s get the fuck out of here,” I tell Rome.

“Thank Christ,” he repeats, making me chuckle softly.

“Where are we going now? I don’t really want to pick out new clothes,” Rome says, looking down at his feet.

“Thank God for that. I figured we’d go to the sports store and waste some time there before we meet back up with the ladies,” I tell him.

“Really?” he looks up at me excitedly.

“Hell fucking yeah,” I tell him, and we both make our way into the sporting goods store.

Nearly an hour later, we drag our cart full of fishing gear for both of us and football, soccer, and baseball gear for Rome out of the store. He told me he always wanted to play these sports but was never allowed to. Fuck that, he can play whatever the hell he wants, and I’ll be at every fucking game cheering him on, along with the rest of my brothers.

He seems like a whole new kid when we walk out. He’s smiling wide, and he actually looks like a kid. I haven’t seen this side of him yet, and I love it. I make it my fucking goal to make sure this side stays on the surface and he doesn’t bury it again.

“Alright, let’s go get our girls and get the hell out of here,” I tell him. He nods in agreement, but we both stop dead when we hear yelling inside the store.

We look at each other before taking off running, leaving the cart right in front of the fucking store, knowing full well who’s causing all the commotion.

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