Page 122 of Throttle

The clubhouse's interior is chaotic, like an excessive twelve-year-old's birthday celebration.

“Woman, stop buying so many damn balloons for every occasion,” Chain tells Maggie as he stumbles on the ladder.

Tank runs over to steady it. “Woah there, big guy.”

Chain glares at the love of his life standing by Tank, despite his current urge to strangle her.

“Shoot. You’re probably right. But where’s the fun in that?” Maggie shrugs and winks at her ol’ man in question.

Brass comes home today. The past month has involved hospital visits, physical therapy, and what he affectionately refers to as care from the nurses. We were not only celebrating his return, but Chain also decided, and we all voted on it, to make him a member. He more than proved himself worthy of being promoted from prospect to an official Steel Valley Chain.

While he may still feel guilty about the Tequila situation, we all see him as a brother and honestly, I can't imagine him not being part of our club.

I look over at my girl, who’s laughing with Angel and Jules. Perfection. I'd give anything to etch her smile into my memory.

The most important thing is to witness her happiness. And if that was why my life was created, I’ve already lived.

Tequila's eyes meet mine as she looks up, almost as if she sensed I was admiring her. Her smile makes my knees frail. The ability to weaken a grown man is a dangerous desire.

The front door swings open and Bullet walks in, followed by Brass. With one arm in a sling, Brass tugs at his cut while we shout welcome home. He stops in the doorway, eyes wide.

Our President gives him a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Glad to you have back and welcome to the club, son.”

His eyebrows crease inwards. “You mean… I’m patched in?”

“Yep. Congratulations. Now don’t fuck up or I’d be happy to demote you to prospect again.” Chain smirks and Brass sniffs, giving a wiggle to his nose.

“Shit. I… I’m not crying. I just have something in my eye.” Brass rubs it and clears his throat.

I stand in front of him. “You’re still a son of a bitch, but congrats, man.” I offer a handshake to his good one, and he accepts.

“I appreciate it. I appreciate all of you.” Brass grins.

Few tears fall from the women, and mine wipes her cheek.

“All right. All right. Let’s fucking party, because you all are turning into a bunch of pussies. Just joking, of course.” Chain leans down and gives Maggie a kiss.

The music starts and I find Tequila. I pull her toward me as she breaks away from Angel. With her cheek against my chest, I inhale her sweet scent. “I love you so fucking much I can’t stop thinking about you when you’re not in my arms. I am the luckiest man on the planet, my rose, and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”

She smiles, kissing me hard. “I love you too.”

“I want you to be my ol’ lady. You’re mine. And if anyone comes near you, they’ll know you belong to me.”

She reaches up and softly touches my face. “I would be honored. But let’s be honest, I was yours the day you sat down on that stool and told me your name.”

She was. Deep down, it was always true.

I embrace her and press my lips against hers. The moan she lets out instantly gets me hard. Hell, the touch of her gets me hard. “If it wasn’t Brass’s celebratory party, I’d take you home and jam my cock inside that perfect pretty pussy of yours.”

“Mmm. I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

“I have to confess,” I tell her. “I think some of the reasons I never told you about my house is because I had it built for you. For us.” I swallow when her breath catches and her lips part. “I’m sure it makes me sound like a psychopath, but yes, everything in our home was decided in thought of you. The staircase. The bookshelves in the main bedroom. The color of the damn walls. I guess I always hoped it would be you.”

“That’s the sweetest thing, Throttle.” She blushes. “And it’s always been you. It’s always been us.”

EPILOGUE

Five years later

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