Page 49 of July 27

"That's my girl," he whispered, more to himself.

There was a time when her momma would switch between anger and sadness when she was pregnant with Katrina. Looking back, there was probably more he could've done for her, but at the time, he was young, scared, and trying to make a living for his family.

He had no idea Katrina's mom was going to abandon her at the hospital and take off.

The others had already started their bikes. He put on his helmet and straddled the seat. Cord led them away from the clubhouse. For the first time in a while, he felt like he was getting a handle on living on the outside.

Chapter Twenty Four

As Seaglass Cove celebrated the Fourth of July on the beach with a community potluck and fireworks once it got dark, Rachel was inside the clubhouse with Ruger attending a get-together for Havlin members and their families.

The place was packed with more people than Rachel had ever seen. Some women never came to the parties but attended family functions at the club. Children ran wild, hyped up on the holiday, and looking forward to going to the beach for fireworks later.

Katrina and Cora walked in together, followed by Jagger and Wire. Rachel envied how beautiful and happy the two pregnant women looked.

Beside Rachel, Ruger tensed. She glanced at him. All his attention was on his daughter.

She'd seen him experience many different emotions around Katrina—not that he outwardly showed anyone how he felt, but there were signs. Ruger had so many, it consumed him until he got fidgety.

"She's a beautiful soon-to-be-mom," she whispered.

Ruger grunted, but she could see by the sheen in his gaze he was thinking the same thing. He was a proud dad.

The music stopped, switching songs, and then filled the clubhouse again. They'd come over for the get-together. An open clubhouse for families. Those bikers without a family were able to bring their girlfriends. Since kids were running around, none of the bitches were allowed to attend until after eleven o'clock, when the kids would go home.

She leaned against Ruger's side. They'd arrived twenty minutes ago and sat on the couch. He'd filled her in on why they'd come. In Ruger's opinion, free food was offered. Then, they'd go home.

She knew him better than that. He was here because his daughter would be here.

Dio walked over and sat on the arm of the couch in front of them. "Grill's hot. Maverick's throwing the meat on now."

Ruger grunted.

Dio rolled up the sleeves of his t-shirt. "Damn, it's hot. Have you seen Bane?"

"He's at the pool table," said Ruger.

"Yo," shouted Dio. "Where's your old lady, Bane?"

Bane pointed at the table where Katrina and Cora sat. Dio walked over and talked to Daisy. Rachel knew most of the people in the room. While she hadn't personally spoken with them or even introduced herself, she'd observed them many times and understood the relationships.

"I'm hungry." Ruger latched his hands behind his head.

She patted his stomach. "You're always hungry."

"Not for food." He turned his head and winked. "We could slip into one of the bedrooms. There's time."

She couldn't stop her eyes from rounding. Ruger was such a private person. To hear him flirting with her in front of everyone, even if they couldn't hear him, surprised her.

It also made her feel wonderful that he wasn't keeping her a secret. Of course, the Havlin members knew he'd rescued her and let her heal at the clubhouse. But she lived with him now.

She snuggled closer to him. "If we wait until we get home, we don't have to hurry."

He grunted in agreement. She rubbed his leg, letting him know to be patient. They'd had sex that morning. He wasn't going to die.

She turned from Ruger to the room and found Katrina watching her. Embarrassed, she removed her hand from Ruger's leg.

His daughter witnessed the intimacy and walked toward them. Her stomach rolled. As far as she knew, Ruger had yet to explain their new living arrangements to Katrina. She wasn't sure what would happen when his daughter found out.

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