Page 45 of Rise In Arms

We drive through the streets, only the sounds of our pipes roaring breaking the quiet of the night around us. Charity’s arms are wrapped around me tightly, and she’s leaning her head on my right shoulder. She’s tempting as sin, and with an urge to touch her again, I reach my right hand around and tuck it under her thigh and pull her in closer, so she’s flush against my back.

Bear and Hazel are in front of us, with Quill ahead, leading us to his home. It’s not far, just around the corner from the clubhouse, and it’s a beautiful place. Nerves hit the pit of my stomach as thoughts of Jasmine come to mind. I just hope we can move past what happened, and something tells me Charity is just the right person to help me do it.

Following the others up to the driveway of Quill and Jasmine’s place, I check my watch and see it’s past midnight. The kids must be asleep; I was so looking forward to seeing Jack and Rose.

As soon as we park our bikes, the front door opens and Jasmine steps out into the darkness of the night, wearing only a nightie and thin gown. My eyes can’t help but follow the length of her exposed legs, and I swallow hard when her eyes catch mine. Fuck, man, you’re an asshole.

I slide off my bike then help Charity off next. When she’s steady on her feet and her helmet is stowed, we walk up toward the entrance to the house with her ahead of me. Hazel and Bear meet us at the patio soon after, and Quill already has Jasmine in his arms, kissing her long and hard. I look over at Charity, who has a big smile on her face as she also watches them. Yup, they’re the perfect couple. I can only wish I’ll have that someday.

Quill finally lets Jasmine go, then slaps her on her ass and turns to us. “Get in here” is all he says, pointing his chin at the open front door.

We take another step up onto the patio, and when I reach Jasmine, all the air in my lungs seems to vanish. I groan inwardly. She still has a hold on me.

“Hey, Trigger, I’m so glad you’re back,” she says, leaning in and pulling me into an embrace. I hug her back and lift my eyes to Quill, who’s standing in the hallway inside, taking off his cut and hanging it on a hook on the wall.

I break our embrace first then turn to face Charity, feeling awkward as hell. Here is the woman that had my heart, about to meet the woman that may just take it. “Jasmine, this is Charity. Charity, this is Jasmine, Quill’s wife.”

Charity smiles at her warmly and moves in and takes Jasmine’s hands in hers. “I want to thank you so much for helping me, it means a lot that you’ve welcomed a stranger into your home.”

Jasmine’s smile is warm and genuine. “Oh, honey,” She leans in, giving Charity a hug too. Even though Charity is a relative stranger to her, she still makes her feel welcome, and that’s the sort of person Jasmine is, caring, loving… beautiful—stop it!

Words are shared between them in quiet whispers, and Jasmine brings me to the present when she says, “Isn’t that right, Trigger?”

I blink for a moment, trying to work out what I’d missed. “Ah, sorry…? What’d you say?”

“I just explained to Charity how we all have a past, and how this club will protect her with their lives.”

I look between Charity and Jasmine. “That’s right, we do all have a past, and the Blood Brothers will have your back. This I can promise you.”

“Thank you,” she whispers, looking between me and Jasmine, her eyes glossy with unshed tears.

Jasmine’s eyes light up when she looks behind me. “You must be Trigger’s sister, Hazel?”

I look over my shoulder, only just realizing I’d forgotten all about Hazel and Bear behind us. I was completely out of it, oblivious to anything else since I saw Jasmine at the front door.

“Shit, sorry. Hazel, this is Jasmine.”

Hazel moves to my side and nudges me. “Hi, Jasmine, I’ve heard so much about you.”

Jasmine smiles that beautiful smile of hers and looks at me before she focuses once again on Hazel. “I hope it’s all good?” she says, winking at me.

Hazel grins in return. “Yes, it was. I’m so glad to finally meet you, and thank you for having us.”

“Please”—Jasmine swipes her hand in front of her—“I love the company. Welcome, Hazel. I’m so glad to meet you.”

She brings Hazel in for a hug as well, then pulls back when Quill shouts from the hallway, “Yeah, yeah, welcome, welcome. You guys gonna come the fuck in, or do we need to set up beds for you outside?”

Jasmine turns to face Quill and whispers, “Cut it out, we’re coming. And do you have to yell? The kids are asleep.”

Quill’s turns and looks toward the upstairs of their house. “Shit. Sorry, babe, I forgot.”

“Yeah, you seem to forget a lot these days, old man,” she teases.

“I don’t forget how your pu—”

“Quill!” Jasmine interrupts him. I was sure he was going to say the word pussy, and when everyone else starts to laugh I realize they caught on as well.

Jasmine turns to face us, her face now a soft shade of pink. “Sorry, guys, come in. Come in.” She moves aside and opens the door wider for us. We walk along the hallway as a group, and Jasmine leads us into their spacious kitchen. It’s beautiful, all stainless-steel appliances, with marble benchtops. She walks around the island bench. “Can I get anyone anything? Tea? Hot chocolate, perhaps?”

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