Page 65 of Butcher

Three of the girls gave me looks that said they didn’t believe me, but it was Caitlyn who called me out. “We know it’s more than that,” she said, voice soft and tears in her eyes. She tossed herself into my arms before I had a chance to say anything else.

“We’ll all be careful,” I promised them as they all hugged me. My thoughts drifted back to the conversation I had with Daryl. I’d doubted I had the capacity for love, but even if he hadn’t made me realize it, this moment would have.

Sniffling caught my attention and I looked up. Gwen gave me a watery smile. “Sorry,” she said, then cleared her throat. Grace and Sean were waiting patiently for their turn to say goodbye. I hugged both kids, then stood and pulled Gwen in for a hug as well. There was a time when this entire scene would’ve made me as uncomfortable as Isla was. It just made me realize how far I’d come from day one of showing up at this compound.

Once the women, and kids, had the chance to hug everyone goodbye they went inside the clubhouse, leaving the rest of us outside to get ready to go.

“Don’t worry,” Cynic said, crossing his arms over his chest, “we’ll take care of them.”

“Yeah,” Warrant said with a wide smile. “We’ll take real good care of them.”

Hush turned and glared at him. “The fuck is that supposed to mean?”

There’d been a tone in Warrant’s words that had every man on full alert. I wasn’t surprised because the fucker had been doing the same thing with Isla since he’d gotten here. I was beginning to wonder if it was just how he was and he didn’t even realize he was being a dickhead. The shocked look on his face was currently supporting my theory. He was a good-looking motherfucker and I was betting he’d been perfecting that teasing tone he always used on women since the days his balls dropped. It just seemed etched into his DNA at this point.

“I-” Warrant started to explain.

“That’s it, I’m staying,” Priest muttered, scowling first at Warrant, then at Lock.

“We need you there, Priest,” Lock tells him with a sigh. “You’re my best fucking sharpshooter. Plus, I’m counting on you to keep the Saint’s Outlaws organized and take out some of these fuckers before they even get to us.”

“Someone needs to stay,” Smoke said in agreement, shaking his head as he looked over at Warrant.

“He’s kidding,” Toxic told the group, but he also cast his friend an irritated look.

“I didn’t mean it like that guys,” Warrant called out, sounding offended. Everyone ignored him.

“Not worth the risk,” Ricochet muttered.

“You don’t actually think your women would go for that guy, do you?” Hell asked. “I know Kit would kick his ass if he tried anything.”

“I don’t steal other men’s women,” Warrant sputtered. “Especially not men I consider my brothers.” He shook his head, a mix of disbelief and humor on his face because everyone was still ignoring him.

Rip shrugged when Lock looked his way. “Never hurts to have more security on our families.”

“Static. Idaho. Stay here and keep everyone in line.”

“Hey!” Idaho snapped.

“That’s not-” Static swallowed back the rest of his words when Lock stepped in front of them.

“You two are still fucking prospects,” he growled. “Don’t forget that. Besides, you’re my oldest fucking friend and my damn brother. If I can’t trust you two to keep everyone’s families safe, who can I trust?”

They sighed but went to stand with Warrant, Cynic, Rotor, and Scythe.

Toxic chuckled, shaking his head as he watched the scene play out.

“What’s so funny,” I asked.

“Them thinking Warrant would go after their women. I know he looks like an asshole, but he’s actually a pretty good guy.”

I look over at the man. He had brown hair, blue eyes, and tattoos covering almost every exposed inch of skin. Not to mention the cocky grin. Women loved that sort of shit, but I knew Toxic was right. So was Hellfire. Warrant wouldn’t go after our women, and the old ladies wouldn’t give him the time of day despite his good looks and charming—so I’d been told—personality. These women were homicidally loyal.

“Are they serious?” Warrant asked Idaho.

“Yeah.”

“Well shit,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was just fucking around with you. Your old ladies and kids are safe here with us. I’d kill anyone who thought about touching them.”

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