Page 30 of Vengeful Mates

Technically, she handed back her cut, and as remaining members, the rules put a limit to what we could share with her, and at the moment, our primary focus remained on eliminating Raine. Hence, her involvement.

Coming from a military family with a strict policy of keeping secrets, I kept her out of club business as much as possible, and she accepted that.

I respected her decision to take a step back or quit for good, if she decided that. Despite my allegiance to the club, I’d protect my mate from Slade’s attempts to win her back to the club if that was what she truly wanted.

“With all due respect, sir,” I replied, and Slade stiffened at the last word. “She doesn’t need to be bothered by club decisions when she chose not to be a part of it.” And didn’t show any signs of returning. I kept that part to myself to avoid annoying my president.

“She’ll do this for you.” Slade was overly confident, but our mate frequently shot him down. I’d never seen the bastard lose so many battles when he was used to winning every damn time.

“Will you ask her, or should I?” I clarified.

Slade got out of his chair. “Leave it with me.”

CHAPTER11

Alaric

The next morning,we left early to beat the morning traffic to Sydney. Long day planned, shopping for furniture for the new house. A task that might make or break up the harem. We needed three to four sofas to accommodate the four men, our mate, and kid. Selecting them might turn into a war with varying styles and personalities. I was along for the ride and my mate’s company. I didn’t give a shit what the rest of them picked so long as I got to snuggle up to my woman and my kid on the new furnishings.

Aaliyah rode with me, her body warm against the cool chill of the early summer day. Nerves flared to life, and she rubbed my stomach, chest, and hips, banishing them. My falcon chirped his satisfaction, overjoyed at this rare occasion when she normally rode with Slade or Castor.

Being a Wednesday and a school day, Aaliyah told Mia she couldn’t come, and arranged for Rusty’s wife to drop her off at school, pick her up, and babysit after school until we collected her. Mia grumbled but conceded when told she could play with Mike and Sally until we returned.

Lead sat in the pit of my stomach at leaving my little bird in the care of someone else when I performed the school runs like clockwork. They were my routine and time with Mia, and sometimes we went for ice cream or waffles, or just to feed the ducks in the park. Like the time we left her with her grandmother, I didn’t like leaving my chick, but relented when Aaliyah assured me it would be okay.

The threat of Colton Raine and his vanishing act set me on edge. Within the MC world, weneverwent after an enemy’s family. Off fucking limits. Raine and the mafia didn’t abide by the same rules. His cunning knew no limits and would go after every single person we loved. Until we ran him into the ground, we were sitting ducks, and I choked at the idea of my mate and kid being his next victims.

An hour and a bit later, we pulled intoPenrith Homemaker Center, a supercenter conglomerate of forty different shops, and enteredProvincial Home Living. Aaliyah checked out some stores before our ride to make our lives easier and would let us fight it out between us what we liked. The five of us disagreed on the first two sets of sofas, one a sleek, black thing and a white one.

“What about this, baby?” Zethan ran his palms along a charcoal Kandos sofa.

“Hmmm.” Aaliyah circled it, examining it. “I’m worried Mia and the dog will scratch it.”

“Dog?” Slade’s brows shot to his forehead.

Aaliyah and Castor exchanged a smile. “Yeah, we’re planning to get a dog for Mia.” She stroked the silky linen, and I wished I was the damn fabric to have her touch me again. “Okay. That’s a lie. Daddy wants a dog, and he’ll share it with Mia. But only if everyone’s onboard with it.”

Castor chuckled, moved behind her, and wrapped an arm around her waist. “I used to have a chocolate Labrador. The ex took it, along with everything else. Labs are good dogs. Smart. Loyal. Good with kids. They’ll do what you say, Slade.”

Slade grunted and laughed. “I’m in. I could use a woman who obeys me.” He grinned and flashed his dimples at our mate, her bond flooding with warmth at his humor.

Aaliyah slapped his arm. “Good. You can sleep with her at night.”

A wicked smile spread across his jaw. “As long as it’s not in the doghouse.”

Castor’s grip on our mate’s waist tightened. “She does what I say, don’t you, Sorceress?”

She laughed, light, melodic. “Don’t drag me into your pissing contest.”

“Genius knows I always win.” Slade shot the VP a look to back down, but Castor wasn’t having it, cupping her breast, earning a reproachful look from a saleswoman.

Aaliyah escaped his grasp. “Come on, Hellhound Dick and my hawk.” She held out her hand to Zethan and me. “Let’s leave these two to clash swords.”

Not gonna say no to that. Hand in hand, we wandered through the rows of loungeroom furniture to a pale grey Sorrento set, with Slade and Castor taking up the rear.

“I’m up for clashing swords if you are, Daddy.” Slade purred the last word.

Those two had never fucked, two alphas never surrendering to each other. Sexual tension was definitely there, though. Slade would love to conquer and plunder that ass.

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